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Bill MacCormick (801, Phil Manzanera, Quiet Sun)

A composer, collaborator, session player, and band-member, Bill MacCormick anchored some of the most influential and groundbreaking slabs of the “Canterbury Scene” – the late ’60s, early-to-mid ’70s period centered in Kent, England wherein musicians created a unique blend of progressive, jazz, and psychedelia.

To my ears, among the most stellar of Bill’s sides is 801 Live: a collaborative effort of MacCormick, Phil Manzanera, Brian Eno, Simon Philips, Francis Monkman, and Lloyd Watson. Captured at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall 3 September 1976, MacCormick is up in the mix, plying soulful grooves and countermelodies with an incredibly punchy Precision bass tone which can only be described as “funky prog-rock.” MacCormick anchored several Manzanera ensembles on various album projects over the years including Diamond Head, K-Scope, Listen Now, and 6PM.

Bill’s distinctive rhythm & blues approach to the genre was unique, as evidenced on such watershed albums by Quiet Sun (Mainstream), Brian Eno (Here Come the Warm Jets), and Robert Wyatt (Nothing Can Stop Us, Matching Mole), to cite a select few.

Following his music career, MacCormick ventured into politics, and journalism – authoring books on the London 56^th Infantry, and the Battle of Somme.

Bill MacCormick Sound & Vision…

Quiet Sun: “Mummy Was An Asteroid, Daddy Was A Small Non-Stick Kitchen Utensil” https://youtu.be/RTxCxzFcawU?si=M_1X5T8eTqRjuMpj

801: “Tomorrow Never Knows” https://youtu.be/NVL2S5y5wJE

Phil Manzanera’s 801 “Listen Now” https://youtu.be/D42b2xpHeO8

Phil Manzanera “Wish You Well” https://youtu.be/wUpnIeEnMSc?si=vfIhDvZSP8qSBMzR

Sara Lee (Gang of Four, B-52’s)

Courtesy of Righteous Babe Records

Oh ye of little five-string faith, dig session ace, singer, songwriter, recording artist Sara Lee: renowned for her tenure with Gang of Four, Indigo Girls, Robert Fripp’s League of Gentlemen, B- 52s, Binky Philips, The Thompson Twins, Robyn Hitchcock, Todd Rundgren, Joan Osborne, Fiona Apple, John Ashton’s Satellite Paradiso, and Robert Capowski, among many others.

With a decidedly soulful disposition, Ms. Lee’s mastery of the low-B is a study in rhythm, harmony, phrasing, tone, and melody in a wide array of pop / rock / alternative contexts.

And she’s fab of the trad 4 as well – check out Sara with Gang of Four “It Don’t Matter” https://youtu.be/ECbapwRw9WA

…and with Robert Fripp LOG “Dislocated” https://youtu.be/6eyA2wkhcYU

Born into a musical family (her parents were instructors, and her dad was a bass singer in the York Minister Choir), Sara commenced her musical journey as an upright bassist and tympani player. Whilst toiling as a secretary at Polydor Records, Fripp recruited her for LOG wherein she garnered attention aplenty. Upon her move to the United States, Lee’s career took off as an in-demand session player, collaborator, and band member. In 2000 she released her sole solo slab to date, Make It Beautiful.

Sara Lee Sound & Vision:

B-52’s

“Love Shack” https://youtu.be/9SOryJvTAGs

“Roam” https://youtu.be/iNwC0sp-uA4

Phil Volk (Paul Revere & The Raiders, Rick Nelson)

Photos courtesy of PhilFangVolk.Com

His nickname was prompted by his “prominent” eye teeth!

Phil “Fang” Volk served as bassist for Paul Revere and the Raiders for a brief time (1965-67) yet he did compose and sing on a few of their more notable slabs including Just Like Us (1966), Midnight Ride (1966), and “The Spirit of ’67 (1967). Appearing with the Raiders on scores of high-profile TV shows, concerts, and teen magazines – Volk was a solid groove player and vocalist.

After splitting from the Raiders, Volk worked in various ensembles including Rick Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band, The Brotherhood, and as leader of Fang and the Gang.

Phil Volk Sound & Vision….

Montage of Raiders TV appearances: https://youtu.be/Z5nj2RrwRdA

Fang rendering the lead vocal on “In My Community” https://youtu.be/g_P-x868Qp4

Chck out Volk’s chordal work on “Louise” https://youtu.be/BKJkeRs-Aos

Phil with The Brotherhood “Family Tree” https://youtu.be/zlM-x4Jluu4

With Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band live on the Johnny Cash Show: https://youtu.be/XqvfqrtwJwY

Fang and The Gang tearin’ it up on “Get It On” and “Hungry” https://youtu.be/daUndJRAMAA

Patrick Dahlheimer (Live)

While many “alternative rock” era bassists of the 1990s were simply functional players who replicated the lower register of a rhythm guitarist; Live’s Patrick Dahlheimer incorporated melodic, pocket and pop/ slap style passages (ala Flea in some instances) which embellished Ed Kowalczyk’s mighty croon and Chad Taylor’s super-sonic guitar sloggery!

On such staples including “Operation Spirit,” “Pain Lies on the Riverside,” and “Selling the Drama” Dahlheimer’s heavy hooks helped distinguished this ensemble from many their combat-boot, skate-tee peers!

In addition to Live, Patrick anchors The Gracious Few with Live bandmates Chad Taylor and Chad Gracey and Candlebox alumnae Sean Hennesy and Kevin Martin.

Dig Patrick’s slap funk passage on “Operation Spirit (The Tyranny of Tradition)” from Mental Jewelryhttps://youtu.be/1w2jG43Z6v0 Courtesy of Live YouTube page…

Chucho Merchan (Eurythmics, Pete Townshend, EBTG, David Gilmour)

A first call session cat, composer, conductor, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, producer, band-leader, solo recording artist, and human and animals rights activist; Bogota born Jesus Alfredo “Chucho” Merchan is among the instrument’s most prolific players.

Merchan has forged grooves incorporating fretless, slap/pop style, jazz , Latin, funk, punk, soul, and permutations thereof with Everything But the Girl, The Dream Academy, Pete Townshend, Thomas Dolby, Eurythmics, Billy Bragg, The Pretenders, David Gilmour, Phil Manzanera, Sam Brown, and Robert Wyatt, to cite a very, very select few.

Chucho Merchan Sound & Vision:

Chucho Merchan: “Pachamadre Mamatierra” https://youtu.be/uBTv4a6vQqE

David Gilmour for “Wish You Were Here” courtesy of Chucho Merchan YouTube page: https://youtu.be/CYUTMzgQtXQ

Pete Townshend’s Deep End courtesy of Chucho Merchan YouTube: https://youtu.be/SYP0qzw-tbI

Paul Denman (Sade)

Before digital beats, bleeps, boinks, boobs ‘n’ butts became pop music di rigueur; ‘twas a cool, urbane hit-making London ensemble which assumed the stage moniker of their vocalist Helen Folasade Adu.

Bassist/composer Paul Spencer Denman popped, percolated, and purveyed grooves so very deep that thirty plus years following their initial MTV era fame, Sade remains a world class act even though their recording and touring agenda is erratic at best.

Among Denman’s weapons of choice include MusicMan Stingray and Gretsch.

Paul Denman Sound & Vision….

Paul Thompson aka PD Bass takes us to Denman University https://youtu.be/IxUF8HPbQe0

Denman with his bass way up high on the body at Live Aid ‘85 “Your Love Is King” https://youtu.be/zwDjJP_l5AY

Paul deeeeeeeep in the pocket on “Feel No Pain” https://youtu.be/yoLoEw8D0Bg

Guy Pratt (Bryan Ferry, Pink Floyd, Madonna, Robert Palmer…)

Courtesy of Guy Pratt Com

A chameleonic, prolific UK session ace, Guy Pratt has “distinguished” (he would never use that adjective…) himself on stage and in the studio with post-Roger Waters Pink Floyd, Robert Palmer, Bryan Ferry, Madonna, David Gilmour, Icehouse, Tom Jones, Gary Moore, Jon Lord, Echo & the Bunnymen, Iggy Pop, Rod Stewart, Andy MacKay, Michael Jackson, Peter Cetera, The Dream Academy, Tears for Fears, Krisy MacColl, and Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, to cite a scant few…

In addition to his musical, thespian, compositional, and production credits, Guy is a funny guy, forging a side-career as stand-up comic who incorporates his instrumental artistry in his stage show My Bass and Other Animals – which is also the title of his must-read tome on Orion Press (2007).

Pratt’s proclivity for percolating jazz / funk / reggae inspired passages along with his use of effects affords this player the uncanny (would he use that adjective?) ability to adapt to just about any situation in the realm of pop and permutations thereof.

Yet Guy often phrases akin to a keyboardist – hence the difficulty of deciphering whether it’s a synth pad rendering the grooves and not a blokey with a battered J bass named “Betsy” on any given track he waxes– especially when GP alters the tone of his instrument with an array of octave gizmos and programs.

Trendy (would he use that adjective?) blokey that he is, Pratt is a bass collector. Among his weapons of choice include vintage Fender P and J basses, MusicMan StingRay, Aira SB, and a fretless Steinberger as a member of Icehouse! The Bass Centre in London has created a Guy Pratt Signature Bass – which is reasonably priced and replicates his named Fender Jazz as referenced above.

Keep up with Guy on www.GuyPratt.com and his YouTube page which is aptly titled “Guy Pratt”

Pratt Playlist: Check out Know Your Bass Player: Best Bass: Guy Pratt on Spotify

Guy Pratt Sound & Vision…

Dig Guy’s right-hand disco pluckery: https://youtu.be/pSHVqOYjaDI

“Money” with Pink Floyd: https://youtu.be/tKA1eF4JF5Y

Peter Cetera “You Never Listen to Me” https://youtu.be/cwXceJMbhgE

Michael Hutchence “Let Me Show You” https://youtu.be/3_G9hYCDivk

Icehouse https://youtu.be/2Hwk5Hw4tBM

Saucerful of Secrets “Fearless” https://youtu.be/YZXKgl8turY

Robert Palmer “Discipline of Love” https://youtu.be/rPWKiakwYe0

Madonna “Like a Prayer” https://youtu.be/79fzeNUqQbQ

Bryan Ferry “Kiss and Tell” https://youtu.be/ZiFbLd_cPVk

The Orb “Rush Hill Road” https://youtu.be/9SD7SHwYAw4

Joe Bouchard (Blue Oyster Cult, Blue Coupe

With their signature meld of progressive, pop, and metal, Long Island’s mighty Blue Oyster Cult were among the most innovative (and under-rated) ensembles of the classic rock era.

BOC’s anchor during their glory years was Joe Bouchard. An educator, multi-instrumentalist, composer, solo recording artist and author – Joe’s multi-effect mind-bending (and string-bending) bass solos were a highlight of BOC shows.

Nowadays Mr. Bouchard is going strong on the bandstand and in the studio as a guitarist with power trio Blue Coupe which features another legend in the bass chair; Alice Cooper Band Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dennis Dunaway, along with founding BOC drummer Albert Bouchard – the cat who played the cowbell on “Fear the Reaper.” Bouchard has also waxed a handful of slabs under his own name.

Joe Bouchard Sound & Vision….

Blue Oyster Cult:

“Joan Crawford” https://youtu.be/YQBJfQhpw_U

“Burnin’ for You” https://youtu.be/kn-8n4QKUS4

“Don’t Fear the Reaper” https://youtu.be/Dy4HA3vUv2c

“Bass Solo” https://youtu.be/FKPHZij9rY0

Blue Coupe: “Be My Lover” https://youtu.be/ITc2p5NE_u4

Mike Lutz (Brownsville Station)

“Sitting in the classroom, thinking it’s a drag. Listening to the teacher rap, just ain’t my bag. The noon bells rings, you know that’s my cue. I’m gonna meet the boys on floor number two!”

Among Ann Arbor, Michigan’s furthermost contributions to the enduring art-form that is rock ‘n’ roll was the mighty Brownsville Station. Helmed by the late, legendary rocker / journalist / radio personality Cub Coda- Brownsville’s garage band bonding of Chuck Berry and The Who, among other similar influences – remains timeless.

Successor to founding bassist Tony Driggins, Mike Lutz co-composed “Smokin’ in the Boys Room” with Cub, and served as the band’s second vocalist.

“Smokin’ in the Boys Room” https://youtu.be/2rdLOYwGNTc

Lutz nary strayed from the root notes whilst stomping four to the bar in platform boots atop stages big and small across these United States throughout the 1970s. Post Brownsville, Lutz turned to the producer’s chair, most notably helming Spirit of the Wild (1995) by that interminable bastion of American conservatism: Theodore Anthony Nugent.

Mike Dirnt (Green Day)

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame trio Green Day turned a new generation on to “political” punk while forging a canon that melded pop melody and social commentary, especially on such collections as American Idiot (2004) and 21st Century Breakdown (2009). To my ears, Billie Joe carries the populist mantle forged by Joe Strummer, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, John Lennon, and Jello Biafra…

However don’t let the simplistic “punk” moniker mislead you when it comes to the music and the bassist, as the former Michael Ryan Pritchard is a accomplished and dexterous player; rendering chords, slaps, walking lines, and counterpoint as evidenced on such Green Day tracks as…

“Father of All” https://youtu.be/eXv00PJ9IQM

“Welcome to the Paradise” https://youtu.be/iOcrKFiB_ts

“Makeout Party” https://youtu.be/hsHrfNzal0U

“No One Knows” https://youtu.be/jRbVjJPKoUY

“Chump” https://youtu.be/qiN2rE7shBc

“Minority” https://youtu.be/cDBlqu6KF4k

“Dirty Rotten” https://youtu.be/Tsn7pW8TcI4

“Longview” https://youtu.be/vlOuYdPVlak

…to cite a few.

A songwriter, occasional lead singer, and backing vocalist, Mike Dirnt’s signature Fender P bass plays like butta! Dig Dirnt talkin’ Dirnt bass: https://youtu.be/vYWm9gvtlKQ