Ron McClure’s extraordinary career as a bassist, composer, bandleader, collaborator, and educator spans Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, Charles Lloyd’s “classic quartet with Jack DeJohnette and Keith Jarrett, Joe Henderson and Quest with David Liebman, to cite a very select few.

 

My former teacher, rock fans will recall Ron as the anchor for Blood Sweat & Tears from 1974-76, taking over the bass chair from Jim Fielder. Ron was nominated for a Grammy (“graminated for a Nommy” in his own words – see video below) for his composition “No Show” which appeared on the last listenable BST slab New City (1976).

 

Ron teaches at New York University nowadays.

 

Watch Ron on Know Your Bass Player on Film Season One, 2016 New York City, Euphoria Studios https://bit.ly/2YJyIDr

 

 

“Ooohhhhh Stone Cold Fever, yeah, so hard to see…I’ve got trouble in my backbone…”

 

 

Among the most soulful players to emerge from the late 1960s –early 1970s wave of hard rocking British bluesmen, the late Alfred Gregory Ridley was a founding member of two legendary ensembles: Spooky Tooth and Humble Pie.

 

Unlike his peer bassists who toiled in the shadows, Ridley was a showman, gravitating towards center stage with his natural finish Fender Precision adorned with abalone inlays and a floral décor. Ridley’s bold, free-form style harmonic extensions were further bolstered by his Acoustic 360 –which was among the most powerful of the era.

 

A vocalist and songwriter, Ridley essentially vanished from the music business when Pie split in 1975, though he worked sporadically over the ensuing years with Steve Marriott.

 

At the time of his passing in 2003, Ridley anchored Tea, a blues band based in Spain where he resided. Greg also helmed “Greg Ridley’s Humble Pie” repertory ensemble, albeit briefly, which belted out the best of Pie.

 

 

Greg Ridley Sound & Vision….

 

With Spooky Tooth:

 

“Old As I Was Born” / “Cotton Growing Man” / “Waiting for the Wind” / “Moriah” https://youtu.be/nExtB4Nz4Kk

 

“That Was Only Yesterday” with Luther Grosvenor https://youtu.be/u7lTzEVVItA

 

Greg Ridley’s Humble Pie Live https://youtu.be/wsxXBlxYjas

 

With Humble Pie:

 

“The Sad Bag of Shaky Jake” https://youtu.be/cbJCCrcp5G8

 

“Bang” https://youtu.be/4kPN_OJMaAg

 

“Honky Tonk Woman” https://youtu.be/kV0uV2XyIHw

 

“30 Days in the Hole” https://youtu.be/sdXjm8pZMws

 

“I Don’t Need No Doctor” https://youtu.be/mSyrf-FYKVE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Courtesy of Chuck Rainey Com

 

Huffington Post (2016) – Tom Semioli: Eleven More Bass Players Who Belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame https://bit.ly/2gPVZgK

 

“The bass line/part is the one element in music that causes the listener to feel and hear the lyric, dance and above all enables the lead instrument to function.” Chuck Rainey

 

Word to all electric bassists: if you don’t know Charles Walter Rainey III, put down your instrument!

 

Along with James Jamerson, Carole Kaye, Duck Dunn, Bob Babbitt, and Jerry Jemmott, Mr. Rainey established the electric bass in the recording studio and on the bandstand. He is among the instrument’s most fervent and innovative practitioners.

 

When Quincy Jones, for whom Rainey often worked under, proclaimed that the development of the electric bass was among the most significant events in 20th Century music – he was referring to Chuck and the above referenced bass guitar icons.

 

Chuck commenced his musical journey as a trumpet player. He made the transition to baritone horn while studying the classics at Lane College. In the military Rainey switched to guitar, and then to bass where his talents flourished. He moved to New York City at the dawn of the studio era and emerged as a first call session player. In ’72 Chuck made the trip out west to Los Angeles with Quincy Jones where his legend was further established. 

 

In addition to scores of television and film soundtracks, you’ve heard Chuck’s signature bass artistry enhance the work of Steely Dan, Aretha Franklin, Laura Nyro, Lena Horne, Donald Byrd, the Pointer Sisters, Tom Jones, Tim Buckley, The Rascals, Al Kooper, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Paul Simon, Bette Midler, Peggy Lee, Robert Palmer, Marvin Gaye, Lowell George, Dionne Warwick, and Rickie Lee Jones – just to skim the surface.

 

An educator, author, clinician, bass loving vinyl collectors are advised to seek out Chuck’s groovy debut solo gem entitled The Chuck Rainey Coalition (1972 / Skye Records) which never made it to compact disc for reasons unknown.

 

Chuck Rainey Sound & Vision…

 

Steely Dan “Josie” https://youtu.be/R-BipyU4WXs

 

Chuck Rainey Coalition “How Long Will It Last” https://youtu.be/i5aBtSdtum0

 

Aretha Franklin “Until You Come Back to Me” https://youtu.be/Nbokg0KM-n8

 

Laura Nyro “Eli’s Comin” https://youtu.be/SaFD-s66VG8

 

From The Wrecking Crew “Chuck Rainey Meets Tommy Tedesco” https://youtu.be/4X3WuGobeD0

 

 

 

He anchored one of the most influential and essential albums of the classic jazz rock fusion era: Jeff Beck’s Wired (1976).

 

Son of noted jazz trumpeter “Dud” Bascomb (Duke Ellington, Erskine Hawkins) Wilbur waxed several sides and performed with a wide array of artists including Alphonse Mouzon, Idris Muhammad, Andy Bey, Grace Jones, Roy Ayers, Bobbi Humphrey, Galt MacDermot’s New Pulse Band with Bernard Purdie, BB King, the original soundtrack to Hair, Mick Taylor, and James Brown, among others.

 

In addition to his high-profile jazz fusion / funk-soul pedigree, Wilbur is a renowned studio player (TV, film soundtracks) and has also led his ensembles under his own name, including Bad Bascomb.

 

Wilbur Bascomb Sound & Vision….

 

Jeff Beck: “Head for Backstage Pass” https://youtu.be/ZYmZnVR51SQ

 

Jeff Beck: “Sophie” https://youtu.be/KU2u07G_XLc

 

Tony Senatore’s rendition of Jeff Beck’s “Come Dancing” https://youtu.be/Xs8zeiKITHI

 

Wilber on the bandstand with Free / Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke, and session ace G.E. Smith, and keys man Jeff Kazee:

 

“Johnny Too Bad” https://youtu.be/UW-5wblHJnA

 

“All Right Now” https://youtu.be/AkveK6DScKY

 

“Heartbreaker” https://youtu.be/WQpq1jWxIGA

 

Bad Bascomb “Black Grass” https://youtu.be/XFcEBz_m4y0

 

Grace Jones “Pull Up to the Bumper” https://youtu.be/Tc1IphRx1pk

 

Idris Muhammad “Moon Hymn” https://youtu.be/XpiSUBwFNfU

 

Wilbur Bascomb “Out of Body Experience” https://youtu.be/pZlaO9uUn20

 

Roy Ayers “Sensitize” https://youtu.be/eSbkeCBo8fw

A session giant who waxed seminal sides in the UK and LA, this Kingston, Jamaica born bassist brought his reverence of Motown and reggae to rockers and fusion artists alike.

 

Though Phil Chen missed the opportunity to assume Ronnie Lane’s position with The Faces in 1973 – he garnered attention aplenty anchoring The Butts Band – which featured ex-Doors Robbie Kreiger and John Densmore.

 

A staunch Fender Precision / Jazz devotee, Phil’s economic approach was the perfect choice to anchor Jeff Beck’s historic Blow By Blow (1975) album.

 

When Rod the Mod opted for Hollywood, Phil and drummer Carmine Appice made the most of Stewart’s pop inclinations, blending rock, funk, disco, and blues on several chart topping sides.

 

Chen’s impressive resume also includes sessions / gigs with Brian May’s Star Fleet Project, Jackson Browne, Pete Townshend, Eurythmics, John Lee Hooker, Dave Edmunds, and Joan Armatrading, among, many, many others.

 

Phil Chen’s home country honored the bassist in 2014 with the Order of Distinction for his musical accomplishments.

 

Phil Chen Sound & Vision….

 

Phil with The Butts Band on the Old Grey Whistle Test https://youtu.be/It0j_898rR0

 

Jeff Beck “Constipated Duck” https://youtu.be/4INHP7WlN1M

 

Rod Stewart “Hot Legs” – short, simple, and sweet!  https://youtu.be/AHcjjxYbgNM

 

“This Old Heart of Mine” live with The Rod Stewart Band: https://youtu.be/W8cokK7GbjE

 

Joan Armatrading “Travel So Far” https://youtu.be/ovMYVD_W6M4

 

Eurythmics “The Last Time” https://youtu.be/YhwX41CDUMc

 

Dion “King of The New York City Streets” https://youtu.be/z5jyoz0h6GU

 

Dig this insightful and humorous interview – courtesy of Lauren Scheff wherein he offers his strong opinions on light gauge “cheese cutter” bass strings! https://youtu.be/j8aN168gRfc

 

 

Whenever I mentioned the slab Overnight Angels (1977) to Ian Hunter during our four or five interviews since 2000, the usual reaction was a groan, or a grimace, or a combination of thereof.

 

At the London 02 Arena VIP room immediately following the final “original” Mott the Hoople gig (Martin Chambers substituted for the ailing Dale Griffin) in 2013, I met Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott and congratulated him for his tribute – on record and on stage – to Ian’s Angels by way of his Mott / British Lions / Hunter repertory ensemble Down ‘n’ Outz. He thanked me profusely, and noted that I was among the few who “got it!”

 

Though it was an album out-of-time, out-of-touch, and somewhat out-of-tune thanks to producer Roy Thomas Baker’s misdirection, the songs and bass playing on Overnight Angels are, to my ears, astonishing.

 

Rare is the player who can overplay – yet play to the song. Yet that is exactly what Rob Rawlinson achieved on this collection, which, incidentally, was only available as an import in the United States upon its release.

 

“Golden Opportunity” https://youtu.be/xOgI42s53uA

 

“Overnight Angels” https://youtu.be/HzYBO4Uw92o

 

“Wild and Free: https://youtu.be/KwFFEw5BtOo

 

“Miss Silver Dime” https://youtu.be/qzADr4fkbUQ

 

Rawlinson’s nimble fingered fretwork, which was given to strategic rapid fire grace notes, chords, harmonic extensions, and glissandos – were obviously inspired by Jaco Pastorius – who forged electric bass history on Ian’s previous album All American Alien Boy.

Ironically,  Rob once replaced Jaco on a session helmed by Roy Thomas Baker.

 

Rawlinson didn’t appropriate Jaco’s tonal character – which was custom among many players of the era who were bitten by the Pastorius bug. Instead, Rob rounded out Hunter’s ensemble, which also included Earl Slick, with a traditional Fender Precision bass resonance which held the tracks together.

 

“Shallow Crystals” https://youtu.be/7stOZSXUFU4

 

“To Love a Woman” https://youtu.be/Hb4mTJnPFrQ

 

“Justice of the Peace” https://youtu.be/PjWzp2gb-yU

 

Rawlinson, who went on to found Atomic Studios in London, also anchored sessions and gigs with Freddie Mercury, the Climax Blues Band, the Lloyd Langton Group, Rick Astley, and Alison Moyet, among others.

 

Over the years, Ian’s stance on Angels has softened, likely due to Elliott’s remake / remodel of one of rock’s most intriguing flawed gems – as he has been known to perform a track or two from this album with The Rant Band with Paul Page on bass.

 

Dig Down ‘n’ Outz interpretation of “Overnight Angels” https://youtu.be/o-lrlcmNxLY