“Let’s do that one that sounds like The Byrds”, referring to “(The Angels Want to Wear My) Red Shoes”… while a novice songwriter was busy trying to cover his tracks…” – Elvis Costello.

Courtesy of Elvis Costello Com

He anchored the renowned Bay Area band Clover (which featured a pre-News Huey Lewis) and Declan McManus’ watershed bow My Aim Is True (1977).

An in-demand session ace on upright and electric with Lucinda Williams (Lucinda Williams, Sweet Old World, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road), John Prine, Nick Lowe, Norton Buffalo, Carlene Carter, and Jim Lauderdale, to cite a few, the late John Ciambotti plied his craft working the supportive pocket and emerging as a melodic foil with a warm, resonant tone. Attraction Bruce Thomas rendered John’s lines as does Imposter Davey Faragher whenever Elvis renders a song from his debut – that’s how vital John’s work remains.

Following his music career, John Ciambotti healed musicians as a specialized chiropractor.

John Ciambotti Sound & Vision…

With Clover:

“Chicken Funk” https://youtu.be/CH-YAj8eaIQ  

“Bad Is Bad” https://youtu.be/KoBQqd2x0XM

Clover (1977) https://youtu.be/LZAx5oNt_Is

With Elvis Costello:

“(The Angels Want to Wear My Red Shoes)” https://youtu.be/pS8oaMFsBEk

“Alison: https://youtu.be/XTtopI620ZU

With Lucinda Williams:

“Car Wheels on a Gravel Road” https://youtu.be/YgnnrZfoZS0

“Drunken Angel” https://youtu.be/9vdoJvNbY7Q

“Passionate Kisses” https://youtu.be/dEqXV9hGk-I

“Sweet Old World” https://youtu.be/BwGMJYszLMY

Coolest bass solo ever? You decide! Mario Cipollina “New Drug” https://youtu.be/0RidhyUlTzo

Most recognized for his tenure as the brooding bassist who anchored Huey Lewis & The News during their 1980s platinum run, Mario Cipollina also plied his craft quite impressively with his brother John for Quicksilver Messenger Service, Robert Hunter, Jonathan Cain, Tony Williams Lifetime (The Joy of Flying), Johnny Nitro, Bill Champlin, Nick Lowe & His Cowboy Outfit, and Melvin Seals, among others.  

Beginning on upright bass at the tender age of seven, and turning to the electric at thirteen Mario draws his inspiration from classical music (his personal preference), Frank Zappa, Chick Corea, Led Zeppelin, Captain Beefheart, and Miles Davis.

A pocket player with a flair for rhythm & blues, Mario is still on the bandstand in his native Bay Area.

Mario Cipollina Sound & Vision…

Tony Williams and Ronnie Montrose: “Open Fire” https://youtu.be/u5ArggbPHLI

Huey Lewis “Working for a Living” https://youtu.be/lcIK3akktLU

Nick Lowe “I Knew the Bride When She Used to Rock and Roll” https://youtu.be/Kn1CXbf2xF8