Phil Chen (Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart)

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

 

Pino Palladino (Paul Young, D’Angelo)

Fretless Pino Courtesy of Music Man Com              Fretted Pino Courtesy of Fender Com

He’s the cat who orchestrated the fretless takeover of the instrument in the 1980s / ’90s. Then he commandeered the triumphant return of the fretted Fender Precision in the 21st century.

 

For nearly forty years and counting, the chameleonic Giuseppe Henry “Pino” Palladino has been among the most in-demand session and touring bassists on the planet. Greatly inspired by classic rhythm & blues and American soul music, Pino mostly plies his craft with frets nowadays, utilizing a vintage 1961 Precision which has been replicated for the masses by way of Fender’s signature bass series.

 

Pino’s genre traversing work spans Paul Young, D’Angelo, John Mayer Trio, Don Henley, Adele, David Gilmour, Jeff Beck, Nine Inch Nails, The Who, and Herbie Hancock, among many other high-profile artists.

 

Palladino’s use of a an “octaver effect” (Boss Octave O2 pedal) on his fretless MusicMan Stingray set a precedent for the instrument in a pop context throughout the Regan / Thatcher years. On the hits (such as Melissa Etheridge’s “Come to My Window” and Paul Young’s “Every Time You Go Away”) and the album tracks – Pino almost always rendered an upper register motif which severed as a main or secondary hook to the composition.

 

His work on D’Angelo’s Voodoo slab in 2000 reignited interest in the fretted Fender Precision bass which continues well into the present day.

 

Pino Palladino Sound & Vision…

 

Pete Townshend “Give Blood: https://youtu.be/VfggghQENsU

 

D’Angelo “Chicken Grease” https://youtu.be/m4XI6LXCsH8

 

Paul Young “I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down” https://youtu.be/EiJWXjz1uks

 

“Every Time You Go Away” https://youtu.be/nfk6sCzRTbM

 

Melissa Etheridge “Come To My Window” https://youtu.be/Gk4CwPQCbAE

 

Gary Numan “Music for Chameleons” https://youtu.be/_586NoZSr-Y

 

Erykah Badu “Cleva” https://youtu.be/XO0KY6Fry5M

 

Eric Clapton “Bad Love” https://youtu.be/qY2vjv8aEas

 

The Who Quadrophenia Live https://youtu.be/9NEQb6LdHGQ