Billy Talbot (Neil Young & Crazy Horse)
By Tom Semioli
As Mr. Young proclaims in Jim Jarmusch’s essential Year of the Horse (1997) documentary, Billy Talbot’s bass playing is more about “sound” rather than articulation or rhythm.
He is the most basic of bassists, laying down massive legato quarter notes to underpin Neil’s legendary Crazy Horse ensemble – a gig he’s held for a quarter century.
Raised in New York and New Jersey Billy commenced his career as a doo-wop crooner on city street corners before migrating to Los Angeles, where he hooked up with future Horse hombres Ralph Molina and Danny Whitten – forming the collective Danny and The Memories. A move to psychedelic San Francisco prompted a change in name to The Psyrcle and a chance meeting with Neil, and the rest, as they say is history…
What most folks don’t know is that Talbot, in addition to his bass duties, is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist. In 2004 he formed The Billy Talbot Band wherein he waxed two platters and toured various club circuits. When he’s not on the road with Crazy Horse, or the BTB, Talbot toils in the collective Wolves with Molina, George Whitsell, and Ryan James Holzer.
Billy Talbot Sound & Vision:
With Neil & Crazy Horse
“Cortez the Killer” Live https://youtu.be/x-XnPXL_HMA
“Down By The River” https://youtu.be/TiX8Rz5C3LY
Dig Billy’s funky passage from solo Crazy Horse – “Gone Dead” https://youtu.be/o2XSGfatK1Q
The Billy Talbot Band “His Song” https://youtu.be/X81jLbnlbkA
The Billy Talbot Band “Ring The Bell” https://youtu.be/fETAW6W-opY
