Courtesy of Yolanda Charles Facebook Com

 

By Thomas Semioli

 

First call UK session player/ side-woman, clinician, educator (Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester) Yolanda Charles’ genre traversing career spans such ensembles and artists including Urban Species, Paul Weller, Eric Clapton, BB King, Roger Daltrey, The Deep Mo, Dave Stewart, Van Morrison, Alison Moyet, Robbie Williams, Jimmy Somerville, Sinead O’Connor, and Squeeze to cite a very select few.

 

Starting out as a guitarist in her teens, Yolanda tended to pick out bass lines on her instrument. As such, instructor came up with a solution “you don’t want to be a guitar player, you want to be a bass player!” And the rest, as they say…is history!

 

Yolanda cites Marcus Miller’s work with Luther Vandross as an influence, along with Barry “Sunjohn” Johnson with Don Blackman’s Family Tradition.  Her first high profile gig was with Jimmy Somerville at the age of 18, which led to additional work – to which Charles credits her skills as a backing vocalist as well. 

 

For her services to music Ms. Charles was bestowed Member of the Order of the British Empire at the 2020 Birthday Honours, hence her MBE designation on Know Your Bass Player Com! 

 

Yolanda Charles Sound & Vision…

 

Project FUNK “We Live in Brooklyn” https://youtu.be/0uf7TxX0OEE

 

Paul Weller: “Shadow of the Sun” https://youtu.be/Jl8NzFQ7oM4

 

Squeeze: “Rough Ride” https://youtu.be/33lKPTFmD0E

 

Solo Yolanda: “The Game” https://youtu.be/pTvMoA1GyV4

 

The Deep Mo “These Times” https://youtu.be/wbNMl1xr9x4

 

 

Photo by Julien Fontenelli Courtesy of Yolanda Charles Facebook

By Tom Semioli

 

Legend! Icon!

 

With his patented plectrum prowess as purveyed on a Rickenbacker, and later a Fender Precision, the oft airborne Bruce Foxton was the key to The Jam’s overwhelming power and cohesion as a musical unit.

 

A role model – musically and sartorially – to a generation of bass players, Foxton anchored this remarkable triumvirate which modernized Brill Building pop and ‘60s British beat and expanded the language of “punk” with their yen for soul and rhythm & blues.

 

Foxton’s bass passages were often the hooks beneath Paul Weller’s melodies.  Bruce quoted the greats while maintaining a stripped-down approach sans grace notes or unnecessary fills! (Are there any other kind?)

 

Pity that The Modfather broke up to band much too soon – or at all. Bruce pursued a solo career, waxing platters that are woefully underappreciated. In addition to his fifteen-year tenure in Stiff Little Fingers, Foxton reunited with drummer Rick Buckler in 2007 to form the repertory ensemble From The Jam (go figure what inspired that moniker), touring the globe to packed venues. Foxton has made amends with Weller, and they’ve appeared on each other’s releases. In May 2010 Bruce joined his old boss on stage at the Royal Albert Hall.

 

 

Bruce Foxton Sound & Vision

 

The Jam:

 

“In The City” https://youtu.be/gHE8Z3SeLOg

 

“This Is the Modern World” https://youtu.be/ubRhnnQUyfM

 

KYBP Adjunct Professor Tony Senatore’s rendition of “A Town Called Malice” https://youtu.be/Yt0d3qxhMt0

 

Bruce crooning “David Watts” https://youtu.be/5wRGnbqZBeE

 

“News of The World” https://youtu.be/FO3_Udn3hYA

 

Bruce Solo:

 

“Number Six” https://youtu.be/8LsgACB6aFA

 

“Freak” https://youtu.be/gVfMFHEq0NQ

 

“Smithers Jones” https://youtu.be/26A_DpbaIcI