Percy Jones (Brand X, Eno)

By Thomas Semioli

Self-taught and greatly inspired by Charles Mingus and British and American rhythm and blues, Jones plies his craft with a repertoire of glissandos, harmonics, and three-finger riffage, among other techniques, in his work as a jazz-fusion prog-rock master.

A composer, arranger, sideman, collaborator, multi-instrumentalist, and solo recording artist, Percy has anchored several watershed sides, most notably as a member of Brand X, and with Brian Eno, Roy Harper, Steve Hackett, David Sylvian, and Tunnels to cite a very select few.

A University of Liverpool Engineering student, Jones put his education towards designing assorted bass guitar pedals and gadgetry such as a Voltage Controlled Filter and various flange devices.

Among Percy’s weapons of choice include a Fretless Fender Precision, Wal basses produced by Electric Wood Limited, and customized Ibanez instruments.

 

Percy Jones Sound & Vision

Percy with KYBP Adjunct Professor Tony Senatore, Van Romaine, and Manolo Badrena on “Shapla” https://youtu.be/x4d6_qnRPrk

Brand X:

“Noddy Goes To Sweden” https://youtu.be/2K6OvrKyoGU

“Nuclear Burn” Live https://youtu.be/aPouOx7nAnI

Brian Eno:

“No One Receiving” https://youtu.be/eYDBTYfn9D8

Tunnels

“Tunnels No. 1” https://youtu.be/ghXyKhA-3nw

Solo artist:

“Thin Line” https://youtu.be/WH9samKzsaA

John Giblin (Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, Simple Minds)

 

Alive and Kicking,” “Games Without Frontiers,” “In The Air Tonight,” “Babooshka” “Don’t You Forget About Me” 

 

Among the most prolific studio / sidemen in UK rock history, John Giblin’s career spanned six decades in a wide array of musical genres including pop, jazz, classical, rock folk, avante-garde and permutations thereof. Born in Bellshill Scotland, John stated paying in local band in his early teens and never looked back after migrating to London in 1970.

 

An early adopter of the fretless bass, Giblin was a dexterous player, rending pocket grooves, and countermelodies to enrich countless hits and album tracks.

 

His work on stage and on record included notable array of artists and seminal sides, as compiled by Know Your Bass Player Com reader Xavier Padilla: Eric Clapton, Sting, Mark Knopfler, Phil Collins, Brand X, Peter Gabrie, David Sylvian, Chris de Burgh, Masami Tsuchiya, Kate Bush, Scott Walker,  Al Green, Duncan Browne, Joan Armatrading, John Lennon, Judie Tzuke, Annie Lennox, Roberta Flack, Paul McCartney,  The Everly Brothers, George Martin, Gerry Rafferty, Hugh Masekela, Mavis Staples, Simple Minds, Jon Anderson, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, John Martyn, Richard Ashcroft, Franco Battiato, Saro Cosentino, Eros Ramazzotti Claudio Baglioni, Manolo García,  Alan Parsons…

 

John Giblin Sound & Vision:

 

Simple Minds:

 

“Alive and Kicking” https://youtu.be/ljIQo1OHkTI

 

“Sanctify Yourself” https://youtu.be/sGQNRyxmhhg

 

“Don’t You Forget About Me” https://youtu.be/VQdhDw-hE8s

 

Kate Bush:

“Babooshka” https://youtu.be/6xckBwPdo1c

 

“Breathing” https://youtu.be/VzlofSthVwc

 

“Rubberband Girl” https://youtu.be/85wZw1O83aE

 

Peter Gabriel:

“Games Without Frontiers” https://youtu.be/3xZmlUV8muY

 

“Family Snapshot” https://youtu.be/EYnk8a–fXQ

 

Phil Collins:

 

“In The Air Tonight” https://youtu.be/YkADj0TPrJA

 

“Tomorrow Never Knows” https://youtu.be/5nH-sUGWALo

 

Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report)

Courtesy of Embama Com Courtesy of Embama Com

Courtesy of Embama Com

He is a giant of the 1970s jazz fusion era who also expanded his artistry into rock and pop music. Alphonso Johnson began his musical journey on trumpet, then on to upright bass, then to the electric where his virtuosity shone brightest.

Barely into his 20s, Alphonso was in the studio and on stage with Weather Report, taking over the bass chair from Miroslav Vitous. His three slabs with the band: Mysterious Traveller (1974), Tale Spinnin’ (1975) and Black Market (1976) which he split with Jaco – are world music touchstones. Johnson’s Fender Precision tone was cited by Darryl Jones in this testimonial: https://youtu.be/ltDn-gZzeF0

An educator, solo recording artist, collaborator, bandmember, and clinician, Alphonso also brought the Chapman Stick to the forefront, and has recorded extensively on extended range and fretless.

I highly advise you visit Alphonso’ website wherein he explains his approach to the instrument – and his latest releases and live dates.

He is among the handful of bassists you need to experience live! http://embamba.com/

My choice Alphonso tracks which span funk, world, soul, rock, pop and every permutation thereof:

“Cucumber Slumber” from Weather Report’s Mysterious Traveler (1974) https://youtu.be/5gsk-ae_y8I

“Man in the Green Shirt” from Weather Report’s Tale Spinnin’ (1975) https://youtu.be/gdstJfWHqx0

“Hip Pockets” from Billy Cobham – George Duke Band Live on Tour in Europe (1976) https://youtu.be/PK4Ox-EJeOE

Title track from Flora Purim’s Open Your Eyes You Can Fly (1976) https://youtu.be/L-yYZg-DQYQ

“Stump” from Alphonso’s Moonshadows (1977) https://youtu.be/F8VM8NZPcmw

“Children Are the Spirit” from Dee Dee Bridgewater’s Just Family (1978) https://youtu.be/v9St6i68Eok

“Book of Rules” from Bob Weir’s Bobby & the Midnights Live (1981) https://youtu.be/YjAhM6e1D-o

“I Missed Again” from Phil Collins’ Face Value (1981) https://youtu.be/yr-SNCtoyPk

“Brotherhood” from Santana’s Beyond Appearances (1985) https://youtu.be/kOjaaIPYahk

“Fountain of Salmacis” from Steve Hackett’s Genesis Revisited (1997) https://youtu.be/VwFZd0i0nb8

Jazz Is Dead’s Laughing Water (1999 ) https://youtu.be/UzpeMhtxrF4

“Waters of March” from Sergio Mendes’ Encanto (2008) https://youtu.be/PwrtN3l7-xQ

Courtesy Sony Legacy Com Courtesy Sony Legacy Com

Courtesy Sony Legacy Com

Mo Foster (Jeff Beck, Phil Collins, Affinity)

Photo courtesy of Mo Foster Com

Among the most revered and versatile British session and touring bassists, Mo Foster’s talents as a composer, musician, educator, and author were equaled by his uncanny wit, hospitality, and sidesplitting sense of humor!You know Mo the bassist from his stellar work with a wide range of artists and ensembles including Affinity, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Luka Bloom, Howard Jones, Russ Ballard, Michael Schenker, Maggie Bell, Gerry Rafferty, Joan Armatrading, Kevin Ayres, Gary Moore, Scott Walker, and the London Symphony Orchestra, among scores of others.

Tom Semioli holds Mo Foster’s first bass! Photo by Mark Preston Tom Semioli holds Mo Foster’s first bass! Photo by Mark Preston

Tom Semioli holds Mo Foster’s first bass! Photo by Mark Preston

Mo Foster Sound & Vision…

 

Affinity https://youtu.be/LVxTQZLVVYU

 

Jeff Beck https://youtu.be/P1vduurgxWQ

 

Mo Foster & Friends https://youtu.be/8VBu5E0WgRM

 

You’ve heard Mo’s bass artistry support James Bond in For Your Eyes Only (1981) and Octopussy (1983).

 

As a bandleader Mr. Foster has waxed a handful of brilliant jazz/fusion/ambient albums including Bel Assis (1988) and Southern Reunion (1991) featuring guitar icon Gary Moore and drummers Gary Husband and Simon Phillips.

 

Bravely venturing where no voltage enhanced bassist had gone before, Mo founded the first academic course in electric bass at the Goldsmiths College, University of London in 1975.

 

Mo’s two terrific tomes: 17 Watts? The First 20 Years of British Rock Guitar: The Musicians and Their Stories (2000) and British Rock Guitar: The First 50 Years (2013) – the latter of which I reviewed for Huffington Post and interviewed Mo are essential for musos and fans alike.

 

My interview with Mo on Huffington Post for History of British Rock Guitar https://bit.ly/2QVBxwm

 

My interview with Mo’s Affinity bandmate Linda Hoyle on Huffington Post talkin’ Mo https://bit.ly/35A8d3M

 

Watch Mo Foster on Know Your Bass Player on Film Season One – 2014, from Mo’s home in London https://bit.ly/2EBNPHH