“Being a bass-player is like being a truck driver… you’re paid to arrive on time and safely at your destination!” – Brian Keith “Herbie” Flowers

 

Just another day on the job? Probably! In a career that has spanned over a half century, Herbie Flowers is not only among the instrument’s preeminent players, and most prolific studio cats – he created two of rock’s most mind-blowing bass passages, all in a successful effort to earn double wages!

 

With a blue Fender Jazz he purchased from Manny’s in New York City for $79.00, this Isleworth Middlesex protégé helped to establish the electric bass on stage and in the studio by way of his instantly recognizable tone which he augments with a plectrum, coupled with his adventurous phrasing and melodic instinct. On every track Flowers has waxed, he melds his classical and jazz pedigree with a profound love of soul and blues.

 

An upright / electric and tuba player, Flowers’ resume is a study in 20th Century pop music history: Serge Gainesbourg, Harry Nilsson, Roger Daltrey, Brian Ferry, Henry Mancini (“Pink Panther”), Frank Sinatra, Cat Stevens, Sky, Bing Crosby, Elton John, David Bowie, Melanie, Al Kooper, David Essex, Marc Bolan, and Paul McCartney, along with numerous sides produced by Mickie Most, Richard Perry, Gus Dudgeon, Shel Talmy, and Tony Visconti simply skim the surface of his extraordinary body of work. Flowers also did a stint in the London Symphony Orchestra and has anchored scores of film and television scores and theater performances.

 

A witty scribe (read his blogs), solo recording artist, composer, university educator, and engaging stage performer – to list Flowers’ pop / classical / jazz / credits would break the internet, so we advise you to explore www.HerbieFlowers.Com if you need to know exactly what he played on, what he wrote, which bands he led, along with humorous anecdotes regarding his childhood, military service, and observations of the human condition.

 

If it were only for his contributions to Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side,” and “Rock On” by David Essex – Flowers would still be legend.

 

Herbie’s repetitive, major 10th interval glissando from the I to the IV chord, doubled with an upper register contrapuntal melody afforded Lou the radio (and career defining) hit he so desperately needed. It’s that rare groove that grabs you in the first few bars.

 

Lou Reed “Walk on the Wild Side” https://youtu.be/oG6fayQBm9w

 

Herbie takes a walk on the financial side: https://youtu.be/7AwFq1u6gzU

 

Herbie explains the passage in musical terms: https://youtu.be/XBXUP5GqYJs

 

Once again, Flowers blew minds (and home audio speakers) on David Essex smash hit “Rock On” (1973). Akin to his ingenious plot to earn twice his pay for Lou’s signature song, Herbie double-tracked his part. Significantly detuning the E string which was further enhanced with a wobbly delay effect, Flowers upped his remuneration for the day’s work from £12 to £24! An astonishing passage – it sounds like nothing before it, and nothing has sounded like it since

 

“Rock On” https://bit.ly/2RUebt9

 

Herbie Flowers Sound & Vision…

 

David’s “Space Oddity” https://youtu.be/5PgdZDXg0z0

 

Sir Elton’s “Country Comfort” https://youtu.be/0MxT31Nqysw

 

Harry’s “Jump Into the Fire” https://youtu.be/CfjNpgZ4C5Q

 

Der Bingle “Beautiful Memories” https://youtu.be/O-EVdjlUCCA

 

Marc Bolan “Dandy In the Underworld” https://youtu.be/82FB5OC-AOo

 

Watch Herbie guffawing aplenty with Blue Mink “ The Banner Man” https://youtu.be/x66xQ1rK2q0

 

Sir Paul “No More Lonely Nights” https://youtu.be/rlplvX07Li0

 

Chris Spedding “Hurt By Love” https://youtu.be/3xIrw3Nitjg

 

David Bowie “Rebel Rebel” https://youtu.be/8jxhpOYNcDY

 

With Melanie “Lay Down Stay Down – Candles in the Rain” https://youtu.be/MaiT8gATzxc

 

Watch Herbie on Top of the Pops with Sky “Tocatta” https://youtu.be/GX1elWIvP58

 

Dig video of Marc Bolan’s funky remake / remodel of “Jeepster” with Herbie outfitted in overalls! https://youtu.be/mcLT7Ubz7H0

 

Herbie anchors Ziggy Souldust – From David Live “Watch That Man” https://youtu.be/S_ho5el2_7o

 

Courtesy of Duck Dunn Remembered Com

“I listen to the first playback, then go back into the studio and play half of what I did!” Donald “Duck” Dunn

 

Along with James Jamerson Jr., Carol Kaye, and many of the Wrecking Crew players of the early 1960s, Duck established the electric bass as the bedrock of popular music by way of his work in Booker T. and the MG’s and as an in-demand A list studio player.

 

Dunn’s style is a master course in the use of rhythm and space. Play through his transcriptions and you discover not a superfluous fill, grace note, nor rapid-fire motif. Duck let the music breathe, and by doing so you can hear the song within his bass passages.

 

A player whose influence is incalculable, Duck’s legendary weapon of choice was the Fender Precision outfitted with heavy gauge LaBella’s akin to his peer Jamerson – which he amplified with various Ampeg rigs, most notably the B-15, again akin to the aforementioned Motown icon. 

 

So what Donald “Duck” Dunn done? Booker T. & the MGs, Ray Charles, The Blues Brothers, Roy Buchanan, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Isaac Hayes, Albert King, Ritchie Havens, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Elvis Presley, Diana Ross, Muddy Waters, Bill Withers, Neil Young, The Manhattan Transfer, The Staples Singers, Boz Scaggs, Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks, Freddie King, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Jerry Lee Lewis…to name a scant few. 

 

Nick Rosaci’s transcription book Soul Fingers: The Music & Life of Legendary Bassist Donald “Duck” Dunn – is essential reading for all bassists who work in a pop, rhythm and blues, soul, funk, rock context.

 

Every track Duck cut is worthy of exploration – so rather than choose one of his more popular passages, dig this somewhat obscure Slowhand recording “The Shape You’re In” https://youtu.be/yFVXxxvkFiU

 

Tony Senatore’s Booker T. medley with some of Duck’s classic passages: https://youtu.be/6KdK2KyZlAg

 

Kenny Aaronson, Tom Semioli in the Duck Dunn shed!

Courtesy Paul Jackson Com

 

By Thomas Semioli

A giant of the instrument, Paul Jackson’s tenure as anchor of Herbie Hancock’s groundbreaking Headhunters ensembles brought jazz fusion and funk to the masses, and continues to influence generations of bass players and hip-hop artists who have endlessly sampled his work.

 

A master of rhythm and space, Jackson’s “economic” approach was founded on repetitive lower-register motifs punctuated with tuneful upper-register fills which complimented Herbie’s melodies and the grooves forged by drummers Harvey Mason and Mike Clark.

 

A Grammy Award nominated composer, solo recording artist, and in-demand session player/collaborator with artists including Santana, Stanley Turrentine, George Benson, Al Di Meola, the Oakland Symphony, and the Pointer Sisters – to cite a very select few – Paul Jackson was also an acclaimed educator and founder of Jazz for Kids.

 

Paul Jackson Sound & Vision…

 

Herbie Hancock “Palm Grease” https://youtu.be/sRn7WlikdUA     

 

Paul on the tracks he composed with Herbie:

 

“Chameleon” https://youtu.be/WYRrIBqKsJ4

 

“Hang Up Your Hang-Ups” https://youtu.be/d7kRlufrZJo

 

“Spider” https://youtu.be/HQPdVhYZgR0

 

Mike Clark / Paul Jackson Funk Tutorial Part One: https://youtu.be/i-3v0NN3FNo

 

Paul Jackson Trio “Everything” https://youtu.be/grQBpNRIAY0

 

Santana: “Give Me Love”  https://youtu.be/0MGBQffSVSY

 

Pointer Sisters “Chainey Do” https://youtu.be/xhmp3J79CNI