Don 'Duck' Dunn

Rog · Post by **Rog** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 1:15 pm

Most people know the names of a goodly bunch of guitar players, but very few (including me) seem to know the names of many bass players.

One bassist I really rate is Donald 'Duck' Dunn - of Booker T & the MGs fame.

If you've still not heard of him, take a listen to the Blues Brothers - in particular 'Sweet Home Chicago', for an example of the bass totally driving the beat. If you can, turn off the bass and listen to how crappy the song sounds without that dominant instrument in there.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to explain that the rythmn section drives the band - the rest is just icing. However, it is normally the icing people take a liking to.

Post by Bg » Mon Aug 02, 2004 1:48 pm

duck dunn is a damn fine bass player. That band had everything though, finest horn section in the world and Steve 'the colonel' Cropper on guitar! Duck would have looked better if he hadn't been smoking a pipe though

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 4:01 pm

Duck Dunn was Eric Claptons Bass player up until the mid 1980's until he was replaced by Natham East.

The Live in 85 Concert I think he smoked a pipe the whole concert. Him and Albert Lee were a good team.

goldtop0 · Post by **goldtop0** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 12:49 pm

Had to chirp in here as saw the name. Much the same as Leland Sklar Dunn is a celeb(character) of the Bass.He's been in a Bond movie etc and tons of line ups over the years. Don't know if he's got an incredible collection like Entwhistle had,but he can sure play.

ash · Post by **ash** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 2:47 pm

Les Claypool of Primus has to be the most amazing bass player ever. He's very unconventional and uses the six string bass more like a piano. Plus he sings at the same time. Very bizarre band, is Primus...

Mantermite · Post by **Mantermite** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 9:16 am

Geddy lee from Rush knows how to plonk away in a good solid rock form.

Billy Sheehan now with Steve Vai!!! Now he is damn fast and scarily good!!!

Phil Lynott - Bass Thin Lizzy.

BOOTSY COLLINS the allstar master of funk.

Anyone remeber a band called Level 42, Mark King the bass player insured his thumb for a million pounds I think way back then he was so regarded as a bass player.

John Paul Jones!!!!!!!!!

And of course not forgetting our very own DrRog!!!

Noooo I think I seem to know a fair amount of bass players, though I'm sure guitarists will alwasy come to the mind quicker

Rog · Post by **Rog** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 9:19 am

Re Mark King - yes - a real talent and a master of the style, if not the leader of that style.

The problem I have with him is that his style becomes very boring very quickly to me.

The same with Jaco - I can't deny his brilliance, but bass wanking is even more boring than guitar wanking, imo.

Mantermite · Post by **Mantermite** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 9:22 am

Does get a bit tedious but Jaco did do some nice smooth fretless slow ones.

Very nice...

gregtarr · Post by **gregtarr** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 9:54 am

James Jamerson?

goldtop0 · Post by **goldtop0** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 10:08 am

Macca was about the first to turn my ear to Bass with Day Tripper/Rain then his work on Rubber Soul and subsequent albums, some sublime stuff

Rog · Post by **Rog** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 10:50 am

Macca has sure played some brilliant lines.

Post by Bg » Wed Aug 04, 2004 10:51 am

don't forget Bob Daisley - underrated player but the bands/guys he's played with

Rainbow, Ozzy, Uriah Heep, Gary Moore, Black Sabbath, Yngwie Malmsteem, and currently doing the Living Loud thing. (I thought it best to leave Mungo Jerry out of that list)

Good solid bass player

Rog · Post by **Rog** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 10:52 am

BG -that underlines my original point nicely.

A brilliant player that few have ever heard of...

BTW - what's wrong with MJ - great party music of its time!

Post by Bg » Wed Aug 04, 2004 11:24 am

but he doesn't sit easily with the rest of the list

Polar Bear · Post by **Polar Bear** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 1:09 pm

oo seems one of the best innovaters in Rock bass playing has been left off John Entwhistle. He was a phenomenal player, absolutely amazing, powerful and really like a lead guitar player down an octave. If any one gets the chance to check out 'The Who Live at the Albert Hall with Special Guests' fully reccommended his solo in 5.15 is the single most amazing piece of bass playing I have ever seen!
Another underrated bass player who I think is great, is John Deacon from Queen. Very subtle and melodic, sadly he suffers from being a bit low in the mix most of the time, but still amazingly fluent.