Best of 2011: The Top 10 Most Watched Bass Videos

by Corey Brown Thursday, December 29th, 2011

We like to call it work, but watching great bass videos and picking the favorites to feature each day on No Treble is more fun than work. Here is the best of the best in 2011, based on reader views.

1. Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers: Tal Wilkenfeld Bass Cover by 13 Year Old Bassist

We featured BassGirl for the first time back in February to rave reviews. The 13 year old (at the time) had only been playing bass for about a year, and was already tackling some tough transcriptions. The future is definitely bright for BassGirl, who owns the #1 slot for most watched video on No Treble in 2011.

2. Les Claypool Forms Supergroup with Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland and Danny Carey

Les Claypool joined forces with Rush’s Neil Peart, the Police’s Stewart Copeland and Tool’s Danny Carey to form “Carey Claypool Copeland Peart” or “CCCP.” Les shared the story behind this collaboration in our interview with him, and the story is pretty hilarious.

3. Bootsy Collins with James Brown Live (1971)

Bootsy Collins sent us this video, saying “see 18 yr old Bootsy with James Brown”. The video was shot in April 1971, live in Bologna, Italy. Awesomeness.

4. Esperanza Spalding: I Know You Know / Smile Like That Live

Here’s a great clip of Esperanza Spalding sporting a Fender fretless and performing live in San Sebastian on July 23, 2009. Is there anything Esperanza can’t do?

5. John Entwistle: “Won’t Get Fooled Again” Isolated Bass

This clip comes from the 1979 film, The Kids Are Alright, featuring the isolated bass work of John Entwistle on the Who’s classic “Won’t Get Fooled Again”. Legend!

6. Ain’t No Sunshine: John Mayer Trio Live with Pino Palladino

Recorded during the 2010 Crossroads Festival, here’s the John Mayer Trio performing the Bill Wither’s classic, “Ain’t No Sunshine”. Pino Palladino really lays down a nice groove along with drummer Steve Jordan.

7. Marvin Gaye & James Jamerson: “What’s Going On” Isolated Vocals and Bass

Here’s a new take on Marvin Gaye’s hit “What’s Going On” the way we like it: with James Jamerson‘s bass line loud and clear in this isolated track. Genius at work!

8. Simon Fitzpatrick: “Bohemian Rhapsody” for Solo Bass

Carl Palmer Band bassist Simon Fitzpatrick performs an all-bass version of the classic Queen tune, “Bohemian Rhapsody” in this video. This was filmed at the Cannery Casino in Las Vegas, during the band’s 2010 tour.

9. Paul Young with Pino Palladino: I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down (1984)

Pino Palladino’s second video in our top ten of the year was from way back in 1984. Pino’s incredible fretless bass playing is loud and clear in this one.