Weekly Top 10: The Top Bass Stories, Videos & More for the Week of May 18th
This past week wasn’t all great in the world of bass. First, we reported the passing of Randy Coven, who left us far too soon at the age of 54. We also learned that Paul McCartney had to postpone his tour due to health issues.
On a happier note, we enjoyed some terrific videos by Ian Trusheim, Joe Dart with Vulfpeck, the Jeff Beck Group with Stanley Clarke and one (a bit more controversial) video of Dominic “Forest” Lapointe.
Readers also enjoyed a Dr. D’s how-to on grouping multiple notes into a single action/thought, Ryan Madora’s newest “Bass Players You Need to Know” column focusing on Jack Bruce and our bass of the week.
Thanks as always for reading, commenting and sharing. Here are the top 10 most read stories and most watched videos on No Treble for the week of May 18-24, 2014.
Rock bassist Randy Coven, who toured and recorded with artists including Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai, passed away on May 20th of undisclosed causes. He was 54…
Get ready to chill out. Ian Trusheim sent in this awesome solo bass tune he wrote called “Stair Steps.” The song revolves around a nice groove that develops into a beautiful harmonic progression to which the bassist adds a simple yet gripping vocal melody…
3. Dominic “Forest” Lapointe: Death’s “Nothing is Everything” Bass Playthrough
Every time I watch a video by Dominic “Forest” Lapointe, it’s sure to blow me away. This one is no exception. Here’s the fretless 6-stringer playing through “Nothing is Everything” by Death…
4. Analog Alien Shipping Alien Bass Station
Analog Alien is now shipping the Alien Bass Station, a pedal that puts three effects into one box. The effects, which include a limiter, an amp generator, and a gamma fuzz, can be used independently or simultaneously for tonal flexibility…
5. Vulfpeck: A Walk to Remember
We hear from a lot of readers who say they discovered Vulfpeck thanks to No Treble sharing their awesome videos. And we’ve said it before – all of Vulfpeck’s members are stellar musicians. But it is bassist Joe Dart who really knocks us out every time we hear one of their tunes. This one is a showcase…
6. Paul McCartney Hospitalized, Tour Dates Postponed
Paul McCartney has been forced to postpone his appearances in Japan and South Korea this month after being sidelined by a viral infection. The 71-year-old is reportedly hospitalized in Tokyo, although his admittance was not confirmed…
7. Jeff Beck Group and Stanley Clarke: “Lopsy Lu” Live
In 2006, Jeff Beck’s group took the stage at the North Sea Jazz Festival, with Randy Hope Taylor on bass, Jason Rebello on keys and Vincent Colaiuta on drums. During the performance, Stanley Clarke joined the band to perform one of Clarke’s tunes…
8. Bass of the Week: Oliver Lang Instruments Limes “Erik”
This week we check out the Limes bass, a unique singlecut design that’s handmade by Oliver Lang Instruments. The series came as a collaboration between Lang and his customer Michael after meeting at a fretless workshop. Check out the Bass of the Week…
9. Bass Players to Know: Jack Bruce
Time to throw a little rock and roll into the series! This column features Jack Bruce, the classically influenced singing bass player from across the pond…
10. Grouping Multiple Notes Into a Single Action/Thought
When playing at slow speeds we can concentrate on our physical movements for every single note we play. However, this becomes impractical at high rates of speed. When playing at high speed it helps to group notes, and motions, together into a single action. Dr. D has the prescription…
