Archive for June 2014 - Page 8

No Isolated Bass Week would be complete without one of the stunning bass lines by the one and only James Jamerson. Today we’re in for a treat with the beautiful bass line behind the Jackson 5 tune, “Darling Dear” from Third Album, released in 1970. I love being able to hear the bass with the vocals to hear how Jamerson...

Levy’s Leathers has introduced their line of Basket Weave Carving Leather straps, featuring a firm carving veg-tan leather top with a basket weave tooled insert. Each strap also has a soft garment leather backing with a foam core for comfort. The series comes in seven colors: Black, Burgundy, Brown, Cranberry, Dark Brown, Walnut, and Tan. They’re adjustable from 41 inches...

Of all the great moments in bass history, one of my favorites is the short and sweet solo on the Paul Simon tune, “You Can Call Me Al.” If you’re unfamiliar with this musical snippet (or the entirety of the Graceland record), it’s high time to give it a listen. With a career as diverse as his musical heritage, Bakithi...

Rush’s Moving Pictures was one of the first albums I ever bought – on vinyl – when it came out. I only played upright at the time (and sax), and I dreamed of one day getting an electric bass and playing like Geddy Lee. Here’s one of the tracks I admired with so many others back in the day (and...

If you love not only the bass on Soundgarden’s classic album Superunknown, but also the numerous guitar tunings found there, you have bassist Ben Shepherd to thank for both. And if you want to revisit the early 1990s Soundgarden sound in the best way possible, you can now with the of the 1994 release. The set is available on four...

Focusrite has introduced the iTrack Dock, a recording interface for the Apple iPad. The device is fitted with dual microphone inputs, two line inputs, an instrument DI, independent stereo monitor and headphone outputs, and a USB port for use with MIDI controllers. The iTrack Dock’s mic pres are the same found in their Scarlett range of USB interfaces and include...

I love instruments that get stylistically creative, and Tony Cochran has a knack for making them. Cochran, who is also the syndicated cartoonist of the comic strip Agnes, has a habit of taking neglected guitars and basses and giving them a new life. “I [find] them on Craigslist, at garage sales, and hidden in closets. The guitars remain fully functional....

I’m not as familiar with the music of Rage Against the Machine as many of you probably are. So for today’s isolated bass, I consulted with NT’s Managing Editor Kevin Johnson – our resident expert in everything I’m not an expert in. Kevin said RATM is known for their big groove and it’s neat to hear this isolated bass track.

Chicago-based bassist Mike Zabrin is feeling Funktastic. That’s the name of his , featuring R&B and jazz sounds, and of course, a heavy dose of funk. Zabrin, who tours with the Joe Moss Band, has enlisted some funk heavy-hitters to guest on the record, too. Vocalist Kendra Foster from Parliament Funkadelic makes an appearance, as do members of The Big...

It’s really happening: King Crimson has just announced the initial tour dates with their latest incarnation – their eighth. The group’s lineup and plans for touring were announced back in September, with bassist Tony Levin returning to the fold. The rest of the band includes founder Robert Fripp, guitarist Jakko Jakszyk, saxophonist Mel Collins, and drummers Bill Reiflin, Pat Mastelotto...

Q: I’ve been playing electric bass for about five years, and I’m currently attending the third year in a Music Conservatory. When I play music while other musicians observe me (not the members of the band), I become quite uncomfortable. I feel judged, and my heart starts pounding, especially if it’s someone I respect like a teacher or a skilled...

The 1971 Yes album, Fragile ends with “Heart of the Sunrise”, a bass-heavy track anchored by the one and only Chris Squire. Here’s the bass line in all its glory, with a little bit of the rest of the track bleeding through.