Weekly Top 10: RIP Bob Babbitt, Isolated Paul McCartney, Joe Osborn’s Top 10, Amazing Bass Videos and Bass Lessons
Another week in the books, and another week of the best of the best in bass, and a sad farewell to a legend among legends, Mr. Bob Babbitt.
Here are the top 10 most read, most viewed articles, columns and videos on No Treble for the week of July 15 – 21, 2012.
Thanks for reading, commenting and for spending time with us as we celebrate the greatest instrument on the planet.
Another bass legend has left us with the passing of Funk Brother Bob Babbitt, as the iconic bassist succumbed to complications from a brain tumor which was discovered last year. He was 74. Along with fellow low-ender James Jamerson, Babbitt was the foundation for the Motown Sound and played on over 200 Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 hits…
2. The Beatles’ Lovely Rita: Paul McCartney’s Isolated Bass
“Lovely Rita”, the Paul McCartney-penned tune from the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s album featured a terrific, bouncy bass line. Here’s that bass line in all its isolated glory…
3. Stories Behind the Songs: Joe Osborn
Where many bassists strive to have that one hit song, Joe Osborn has more chart-topping records than he can even keep track of. His signature tone – achieved with flatwound strings and a pick – underpins an overwhelming number of pop, rock, and country hits from the ’60s through the ’80s…
4. Craig Butterfield: Bass Quartet Arrangement of Frank Zappa’s “Peaches En Regalia”
We’re big fans of Frank Zappa here at No Treble HQ. So when Craig Butterfield sent in his all bass version of “Peaches En Regalia,” we were stoked. As usual, Butterfield nails all the parts with unbelievable accuracy. All of the percussion, bass lines, melodies and solos are perfectly in place…
5. Marcus Miller Band: Istanbul Rehearsal
I love these inside looks at a veteran group preparing for a show. Here’s a new one from Marcus Miller and his band, rehearsing for a show in Istanbul with percussionist Okay Temiz a couple of weeks ago. These guys are such monsters! Anyone else think they’re channeling Weather Report here?
6. Samuel Haynes: “Lucid” Solo Bass Performance
We first featured bassist Samuel Haynes back in January, thanks to our Facebook friend Charles Hoernemann. Here’s Samuel once again with an impressive solo bass performance of a tune he wrote named “Lucid”. For the tune, Samuel tuned his bass BEAD and uses a capo…
7. Getting to Know Your Bass: How Many Strings Does It Take to Screw In A Lightbulb?
Ok, this column’s title is a bad joke (feel free to come up with you own punch line). In the past few columns of this “Getting To Know” series, we’ve examined a number of topics that relate to what your instrument can do, why you prefer it, and how that impacts your playing ability. After discussing tone controls, scale length, action, and set-up, we’ll now move on to the highly debated topic: number of strings!
8. Schroeder Cabinets Introduces Pyramid Line of Bass Cabinets
Schroeder Cabinets has introduced a new line of bass cabs called the Pyramid series. Developed for bassists that have trouble hearing themselves on small stages, the long throw design helps the artist hear what they’re playing while projecting just as well to the audience…
9. Rolling Stones Rehearsing with Bill Wyman
Back in April, we shared the news that the Rolling Stones were re-uniting with Bill Wyman, in celebration of the group’s 50th anniversary, which they celebrated last week. Wyman held down the low end for the group from 1962 until 1993, when he left to form his own band, Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings…
10. Left Hand Dexterity Drills on Two Strings
Dr. D continues his dexterity drills series for bass with Two String Left Hand Dexterity Drills. Time to practice!
