Top 10: The Best Bass Videos (August 2011)

1. Unsung: The Story of Bootsy Collins

Here’s TV One‘s documentary on Bootsy Collins, sharing the highs and lows of the funk legend’s life. There’s so much great stuff here, from Bootsy’s start with a guitar strung as a bass, to James Brown and more. Interesting to hear the difference between “Bootsy”, the funk legend, William Collins, the regular guy.

2. Chic: “Good Times” Live (1996)

A good bass line just never goes away, and Bernard Edwards’ iconic riff for Chic’s “Good Times” is a perfect example. Besides being under the fingers of players worldwide, the song has been sampled countless times, most notably on the Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight.” In this clip from Tokyo’s Budokan in 1996, the group plays…

3. Viaceslav Svedov: Hump de Bump Bass Cover

Always great to see videos from Viaceslav Svedov. Here’s a recent one, with his all-bass take on the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Hump de Bump”. What kind of coffee do you think Viaceslav drinks? I’ll take some.

4. Kai Eckhardt: Freestyle Afro-tastic Uber Slap Bass

Damian Erskine shared this video of Kai Eckhardt demonstrating a drone exercise, with moving chords and polyrhythms. Kai says it is a work in progress, with the goal of “[combining] the power of funk bass slap with the sophistication of jazz harmony, Indian tabla beatz and African trance.”…

5. Krzysztof Scieranski: Live Looping Bass

Marcin Suchodolski shares this video with us, featuring bassist Krzysztof ?ciera?ski, who knocked us out with his cool bass loop performance (and late 60′s Fender Jazz). Thanks Marcin! Krzysztof submitted this video as part of the BOSS loop contest, and came in 2nd place for central Europe…

6. Jeff Beck Live with Tal Wilkenfeld and Jimmy Page: Bolero, Immigrant Song & Peter Gunn

This clip is from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame performance by Jeff Beck, along with Beck’s band (at the time), bassist Tal Wilkenfeld, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and keyboardist Jason Rebello. Jimmy Page joins the band for the group’s performance of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song”.

7. Jamiroquai: “Little L” Live (2003)

Facebook friend Craig Anderson sent this video our way, saying: In order of appearance: Great hat Great save Great song Great solo The bass (and great solo) is thanks to Jamiroquai bassist (at the time) Nick Fyffe…

8. Studio Jam: “Watermelon Man” with Gerald Veasley

This is one fun video (and jam!) featuring bassist Gerald Veasley, along with Gerald Albright (sax), James Rouse (drums), Jef Lee Johnson (guitar) and Will Brock (keyboards). The group decides to play Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man”, and then jump right into one funky, laid back groove.

9. Zander Zon: Looking Glass

It has been a while since we featured Zander Zon and his nifty piccolo bass compositions. Here’s a new video featuring one of , entitled “Looking Glass”…

10. The Jam! Happy 65th Birthday, Larry Graham

65 years ago today, Larry Graham, Jr. was born in Beaumont, Texas. From Sly & the Family Stone to Graham Central Station, and a whole lot of other projects, he’s credited with the invention of slap bass. Or as Larry calls it, “Thumpin’ and Pluckin’.” Larry is still bringing it… Here’s a clip of Graham…