Best of 2015: The Top 10 Bass Videos

Every day, we share what we think is a great video from the world of bass. For many – including us – this has served as an excellent source of musical discovery.

Of the 360+ videos we’ve shared over the course of 2015, these are the 10 most watched by No Treble readers.

Enjoy!

Josh Cohen: Solo Bass Arrangement of “Chameleon”

1. Josh Cohen: Solo Bass Arrangement of “Chameleon”

Here is a video that will freak you out musically and visually. Josh Cohen created a beautiful, funky arrangement of Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon,” and decided to do something a little different for the video. The bassist is clad in an all white suit and moves erratically to emphasize parts of the song…

Abraham Laboriel: Case of the Blues

2. Abraham Laboriel: Case of the Blues

Every time I watch Abraham Laboriel, it’s like a masterclass in “how it’s done.” His playing exudes musicality that lets his personality shine through, giving us all something to strive toward. Here’s a great clip of the master improvising a blues…

Remco Hendrix: Funky Fretless Bass Grooves with Double Stops

3. Remco Hendrix: Funky Fretless Bass Grooves with Double Stops

Remco Hendrix has lots of raw talent with a style that blends influences like Les Claypool and Mick Karn. Here’s a great video of a funky fretless groove he built with double stops, harmonics and a Boss OC-2 octave pedal…

Leo Lyons and a Double Sided Bass

4. Leo Lyons and a Double Sided Bass

I’m surprised I’ve never seen this – a video that’s been out since 2010. In this video, Ten Years After bassist Leo Lyons shows off a unique bass built by Inspire Instruments. We’ll let Leo explain…

I Was Made to Love Her: James Jamerson’s Bass Line Visualized

5. I Was Made to Love Her: James Jamerson’s Bass Line Visualized

Vulpeck’s Jack Stratton sent me this “visualization” video. This time around, the tune is Stevie Wonder’s “I Was Made to Love Her” – once again showcasing the genius of James Jamerson…

Wayne Shorter & Esperanza Spalding Duet

6. Wayne Shorter & Esperanza Spalding Duet

Tavis Smiley hosted Wayne Shorter and Esperanza Spalding on his PBS show. Described as a “3 camera 1 take no editing experience,” here is their performance…

Lenny Kravitz with John Paul Jones: Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993)

7. Lenny Kravitz with John Paul Jones: Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993)

During the 1993 MTV Music Awards in September, 1993, John Paul Jones joined Lenny Kravitz on stage to perform Kravitz’s hit song, “Are You Gonna Go My Way”. This isn’t the best video quality, but what struck me was how hard hitting the bass was in this live performance vs. the studio recording…

Tower of Power: “Soul With a Capital S”, Live (2008)

8. Tower of Power: “Soul With a Capital S”, Live (2008)

Bass legend Francis “Rocco” Prestia shared this video on his Facebook page, and I can only imagine that thousands of people around the world started moving in their seats. This clip of “Soul With a Capital S” is taken from the band’s 40th Anniversary at the Fillmore West…

Geddy Lee on Developing His Right-Hand Picking Technique

9. Geddy Lee on Developing His Right-Hand Picking Technique

Fender shared a great video featuring Geddy Lee talking about his right-hand picking technique – one he says developed after touring with Primus back in the early 2000s. Geddy was inspired by Les Claypool, and incorporated more of a flamenco-style approach as a result…

Viaceslav Svedov: “Rock and Roll” on ContraBass Balalaika

10. Viaceslav Svedov: “Rock and Roll” on ContraBass Balalaika

Viaceslav Svedov amazes me and cracks me up whenever he gets the ContraBass Balalaika out and plays. Here’s a video where he’s decided to add distortion to the mix and rock out to Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll”. Oh yeah…

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