NT10: Top 10 Bass Videos
In celebration of our 10 year anniversary this month, we’re taking a look back at some of the most popular features in our history.
This is quite a lineup, too: Carol Kaye, Herbie Flowers, a 90 Bass Orchestra, Pino Palladino, Michael Pipoquinha, Tal Wilkenfeld, Victor Wooten and Federico Malaman, Marcus Miller, John Paul Jones, and James Jamerson!
1. Carol Kaye Gives Gene Simmons a Bass Lesson
Here’s something I never thought I’d see. Studio legend Carol Kaye gave KISS bassist Gene Simmons an impromptu bass lesson at Sunset Sound studios in Hollywood, and luckily cameras were rolling to catch it.
2. Herbie Flowers: The Story Behind Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” Bass Line
The news of Lou Reed’s passing this weekend led me to revisit some of his music, including the legendary musician’s smash hit “Walk on the Wild Side.” Here’s an awesome clip taken from The One Show – an interview with the man that created one of the most famous bass lines in rock history: Herbie Flowers.
3. Nothing But Bass: 90 Kontrabass Orchestra
Szoke Richard shared this video, saying “no treble at all”. Indeed. And we love it. 90 bass orchestra!
4. Joni Mitchell: Hejira, Live in Japan with Pino Palladino
I never thought I’d hear a version of “Hejira” without Jaco and love it. But then Pino Palladino proved me wrong with this incredible live performance of the title track to Joni’s 1976 album by the same name.
5. Cainã Cavalcante and Michael Pipoquinha: Rei Arthur
Four years ago, we posted a video of a 13-year old Brazilian bassist Michael Pipoquinha performing his original song, “Rei Arthur.” His playing blew everyone away, to say the least. Here’s Pipoquinha, who is now 17, performing the same song but this time accompanied by guitarist Cainã Cavalcante.
6. Tal Wilkenfeld: Chelsea Hotel
We think – as do many readers here – that Tal Wilkenfeld is a killer bassist. Now she’s proving she can sing, too. Wilkenfeld recently launched her own YouTube channel with a solo version of the Leonard Cohen classic “Chelsea Hotel.”
7. Victor Wooten & Federico Malaman: Isn’t She Lovely
During the 2014 Musikmesse show in Frankfurt, two remarkable bassists – who have wowed us all with their solo performances – got together to perform one iconic song. Those bassists are Victor Wooten and Federico Malaman. The tune is Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely.”
8. Billie Jean’s All Stars, Featuring Marcus Miller
Bassist Marcus Miller, guitarist Jean Paul “Bluey” Maunick, drummer Billy Cobham, trumpeter Enrico Rava, and pianist Stefano Bollani were each guests on the Radio 2, RaiTunes over an 8 month period. Each improvised to an a cappella version of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” The result is fantastic.
9. 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.”
10. Martha Reeves with James Jamerson: Live on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert 1974
There’s not a whole lot of live footage of the late, great James Jamerson, but the bits that we have are fantastic. Here’s a clip of the master bassist laying it down for Martha Reeves on a 1974 episode of “Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert.”
If you have a lot of spare time on your hands, check out our Bass Video archive.
