Marcus Miller: When Doves Cry
Recorded live in November 2010 for a Fender event, here’s Marcus Miller performing his take on Prince’s “When Doves Cry”.
Mike Watt and Kira Roessler Release New Dos Album
Bassists/singers Mike Watt and Kira Roessler have released their latest effort from their bass-focused duo, Dos. Dos y Dos is a 13-track release featuring two basses and vocals by Roessler. The duo first teamed up in 1985. Watt was playing bass with The Minutemen full-time while Roessler performed with Black Flag. The two began recording together on Watt’s four-track, before...
Luthman Basses Announces Mystic First Custom Bass
Custom bass builder Luthman Basses has announced their latest model, the Mystic First. Mystic First is a passive bass with bolt-on construction. Bodies are made with the bassist’s choice of ash, alder, ovangkol or mahogany woods, and the neck is made with either wenge with maple accents or the reverse, maple with wenge accents. Fingerboard wood choices include either rosewood...
An Interview with Rhonda Smith
Bassist, singer and songwriter Rhonda Smith‘s musical resume is as impressive as they come. Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia to a musical family, Rhonda started on baritone horn, keyboard and guitar. Picking up the bass, she said, was all thanks to her brother. “He brought a bass home one day and told me not to touch it.” Most recently, Rhonda...
Kimberly Lynn: Song with No Name
Solo bassist Kimberly Lynn has shared her latest video, a live bass looping performance dubbed “Song with No Name.” Kimberly explains, “Another one of my grooves that goes over well when performing. And, as with most of my grooves that ‘turn into tunes’, I sit around a bit and ponder what to title it. In this case I’m just letting...
Question of the Week: What’s the hardest bass line you’ve ever learned?
This one’s all about the bragging rights… What’s the hardest bass line you’ve ever learned (and pulled off)? Answer below in the comments, or on our Facebook page.
The Ventures: Caravan Live (1990)
Here’s a great video featuring The Ventures in a live performance in Japan in 1990. Steven Iarusci shares this video with us, saying “Rippin’ bassline, great groove, and a special surprise at 6:09!” The late Bob Bogle is on bass, along with Mel Taylor on drums, Gerry McGee on lead guitar and Don Wilson on rhythm guitar. The surprise is...
Reader Spotlight: Bill McGarry
Meet Bill McGarry, a bassist from North Reading, MA and our player in the spotlight for July 5, 2011. Bio: I’m a 44 year old guy, married with two kids and a dog, who still thinks he’s 18! A huge heavy metal/rock fan who has been to more Kiss concerts than he can remember, followed very closely by Twisted Sister....
Top 10: The Best Bass Videos (June 2011)
This week, we’re taking a look back at the top 10 most popular bass videos from June, 2011, based on the number of views by No Treble readers. 1. Esperanza Spalding: I Know You Know / Smile Like That Live Here’s a great clip of Esperanza Spalding sporting a Fender fretless and performing live in San Sebastian on July 23,...
Rush: Xanadu, Live (1977)
Old school Rush! As usual, three guys sound like eight in this video of “Xanadu” by Rush in 1977. Editor note: this is clearly the band playing along to the studio recording. Thanks Jim C for setting the record straight in the comments. Bassist Geddy Lee is busy as usual, handling the bass, keyboards and vocal duties throughout the tune....
John Wetton Releases “Raised in Captivity”
Prog rock bassist John Wetton has released his sixth solo album, Raised in Captivity. The album was recorded in Los Angeles in January 2011, between Wetton’s touring with the 30th anniversary Asia tour in the US and UK. “The decision to record in Los Angeles with Billy Sherwood was entirely mine,” Wetton said. “I wanted the chaotic urban inspiration, edge...
Jaco Pastorius: Solo / Chromatic Fantasy / Blackbird – Live in Italy (1986)
Ingrid Pastorius shared this video of Jaco Pastorius performing solo in front of an audience in Italy in 1986. This performance includes “Chromatic Fantasy” and “Blackbird”, which appears on Jaco’s Word of Mouth album. Always great to see new footage of Jaco!










