Slipknot’s Latest Features Multiple Bassists
It seems unlikely that Slipknot’s permanent replacement for late bassist Paul Gray made an appearance on the masked metal band’s latest album, . While band members have acknowledged that original Slipknot bassist Donnie Steele played on some of the record, guitarist Jim Root tells Blabbermouth that he and guitarist Mick Thomson did most of the bass work on the new...
The Who Hits 50! Celebrates Five Decades of the Iconic Rock Band’s Output
As The Who celebrates the 50th anniversary of its recording career with a 2014-15 tour, it’s also releasing a greatest hits collection, , as part of the celebration. While the 2-CD set features work from late, great bassist John Entwistle (including “Boris the Spider” on which he also sings lead), it also features The Who’s first new single in eight...
Led Zeppelin Releases Remastered Sets for “IV” and “Houses of the Holy”
Led Zeppelin’s year-long releases of remastered versions of its studio albums continue with the iconic (also known as Zoso to many) from 1971 and from 1973. The remastering and assembly of the sets were overseen by Zeppelin guitarist/producer Jimmy Page. These albums show the band, featuring superstar bassist John Paul Jones, at what some would argue was its height —...
Classic Joy Division Live Album Reissued on Vinyl
Nothing seemed to work at Joy Division’s February 28, 1980 performance at The Warehouse in Preston, England. The amps failed and instruments went in and out. But somehow, the band coaxed an inspiring performance out of rotten circumstances. The rough bass sound created by Peter Hook that night is one of the performance’s selling points. It’s a latter-day performance from...
Jackson Browne’s Latest Album Showcases Veteran and Young Bassists
Jackson Browne has returned with his first album in six years, . The record, which includes a full-band version of one of his oldest songs, 1967’s “The Birds of St. Marks,” also sees him working again with superstar session bassist Bob Glaub, who played on classic Browne albums like “Lawyers in Love”, “Hold Out”, and “The Pretender”. However, Glaub isn’t...
Jerry Garcia Band’s Only New Year’s Eve Gig Released
Even though it would seem impossible, this year you can celebrate on New Year’s Eve with the Jerry Garcia Band. Sort of. At the very least, you can play a recording of the only New Year’s Eve show the band played. The 1975 performance is captured on . The recording, featuring the late John Kahn, who played bass with the...
“Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics” Features Diverse Bassists
On , the Queen of Soul shares more than her huge, legendary voice. The record also gives several bass players a place to shine. Three bassists appear on the 10-song set: Reggie Hamilton (known for work with Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Warren Zevon, David Lynch, and Stanley Clarke, among others), Ethan Farmer (Janet Jackson, Babyface, Patti LaBelle, Darius Rucker, and...
Primus Reimagines Willy Wonka on New Album
For some reason, it just doesn’t feel surprising that Primus leader/bassist Les Claypool loves the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory so much that he, the rest of the original Primus lineup (that hasn’t played together since 1995) and the 2-member Fungi Ensemble, would create a take on iconic film’s music. is as unique as you’d expect, while...
Théo Zipper Quartet Releases “Faith”
Seeking out some new jazz propelled by a bass player’s sensibilities? Check out Théo Zipper Quartet’s album, . Led by French bassist and composer, Théo Zipper, the quartet also includes tenor/soprano sax player Max Fortin, Yannick Jacquet on piano, Fender Rhodes, and cello, and Lucas Vanderputten on drums. Zipper says his, and the quartet’s, goal, is to create osmosis between...
The Melvins’ Record Features Tour Bassist Jeff Pinkus
The Melvins have not one, but two members of the Butthole Surfers appearing on the group’s latest album . The Surfers’ Jeff Pinkus, who has also toured with The Melvins, is sitting in for regular bassist Jared Warren, who is on paternity leave from the band. The Sufers’ guitarist Paul Leary is also on the record. The Melvins’ Buzz Osborne...
Bassists Galore Featured on “Tommy Igoe Groove Conspiracy” Album
Don’t call the Tommy Igoe Groove Conspiracy a jazz big band. Instead, the San Francisco-based 15-piece band led by Igoe is something else. “We’re a rock band in a jazz band’s body,” said Igoe, a distinguished drummer. And it’s definitely a group with plenty of low end. Dewayne Pate serves as the band’s primary bassist, but on the group’s ,...
Dave Holland Teams with Pianist Kenny Barron on Duo Album
Double bassist Dave Holland and pianist Kenny Barron started performing live together as a duo in 2012, and now they’ve committed the sound they’ve been creating on stages to album. isn’t the first time they’ve recorded together — that occurred back in 1985 on Barron’s trio LP Scratch. However, this new record features the pair just working as a duo....