Carol Kaye Archives
From the Bottom: The Top 10 Greatest TV Theme Bass Lines
In this episode, Paul Thompson lays down his (extremely subjective) list of his top 10 favorite bass lines (plus three honorable mentions) from iconic television shows from the 1970s-2000s.
Carol Kaye to Receive Les Paul Innovation Award at NAMM TEC Awards
Each year, the NAMM TEC Committee honors legendary musicians with the Les Paul Innovation Award. The recipient for 2022 is one of the most influential bassists of all time: Carol Kaye.
Julia Hofer: Top 5 Carol Kaye Bass Lines
After recently discovering the video series featuring Julia Hofer, I’ve been checking out a lot of the entries. In this one, Julia picked her favorite bass lines from Carol Kaye’s massive catalog and played along to the tracks.
Steve Bailey, John Patitucci, and Victor Wooten Host “Pick Bass and Beyond” Webinar
Steve Bailey, John Patitucci, and Victor Wooten are continuing their weekly bass webinar this Thursday. The “Pick Bass and Beyond” roundtable discussion is slated to include some of the most prominent pick players of our instrument.
Carol Kaye Responds to “Mrs. Maisel” Homage
If you’ve watched the latest season of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” you may have noticed a new character who seems quite familiar. That’s because the fictional Carole Keen is based on real-life bass hero Carol Kaye. Kaye has weighed in on the character.
Les Paul with Carol Kaye: Live at The Iridium
Chris Lentz shared this gem of a video, which features a live performance of Les Paul, Lou Pallo, Paul Nowinski, Dave Haywood, and Carol Kaye performing at the Iridium on January 31st, 2000. Dig Carol’s sweet solo!
Carol Kaye Autobiography Now Available
Session bass legend Carol Kaye has plenty of stories to tell from her many years in the business, and now you can read them in her new autobiography. Studio Musician: Carol Kaye, 60s #1 Bassist, Guitarist is now available directly through her website. The 503-page book documents Kaye’s life and career, which started on guitar in nightclubs around Los Angeles....
Brian Wilson and Carol Kaye: Good Vibrations
Carol Kaye is a living legend of the bass who played on countless recordings with memorable bass lines. One of those is “Good Vibrations”, and we’re lucky enough to have found this clip of Kaye and Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson playing through the tune as a duet. While the bass could be louder in this recording, it’s easy to...
Carol Kaye: Boogaloo
Today’s video isn’t really a video, but we don’t care. Once you hear Carol Kaye laying it down, we don’t think you’ll mind either. This is “Boogaloo,” from Kaye’s Picking UP on the E String album.
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.
Carol Kaye, Victor Wooten and Steve Bailey Jam at NAMM
Old school meets new school in this clip from Winter NAMM 2000, where session legend Carol Kaye jams with bass virtuosos Victor Wooten and Steve Bailey on a blues. They may have different backgrounds, but one thing they all share is a groove that just won’t quit.
Carol Kaye: Slick Cat (1971)
Wow, this one groooooooves. Bassist Carol Kaye shared this tune, saying “Slick Cat [was] cut 1971 with Joe Pass [on guitar], Paul Humphrey [on] drums ….we were just jamming some in a studio and decided to work together after this!” Carol also mentioned that while the bass in the picture is her Gibson Ripper, the bass she used in the...