Skip to main content

Isolated Bass Week 5 Archives

The Four Tops: Reach Out (I’ll Be There) (James Jamerson’s Isolated Bass)
Bass Videos

The Four Tops: Reach Out (I’ll Be There) (James Jamerson’s Isolated Bass)

As with past Isolated Bass Weeks here, we’re closing this one out with the legendary James Jamerson. Here’s his isolated bass track on The Four Tops’ “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)”, from the original Motown master tapes. Enjoy.

Lynyrd Skynyrd: Free Bird (Ed King’s Isolated Bass)
Bass Videos

Lynyrd Skynyrd: Free Bird (Ed King’s Isolated Bass)

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s debut album featured what has been called “the most-requested song in the history of rock music,” by reviewer Lorry Fleming. That song of course is “Free Bird”, which was originally released in 1973. The recording on that debut featured Ed King on bass. And here is his line in all its glory (starting at the 21 second mark)....

The Who: Pinball Wizard (John Entwistle’s Isolated Bass)
Bass Videos

The Who: Pinball Wizard (John Entwistle’s Isolated Bass)

No isolated bass week would be complete without including John Entwistle. Here’s The Ox’s isolated bass track on “Pinball Wizard”… The creator of this track says it was taken from a live version of the track, and not the studio recording. That would explain why the bass starts at the 36 second mark, and not a few seconds earlier.

Iron Maiden: Run To The Hills (Steve Harris’s Isolated Bass)
Bass Videos

Iron Maiden: Run To The Hills (Steve Harris’s Isolated Bass)

We’re continuing Isolated Bass Week 5 at No Treble with one of the greatest metal bassists of all time: Steve Harris. The British four-stringer’s distinctive style and punchy tone shine on this isolated bass version of Iron Maiden’s iconic “Run to the Hills.” Harris is credited with writing the song, which should help explain why his bass line is about...

The Brothers Johnson: Strawberry Letter 23 (Isolated Bass)
Bass Videos

The Brothers Johnson: Strawberry Letter 23 (Isolated Bass)

Here’s one great and funky bass line, isolated for your listening pleasure. The tune is “Strawberry Letter 23” by The Brothers Johnson. The bassist of course is the legendary Louis Johnson. Rick Suchow, who shared the isolated track, shares some info on this one: “Hear the actual bass track from the Brothers Johnson tune ‘Strawberry Letter 23’, from the original...

The Beatles: Something (Paul McCartney’s Isolated Bass)
Bass Videos

The Beatles: Something (Paul McCartney’s Isolated Bass)

For today’s isolated bass track, we’re treated to some great bass by Paul McCartney on the George Harrison tune, “Something”. The tune appeared on the Beatles’ “Abbey Road,” and was “the only song written by him to top the US charts while he was in the band.”

Nirvana: In Bloom (Isolated Bass and Drums)
Bass Videos

Nirvana: In Bloom (Isolated Bass and Drums)

We’re kicking off Isolated Bass Week #5 with a song that peaked at #5 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart. Nirvana’s “In Bloom” featured some gritty bass by Krist Novoselic, locked right in with Dave Grohl’s drums. While the tune was originally recorded in 1990, this version appeared on the 1991 release Nevermind – the first album to feature Grohl.