By Loud Atlas
Is there an instrument more supportive and reassuring than the double bass? Either a low steady walking bass line, or free-flowing virtuosic music made by the flourishing of fingers and strings, the double bass can seemingly craft something out of nothing. Not only used to provide the key notes in the chord sequences of a song, this mighty instrument has the power to enhance and improve the simplest of tunes.
But what of the unsung heroes behind the bass lines? Those shaded figures slightly beyond and to the left of the singer, standing by their musical instrument in a constant embrace? They're a distinctive part of the set-up in the background doing their (often) groovy thing. It's not just all about the bass – but the player too, the amiable servants of the song.
To paraphrase the first comment from readers' nominations last week: you're going to be getting some bass. So let's start low with Bassology by Slim Gaillard & His Flat Foot Floogies. Plucked and bowed by Slam Stewart, this is a nifty introduction to the sound of the bass and its bass-jumpery. Despite being called the double bass, it really has quite a high range!
Playing the double bass himself here, Charles Mingus is in very slow blues mode with a re-working of the Ellington classic Mood Indigo. This is bass playing at perhaps its most luxuriant and patient. The solo here is sensually blissful, in my view.
Kicking it up several gears, the bass can be thrummed and slapped at quite a speed. For the next tune it's not Elvis Presley on those strings, but Bill Black, Presley's bassist in the early years of his life as an artist. On the Blue Moon of Kentucky, Black provides the driving percussive element of this bluegrass classic. The double bass fits very well into a trio, as you'll hear later too.
The double bass can also sound resoundingly full alongside several other instruments. Onto contemporary bass playing, Avishai Cohen (arranger and bassist) uses a variety of rhythms and instruments with Seven Seas to highlight, then detracts from the double bass. But listen out for how the bass solo is used to calm the seas two thirds of the way through.
The next song serves as an introduction to Danny Thompson, collaborator and bassist extraordinaire. His work with others, particularly John Martyn and Pentangle, may be better known but here with Nick Drake as he creates an exquisite soundscape. Three Hours uses a descending four-note bass motif which Thompson elaborates away from and back to. A perfect complement to the guitar, vocals and congas too.
As part of the classic jazz trio set-up, the double bass is in numerous classic tunes. None quite have the same poignance as Alice in Wonderland (Take 2) by the Bill Evans Trio. At the time of the recording (live at the Village Vanguard in 1961), this would be bassist Scott LaFaro's last record as he would meet his untimely death only 11 days later. Listen to that conversational interplay between the bass and piano – my my.
In terms of an early 21st-century trio, Australian roots/rock band John Butler Trio use the bass as a key sing-along element to their song Zebra. Shannon Birchall provides the low notes here.
To my mind one of the most iconic bass lines to have ever been plucked, My Baby Just Cares For Me has a deliciously repetitive bass line enhanced by the piano accompaniment by Nina Simone. Jimmy Bond is the unsung hero on the bass here.
The double bass can move away from its own 'normal' genres into others such as hiphop. Buckshot LeFonque's Music Evolution uses a groovy riff to show how the double bass sound can be used as a way to highlight two different versions of cool. Reginald Veal is on the upright.
The Bobcats (of Bob Crosby fame) make a startling Big Noise From Winnetka. An inventive short song that does as much for drumming as the double bass, this is a delight. The bassist and whistler is Bob Haggart, whilst drummer Ray Bauduc brings the fun. Both are extraordinary musicians - be sure to watch the video.
There's room to squeeze in a double bass double. The first of the double is Mela, a blend of scat-like vocals and sumptuous energetic jazz. The second: there's a strong case for an achievement of the playlist award here. Playing the double bass and singing in front of an intimate crowd consisting of the US president and Stevie Wonder (the song's writer) must take some skill. Effortless in her delivery, Esperanza Spalding is Overjoyed to be in their company. She's been the future of the double bass for years now; long may that continue.
The final stop of our bass bonanza is to one of the most prolific double bassists since the 1960s: the aforementioned Danny Thompson. Thompson bought his double bass for a fiver (despite it being worth considerably more!) as a 15-year-old and named her Victoria due to her regal form. She's remained with him throughout his long and jam-packed career. Here he is playing Mingus' Haitian Fight Song live in Oslo in 1968. It's fittingly ended with a round of applause, not just for Thompson, but for all the other bassists out there too.
The Upright A-List Playlist:
Slim Gaillard & His Flat Foot Floogie Boys - Bassology (Nicko)
Charles Mingus - Mood Indigo (magicman)
Elvis Presley - Blue Moon of Kentucky (ParaMhor)
Avishai Cohen - Seven Seas (Nilpferd)
Nick Drake - Three Hours (happyclapper)
Bill Evans Trio - Alice in Wonderland (Take 2) (Nilpferd)
John Butler Trio - Zebra (IsabelleForshaw)
Nina Simone - My Baby Just Cares For Me (Suzi)
Buckshot LeFonque - Music Evolution (IsabelleForshaw)
The Bobcats - Big Noise From Winnetka (pejepeine)
Esperanza Spalding - Meta (severin)
Esperanza Spalding - Overjoyed (Marconius7)
Danny Thompson - Haitian Fight Song (Chris7572)
Just like the instrument itself, the next list has a little more at the bottom, both in sheer volume and range: you'll hear bass from a broader geographic sphere, some very free jazz, some zedded tunes and bass, bass and even more bass.
Bass Bass Bass, and even Bigger Bass B-List Playlist:
L'Orchestre de Contrabasses - Bass, Bass, Bass, Bass, Bass & Bass (Nicko)
Lou Reed - Walk On The Wild Side (happyclapper)
Charlie Haden - Song for Ché (Uncleben)
Bruce Springsteen - Meeting Across the River (Fred Erickson)
Ketama - Pozo Del Doseo (George Boyland)
Darrell Scott - The Man Who Could Have Played Bass for Sha Na Na (Uncleben)
The Cure - The Lovecats (happyclapper)
Eric B. & Rakim - Juice (Know The Ledge) (SongBarLandlord)
Robert Wyatt - Shipbuilding (magicman)
Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five - Choo Choo Ch'Boogie (magicman)
Adam Ben Ezra - Hide and Seek (Nilpferd)
Tom Waits - (Looking For) The Heart of Saturday Night (Vikingchild)
Barenaked Ladies - Lovers in a Dangerous Time (Gary Pyke)
Oscar de Leon - Mi Bajo I Yo (pejepeine)
Werly Fairburn - Everybody's Rockin' (TarquinSpodd)
The Young-Holt Trio - Wack Wack (Nicko)
Imelda May - Johnny Got A Boom Boom (Fred Erickson)
Postmodern Jukebox - Stacy's Mom (Uncleben)
Guru's Wildcard Picks:
Domenico Dragonetti - Double Bass Concerto in A Major, II. Andante
I first heard this tune on the radio whilst doing the washing up after watching a particularly emotional Doctor Who episode back in 2012 (fans of Amy and Rory will know the one!). It's stuck with me ever since. Jacek Mirucki is on the bass in this version of the second movement.
Norah Jones - Don't Know Why
As smooth as it gets, and the double bass makes it all the smoother. Lee Alexander's the one with the upright.
Barenaked Ladies - I Love You
Jim Creeggan's bass playing has been a staple of Barenaked Ladies' oeuvre for decades. This charming song really brings out the best of his brilliant bass.
L'Orchestre de Contrabasses
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations from last week's topic: Talking in low tones: songs and pieces featuring the double bass. The next topic will launch on Thursday at 1pm UK time.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...
Fancy a turn behind the pumps at The Song Bar? Care to choose a playlist from songs nominated and write something about it? Then feel free to contact The Song Bar here, or try the usual email address. Also please follow us social media: Song Bar Twitter, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube, and Song Bar Instagram. Please subscribe, follow and share.
Song Bar is non-profit and is simply about sharing great music. We don’t do clickbait or advertisements. Please make any donation to help keep the Bar running: