BASS
YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD OF… | Gary Lunn
There are some incredible bassists that I grew
up listening to that I would be remiss not sharing
with you. These guys profoundly affected and
shaped my playing style and I would love for
you to hear them and understand why. If you
get a chance please check these guys out.
Some of them are still playing on “everything”
and traveling with all kinds of successful artists.
I will try to list them in the order in which I
discovered them.
LARRY GRAHAM
This guy basically invented slap bass when the
drummer of the group he was playing with quit.
Abraham Laboriel
His solid, yet beautiful melodic approach to in the 70’s and 80’s by artists/producers such
holding down the groove is nothing short of as Olivia Newton-John, Bill Champlain, Boz
captivating. His flamenco soloing technique on Scaggs, and many, many others. By analyzing
the bass adds an interesting, yet entertaining his playing, I learned early on the science of
quality. As you listen you’ll hear his playing how to really play with a drummer (the drummer
dance through every track. I did not realize until he most often played with was Jeff Porcaro;
I met him many years later that the “smiling” in a legend). Observing consistency and taste
his playing is a direct representation of his own embedded in his pop and rock music bass
smile, as well as his literal smiling. Abe is not “stylings” has been an invaluable wealth of bass
Larry Graham shy at all when it comes to his love for Jesus. information for me. His approach to playing
He developed the thump technique (“Everyday That is probably Abe’s greatest legacy and slightly behind the bass drum was a trait I
People” by Sly and the Family Stone) and the he continues to spread it wherever he goes. adopted quickly and his rare solo appearances
pluck technique (“Dance to the Music” by Sly Google his name and listen to his awesome were always the ultimate in taste and non-
and the Family Stone) and broke new ground work! Check out the bass solo at the 4:19 mark flashy profoundness (i.e., his solo at the end
in funk and R&B with heavy distortion, flanging, on Ron Kenoly’s “Ancient of Days”. of Toto’s “Ninety-nine”). Within the parameters
and envelope filters (the Funk Machine auto- of session work for various artists he is always
wah pedal). He toured with Prince for a while laid back, consistent, and solid. He seems to
as well. The fact that he is an amazingly funky instinctively know that one special place in a
singer doesn’t hurt either! Check out Sly and song where he puts just the right bass fill to
the Family Stone and his group Graham Central mesmerize the listener (i.e., the Pete Drake
Station. steel-guitar-style lick during the vamp of Toto’s
“Rosanna”). His clean pick technique made him
ABRAHAM LABORIEL Ron Kenoly // “Ancient of Days”
I was listening to “The Captain’s Journey” DAVID HUNGATE
an amazing rock bass player, but his finger style
set him squarely in the groove! Check him out.
PINO PALLADINO
by Lee Ritenour when I first discovered this
amazing man and bassist. His masterful work David is an original member of the group, with Al Jarreau, Greg Matheison, Jay Graydon, “Toto.” Before, during, and after Toto, he I remember the first time I saw Paul Young’s
and many others has inspired millions of hearts. played on hundreds of West-coast pop records music-video of his song, "Come Back and
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April 2019
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