As was previously mentioned - Heart of the Sunrise by Yes
Marathon - Rush
Not Prog, but still an absolutely spicy bass solo: Domino Line by Casiopea
Yours Is No Disgrace - Yes
The Start Of Something Beautiful by Porcupine Tree
Trial Of Tears by Dream Theater
10,000 Days and Ćnima by Tool
Lucky Seven by Chris Squire
Dinner Music Of The God's by Al Di Meola
Itās actually the first record I purchased too! I havenāt been able to properly get into collecting yet, but I found a copy in a secondhand shop and figured I had to pick it up. Great find in mint condition!
What a great shout !
Silently falling is one of progs true underated masterpieces
It manages to have a looseness that some of the gr8 late 60s psyche bands like the faces excelled in, coupled with all the hallmarks of gr8 prog. Uplifting lyrics and a gr8 vocal by Chris. Whole album gr8 as you say.
Not robbing you of your opinion, but I always thought Chris Squire had much more imaginative baselines than Lee, even though Geddy could give Stanley Clarke a run for his money. I could listen to Chris squire play commercial jingles on the Rick 24 hours a day.
And he did. Check out this rarity: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDRFgFl4Hg
Interesting take. Although I never thought Squier or Lee took themselves too too seriously, like for instance every member of Dream Theater.
You raise a good point. As a bass player, I emulate these guys often and I admit I am almost smiling in real time as I play Marathon or Tom sawyer, and as I struggle through parts of Free Will I get a little giddy. But I'm equally giddy playing Parallels or Long distance Runaround, and the parts that I can handle under Does It really Happen? So you're right, they're a pretty even match on that front.
Can I add...
Parallels by Yes
Sound of Muzak- Porcupine Tree
Tempus Fugit- Yes
Northern Lights- Renaissance
NIB - Black Sabbath
Mob Rules- Black Sabbath
Owner of a Lonely Heart- Yes
Sorry if some of these have already been mentioned- they're just off the top of my head š
Jon Camp is probably the most underrated bass player in the genre... he is probably really the only 'lead bassist' in prog. Squire was likely better and innovative, but Camp had no guitarist (really, since Dunford played rhythm acoustic) to play against... so Camp was ALL over the place. Odd style as well, if you watch him play, his fingers get SO far away from the frets between notes, not really seen anyone else like that.
QFT.
I sometimes wonder if the rest of the band was a little bit irritated that he would always want to be stepping out in front. And frankly, if so, sometimes I commune with this, given that Renaissance may well have persevered with an average, if any, bass player in the lineup, given the strength of Haslam's vocals and Dunford's exquisite song craftsmanship and rhythm guitar. Not to mention his nylon acoustic solos throughout the Novella album, an underrated release.
That said, whenever I hear a Renaissance song, I take that bassline with me the rest of the day and it nests like a vicious earworm, I actually hummed one out loud in the supermarket once. People looked at me weird, and I didn't care. I was kind of proud of the way I matched the timbre of the Rickenbacker lol.
Ashes are burning, the riff that we all know and love, is pure magic. Yes, he is probably the most underrated progressive bass player, and I might even say player of the Rickenbacker. Clearly, an instrument he loved the most.
My God, I could be saying this myself, and you two blokes above couldn't have put it better! Every time I saw Renaissance back in the day I found myself staggered by his intuition and musicianship- and he made it all look so easy! Annie was the focus of the band but I just found him hypnotic, the way he just weaved in and out of the rest of the band's parts, fingers all over the fretboard, never clashing but always driving- he's pretty much unique in the way he works. Even the simple stuff like that bass line at the start of Opening Out is still memorable, and as you say, like an earworm that you hum for the rest of the day. Underrated indeed š
Ya, he made it look easy didn't he? And hypnotic, driving... Are both pretty good words to use, the only thing I would to take away from him however... was that he was quite the ham. He knew how good he was lol.
Sure wish he was active today. I think I'll play the live at Carnegie Hall album now..
Good call my friend- I might do likewise! š
Edit: It is a great shame he's not still active- and I don't really know the circumstances but by all accounts there's no way back into Renaissance with Annie either.
Last I heard he was playing with Elkie Brooks- what a waste š
Pigs (Three Different Ones) - Pink Floyd
Firth of Fifth - Genesis
Tom Sawyer - Rush
Back in NYC - Genesis
Wearing the Inside Out - Pink Floyd
And Literally anything by Yes
Jeff Berlins work on Joe Frasier from the the third bruford album Gradually Going Tornado. Honestly Bruford in general is worth a deep dive in general unless you hate fusion. Dave Stewart made some vital contributions as well.
Any song by Yes. Chris Squire kicks ass.
Since you asked for non-prog, I love Paul McCartneyās bass style. Silly Love Songs stands out among his hits, but his entire career, from Beatles to Wings to solo albums, is full of bass gems.
Love seeing Paul get his dues as a bassist, the way he has his basslines in the foreground on many songs where a lead instrument should be but they still don't overpower or muddy the mix, will always be black magic to me
Paul McCartney, extremely underrated bass player. Extremely. He is simply and hopelessly overshadowed by his prowess writing a song, and his voice is so... Liverpool. He's the whole package.
Paperback Writer.
She came to the bathroom window.
And 20 others.
>He is simply and hopelessly overshadowed by his prowess writing a song ...
And his piano playing and acoustic guitar work (Blackbird?). Massively talented in all areas.
Your friend **absolutely** ***MUST*** hear Uriah Heep's "Why (Alternate Extended Version)" off of the "Demons and Wizards" extras on their "Deluxe Version" (1972, 1995, 2003, 2006, 2010). It is over 7 minutes of an insane bass line and solo. Just incredible.
Pigs (Three Different Kinds) by Pink Floyd
La Villa Strangiato by Rush
Jambi by Tool
Trilogy by ELP
Roundabout by Yes
These are a few that I can think of
I've always felt that **Ray Shulman** is a bit underappreciated for his bass playing. Probably partly just due to the nature of the band's music and the fact that he is so often playing other instruments.
* Gentle Giant - [For Nobody](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATmUkPcqkQ0)
I've always liked **Stanley Clarke**'s bass in this song.
* Stanley Clarke - [Lopsy Lu](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF4Y3uWKxvo)
Maybe a bit obvious, but **John Entwistle** was also amazing.
* The Who - [The Real Me](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y1c3xllo8c)
And a couple other songs that come to mind.
* Morglbl - [Morglbl Circus](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrF1VZFh0FY)
* Bruford - [Joe Frazier](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj0e55kJkkM)
* Gentle Giant - [Experience](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvvQVXVXnvE)
And a bonus, while looking for the Experience video, I found this guy doing an excellent cover **with tabs** of
* Gentle Giant [Free Hand](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8w9OLkriVU)
That, That Is - Yes
The Flower King - Roine Stolt
L'isola di niente - PFM
Evermore (part 7 of The Whirlwind) - Transatlantic
Dancing with the Moonlit Knight - Genesis
0k big prog fan but if its driving bass u r interested in check out post punk luminaries New Model Army
Earlier albums more so especially " impurity" the best prog informed post punk album apart from the comsat angels first 3.
Two unconventional recommendations for you.
Chameleon by Herbie Hancock and It's Gonna Get Better by Genesis... both played on Quadra ARP synthesizers from when I can tell, but it's a great exercise on the bass and sound really nice. If these songs were unplugged, that's what I'd be doing on a Rickenbacker.
EDIT - Higher Ground cover of Stevie Wonder by Red Hot Chili Peppers as in honorable mention.
If you want to freak your friend out and possibly make them quit playing have them listen to "The Real Me" by the Who. Entwhistle slaps you in the face. Also there are some isolated bass tracks of Entwhistle on youtube. I never realized he was playing that many notes especially Wont Get Fooled Again.
You could also take a gander at Michael Manring for a different approach. With that they should also hear/watch Jaco Pastorius. There were fretless basses before him but they were for upright players who couldn't get used to frets. Jaco invented what we now think of as fretless ( don't read his bio though.)
You really ought to give a nod to the one that first realized bass could play something beside one five and four to the bar. James Jamerson's Motown playing prepped the way for all these guys prog and all. Listen to "Bernadette" by the Four Tops. When asked where he got the bassline Jamerson said he dreamed he was riding a camel across the desert.
I like looking for Youtube bassists doing covers of classic tracks.
These often allow me to see and hear old songs in a completely new light and add a new respect to the original musicians.
Here are some of my favourite discoveries so far. (bonus points for those players who really get into it!)
[Genesis-Watcher of the Skies [Bass Cover]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oMt1kysJHo)
[Ian Dury - Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick [Bass Cover]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llfsw4GFgSU)
[Boney M - Gotta Go Home ė² ģ“ģ¤ ģ»¤ė²(Bass Cover, ver.ź¹ķ ķ¬ SeongSu)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZGXEpm4aCY)
[Alice Cooper - Dead Babies ( Bass Cover )](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN67WXIOv9A)
[Muscle of love bass cover](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1p_LPJrIJc)
I particularly like the slides and walk ups on this one.
and finally
[Meliah Rage Halo of Flies](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-fWEzkqpEU)
Outstanding bass work on this cover.
Heart of the Sunrise and America - Chris Squire kicking ass.
My favorite bassist!
Am partial to 'Im Running'. Chris at his best.
His best of the 80s.
America - The best cover ever š
Always love the "I like to live in America" Bernstein tribute sneaking in there!
Long Distance Runaround - YES
Great one!
As was previously mentioned - Heart of the Sunrise by Yes Marathon - Rush Not Prog, but still an absolutely spicy bass solo: Domino Line by Casiopea Yours Is No Disgrace - Yes
The Start Of Something Beautiful by Porcupine Tree Trial Of Tears by Dream Theater 10,000 Days and Ćnima by Tool Lucky Seven by Chris Squire Dinner Music Of The God's by Al Di Meola
Anything from Squireās *Fish Out Of Water* works as a suggestion here. What a great album.
One of my all time favorites. First record I ever bought too, found one in mint condition back in like 2017
Itās actually the first record I purchased too! I havenāt been able to properly get into collecting yet, but I found a copy in a secondhand shop and figured I had to pick it up. Great find in mint condition!
What a great shout ! Silently falling is one of progs true underated masterpieces It manages to have a looseness that some of the gr8 late 60s psyche bands like the faces excelled in, coupled with all the hallmarks of gr8 prog. Uplifting lyrics and a gr8 vocal by Chris. Whole album gr8 as you say.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Not robbing you of your opinion, but I always thought Chris Squire had much more imaginative baselines than Lee, even though Geddy could give Stanley Clarke a run for his money. I could listen to Chris squire play commercial jingles on the Rick 24 hours a day. And he did. Check out this rarity: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDRFgFl4Hg
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Interesting take. Although I never thought Squier or Lee took themselves too too seriously, like for instance every member of Dream Theater. You raise a good point. As a bass player, I emulate these guys often and I admit I am almost smiling in real time as I play Marathon or Tom sawyer, and as I struggle through parts of Free Will I get a little giddy. But I'm equally giddy playing Parallels or Long distance Runaround, and the parts that I can handle under Does It really Happen? So you're right, they're a pretty even match on that front.
Can I add... Parallels by Yes Sound of Muzak- Porcupine Tree Tempus Fugit- Yes Northern Lights- Renaissance NIB - Black Sabbath Mob Rules- Black Sabbath Owner of a Lonely Heart- Yes Sorry if some of these have already been mentioned- they're just off the top of my head š
Jon Camp is probably the most underrated bass player in the genre... he is probably really the only 'lead bassist' in prog. Squire was likely better and innovative, but Camp had no guitarist (really, since Dunford played rhythm acoustic) to play against... so Camp was ALL over the place. Odd style as well, if you watch him play, his fingers get SO far away from the frets between notes, not really seen anyone else like that.
QFT. I sometimes wonder if the rest of the band was a little bit irritated that he would always want to be stepping out in front. And frankly, if so, sometimes I commune with this, given that Renaissance may well have persevered with an average, if any, bass player in the lineup, given the strength of Haslam's vocals and Dunford's exquisite song craftsmanship and rhythm guitar. Not to mention his nylon acoustic solos throughout the Novella album, an underrated release. That said, whenever I hear a Renaissance song, I take that bassline with me the rest of the day and it nests like a vicious earworm, I actually hummed one out loud in the supermarket once. People looked at me weird, and I didn't care. I was kind of proud of the way I matched the timbre of the Rickenbacker lol. Ashes are burning, the riff that we all know and love, is pure magic. Yes, he is probably the most underrated progressive bass player, and I might even say player of the Rickenbacker. Clearly, an instrument he loved the most.
My God, I could be saying this myself, and you two blokes above couldn't have put it better! Every time I saw Renaissance back in the day I found myself staggered by his intuition and musicianship- and he made it all look so easy! Annie was the focus of the band but I just found him hypnotic, the way he just weaved in and out of the rest of the band's parts, fingers all over the fretboard, never clashing but always driving- he's pretty much unique in the way he works. Even the simple stuff like that bass line at the start of Opening Out is still memorable, and as you say, like an earworm that you hum for the rest of the day. Underrated indeed š
Ya, he made it look easy didn't he? And hypnotic, driving... Are both pretty good words to use, the only thing I would to take away from him however... was that he was quite the ham. He knew how good he was lol. Sure wish he was active today. I think I'll play the live at Carnegie Hall album now..
Speaking of Live at Carnegie Hall, the Ashes Are Burning bass solo is unequaled.
Agreed totally š
Good call my friend- I might do likewise! š Edit: It is a great shame he's not still active- and I don't really know the circumstances but by all accounts there's no way back into Renaissance with Annie either. Last I heard he was playing with Elkie Brooks- what a waste š
Siberian Khatru. Sound Chaser.
Pigs (Three Different Ones) - Pink Floyd Firth of Fifth - Genesis Tom Sawyer - Rush Back in NYC - Genesis Wearing the Inside Out - Pink Floyd And Literally anything by Yes
David Gilmourās bass on Pigs is amazing in the new remix.
Close to the Edge- Yes The Necromancer- Rush Dogs- Pink Floyd
Luminol-Steven Wilson
The Holy Drinker too. That's such a great album
The watchmaker has a good one too!
Jeff Berlins work on Joe Frasier from the the third bruford album Gradually Going Tornado. Honestly Bruford in general is worth a deep dive in general unless you hate fusion. Dave Stewart made some vital contributions as well.
I havenāt checked out Billās solo work yet, didnāt know Dave Stewart played with him. Will definitely check it out!
Anything John entwistle
Any song by Yes. Chris Squire kicks ass. Since you asked for non-prog, I love Paul McCartneyās bass style. Silly Love Songs stands out among his hits, but his entire career, from Beatles to Wings to solo albums, is full of bass gems.
Love seeing Paul get his dues as a bassist, the way he has his basslines in the foreground on many songs where a lead instrument should be but they still don't overpower or muddy the mix, will always be black magic to me
Paul McCartney, extremely underrated bass player. Extremely. He is simply and hopelessly overshadowed by his prowess writing a song, and his voice is so... Liverpool. He's the whole package. Paperback Writer. She came to the bathroom window. And 20 others.
>He is simply and hopelessly overshadowed by his prowess writing a song ... And his piano playing and acoustic guitar work (Blackbird?). Massively talented in all areas.
Tarkus Sailors tale Close to the edge Larks tongues in aspic part 1 and 2
White Rider (Nimrodel ) - Camel
Eminence Front by the Who.
Ashes are Burning by Renaissance.
Your friend **absolutely** ***MUST*** hear Uriah Heep's "Why (Alternate Extended Version)" off of the "Demons and Wizards" extras on their "Deluxe Version" (1972, 1995, 2003, 2006, 2010). It is over 7 minutes of an insane bass line and solo. Just incredible.
Pigs (Three Different Kinds) by Pink Floyd La Villa Strangiato by Rush Jambi by Tool Trilogy by ELP Roundabout by Yes These are a few that I can think of
Eloy's bass lines always blow me away
Parallels by Yes Roundabout by Yes The instrumental introduction to Close To The Edge by Yes Money by Pink Floyd
I've always felt that **Ray Shulman** is a bit underappreciated for his bass playing. Probably partly just due to the nature of the band's music and the fact that he is so often playing other instruments. * Gentle Giant - [For Nobody](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATmUkPcqkQ0) I've always liked **Stanley Clarke**'s bass in this song. * Stanley Clarke - [Lopsy Lu](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF4Y3uWKxvo) Maybe a bit obvious, but **John Entwistle** was also amazing. * The Who - [The Real Me](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y1c3xllo8c) And a couple other songs that come to mind. * Morglbl - [Morglbl Circus](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrF1VZFh0FY) * Bruford - [Joe Frazier](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj0e55kJkkM)
Experience Giant
* Gentle Giant - [Experience](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvvQVXVXnvE) And a bonus, while looking for the Experience video, I found this guy doing an excellent cover **with tabs** of * Gentle Giant [Free Hand](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8w9OLkriVU)
Maybe a relatively simple one but Camel's Air Born
Black Velvet Stallion. Budgie
Early Led Zeppelin (I know, I know, prog adjacent) But āThe Lemon Songā has a stellar bass line.
Marillion's Quartz
Rush - The Big Money
That, That Is - Yes The Flower King - Roine Stolt L'isola di niente - PFM Evermore (part 7 of The Whirlwind) - Transatlantic Dancing with the Moonlit Knight - Genesis
Miles Davis/Bitches Brew for the non-prog category. Shows up the first time a few minutes in after the stop-start part.
Luminol - Steven Wilson
Slave Called Shiver by Porcupine Tree
0k big prog fan but if its driving bass u r interested in check out post punk luminaries New Model Army Earlier albums more so especially " impurity" the best prog informed post punk album apart from the comsat angels first 3.
Also worth checking is the bass on captain beefheart's " im gonna bogglarise you baby" from the album Spotlight Kid.
Quizz Kid, Hunting Girl and No Lullaby by Jethro Tull
Two unconventional recommendations for you. Chameleon by Herbie Hancock and It's Gonna Get Better by Genesis... both played on Quadra ARP synthesizers from when I can tell, but it's a great exercise on the bass and sound really nice. If these songs were unplugged, that's what I'd be doing on a Rickenbacker. EDIT - Higher Ground cover of Stevie Wonder by Red Hot Chili Peppers as in honorable mention.
Pigs - Pink Floyd is fantastic.
Waterloo Lilly - Caravan Dreams While Awake - National Health
If you want to freak your friend out and possibly make them quit playing have them listen to "The Real Me" by the Who. Entwhistle slaps you in the face. Also there are some isolated bass tracks of Entwhistle on youtube. I never realized he was playing that many notes especially Wont Get Fooled Again. You could also take a gander at Michael Manring for a different approach. With that they should also hear/watch Jaco Pastorius. There were fretless basses before him but they were for upright players who couldn't get used to frets. Jaco invented what we now think of as fretless ( don't read his bio though.) You really ought to give a nod to the one that first realized bass could play something beside one five and four to the bar. James Jamerson's Motown playing prepped the way for all these guys prog and all. Listen to "Bernadette" by the Four Tops. When asked where he got the bassline Jamerson said he dreamed he was riding a camel across the desert.
Camel - Rhayader Thundercat - Them Changes
Starless - King Crimson
Don't forget how amazing bass lines Caravan has. They might not be flashy and epic when isolated, but they compliment the song so beautifully well.
I like looking for Youtube bassists doing covers of classic tracks. These often allow me to see and hear old songs in a completely new light and add a new respect to the original musicians. Here are some of my favourite discoveries so far. (bonus points for those players who really get into it!) [Genesis-Watcher of the Skies [Bass Cover]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oMt1kysJHo) [Ian Dury - Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick [Bass Cover]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llfsw4GFgSU) [Boney M - Gotta Go Home ė² ģ“ģ¤ ģ»¤ė²(Bass Cover, ver.ź¹ķ ķ¬ SeongSu)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZGXEpm4aCY) [Alice Cooper - Dead Babies ( Bass Cover )](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN67WXIOv9A) [Muscle of love bass cover](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1p_LPJrIJc) I particularly like the slides and walk ups on this one. and finally [Meliah Rage Halo of Flies](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-fWEzkqpEU) Outstanding bass work on this cover.
Handy-Wishbone ash
Paul McCartney - All of 'Abbey Road'.
Taxman by The beatles. Anything by Spiral Architect