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Thread started 10/02/05 7:24am

napoleon370

Bass It Up!

We have went to skins to keys over the last 2.5 weeks and now I must ask the following:
- Is it me, or can Prince really jam on bass? Listening to Controversy, P, and 1999, I was so impressed with the bass tracks.
- Who in fact is the most accomplished/talented bass player that Prince has worked with? Andre? Brown Mark? Levi? Rhonda? They all seem so talented to me - and I am sure I will get the right bass player for the right time answer, but please explain when you say that. Rhonda is very talented and I really enjoyed hearing Brown Mark play live. Having witnessed both the 1999 and Musicology tours, I was impressed with the two of them. I did not have the fortune like many of you of hearing/seeing Prince strap on the bass - so those of you so lucky, talk about it?
- What are some of the technical aspects of Prince's bass playing as compared to those that surround him - this is one instrument that I never did pick-up as a youth, so I want to learn how Prince stacks against others and his competency with the bass.
- What are songs that showcase his talents on bass the best. Recently on the Tricky thread, I learned that Prince played bass on that track! I did not know that, but I do remember that Tricky was one of my favorite studio "jams." It was so funky. Look forward to hearing all of the thoughts and stories.
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Reply #1 posted 10/02/05 5:29pm

GustavoRibas

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napoleon370 said:


- Who in fact is the most accomplished/talented bass player that Prince has worked with? Andre? Brown Mark? Levi? Rhonda? They all seem so talented to me


- I think that, deep inside, his fave bass player is Rhonda. She was the one he gave more freedom to, and if I am not wrong, he put her in his all time fave band line up. She is great. I love Sonny T and his heavy bass too.


- What are some of the technical aspects of Prince's bass playing as compared to those that surround him

- Rhonda said in an interview that Prince has a bass technique that he got directly from learning from Larry, and it´s different than her slap bass technique, for example. And she had to learn it also. If you get one of the bootlegs of Musicology tour, you will hear the difference when he does a bass solo on ´Let´s work´....his bass sound is completely different from Rhonda...


- What are songs that showcase his talents on bass the best.

- I recommend:
1) What´s my name (from Crystal Ball) - bass solo by P

2) 2Nigs United for West Compton (from Black Album) - Per Nielsen said it´s him playing that bass solo...I believe it. Does everybody agree?

3) The Rainbow Children album - Prince plays on the majority of the songs. "Family Name" is the one that has a more proeminent bass, but he plays great on the whole album.

4) 777 9311 (from The Time) - real cool slap bass

If you are into bootlegs, I recommend the Bataclan aftershow...it has a bass medley where Prince plays funk classics and some of his songs. Great.

Recently on the Tricky thread, I learned that Prince played bass on that track! I did not know that, but I do remember that Tricky was one of my favorite studio "jams." It was so funky. Look forward to hearing all of the thoughts and stories.


- Are you talking about an outtake from Prince called ´Tricky´? I don´t know this one

I love bass also. More suggestions and quotes would be real cool
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Reply #2 posted 10/02/05 10:40pm

ALLMACK

There are a slew of rock players "better" than P (in my opinion): Geddy Lee, Tony Levin, Pino Palladino, Les Claypool..and in R&B look at Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and a dozen other people. I guess that's the price when you play 555 instruments like P. But what do I know....
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Reply #3 posted 10/03/05 3:30am

calldapplwonde
ry83

Madhouse 8 has some nice bass work as well. And it's not slap bass for a change.
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Reply #4 posted 10/03/05 4:04am

GustavoRibas

avatar

ALLMACK said:

There are a slew of rock players "better" than P (in my opinion): Geddy Lee, Tony Levin, Pino Palladino, Les Claypool..and in R&B look at Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and a dozen other people. I guess that's the price when you play 555 instruments like P. But what do I know....


- Very true. These guys could concentrate on one instrument while Prince had to share his time between several. And I still think he does an amazing job playing them. Rhonda said his playing was ´phenomenal´. I don´t know if she was exaggerating because he is the boss, but it was a good compliment anyway.
[Edited 10/3/05 4:07am]
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Reply #5 posted 10/03/05 4:31am

muirdo

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I dont particulary rate Rhonda.
I think it might have something to do with those faces she keeps pulling.
Fuck the funk - it's time to ditch the worn-out Vegas horns fills, pick up the geee-tar and finally ROCK THE MUTHA-FUCKER!! He hinted at this on Chaos, now it's time to step up and fully DELIVER!!
woot!
KrystleEyes 22/03/05
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Reply #6 posted 10/03/05 5:20am

napoleon370

GustavoRibas said:

napoleon370 said:


- Who in fact is the most accomplished/talented bass player that Prince has worked with? Andre? Brown Mark? Levi? Rhonda? They all seem so talented to me


- I think that, deep inside, his fave bass player is Rhonda. She was the one he gave more freedom to, and if I am not wrong, he put her in his all time fave band line up. She is great. I love Sonny T and his heavy bass too.


- I recommend:
1) What´s my name (from Crystal Ball) - bass solo by P

2) 2Nigs United for West Compton (from Black Album) - Per Nielsen said it´s him playing that bass solo...I believe it. Does everybody agree?

3) The Rainbow Children album - Prince plays on the majority of the songs. "Family Name" is the one that has a more proeminent bass, but he plays great on the whole album.

4) 777 9311 (from The Time) - real cool slap bass

If you are into bootlegs, I recommend the Bataclan aftershow...it has a bass medley where Prince plays funk classics and some of his songs. Great.

Recently on the Tricky thread, I learned that Prince played bass on that track! I did not know that, but I do remember that Tricky was one of my favorite studio "jams." It was so funky. Look forward to hearing all of the thoughts and stories.


- Are you talking about an outtake from Prince called ´Tricky´? I don´t know this one

I love bass also. More suggestions and quotes would be real cool


GustavoRibas: Great information - Thanks! The '777-9311' example you listed completely slipped my mind as a song that contained some solid bass work. I particulary like the bass work in Private Joy - it's subtle and not too much yet very, very funky (the bass is rolling within that cut). I also agree with you regarding Rhonda - she is a very solid bass player and I am sure Prince learns from her as well as she learning from him. With that stated, one of the reasons I think he is going to get stronger as a musician is because he keeps surrounding himself with such great talent. His current band is just so strong. Anyway - if there are any more bass stories told from a "bass player" perspective, please keep them coming!
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Reply #7 posted 10/03/05 8:55am

diamondpearl1

napoleon370 said:

We have went to skins to keys over the last 2.5 weeks and now I must ask the following:
- Is it me, or can Prince really jam on bass? Listening to Controversy, P, and 1999, I was so impressed with the bass tracks.
- Who in fact is the most accomplished/talented bass player that Prince has worked with? Andre? Brown Mark? Levi? Rhonda? They all seem so talented to me - and I am sure I will get the right bass player for the right time answer, but please explain when you say that. Rhonda is very talented and I really enjoyed hearing Brown Mark play live. Having witnessed both the 1999 and Musicology tours, I was impressed with the two of them. I did not have the fortune like many of you of hearing/seeing Prince strap on the bass - so those of you so lucky, talk about it?
- What are some of the technical aspects of Prince's bass playing as compared to those that surround him - this is one instrument that I never did pick-up as a youth, so I want to learn how Prince stacks against others and his competency with the bass.
- What are songs that showcase his talents on bass the best. Recently on the Tricky thread, I learned that Prince played bass on that track! I did not know that, but I do remember that Tricky was one of my favorite studio "jams." It was so funky. Look forward to hearing all of the thoughts and stories.


he gets busy on the bass on...

i'm yours
i feel for you
uptown
when you were mine
if i was you girlfriend
shhh
the most beautiful girl in the world
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Reply #8 posted 10/03/05 8:59am

thekidsgirl

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What are songs that showcase his talents on bass the best?


777-9311
Scarlett Pussy
Electric Chair
If a Girl Answers (Don't Hang Up)
Face Down (-preferably a live recording)
cool

my favorite Prince bassist is hands down Ms. Rhonda! worship
If you will, so will I
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Reply #9 posted 10/03/05 7:49pm

GustavoRibas

avatar

diamondpearl1 said:


he gets busy on the bass on...

i'm yours
i feel for you
uptown
when you were mine
if i was you girlfriend
shhh
the most beautiful girl in the world


- ?? Most of these songs dont have bass solos or proeminent bass lines..."Shh" is performed by Sonny T, as well as the Gold Experience version of "The most beautiful girl in the world". But "I´m yours" rocks also. Imagine the NPG playing it today...
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Reply #10 posted 10/04/05 2:54am

calldapplwonde
ry83

GustavoRibas said:

diamondpearl1 said:


he gets busy on the bass on...

i'm yours
i feel for you
uptown
when you were mine
if i was you girlfriend
shhh
the most beautiful girl in the world


- ?? Most of these songs dont have bass solos or proeminent bass lines..."Shh" is performed by Sonny T, as well as the Gold Experience version of "The most beautiful girl in the world". But "I´m yours" rocks also. Imagine the NPG playing it today...



Yes!!! That's the one song I beg him to re-make.... imagine that one with better production (I think the original suffers a great deal from it) and with his guitar chops now. And the lyrics are kind of sexy but doesn't contain any words he wouldn't sing nowadays.
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Reply #11 posted 10/04/05 2:57am

calldapplwonde
ry83

BTW, I just remembered that Boris said that Prince HAS in fact re-recorded his back cataloque... somebody go free that song! Though it was done in his plastic years, so....

Anyway, back to the topic. I wonder U has great, unusual bass as well!
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Reply #12 posted 10/04/05 7:47am

diamondpearl1

GustavoRibas said:

diamondpearl1 said:


he gets busy on the bass on...

i'm yours
i feel for you
uptown
when you were mine
if i was you girlfriend
shhh
the most beautiful girl in the world


- ?? Most of these songs dont have bass solos or proeminent bass lines..."Shh" is performed by Sonny T, as well as the Gold Experience version of "The most beautiful girl in the world". But "I´m yours" rocks also. Imagine the NPG playing it today...


ya gotta go back and listen 2 uptown & if i was ur girlfriend again....i'm tellin ya that the bass on those songs is strong.... and as far as someone else playin the line, since he writes all the songs you know whoevers playin it is playin it exactly how he heard it in his head or imagined it goin....
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Reply #13 posted 10/04/05 8:48am

FunkMistress

avatar

calldapplwondery83 said:

GustavoRibas said:



- ?? Most of these songs dont have bass solos or proeminent bass lines..."Shh" is performed by Sonny T, as well as the Gold Experience version of "The most beautiful girl in the world". But "I´m yours" rocks also. Imagine the NPG playing it today...



Yes!!! That's the one song I beg him to re-make.... imagine that one with better production (I think the original suffers a great deal from it) and with his guitar chops now. And the lyrics are kind of sexy but doesn't contain any words he wouldn't sing nowadays.


Re-make "I'm Yours"?? Blasphemy!

But a clean, re-mastered version of the original? ~~~> drool
CHICKENS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO COCAINE, SILKY HEN.
The Normal Whores Club
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Reply #14 posted 10/04/05 8:57am

coolcat

FunkMistress said:

calldapplwondery83 said:




Yes!!! That's the one song I beg him to re-make.... imagine that one with better production (I think the original suffers a great deal from it) and with his guitar chops now. And the lyrics are kind of sexy but doesn't contain any words he wouldn't sing nowadays.


Re-make "I'm Yours"?? Blasphemy!

But a clean, re-mastered version of the original? ~~~> drool


Agreed. I'd be pissed if he remade "I'm Yours". I think the song is perfect as it is...

But yes, remastering would be great.
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Reply #15 posted 10/04/05 10:08am

100MPH

avatar



BY
[Edited 10/4/05 10:13am]
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Reply #16 posted 10/04/05 10:12am

FunkMistress

avatar

100MPH said:



drool3

12 inches of pure sex...
CHICKENS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO COCAINE, SILKY HEN.
The Normal Whores Club
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Reply #17 posted 10/04/05 10:22am

DorothyParkerW
asCool

Prince is an very versatile bassplayer. Most of the previous posters have mentioned the majority of his essential basslines..A few of my additional favs:
The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker
The basswork on the Parade album, especially I Wonder U and Do U Lie
Play In The Sunshine-some of the most melodic basswork he's ever laid down.
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Reply #18 posted 10/04/05 10:29am

100MPH

avatar

lol

- The above printed Sexy Dancer-version is the expanded mix & only printed in the UK .
- Under here the US-press :





An overview what various pressings did on Ebay :

- RARE PRINCE "SEXY DANCER" 12 2003-07-10
81 USD


- PRINCE"STILL WAITING/SEXY DANCER"12"US PROMO! 2003-07-12
152 USD


- PRINCE - SEXY DANCER (LONG VERSION) 12" 2004-04-22
67 GBP


- Prince Sexy Dancer Mega Rare UK 12" Vinyl Single 2004-10-26
41 GBP


- PRINCE sexy dancer VERY RARE 12" SINGLE FROM 1979 2004-10-27
46 GBP


- Prince UK 12" Sexy Dancer (long) / Bambi RARE & OOP 2004-11-13
64 USD


- PRINCE SEXY DANCER.....BOBBY Z 12"....LONG VERSIONS NM 2005-05-12
326 USD


- PRINCE "SEXY DANCER" BOBBY Z REMIX 12" SINGLE 2005-01-11
285 USD


- PRINCE SEXY DANCER long versionVINYL 12" 1979 NEAR MINT 2005-01-16
57 GBP


- PRINCE- bambi / sexy dancer MEGA RARE PS near mint 2005-02-19
42 GBP


- PRINCE - SEXY DANCER 12 SINGLE 2005-03-09
31 GBP


- PRINCE-SEXY DANCER-JAPAN PROMO 7'WL 2005-04-18
62 USD


- PRINCE - SEXY DANCER MAD MIX/LONG VERSION VERY RARE 12 2005-05-18
218 USD


- Deep Throat OSR 45 hammond funk dancer P/S sexy stuff! 2005-05-29
29 USD


- PRINCE 12" single SEXY DANCER / BAMBI uk 1979 2005-06-05
34 GBP


- Prince - Sexy Dancer (long version) RARE UK 12" 2005-07-15
28 GBP


- PRINCE/ MARTIN CIRCUS "SEXY DANCER" 12" SINGLE 2005-07-22
180 USD


- PRINCE Lot 2 JAPAN 7" incl SEXY DANCER N/F/SALE PROMO 2005-08-12
103 USD


And another bass-boom :


[Edited 10/4/05 10:31am]
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Reply #19 posted 10/04/05 12:01pm

100MPH

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If a girl answers .....



[Edited 10/4/05 12:02pm]
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Reply #20 posted 10/04/05 12:08pm

HAN

If your looking for a great bass player then listen to Ahmet Güvenc
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Reply #21 posted 10/04/05 1:08pm

Universaluv

Prince Playing PartyMan on Bass
http://video.google.com/v...76164465&q

Prince on Bass in "Get Wild" video!
http://video.google.com/v...94624155&q
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Reply #22 posted 10/04/05 1:12pm

GustavoRibas

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coolcat said:


Agreed. I'd be pissed if he remade "I'm Yours". I think the song is perfect as it is...

But yes, remastering would be great.


- Yeah...well, I wouldn´t like to have it re-recorded....but I would like if he performed it live with the NPG in a wild jam...smile
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Reply #23 posted 10/04/05 5:38pm

napoleon370

Universaluv said:

Prince Playing PartyMan on Bass
http://video.google.com/v...76164465&q

Prince on Bass in "Get Wild" video!
http://video.google.com/v...94624155&q


Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! biggrin Nice, very nice.
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Reply #24 posted 10/05/05 2:55am

FunkJam

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Joy in repetition, 100 MPH, when the lights go down and just as long as we're together. Just a few of his great bass lines. And my favourite P bassist is Sonny T.
"Man, the living creature, the creating individual, is always more important than any established style or system" - Bruce Lee
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Reply #25 posted 10/07/05 4:16am

100MPH

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cool Aaiight FunkJam !

Here some mo' :

- ALEXANDER O"NEAL - You Were Meant To Be My Lady ( Party Mix ) - 1985
- JESSE JOHNSON"S REVUE - She's Too Much - 1985
- MAZARATI - She's Just That Kinda Lady - 1986
- MAZARATI - Player's Ball - 1986
[Edited 10/7/05 4:19am]
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