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Rhonda Smith VS Meshell N'degeochello on bass Who'll win?  
Personally i think Meshell would dust her and most of the other bass players that Prince has had... | |
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I used to think as you, when Meshell first came out with "If that's your boyfriend."
But, 4 albums' worth of material have left me with a different impression: She's a total musician, much in the mold of a Prince or Stevie Wonder. I think she might be a better keyboardist than a bassist, her solid work on the DC go-go circuit notwithstanding. Here's my take: Meshell's great for laying down some street basslines. Her stuff can get downright dirty. But, I haven't heard her get down, slapping-wise since "ITYB." I even caught her at the Capital Jazz Fest last year and kept hoping she'd lay down some funk. What little bass licks she traded with her bassist were funky, but not inspiring. In fact, with the exception of her cool, off-beat timing, it seemed generic. Rhonda, on the other hand, solidified her position as Prince's best bassist to date with ONA...L. The woman's feel for funk, her timing, her TONE!! Not to mention the playing she does on Family Name & Strange Relationship!!! A lot of the heavy rotation I've given those discs in recent weeks have to do with her playing. And, that's just funk. Her fluid, melodic fretless playing takes such tunes as "Dreaming About U" and "Animal Kingdom" to whole new levels, in my opinion. And, the work on her solo album nailed it for me: Rhonda is a fine example of someone building on work done by Jaco, Stanley, Larry and Birelli (to name a few). Rhonda, no question. | |
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ThreadBare said: I used to think as you, when Meshell first came out with "If that's your boyfriend."
But, 4 albums' worth of material have left me with a different impression: She's a total musician, much in the mold of a Prince or Stevie Wonder. I think she might be a better keyboardist than a bassist, her solid work on the DC go-go circuit notwithstanding. Here's my take: Meshell's great for laying down some street basslines. Her stuff can get downright dirty. But, I haven't heard her get down, slapping-wise since "ITYB." I even caught her at the Capital Jazz Fest last year and kept hoping she'd lay down some funk. What little bass licks she traded with her bassist were funky, but not inspiring. In fact, with the exception of her cool, off-beat timing, it seemed generic. But slapping in and of itself doesn't determine your greatness on bass. She did some slapping on part of the chorus to "Soul On Ice", and she does it a little in a live setting. I'd have to go back and listen to her albums to refresh my memory since I haven't listened to her in a long time. Slapping can be overdone, and too show-offy if not done in moderation. Even Jaco didn't do it much. I've never heard James Jamerson slap at all, and neither one of those guys' stature has suffered because of it. Bernard Edwards is another one who did very little of it ... all these guys could just slay people. Slapping has its place, but isn't the be all end all. And having said all that, I don't know who I consider more accomplished, because I've heard much more of Meshell than I have Rhonda. This post not for the wimp contingent. All whiny wusses avert your eyes. | |
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Meshall in a Breeze. mistermaxxx | |
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While I know nothing about playing bass, I'm guessing MeShell...   I never met you, but I LOVE you & I will forever!! Thank you for being YOU - my little Princey, the best to EVER do it | |
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rhonda. she groooves so well...who gives a fuv=ck about the technical... | |
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Meshell. "I saw a woman with major Hammer pants on the subway a few weeks ago and totally thought of you." - sextonseven | |
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I don't know but on Emancipation during Rhonda's solo on Dreaming About You and on TRC Sensual Everafter and not to mention her own Intellipop album has me floored.
And the way she looks holding that bass like she is about to break it in half is all woman gettin the funk down. *********************************************
 I'll believe it when I see it | |
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Supernova said: ThreadBare said: I used to think as you, when Meshell first came out with "If that's your boyfriend."
But, 4 albums' worth of material have left me with a different impression: She's a total musician, much in the mold of a Prince or Stevie Wonder. I think she might be a better keyboardist than a bassist, her solid work on the DC go-go circuit notwithstanding. Here's my take: Meshell's great for laying down some street basslines. Her stuff can get downright dirty. But, I haven't heard her get down, slapping-wise since "ITYB." I even caught her at the Capital Jazz Fest last year and kept hoping she'd lay down some funk. What little bass licks she traded with her bassist were funky, but not inspiring. In fact, with the exception of her cool, off-beat timing, it seemed generic. But slapping in and of itself doesn't determine your greatness on bass. She did some slapping on part of the chorus to "Soul On Ice", and she does it a little in a live setting. I'd have to go back and listen to her albums to refresh my memory since I haven't listened to her in a long time. Slapping can be overdone, and too show-offy if not done in moderation. Even Jaco didn't do it much. I've never heard James Jamerson slap at all, and neither one of those guys' stature has suffered because of it. Bernard Edwards is another one who did very little of it ... all these guys could just slay people. Slapping has its place, but isn't the be all end all. And having said all that, I don't know who I consider more accomplished, because I've heard much more of Meshell than I have Rhonda. Yeah, Slapping isn't the end-all. I hope my above post implied that was my basis or, *ahem*, bassis for picking Rhonda. To me, Rhonda is the complete bassist. Whatever style you need for a song, she'll be able to provide. She's a student of the instrument and a master of it. So, my comparison was of their overall playing, when I picked Rhonda. | |
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they have different styles and technique.
rhonda is more fluid the Me'shell on bass. Me'shell is more gritty with hers. I'd compare Me'shell's style more to Lenny Kravitz than Rhonda | |
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Go listen to Leviticus Faggot or God Fear and Money - the bass lines are smooth and pocket baby... totally perfect for the groove. The Last Otan Track: www.funkmusician.com/what.mp3 | |
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I'm only familiar with the stuff that rhonda has done with Prince so I guess my total knowledge of abilities are somewhat limited and i'm not dissing on her but i just feel Meshells bass lines a lot more, it's like i can just hear a song that shes on and i'd be like that's meshell and you can't tell me she's not a well rounded bass player either, dude listen to souls on ice, shootin up and getting high for some bass that'll slap  the taste outta of your mouth, as far as fretless what about two hearts on a subway? Now that solo is beautiful. And as far as monster bass lines what Meshell song doesn't have them Take a listen to the way again you can't deny her skillz  as far as i'm concern the only thing Rhonda is better than meshell in is looking  | |
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Rhonda | |
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Hmm, people seem to be equating my opinion that Rhonda is a more comprehensive, versatile bass player with the opinion that Meshell can't play, isn't funky and can't slap.
That's not what I'm saying.  I think Meshell's an excellent player. I've loved her work (yes, even her slapping) since I noticed that "lil' bald chick holdin' it down" for Arrested Development in their SNL spot eons ago. OK? She's got chops for days. [Listen to Chaka's "Never Miss the Water," and you'll see why I'm such a fan of Meshell's playing...]
But, in terms of being a total player (lay foundation, stay in the pocket, be quick, improvise masterfully, always have wonderful tone), though, I find that in Rhonda, not Meshell. | |
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ThreadBare said: Supernova said: ThreadBare said: I used to think as you, when Meshell first came out with "If that's your boyfriend."
But, 4 albums' worth of material have left me with a different impression: She's a total musician, much in the mold of a Prince or Stevie Wonder. I think she might be a better keyboardist than a bassist, her solid work on the DC go-go circuit notwithstanding. Here's my take: Meshell's great for laying down some street basslines. Her stuff can get downright dirty. But, I haven't heard her get down, slapping-wise since "ITYB." I even caught her at the Capital Jazz Fest last year and kept hoping she'd lay down some funk. What little bass licks she traded with her bassist were funky, but not inspiring. In fact, with the exception of her cool, off-beat timing, it seemed generic. But slapping in and of itself doesn't determine your greatness on bass. She did some slapping on part of the chorus to "Soul On Ice", and she does it a little in a live setting. I'd have to go back and listen to her albums to refresh my memory since I haven't listened to her in a long time. Slapping can be overdone, and too show-offy if not done in moderation. Even Jaco didn't do it much. I've never heard James Jamerson slap at all, and neither one of those guys' stature has suffered because of it. Bernard Edwards is another one who did very little of it ... all these guys could just slay people. Slapping has its place, but isn't the be all end all. And having said all that, I don't know who I consider more accomplished, because I've heard much more of Meshell than I have Rhonda. Yeah, Slapping isn't the end-all. I hope my above post implied that was my basis or, *ahem*, bassis for picking Rhonda. To me, Rhonda is the complete bassist. Whatever style you need for a song, she'll be able to provide. She's a student of the instrument and a master of it. So, my comparison was of their overall playing, when I picked Rhonda. Gotcha.  This post not for the wimp contingent. All whiny wusses avert your eyes. | |
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Rhonda is good. Meshell is good. Why turn it into a competition? I remember back in the day when musicians mattered in music, people used to make a silimiar debate about Stanley Clarke vs. Jaco, etc. BOTH of them were bass geniuses and both were technically more proficient than Rhonda and Meshell. And YES technically proficient can mean BETTER - finger dexterity, the ability to play complicated licks, etc. are meansures of proficiency and have no bearing on any of these individuals' creativity. Either way, I don't think of MeShell as JUST a bass player, so its really hard to say unless there is a situation when the person is confined to their particular instrument like Rhonda was. Meshell is the frontwoman. She has the burden of having to have to sing and play. This changes what one does on their instrument. Creatively, she's written some great songs and dropped some funky bass lines. Rhonda has been impressive on bass (though not my favorite out of Prince's array of bassists) and has written some less inspiring songs (to me) than Meshell. Meshell is more provocative musicaly and thought provoking whereas Rhonda is smooth and sexy with hers like a true jazz musician. They are both sistas puttin' it down. Show 'em some love. NO CONTEST. They are both off the chain. | |
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BlaqueKnight said: [color=blue:ab1a8cbabf:9d6339eba5]Rhonda is good. Meshell is good. Why turn it into a competition? I remember back in the day when musicians mattered in music, people used to make a silimiar debate about Stanley Clarke vs. Jaco, etc. BOTH of them were bass geniuses and both were technically more proficient than Rhonda and Meshell. And YES technically proficient can mean BETTER - finger dexterity, the ability to play complicated licks, etc. are meansures of proficiency and have no bearing on any of these individuals' creativity. Either way, I don't think of MeShell as JUST a bass player, so its really hard to say unless there is a situation when the person is confined to their particular instrument like Rhonda was. Meshell is the frontwoman. She has the burden of having to have to sing and play. This changes what one does on their instrument. Creatively, she's written some great songs and dropped some funky bass lines. Rhonda has been impressive on bass (though not my favorite out of Prince's array of bassists) and has written some less inspiring songs (to me) than Meshell. Meshell is more provocative musicaly and thought provoking whereas Rhonda is smooth and sexy with hers like a true jazz musician. They are both sistas puttin' it down. Show 'em some love. NO CONTEST. They are both off the chain.
PREACH!! Total agreement, there. . . | |
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BlaqueKnight said: [color=blue:ab1a8cbabf:c98b9b0da5]Rhonda is good. Meshell is good. Why turn it into a competition? I remember back in the day when musicians mattered in music, people used to make a silimiar debate about Stanley Clarke vs. Jaco, etc. BOTH of them were bass geniuses and both were technically more proficient than Rhonda and Meshell. And YES technically proficient can mean BETTER - finger dexterity, the ability to play complicated licks, etc. are meansures of proficiency and have no bearing on any of these individuals' creativity. Either way, I don't think of MeShell as JUST a bass player, so its really hard to say unless there is a situation when the person is confined to their particular instrument like Rhonda was. Meshell is the frontwoman. She has the burden of having to have to sing and play. This changes what one does on their instrument. Creatively, she's written some great songs and dropped some funky bass lines. Rhonda has been impressive on bass (though not my favorite out of Prince's array of bassists) and has written some less inspiring songs (to me) than Meshell. Meshell is more provocative musicaly and thought provoking whereas Rhonda is smooth and sexy with hers like a true jazz musician. They are both sistas puttin' it down. Show 'em some love. NO CONTEST. They are both off the chain. BlaqueKnight You are Always on the 1 with Me Bro.mistermaxxx | |
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I don't think it's really a competition. The point of the thread, if I gather correctly, is for folks to list their preferences. At least, that's what it evolved into.
I believe that's what we're doing -- in many cases, voicing support for BOTH players (as I did). It's not that deep. busted-string edit. [This message was edited Thu May 15 23:37:21 PDT 2003 by ThreadBare] | |
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BlaqueKnight said: [color=blue:ab1a8cbabf:7bbc40d4c4]Rhonda is good. Meshell is good. Why turn it into a competition? I remember back in the day when musicians mattered in music, people used to make a silimiar debate about Stanley Clarke vs. Jaco, etc. BOTH of them were bass geniuses and both were technically more proficient than Rhonda and Meshell. And YES technically proficient can mean BETTER - finger dexterity, the ability to play complicated licks, etc. are meansures of proficiency and have no bearing on any of these individuals' creativity. Either way, I don't think of MeShell as JUST a bass player, so its really hard to say unless there is a situation when the person is confined to their particular instrument like Rhonda was. Meshell is the frontwoman. She has the burden of having to have to sing and play. This changes what one does on their instrument. Creatively, she's written some great songs and dropped some funky bass lines. Rhonda has been impressive on bass (though not my favorite out of Prince's array of bassists) and has written some less inspiring songs (to me) than Meshell. Meshell is more
provocative musicaly and thought provoking whereas Rhonda is smooth and sexy with hers like a true jazz musician. They are both sistas puttin' it down. Show 'em some love. NO CONTEST. They are both off the chain. i'm wit' ya BK. BOth are first-class. they're different. who you like is subjective. i'd take both of them in a band in a heartbeat!...youngca | |
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