| N0_Camping4U 14.11.2010 16:55 |
I say much, because I know someone was getting ready to fire off with Cool Cat... And yes I know he was popping the bass, and not slapping it! But seriously, is there a reason? Did John ever state why he didn't do it for any significant reason? |
| Bigfish 15.11.2010 16:03 |
I suppose John just wasn't a slapper..ha ha. Also slapping tends to go hand in hand with, shall we say, percussively busy music. Queen's music could never really be considered like this even in the Hot Space period. Also as far as chart music was concerned it quickly became a bit of a fad in the early 80's and i think Deacy and Queen in general thankfully tried to steer clear of fads - hence the longevity and timelessness of most of their music. Mark King of Level 42 was a leading exponent of slap in the uk and, great bass player though he was/is it was all over the shop for a couple of years and people got fed up of it chart wise. Actually, and I'm sure someone will put me right if I'm wrong, didn't Deacy actually slap the Bass in 'Ga Ga' just before the second verse ? could be wrong... |
| GinjaNinja 15.11.2010 17:03 |
I think there's a bit of slapping in Dragon Attack. |
| matt z 15.11.2010 17:58 |
yeah, probably cause he's a more melodic bass player than a slapper. the few notes on COOL CAT are probably the only exception... i think the bass solo on Dragon Attack is pretty much just playing semi-plucking... or "strong/fuerze" whatever the proper word is for it. Considering that Radio Ga Ga sounds like a synth i suppose that's not him either... i used to try that back in the days on my bass. :) arpeggiated synth most likely... ....But ...you might wanna check the related post for "John's Solo Album" ;) ;) ;) mwahahhahaa... |
| Sebastian 15.11.2010 21:17 |
Regarding Ga Ga, the main bass bit (during intro and verses and such) is synth-generated, but the 'solo' is human. |
| liam 16.11.2010 02:25 |
I disagree, you can clearly here real bass from John in radio gaga during the verses and intro. |
| Bo Rhap 16.11.2010 02:59 |
And what about the outro on Ga Ga . Underneath Brian's slide solo you can hear John playing too |
| Bigfish 16.11.2010 03:19 |
liam wrote: I disagree, you can clearly here real bass from John in radio gaga during the verses and intro. Yeah I'm with you - that's the real thing on 'Ga ga' - no question and some of his best playing.. |
| Sebastian 16.11.2010 05:39 |
Yes, John is playing during other sections too, but the main bass (the one appearing first) is synth-generated. |
| Bigfish 16.11.2010 05:45 |
I think you're right - the instrument you hear over the drum intro is a synth and again in the gap before the second verse and in the break down before the outro clearly.. |
| zadigadabop 16.11.2010 07:04 |
You can hear some "early" basic slapping on the Houston 1977 show at the start of Get Down Make Love. Slap bass was still pretty limited to R&B & funk at that time (Sly & the family stone, Brothers Johnson, etc...) Given John's taste in music I'm surprised there was not more of it. |
| john bodega 16.11.2010 07:55 |
My guess is that he was too busy slapping his wife. |
| The Real Wizard 16.11.2010 09:25 |
Speaking of Radio Ga Ga... everyone should listen carefully to the bass line. It's quite possibly the prettiest one he ever recorded. It's just so musical. |
| Benn 16.11.2010 10:42 |
John was never anything more than a bass player where technique was concerned. He was simply charged with accompanying Roger and filling in the bottom end and that worked incredibly well for Queen. Unlike (BETTER) bass *GUITARISTS* John Entwistle and Jack Cassady, JD had no need to do anything else other than provide simple bass lines where bass *GUITARISTS* differ by filling in the empty spaces left by the lead guitar with a touch more trebble and a more improvisational style. John's value to Queen was as an electrician, business mond and writer more than as a bass player; *anyone* could have played bass for Queen as Danny Miranda has proven. |
| qrock 16.11.2010 10:57 |
Zebonka12 wrote: My guess is that he was too busy slapping his wife. WHAT! NO WAY. I've never heard of John doing anything stupid. |
| Bigfish 16.11.2010 11:08 |
I'm sure John would no more slap his wife than slap his bass... |
| john bodega 16.11.2010 13:30 |
Don't panic; he never did it with a closed fist, only with an open palm. |
| philip storey 16.11.2010 13:50 |
I have known a few slappers over the years but then again i was a bit of a tart myself!!!!!!! |
| Bigfish 16.11.2010 14:11 |
Apparently John used to slap his children but just with his thumb. If I remember correctly my mother used to slap me but never touched my bass although she can now crank out a mean 'Dead on time' solo on my Strat.. |
| lifetimefanofqueen 16.11.2010 14:35 |
he was a shy person and maby he was concentrateing on playing the bass rather than beating it up lol |
| Makka 17.11.2010 00:01 |
Slap just wasn't really John's style I'd say. Sure he could do it but as mentioned, he was a much more melodic player with very nimble fingers. |
| matt z 17.11.2010 15:05 |
Benn wrote: John was never anything more than a bass player where technique was concerned. He was simply charged with accompanying Roger and filling in the bottom end and that worked incredibly well for Queen. Unlike (BETTER) bass *GUITARISTS* John Entwistle and Jack Cassady, JD had no need to do anything else other than provide simple bass lines where bass *GUITARISTS* differ by filling in the empty spaces left by the lead guitar with a touch more trebble and a more improvisational style. John's value to Queen was as an electrician, business mond and writer more than as a bass player; *anyone* could have played bass for Queen as Danny Miranda has proven. WHoa.. whoa.. you obviously don't have those musical ears. JOHN DEACON is grossly underrated as a technical bass player... his bass lines are hardly simple either. While i'm a bassist, i'm not a CONSERVATORY bassist (i.e. someone who could explain this in TECHNICAL MUSICAL TERMS) Exemplary: "You're My Best Friend" (the bass line is a separate melody from the rest and not mere filler 8th notes backing up the intervals) You and I (high register notes) ... The Millionaire Waltz , Sail Away Sweet Sister, These Are the Days of Our Lives...etc he does not hit PREDICTABLE notes.. his playing is akin to another voice in the band. I disagree with that summation COMPLETELY... even on a "simple" song like Play the Game, his phrasing enhances the song more than any run of the mill "rock band" playing. John has intuitive understanding with his playing. The guy is one of the greats and should be treated as one. though i'm a HUGE fan of John Entwistle... he does not have the warmth at all [probably cause he's dead...and a "Quiet One" these days] to play such a supportive but large role in a compositional band like Queen. Sure on some songs he could have had a different dimension (mainly rockers).. I'm a huge fan having grown up playing bass to Quadrophenia et al... all that stuff I've read an interview with Glenn Tipton where he said that John Entwistle could play in ANY style, but i've yet to really hear or see that. They're distinctly different voices... AND set ups. Entwistle plays with low action as well... (giving the bass a growl) while Deacon plays with subtlety and depth. (with the exception of rocker songs..) For all the jabbing I continue to support on Queenzone.com forums... i greatly admire the guy... right down to his penchant for strip clubs. C'mon... they were only topless... if it was a nudie bar he'd be a little more risque. hahahaha Speaking of all that... Entwistle died from a coke induced heart attack with....um... "courtesans" ... what a rock star. Bless em both.. |
| Rick 17.11.2010 15:11 |
Hijack My Heart ending. Sounds like slapping. |
| Amazon 17.11.2010 17:31 |
matt z wrote: "The guy is one of the greats and should be treated as one." I completely agree. He was a wonderful bass player. Elton John, as it happens, used to regard him him among the greatest, if not the greatest, bass players in the world. "Speaking of all that... Entwistle died from a coke induced heart attack with....um... "courtesans" ... what a rock star." Yes, those were the days. Then rock stars were ROCK STARS; now thanks, to people like Chris Martin, they're completely boring and uninteresting. |
| Joeker 18.11.2010 01:05 |
Now I'm confused.... ...I thought this was about slappin' da bass man, slappin' da bass! |