Roger played bassguitar in "Sheer heart attack" and "fight from the inside" on the news of the world album. I know he also played (most of) the guitars in those two songs. I know every guitarplayer has his own style and it's clear for me that Roger played guitar on the tracks. I think he knew how he wanted it to be played. Brian also said this during some interview. But I don't get it that Roger also played bassguitar. Those basslines could be easily played by John. I know that also every bassplayer has his own style but the differences are absolutely less noticeable (especially when you look at the basslines).
Do you know the reason why Roger played bassguitar in those songs ?
Probably Roger recorded the bass on the demo to guide himself for the time he played the guitars and did the vocals. Since the bass line was quite good and there wouldn't be any major improvement if John (or anybody else) played it, it would have been pointless to re-record it.
I also think Roger played bass and guitar on 'More Of That Jazz' and maybe even bass on 'A Human Body' and some of 'Rock It', but it's been ages since I've listened to those songs. I remember reading somewhere - maybe here? - that 'Rock It' was definitely Roger's style of bass playing.
My conclusion? He liked the instrument, and he could play it - unlike Keith Richards who spoiled many classic Rolling Stones songs with his horrible, sloppy bass playing.
link
this website seems to think whoever wrote the words also wrote the music....there isn't any indication in the album sleeve notes to say "anyone different" played bass on Body Language.
I always assumed it was John....
I think Roger played bass and guitar because he has a certain feel as to how the bottom end of his songs should be played. I do that with my band for my songs. I know how I want the rythm of the song to go because that's how I feel it. My guitarist can't seem to get the "feel" of the song when I show him on the guitar. A lot of Roger's songs have a really cool groove to them and only he can achieve what he wants by doing this.
bitesthedust wrote: link
this website seems to think whoever wrote the words also wrote the music....there isn't any indication in the album sleeve notes to say "anyone different" played bass on Body Language.
I always assumed it was John....
no john himself said it was freddie playing keyboard bass