Yet another "John McVie is awesome" thread

Jyqm · #1 05-23-2006, 12:43 PM

I was listening to "Gold Dust Woman" from The Dance earlier today, and I'd never really noticed just how fantastic John's bass work on this track is (especially near the end, as Stevie's vamping). As is the McVie trademark, he's never playing some boring, basic bassline that does nothing more than ground the track. Instead, he's noodling away and practically playing his own song back there, with its own wonderful melody, not unlike a jazz bass solo.

And yet - not that I would ever expect otherwise - he's never show-offy, never attempting to take the spotlight for himself, never attempting to overpower anybody else. His basslines are beautiful in their own right, but they always serve the song that he's playing behind and always make everybody else sound that much better.

How many bass players can you say that about?

cliffdweller · #2 05-23-2006, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jyqm

I was listening to "Gold Dust Woman" from The Dance earlier today, and I'd never really noticed just how fantastic John's bass work on this track is

I believe Strand pointed this out on the "best bass lines" thread a while back. I thought it was very astute of him, because frankly I never really thought of GDW as having one of the best bass lines in rock and roll (I was always too caught up in Stevie to notice) but yeah, it's great. John is a great, understated yet bad ass bassist. He'll creep up on ya!

Sahara · #3 05-23-2006, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffdweller

He'll creep up on ya!

Well there's a fun [if a little scary] mental image ....

Go John!

MrsMcVie · #4 05-23-2006, 02:57 PM

I totally agree with both of you.

CouldnÂ´t have said it better myself!
I love the bass line on GDW, and "Say you love me" (also from The Dance) is another one. Listening to that one always makes me happy for some reason.
Sometimes I really think that itÂ´s the bass line that makes the whole song what it is. HeÂ´s got his own way of doing things, thatÂ´s for sure!

Or as Mick would say(Rumours doc.): "YouÂ´re a monster John!"

MrsMcVie · #5 05-23-2006, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahara

Well there's a fun [if a little scary] mental image ....

Go John!

A very nice mental image too I would say!

DavidMn · #6 05-23-2006, 03:50 PM

We're all certainly very lucky to have him as a bass player.

David · #7 05-23-2006, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffdweller

I believe Strand pointed this out on the "best bass lines" thread a while back. I thought it was very astute of him, because frankly I never really thought of GDW as having one of the best bass lines in rock and roll (I was always too caught up in Stevie to notice) but yeah, it's great.

What is the bass line in GDW?

Sahara · #8 05-23-2006, 04:03 PM

Since my mate started playing bass I've come to appreciate that instrument's part even more in lots and lots of songs, and GDW is definitely a highlight. So moody, so elegant.

amber · #9 05-23-2006, 04:18 PM

Been there, thought that. I always listen for John. Good thread, I couldn't name a song off the top of my head where I didn't especially like John's work.

SortaSavageLike · #10 05-23-2006, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

What is the bass line in GDW?

It goes "dooo doo do, da da doo doo doo da da doo..."

amber · #11 05-23-2006, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SortaSavageLike

It goes "dooo doo do, da da doo doo doo da da doo..."

The Catdancer · #12 05-23-2006, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsMcVie

I totally agree with both of you.

CouldnÂ´t have said it better myself!
I love the bass line on GDW, and "Say you love me" (also from The Dance) is another one. Listening to that one always makes me happy for some reason.
Sometimes I really think that itÂ´s the bass line that makes the whole song what it is. HeÂ´s got his own way of doing things, thatÂ´s for sure!

Or as Mick would say(Rumours doc.): "YouÂ´re a monster John!"

I never heard anyone do a better GDW bass line than John, no matter how many bass players Stevie's had (that sounds weird but you know what I mean.....)

David · #13 05-23-2006, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Catdancer

I never heard anyone do a better GDW bass line than John, no matter how many bass players Stevie's had (that sounds weird but you know what I mean.....)

How have the bass lines changed from player to player over the years? or haven't they?

Does Mick's habit of sliding into a half time on the chorus--which Stevie's solo show drummers never do--have an effect on the bass line?

Lala · #14 05-23-2006, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jyqm

And yet - not that I would ever expect otherwise - he's never show-offy, never attempting to take the spotlight for himself, never attempting to overpower anybody else. His basslines are beautiful in their own right, but they always serve the song that he's playing behind and always make everybody else sound that much better.

I was thinking about this the other day whilst listening to something FM-related (I don't remember what...maybe a bootleg).

The whole concept of being beautiful and brilliant is why this band is so great. I'd argue what Jqym said about John not showing off could, to a degree, be said for the entire band. I mean of course, Stevie and Lindsey (and even Mick with his WT vest) have their onstage personas and their flare. But when you sit and listen to some of the great stuff, you hear a small little thing that just makes everything so much better.

Examples...
At the end of Rhiannon, the "double tap" (for lack of a better term) of the drums.
Sara, St. Louis 11-6-79. Listen to the guitar solo. It's so...minor, but it's gorgeous. It's there because it makes the song so great.

There's so many more, but it what I thought of.

Of course, John's great bass lines on songs like Go Your Own Way, Little Lies, Say You Love Me, Sara and more add to this.

For the most part, it's about the whole song. Making bits and pieces fit together to create something great.

I think I've rambled enough.

Oh BTW, Mr. McVie can be credited with inspiring me learn bass guitar (albeit on my six-string Fender Venus) thanks to his parts in SYLM and Sara.

The Catdancer · #15 05-24-2006, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

How have the bass lines changed from player to player over the years? or haven't they?

Does Mick's habit of sliding into a half time on the chorus--which Stevie's solo show drummers never do--have an effect on the bass line?

I meant that nobody plays it better than John.