DrumEatDrum
Platinum Member
Many times I read that some people feel double bass is only good for metal. A comment forgets that double bass actually got it’s start in jazz, then fusion, and has appeared in many pop settings as well.
So I present, the non-metal double bass thread, of assorted non-metal songs and non-metal drummers who use or toyed with double bass. No, I'm not trying to convince anyone to convert to double bass, or change anyone's minds on the subject. This is strictly just for fun.
Side note: Sorry Deathmetalconga, I know, I can hear you groaning from here.
In no particular order.
First up:
The Man credited with inventing double bass, Louie Bellson with Duke Elington on “Skin Deep”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-o4iRF49_0
And another Duke Ellington number called “"Musical Rhythm"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6_p4R9dMxs
Billy Cobham, of course used double bass with Mahavishnu Orchestra, and his many solo albums, and other jazz and fusion recordings
A sample with Mahavishnu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujcYw2QTPzM
Nick Mason used a double bass kit with Pink Floyd. While he never went all out with long 16ht note double bass roles, or blast beats, or used on many of their more popular recordings, he did actually his 2nd bass drum.
On “One of These Days” he can seen with his left foot on his 2nd bass drum, hitting notes in key places
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuKVtnmNt1s
A bit more obvious are some of his fills in “Echos”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2OylafY6PY&feature=related
Jeff Beck songs would feature double bass.
Simon Phillips on the 7/4 shuffle “Space Boogie”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij7yR0LubxY
And then years later, Terry Bozzio on “Sling Shot”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0FGihcrO0E
Prince: While most people remember “Darling Niki” for his provocative lyrics, the song features double bass all over the ending, in a song that is anything but metal!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XmxijQfMow
Steve Smith used a double bass kit with Journey (as did his predecessor Ansely Dunbar, and both of his replacements, Mike Baird and Deen Castranonvo). Smith generally used double bass to in fills (like the great intro on “Where Were You), or to spice up live versions (checked out the “Captured” live album).
On this track, he actually used double bass in the grooves of the chorus, all very tastefully in a pop-rock setting. The audio on this clip is poor, but the use of double bass is very clear on the CD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8pAPvAIFPE
Even Kenny Arnoff used double pedal with John Mellencamp. Per Kenny in an interview some years ago, John handed Kenny a tape of a song, and said come up with 5 different beats and get back to me. So Kenny came up with 4 standard rock beats, and a 5th beat that featured syncopation and a double pedal. To Kenny’s surprise, John chose the 5th beat. And this song went on be “Love and Happiness” which still gets radio play to this day. Turn it up on a good set of speakers, and you can hear the two different tones of the right and left beater It’s just so smooth and tasteful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsOlVKUau2U
I couldn’t find an audio clip, but if anyone remembers when Marvin Smitty Smith became the new drummer on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” every night the theme song featured a very fast double bass parts. (The new 2010 theme song is a different song altogether).
John Bonham is best known for not using double bass, but he did try, however John Paul Jones objected. He did briefly use a double bass kit, as show in this clip, although the band is just miming to a pre-recorded track, he’s not actually playing it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3WwTLYNSec
Buddy Rich rarely used double bass, but he could in fact play it.
A few audio clips can be fond here:
http://www.mikejamesjazz.com/br_clips.html#unique_index
If anyone had the “Buddy Rich Jazz Ledgend” that was on VHS, there was a brief clip of Buddy playing just two bass drums on his TV show. I am kind of surprised that clip isn't on youtube anywhere (?)
So I present, the non-metal double bass thread, of assorted non-metal songs and non-metal drummers who use or toyed with double bass. No, I'm not trying to convince anyone to convert to double bass, or change anyone's minds on the subject. This is strictly just for fun.
Side note: Sorry Deathmetalconga, I know, I can hear you groaning from here.
In no particular order.
First up:
The Man credited with inventing double bass, Louie Bellson with Duke Elington on “Skin Deep”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-o4iRF49_0
And another Duke Ellington number called “"Musical Rhythm"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6_p4R9dMxs
Billy Cobham, of course used double bass with Mahavishnu Orchestra, and his many solo albums, and other jazz and fusion recordings
A sample with Mahavishnu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujcYw2QTPzM
Nick Mason used a double bass kit with Pink Floyd. While he never went all out with long 16ht note double bass roles, or blast beats, or used on many of their more popular recordings, he did actually his 2nd bass drum.
On “One of These Days” he can seen with his left foot on his 2nd bass drum, hitting notes in key places
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuKVtnmNt1s
A bit more obvious are some of his fills in “Echos”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2OylafY6PY&feature=related
Jeff Beck songs would feature double bass.
Simon Phillips on the 7/4 shuffle “Space Boogie”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij7yR0LubxY
And then years later, Terry Bozzio on “Sling Shot”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0FGihcrO0E
Prince: While most people remember “Darling Niki” for his provocative lyrics, the song features double bass all over the ending, in a song that is anything but metal!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XmxijQfMow
Steve Smith used a double bass kit with Journey (as did his predecessor Ansely Dunbar, and both of his replacements, Mike Baird and Deen Castranonvo). Smith generally used double bass to in fills (like the great intro on “Where Were You), or to spice up live versions (checked out the “Captured” live album).
On this track, he actually used double bass in the grooves of the chorus, all very tastefully in a pop-rock setting. The audio on this clip is poor, but the use of double bass is very clear on the CD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8pAPvAIFPE
Even Kenny Arnoff used double pedal with John Mellencamp. Per Kenny in an interview some years ago, John handed Kenny a tape of a song, and said come up with 5 different beats and get back to me. So Kenny came up with 4 standard rock beats, and a 5th beat that featured syncopation and a double pedal. To Kenny’s surprise, John chose the 5th beat. And this song went on be “Love and Happiness” which still gets radio play to this day. Turn it up on a good set of speakers, and you can hear the two different tones of the right and left beater It’s just so smooth and tasteful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsOlVKUau2U
I couldn’t find an audio clip, but if anyone remembers when Marvin Smitty Smith became the new drummer on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” every night the theme song featured a very fast double bass parts. (The new 2010 theme song is a different song altogether).
John Bonham is best known for not using double bass, but he did try, however John Paul Jones objected. He did briefly use a double bass kit, as show in this clip, although the band is just miming to a pre-recorded track, he’s not actually playing it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3WwTLYNSec
Buddy Rich rarely used double bass, but he could in fact play it.
A few audio clips can be fond here:
http://www.mikejamesjazz.com/br_clips.html#unique_index
If anyone had the “Buddy Rich Jazz Ledgend” that was on VHS, there was a brief clip of Buddy playing just two bass drums on his TV show. I am kind of surprised that clip isn't on youtube anywhere (?)
