everybody who played fretless bass during the 80's

Jason Newsted

 

One of my favorites solos ever:

 

I can't be absolutely sure, but it sure sounds like Mike Watt played a fretless on some of the stuff on fIREHOSE's "Ragin' Full On" (1986):



...and it feels too wrong to post that tune without the one that follows it on the record, so:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtQfzizHPf0

 

I know. I'm commenting on the post.

 

See above. And think, maybe.

 

Timothy B. Schmit's another one who'd dabbled in it.

Ed

 

Mark Egan plays fretless bass on Arcadia's 1985 album So Red the Rose. He used Pedulla 4- and 8-string fretless basses. Really, really cool melodic parts. I think Mark and his playing are sorely overlooked!

 

mark long from the opposition

 

I have no names to add to the list but can say I'm a HUGE fan of the sound of the fretless electric bass. I'm crazy about the playing of Mick Karn, Percy Jones, Jaco, Tony Franklin, Michael Manring and Mark Egan.

 

Fernando Saunders
w/ the stunning Robert Quine and some guy singing...

 

Shame on me for forgetting all about my fellow Detroiter Fernando Saunders. Great work with Jan Hammer, John McLaughlin, Kip Hanrahan, Special EFX and Lou Reed.

 

Del Palmer. Check out Kate Bush's 'Blow Away'.

 

Andy Metcalfe, Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians.

 

I did think when starting the thread. Somehow it was possible without first consulting Wiki.

 

True (you can hear it on "Down In De Dew" from Läther, "Can't Afford No Shoes" and "San Berdino" from One Size Fits All and "Torture Never Stops" from Zoot Allures). Not in the 80's though.

 

Keep thinking, then. You just might figure out who consulted Wiki. Or not

 

He must have handed it down to Adrian Belew.

He talks about it here, starting at about 38:30

 

Don't really care.

 

Marcus Miller sometimes plays fretless. Great playing on Miles Davis's "Portia," where he plays both fretted and fretless.

 

Neil Jason. Has recorded with John Lennon, Roxy Music, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, KISS, Michael Jackson, Brecker Brothers, Dire Straits, Eddie Van Halen and Pavarotti to name a few.

Roxy Music - Oh Yeah - 1980

Neil and Phil Manzanera together, bliss.

 

Saw Neil Jason playing with Randy Brecker at Ronnie Scott's in London recently - that man can play!

 

He used to sit in sometimes with David Letterman's band when Will Lee was gone.

 

Pino is a terrific bassist. I love his playing on Don Henley's "Building The Perfect Beast." There's such a spirit of humility that shines through. You can just tell that he's not about showboating or calling attention to himself, all the while just playing superb bass guitar. One of my favorite players.

Fretless bass is sort of like the quack strat sound (middle/bridge PUs together, ala The Fixx's "One Thing Leads To Another"). It may sound dated to some, but I still love it.

 

Oh yeah, I remember him, I saw Lou Reed live, and Fernando Saunders was on bass. He was really good.
The "Magic and Loss" album was recorded in fretless bass city.

 

I don't think all of these quite count as 80s musicians. For example, Squarepusher?