thebassalone

a simple love for an unlikely art

[thebassalone]

Listen/purchase: Tetrahedron by Michael Manring

Manring is perhaps the strongest and most unique solo bass voice on the landscape (soundscape??). I simply cannot believe the articulation, the drippy tone, the amount of surprise and joy in listening to this track. Highly recommended.

[thebassalone]

This is one of the most influential solo bass pieces I have ever encountered. From the tone, to the aesthetic, to the depth of composition, this one grabbed me and pulled me in. It continues to grow on me through the years. For quite a while, this was my gold standard for solo bass...in many ways, it still is. Just timeless.

[thebassalone]

For me, it all started when Victor Wooten and Steve Bailey came to the tiny music store in Augusta, Ga where I was taking bass lessons. It was 1996 and they were on tour for Bass Extremes. I was 15 years old and I had no clue that music, let alone the bass guitar, could reach that deeply into the human soul. That night took hold of my spirit and set a ball bouncing that is still going to this day. I am still trying to reach into the well that was uncovered and manifest a portion of the inspiration that was revealed to me. This blog-like-object is part of my effort to celebrate the art and beauty of the bass, with special emphasis on its unique solo voice as expressed by the growing purveyors of this unlikely art form