I just that TC, upon seeing Sly & The Family Stone in '67, likened them to "James Brown and Frank Zappa under the same roof."


Peter (who, realizing that there actually those among us who might not get the reference, will add that "TC" is Tom Constantin, Grateful Dead keyboardist about '67-'69 - and will furthur add: 2 drummers, 2 guitarists, 2 keyboardists; why didn't they just go all-out and add another bassist?)

I seem to recall (though my memory is highly unreliable) that at one point Funkadelic had three bass players on stage at the same time.

Here's Spinal Tap using five bass players on "Big Bottom".  I always thought it might be cool to play "Big Bottom" on multiple mandolins.

Bill, tgo

Thanks Bill!

Quote from: David Houck on December 21, 2025, 05:00:13 PM
I seem to recall (though my memory is highly unreliable) that at one point Funkadelic had three bass players on stage at the same time.

I don't know about that - but Willie had 2 bassists for a while back around '80; Bee Spears on a P & Chris Ethridge on an Alembic.

Peter

I believe Talking Heads used Tina Weymouth and a second bass player on occasion.

Bill, tgo

You're correct on that. I  recall seeing concert footage with a second bass player and think it was during the time that Adrian Belew was playing with them.

Quote from: lbpesq on December 21, 2025, 10:44:02 PM
I believe Talking Heads used Tina Weymouth and a second bass player on occasion.

Bill, tgo

Second?  Did Tina really count as a first bass player?   


Peter

There's this oldtyme jam in town I go to every so often, not so much to participate but to meet clients to hand off completed work or pick up a job. It's a good central meeting place and often is the case I'll meet-up with my friend and mentor Ward Elliott for dinner somewhere before. Anyway, I digress... it is commonplace for there to be at least four or five basses in that jam at once. Which is why I choose not to participate. It's the worst kind of cacophony. A mental ping-pong match to try to play with. I don't know why someone doesn't try to enforce a 'take-turns' rule... 'cause, good night... it sounds like the Gates of Hell slammed shut, behind you some nights.


With that said, I was gonna' post this on the Upright Bass Showcase Thread, but this seems like a pretty good spot.

Quote from: cozmik_cowboy on December 22, 2025, 09:24:43 AM
Second?  Did Tina really count as a first bass player?   

Yes.  Her bass lines, while simple, sparse, and without flash, make those songs what they are.  And the same goes for Tom Tom Club.

Quote from: edwardofhuncote on December 22, 2025, 01:07:35 PM


With that said, I was gonna' post this on the Upright Bass Showcase Thread, but this seems like a pretty good spot.

Really enjoyed that Pink Panther. 😃

Quote from: edwardofhuncote on December 22, 2025, 01:07:35 PM
There's this oldtyme jam in town I go to every so often, not so much to participate but to meet clients to hand off completed work or pick up a job. It's a good central meeting place and often is the case I'll meet-up with my friend and mentor Ward Elliott for dinner somewhere before. Anyway, I digress... it is commonplace for there to be at least four or five basses in that jam at once. Which is why I choose not to participate. It's the worst kind of cacophony. A mental ping-pong match to try to play with. I don't know why someone doesn't try to enforce a 'take-turns' rule... 'cause, good night... it sounds like the Gates of Hell slammed shut, behind you some nights.


With that said, I was gonna' post this on the Upright Bass Showcase Thread, but this seems like a pretty good spot.

Puts me to mind of Howard Johnson & Gravity: 

Peter

with Dave on Tina; those are some funky basslines...

Love the bass playing on that Howard Johnson & Gravity video.

Busta Jones was in the expanded T-Heads.  Also did a lot with Eno and David Byrne both solo and together.  Shame the marching powder got to him far too young:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busta_Jones