The Smiley Smile Message Board

She's been known to make claims that are provably false. She takes severe umbrage those who question this. I know some people that post here have personally been the target of her ire at times.

But she's one of the best damn rock and roll bassists in history. I don't know her personally, and I think she's perhaps treated a bit harshly compared to her actions, so all I can judge her on is her playing. And she nails the parts and has such a great sound. Speaking technically, I don't feel a lot of swing in her playing- but I think this worked perfectly with Brian's music, and in a small way her rhythmic precision is a part of their early-mid career sound.

damn straight she rox !!  8)

Excellent idea for a topic, orange22.

"IWFTD" includes a favourite Carol moment of mine----that bass run is the business!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57yhTi4Fi70 

If you mean the run during the fade section, that's actually Ray Pohlman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXUAVw_HRHo&t=4m40s

Not the fade section, the flute-fuelled instrumental break. Or is that Pohlman as well? Damn! (I'm unable to watch your video.)

I managed to find another video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Sl6IG_uxx8  

The caption at 2:54 is interesting. Assuming what the uploader says is correct, did Ray switch out his guitar for a 6-string bass for just the tag or for the whole song?  

I used to think this song had Carol on Fender bass, Ray on Dano bass, and Carl on guitar. We now know that Carl was away playing a gig with the touring band. I now believe there is no Dano bass on this track, just a Fender (played by Ray), and that the guitar is played by Carol. Ray was a master at playing wicked fast lines on the Fender bass (e.g. "Here Today").

Thanks, c-man. Looking forward to the Pet Sounds sessionography...

And so goes the Carol Kaye appreciation thread. However, 'twas a valiant attempt, Orange22.

For the chronicle, I think she rocks. I'll leave it at that.

Take heart, Thorgill. Carol's work as a guitarist is every bit as important as her bass playing. For example, she can be heard playing rhythm guitar on late fifties tracks by Ritchie Valens: 

"According to Bob Keane’s biography (producer of Ritchie Valens), Rene Hall played the Danelectro six string guitar on “La Bamba” (“The Oracle of Del-Fi, Del-Fi International Books, 2005, page 67). The booklet of the 3-CD set “Ritchie Valens in Come on, let’s go” (Del-Fi Records), written by Gary Tanenbaum, says: “According to Hall (…) Ritchie played lead guitar on “La Bamba”, including the solo break (…) When Hall is on the Danelectro, it is most likely Ritchie playing lead. Carol Kaye is on rhythm guitar (…)."

Source: https://lostandsound.wordpress.com/2008/04/11/who-played-on-‘la-bamba’-part-2/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp6j5HJ-Cok

Thanks, JK. Sorry, I should have thanked you, too, for your valiant attempt. :)

Yes, I never understood the bashing of Carol. She has bad memory, she's been in music industry many years that's why. But there's no trace of doubt that Carol's work is gigantic. I don't've anything but respect for her.

Carol played some of my favorite bass lines of all time. Terrific musician.

I don't think "bashing" is ever in order, and with full awareness that this a thread that is supposed to highlight the positive, I can't not point out that it's pretty obvious why people have a gripe with her sometimes. She often comes across as brusque and curt and rude. Further, I don't think anybody would fault someone for not having a good memory, but isn't the point that she doesn't admit failings in memory and attacks others for trying to set the record straight based on hard documentary evidence, aural evidence, and the memory/testimony of others?

To get back to the positive, she indeed has an amazing legit resume that doesn't need the embellishing.