Brian playing bass?

[adamghost]

There was a tour or two around '77-'78 where Brian's function was as THE bass player for the touring band, as amazing as it may seem.  The video I've seen was shockingly good, and Brian was running around like a rock star.

Peter Ames Carlin IIRC said that Carl demanded that Brian be moved from bass to piano -- chances are Brian's performance varied a lot, and bass is a pretty pivotal instrument, so he may have had some jusitification.

[Nicko1234]

There was a tour or two around '77-'78 where Brian's function was as THE bass player for the touring band, as amazing as it may seem.  The video I've seen was shockingly good, and Brian was running around like a rock star.

Peter Ames Carlin IIRC said that Carl demanded that Brian be moved from bass to piano -- chances are Brian's performance varied a lot, and bass is a pretty pivotal instrument, so he may have had some jusitification.

Yeah, I would say it vaied a lot: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1EPXBQV3yM

[Micha]

Brian: Man, my new album sucks! Maybe I can save it by playing the bass myself like in the old days...



Brian: Well - at least it was worth a try.

Hate to piss on your parade, but if Brian playing bass is your criterion for excellence, chances are it won't be. Brian's bass playing was, at best, adequate for the early studio/touring days, and I can't imagine it's gotten any better since. His main instrument, from before the BB were even considered, has been the piano.

Well, he was pretty good on "Dance, Dance, Dance" and "Susie Cincinnati" anyway!

If it's just for promotion they wouldn't have to flat-out lie about it.

The Smilie lets me think you actually know that lying is what promotion is all about...


That said, the photo does not mean the album will suck. I'm really looking forward to it.

[Lowbacca]

If it's just for promotion they wouldn't have to flat-out lie about it.

The Smilie lets me think you actually know that lying is what promotion is all about...

Making things look a certain way isn't necessarily lying. Which is my point. If Brian fiddled around with the bass whilst recordings were underway in the studio they could have just shown that - without a caption or simply saying "Brian with bass". But Facebook caption clearly reads "Brian recording a track" and it's plugged in and he has them headphones on, so... effort-wise, that goes way beyond merely taking advantage of a random situation to promote his album. For the time being I'd say innocent before proven guilty (or: actually playing bass for the new LP in some capacity before proven guilty).

[Micha]

Objection allowed.

[c-man]

Halleleja!
Also - glad to see it's an actual Fender bass, instead of the Gibson/Valley Arts model he's been plugging since the U.S. leg of the SMiLE tour (not that that's in any way an inferior instrument to the Fender, but I'm a sucker for authenticity. Now if they'd only go back to analog tube recording!).

OK, so it's a Sandowsky rather than a Fender. At least it's tobacco sunburst!

[leggo of my ego]

Man, Brian's clothing sure is baggy - is he shrinking? well, guess its comfortable

[guitarfool2002]

Halleleja!
Also - glad to see it's an actual Fender bass, instead of the Gibson/Valley Arts model he's been plugging since the U.S. leg of the SMiLE tour (not that that's in any way an inferior instrument to the Fender, but I'm a sucker for authenticity. Now if they'd only go back to analog tube recording!).

OK, so it's a Sandowsky rather than a Fender. At least it's tobacco sunburst!

I'm a little bit "off" and opinionated when it comes to these things, I admit, but that is one of my pet peeves with modern bass.

Not as much of an atrocity as "lead bass" played on a six-string monstrosity (usually fed through a cheesy 'smooth jazz' approved chorus effect)...but if it's a classic Fender tone and feel ye seeks, simply play a classic Fender! End of story.

I know the technical reasons, with these boutique and high-end brand name basses (I could list a bunch of others) having quieter electronics, better necks, easier playability, more 'modern' touches and mods (hey, gotta have a BadAss bridge and tone-pot mod or you can't play! )...and a very high price tag...

But at some point, if you want that 60's P-Bass thump, go out and get a 60's P-Bass, and run it through an old tube Ampeg or Fender bass amp with real speakers, not some aluminum-coned speaker cab or a 600W solid-state "portable" head with onboard effects. To each his own, of course, but it's just me being loyal to a brand that has had many missteps and flubs through the years but which still delivers *that sound*, if that's what you want. if you want a modernized and upgraded take on the classic Fender, Sadowsky is probably the best version but pricey as hell.

***Just a note, Tal Wilkenfeld, Jeff Beck's incredible bass player who is on Brian's album as well, is a prominent endorser and player of Sadowsky basses, but her model is a natural finish Jazz Bass style and shape.

Maybe it was seeing and/or trying Tal's own Sadowsky on tour and in studio that led to Brian getting one for himself, in the P-bass style and vintage sunburst? If it's really Brian's bass, that is.

[SMiLE Brian]

Man, Brian's clothing sure is baggy - is he shrinking? well, guess its comfortable

Its better than his bathrobes....

[chrs_mrgn]

My jaw dropped when I saw that on Facebook this morning. Don't want to get my hopes up, but this album looks like it could be pretty good.

I'm hoping for a good sounding album personally, not just looks.

[chrs_mrgn]

Man, Brian's clothing sure is baggy - is he shrinking? well, guess its comfortable

Its better than his bathrobes....

debatable

Brian hanging out in a robe a la Nilsson Schmillson > sunsets and surfboards

[HeyJude]

There was a tour or two around '77-'78 where Brian's function was as THE bass player for the touring band, as amazing as it may seem.  The video I've seen was shockingly good, and Brian was running around like a rock star.

Peter Ames Carlin IIRC said that Carl demanded that Brian be moved from bass to piano -- chances are Brian's performance varied a lot, and bass is a pretty pivotal instrument, so he may have had some jusitification.

It's pretty amazing in general to think that as late as 1980 the actual Beach Boys were the primary musicians fueling the band. In 1980, at most shows anyway, they only had Bobby Figueroa, Mike Meros, and Ed Carter backing them. Bobby usually was on percussion, or filling in for Dennis on drums, so the BB's essentially only had two auxiliary musicians outside of percussion. No additional guitarists. No horns. Most notably as well, for better *and* worse, essentially no auxiliary backing vocalists (Bobby did do some vocals on some songs though). 

[Wirestone]

IIRC, Brian started back on bass during the sessions for the BW88 album. Don't think he's credited on record, but it's been suggested that "Melt Away" has a BW-written bass parts, if not him on the actual song.

As for BW on bass onstage, he's reasonably competent on the couple of songs he's done. Not always, but certainly when he started doing it back in 2000, he knew the (simple) fingerings and was audible. And in the BW tribute concert, he plays bass on Fun Fun Fun (not a number he usually does) and doesn't sing for periods because he's concentrating on bass playing ...

[runnersdialzero]

My jaw dropped when I saw that on Facebook this morning. Don't want to get my hopes up, but this album looks like it could be pretty good.

Hate to piss on your parade, but if Brian playing bass is your criterion for excellence, chances are it won't be. Brian's bass playing was, at best, adequate for the early studio/touring days, and I can't imagine it's gotten any better since. His main instrument, from before the BB were even considered, has been the piano.

Oh no, adequacy! D=

[Sheriff John Stone]

There was a tour or two around '77-'78 where Brian's function was as THE bass player for the touring band, as amazing as it may seem.  The video I've seen was shockingly good, and Brian was running around like a rock star.

Peter Ames Carlin IIRC said that Carl demanded that Brian be moved from bass to piano -- chances are Brian's performance varied a lot, and bass is a pretty pivotal instrument, so he may have had some jusitification.

It's pretty amazing in general to think that as late as 1980 the actual Beach Boys were the primary musicians fueling the band. In 1980, at most shows anyway, they only had Bobby Figueroa, Mike Meros, and Ed Carter backing them. Bobby usually was on percussion, or filling in for Dennis on drums, so the BB's essentially only had two auxiliary musicians outside of percussion. No additional guitarists. No horns. Most notably as well, for better *and* worse, essentially no auxiliary backing vocalists (Bobby did do some vocals on some songs though). 

The first Beach Boys' concert I ever saw - 1978 at the Philadelphia Spectrum - Brian started the concert on Fender bass and played it for much of the show. It was one of the greatest thrills of my life. I wasn't a sophisticated enough listener at that time so I can't really give a good appraisal of his bass playing. I do remember that one time he played a song with a cigarette between his fingers on his right hand, another time he just sat down on a speaker or monitor and played a song, and there were times when he would brush his hair (his bangs) with his hand - in the middle of a song! I didn't care. I must've focused on Brian 90% of the time. He was wearing a blue Adidas sweatsuit with white sneakers and looked great. As did Karen Lamm-Wilson who made an appearance on stage as a background singer...

Mike Meros was VERY prominent in almost every song; he was spectacular. For some reason, during a lot of those 1980 shows, Carl turned many guitar solos over to Ed Carter, who actually rocked harder than any other Beach Boys' guitarist I ever seen/heard. For the 1978 shows (and maybe some 1979 ones?), Charles Lloyd also contributed some nice horn work.

[Dancing Bear]

There was a tour or two around '77-'78 where Brian's function was as THE bass player for the touring band, as amazing as it may seem.  The video I've seen was shockingly good, and Brian was running around like a rock star.

Peter Ames Carlin IIRC said that Carl demanded that Brian be moved from bass to piano -- chances are Brian's performance varied a lot, and bass is a pretty pivotal instrument, so he may have had some jusitification.

It's pretty amazing in general to think that as late as 1980 the actual Beach Boys were the primary musicians fueling the band. In 1980, at most shows anyway, they only had Bobby Figueroa, Mike Meros, and Ed Carter backing them. Bobby usually was on percussion, or filling in for Dennis on drums, so the BB's essentially only had two auxiliary musicians outside of percussion. No additional guitarists. No horns. Most notably as well, for better *and* worse, essentially no auxiliary backing vocalists (Bobby did do some vocals on some songs though). 

The first Beach Boys' concert I ever saw - 1978 at the Philadelphia Spectrum - Brian started the concert on Fender bass and played it for much of the show. It was one of the greatest thrills of my life. I wasn't a sophisticated enough listener at that time so I can't really give a good appraisal of his bass playing. I do remember that one time he played a song with a cigarette between his fingers on his right hand, another time he just sat down on a speaker or monitor and played a song, and there were times when he would brush his hair (his bangs) with his hand - in the middle of a song! I didn't care. I must've focused on Brian 90% of the time. He was wearing a blue Adidas sweatsuit with white sneakers and looked great. As did Karen Lamm-Wilson who made an appearance on stage as a background singer...

Mike Meros was VERY prominent in almost every song; he was spectacular. For some reason, during a lot of those 1980 shows, Carl turned many guitar solos over to Ed Carter, who actually rocked harder than any other Beach Boys' guitarist I ever seen/heard. For the 1978 shows (and maybe some 1979 ones?), Charles Lloyd also contributed some nice horn work.

Given that in 1980 the band was the Beach Boys + Figueroa, Meros and Carter, who played bass when Carter was playing lead guitar?

[Sheriff John Stone]

There was a tour or two around '77-'78 where Brian's function was as THE bass player for the touring band, as amazing as it may seem.  The video I've seen was shockingly good, and Brian was running around like a rock star.

Peter Ames Carlin IIRC said that Carl demanded that Brian be moved from bass to piano -- chances are Brian's performance varied a lot, and bass is a pretty pivotal instrument, so he may have had some jusitification.

It's pretty amazing in general to think that as late as 1980 the actual Beach Boys were the primary musicians fueling the band. In 1980, at most shows anyway, they only had Bobby Figueroa, Mike Meros, and Ed Carter backing them. Bobby usually was on percussion, or filling in for Dennis on drums, so the BB's essentially only had two auxiliary musicians outside of percussion. No additional guitarists. No horns. Most notably as well, for better *and* worse, essentially no auxiliary backing vocalists (Bobby did do some vocals on some songs though). 

The first Beach Boys' concert I ever saw - 1978 at the Philadelphia Spectrum - Brian started the concert on Fender bass and played it for much of the show. It was one of the greatest thrills of my life. I wasn't a sophisticated enough listener at that time so I can't really give a good appraisal of his bass playing. I do remember that one time he played a song with a cigarette between his fingers on his right hand, another time he just sat down on a speaker or monitor and played a song, and there were times when he would brush his hair (his bangs) with his hand - in the middle of a song! I didn't care. I must've focused on Brian 90% of the time. He was wearing a blue Adidas sweatsuit with white sneakers and looked great. As did Karen Lamm-Wilson who made an appearance on stage as a background singer...

Mike Meros was VERY prominent in almost every song; he was spectacular. For some reason, during a lot of those 1980 shows, Carl turned many guitar solos over to Ed Carter, who actually rocked harder than any other Beach Boys' guitarist I ever seen/heard. For the 1978 shows (and maybe some 1979 ones?), Charles Lloyd also contributed some nice horn work.

Given that in 1980 the band was the Beach Boys + Figueroa, Meros and Carter, who played bass when Carter was playing lead guitar?

Mr. Bruce Johnston!!!

[Dancing Bear]

wow, mr. johston saying his farewell to the bass! thanks.

[Rob Dean]

When Ed Carter switched to Lead in 1980 , Joe Chemay was brought in on Bass ( damn good player ) then later that year Ed went back to Bass.
When Carl left in 1981 , Ed took over the Lead again with Ernie Knapp on Bass ( the less said about his playing the better )

[c-man]

When Ed Carter switched to Lead in 1980 , Joe Chemay was brought in on Bass ( damn good player ) then later that year Ed went back to Bass.
When Carl left in 1981 , Ed took over the Lead again with Ernie Knapp on Bass ( the less said about his playing the better )

Well, apparently Ernie was good enough a bass player for Brian to use him on a couple of studio sessions in 1982...

[Steve Latshaw]

I posted this in another thread so my apolpgies for the repetition but I thought it was a wonderful quote from Brian.  Brian did a delightful interview with Harvey Kubernick in the 2007 tour booklet... perhaps the best interview I've read from Brian in recent years... funny and warm, completely unguarded.   They talked about Beach Boys albums and deli food and buying records at Wallach's Music City on Sunset back in the day.

In reference to a question about playing bass, Brian said, "I can't play bass for beans."

[bringahorseinhere?]

don't forget, Bruce also did do some 'miming' bass during the late 80's too....
kokomo, problem child etc etc
90's?..... not sure about that...

RickB

[Moon Dawg]

wow, mr. johston saying his farewell to the bass! thanks.

 Bruce seems a reasonable musician. He has become a truly lazy stage performer these past 25 years. I hope he reads this and starts playing his toy keyboard for real.

[Shady]

Playing or not that is an incredibly cool photo..

Just imagine he WAS playing that bass track, it would be my first listen when I get the record.

[c-man]

don't forget, Bruce also did do some 'miming' bass during the late 80's too....
kokomo, problem child etc etc
90's?..... not sure about that...

RickB

"Problem Child" was 1990, so yes.