Bass Heroes [Paperback]

Tom Mulhern (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1992

From the publisher of Electric Bass Guitar comes Bass Heroes - interviews with 30 of the world's greatest bass players. It's a collection of interviews spanning the past 25 years, adapted from Guitar Player magazine. The interviews here feature some of the best players who ever lived, regardless of stylistic leanings. Divided into rock, jazz, studio and pop, and blues and funk, all the greats are included...from Monk and Montgomery to Paul McCartney to James Jamerson and John Patitucci. This book also features private lessons with luminaries such as Billy Sheehan. These select musicians come alive in their own words as they discuss topics ranging from early musical influences to unique playing and recording techniques and their favorite basses and amps. 8-1/2 inch. X 11 inch.. 208 pages. 30 photos.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The interviews in this collection are taken from Guitar Player magazine, and many were written by Mulhern, the magazine's editor. Included are interviews with many of the world's best electric bassists, such as Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, Paul McCartney, Bill Wyman, and Bootsey Collins. With 30 musicians represented from jazz, rock, funk, blues, and pop, it is difficult to imagine that anyone's favorite bass player is not represented. The interviews are thorough and cover each artist's career, playing style, notable performances and recordings, instruments, and equipment. Often, the artists get down to such details as instrument care and how frequently to change strings. Photos and a brief, selected discography are included. A worthwhile selection for music collections, and general collections where there is a strong interest in music should consider.
- Tim LaBorie, St. Joseph's Univ., Philadelphia
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 202 pages
• Publisher: GPI Publications (March 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879302747
• ISBN-13: 978-0879302740
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #242,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 30 of the greatest bass names, all in one book, April 12, 2000

By 

Bill M. "bill_m1" (MA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bass Heroes (Paperback)

A collection of 30 separate articles, each about a big name in the bass world. The names span lots of styles too. And whatever your style, I think the whole book is worth reading, because I even picked up some good ideas from players or genres that I wasn't particularly into. Some of the articles focused more on the artists's equipment, for some it was their band history, others it was more focused on their style. This is actually why I didn't give it a full 5 stars. The Chris Squire article, for example, is just him explaining what equipment he uses, and as much as I'm interested in what other players are using to get their sounds, I would also like to have gotten a few playing tips from Squire. Still, it's a great "encylopedia" of sorts for any bass player, and I believe that any player who reads the articles will learn something helpful.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to most influential bassists, June 19, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Bellevue, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bass Heroes (Paperback)

From Monk Montgomery to Billy Sheehan, this book presents most of the influential electric bassists in jazz, rock, and studio work. In a series of interviews or profiles, you get a good picture of the influences that went into their styles, their working habits, as well as some of the technical information about their gear. Highly recommended for learning about the people behind the bass lines you've heard over the last 30 years.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent compilation, November 27, 2000

By 

"netgeek" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bass Heroes (Paperback)

This is a great book to keep on your coffee table! It reminded me of all the music I need to buy - by these great bassists.