The LOST ARK of Bass Solos: John Patitucci
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- Опубліковано 12 чер 2024
- #bass #jazz #transcription #analysis #paulthompson
I recently discovered a gem of a bass solo played by a 21-year-old John Patitucci in 1981!! I'll break down what he's doing and how it compares to his playing today. Here's a link to the entire song:
"Carry My Blues Away" by Tamarack - • Tamarack / Carry My Bl...
And you aren't familiar with the "Tooch", check out my list of 5 of my favorite JP recordings including his solo work, the Chick Corea Elektric Band, the Wayne Shorter Quartet, and Michael Brecker!
00:00 Intro
00:20 JP
01:29 Tamarack
02:23 The Solo
03:00 Play-through/Analysis
05:19 5 Favorite Albums
09:00 Dedication
Website: www.paulthompson.us
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amen. john is one of a kind. somehow i found his business phone online and i hesitantly called it. his wife picked up and i told her i was looking to pick johns brain about buying a new bass (i was considering a boutique 6 string). I expected her to say something like well john's kinda too busy to talk to some total stranger. no! she said give him a call and proceeded to give me his cell phone number. unreal. of course i called right away and he literally spent 15-20 minutes with me on the phone while he was driving through manhattan to a gig! true story. he recommended his signature yamaha 6 -- first, because its a great bass and second because it was half the price of other basses i was considering. Well stupid me i went and bought a ken smith import which i was never happy with. years later i got the yamaha and i absolutely love it. should have listened to the master. I met john years later and told him the story and he remembered me! we had a good laugh about it. great player yes, but great guy and strong believer in the Lord.
Indeed.
I had gone to see Elektrik Band and during a meet and greet I kind of embarrassed myself with Chick..I was 18 years old back then and stupid as you can imagine.
..but John kind of took me under his wing and talked to me for a good half hour..he really brought out the best in me that night and uve never forgotten that.
Great video pd! Your dedication at the end was heartfelt. Your appreciation for those who influenced you (no matter what style they played) is incredible and it is what makes your UA-cam channel one of the best bass channels on the internet!
Ah man, I have so much love and respect for John Patitucci and his music. His early solo albums helped set me on my way, and I love that he always plays tasty, always. Much love. 🙏
This was the first I knew about the Smith/Jackson 6 string as well. I still love my Ken Smith basses for this among other reasons
I like "Heart of the Bass", I like your UA-cam channel, but what I like most is the respect with which you talk about bassists.
For me it was also John that I first got to know from Chick's Akoustic Band trio, that was the day I fell in love with double bass sound and solos, they seemed to me the most beautiful thing I had ever listened to.
I agree with you, John Patitucci is one of a kind. For me, he is a living legend and there will never be another John Patitucci. I call him, "The Gold Finger".
We have lost several great musical legends over the last few years. I appreciate that you found the time to acknowledge and document the greatness of John Patitucci while he is still with us. Truly a master on several levels. I can remember it like it was yesterday back in day when I heard him soloing on his Ken Smith 6 string bass on his debut GRP solo record. I was in disbelief on what I was hearing. The phrasing, touch, feel and musicality just took me on a journey. A living legend. God bless you for this one Paul.
Loved JP since the first Elektric Band album!
nobody but NOBODY curates the world and history of bad-ass bass like Paul Thompson.
The world of 70s-80s AOR jazz is often forgotten about, but a lot of people have smashing debuts in this genre, Pages, Jeff Lorber, George Duke, Kenny G etc. Even though I'm not a bassist, I love John Patitucci's work, I'm always a huge fan!
Funny you bring up prog and Chick Corea. A friend and I were going to see Steve Howe play and on the way he was playing this tape that blew my mind, it was the first Return to Forever album and I discovered the prog to fusion connection🤓
One of my all time favorites. Also one of my favorite upright players.
Great video ! Thank you ! My story is similar tours pd, I was deep into YES in the 70’s, then I heard Romantic Warrior album by Return To Forever. My life changed.
Your channel is a gift. Thank you.
What a great homage to John P.
Thumbs up
By far, my favorite is “One More Angel”. I also got to chat with him when he played in Seattle. He signed his Communion CD, and encouraged me to keep practicing.
My earliest JP favorite is GROWING. John is slapping on it, plus a killer solo!👍
Excellent video. Musical virtuosity aside, his energy when he plays is infectious.
Defo, without a doubt, one of the greats. I've seriously overlooked his solo stuff, and in some way, I'm chuffed because it means I've a heap of ear treats to avail of.
One regret - not catching him with Wayne Shorter in the National Concert Hall, Dublin. on Waynes final European tour.
One of the best, most versatile AND humble bass players that emerged in the past 4 decades.
Saw him live with the Corea electric band in the late 80's and with the Wayne Shorter quartet in the late 2000's.
Always amazing.
Thanks for the share... Not so familiar with JP but from now on I'm gonna discover another genius...👍
My favorite John Track?
That live version of "Orbits" with Wayne for acoustic for sure..
..and then his first solo record for the 6 string
"Searching Finding" and then "Peace And Quiet Time" both with Brecker!
Great video as always!
By far my favorite music history Channel! And im a guitarist lol. Appreciate all the music you've shared!!
Larry I’m a guitarist also and like you I look forward to these videos with great anticipation 😂 . Funny thing is my closest friends are bassists. I know guitar players but my “ Guys “ are bassists. Maybe I’m supposed to be a bassist 😂
Heh, spread the word!!
Thank you for sharing about the Magic of John Pattitucci ✨️
He has been an inspiration to me as well for well over 30 years ❤️
My fav John Patitucci song is “A better Mousetrap” he plays all parts and never do the solos step on each other. Gotta check it out!
I first heard him on Chic's Time Warp album. With a fantastic bowed solo 'introduction to discovery', and the pizz ending. GREAT!!!
Great tribute to John Patitucci. My first impression of him was on a video with The CC Elektric band playing on a UK TV station in the early 90's. The track Side Walk stood out for me, great riff. I began watching Dave Weckl drum clinics online shortly after that too 🎸🥁
John is a monster and is nice as can be. and not afraid to share his knowledge with everyone. thank you Paul!!!
John is a super nice guy. I was his colleague at the City College of New York and always enjoyed his friendship.
Mistura fina is a great one. His double bass solo albums now and one more Angel. But I mean... everything is great. I am now discovering his last : imaginary movie. Also beautiful. Hands hands hands down. Also remembering listening to scketchbook in my cd walkman in the 90's and falling in love with music and with bass. Thanks John and thanks Pdbass
In school back in 1992 when I was 17 we had to bring a piece of music for the others in class to listen to. I brought John Patitucci ,Sketchbook, with the track "They Heard It Twice". Incredible beautiful piece of music with Vinnie Colaiuta on drums and John Scofield on guitar. Patituccis solo was just amazing and still is to this date. Let me just say they didn´t get it....but I did. P.s. I still can´t get this guy is lefthanded.
Thank you very much, Paul. Now I have to go hunt down the albums!
I heard John even before Jaco. Also with Chick's electric. But mine was Beneath the Mask. I then went on and got his early solo work with GRP, got em all. And, a bit later well in the 90s he made one of my 10 fav jazz albums, when he recorded Mistura Fina. Oh lord... he was the shit... i got me that Yamaha trb6 bass because of him back in 96, and guess what, I still got it as my number 1 bass after a Fodera and a Tobias, the news is that for 1/3 of the price you can have an equivalent sound... and all because of mr Patitucci.cheers! He deserved the tribute!
Merci beaucoup.
I watch your channel when I want to work on my left hand piano technique.
In 1989 At 15 years old I sneak after a concert of corea acustic band to meet John , he took time to talk to me and photos. In 2020 , I waited after a corea electric concert outside the venue, John took time to talk and photo. John always with a great smile.
A true Master of the instrument indeed. Total respect and admiration for his amazing playing and musical legacy. Thanks for such an amazing video!!!
The GOAT ! Seen him live with Elektric Band in 1987 in small club and several times in 2018. Dave Weckl is no joke either.
One of the first shows I ever saw was JP at Blues Alley in DC with my best friend, who is a bassist and introduced me to him as I was starting to learn guitar. He killed it all night, but the part that sticks with me today is a ~15 minute solo Backwoods on the upright. Changed my life.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate the education 👌🏼
I would Love to see a video about Milt Hinton, who was a HUGE influence on me when I was in college. Got to see him play live once and it was epic.
Talk about a real foundation player ❤
Something that had a tremendous impact on me and that most people probably didn't notice are the walking bass lines from Elektric Band's album Inside Out. They really should be study material at an academic level. They have a very high level of complexity and musical taste.
Fantastic video as per, Bassman! My favourite tunes by JP are ‘On the Hudson’, ‘Nana’ and ‘Theme and Variations for six string electric bass and strings’.
My favorite album has always been Another World. It had a huge influence on me when I was in high school. I now own two Yamaha JP2 basses and I love them! Great video!
Never heard of John Patituci but if he is PDBass's goat then I know he is awesome. I don't play any instrument but PDbass makes deep talks about instruments fun.
John is our patrimony on bass !!
Awesome video. I can feel how uplifted you are. Beautiful. I saw one of his early solo shows and yes first electric band tours. I got to meet him and vinnie. Such uplifting nice people on the stage and off. Again thank you for your glorious work.
Indeed! This short solo is like an introduction to what’s is about to happen career wise.
Saw Wayne's "Beyond the Sound Barrier" group perform up close in SF. What an experience! Talk about dynamics. Will never forget it. Went to see Wayne and learned about John and Brian.
Oh wow. This is amazing to learn more about John Patitucci from a musician's point of view. Thank you!!!
Thanks for the discovery " Tamarack". You're lucky, in 1988 I was 26.. 😁 I know the others albums you mentioned, listen to them for decades.. John is the man, right.
On double bass, don't forget Stanley clarke's solo on "Song to John part 2".... 😉(part 1 too)
I love that I can tune up during your intro.
Such a great video. Thank you! I think I'm most amazed at how, over the last 10-12 years, he's completely reinvented his electric playing. Such a virtuoso.
Its raining here all afternoon in Mumbai, the skies are dark and gloomy and I was feeling lazy to remove the double bass and practicing coz im still tired from the gig last night. After watching this and especially hearing the piece at the end, my circuits have recharged, ive taken a bath and im good to start my practice ... Thank You for this amazing presentation.
😎 He was up to the task on *Beneath The Mask*
(Chick Corea Elektric Band, 1991). That, to me, is the ultimate Tooch in tandem with Gambale and Weckl, forming an almost unstoppable unit in support of Chick's masterpiece. Both prior and subsequent *CCEB* releases were great, but *Mask* was something truly special... Thank you for another fantastic video, sir! Your enthusiasm is contagious and your knowledge, insight, talent and skill are extremely impressive! ☮️+💜+🎶
The solo in Jammin E Cricket is masterful! Thank-you for sharing.
So happy to see this video. Ever since I 30 years ago heard Johns playing on “Free Step” from the Beneath the Mask by Chick’s Electric Band John has been one of my favorite bass players. But check out also his playing on Don Grusin’s Banana Fish from 1994, where his unbelievable 6-string bass playing is in front of the soundstage: "Baby's Comin' Home Tonight" and not least "Pacific Lights" from that album shows is mastery.
John is of course one of my biggest hero. Loved almost all of his works.
But one of my biggest favourite is one that Mr Patitucci jokingly considered as his "stupidest" decision ever. He was voluntarily offering himself to play one of Chick's most intricate melody that later on became "Got A Match". Not only the melody, he also got to solo in it. One of the greatest bass solo ever. This decision IMO put Patitucci's name into jazz history and made him legendary both as a bass player and a musician.
I rate On The Corner as one of the most accesible jazz albums of all time. such good tunes, such good blues, epic phrasing. Play it to someone who says they don't like jazz and you will have an instant convert!!
I discovered him with the on the corner album. Sketchbook blew me away. Ive actually own a heavily modded motion b for almost 40 years. Still plays great. I was a young teen and he led me to Jaco. John and Jaco started my migration away from rock. Which led me to the understanding of who James Jamerson and Chuck Rainey were. He was the first player to opened my ears up to the double. Ive been playing double for 20 years. Which has led to new heros like Ray Brown, Ron Carter, Renaud Garcia Fons and Francois Rabbath. All huge names and unbelievable musicians, but John started to whole thing with on the corner for me. When i was 21 i even considered moving across the US to attend the City College to study under him. What a gift he is to our bass community. I love seeing him getting the props he so deserves. Thank you for the walk down memory lane. Now, to find that christian album...
Now THAT'S a tribute Mr. Patitucci.
Great Tribute
Thank you, Paul! I wasn't aware of that first recording, awesome! My favorite one is Quasimodo, how he establish the whole panorama on half notes with an outstanding tone, then the solo on the six string bass, the counterpart, perfect balance!
Loved: "...a master being given three colors and a canvas and coming up with something magical."
I was a little... something... surprised? early on when you talked about hearing the blues in his solo. I never think blues when I think about Patatucci. There's a guitarist that I love named Van Wilks. He talks about being young and getting a chance to sit in with BB King. It was his big chance to show off, so he just shredded it. When he got done, he looked over at BB King for some kind of approval. He says that BB just sat there in silence for a bit, and then said, "You white boys play too many notes."
Love Patatucci. Appreciate his brilliance. But you've really forced me to try and get my brain around thinking about him with the word "blues" being present.
First heard the “Tucc” in 87 at Ce Le Vie in Hollywood with guitarist Pat Kelly,… then saw him with the Electric Band,….suck a phenomenal musician and human being! Thanks
Hands down, the best part of coming of age as a kid in the 1980s and early 1990s was that your best friend sitting you down and playing Elektric Band or Brecker Brothers or Mahavishnu Orchestra records for you was totally something that could happen on any given weekday.
Musical time-travel is one of the best gifts on earth.
Cool, thanks for the tip on Tamarack! I didn't even know this existed. Much appreciated!
John's the man. I've been GASing for that signature model of his for years now!
I picked one up recently - it's nice! But he doesn't even play them any more; he's been playing that semiacoustic Yamaha that you can't even buy.
My favorite JP is "Concerto Movement #1 - Westward Expansion" from 1992's "Heart of the Bass"
Nice tribute to John
Bravo. What a wonderful, heartfelt tribute. I love seeing artists as strong as you telling us where their inspirations came from. I think if I could change one thing about my life, it would be to go back and have the same kind of clarity of purpose that you did when I also first heard Patitucci for the first time in the late '80s. You have really honored him and all of your inspirations by becoming the artist and teacher you are. I was lucky enough to see him many years ago with Wayne Shorter while visiting NYC. He was, of course, brilliant as always. Cheers!
I was first introduced to John Patitucci’s playing when the Chick Corea Akoustic Band Alive! Record came out. I think that was somewhere around 1989. Honestly, the only 80’s fusion I still listen to is Chick. I have all the original Elektric and Akoustic Band records, and JP is simply my entire definition of what a fusion bass player should be. I sadly missed a recent local performance by his guitar quartet. I won’t make that mistake in the future.
Patti One of my favorites!
When I started to learn to play bass I brought a bunch of VHS videos that included vids from Stu Hamm, Victor Wooten, Alexis Sklarevski Slap Bass , Nathan East and more but the one that captured me the most and had me play it over and over again was "John Patitucci Electric Bass". Best Bass instruction video ever made for us Bassist. Thank you for posting this PDBass. John doesn't get enough credit than he deserves.
John Pattitucci is absolutely Heavy Weight in music. For me he is master of masters from modern era.
I just discovered your videos and can't believe I hadn't found you before, your videos are incredible, thanks
I LOVE this video, thank you so much for putting it together! Patitucci was a huge inspiration for me and he's actually the reason I switched from guitar to bass in the 9th grade. A friend of mine saw him with Chick and went on about his amazing solos. I checked him out and was hooked!
Sachi's Eyes - One More Angel. Nice tribute Paul.
It has to be Growing and Our family. Beautiful phrasing and harmonies. 😀
Beautiful "nod" to the master.
John was my introduction to Jazz Fusion as well. When my brother and I first picked up our instruments (guitar and bass), we checked out our local library to see if they had some instructional materials. They didn't have much, but they did have BOTH of john's instructional videos. Those cool multi-track videos of him playing that started his instructional tape were the first bits of fusion we had heard at that point. Needless to say, we were hooked instantly and are both enormous fans to this day :)
Of course I know John Pattitucci, but know, I wanna be a fan like you are
Just uploaded a couple shorts of Solar , work is getting in the way of me practicing. Shame we didn’t me up mate but another day we will . God bless you and thanks again for the inspiration through your channel.
Thanks for these videos Paul! My first bass lesson was the JP Electric Bass VHS back in the 90's. Truly amazing and a great inspiration!
Thank you for your appreciations.
The 1st time I ever heard JOHN PATITUCCI was on recordings with a pianist (keyboardist ) CLAIRE FISCHER (spell check ?)
I was taken away … (As a guitarist that hacked around on bass)
Being a ‘BENSON’ HEAD (George Benson ) it was so captivating to hear such melodic phrasings on bass solos
I have to go with the Elektric Band debut album. I still marvel at the brilliant compositions and incredible playing. Got A Match is just out of this world! I had the good fortune to experience the entire album live in concert back in 1986. And it was from the 10th row center stage at our acoustically perfect symphony hall. Chick even mentioned this during the show. He also told the audience how inspired he was by John's playing. One of the great nights out in my 45 years of attending live concerts.
My brother, love your video. I agree John is a rare talent, evident early. (You are also a master musician worthy of acknowledgments.)
I rarely write any comments but after watching this video I had to. What a beautiful video and words. John is my GOAT as well. Thank you so much for doing this.
I grew up in the Bay Area and remember when John was coming up. I taught at a local music store with his brother, Tom, and we used to talk about how brilliant his brother was. Amazing talent!
Just incredible!!
Love your content. And this is no exception. The GOAT indeed.
Great video, same for me here, the 1st time I heard John I was whatttttttttttt. Bleesings.
my favourite John Patitucci albums are his first 3 solo albums. His Ken Smith 6 string is my taste of a solo electric bass. And i really love the complex arrangements and brilliant players on these compositions. I appriciate all of his music but in these 3 first solo albums are so many great ideas ... Not just a band 1 day studio recording.... I miss this wonderful phase of fusion-recordings late 80ies, GRP-big band .....
I like anything by JP and have a fair amount of his music. Thanks for the intro to more. My first JP: his 1988 self-titled album. Wow! I'd not heard six-string bass before that (that I knew of)!
Frank Marino was 16 when his first album came out.. I actually saw this Chick Corea tour.. i saw the first and second Elektric tours... I also saw Jaco in 81 with Weather Report, you need to listen to Jeff Berlin, Flim (Jimmy Johnson) who played for Allan Holdsworth, I saw him many times(and Jonas Helborg who played with John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu, saw Stanley Clarke with RTF and with the Clarke/Duke Project
One of my favorite tracks that John played on is The Dragon by CCEB. He’s playing double bass & electric on that track (only electric when they played it live). Co-written by Chick & John. What he plays on that double bass is astounding!!
Thank you so much for this one. Change of seasons, crestline, strength to weakness and if you don't mind are favorites for starters. John has so many and I'm looking forward to exploring your pics. I' m also going to check out Tamarack😄
Ironically, I came across JP through my drummer in my high school band in the late '80's. We were Prog Metal band, but his influences were Dave Weckl and Jack DeJohnette LOL! I play guitar... didn't really know much about bass. That first Chick Corea album I came across at 16 years old in '89... holy crap...
This video was amazing, brought back a lot of memories of those days and was ridiculously inspiring.
outstanding - thank you