The GENIUS of Bassist Mick Karn

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  • Опубліковано 13 тра 2024
  • #bass #basshistory #fretless #transcription #analysis #paulthompson
    FINALLY digging into one of the greatest (and underrated) fretless bass guitarists of the 80s and 90s: Mick Karn. From the group Japan to Gary Numan to 'Dalis Car' and his own various solo projects, I'll break down my 5 favorite Mick Karn bass lines and show you what they tell us about his unique and amazing style of playing the fretless bass.
    00:00 - Intro
    00:41 - 1 - Visions of China
    01:33 - 2 - A Subway Called ‘You’
    02:24 - 3 - Tribal Dawn
    03:23 - 4 - Dali’s Car
    05:08 - 5 - Saday Maday
    06:28 - 6 - Outro
    Website - www.paulthompson.us
    Instagram @pdbass74
    Twitter @pdbass74

КОМЕНТАРІ • 997

  • @terrybozzio4841
    @terrybozzio4841 3 місяці тому +298

    Thank you for acknowledging my my dear friend & one of my favorite bassists. Don’t forget to check out his work on polytown.

    • @theconcretetwin
      @theconcretetwin 3 місяці тому +9

      Cheers Terry❣️

    • @Simonewhitesim-1music
      @Simonewhitesim-1music 3 місяці тому +10

      Yes, and I saw Polytown and Mark Isham with Both of you In the bands.

    • @gizmogearloose3391
      @gizmogearloose3391 3 місяці тому +9

      TERRY BOZZIO!!! Thank you for the response...! I am HONORED! and yeah, "Honey Sweating" is my favorite track off POLYTOWN...! And waitaminute...that's YOUR work on that album, too! And Major Kudos to David Torn!!!

    • @pierre-emilebertona3331
      @pierre-emilebertona3331 3 місяці тому +7

      Thanks for your feedback, Terry. Yes, Polytown is a great album, I love it. Individually and collectivly, the performance is amazing. And cheers to you, you have played with some of my favorite bassplayers : Mick, Pat O'hearn and my good old friend Tony Levin. Remember you from 78 in Bern, Switzerland, with FZ : Still my favourite line-up.

    • @AOK3x3
      @AOK3x3 3 місяці тому

      Polytown? Not sure I know that, any links?

  • @dfreeman120
    @dfreeman120 3 місяці тому +303

    Don Freeman here. Yea moved to London in 89’ and played keyboards on the Joan Armatrading record “ Hearts and Flowers”. I car pooled with two bass players Pino Palladino and Mick Karn to the studio. Mick lived close to me and his Japan bandmate Steve Jansen played drums as well. Manu Katche played the days when Pino played. Mick was a brilliant musician and played very melodic parts on the fretless and maybe a fretted. Check out the album but “ Promised Land” really features some brilliant playing by Mick Karn. Bomaye ❤

    • @PjRjHj
      @PjRjHj 3 місяці тому +4

      Awesome

    • @kevgamble
      @kevgamble 3 місяці тому +18

      That's awesome. Joan Armatrading is another name not mentioned nearly enough any more. When it seems like the present day is a little too high on its own sense of novelty, her name is one that often comes to my mind for how much good there was back then.

    • @mockbattles
      @mockbattles 3 місяці тому +4

      Pino Paladino’s son Rocco is recording and touring with Yussef Dayes.
      I think he deserves a feature.

    • @dfreeman120
      @dfreeman120 3 місяці тому +8

      @@mockbattles the subject of this episode is on “ The GENIUS of Bassist Mick Karn”. We are honoring his artistry and his memory. Secondly I’m not the moderator of this channel.

    • @rtate69
      @rtate69 3 місяці тому +3

      In Vogue

  • @carlasker9285
    @carlasker9285 3 місяці тому +220

    Finally Mick Karn. A bass hero.
    Completely unique, instantly recognisable. Challenging but not bragging, introvert but still elegant, inventive and almost bizarre bass lines that never disturbed the song.

  • @barfthebarf
    @barfthebarf 3 місяці тому +37

    It has been criminal that Mick Karn was not recognized for his work. Amazing bass player. My personal #1 favorite.

  • @gizmogearloose3391
    @gizmogearloose3391 3 місяці тому +60

    BIG Japan fan, here. I want to thank pdbass for this posting. Mick Karn is my fretless bass hero, and ever since I found a Kramer fretless bass, I have been trying to catch his groove. When someone says, "fretless bassist", I do not immediately think of Jaco, Tony Franklin, Pino, Richard Bona, nor Andy Coughlin...much respect to all of them... I ALWAYS immediately think of Mick Karn...period.

    • @gizmogearloose3391
      @gizmogearloose3391 3 місяці тому +3

      ...and my favorite Karn track...the whole TITLES (1982) album is brilliant....but "Tribal Dawn", "Savior, Are You With Me", and "Trust Me" are my favorites. Check out his work with Terri Bozzio, and David Torn...!

    • @meowomo
      @meowomo 2 місяці тому

      great taste! im a huge fan of japan and karn@@gizmogearloose3391

  • @carlnewman5448
    @carlnewman5448 3 місяці тому +119

    So pleased to see Mick Karn being recognised. Wonderful to experience him playing live twice with Japan.

    • @gizmogearloose3391
      @gizmogearloose3391 3 місяці тому +3

      You got to see Japan live twice...you have my utmost envy!

    • @carlnewman5448
      @carlnewman5448 3 місяці тому +1

      @@gizmogearloose3391 I know, being a real music nut I just got to experience so much 🙏

    • @M.T27
      @M.T27 3 місяці тому

      @@gizmogearloose3391me too!

    • @user-hj7kd2jo6h
      @user-hj7kd2jo6h 3 місяці тому +1

      I saw him with Japan, incredible footwork as well unbelievable bass playing.

    • @carlnewman5448
      @carlnewman5448 3 місяці тому +1

      Yes his footwork was so cool too. Remember it vividly. He was such a presence on stage. When you are this good on bass, it’s great having that swagger.

  • @ShadeCandle
    @ShadeCandle 3 місяці тому +33

    FINALLY, someone talks about Mick Karn. I don't know why no one knows Japan, but getting into them in high school was the reason i started playing fretless bass, and never looked back. Definitely one of my all-time heroes.

  • @colin_a
    @colin_a 3 місяці тому +68

    I'm amazed that there has been such a slow awakening of Mick Karn's talent. There was no one like him and I suspect there never will be.., a total one-off.. By a mile, the most original bassist of all time... I would also add that no one played a WAL like him.., the two complemented each other so well. 🙏

    • @PaulWilliamGibson
      @PaulWilliamGibson 3 місяці тому +3

      I’ve thought this too. My theory is that it’s because Japan had a relatively short period of popularity in a commercial sense, and once they’d split up the individual members headed in a less commercial and more avant garde direction. Also the culture of fetishing equipment and players had not yet reached the level it’s at now. They were easily forgotten by the public sadly.
      Incidentally, the bass player in the band I was in in the mid 80s was a massive Mick Karn / Japan fan, as was I. He played a fretless bass in my band, and he and I spent a long time trying to figure out the pedals Mick used to achieve his tone. There was very little resource in those days to find out stuff like that without your own trial and error. Eventually we got it!

    • @richardpennington5445
      @richardpennington5445 3 місяці тому

      I also thought the same and then realised that he sounded the same when he was playing a Travis Bean bass. I also think the WAL basses are the best bass guitars ever made (especially the ones actually made by Wal himself and Pete).

  • @ralphbyers6136
    @ralphbyers6136 3 місяці тому +60

    Cantonese Boy, Swing, Still Life, Talking Drum, All Tomorrow’s Parties, Sensitive, Gentlemen Take Polaroids, European Son, Bestial Cluster, Back in The Beginning… Mick is so amazing!!! 💪🏽❤️😀. Thank you for your continued, excellent work, PD!!!

    • @antonchizhov4419
      @antonchizhov4419 3 місяці тому +4

      That is one exquisite list 🙂 "Sensitive" and "When love walks in" are two of my favourites.

  • @purdisc
    @purdisc 3 місяці тому +37

    Thank you so much for covering Mick Karn. Both him and Sylvian were so young when writing accomplished songs which belied their youth.

  • @smashogre4766
    @smashogre4766 3 місяці тому +29

    Mick Karn holds a special place in my heart. In the mid-80s, I was about a year into playing the bass when a high school friend introduced me to Mick's playing via "Dalis Car". My brain broke. Saying that I'd never heard anything like it kinda goes without saying. It was one of those moments that is at once inspirational, but also makes you want to give up. BTW, the friend I mentioned would go on to become a phenomenal bassist, educator, scholar, and composer himself. His name was Sean Malone, who was probably best know for his work with Cynic and Gordian Knot, but also did considerable solo work and collabs. (He's worth checking out.) Thanks for this appreciation of Mick, and for opportunity to honor my friend.

    • @ysyoon2124
      @ysyoon2124 3 місяці тому +1

      RIP Sean Malone.

  • @brendanmelvin9938
    @brendanmelvin9938 3 місяці тому +20

    Mick Karn, was a wonderfully inventive, creative and technical genius RIP

  • @15chipshops
    @15chipshops 3 місяці тому +55

    "Swing" and "Sons of Pioneers" are two of my favourite Japan songs mainly because of Mick, The studio versions or live versions on "Oil on Canvas" are both amazing.

    • @Teeb2023
      @Teeb2023 3 місяці тому

      Oil on Canvas wasn't live.

    • @lezam1000
      @lezam1000 3 місяці тому +1

      I think Swing is my absolute favourite Japan song and live it is absolutely sublime.

    • @pkhaha161
      @pkhaha161 3 місяці тому

      oil on canvas version of canton is my favourite, also i like him doing the "moon walk" thing when playing on stage in oil on canvas

    • @lezam1000
      @lezam1000 3 місяці тому +1

      @@pkhaha161Those are some smooth shuffling feet. 😂

    • @meowomo
      @meowomo 2 місяці тому

      i LOOOOOOVE swing!

  • @shivaduck
    @shivaduck 3 місяці тому +70

    Absolutely wonderful you have covered Mick Karn. He is much loved by so many of us and yet rarely gets acknowledged outside his followers. This was a real treat.

  • @jamesrumsey6839
    @jamesrumsey6839 3 місяці тому +40

    I love Mick Karn. He was such a creative player. Still, I don't understand why more people don't talk about Percy Jones, my personal favourite fretless player.

    • @gregorymerriman5974
      @gregorymerriman5974 3 місяці тому +10

      Mick was incredible, and like Percy, he approach’s the instrument (fretless bass) unconventionally as a vehicle of artistry. As an abstractionist might view a paint brush or lump of clay. Mick was fine sculpture artist as well. He left us way too soon.

    • @PjRjHj
      @PjRjHj 3 місяці тому +14

      I believe Mick credited Percy as one of his strongest influences

    • @scottkunghadrengsen2604
      @scottkunghadrengsen2604 3 місяці тому +8

      ​@@PjRjHj Percy is the only influence I can recall Mick mentioning

    • @Miykael
      @Miykael 3 місяці тому +8

      I like that Percy and Mick are two players that didn't sound anything like Jaco that came out of that era on fretless. They are two of my favorites for sure.

    • @paulwally9007
      @paulwally9007 3 місяці тому +4

      @@Miykael I love Jaco, but Mick did something other-worldly to me. Such organic liquid playing, but something that simultaneously could've come from a different dimension. Listening to him is like taking a break from normal reality.

  • @chuckazeee
    @chuckazeee 3 місяці тому +12

    Any mention of Mick Karn by fans, musicians and critics often makes me happy.
    1. Swing
    2. Life In Tokyo (‘7 remix)
    3. Obscure Alternatives (Live)
    4. Sons of Pioneers
    5. European Son

  • @stevecrumpton9643
    @stevecrumpton9643 3 місяці тому +20

    I'd never heard of Mick Carn until RIGHT NOW. "Dali's Car" has made me a fan for life.

    • @MisAnnThorpe
      @MisAnnThorpe 3 місяці тому +3

      He's one of my favourite musician's and not just as a bass guitarist. I think his compositions are terribly overlooked. I'd strongly recommend his solo albums "Titles", "Dreams of reason produce monsters", "More better different", "Three part species", "Each eye a path" and "The Concrete twin". The Dalis Car album, "The Waking hour" is a longtime favourite of mine with Peter Murphy of Bauhaus contributing wonderfully on vocals.

    • @Baldieman1
      @Baldieman1 3 місяці тому +1

      You have a lot to investigate.I have loved Japans music for over 40 years.I still am amazed at the incredible progression(more a complete total change) in musical style between their fist album in 1978 & Sylvians first solo album in 1984.If you get a chance to hear those six albums,you will know EXACTLY what I mean.

  • @pillmuncher67
    @pillmuncher67 3 місяці тому +24

    The Waking Hour by Dali's Car is one of those great underappreciated albums. Just like Mick Karn is one those great underappreciated bass players.

    • @rachelar
      @rachelar 3 місяці тому

      Glad they released a follow up just in time

  • @flagelmulti-media7577
    @flagelmulti-media7577 3 місяці тому +33

    I think a dive into Percy Jones would be a good idea..

    • @davidwylde8426
      @davidwylde8426 3 місяці тому +10

      Interestingly, Mick Karn cited Percy Jones as an influence, and although Mick developed his own voice on the instrument, you can hear that influence in his lines.

    • @johnabedggood6280
      @johnabedggood6280 3 місяці тому

      Mo Foster too!

    • @richardpennington5445
      @richardpennington5445 3 місяці тому +1

      @@davidwylde8426it’s very clear that Mick was influenced by Percy Jones especially in terms of his approach to the attack of his notes and use of harmonics and slides. Mick’s note choice seems, to my ears to reflect Turkish folk music (but what do I know?). I still find so much to discover in Mick’s bass playing and song writing. A real once in a lifetime bass player.

    • @stephenpaulharper
      @stephenpaulharper 3 місяці тому +2

      Percy like Mick is another player that suffers from criminal unfamiliarity.

  • @MH-xd2nd
    @MH-xd2nd 3 місяці тому +114

    Mick Karn was a brilliant and instantly recognisable bass player. I still regard Oil on Canvas to be one of the best albums of all time, ironically released after Japan broke up, but the playing on that album across several albums’ worth of material was sublime. Despite no “formal” training (whatever that means) he had a remarkable ear for both phrasing and melody. I can still remember when I heard Titles for the first time. “What the hell is this!” RIP Mick and thanks for featuring him.

    • @HeadacheMachine
      @HeadacheMachine 3 місяці тому +1

      that'll be SWING for me

    • @beetlespacexdragon7815
      @beetlespacexdragon7815 3 місяці тому +2

      In his auto-biography, Karn wrote that many accused him of overdubbing the parts on ‘Oil on Canvas,’ which he denied. Mick’s intonation was stunning. I have an LP version of Titles, his first solo recording on Virgin. Some of his best work is on that obscure release.

    • @cclark3905
      @cclark3905 3 місяці тому +3

      Oil on Canvas is sublime ❤

    • @anthonybonett101
      @anthonybonett101 3 місяці тому +1

      Dalis Car

    • @rachelar
      @rachelar 3 місяці тому

      Yeah Titles side A was weird at first listen but it grows on you. Mick was essentially playing lead lines and hooks on the bass, which gave it a pop sensibility while also sounding unusual

  • @nathanaelpeace9550
    @nathanaelpeace9550 3 місяці тому +44

    He's the GOAT to me. Totally unique and crooked. Amazing

    • @rationalmuscle
      @rationalmuscle 3 місяці тому +4

      Nick was a very 'good' player, and extremely wicked creatively, but to say GOAT? Nah - can't hang with Jaco. Nor could anyone playing with one right-hand finger. He's more of a cool trick player than a GOAT.

    • @kevbob
      @kevbob 3 місяці тому +15

      @@rationalmuscleif someone says he is the “GOAT to me”, then that’s where you could stop yourself and say “that’s cool, we all have our preferences and that what makes us unique” and move on. ;)

    • @brendonmurley8276
      @brendonmurley8276 3 місяці тому +4

      @@kevbob- very well put sir.

    • @zararity
      @zararity 3 місяці тому +1

      ​​@@rationalmuscle'Cool trick player'. Seriously? Also, when someone says 'GOAT to me', maybe wind your neck in with your opinion which is unwanted and unnecessary.

  • @AdamBorseti
    @AdamBorseti 3 місяці тому +7

    One of the most underrated bass players of all time.

  • @wearetomorrowspast.5617
    @wearetomorrowspast.5617 3 місяці тому +10

    That Angie Bowie clip from The Old Grey Whistle Test was epic.
    Mick stole the show. Playing bass was never meant to be cool, but he nailed it.

  • @EnJoony
    @EnJoony 3 місяці тому +12

    During a 3 month stay in Japan in 1981 I kept seeing ads for a band named Japan, that I immediately dismissed as a bunch of British posers. So just for sh*it's and giggles I picked up a cassette of "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" at the Tokyo Tower Records and man, I couldn't have been more wrong! 'Huge fan since that day of Mick and the band (no slouches there either - Sylvian's brother, Steve Jansen was a helluva good drummer). Big thanks for spreading the Mick Karn love. 😊

    • @BrandonMilner
      @BrandonMilner 2 місяці тому +2

      Steve Jansen is one of my drum heroes

  • @ericdion4563
    @ericdion4563 3 місяці тому +17

    Super cool to do a segment on Mick Karn. Although he stands on his own, the interplay between him and drummer Steve Jansen in Japan was just amazing.

  • @PlainF0cked
    @PlainF0cked 3 місяці тому +7

    Mick Karn is no joke and Sons of Pioneers is one of my favorite bass lines EVER!!

  • @sammyboykin5624
    @sammyboykin5624 3 місяці тому +44

    I can't believe you are finally covering Mick! I so f'ing excited to watch this!🤩

  • @Soul74
    @Soul74 3 місяці тому +14

    The Polytown album with David Torn and Terry Bozzio changed my life!

    • @unfair_potato
      @unfair_potato 3 місяці тому +1

      Thank you - I'll look for that one!

    • @reallife7235
      @reallife7235 3 місяці тому +1

      You're not kidding. That is crazy. Thanks for that insight.

    • @batteryacid1
      @batteryacid1 Місяць тому

      terry bozzio even commented on this very video

  • @ktmpl
    @ktmpl 3 місяці тому +21

    Mick Karn was the equivalent of Magic Johnson…EVERYTHING Mick played was brilliant MAGIC..Nobody sounds like him Nobody plays like him..My personal favorite from Mick is his playing on Bill Nelson’s “Tender is the Night” and “Do You Dream in Color”

  • @krissd8633
    @krissd8633 3 місяці тому +17

    As a big Japan fan, I'm so pleased to see you cover Mick Karn. Can't pick a single favourite track, but the basslines on 'Methods of Dance' and 'Halloween' are a couple of favourites. He's very much missed.

  • @zeruchofficial
    @zeruchofficial 3 місяці тому +13

    Mick Karn is really the only post Jaco player to have added to the language of the fretless electric. Some of the other basslines I love are JBK's "Ego Dance", Kate Bush "Heads We're Dancing", and his own tracks "Feta Funk" and "Bestial Cluster"

    • @kevgamble
      @kevgamble 3 місяці тому +1

      I'd probably add Bakithi Kumalo, Pino Palladino, Tony Franklin and Les Claypool to that list, but even so, Karn still stands out in an immediate and striking way.

  • @simondavies6270
    @simondavies6270 3 місяці тому +4

    As a teenager in the early 80s I was a fan of the band he was a founding member of: Japan. His playing stood out for me it was so unique at the time and was probably the main reason why I liked their music. The news of his passing was soul crushing, although I was aware he had been ill for some time. This video is a fitting tribute to a talented musician sadly little known outside of his realm but much revered as a true pioneer of the fretless bass guitar. May his soul rest easy with the greatest of them all. Amen.

  • @colinnewing3175
    @colinnewing3175 2 місяці тому +4

    Mick has been such an inspiration throughout my life with his music and art. Sadly left this life far too early.

  • @fudgesauce
    @fudgesauce 3 місяці тому +8

    I put Mick Karn in the same category as Percy Jones (Brand X) and Les Claypool -- each has a unique approach with a strong flavor. I'm glad they exist, but I'm glad their styles aren't widely copied.

  • @ianjenkins6250
    @ianjenkins6250 3 місяці тому +3

    Love Mick Karn's bass playing, unique, wild note choices, great feel and tone. He's never had the recognition he so rightly deserves, tiz long overdue.

  • @bassmandesert
    @bassmandesert 3 місяці тому +14

    Some of my favourite parts of Mick Karn that gives me goosebumps in the track "Bill Nelson - Glow World"

  • @alfredocruz
    @alfredocruz 3 місяці тому +5

    Mick Karn's bass got me interested in Japan. Without Karn, there is no Japan as far as I'm concerned. Japan's debut album had Karn playing regular bass so he was very capable of standard bass lines.

  • @eliotmccann2589
    @eliotmccann2589 3 місяці тому +15

    God level imagination and sublime tone. Karn is awesome.

  • @BankruptBassplayer
    @BankruptBassplayer 3 місяці тому +3

    Great to see Mick getting some love here ! Dalis Car .. , titles.. every note.

  • @TimWrightMe
    @TimWrightMe 3 місяці тому +6

    Mick was a stupendous player, a great hero of mine, thank you for making this video highlighting his genius. He was also a sculptor. His end was so sad, crowd funding his treatment. Much missed.

  • @waynephilbert
    @waynephilbert 3 місяці тому +3

    I was a kid back then and my sister used to love Japan. Heard Mick Karn a lot and it was totally unique. Thanks for the reminder of how talented he was.

  • @mbrew3244
    @mbrew3244 3 місяці тому +7

    Favourite Mick Karn tracks for me: "European Son", "Life In Tokyo" and "Gentlemen Take Polaroids". Thank you so much for covering Mick Karn. Hard to believe it's been 13 years since his passing.

  • @blangtonclickdark
    @blangtonclickdark 3 місяці тому +15

    There is also some UA-cam footage of him with David Torn, Mark Isham and Bill Bruford (replacing the unreplaceable Tony Levin). His wide-intonational offerings stretch the tonality of the songs to the breaking point.

    • @ajadrew
      @ajadrew 3 місяці тому +3

      There's a few stories re that as well!

    • @paulbogan3400
      @paulbogan3400 2 місяці тому +1

      So fortunate to see that tour.

  • @MaduroMan
    @MaduroMan 3 місяці тому +6

    Im a big Numan fan so my first exposure to Karn's playing was with Gary. He immediately became one of my fav bass players and inspired me to get a fretless. The man was a virtuoso.

  • @sallyjane9994
    @sallyjane9994 3 місяці тому +3

    Solid Alchemy and Innovation delivering a mesmerising Phantasmagorical effect.
    His hands are moving with such ample agility - the hypermobility of his fingers appears so effortless for a genius in Bass mastery.
    As a woodwind player myself - Karns prior Bassoon playing most DEFinitly contributed to the nimble movement of his fingers - totally indelible!!!
    The TV clip of Mick playing bass solo on the Old Grey Whistle Test - is so absorbing - the awe and svengali style on the performance of Angies spoken word - the Bass style of Mick dominates Monumentally.
    What a marvellous extract - 😂 Thank you for a well overdue - overview.
    Larging up such excellence - 1 of Greatest Fretless Bass Players🎉

  • @PLively
    @PLively 3 місяці тому +3

    Mick Karn is why I picked up the bass guitar in the first place!

    • @MisAnnThorpe
      @MisAnnThorpe 3 місяці тому

      Mick Karn is the reason I didn't bother!

  • @darshanr2369
    @darshanr2369 3 місяці тому +6

    I remember when I came to fully realize Mick Karn’s genius and it was probably on Sons of Pioneers or Still Life in Mobile Homes. It was actually seeing the Japan Live in Concert DVD. So many sounds I had taken for Richard Barbieri’s keyboards were Mick’s wobbles and bends on the fretless. It blew my mind then and still does today. Thanks SO MUCH for doing this piece!!!

  • @zmix
    @zmix 3 місяці тому +15

    Couldn't get to the "like" button fast enough..! Thank you for introducing Mick Karn and his idiosyncratic bass style to (hopefully) a new group of players..!

    • @zmix
      @zmix 3 місяці тому +5

      PS: Talk about Percy Jones, please..!

  • @MarcoDesiderati
    @MarcoDesiderati 3 місяці тому +7

    So glad you did a video on one of the greatest bass players of all time. His playing was out of this world. Too bad not many people know his massive body of work.

  • @eliastheod
    @eliastheod 3 місяці тому +9

    Legendary Anglos-Cypriot bass man ❤ with Japan, Dalis Car and of course solo .. thank you for this video!!

  • @MS-1
    @MS-1 3 місяці тому +3

    Best New Wave bassist ever. Unique style indeed. Japan`s My New Career... mic drop. Mick Karn appreciation due.

  • @billybartcody3591
    @billybartcody3591 3 місяці тому +6

    Dali's Car is essential Mick Karn, brilliant and timeless. Some incredible masterpieces with Japan too. RIP

  • @danLyoutube
    @danLyoutube 3 місяці тому +3

    I love him so much. "The Jump" from "More Better Different" is probably my favorite. Such a unique, identifiable voice.

  • @jazzpunk67
    @jazzpunk67 3 місяці тому +33

    PB you’ve had my favorite bass channel for a while. This just blew my head up. I’ve been a big fan of mk since Japan. My favorite album is the one he did with Terry Bozzio and David Torn. Polytown. Thank you so much for featuring him.

    • @nunofernandes4501
      @nunofernandes4501 3 місяці тому +5

      That album is EPIC.

    • @rscottom
      @rscottom 3 місяці тому +1

      Poly town is an awesome album!

    • @jodi183
      @jodi183 3 місяці тому +1

      I forgot about that album!!! Yes! Amazing album

  • @pierre-emilebertona3331
    @pierre-emilebertona3331 3 місяці тому +2

    Huge thanks for telling us about Mick Karn. You're right : nobody plays like Mick Karn. Bought his first solo album when it was published and it changed my vision of bass playing forever. Totally original, unique tone and style. Was lucky to meet Mick a few times in the mid nineties, sharing talks and drinks with him . Very nice guy. His death devasted me, but fortunately, his music remains and should be better known.

  • @macronencer
    @macronencer 3 місяці тому +6

    I knew Mick from Japan, but a little ashamed to admit that despite being a massive Numan fan I didn't realise for ages that it was him on the Dance album :-O His early passing was sad, and kind of gives me the same feels as when we lost Michael Brecker, another extraordinary and original talent. RIP Mick.

  • @hermanpearl1430
    @hermanpearl1430 3 місяці тому +10

    @pdbass so glad you included the Gary Numan track! The bass playing on that whole album is really interesting. One of my favorite records of that period. Very cool to showcase Mick Karn, also his unique use of effects on bass, especially chorus!

    • @MisAnnThorpe
      @MisAnnThorpe 3 місяці тому +1

      Numan was intent on being the front man in Japan. He even got Rob Dean to play on that album!

  • @toddhamby
    @toddhamby 3 місяці тому +9

    Oh man once again!!! This dude was from another planet!!

  • @johnvale295
    @johnvale295 3 місяці тому +1

    One of my all-time favourite melodically astute and virtuoso bass guitarists. Had the privilege of seeing him live on the Bestial Cluster tour back in the early 1990s. A phenomenal musician sorely missed.

  • @Njal55
    @Njal55 3 місяці тому +4

    My dear departed dad was a bass player and Mick Karn was one of his favourite players. Really great player.

  • @shanecabbage2187
    @shanecabbage2187 3 місяці тому +3

    Never heard of this man. You've created a new rabbit hole for me to go traveling down.

  • @tednordlander715
    @tednordlander715 3 місяці тому +3

    Yes. Mick!!! Thanks for giving props to this genius. He jumps your brain out of beaten paths. Such a creative spirit and bad ass bassist.

  • @nonsonomoltoalto6071
    @nonsonomoltoalto6071 3 місяці тому +1

    My favourite bassist! Thank you for creating this video, Mick truly deserves more recognition than he received during his lifetime.

  • @basslinephunk3441
    @basslinephunk3441 3 місяці тому +9

    I've NEVER heard of Mick Karn. DAMN!!! He is NICE!!! His rhythm, his groove is different.... like Nuwave meets Funk! Here we go... gotta add Mick to the playlist for sure👍🏿
    That's why I love this channel!

    • @Andrew_M_Ward
      @Andrew_M_Ward 3 місяці тому +3

      Japan: Exorcizing Ghots LP is a solid collection of his work with Japan
      Rather than plowing through 20 years of random - If you can stand the David Sylvian vocals that are hyper affectation - the music is incredible

    • @PjRjHj
      @PjRjHj 3 місяці тому +5

      "It's like if Bootsy was Moroccan." Avant garde guitarist David Torn on Mick Karn's fretless playing
      As far as I'm concerned, Mick Karn was the best bassist to be associated with New Wave. Kajagoogoo's Nick Beggs being the only one close (though radically different in their approaches), while John Taylor (still) gets the attention. John's great, but even he acknowledges he had nothing on Mick, while still praising Mick and acknowledging Japan at Duran Duran Rock & Roll HoF induction

    • @basslinephunk3441
      @basslinephunk3441 3 місяці тому +4

      @@PjRjHj you hit it on the head! Nick Beggs leans more toward funk.(now that I hear him more) Mick is almost jazz fusion. Bootsy/Jaco. Wow! This guy really got by me. He's BADD!

    • @basslinephunk3441
      @basslinephunk3441 3 місяці тому +2

      @@Andrew_M_Ward I'm gonna check it out 👍🏾

  • @rolandmarckwort
    @rolandmarckwort 3 місяці тому +4

    Genius bassist - one of a kind!

  • @paulshephard1907
    @paulshephard1907 3 місяці тому +10

    As someone influenced by the likes of JJ Burnel and John Entwistle I always regarded Mick Karn to be a highly underated bass player and someone I would always listen to...... I even bought a Best of Japan a few years ago just to hear him play. Always made me wonder how on earth he came up with the stuff he did :-)

    • @solitaryman777
      @solitaryman777 3 місяці тому

      JJ was a frickin' beast with that aggressive P-bass grind. He took over many a Strangler melody line, and made them what they were.

  • @Ued3b
    @Ued3b 28 днів тому +1

    "All tomorrows Parties" from Japans "Quiet Life" album is by far my favourite track of theirs. Brings back so many memories. RIP Mick.

  • @gmarthews
    @gmarthews 2 місяці тому +1

    Sons of Pioneers! RIP Mick!

  • @tomowens7499
    @tomowens7499 3 місяці тому +7

    dude, Mick Karn is one of my earliest bass idols... i am a HUGE fan of Japan, and every side project those guys were ever involved with... I started playing bass as a teen in the 80's, and he, John Taylor and Nick Beggs were the guys i tried to emulate. Mick was incredible, and i love that you go on a deep dive , talking about Dali's Car and other projects. great video... I understand his family auctioned off his basses to pay for medical bills, what i would have given to own one...

  • @idolbass
    @idolbass 3 місяці тому +4

    So melodic, funky and percussive. I connected with him on socials a couple years before he passed. Super cool guy. Sadly missed.

  • @jamesbuchanan2444
    @jamesbuchanan2444 3 місяці тому +4

    Honestly, the whole of the Tin Drum album features some of the best bass playing I've ever heard

  • @user-ji4zj5ur3t
    @user-ji4zj5ur3t 18 днів тому

    In my teens I was obsessed with Japan. Mick Karn gave me the passion to learn the bass. The greatest (RIP)

  • @damonoriente736
    @damonoriente736 3 місяці тому +10

    Absolutely one of the most amazing, creative and original bass players of all time. Hugely influential on me, though I never tried to imitate- its way beyond the capability of my brain or fingers. Frankly, I'd pass on Jaco 8 days a week to listen to Mick. I'm now going to do a complete re-listen to all of my Japan albums as well as Mick's other works. Thanks so much for (finally) getting to Mick.

  • @jtfritchie
    @jtfritchie 3 місяці тому +3

    Oh shit! And Dali’s Car too!

  • @gorgoncorpsus1277
    @gorgoncorpsus1277 Місяць тому +1

    I’m so well familiarized with Mick Karn, yet, it never registered with me that for all the years I’ve been listening to Gary Numan, as well as, Japan and Dalis Car, that Mick Karn was the collaborative base player for Gary Numan and now I can recall the obscure baselines!😅He was and still is an idol of mine ❤ as his music lives on! Everything is infinite!❤

  • @jagpanzer16
    @jagpanzer16 3 місяці тому +6

    Thank you for the AWESOME!!!! video about Mick Karn.

  • @kelvynification
    @kelvynification 3 місяці тому +3

    At last!!!! Thank you sooo much. One of the greatest, innovative but most underrated bassists of all time. About time got some recognition. My fave bass parts….everything from Tin Drum:)

  • @Atropositional19
    @Atropositional19 3 місяці тому +4

    Thank you, Paul. Mick's is my favorite by far and I really appreciate your nod to his GOAT-ness!

  • @CharlesRobitaille514
    @CharlesRobitaille514 3 місяці тому +9

    I LOVE MICK KARN'S PLAYING !!!!! Truly a unique voice on the bass, which is probably the hardest thing to achive since everything has been done as they say. Thank you for spotlighting him. 👍

  • @brianpark8758
    @brianpark8758 3 місяці тому +3

    I`ve always loved Mick Karn`s bass playing. The guy was unbelievable & he played a Wal mostly. Whenever I think of his basslines I think of Vision of China.

  • @richbrownbass
    @richbrownbass 3 місяці тому +3

    Dude, we need to hang. SO MANY BASSLINES! (Visions... is definitely at the top for me.)
    Dalis Car - The Judgement Is The Mirror
    Rain Tree Crow - Pocket Full of Change
    Japan - Art of Parties
    You never disappoint, my brother. 🙌🏾🙏🏾

  • @rkshores
    @rkshores 3 місяці тому +3

    I agree with everything you said. This is required listening for my students. This guy was a true virtuoso and way ahead of his time. I actually cried when he passed .

  • @fandelchef3652
    @fandelchef3652 3 місяці тому +6

    Saday Maday is also one of my fav if not my favorite bass line from Mick. I would find myself humming that melody at work last summer a lot, great great song.

  • @careyvinzant
    @careyvinzant 3 місяці тому +4

    I first heard MK on David Torn's tune "Lion of Boaz," and have been a fan ever since.

  • @sammyboykin5624
    @sammyboykin5624 3 місяці тому +6

    That was fantastic! thank you sooooooooo much!

  • @JaredEMitchell
    @JaredEMitchell 3 місяці тому +5

    I knew that name was familiar! Was just listening to Kate Bush's The Sensual World, and he plays what sounds like an odd tapping groove on "Heads We're Dancing". It's fantastic!

  • @lilia_spn
    @lilia_spn 3 місяці тому +2

    I see mick karn in the thumbnail, i click, i am happy. its that easy

  • @RootsBassCanada
    @RootsBassCanada 3 місяці тому +6

    Sick! Heard of Mick Karn before but never really listened to him. Imma check him out now. Thanks!

    • @PjRjHj
      @PjRjHj 3 місяці тому +3

      Japan's "Oil on Canvas" live album, or any of the 3 last Japan studio albums are a good place to start

  • @stevfargan8953
    @stevfargan8953 3 місяці тому +3

    I love Mick Karn's bass on Bill Nelson's Chimera Mini-LP.

  • @johnnyswatts
    @johnnyswatts 3 місяці тому +3

    Dali's Car's Waking Hour is definitely one of my favourites. Thanks for this awesome video.

  • @kisum
    @kisum 3 місяці тому +1

    I am from Hong Kong. I first learnt of him because he played in my guitar hero Paul Wong's song Goodnight Hong Kong, and later on I picked up bass because of him. Saying he inspired me to play bass is absolutely an understatement.

  • @briancassidy6678
    @briancassidy6678 3 місяці тому +2

    Finally. My absolutely favorite bassist.

  • @manfredoliveras3196
    @manfredoliveras3196 3 місяці тому +6

    Excellent article as always. The thing that I really like is the transcriptions. Most of us wish to be at that level. Your ear is incredible.

  • @michaelsneedleman7592
    @michaelsneedleman7592 3 місяці тому +4

    Thanks for highlighting someone who really deserves some love and respect. I was fortunate enough to see Japan live in London on the Tin Drum tour. Astonishing. If I had to pick a Mick Karn album, I'd go for Polytown. Mick Karn, Terry Bozzio and David Torn. That's a fantasy musician league lineup right there. He was an amazing sculptor too. If you ever get the opportunity to see his work out in the world, grab it. One utterly unique artist.

  • @patrickselden5747
    @patrickselden5747 3 місяці тому +4

    Mick Karn was a groovy, inventive and wonderfully melodic player, and I'm glad you've featured him, sir.
    Thank you very much... ☝️😎

  • @jeffwolinski2659
    @jeffwolinski2659 3 місяці тому +3

    Yes!!! So damn original. RIP.

  • @HammoMatMusic
    @HammoMatMusic 3 місяці тому +3

    Mick Karn is unlike any other bass player in history. He essentially created a unique genre of playing. Combining a multitude of techniques, and styles, and instrumental roles into one seamless, masterful, engaging experience. One of the top five bassists of all time, of which far too few people are aware. Thanks for this video.

  • @eljapel
    @eljapel 3 місяці тому +3

    Trust me, from his solo album, it's amazing

  • @SO-ym3zs
    @SO-ym3zs 3 місяці тому +1

    Thanks so much for giving Mick Karn the respect and attention he's due. The man should be discussed and studied way more than he is.

  • @ultramet
    @ultramet 3 місяці тому +13

    The video that those of us who are enamored with the fretless bass were waiting form. Boom. Love your videos and your analysis. Also, the musical diversity of the artistic styles feature is phenomenal.