Greatest Bass Line Ever? Ep5 'Peg' Steely Dan
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- Опубліковано 13 лип 2022
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In today's new video Ian Allison shows you how to recreate the awesome bassline from Steely Dan's 1977 hit, Peg.
A generous layer of slap bass permeates throughout each chorus, thanks to studio bass legend Chuck Rainey. Despite being told not to slap, Chuck somehow found a way to sneak it in without anyone noticing! The result is some of the grooviest and funkiest rhythms in the entire Steely Dan catalogue.
Check it out in today's FULL lesson.
Want to check out our exclusive interview with Chuck Rainey? Our first ever Bass Space online summit kicks off TOMORROW! And Chuck is one of the many special guests taking part. Claim your free registration and get ready for THE biggest bass celebration of the year: bit.ly/3umF5wj
As always, see you in the shed…
Scott :)
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Chuck Rainey is a bass legend and great guy. Started on his bass books. He's been on a lot of famous recordings that many don't know he's the bass player on.
Yup. Every time my dad calls me to ask who’s playing a bassline he loves on some old record he grew up with, it’s almost always either James Jamerson or Chuck Rainey. If it‘s neither of them, it’s Anthony Jackson. But it’s always one of those three.
It's my favorite bass line of all-time. I never get tired of hearing it.
I suspect Chuck was thinking the whole time 'I better give em something good, or Fagen and Becker will never let me go home'
I’ve always said, it’s impossible to listen to Peg and be in a bad mood. Such a ‘feel good’ tune. 👍 ❤️
Correct statement of the day!
This is how I feel about Steely Dan in general
Ironic given the content of the lyrics!
'One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain'. Bob Marley - Trenchtown Rock
So true! I think it goes for the whole album, and TODAY I had a real bad day but I already feel much better hearing this great lesson! Ain't it amazing how Steely Dan had this uplifting, positive, feelgood music but such dark and cynical lyrics, pure genius!
Rainey is so humble he would challenge the moment as just doing his job. That's the beauty of being a Genuine Master.
Rainey's line on "Kid Charlemagne" is also fantastic, and combines fingerstyle with slapping too!
Really?
I don't hear any slap parts on Kid Charlemagne. Can you point out the timing where it happens?
@@joelemerou3487 Around 0:38, after "did you realize that you were a champion in their eyes".
@@marcpuyuelograndas1005 you're absolutely right! I thought he was just plucking the strings more agressively but it's definitely slap. Thanks!
Check out the YT clip of KC bass and drums only
not only an iconic bass part, but that guitar solo has to be one of Steely Dans best!
🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
Absolutely
In the Classic Albums documentary, Becker and Fagen talk about the guitar solo that Jay Graydon eventually nailed for all time:
Fagen: This tune I think is infamous among studio players in that we hired a couple of guitar players to play the guitar solo. It wasn't quite what we were looking for 'til we got through three or four, five -
Becker: six or seven
Fagen: - players. Six or seven, eight players.
Even if they're exaggerating for comic effect, we're unlikely to ever again see such a team effort from so many top professionals lavished on one song.
Then the documentary goes into Michael McDonald's otherworldly three-part "Aaa-ahh - Shutter falls - All in three-D - Foreign movie - PEG!" harmonies. This SBL video is a great addition to the lore of "Peg."
Peg is basically a I, IV, V, 12 bar song with a few fills. But what playing! That's what a lot of ordinary players miss when discussing bassists, it's not just their technical ability (I can play Peg), but the fact that these session guys create the basslines in the first place. If somebody said it's a 12 bar in G, who would come up with THIS bassline? That's why these players get hired, not because they can play 50 notes a second!
Steely Dan - Glamour Profession, bass by Anthony Jackson, sublime floating bassline with stops and space
Great point! I can often get caught up in simply how cool and fun a bass line sounds that I overlook how simple the chord progression is that it’s playing over. The creativity of the player can be deceptive in making a simple song sound more complicated than it is. Always inspiring me to think outside the box more and come up with less predictable lines when playing. And these session players often have little to no knowledge of the song before going into the studio so they’re coming up with these bass lines pretty much on the spot! What may take a majority of players (myself, at least) a lot more time to come up with is what these guys just naturally hear from the start. Amazing!
“A 13-bar blues”, as Donald once described it.
@@Leonmpj In the Aja LP sleevenotes the song was described as ""a pantonal 13 bar blues with chorus"".
I have always Loved Chuck Rainey"s bass playing. He and Bernard Purdy were a team.
Once again Ian, you've managed to get a whole bunch of us closet players jacked-up to learn ourselves another great tune! Thanks to Chuck Rainey for making us all feel good, every time Peg is played!
-Jeff.
Cheers Jeff!
Graham Maby's basslines on early Joe Jackson records would be a perfect episode for this series.
Especially his bassline in "Sunday Papers".
absolutely agree with you; Graham maby is one of the great underrated. His work is so versatile with Joe Jackson.
He deserves our attention.
Also agree. There’s some great playing on Look Sharp
His playing on “different for girls” is my favorite work of his
Wow, yes! Joe Jackson's first two albums, "Look Sharp", and "I'm The Man" feature Graham Maby's bass SO far forward in the mix that they are often the identity of the songs. Love them all. I learned so much early on from those two albums.
I was surprised to see the name Graham Maby, because I immediately think of him as the They Might Be Giants bassist in the 90s.
Verdine White EWF- Serpentine fire, Fantasy
Dude sank right into that groove. Peg is great as a whole, but the bassline is unbelievably catchy. Great playing and some nice insights to the instrumentation.
Thanks for checking the vid dude! 👊🏻🔥
You have the 'legend' who plays the music and then you have the legend who REVIEWS the music. Amazing Mr. A! ❤
I'm normally a hard rock and metal kinda guy but there is just something about Steely Dan that speaks to me. Aja is just such a classic album too. Their music is timeless.
Steele Dan had incredible musicians on their records.
Its amazing how well great songs hold up after 40 plus years. I never get tired of this
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Totally awesome! As a drummer, it’s also important to note that Rick Moratta’s drum part on this tune is also classic. All kinds of juicy little subtleties in there. Rick also mentioned once in an interview about this tune that he and Chuck had played similar grooves to the one on “Peg” many times before, which is part of reason the two of them are so tight on this tune.
I love playing this tune. The ghost notes in the verse line give it so much rhythm!
Such a groove 🔥
I’m not a bassist (I kinda play keys and guitar) but the way you explain these lines, the relationships between the notes, and even your excitement really help me learn about these great songs.
Chuck Rainey is a frickin genius! I'm blown away by these lines and do well just to mimic his effort. He has always been my all time favorite Bassist and this tune is my favorite SD tune... This man is so gifted...
For sure dude! We 🧡🧡🧡 Chuck, beast!
Just saw Steely at Jones Beach a few weeks ago and…. My goodness are they tight. One of the greatest live performances I’ve ever seen. God bless Chucky boy!!
SD without Walter isn't really SD.
I was fortunate enough to meet Chuck and to have a one on one lunch with him. He’s a very intelligent man. We talked about everything but bass. Chuck is a great bassist, and he’s also a very humble and wise man. I will be forever grateful for that time I got spend with him.
Chuck is a friend of mine. He is the most humble of people. Only you can toot his horn
Best bassline for sure, but also that guitar solo, and that synth hook, and those freaking vocal harmonies... this is the best song ever... not from an emotional intuotive standpoint, but from a 'does every single element of this song fucking crush' standpoint... no other song is close.
Heard this in a cafe last week and was so happy.
About 10 yrs ago Chuck had some health problems and his wife organised a way for fans contribute, I was happy to help financially. AJA was a big influence on me.
“Every time you go away” and “wherever I lay my hat”…by Paul Young…Pino Palladino’s fretless bass lines are amazing! You should definitely breakdown those!
The passion for music from you is inspiring!
Ian you are a bass god. Any song you feature is always always a “greatest bass line”. I wish I had your talent for the instrument.
Thank you for covering the great Chuck Rainey!
One of my favourite Steely Dan bass lines of which there are many.
always have loved Chuck's basslines but especially his Steely Dan stuff.
Chuck Rainey on all his recordings with Steely Dan are amazing.
What really helps this bass line along is Rick Marotta's syncopations particularly with his kick drum.
I've been trying to play this song correctly since it came out but only got so far. Because I didn't have to play it for a gig I pretty much gave up while bowing to the master. Thanks Ian for rekindling my desire and breaking it down, I bet many of us agree this is one of the best all-time bass lines too.
David Hungate‘s bass line on Toto’s “99” is funky and his solo at the end is really cool too. That’d be a good one to break down.
Agreed
Yes, please.
Hella yeah, I was just listening to it yesterday.
Norman Watt Roy’s bass on Ian Dury and the Blockheads ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’. Is phenomenal. Practically the whole song is Bass.
"Kid Charlemagne" off of The Royal Scam has always been one of my favorite bass lines. Chuck is THE MAN!
I hear you ... James Jamerson !
Yeah, Peg doesn't hold a candle to it.
Dude!! the way you play the turn around line!! Yes!!
How truly brilliant Chuck rainey is
He's a legend!! His interview was a real Bass Space highlight!
decided to learn this song on a rainy day where i'm not feeling too great. the groove and your smile helped turn things around, thank you
Chuck is the man!!
You are such a better player and teacher than Scott. You really are gifted. It comes so naturally for you.
Absolutely agree. Peg is probably the greatest Bass Line Ever
Learned to play this bass part (sans any thumb slapping, but with some "mini-pulls" on the G string....😉) off the record when it was a hit back in '77. We were a top-40 horn band playing the Boston area.....I was the trombone player, but played bass on the tunes with more difficult lines (lead vocalist played bass on the less demanding tunes). It was challenging and really rewarding to learn and perform that part - thank you Chuck Rainey!!!
A classic bass part for sure! Thanks for sharing dude 👊🏻
Youre enthusiasm is infectious. Love it.
🧡🧡🧡
My favorite bass line music history
I love seeing these guys get so nerdy about music, especially the bass parts!
Chuck Rainey is rediculous. One of my favorite bass players on the planet.
Thanks for this break down, Ian.
Since we're talking about Mr. Rainey already, you need to do The Streetbeater by Quincy Jones. You. Must. 😁
Peg... not only one of the greatest basslines ever, but I would suggest onoe of the greatist musical masterpieces in the modern era!
I like how he snuck in the slap. But more surprised that they took that take after telling him they didn’t want slap.
If you think about it, it's a 12 bar blues! I once talked with Chuck at the NAMM Convention, and he said that he was grateful to be a part of such an iconic album!
Bloody hell that bass you're playing is a thing of absolute beauty 🤘
My first Jazz bass was a '69 just like that. I also met Anthony Jackson long ago with a prototype 6 string by Carl Thompson.
Ian is the best bass teacher online, hands down :)
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Chuck's bass on Laura Nyro's 'Beads of Sweat' (1970) is nuts. With Duanne Allman, Cornel Dupree and the Swampers. Chuck played on Nyro's revolutionary 1968 album 'Eli and the Thirteenth Confession', a significant influence on scores of major artists including Steely Dan. Hugh McCracken also plays on Nyro's album as do a host of jazz greats including Zoot Sims.
Respect for technique and observation.
Scott, you failed to mention Walter Becker working the bridge break out beforehand with Chuck. The real genius is that both of these bass specialists combined to “map out” the track long before it was recorded.
Legend has it that the mighty Chuck turned his back to Fagen and Becker while slapping, so that they wouldn't clearly see what he was doing 😀
He hoped that since the groove was still strong, they wouldn't mind... and in fact the slap part remained in the final cut.
Best teacher on UA-cam
Oh MAN!!! I stumbled on to your dissection of Chuck Raineys bass line to Peg!!!
That IS the coolest baseline EVER. I’ve thought that from the day I first played Ajia on my Dual 1225 turntable. Yep, I’m that old…. Been playing bass for 57 years.
There’s no ego with Rainey. He’s a very awesome person.
I just discovered Blu DeTiger the other day. Ian, dude, she has KILLER groove. And there's this solo I saw on IG and she's literally shredding, unbelievably unbelievable
your enthusiasm is contagious!
I learned this song many years ago and loved it back then and now. Got out my bass to play it again and fell I’m love with it again. No matter who hears you play it they know it’s the beginning of this song. IT’S ICONIC!!
Your enthusiasm for this classic bassline is infectious!!! Love the analysys, the tabs and the theory explanation!!!
I hadn’t even heard of this tune
Thanks
It's a beaut!
Chuck "If you don't have a bass line, I got one for ya" Rainey!
Can you please do a video on Tiran Porter of the Doobie Brothers fame. He is by far one of the most underrated bass players of all time. Their cover of Take me in your arms may the best covered song off all time. Tiran playing on that song is amazing. Love this series.
Absolutely!!
Pullleezzze!!!!!
Cissy Strut - The Meters!! I know Scott already did a video with George Porter Jr., but that line is iconic
I've always loved Steely Dan bass lines, and Peg is my favorite. A couple of other contenders for 'Greatest Bass Line Ever' come to mind, Vernon White's Bass on 'That's the way of the world', and the Bass line from 'Ain't understanding mello', a Jerry Butler tune.
Great picks I always love Verdine White playing on fantasy or the live version of Reasons. But that Understanding Mellow baseline is killer!!!
I've seen the SD video on Behind the music, but I actually purchased the DVD 15 years ago from a music store that was going out of business. What an eclectic bunch of players! Definitely an occasion where the product is greater than the sum of its parts. Great job breaking it all down. Thanks
I played for a band that covered this song at my request and it never got old it became part of our set for like 2 years. Love this song!
Ian is the bass teacher I always needed but never had!
🧡🧡🧡
I want to throw something into the mix for the next episode that flies under a lot of peoples radar (I think!) and I am talking about the bass line to Avril Lavigne‘s „Complicated“.
In this bass line the bass changes its function throughout the song and you get accent work, route notes and chords all in one song. Also it is super fun to play. ❤
It's funny. A month or so ago, I was listening to a Podcast about Steely Dan, and Peg was played, and I really noticed the bass for the first time; was blown away and thought, "does anyone realize how killer this bass is!". Thank you!
I couldn't agree more!! So freaking good!
Ian, I love the sound you get from your jazz basses!
Ian. Best teacher ever! thanks!
Chuck Rainey on "The Streetbeater", the theme from Sanford & Son.
Ian's enthusiasm is so infectious that he makes a song I hate almost tolerable. Well done Sir. You are the reason I signed up for Bass Space 2022
How on earth can a musician hate this song
Great Bass Line - popular song, but had never really listened to this bass line until today. Just Awesome!! I had to learn the Sanford and Son theme, bass line for a mock tonight show. Found out Chuck was bassist on Quincy Jones album "You got it bad girl" - name of song is "The Streetbeater" - Chuck is one of the more complex bassist to cover, and capture that timing and feel.
I agree! I prefer the melodic bassists, like Colin Moulding and Paul McCartney. But NO ONE plays like Chuck Rainey. He’s amazing.
Neil Stubenhaus - It’s Gonna Rain
It’s got the ultimate pocket, outlining chords, playing with horns, killer!
On Steely Dan records you can clearly hear that Fagen/Becker always pulled the best out their co-musicians!!! Every song is a masterpiece with it´s very own character! As a young guy, when this so songs were realesed!, I listen to them with my chin dropping to my knees! These songs made me really understand playing the bass! Thank´s, Ian! Great choice!
Yes! And that Lead solo is so liquid and alive!
Feel so good Chuck Mangione.
You can break down Steely Dan in such a digestible and inspiring way, Ian. Only content creator I’ve seen who can do that. Just an exciting vibe all through with some cool insider knowledge. Brilliant. You got this punk rocker understanding and playing jazz fusion rock. You’re an incredible teacher, dude.
i literally just listened to this in my car. i always pay attention to michael McDonald. thank you for giving me something else to focus on. you know what song is underrated on that record is? I got the news. the bass on that track is hella cool.
Love your cap. I'm just back from Tacoma, WA.
Great video, Ian! Mr.Rainey is an absolute master, and Steely Dan as as good as it gets!
Your playing is incredible .....
Cheers!
I’ve been working on this song for quite a while. Good lord It’s tricky. Thank you for covering it!
Great song with alot of stuff going on with it . Rock , slap pop and tricky timing. Not an easy tune to cover . Great explanation and break down.
A joyous song and incredibly distinctive upon its release. Nothing else was like it. So timeless.
Black cow has gotta have the greatest/ catchiest bass line of all SD songs. Thanks for a Great video one of my favorite bands of all time.
Such a gorgeous song
Love the grooves of Steely Dan.. but hey, how about the Bass lines on 'Hit me with you`re rhythm stick" Ian Dury.?
Awesomeness! Incredible tone too!
Thank you bringing this track back to the forefront of me wanting to give it a go again on bass! Nailed it this time, thanks to your breakdown of Chuck's incredible playing! I had the great pleasure of meeting & briefly hanging out with Chuck twice. The 1st time was in NYC at one of the first Bass Day Live clinics before they moved it to LA. It was hosted at The New School, and I just arrived near the end of the day when vendors were already packing up. I was checking out a gorgeous J-style 35" scale bass from New York Bass Works, and all of a sudden I see Chuck heading my way. I was like, "Nah..He's got to be heading somewhere else." Nope! He stopped right next to me and was checking out my playing! I got real nervous at first, even though I'm a touring pro myself. The sales guy from NYBW took the bass back from me since they needed to pack up, and Chuck said to me, "You sound really good!" I nearly fainted!! Lol! We chatted a bit, and I got his autograph. A few years later, I was on tour with Blues artist Debbie Davies (former guitarist with Albert Collins. I toured with her for about 9 years.) We were in Texas near Chuck's hometown, and at the end of our show, one of the servers at the club we were performing told me to run across the street to check out Chuck Rainey's Top 40 band that he plays local gigs with when he's not touring/recording. I dropped everything & ran over! He remembered me, and we chatted for a bit. He's such nice, humble guy! And a master bass player!! I've also hung with his partner-in-crime several times over the years, Bernard Purdie. Another great guy, and phenomenal drummer!! He once came out with an entourage of his friends to see a band I was in perform at a club in NJ. My drummer at the time took some master class lessons with him. Both Chuck & Bernard are great people!