Comments on: The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again": just the bass http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 21 May 2013 12:47:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Evan Rose http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1528220 Evan Rose Sun, 09 Sep 2012 14:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1528220 Unless they're Roger Waters.   Unless they’re Roger Waters.  

]]> By: extremus2 http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1525175 extremus2 Wed, 05 Sep 2012 14:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1525175 Pete was usually the one keeping the beat with his rhythm playing, while John would do these icredible bass lines and Keith, well, Keith was filling in all the holes with the most insanely wonderful drumming we'll ever hear. Put Daltrey in front of all that music with some of the most erudite lyrics in RnR and you have the best band ever. Pete was usually the one keeping the beat with his rhythm playing, while John would do these icredible bass lines and Keith, well, Keith was filling in all the holes with the most insanely wonderful drumming we’ll ever hear. Put Daltrey in front of all that music with some of the most erudite lyrics in RnR and you have the best band ever.

]]> By: Michael Crumpton http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1525171 Michael Crumpton Wed, 05 Sep 2012 13:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1525171 Surprisingly funky (in the sense of being full of funk). At first I thought this was some sort of demonstration by John, but then this guy with a blond afro (Roger Daltrey?) kept popping into the frame, so I guess it was some performance. Surprisingly funky (in the sense of being full of funk). At first I thought this was some sort of demonstration by John, but then this guy with a blond afro (Roger Daltrey?) kept popping into the frame, so I guess it was some performance.

]]> By: Uncle Geo http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1525150 Uncle Geo Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1525150 Maybe, but you can hear the vocals bleeding through on the Baba O'Riley take from the same session. On Fooled there seems to be a gate in play as you only hear background when he's playing. Maybe, but you can hear the vocals bleeding through on the Baba O’Riley take from the same session. On Fooled there seems to be a gate in play as you only hear background when he’s playing.

]]> By: huskerdont http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1525144 huskerdont Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1525144 I knew there was a reason I have two Entwistle solo albums but somehow never got around to having any albums by the Who. Gotta go dig those old pieces of vinyl up and transfer them over. I knew there was a reason I have two Entwistle solo albums but somehow never got around to having any albums by the Who. Gotta go dig those old pieces of vinyl up and transfer them over.

]]> By: a lobster's johnson http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1525134 a lobster's johnson Wed, 05 Sep 2012 11:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1525134 I think you are correct, he fiddles with his volume knob and they go away, and when he has to play he fiddles again and the ghost sound comes back. I think you are correct, he fiddles with his volume knob and they go away, and when he has to play he fiddles again and the ghost sound comes back.

]]> By: wibbled_pig http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1525111 wibbled_pig Wed, 05 Sep 2012 08:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1525111 I like that you can hear a little of the organ at the beginning.. sympathetic vibrations, caught through the bass pickup? I like that you can hear a little of the organ at the beginning.. sympathetic vibrations, caught through the bass pickup?

]]> By: KaleoK http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1525102 KaleoK Wed, 05 Sep 2012 07:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1525102 Boring? Ha! Fudge is a f'g wanker but then BooHoo are a bunch of overrated tossers. Boring? Ha!

Fudge is a f’g wanker but then BooHoo are a bunch of overrated tossers.

]]> By: wilberfan http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1525046 wilberfan Wed, 05 Sep 2012 04:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1525046 I just watched "An Ox's Tale: The John Entwistle Story" two days ago.  Highly recommended:  http://youtu.be/-YN6JzFLhI4 I just watched “An Ox’s Tale: The John Entwistle Story” two days ago.  Highly recommended:  http://youtu.be/-YN6JzFLhI4

]]> By: chris jimson http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1525037 chris jimson Wed, 05 Sep 2012 03:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1525037 A college graduate joins the Peace Corps, goes off to Africa to teach in a tiny village deep in the jungle.  The entire time he's there he hears drums off in the distance.  Eventually he asks some villagers about the drums, but they always reply with the same thing: "drums stop. . . very bad!"  Finally he interjects "OK, I get it, when the drums stop it's bad, but WHY, what happens?!" The villager replies "drums stop. . . BASS SOLO!" A college graduate joins the Peace Corps, goes off to Africa to teach in a tiny village deep in the jungle.  The entire time he’s there he hears drums off in the distance.  Eventually he asks some villagers about the drums, but they always reply with the same thing: “drums stop. . . very bad!”  Finally he interjects “OK, I get it, when the drums stop it’s bad, but WHY, what happens?!”

The villager replies “drums stop. . . BASS SOLO!”

]]> By: hug h http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1525029 hug h Wed, 05 Sep 2012 03:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1525029 Thanks I really enjoyed this. I am a huge fan of  The Who (and music in general). What struck me while watching was pondering how long it would have taken me to figure out the song  being played had I not know ahead of time. I love "Won't Get Fooled Again"and have listened to it hundreds of times. Yet hearing Entwistle play separately, I found it difficult  to discern. Would a trained musician familiar with the song not find that to be the case? Thanks I really enjoyed this. I am a huge fan of  The Who (and music in general). What struck me while watching was pondering how long it would have taken me to figure out the song  being played had I not know ahead of time. I love “Won’t Get Fooled Again”and have listened to it hundreds of times. Yet hearing Entwistle play separately, I found it difficult  to discern. Would a trained musician familiar with the song not find that to be the case?

]]> By: Gerald Mander http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1525007 Gerald Mander Wed, 05 Sep 2012 02:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1525007  I think it was Townsend who said that; I seem to recall it from a documentary. Ironically, Townsend is a lousy lead guitar player (his solos are mostly pretty uninspired). But he's one of the best rhythm guitarists <i>ever</i>, and he made rhythm guitar a lead instrument. Someone once said he's basically "one big right hand." Structurally, The Who are essentially a power trio. It should all sound too crowded and busy, and in lesser hands they would have been a white-noise mess. But they were all superb musicians, and it Just Worked. In their heyday I think maybe only Zeppelin could give them a run for their money.  I think it was Townsend who said that; I seem to recall it from a documentary. Ironically, Townsend is a lousy lead guitar player (his solos are mostly pretty uninspired). But he’s one of the best rhythm guitarists ever, and he made rhythm guitar a lead instrument. Someone once said he’s basically “one big right hand.”

Structurally, The Who are essentially a power trio. It should all sound too crowded and busy, and in lesser hands they would have been a white-noise mess. But they were all superb musicians, and it Just Worked. In their heyday I think maybe only Zeppelin could give them a run for their money.

]]> By: Gerald Mander http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1525001 Gerald Mander Wed, 05 Sep 2012 02:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1525001 Stu Hamm is probably the best example of "bass as lead" I've ever heard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnq3ZW6OyTI (the first minute  is basically prelude). He was Joe Satriani's bass player for a good while. I've seen him live a few times and he tears the roof off. He does clam sometimes -- but he's also playing double-hand tap 32nd notes. On bass. Stu Hamm is probably the best example of “bass as lead” I’ve ever heard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnq3ZW6OyTI (the first minute  is basically prelude). He was Joe Satriani’s bass player for a good while. I’ve seen him live a few times and he tears the roof off. He does clam sometimes — but he’s also playing double-hand tap 32nd notes. On bass.

]]> By: Rumay http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1524977 Rumay Wed, 05 Sep 2012 02:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1524977 Whenever I think about bass guitar being the least needed instrument in a band, I think of Entwistle, then I curse myself and stop talking with me for 2-3 days until I apologise...from myself. Whenever I think about bass guitar being the least needed instrument in a band, I think of Entwistle, then I curse myself and stop talking with me for 2-3 days until I apologise…from myself.

]]> By: R A http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1524914 R A Wed, 05 Sep 2012 00:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1524914 You obviously never listened to Krist Novoselic's awesome and melodic bass playing. You obviously never listened to Krist Novoselic’s awesome and melodic bass playing.

]]> By: Chad Smith http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1524821 Chad Smith Tue, 04 Sep 2012 23:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1524821 +1 on the Mike Watt reference. Despite what people may think of Les Claypool from Primus lead bass in rock was invented by the Ox, and carried on by Watt. And the track is isolated...except for the synth coming through Entwistle's super hot pickups :) +1 on the Mike Watt reference. Despite what people may think of Les Claypool from Primus lead bass in rock was invented by the Ox, and carried on by Watt.

And the track is isolated…except for the synth coming through Entwistle’s super hot pickups :)

]]> By: LinkMan http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1524796 LinkMan Tue, 04 Sep 2012 22:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1524796 Here's the full mix (not sure if it's the same take, but appears to be the same session).  You can barely hear the bass! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp6-wG5LLqE Here’s the full mix (not sure if it’s the same take, but appears to be the same session).  You can barely hear the bass!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp6-wG5LLqE

]]> By: Paul Balbas http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1524780 Paul Balbas Tue, 04 Sep 2012 22:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1524780  I agree about Rush and Geddy.  Watch the Led Zep Movie the song remains the same and how smooth and easy John Paul Jones plays that amazing riff on Dazed and confused when they really get going.   I agree about Rush and Geddy.  Watch the Led Zep Movie the song remains the same and how smooth and easy John Paul Jones plays that amazing riff on Dazed and confused when they really get going. 

]]> By: Paul Balbas http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1524781 Paul Balbas Tue, 04 Sep 2012 22:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1524781  i think you may be right  i think you may be right

]]> By: Kelly M http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1524734 Kelly M Tue, 04 Sep 2012 21:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1524734 Baba O'Riley isolated bass. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lf10U0yZrs  Baba O’Riley isolated bass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lf10U0yZrs 

]]> By: garyg2 http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1524735 garyg2 Tue, 04 Sep 2012 21:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1524735 Someone (forget who) said grunge killed the bass in rock music; too many bands content to just have someone plodding along on the roots. Rock needs more entwistles, people whose bass parts are essential to the song, not just a means of filling out the low end. Mike Watt playing with the Stooges was helluva start. Someone (forget who) said grunge killed the bass in rock music; too many bands content to just have someone plodding along on the roots. Rock needs more entwistles, people whose bass parts are essential to the song, not just a means of filling out the low end.

Mike Watt playing with the Stooges was helluva start.

]]> By: Donald Petersen http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1524727 Donald Petersen Tue, 04 Sep 2012 21:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1524727 It becomes particularly apparent in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pohhMx9EdNc" rel="nofollow">The Real Me</a>, which features a bare-bones rhythm guitar part, and completely over-the-top badass lead drums, bass, and vocals.  It's almost as if Townsend couldn't be bothered to gild that particular lily with a conventional guitar solo.  There wouldn't have been room for so much awesomeness on one stage. It becomes particularly apparent in The Real Me, which features a bare-bones rhythm guitar part, and completely over-the-top badass lead drums, bass, and vocals.  It’s almost as if Townsend couldn’t be bothered to gild that particular lily with a conventional guitar solo.  There wouldn’t have been room for so much awesomeness on one stage.

]]> By: Donald Petersen http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1524718 Donald Petersen Tue, 04 Sep 2012 21:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1524718 That's what amazed me the first time I saw this (it's a bonus feature on the <i>The Kids Are Alright</i> DVD): the fact that he's rocking so goddamned hard while stifling yawns and apparently totally phoning it in.  The guy was just a monstrous talent, and made it look absolutely effortless. That’s what amazed me the first time I saw this (it’s a bonus feature on the The Kids Are Alright DVD): the fact that he’s rocking so goddamned hard while stifling yawns and apparently totally phoning it in.  The guy was just a monstrous talent, and made it look absolutely effortless.

]]> By: crummett http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1524707 crummett Tue, 04 Sep 2012 21:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1524707 I heard somewhere that The Who is unique in that _everyone_ is playing lead- Pete Townsend, lead guitar; John Entwistle, lead bass; Keith Moon, lead drums;  Roger Daltrey, lead vocals. I heard somewhere that The Who is unique in that _everyone_ is playing lead- Pete Townsend, lead guitar; John Entwistle, lead bass; Keith Moon, lead drums;  Roger Daltrey, lead vocals.

]]> By: Incipient Madness http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1524699 Incipient Madness Tue, 04 Sep 2012 21:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1524699 True they get better with age. Saw Rush a few months ago. Geddy's getting a little weak in the voice, but the bass parts were sometimes completely insane. True they get better with age. Saw Rush a few months ago. Geddy’s getting a little weak in the voice, but the bass parts were sometimes completely insane.

]]> By: Frank Diekman http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1524674 Frank Diekman Tue, 04 Sep 2012 20:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1524674 "Looks like Entwistle ..." puts on sunglasses "...just got played." YEEEAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! “Looks like Entwistle …” puts on sunglasses “…just got played.”

YEEEAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

]]> By: nixiebunny http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1524667 nixiebunny Tue, 04 Sep 2012 20:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1524667 What an amazing performance!  If you listen closely, he hits what sounds like a wrong string at 1:27 and smiles at 1:29 to acknowledge it. Or am I missing something? What an amazing performance! 

If you listen closely, he hits what sounds like a wrong string at 1:27 and smiles at 1:29 to acknowledge it. Or am I missing something?

]]> By: Tony Fradkin http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1524660 Tony Fradkin Tue, 04 Sep 2012 20:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1524660 The OX was the best lead guitarist in R&R ;-)! Spent many shows in front of him...sometimes he would hit notes so loud that they made my throat throb in sympathetic rhythm and I couldn't breath! The sun never sets on English quartets! Love Pete too! The OX was the best lead guitarist in R&R ;-)! Spent many shows in front of him…sometimes he would hit notes so loud that they made my throat throb in sympathetic rhythm and I couldn’t breath! The sun never sets on English quartets! Love Pete too!

]]> By: luke mathews http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1524636 luke mathews Tue, 04 Sep 2012 20:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1524636 http://youtubedoubler.com/?video1=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D6W5DSfHyUA4&start1=117&video2=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DhhmiZyzLkqk&start2=13&authorName=hUGHjASS http://youtubedoubler.com/?video1=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D6W5DSfHyUA4&start1=117&video2=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DhhmiZyzLkqk&start2=13&authorName=hUGHjASS

]]> By: Reg Robson http://boingboing.net/2012/09/04/the-whos-wont-get-fooled.html#comment-1524633 Reg Robson Tue, 04 Sep 2012 20:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=179359#comment-1524633 I love the standing around in the beginning. I wasn't intimately familiar with the bass part before this, so I was expecting a joke. I am pleasantly surprised. I love the standing around in the beginning. I wasn’t intimately familiar with the bass part before this, so I was expecting a joke. I am pleasantly surprised.

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