The Baddest UPRIGHT Bass Break Ever

#bass #basshistory #jazz #bossanova #analysis #transcription #paulthompson
Let's check out a little-known Astrud Gilberto Verve recording from 1969 and the genius of bassist Richard Davis. It's a double bass break like you've never heard before! I'll break down why it's so special and how it contains those magical trademarks from Mr. Davis' unique and amazing style.
Full song: • Without Him
Website: www.paulthompso...
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Twitter @pdbass1974

[@durhamskywriter]

WOW! Thanks for dedicating a whole video to this! When I discovered your channel and I watched (and throughly enjoyed) a bunch of your videos, I knew I had to share this Richard Davis gem with you. When I bought the “I Haven’t Got Anything Better to Do” album by Astrud Gilberto, I was a young teen. I almost fell over *dead* when I first heard that magical moment-thanks for explaining the theory behind what was going on, by the way. I always had to move the needle back and listen to that phrase over and over … and even now I can’t let it go by without replaying it at least a few times. - pat

[@ethantastic]

woo Durham!!

[@caurnelmorgan4934]

I know her magical voice from A. C. Jobim songs. I hope I can find her music.

[@durhamskywriter]

@@caurnelmorgan4934 ​ My two favorite Astrud Gilberto albums are “Beach Samba” (1967) and “Gilberto with Turrentine” (1971). Whoever thought of putting her waiflike voice together with the swagger of Stanley Turrentine’s tenor sax was brilliant. I'm pretty sure these albums should be easy to find.

[@durhamskywriter]

@@ethantastic WOO indeed! LOL

[@caurnelmorgan4934]

@@durhamskywriter Thanks much. I’ll look for them soon.

[@jhersk]

Astrud Gilberto and Richard Davis both left the material plane in 2023, leaving only their magic behind. ❤

[@lxxwj]

richard davis' playing on dolphy's out to lunch is still some of the coolest upright playing ive ever heard

[@caurnelmorgan4934]

Unmatched bass clarinet solos, and Davis, Tony Williams, Freddy Hubbard, and Bobby Hutcherson. One of my favorite’s avant-garde Jazz projects.

[@debtycoon2636]

Badass

[@reggaefan2700]

What about John McVie's bass break in the The Chain? Sounds kinda similar to me.

[@nylesfrench3568]

Richard Davis was Described perfectly. I loved his work with Eric Dolphy on Out to Lunch. Surprised the Hip Hop community hadn't used it. If the haven't. Saw him play several times in my hometown. NYC at the Vanguard. AMAZING

[@jazzbrew68]

Nyles - that was my first thought as well. It is incredible and almost begging to be sampled. I just listened to the entire tune - incredible stuff.

[@jazzpunk]

Check out the OUT TO LUNCH "companion" album...POINT OF DEPATURE - Andrew Hill. Richard Davis, Tony Williams, Kenny Dorham, Joe Henderson, Eric Dolphy, and Andrew Hill. I recommend this album for Jazz noobs. Maybe considered Avant-Garde in its day...pretty accessible today. IMO. :-0

[@reggaefan2700]

What about John McVie's bass break in the The Chain? Sounds kinda similar to me.

[@topdown4705]

I'd be really surprised if someone hasn't sampled it yet

[@nylesfrench3568]

Saw Richard Davis ppay several times as a leader and sideman in my hometown NYC. Every time my mind was Blown by hus excellence and versatility.

[@James-StJames]

Davis' work on "Astral Weeks" by Van is undoubtably one of the most important elements to that records unique place in Music History. Not even Van made another album like it. What a legendary player Richard is.

[@jazzpunk]

Anecdote...20 years ago(?!?), I was playing Richard Davis EPISTROPHY & NOW'S THE TIME at work, in my cube. I left the office for a bit, the music played on. My co-workers asked me to give them a break with my Free Jazz habit. So I gave them a mega-dose of "Peaceful Easy Feeling" for about a week. We're friends...so it was all in good fun.

[@RobberZhi]

I wish I had friends as cool as Patricia Murray

[@fordummieslikeme7575]

RIP Richard what an amazing teacher player human etc..❤

[@peterknaust7424]

What a nice discovery, thanks Paul! I love Brazilian music, please check our Flora Purim “Stories To Tell” from 1974. Miroslav Vitous bass on the title track is killer!

[@JoshuaTanzer]

I looked up Richard Davis while watching this and of his many, truly eclectic credits, one that happened to jump out at me - he played the bass on Janis Ian's "At Seventeen." I'm listening to it now. Incredible.

[@insidejazzguitar8112]

Always learn something new and with a big smile on my face. What more could anybody ask for?

[@reggaefan2700]

What about John McVie's bass break in the The Chain? Sounds kinda similar to me.

[@xanderx8661]

Thanks so much for this great breakdown Unfortunately we lost both of them this year 😢 Their art lives forever

[@ricardocorbie6803]

Thanks one of my favorite artists!! I would love to see you do a feature on my favorite group from South America “Azimuth” Please,, real soon 🔜 Yessssss! God bless 💜💜

[@josephbatitto7995]

I studied with Richard Davis in the 70s in NYC - he played my old beatup kay bass and made it sound incredible

[@andrewraciti]

I studied with him for 5 years in the 90’s. He is as dedicated a teacher as he is an amazing musician.

[@theoforde-stiegler]

What a fabulous fabulous treat having you share this!

[@BassPlayerNcl]

This is my favourite KZbin channel; it's educational and fun to learn about these incredible musicians and their legacy. I also love the excerpts of playing and onscreen transcriptions. Thank you so much, Bassman 😀🎵🎶❤️✌️

[@ChrisMezzolesta]

YES!!!! Richard Davis' work with Thad & Mel is some of the most sublime music ever, great to hear other examples of his wonderful playing. One of my favorite players (along w Eddie Gomez & Ron Carter)...Great video!

[@67275gtb4]

There’s one other little known caveat: he played on Jaco’s solo album. :-) (last track on side two in the bass section with Homer Mensch)

[@reggaefan2700]

What about John McVie's bass break in the The Chain? Sounds kinda similar to me.

[@antalantal2366]

Thank you for this marvelous discovery!

[@chuckduzzie8529]

What a great video. An intelligent and enthusiastic description. All teachers can take a lesson here, it is your enthusiasm that “Strikes the Match” of learning, that starts the student on their own path of learning.

[@TheGlass50]

You are on fire brother. The title song of this album is one of my all-time favorites. That is also one of the greatest album covers of all time.

[@bullet1218]

Thank you for these musical highlights of some of the most talented artists in the Bass category....Music is always good for the soul ....so is your channel...💯👍

[@franklehouillier8865]

His playing on Astral Weeks made me take up the upright.

[@lavatar3562]

I love Richard Davis’ sound, both pizzicato and arco. My compliments on your sound as well. 🙏

[@VexxJam]

Your videos are incredibly importantly to music history and education. I can't even tell you how many masters I've learned about because of your channel. Ty 🙏

[@haeuptlingaberja4927]

Beautiful analysis. Man is a legend. And then there's Stanley Clarke's Vulcan Princess, dude, which nobody ever talks about...

[@doctorauxiliarymusic]

"very much with us" indeed!! thank you for saying that, PD. & thank you for all the great essays & insights. yaaay!!

[@PharaohLawLess1]

Thanks for the Knowledge professor

[@edhorne2663]

This was great! Listen to his work on "Meeting Across the River" on the Born to Run Album. Sets up a very "film noir" feel. It is brilliant.

[@lilmelvin11]

Thank you for your posts! A true Teacher.

[@8-bitwallofdoom]

Thank you again sir; in such short focused vids you continue to turn me (us) onto new groves that often lead to downloading and further exploration. I haven’t found a channel as rich as yours.

[@pdbass]

Thank you for that and thank you for spending your time watching my stuff 🙏🏽

[@geraldfriend256]

Never heard of the man and I am blown clean away. His slurs and te gliss add a surreal Jaco/Mick Karn edge.What a resume. Richard Davis just became a top ten all time favorite of mine.

[@mdturnerinoz]

I had not heard of Richard Davis, but I have now and will listen to some of those albums; thanks!

[@matthw633]

I had no idea about the range of his work. Thanks Paul !

[@diggingthegreats]

YES! This is so good, the tone on the recording is incredible, yours too!

[@questelohim...]

And I love your content, your breakdowns, and your understanding. You are unique👍

[@reggaefan2700]

What about John McVie's bass break in the The Chain? Sounds kinda similar to me.

[@blacklisted4885]

I love all these forgotten (at least in my world) gems given love and appreciation on this channel

[@dtfoel1230]

Enjoying your videos

[@erichardman9637]

Dude that was cool, thx!

[@PronatorTendon]

This just popped up on my feed, great channel. I don't play upright but I do play fretless

[@Holygiant]

That was so sick, I'm gonna be listening to that break all week now. Holy moly. Thank you!

[@deangelo66]

Wow. He's still around at age 90!

[@Monkeygroover]

the album ‘Exit’ with Pat Martino. ❤️

[@johnandmarie7250]

One of my favorites for decades. Different groups, different styles, he keeps popping up. And nailing it! Any video footage he always looks like he’s having FUN. The Fantastic Factotum of the bass.

[@masonjones1506]

Another great one, thanks PD! Every one of your videos starts another KZbin rabbit hole!! :) Great suggestions in the comments too...the comments are a testament to the quality of your channel!

[@bmuhamad]

A perfectly balanced baseline / solo, to set up the next part of the song...

[@DiscoverDoubleBass]

So much great stuff happening in this video. Superb job Paul!

[@pdbass]

Thanks, Geoff!!

[@Jaycee37]

Rest in Peace to Richard

[@musamusashi]

Never knew this song and the great Davis' break. Thanks for the highlight, your channel always brings jewels.

[@patrickr12342]

, i love the Song, since i hear it for the first time. It is so clean analyzed and explained. I know only a few, who can teach music history/ background like this. Great video,sir.

[@teddypantelas]

Very nice Paul. He’s played w everybody! Wes, Kenny Burrell. I especially loved the things you brought to light in this video. Not only the break, but the way he outlines the chords. Very Hip! Keep it going Bro!

[@mitchmitchell9588]

Whoa. What a find…deep in the crates diggin’. But once again, your analysis gives us a more nuanced understanding. Gut to steel core strings! Yeah mon!!!

[@theCheesemonger]

Richard Davis is one of my favourite players, his work with Andrew Hill in particular is incredible. Thanks for highlighting his playing!

[@bassvibasics479]

Oh yeah! As soon as it played I went "WHOA!" and the rest of the household came to check what happwned... Awesome!

[@andrewraciti]

Great to hear this detail- Richard is my favorite bassist

[@stefanmelzak]

Brilliant bass playing and what a great track

[@mattnieri1202]

Richard Davis's solo on Eric Dolphy's Gazzeloni is the NASTIEST bass solo ever imo.

[@johncrane4767]

Have you heard the intro to Diana Krall’s version of Tom Waite’s “Temptation” - worth the time. You are totally on point with this. thanks

[@channel0YT]

Thanks for the history lesson on Richard Davis and RIP Astrud 🙏🏽🕊️

[@Streetpartymarty]

Awesome awesome awesome quick informative and provided me with a new rabbit to dive into. Loved it, thanks!

[@nobbystyles4807]

id also recommend if you dig astrids work to chekc out her daughter bebel gilberto. she has the same delicate nuance in th vocal but brings the sound into a more modern context. i wished i could have seen her live.

[@twobittacos3392]

You rock

[@michaelthomas4630]

Awesome. That album is 🔥

[@OscarCherici]

Mr. Davis is a pure legend. His Now it's the time is a masterpice

[@FAMUCHOLLY]

Thanks again professor Paul. Always educating us in more ways than one!

[@mikebassy]

I have a new composition clip up ,a Weather Report inspired thing . Cheers Paul

[@ChrisSchaffer]

This is the first video of yours that I've seen, and an instant subscribe - love it! Love the song, love your demo sections, love the energy you give to telling us about this amazing piece! Thank you 😀

[@chrisneyman]

New to the channel and loving everything I'm clicking on! ❤

[@j.p.fitting9226]

Richard Davis’s playing/ band leading on Van the Man’s Astral Weeks is No 1!

[@GlassBeadRecords]

Rest In Peace Richard Davis 💔

[@djsiatexas]

I always thought Richard Davis had a knack for creating an emotional bridge between the rhythm section and the root melody of songs. Speaking of which, that also reminds me of Robert "Kool" Bell's knack for accomplishing the same thing in the funk category.

[@GinSoakedBoy]

One of my favorite bassists of all time, in no small part thanks to his work with Eric Dolphy - not just the immortal Out to Lunch but also almost equally terrific Iron Man - and Andrew Hill in particular. But as this video exemplifies, his musical reach was far ranging.

[@seanconlon2773]

Also the Dolphy - Booker Little Five Spot recordings. I got to see Davis revisit that material in the late 80's with Ed Blackwell and Mal Waldron at the original Knitting Factory.

[@legoindianajones___]

so glad to see your channel has grown - last you came up in my feed you had about 3k subs i thought it was such a ridiculous shame since your content is my absolute favourite bass content on youtube

[@pdbass]

Thank you!!!

[@claudiakramer4516]

This steel style of bass became the sound of modern jazz drum and bass music, but only temporarily in the mid 90s. Reference Roni Size, Brown Paper Bag

[@I.O.M.]

A more obscure album but I love his tone and playing on The Sextet of Orchestra USA album from 1965. Love is solo on Mack the Knife.

[@pla586]

Amazing

[@adamodimattia]

Ahhh... Richard Davis, I've heard him on a record of some jazz guitarist around 20 yrs ago and he instantly became one of my favorite bass players and I've been struggling to identify that record ever since without success, although I most probably have it copied on a cassette somewhere (of course I don't own anyworking cassette player anymore...). Sucha pleasure to see an episode that mentions him! That's why this is my favorite channel!

[@JHallDaBoss]

This is so legendary

[@robertbasone7667]

Thank you for this! Wow!

[@elducko1951]

I absolutely LOVE your videos! You give great examples of great playing and you approach it with a "Hey Guys! Look what I found" attitude that's refreshing. You don't come across as a "Know it all" expert. I'm glad I subscribe!!

[@poetryofbeing]

This was my first video of yours I've seen. Very cool and i will be checking out more of your stuff.

[@rustyrideon]

Thank you man

[@mikebassy]

Yep , Richard is a top class man . Never heard this stuff before.

[@Grant_Michael_Layman]

Listen to african trip by theo jorgensmann it not as bass focused but it has a sick bass break that pushes the song into a simmilar tempo change

[@daveshep]

RIP Astrud Gilberto. Sadly she left us this week.

[@katapillar1k1p27]

omg I never thought I'd ever say it but I'm sampling that bass break 😂😂😂. that's insane. you really get it in with the home work bro👍💯

[@cantstartafire]

That was awesome, Thanks!

[@jefferydelmar]

Such a fantastic channel. Can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying it!

[@pdbass]

Wow, thank you!

[@seanmcmillan472]

Excellent song

[@hansabass]

FAB!

[@nilkilnilkil]

Beautiful ...

[@garyb6219]

I discovered your channel a week ago and I love it. Can you tell me in which video you talk about The O'Jays - For the Love of Money? My personal all time favorite bass opening song. Along with Stevie Woder's I Wish. And David Essex Rock On. Have you done songs that open with a bass lead in? Thank you!

[@Villani_AV]

This is incredible and inspiring

[@jackdolphy8965]

When I think of Richard Davis I think of the great Pat Martino Lp Bayina , The Clear Evidence. And the bass line of Israfel 🙏🏽☮️

[@Jaggerbush]

Wow thanks for this!!

[@tomfrauenhofer6158]

Thanks Paul. Love your channel. Philosophy of the Spiritual. Had the record, lost in a flood. Took years before I could find it on public platforms. Please do a breakdown of the solo on the title cut… or, maybe, dedicate a longer segment to this wonderful musical genius. One of my personal favorites. Richard Davis. Thanks 🙏 Tom

[@tomfrauenhofer6158]

The correction / I had to go back and listen to the album, the song I was speaking of is the rabbi. opens side two Nearly this whole album is composed by Billy father of Spike Lee and he also plays bass and produces it he would be another one but thanks for everything Paul got an awesome channel I listen to all your new videos as often as I can. I studied at Berkelee in Boston in the early 80s and all my teachers gave me a list of guys to listen to and Richard Davis like was in the top five so I did and I just been listening to him ever since.

[@joecallahan3692]

Dude - great vid!

[@WilytheWicked7]

That’s it ,I am now your new student!!!!

[@HenrikRClausen]

Uh, someone beat NHØP on the standup bass? Amazing!