Niels has to be the greatest bassist to ever live. No doubt. His tone and intonation are beyond incredible.... and then there's that crazy 3 finger pizzicato he's got going. In those super fast runs he does, you can hear every note clearly.
All the comments that praise NHOP are absolutely right and he is (not was) a true great. Let's not forget, however, the accompaniment from the guitar. In his solo section in the middle, Ulf shows us what he is capable of...but for the rest of the tune he is content to play exquisite, simple accompaniment to let NHOP shine. And in fact NHOP himself is, for the most part playing simlpe stuff. This video should be watched as a reminder that less can be more, that there is no substitute for taste and musical sympathy.
Mark Etherington I don't think anyone is taking away anything from Ulf. Ulf Wakenius is a mind-blowingly great guitarist. Ulf and NHOP complement each other so very nicely in this recording. This recording is a god-send for any jazz lover out there!
Think of him every time we drive through his home town, Osted, 45 km from Copenhagen. Some home town as my wife so I feel related to him as my wife knew the family from the local school that she attened some 45 years back. R.I.P. dear Niels-Henning.
If this was "all" NHOP left us then it is worth everything that I have done in 40 years, No other bass player can touch this feel and depth no matter how many party pieces and gimmicks they want to produce. Here is the only bass player that took bass playing to a level yet to be matched.
R.I.P dear Niels. you and Oscar have always been my biggest inspiration. I always wondered how it was human possible to be that talented un such a difficult intrument, and not even looking at the neck. You were the best. Your music sits so deep in my heart.
I took my 16 year old son to see Ulf play at a jazz club in Aberdeen years ago. Ulf was sat on his own nursing a beer at one end of the bar looking sad. Turned out he said he was missing his family. A really humble man. I followed NHOP through his days with Peterson. Make no mistake, the two men are giants of jazz.. and true gentlemen.
It was Rosin Coven and Black Sabbath that got me interested in jazz. NHOP cemented that interest into my musical interests. Time to play some jazz! I'll save everyone the pain & not put it on here. Yet... heh heh heh...
I am just scratching the surface of NHOP's playing right now, and I can say that in my mind it reminds me of Jaco a lot. I would not be surprised if he was one of Jaco's main inspirations. Really incredible to see how artists are influenced generation by generation.
This one was Salvador Cuevas's favorite bassist. He loved him and when he could he would strive to play as excellent as Niel. Two great bassists may they RIP
Tout simplement sublime. (Une pensée particulière pour le "Great Dane with the never-ending name" qui restera pour moi un des meilleurs contrebassistes de jazz..).
Niels makes that bass sing like no other...of course with the beautiful comping/soloing by Ulf on guitar, makes this 'beauty' scrumptious beyond belief.
@algreensurdo.spot on the money my friend.neils was the only man my idol ray brown spoke to oscar about and the rest is history.ulf is a brilliant guitarist they play great together.many thanks for sharing.
There are thousands of videos out there where you wonder: "who could possibly dislike this video?". This one stays right up in that list. What can anyone find in this piece of cotton and sugar not to be... well, simply superb? For me this video is, at worst, a top 20 in RU-vid. And damn, I see a lot in RU-vid.
It never gets old listening and watching Niels. I hope one day we meet in the after. Is there electricity in the after? Will I have to learn how to play an upright? I do play a Fender Precision Fretless and a Custom Jazz Bass.
He used to play arco(bow) back in the late-60s to 70s before the set-up of his bass got this low. Check out "Paul Bley/NHOP"(1973) if you are interested in his arco-playing.
Niels knows every note, 1/3, 1/4,1/2, 3/4, and full note and everything in between on the entire fret board with out looking at it. He just KNOWS IT. That is what sets him apart as the greatest Bass player ever. Not saying Ray Brown and Ron Carter are any less. I've been playing bass since 1967 and these guys blow my strings off!
One of the rare string bass players that could incorporate the melody of the song into his tasteful compositions. This old favorite was played with such feeling by NHOP and Ulf Wakenius...one of those rare moments in jazz where the instrumentalists enhance each other.
