AMS Exclusive Bass Performance from Bassist/Composer Tony Levin featuring an innovative slap style. See more from Tony and Ampeg Gear at AMS. bit.ly/AMS_Tony...
It's a shame that some people will judge Tony by this and the other AMS video. He never was a solo player. He's the kind of bass player who lays down a deep, beautiful foundation for other musicians to build upon. Anybody interested in listening to Tony at the top of his game should hear both Bozzio Levin Stevens albums, where he shines way more than with Liquid Tension Experiment.
+Damon Briggs Ya, too bad they didn't video him with the band officially. Although there is some rehearsal videos of ABWH with Levin on RU-vid. Tony's very talented and tasteful, and well-rounded, being able to mesh well with a variety of other artists and styles. I particularly like his playing with Robbie Robertson. "Somewhere Down the Crazy River" has some great lines, for example, and there's an SNL performance that's available on Vivo or whatever it's called, I think.
Tony got sick on the AWBH tour and Jeff Berlin ended up on the bass for the filmed performance they released on Laserdisc and later DVD. They hardly show Jeff at all, though. Funnily, Jeff Berlin DIDN'T KNOW he was on that recording. When I gave him the Live CD to sign, he looked really confused and didn't believe me until he read the credits. :)
Tony always gives 110% to every performance and recording. His work on Big Time inspired these Funk Fingers. I think one of his uncredited breakthroughs is his aggressive use of compression. I personally love that, especially on the Chapman Stick, but on bass as well. The heavy attack is characteristic of his tone.
@Sadistic Surgeon yeah but it was Manu Katché on drumsticks when they were messing around in the hotel room, trying to replicate Marotta's work on Big Time. but you were close enough.
@@bernardjharmsen304 Is it a remix with new tracks? On the original recording it’s slap bass with delay. I think there is a clip from one of the band camps where TL uses funk fingers on Sleepless, though. Regardless: it’s awesome bass playing :)
RobRoy: I saw Jack about 15 years ago, and grudgingly admitted he was better than Geddy. But, I think since then, Geddy has improved and surpassed him.
Bass is a sort of percussive instrument. In fact, together with drums conform what is call rhythm section in an ensemble. This demonstration of Tony abilities here, let the newcomer why he has gained that solid reputation is has. Personally I've followed his work in progressive area which is my area. Working with Peter Gabriel and lots of other musicians of prog rock. He still is part of King Crimson, the most know and evolutive band of progressive rock. I love what Tony have done in King Crimson since the album Discipline (1981) until today. He is the reference for lots of admirer of the Stick Bass, he had developed this kind of instrument that gives that bass player a more soloist approach. Just listen to his stick bass demonstration in this AMS series. Formidable bass player and extremely versatile.
Ok. I never heard of a "Chapman Stick" before I finally did a search for what it was. Before I found out what it actually was, THIS is what I pictured. 😁
Tony is phenomenal. I don't think any other bass player has played with more bands from 1970 to present. You can connect Tony to more bands than any other musician on Earth save, perhaps, Frank Zappa.
Tony created some of the most iconic bass lines ever, and indeed has played with so many, but the honors for most bands probably goes to Lee Sklar (whose youtube channel is fablulous). Maybe Carol Kaye if one goes pre-1970.
@@BenLittauer - I won't deny that Lee has been around too, but I would honestly have to tally both to know for sure. Oh, and I was referring to indirect connections too. Not just bands Tony has played in.
@@DavidLazarus You bet. Not a competition to be sure. They're both great musicians and also great people, it seems. And I certainly prefer the complexity and innovation that Tony has brought to his playing: funk fingers, stick, etc. But both are always playing in service to the music.
I'm super curious! 🤔 As a guitar player I know that playing with your picking hand near the bridge will get you a brighter sound than playing more towards the neck (hence pickup positions etc). In this video Tony achieves a bassier/deeper/mellower/fatter sound when playing near the bridge, so it's basically the other way around. Can somebody explain if this has to do only with those "Funky Fingers" he is using or is this generally a bass thing or what? Thanks!
I’m convinced now that slap is the way to go, you can here the awkwardness here and there from using those things. More control, more ergonomic to slap
I think I might have to kick my roommate out of the house because it turns out he is a HUGE bassist. He doesn't play the instrument, but he really hates guys who do. (thank you ladies and gentlemen, I'm here all week)
Does anyone know if he's using these on flats or rounds, I feel like the 'slap' sound would be easily accentuated by these on rounds but would take more effort to get it on flats
*In an age where youtube is full of bass prodigies, all learning from and improving on each other, this guy playing the same lick for three minutes doesn't really seem to cut it, even if he is Tony Levin.*
Remind me how many of these prodigies were picked to play by Lennon, Bowie, Gabriel, Lou Reed, Paul Simon, Pink Floyd, Yes, and God knows who else. A bassist cannot be judged purely by his technique; musicianship, and the ability to work off the other guys, is key.
@@simonholloway3652 There are a lot of factory workers who go into work and do their jobs well every day assembling cars and whatnot. That doesn't make them inspiring. It just makes them a good employee. I get that Levin gets the job done, but I'm interested in more than that. I want the guy who's innovating, expressing himself, and pushing the genre forward. Not doing a job. But props to Levin for making a living.
@@andybaldman "I want the guy who's innovating, expressing himself, and pushing the genre forward." Listen to Levin on King Crimson's 80s stuff like Three of a Perfect Pair. there you will find some of the most innovative sounds ever made by a bassist. Or the beauty of his playing on "I do it for your love' by Paul Simon. With Gabriel he got massively into effects and funky fingers. Plus there's the Chapman Stick, of which as far as I know he's the acknowledged master ..... you're talking about one of the greatest exponents of his instrument on the planet! Flash Harry slap merchants really don't warrant comparison. They're two a penny.
Tony is not much of a solo player but he is an amazing bassist when it comes to playing bass lines. Like the last guy said, he has some amazing bass lines on king crimson albums. I can understand the appeal of a solo bassist but playing double thumb slap is not always the best sounding thing for a track.
