Bass virtuosity...

[Steven Tice]

In a message dated 98-09-21 07:32:58 EDT, you write:

<< Would that be Tony Levin?  He's a kickass bassist and he also plays a
 Chapman Stick.  Did he use one when you saw them?  Tony made a hot
 record last year with Steve Stevens and Terry Bozio.  I haven't
 gotten around to picking it up but I hear it smokes... >>

Tony is a terrific bassist, I'll have to find that album!  One thing I enjoyed
about ABWH was the fact that they treated Tony as an equal even though they
couldn't include him in the name...I consider Tony to have been the Yes
bassist for awhile, since ABWH basically WAS Yes.

I have to say, however, that amazing as Tony is, I've since encountered a
bassist who could blow him away, and that's something I never thought I'd say!
I'm referring to Victor Wooten of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.  He's the
fastest bassist I've ever heard, and fond of playing exceedingly intricate and
complex bass lines, often playing two or three separate bass lines
simultaneously...plus he needs no special instruments or tools (like the Stick
or those finger gizmos), he does it all on a normal bass!  I would advise any
bass fans to check him out!

SET

P.S. And if you know of any other bassists operating at that level, please let
me know...I'd love to hear them! :-)