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philip storey
Bohemian: 541 posts
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Hello people hope all is well in the land of Queen. Whilst Brian and Roger have often been hailed as great musicians and have inspired others in the rock world. John never seems to get much recognition for his great bass work. In your opinion how good was John and when did he go from plucking the fat strings to using a plectrum ?Would be great to hear your opinions.
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mike hunt
Deity: 2928 posts
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I think John was a very good bass player, not an all time great though. I don't think he had a distinctive style that sets him apart from other players, like a geddy lee or steve harris. He was solid though...he gets points for his ability to play different styles. Wasn't a great live player. All in all he was good.
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Soundfreak
Bohemian: 378 posts
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I'm no friend of "rating" musicians, as there is no good or bad once you have reached a certain level. What I always found amazing about John Deacon is his versatility. He could adopt any style and always found the right amount of notes to fill gaps on stage and give any song a great fundament on records. Be it some of Freddie's Vaudeville excursions or Brian's hard rock songs. It's strange that he did not offer his talent to other musicians very often.
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The Real Wizard
Deity: 19359 posts
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mike hunt wrote: "I don't think he had a distinctive style that sets him apart from other players, like a geddy lee or steve harris. " John Deacon was at least as unique as them. Like Roger Taylor, he just wasn't flashy and in-your-face about it. Deacon's bass lines have been described as little stories, and I couldn't agree more. His playing on Sail Away Sweet Sister is amongst the most interesting ever in a rock song. His sense of timing was exquisite, as was his ability to do exactly what was right for the song - nothing more, nothing less. To me, that's what makes an excellent musician. Nothing's worse than someone who overplays. Try covering The Show Must Go On in a band without a bass player, and almost everything will be missing from that first verse. Deacon was an absolute genius.
"The more generous you are with your music, the more it comes back to you." -- Dan Lampinski http://www.queenlive.ca
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mike hunt
Deity: 2928 posts
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Sir GH wrote: mike hunt wrote: "I don't think he had a distinctive style that sets him apart from other players, like a geddy lee or steve harris. " John Deacon was at least as unique as them. Like Roger Taylor, he just wasn't flashy and in-your-face about it. Deacon's bass lines have been described as little stories, and I couldn't agree more. His playing on Sail Away Sweet Sister is amongst the most interesting ever in a rock song. His sense of timing was exquisite, as was his ability to do exactly what was right for the song - nothing more, nothing less. To me, that's what makes an excellent musician. Nothing's worse than someone who overplays. Try covering The Show Must Go On in a band without a bass player, and almost everything will be missing from that first verse. Deacon was an absolute genius. Sounds like every member of queen "Playing for the song, nothing more, Nothing less." My favorite bass songs are millionare waltz, fairy feller's masterstroke, As mentioned "sail away sweet sister" Breakthru....He was a good one for sure....Genius?....Not sure about that one. lol. We use that word a little too often.
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Gregsynth
Queen fan since 2005
Deity: 3227 posts
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I'd rank John as "genius." You know why? Because he knew EXACTLY HOW to play the bass: He never "overplayed" and he knew what lines fit what songs best. He didn't pull a "Yngwie Malmsteen" and try to cram as many notes into a measure, etc.
I always knew I was a star And now, the rest of the world seems to agree with me-Freddie Mercury
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argQ
Champion: 58 posts
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Just listen to "The Millionaire Waltz" and then you´ll get the answer. John IS a wonderful bass player, musician and songwriter.
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masterstroke_84
Bohemian: 542 posts
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The fairy fellers... Nuff said.
Queen rocks!
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The Real Wizard
Deity: 19359 posts
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Yes, I say he's a genius. Most rock musicians are half-decent players, some of whom can write great songs. Deacon could do both, and always with class. He wrote seldom, but always turned in a great song. And as a bassist, he was far and beyond most rock players of his time. Most guys just played octaves and fifths, which is essentially doubling the guitar line, adding little to the song. Deacon's playing was always central to the final product. He was a brilliant musician, but probably will never be appreciated as such, because: a) he was in a band with Freddie Mercury, who got most of the attention b) see a)
"The more generous you are with your music, the more it comes back to you." -- Dan Lampinski http://www.queenlive.ca
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Amazon
Bohemian: 996 posts
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Sir GH wrote:"He was a brilliant musician, but probably will never be appreciated as such, because: a) he was in a band with Freddie Mercury, who got most of the attention b) see a)" Could another reason he doesn't get the attention he deserves be because he's such a quiet personality? Brian, especially in the years following Freddie's death, has been acknowledged as the brilliant guitarist he is, and he's been everywhere, whether it be on American Idol or working on Queen + Paul Rodgers or campaigning for animal rights. Roger has also received the attention he deserves, and he too hasn't been all that quiet. Ultimately, while Freddie was always the most famous figure in Queen, I think the fact that John is kind of the 'forgotten one' (at least in the eyes of the general public) is due almost as much to his reclusive nature as to Freddie.
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Sebastian
Deity: 6539 posts
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Great, great bassist. And very underrated too.
John hated Hot Space. Fred's favourite singer was not Paul Rodgers. Roger didn't compose 'Innuendo.' Witness testimonies are often inaccurate. Wales is not in England. 'Bo Rhap' hasn't got 180 voices.
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Micrówave
Delilah, on Medium Power
Deity: 7037 posts
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You can find a lot of drummers in Roger's class or even better. You can find a lot of guitarists in Brian's class or slightly better. You can even find vocalists with the range of Freddie Mercury (but you have to look real hard) You can compare John Deacon to Geddy Lee and make me laugh pretty hard. You're still going to have a tough time finding someone as solid and groovy as John. He didn't need Taurus pedals either. Anybody ever try to learn the bass lines to Tom Sawyer? I just did while writing this thread. Done.
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N0_Camping4U
Bohemian: 105 posts
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John Deacon had an enormous amount of talent, I believe he was the most talented in the group. But, what do I know? I'm just a doctor.
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Micrówave
Delilah, on Medium Power
Deity: 7037 posts
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I totally agree with you, Doctor. He was also the gadget man. If something wasn't working, they'd give it to John to fix or create. He doesn't have a soapbox, his personal life wasn't always in the press, and if you wore a fur coat to a Seal clubbing party, John probably wouldn't give a damn. You didn't have to drive him around everywhere, like Freddie. He didn't make us stock our CD shelves with half-ass songs calling it a "solo career". The only thing I have against John are those damn shorts from the Wembley tour. Any truth to the rumor that Freddie gave John his Wembley paycheck?
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skip
Bohemian: 622 posts
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Micrówave wrote: You can find a lot of drummers in Roger's class or even better. You can find a lot of guitarists in Brian's class or slightly better. You can even find vocalists with the range of Freddie Mercury (but you have to look real hard) You can compare John Deacon to Geddy Lee and make me laugh pretty hard. You're still going to have a tough time finding someone as solid and groovy as John. He didn't need Taurus pedals either. Anybody ever try to learn the bass lines to Tom Sawyer? I just did while writing this thread. Done. It's evident you know nothing about Taurus pedals.
Brian May: "I like KISS a lot. I have a great regard for KISS 'cause it's all-out. They just had their vision, they had their dream, and they damn well went for it."
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Sebastian
Deity: 6539 posts
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Maybe 'you didn't have to drive him around everywhere, like Freddie' for most of his career, but during one year he did have to use the tube.
John hated Hot Space. Fred's favourite singer was not Paul Rodgers. Roger didn't compose 'Innuendo.' Witness testimonies are often inaccurate. Wales is not in England. 'Bo Rhap' hasn't got 180 voices.
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tcc
Royalty: 1601 posts
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Sebastian wrote: Maybe 'you didn't have to drive him around everywhere, like Freddie' for most of his career, but during one year he did have to use the tube. Was it due to a drink driving offence ?
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Micrówave
Delilah, on Medium Power
Deity: 7037 posts
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Ah, rare John Deacon factoids. Do tell!!! And yes, Skip, you are the Taurus Pedal man. I encourage all Queenzoners to direct those questions to you. I do, however, have the pedals for my Hammond organ. So if you have any questions about adding low end when you play a B-3, I'd be able to help you out. It's really quite easy, but you have to have your drawbars set correctly or your harmonics will get muddy. I do know that Taurus Pedals had something built it so if you accidentally hit two keys at the same time only one would sound (the lower one). The Hammonds don't have that... better get it right or don't play it!!! Steve Hackett was better at 'em than Geddy Lee.
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Bo Rhap
Bohemian: 534 posts
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I agree that John is one of the most under-rated bass players and songwriters of all time. I sometimes wonder if John considered himself a soul bass player,rather than a rock bass player.He was talented enough to do both ofcourse. Lets not forget,he wasnt a bad guitarist as witness Staying Power in the Milton Keyens Bowl gig.
I never forget a face,
but in your case i'll be glad to
make an exception-Groucho Marx
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FriedChicken
Deity: 10641 posts
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John's basslines are so recognisable. 2 weeks ago I was walking towards a record store and the door was open. I couldn't hear the music they were playing but I could hear the bassline. And I remember thinking "wow, this sounds so Deaky!" And when I entered the shop they were playing These are the Days. If you would listen to the basslines of songs like Sweet Lady or YOu're my Best Friend solo one could wonder how this basspart would fit in a song. But when all the instruments are played it makes perfectly sense. John was an outstanding player, and an outstanding writer. I wonder if he knew...
"On the first day Pim & Niek created a heavenly occupation. Pim & Niek blessed it and named it 'Loosch'."
(Genesis 1:1)
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