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It's some truly unadorned playing, although I think Lennon told him he wanted minimalism from the bass player. I actually like his playing on those first two Lennon records.
But of course, if Michael Anthony had played this, it would be the object of endless ridicule and contempt.
Lol. The playing is fine. Very nice. I was commenting more about the "Stunning! How does he do it!!!!". My bad for not quoting. Is it?
viribus
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Are you referring to "Imagine" as "overrated acid rock"? I'm a little confused.
I'm thinking Yoko. If you watch footage from the imagine sessions, there is a scene where she is whispering to John that the musicians are improvising too much.
And then John, under her spell, yells out to everyone to "stop improvising".
A very annoying scene to me.
This bassline though, is a perfect lesson of restraint. It works.
Its all the same drivel to me. That bass line is a pretty good example of the lameness that is the Beetles.
Klaus Voormann was never in the Beatles (not Beetles.) He was an artist who befriended them when the Beatles were an unknown band in Germany. After they broke up, he played on various tracks of some of the ex-Beatles from time to time.
It's not easy to keep it simple...Any other bass player might have completely ruined this song.
Klaus put the right notes in the right places. And judging from the final product he played it
exactly right.
Klaus put the right notes in the right places. And judging from the final product he played it
exactly right.
viribus
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Let's not get crazy. A nice simple bass line. Period.
viribus
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I have to agree with Gluv here--this is a dead-simple line that works well in the song. But let's not pretend it's a musical accomplishment of some sort.
viribus
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Well placing 3rd on Rolling Stone's Top 500 Greatest Songs must count for something. 
Insert obligatory RS bash below:
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I have a mental picture in my head of Yoko shrieking "Stop improvising!!!"
Insert obligatory RS bash below:
____________________
____________________
____________________
I have a mental picture in my head of Yoko shrieking "Stop improvising!!!"
Last edited:
Well placing 3rd on Rolling Stone's Top 500 Greatest Songs must count for something.
Insert obligatory RS bash below:
____________________
____________________
____________________
I have a mental picture in my head of Yoko shrieking "Stop improvising!!!"
Yoko is always a delight, isn't she?
I've never gotten the fascination with Lennon. Aside from being a pretty good lyricist, I never found him to be anything special, certainly not on the level of Harrison or McCartney. I may be a cynical prick, but I can't help but think few people would care much about him if they didn't feel they 'had to' because he was in the Beatles. I agree that this bass line is pretty extraordinary in its simplicity, it could've very easily been a little more exciting and potentially ruined what was a pretty good tune.