Quincy Jones says Paul McCartney was the worst bassist he ever heard

[gordon sims]

http://www.vulture.com/2018/02/quin...?utm_campaign=nym&utm_source=tw&utm_medium=s1

What were your first impressions of the Beatles?
That they were the worst musicians in the world. They were no-playing mother****ers. Paul was the worst bass player I ever heard. And Ringo? Don’t even talk about it.

 

[Usidore T Blue]

That was a fun interview. Mr. Jones desires to tell it like he sees it, and does so.

 

[fretter]

If anything, it's encouraging. That's why I continue to make noise.

 

[ZenG]

I remember all the Beatle's songs and like them.

Quincy is disgruntled and probably doesn't even mow his own lawn.

 

[JRA]

gordon sims , thanks for finding/sharing that!

while i think he may be a little harsh at times (in the interview), i don't have a problem with anything he said: i'd put a lot more stock in his take than anyone in particular who was mentioned by either him or the interviewer. if he said the beatles sucked as musicians (he would know!), so what?

i think his notes on contemporary musicianship (he blasted it) and production (he blasted that, too) are way more important than calling out mccartney. and: i agree with everything he said!

Quincy is disgruntled and probably doesn't even mow his own lawn.

i think he's older than god and no longer sees a need for self-censoring. i see less need for it these days than when i was younger. more power to him. he can say whatever he wants. more importantly: if you filter out his interview attitude = valuable observations/lessons on music, the industry, and history.

 

[dbbltime]

Very interesting interview. Thanks gordon sims (sorry don't know how to underline words/names).

 

[joebar]

Great read.
Nice to hear truth for a change

 

[el murdoque]

i agree with everything he said!

same here. The Beatles were not at all about those virtuoso instrumental parts with weird time signatures, speed changes and improvised solo playing.
They were about the quality of the song itself, the arrangement and
certainly about hitting the right nerve at the right time.

 

[woodyng2]

Meh. Lots of self-aggrandizement going on there.
And i think we all know who will be remembered more in future generations....those lousy nonmusicianly Liverpudlians....

 

[Freez]

This interview is even more fun if you pretend to hear it in Sam Jackson's voice!

 

[JRA]

Meh. Lots of self-aggrandizement going on there.

some.

And i think we all know who will be remembered more in future generations....those lousy nonmusicianly Liverpudlians....

depends on your reference: if you're a fan = the beatles win, hands down. if you're a musician = quincy's contribution is iconic. both are important contributors to the 'fabric', IMO.

 

[woodyng2]

They are indeed both important,and i think there is a “truth” to what QJ said about them.
Just not necessarily the only truth.....as in,maybe you don’t have to be a bebop legend to make memorable and even great music....

 

[bassbrad]

Q is certainly worth listening to, he has earned that much, but we don't necessarily have to agree.

 

[LowNloud1]

He's entitled to his opinion. I have one too and I totally disagree with him!

 

[Marley's Ghost]

Senile old curmedeon. Gushes over MJ who didn't play an instrument.

 

[Jay Corwin]

I didn't read the article, but compared to Quincy Jones who was an accomplished professional jazz musician long before becoming successful at a million other things in the business...yeah the Beatles are total hacks. Context folks.

Now to the average kid seeing them the first time, different story. And again, context folks.

 

[grinx]

Fun read, thanks. Definitely better when you use Sam Jackson's voice for Q's

 

[JoeWPgh]

Quincy's definition of a musician is probably more exacting and demanding than most. I've always thought of the Beatles as being very musical without being great musicians. And while I have nothing but admiration for Macca's bass playing on the later Beatles' records, the early stuff never struck me as anything extraordinary. Don't get me wrong. I am a big fan of the Beatles. But I also understand what Quincy is getting at.

 

[RichardW]

The guy is a master, but c'mon. He also believes the mob killed JFK and asks the interviewer "what's your sign."

Please.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Totaling agree w/ Q. Hanging around the bass players that he did, like Carol Kaye, Louis Johnson , Abraham Laboriel etc ., I can see why Q said that about Paul’s bass playing .

Q being an accomplished musician himself always surrounded himself with the best musicians , singers, and writers. Genius people tend to do that.

No MJ didn’t play an instrument professionally ( he could play piano, guitar , and drums ), but he was the best at what he did. Another genius!!