Hooky's BEST melodic basslines

I'm not a muso, just a fan of JD/NO since hearing Temptation being broadcast back in 1981.

I listened to All Day Long yesterday and was really moved by Mr Hook's melodic bass lines, really inspirational. I've got most of the No songs, but who could provide a few pointers to best tracks with similar mood/basslines? There must be a bag full (I remember Sir Yehudi Menuhin saying that certain minor chords played on the violin would inherently melancholic and cut straight through into the listener. I sometimes think the same thing about the Hook's melodies).

On another note, if you listen to the 12" of Beatbox by the Art of Noise, Anne Dudley plays a great piano line to close the track and I've been trying to find that kind of melody/dynamic in piano music for years but never got there.

Thanks everyone.

Alfred

"we might be a pop group but your a fucking cunt!" B'ham 86

yup you've got to love the hook bass. one that came to mind immediately was lonesome tonight.

Alfred wrote: I'm not a muso, just a fan of JD/NO since hearing Temptation being broadcast back in 1981.

I listened to All Day Long yesterday and was really moved by Mr Hook's melodic bass lines, really inspirational. I've got most of the No songs, but who could provide a few pointers to best tracks with similar mood/basslines? There must be a bag full (I remember Sir Yehudi Menuhin saying that certain minor chords played on the violin would inherently melancholic and cut straight through into the listener. I sometimes think the same thing about the Hook's melodies).

On another note, if you listen to the 12" of Beatbox by the Art of Noise, Anne Dudley plays a great piano line to close the track and I've been trying to find that kind of melody/dynamic in piano music for years but never got there.

Thanks everyone.

Alfred

This Time Of Night, BLT, Vanishing Point and Time Change are my faves.

BLT and WFTSC to name 2

Shurely Steve Campbell has an opinion on this?

Best 'driving' baselines are from:

Perfect Kiss All Day Long Sunrise Crystal (for that bass 'growl') Hey Now What You're Doing

Forgot The Perfect Kiss, classic Hooky!

Broken Promise fits the bill.

too many to mention,needless to say he is the bassmeister and he never fails to suprise me.

It's even more fun to play them yourself.

Paradise Way of Life This Time of Night Sunrise Someone Like You Your Silent Face

If we're talking melodic basslines, it's interesting to note how Hooky gradually stopped playing the driving basslines he was famous for in the late 80s around the time of Technique. Before he used to play right through the song, but it seems from True Faith / 1963 onwards he started to tone things down during the verses and play melodic bursts high up during the breaks. On Technique for instance this is noticeable apart from a few songs (All the Way, Guilty Partner).

Perhaps this had something to do with Barney's increasing role as a songwriter?

I'm starting to sound like a teacher talking about the art of Hooky bass now, sorry.

Alfred wrote: Shurely Steve Campbell has an opinion on this?

I'd have thought he'd be all over this.

Hookys bass is the main reason god gave us hearing.

my fave's are:

Regret lonesome tonight AOC sunrise 60 MPH (I know several people don't like it but to me it kocks ass) WFTSC turn

plenty more but I don't want to do a 5 page post.

Whats jack H got to say on this?

BTW, the bass on gun fight by the bass bandits kicks ass and is available by request from me:) (plugging my own stuff )

Jed Stephens wrote: it kocks ass)

A typo or some questionable new slang? ;)

Jed Stephens wrote:

Alfred wrote: Shurely Steve Campbell has an opinion on this?

I'd have thought he'd be all over this.

Urrgghhh!!!

Wasim wrote:

Jed Stephens wrote: it kocks ass)

A typo or some questionable new slang? ;)

SORRY

it is a good one though.

Yeah, it would have been interesting to hear that super-high end treble improvisation Hooky did in the last 30 seconds of 1963 throughout the whole song.

Jed Stephens wrote:

Alfred wrote: this

Hookys bass is the main reason god gave us hearing.

plenty more but I don't want to do a 5 page post.: )

lol.

Ceremony can reduce me to tears in a heartbeat.

Ceremony as far as melody goes is different class

Everything's Gone Green also

(The Good Doctor) Martin Fradley wrote:

Jed Stephens wrote:

Alfred wrote: Shurely Steve Campbell has an opinion on this?

I'd have thought he'd be all over this.

Urrgghhh!!!

Ok then I'll leave the comments to an experience bassist like yourself then.

PS...Afred,,,look for the Live Video AoN made in 86...AD ROCKS THE SHACK with that piano...it's the only instrument on stage not connected thru the fairlights too.

I like Hooky's melodic basslines in Turn my way and WFTSC.

Cries and Whispers Love Less Regret All Day Long Times Change Leave me Alone

it's gotta be Perfect Kiss for me

Agreed on almost everything mentioned so far - all great... IALP kicks ass as well at the end... Listening to Cassette 2 of Substance in the car on the way back from Tesco this afternoon - is it just me or does Procession get better ever time you listen to it? My fave Hooky moment (not really a bass-LINE as such, is from way back -right at the end of Atrocity Exhibtion, there's this bit where he plays the most sublime few notes and then just as you expect it to be repeated - nothing, it all disappears back in the mix again...

Snorri xxx

Snorrimon wrote: Agreed on almost everything mentioned so far - all great... IALP kicks ass as well at the end... Listening to Cassette 2 of Substance in the car on the way back from Tesco this afternoon - is it just me or does Procession get better ever time you listen to it? My fave Hooky moment (not really a bass-LINE as such, is from way back -right at the end of Atrocity Exhibtion, there's this bit where he plays the most sublime few notes and then just as you expect it to be repeated - nothing, it all disappears back in the mix again...

Snorri xxx

The bass on Atrocity Exhibition is played by Bernard IIRC

For me Dreams Never End!!!

JOS wrote: For me Dreams Never End!!!

You must have over done it with the sleeping pills then.

Wasim wrote:

Snorrimon wrote: Agreed on almost everything mentioned so far - all great... IALP kicks ass as well at the end... Listening to Cassette 2 of Substance in the car on the way back from Tesco this afternoon - is it just me or does Procession get better ever time you listen to it? My fave Hooky moment (not really a bass-LINE as such, is from way back -right at the end of Atrocity Exhibtion, there's this bit where he plays the most sublime few notes and then just as you expect it to be repeated - nothing, it all disappears back in the mix again...

Snorri xxx

The bass on Atrocity Exhibition is played by Bernard IIRC

Well that's my fave-thinbg out the window then - who'd thought - my fave bit of JD-NO bass and it's not Hooky... Typical fucking NO that...

Snorri xxx