Jeff Lynne's Production on Bass

[PowWow]

Is it me? Or does nearly every ELO album/album produced by Jeff sounds like it's got no bass playing at all?

Help me out guys, I'm confused 

[Helmut83]

If you asked me, I'd say that it sounds like it's got bass.

I mean, in most songs he mixes it up in a way that you can't hear it so loud and clear like in, let´s say, a Red Hot Chili Peppers record, but it's definitely there.

Are you referring to a song or an album in particular?

[PowWow]

Nov 6, 2014 20:06:26 GMT Helmut83 said:

If you asked me, I'd say that it sounds like it's got bass.

I mean, in most songs he mixes it up in a way that you can't hear it so loud and clear like in, let´s say, a Red Hot Chili Peppers record, but it's definitely there.

Are you referring to a song or an album in particular?

In general really, the bass playing isn't as distinctive as Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee or Greg Lake.

It's there, but it's piled on with all the other instrumentation.

[Helmut83]

Yeah, you are right about that IMO. It's not so easily "distinguishable" as in other artist's records.

I'm not an expert in the matter, but from what I've heard, I would say that, in general terms, that's quite a characteristic of pop, above all '80s and '90s pop. Rock n' roll bands in general use to give more volume and punch to the bass and it's notes are more marked.

[PowWow]

Nov 6, 2014 20:21:43 GMT Helmut83 said:

Yeah, you are right about that IMO. It's not so easily "distinguishable" as in other artist's records.

I'm not an expert in the matter, but from what I've heard, I would say that, in general terms, that's quite a characteristic of pop, above all '80s and '90s pop. Rock n' roll bands in general use to give more volume and punch to the bass and it's notes are more marked.

Maybe, Lynne could be hiding the fact that he just can't play the bass properly and/or can't get the right sound for it.

[Helmut83]

Nov 6, 2014 20:29:10 GMT PowWow said:

Maybe, Lynne could be hiding the fact that he just can't play the bass properly and/or can't get the right sound for it.

Lynne can play the bass properly, Lynne can get the right sound for it and Lynne can do everything, and everything brilliantly well!!! You should already have learnt that at this point.

[Helmut83]

Talking seriously, I doubt that's the reason. He must like it like that.

[PowWow]

Nov 6, 2014 20:35:40 GMT Helmut83 said:

Nov 6, 2014 20:29:10 GMT PowWow said:

Maybe, Lynne could be hiding the fact that he just can't play the bass properly and/or can't get the right sound for it.

Lynne can play the bass properly, Lynne can get the right sound for it and Lynne can do everything, and everything brilliantly well!!! You should already have learnt that at this point.

If Lynne is so proud of his bass playing then why can't I notice it on one of his records?

I mean, surely he has a unique style?

[Helmut83]

Because he is humble and he doesn't want to humiliate full-time bassists.

[PowWow]

Nov 6, 2014 20:54:25 GMT Helmut83 said:

Because he is humble and he doesn't want to humiliate full-time bassists.

Do you know any ELO songs with prominent bass throughout?

[BSJ]

Nov 6, 2014 20:54:25 GMT Helmut83 said:

Because he is humble and he doesn't want to humiliate full-time bassists.

  Oh, brother! 

[tl77]

I haven't listened to the ELO albums that way lately, but years ago I do remember noticing some nice bass parts from Kelly. I think Sweet Talkin' Woman was one of them - the chorus - although I can't hear that bass part in my head right now. I think Wishing was nice. Very simple, but small movement "between" the chords, if I remember correctly. I could hear and feel the parts very well. I don't know. I haven't heard that many albums produced by Jeff other than ELO, but I have never paid attention to lack of bass on ELO albums. Mr. Radio doesn't have one, but that had to do with the idea behind the song.

The sometimes complicated bass ideas may have been Kelly's influence, because I think the parts I've heard Jeff play have just "shadowed" the chords without adding anything to the "groove".

But what bothers me (and a friend of mine) is the snare on albums Jeff has produced since ELO.

[PowWow]

Nov 6, 2014 21:14:03 GMT tl77 said:

I haven't listened to the ELO albums that way lately, but years ago I do remember noticing some nice bass parts from Kelly. I think Sweet Talkin' Woman was one of them - the chorus - although I can't hear that bass part in my head right now. I think Wishing was nice. Very simple, but small movement "between" the chords, if I remember correctly. I could hear and feel the parts very well. I don't know. I haven't heard that many albums produced by Jeff other than ELO, but I have never paid attention to lack of bass on ELO albums. Mr. Radio doesn't have one, but that had to do with the idea behind the song.

The sometimes complicated bass ideas may have been Kelly's influence, because I think the parts I've heard Jeff play have just "shadowed" the chords and the don't add anything to the "groove".

But what bothers me (and a friend of mine) is the snare on albums Jeff has produced since ELO.

The snare drum sounds like an M-80 going off in a dustbin! 

[Chippa]

Listen to Tom Petty's "Night Driver", from the "Highway Companion" album. Jeff does some great bass work at the end of that song.

[PowWow]

Nov 6, 2014 21:41:57 GMT Chippa said:

Listen to Tom Petty's "Night Driver", from the "Highway Companion" album. Jeff does some great bass work at the end of that song.

If he'd put more of that work into ELO the it'd be perfect!