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Re: Simon Humphries "The Clash"
Posted: 05 Aug 2020, 5:26pm
by Marky Dread
Heston wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:23pm
Marky Dread wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:18pm
Heston wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:13pm
Well I've been investigating this mystery for years and we have a shortlist of Jerry Green, Busta Cherry Jones, Norman Watt-Roy and Topper. And could we add Mick to that?
Of all those I don't think it's Topper. If you listen to Mustapha Dance, that is one shit hot pro bass player there. I just don't think Topper would have been capable of that. Outside of that song, have we heard of Topper creating anything like it? I think he probably played a guide bass which would fit in with the story of him recording it, but I have no doubt it was scrubbed and a new part added by a session player.
Even the piano I'm skeptical about. The rhythm part may have been do-able for Topper but that boogie woogie lead at the start just sounds too perfectly performed to have been knocked out while he was waiting for the band to turn up.
I'm having Norman Watt-Roy for "Mustapha Dance" simply because he's the finest bass player I've ever seen.
Norman wasn't around the band at the time though, and it's definitely played with a pick, which isn't Norman's usual style. But I wouldn't rule him out as Topper named him as the person who played on it in an online quote from an interview a few years back. Only problem was there was no link to the original interview.
Agree on Norman using his fingers to play. But he could've played it using a pick. I don't think Busta Jones is as good as Norman but then who knows. It's a cracking bass line on that instrumental mix.
Re: Simon Humphries "The Clash"
Posted: 05 Aug 2020, 5:35pm
by Heston
Marky Dread wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:26pm
Heston wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:23pm
Marky Dread wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:18pm
Heston wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:13pm
Well I've been investigating this mystery for years and we have a shortlist of Jerry Green, Busta Cherry Jones, Norman Watt-Roy and Topper. And could we add Mick to that?
Of all those I don't think it's Topper. If you listen to Mustapha Dance, that is one shit hot pro bass player there. I just don't think Topper would have been capable of that. Outside of that song, have we heard of Topper creating anything like it? I think he probably played a guide bass which would fit in with the story of him recording it, but I have no doubt it was scrubbed and a new part added by a session player.
Even the piano I'm skeptical about. The rhythm part may have been do-able for Topper but that boogie woogie lead at the start just sounds too perfectly performed to have been knocked out while he was waiting for the band to turn up.
I'm having Norman Watt-Roy for "Mustapha Dance" simply because he's the finest bass player I've ever seen.
Norman wasn't around the band at the time though, and it's definitely played with a pick, which isn't Norman's usual style. But I wouldn't rule him out as Topper named him as the person who played on it in an online quote from an interview a few years back. Only problem was there was no link to the original interview.
Agree on Norman using his fingers to play. But he could've played it using a pick. I don't think Busta Jones is as good as Norman but then who knows. It's a cracking bass line on that instrumental mix.
Whoever played it, it is a fucking amazing line. Jerry Green is the unknown quantity but studio technicians are often gifted instrumenalists.
Re: Simon Humphries "The Clash"
Posted: 05 Aug 2020, 5:46pm
by matedog
Heston wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:35pm
Marky Dread wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:26pm
Heston wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:23pm
Marky Dread wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:18pm
Heston wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 5:13pm
Well I've been investigating this mystery for years and we have a shortlist of Jerry Green, Busta Cherry Jones, Norman Watt-Roy and Topper. And could we add Mick to that?
Of all those I don't think it's Topper. If you listen to Mustapha Dance, that is one shit hot pro bass player there. I just don't think Topper would have been capable of that. Outside of that song, have we heard of Topper creating anything like it? I think he probably played a guide bass which would fit in with the story of him recording it, but I have no doubt it was scrubbed and a new part added by a session player.
Even the piano I'm skeptical about. The rhythm part may have been do-able for Topper but that boogie woogie lead at the start just sounds too perfectly performed to have been knocked out while he was waiting for the band to turn up.
I'm having Norman Watt-Roy for "Mustapha Dance" simply because he's the finest bass player I've ever seen.
Norman wasn't around the band at the time though, and it's definitely played with a pick, which isn't Norman's usual style. But I wouldn't rule him out as Topper named him as the person who played on it in an online quote from an interview a few years back. Only problem was there was no link to the original interview.
Agree on Norman using his fingers to play. But he could've played it using a pick. I don't think Busta Jones is as good as Norman but then who knows. It's a cracking bass line on that instrumental mix.
Whoever played it, it is a fucking amazing line. Jerry Green is the unknown quantity but studio technicians are often gifted instrumenalists.
Even the bits I've seen Topper play on piano of RTC have been very basic chords. That doesn't mean he wasn't up to snuff back in 82. I finally figured out a bunch of those fills and they aren't too too hard, but I'm also not very good and when I played them at the last Strummerville, they didn't sound nearly as tight as Topper. So yeah, I don't know, but I am similarly suspicious.
Re: Simon Humphries "The Clash"
Posted: 05 Aug 2020, 8:57pm
by TeddyB Not Logged In
Busta having played bass in Sharks would certainly be a draw for Mick, considering the same Clash album featured his tribute (SISOSIG) to their song Sophistication. Didn’t Jerry claim he played it though?
Re: Simon Humphries "The Clash"
Posted: 05 Aug 2020, 11:17pm
by Low Down Low
Sure i read somewhere that the RtC bass was played by Eddie Garcia but for life of me cant recall where.
Re: Simon Humphries "The Clash"
Posted: 05 Aug 2020, 11:24pm
by TeddyB Not Logged In
Low Down Low wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 11:17pm
Sure i read somewhere that the RtC bass was played by Eddie Garcia but for life of me cant recall where.
Yes, I remember reading that too.
Re: Simon Humphries "The Clash"
Posted: 06 Aug 2020, 3:38am
by Heston
Low Down Low wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 11:17pm
Sure i read somewhere that the RtC bass was played by Eddie Garcia but for life of me cant recall where.
Yes, forgot him.
Re: Simon Humphries "The Clash"
Posted: 06 Aug 2020, 6:19am
by Marky Dread
TeddyB Not Logged In wrote: ↑05 Aug 2020, 8:57pm
Busta having played bass in Sharks would certainly be a draw for Mick, considering the same Clash album featured his tribute (SISOSIG) to their song Sophistication. Didn’t Jerry claim he played it though?
Here's an odditity Busta's real name is Michael Jones.
