6319. Herbie Flowers - Don't Take My Bass Away

- January 06, 2025

From: A Little Potty; Year: 1980; Genre: New Wave/Rockabilly/Pop

Yesterday I learned that a few months ago master bassist/tubaist/and overall musician Herbie Flowers passed away. He is another one of those musicians that you have heard more times than you could count playing on basically many British artists' albums as a studio musician. He is probably most famous for the twin bass lines on both Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side and David Essex's Rock On, which are landmarks on the bass.

Some of the artists whose recording he appeared on where: Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Cat Stevens, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Al Kooper, Allan Clarke, Roger Daltrey David Essex, Elton John, Harry Nilsson, Sally Oldfield, Olivia Newton-John, and Cliff Richard amongst others. That is only a partial list and does not include his work with the avant-garde classical/rock group Sky and his solo material. Suffice it to say, you have heard him many, many times.

I thought about choosing another one from Sky, who have plenty of great pieces, but decided that it was more appropriate for the occasion to choose something from his solo work. This cute and cheeky tune that is very much in what was the bleeding edge of popular, new wave music just seemed excellent.

Hear Don't Take My Bass Away on YouTube.

My song pick 1 year ago today: Neil Young and the Shocking Pinks - Wonderin'

My song pick 2 years ago today: Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio - For Those Who Like To Groove

My song pick 3 years ago today: Dio - Sacred Heart

My song pick 4 years ago today: Brave Belt - Dunrobin's Gone

My song pick 5 years ago today: Hawkwind - The Watcher