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24FPS
I was pissed when Bill left. Then I heard Voodoo Lounge and thought they'd be okay because Darryl basically sounded like Bill on songs like Love Is Strong and You Got Me Rocking. Then something happened, stubbornness, laziness, was told not to by 'the boys', who knows. Darryl's playing rapidly deteriorated within the group and never picked back up again. I think Bill's playing suffered a little bit in the late 60s, but he came roaring back, getting better and better, and was a main part of their sound from Miss You through Harlem Shuffle. I can listen to Start Me Up and analyze all the different little things Bill did to push the song forward. I cannot think of one Darryl Jones cut on a Stones song where I hear anything above what a run of the mill bass player would add. And, on stage, Darryl almost stubbornly won't put those little classic bass notes where they belong on songs. I ask, seriously, any of those who claim to prefer Darryl, what exactly it is about his playing they prefer.
Bill is different in that he's in the DNA of the group. His contribution to the chemistry is inescapable. They all grew up together as musicians. Brian was the most advanced when they first formed, but the others caught up and eventually passed Brian as he lost interest, laziness, drug addled, whatever. I used to watch my Four Flicks and The Biggest Bang DVD sets regularly. Then they started releasing vintage product with Bill playing on basically the same songs, and I haven't watched 4Flicks and Bigger B DVDs since. They are a fully functioning, fully contributing band with Bill. He was their anchor. Darryl by comparison is just kind of off to the side going through the motions. Yeah, Keith smiles at him a lot as if something is happening, but that's because Bill was an equal and didn't have to smile at any of them.
Look, Bill didn't want to stay. He looks kind of disengaged on the Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle tours, but he could still be brilliant at times, like Harlem Shuffle on the Tokyo DVD. Yes, the Stones were a lesser group after his departure. Yes, they had continued success, especially as a live act, but that's more to do with no competition. I guess the most noticeable difference is that without Bill the Stones don't hit you in the gut anymore. Bill is a rocker, Darryl is a jazzer. Keith understands, and said so, basically calling Bill THE Stones bass player.
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Stoneage
One doesn't have to write an essay about this. It's really simple. Bill is a born and bred rock and roll basist. You even hear it on the name rock-a-billy. That is his roots.
He may be a luddite hack, capable of nothing, but he is a rock and roll bassist. Primitive as that obviously is. Darryl is not.
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obonpaxis
It's weird watching early footage of the band, with Bill frequently smiling, singing backup, and dare I say - animated.
To me, his playing was a bit more adventurous during the Jones years. Eventually he stopped asserting himself - for a variety of reasons - and his influence on the band's sound diminished.
Then you've got Keith, Mick T, and Wood all obviously contributing their share of bass guitar parts in the studio, sometimes bringing a more foundational "riffy" approach to songs than Wyman usually did (think of Keith on Live With Me, Taylor on Fingerprint File, or Wood on Emotional Rescue). Wyman's playing always seemed more rubbery and free-form to me - in a good way - like a pure rhythm-and-blues BASSIST - as opposed to a guitarist moonlighting on bass.
He definitely caught some kind of second wind from '78 on - especially on stage. Maybe it was because the tempos picked back up and there was more room to showcase his strengths. His "wobble" always stood out more on faster numbers with minimal chord changes.
Bill's playing wasn't flashy, but it remains inimitable. Darryl is technically better, but the Stones haven't sounded Stonesy on stage since 8/25/90.
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Stoneage
One doesn't have to write an essay about this. It's really simple. Bill is a born and bred rock and roll basist. You even hear it on the name rock-a-billy. That is his roots.
He may be a luddite hack, capable of nothing, but he is a rock and roll bassist. Primitive as that obviously is. Darryl is not.
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TheflyingDutchman
Darryl's equalizer settings and timing might be a bit different, but he has the essential skills, just like Bill: backing it up, and don't walk in the way. If they asked Darryl to sound like Bill, he could do it with one finger in his nose. Dandelion Powderman's post of "Live with Me" (the LiB sound in this thread) is a perfect example. Having said that, I like most of Bill's playing with the Stones.
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24FPSQuote
Stoneage
One doesn't have to write an essay about this. It's really simple. Bill is a born and bred rock and roll basist. You even hear it on the name rock-a-billy. That is his roots.
He may be a luddite hack, capable of nothing, but he is a rock and roll bassist. Primitive as that obviously is. Darryl is not.
No, YOU don't have to write an essay, I do. But I'll keep it simple. Bill, Hampton, Black Limousine. Cheers, mate.
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MKjan
Bad without Bill. Wish he never left.
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24FPSQuote
TheflyingDutchman
Darryl's equalizer settings and timing might be a bit different, but he has the essential skills, just like Bill: backing it up, and don't walk in the way. If they asked Darryl to sound like Bill, he could do it with one finger in his nose. Dandelion Powderman's post of "Live with Me" (the LiB sound in this thread) is a perfect example. Having said that, I like most of Bill's playing with the Stones.
Interesting theory. So you're saying Darryl chooses to play meandering, emotionless bass that doesn't drive the music or contribute to its artistic presentation? Okay.
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TheflyingDutchmanQuote
24FPSQuote
TheflyingDutchman
Darryl's equalizer settings and timing might be a bit different, but he has the essential skills, just like Bill: backing it up, and don't walk in the way. If they asked Darryl to sound like Bill, he could do it with one finger in his nose. Dandelion Powderman's post of "Live with Me" (the LiB sound in this thread) is a perfect example. Having said that, I like most of Bill's playing with the Stones.
Interesting theory. So you're saying Darryl chooses to play meandering, emotionless bass that doesn't drive the music or contribute to its artistic presentation? Okay.
Some people say Ron Wood is horrible, others think he's a genius. In the end it's a matter of taste, or even nostalgia.
Below the first 45 seconds you hear Charlie Watts talking about Bill and Darryl:
Charlie on Bill/Darryl
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24FPS
I just don't think Charlie really gets rock music.
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HonkeyTonkFlashQuote
MKjan
Bad without Bill. Wish he never left.
It's all relative. In their own way, they've still played very well since Bill left and D. Jones does a reliable job. But as mentioned by several, that "classic Stones sound" is a thing of the past. That pulsing tight but loose swing and roll. Bill and Stu were a huge part of that. Now they sound more "professional" but I liked them better raw.
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24FPSQuote
TheflyingDutchmanQuote
24FPSQuote
TheflyingDutchman
Darryl's equalizer settings and timing might be a bit different, but he has the essential skills, just like Bill: backing it up, and don't walk in the way. If they asked Darryl to sound like Bill, he could do it with one finger in his nose. Dandelion Powderman's post of "Live with Me" (the LiB sound in this thread) is a perfect example. Having said that, I like most of Bill's playing with the Stones.
Interesting theory. So you're saying Darryl chooses to play meandering, emotionless bass that doesn't drive the music or contribute to its artistic presentation? Okay.
Some people say Ron Wood is horrible, others think he's a genius. In the end it's a matter of taste, or even nostalgia.
Below the first 45 seconds you hear Charlie Watts talking about Bill and Darryl:
Charlie on Bill/Darryl
Charlie didn't get Bill's playing until he had to go over parts with Darryl and suddenly Charlie understood how clever Bill was. I just don't think Charlie really gets rock music. My dad was a jazz drummer and he never did. Their ears are clouded, like mine are for most rap. It all sounds the same, not hip hop, but rap. I don't think Ronnie is a genius, like Mick Taylor was at his peak, or Brian all around, but he's quite good and there simply wouldn't be a modern day Stones without him. He was great on Blue & Lonesome. I think Charlie and Bill were just two work mates who got on well. Bill was the one who came from 50s rock and roll. He could make his electric guitar play like a 50s standup. Charlie was in his own world, following Keith. All that Charlie understood about Bill is, 'That the whole damn bottom of the band fell out when he would stop playing'.
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Leonioid
As far as Darryl's playing, I think (once again) how happy I am to be blessed with ears that are not all that picky... if the sounds are rocking and rolling I am happy and Darryl does that just fine. I also enjoy his recent bass riffs/solos on some songs... he jams! I would hate to have the ears of some people around here who can discern the slightest flaw in anything and it seemingly ruins everything for them.
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hopkins
I really liked early Rhythm Kings but they didn't swing really, did they?