Favorite John's performance in Rumours

[Villavic]

I hope MacShadowsBall doesn't think I'm stealing his idea. This poll is inspired in his, but not the same question.

What song is your favorite in terms of the bass sound by John?

I'm excluding NGBA cause I'm sure there is no bass there, hope I'm not wrong

[KarmaContestant]

I voted for The Chain - but then immediately wished I'd picked You Make Loving Fun.

[chiliD]

Just because he's got a featured section in "The Chain" doesn't mean it's his best performance...if one listens to his work throughout not just Rumours but the entire Fleetwood Mac catalogue, he's just phenomenal.

I chose "Go Your Own Way"...his bass line behind the chorus is downright orchestral.

[Silver Springs]

Originally Posted by chiliD

Just because he's got a featured section in "The Chain" doesn't mean it's his best performance...if one listens to his work throughout not just Rumours but the entire Fleetwood Mac catalogue, he's just phenomenal.

I chose "Go Your Own Way"...his bass line behind the chorus is downright orchestral.

I agree complicitly! People tend to go for the option they can readily think of. I know The Chain is his "most famous" (over here especially as it's used to death to promote racing sports) but it isn't the only thing he's ever done. I voted for You Make Loving Fun because his base creates a syrupy and downright delicious frame for the song.

[Spoinny]

he knocks GDW out of the park on live versions

[GypsySorcerer]

"Go Your Own Way."

I wish we could have done this for the white album, so I could have voted for "Blue Letter."

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by GypsySorcerer

I wish we could have done this for the white album, so I could have voted for "Blue Letter."

Definitely! His bass line in that pretty much makes the song come alive. Compare with the Curtis Bros' own version (which sounds eerily like the Eagles or Poco...and that painfully simple bass line)

[HejiraNYC]

Although it doesn't feature his most dazzling work ever, "Dreams" really is John's song; that song is all bass and voice. And it is a perfect example of the classic Fleetwood Mac rhythm section sound- the drum beat that lags behind/syncopates with the bass.

[michelej1]

Rhiannon is great too.

Michele

[MacShadowsBall]

Great idea! I do kinda hate that Mick and John get left out in these things. The first response for me would be the "The Chain" but I don't really know. I'll have to listen to the songs more closely in how the bass line adds to the overall song.

[Fiver]

The bass in Oh Daddy kills me. In a good way.

[CreepingDeath]

Go Your Own Way

Remember during The Making of Rumours, and Mick is listening to GYOW, and says, "you're a monster, John". That pretty much sums it up.

[McTrouble]

Gold Dust Woman in live performances.

John is always ultra cool IMO.

[michelej1]

Oh, once again I forgot we were only doing Rumours bass lines.

Michele

[louielouie2000]

The best John bass line ever was on the Live '80 Rhiannon. The part from roughly 3:28 - 4:10 is just epic.

Regarding songs on this list, I have to agree with Fiver about Oh Daddy. The way John approaches his bass lines is just so innovative and different. He doesn't just provide a bass line to compliment a song, he comes up with entire counter melodies.