Victor Wooten

[CRAIG4FSU]

In-freaking-credible

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFEvFk0Jt88&feature=related

 

[2 Loud 4 You]

Well, at least he has the beginner stuff down, now he can move on to more advanced playing.

If you don't have it yet, go pick up SMV. It's Victor with Stanley Clarke and Marcus Miller.

 

[CRAIG4FSU]

WOW.No love for Victor on a bass thread??

 

[freedom's door]

Victor is a badass. I'd like to hear him play with Wayne Krantz sometime.

 

[musicofanatic5]

Wooten is a little like Danny Gatton for me: a little bit goes a long way. It doesn't take much of either of them to wear me out! Great player, but a bit much...

 

[jads57]

It's funny but as great as his technique is, it becomes tiring musically for me. But I don't feel that way about Jaco'!

 

[Lucidology]

Marcus & Victor are 2 of my top favorite musicians ever ...

Make sure you read Victor's book, the Music Lesson ...
Very insightful look at what it takes to truly be a good musician

 

[TNJ]

I love me some Victor!
I own a Fodera VW Sig 4 string...and that sucker practically plays itself...and sounds like the hand of God in the process...

S.
j

 

[Ian Anderson]

I saw Vic a few years ago and it was one of the most entertaining and musical shows I have ever seen.

 

[snacker]

victor rocks!

 

[LarryNJ]

I had a brief but very pleasant conversation with VW at Winter NAMM 2009.
He took the time to answer some questions, and we discusssed a few things in general including the approach he takes to playing the bass and how he got there. His comment about it all being "a work in progress" was kewl too.

Besides being a monster technically and artistically, he's one of the nicest,most humble players you can imagine, very gracious and grateful-
(Same about Rocco Prestia & Lee Sklar, both from personal experience.)

I imagine their skills and attitude might develop by playing, practicing and living the life, rather than posting 5000 times on the gear page...

 

[wizard333]

I'm more of a Gary Willis fan. Victor is great but I agree with the poster above who said that it gets un-musical sometimes. Gary never gets un-musical, and has groove Victor can only dream of.

 

[LarryNJ]

I own a Fodera VW Sig 4 string...and that sucker practically plays itself...and sounds like the hand of God in the process...
I dream about that instrument! Can I borrow yours for about 5-6 years??

it gets un-musical sometimes
NOT IMO.

Willis is remarkable (as is Jeff Berlin, Alain Caron, and of course a multitude of players). I auditioned a guitarist yesterday; he's a recent Berklee Grad, and told me: "You're a GREAT Player!"- I corrected him, saying, No, I'm a GOOD Player.

Victor Wooten plays with facility, technique, finesse, and taste that, well, Sorry, but calling his output "unmusical"-
Doesn't exactly ring true to my ears and a WHOLE lotta other players.

Not that you're not entitled to hear what you hear of course

 

[big mike]

I love Vic. Not only an amazing bassplayer and musician, but a very genuine human being. Highlight of my retail music store career is when Vic and Steve bailey came in with the ampeg rep, and chatted with us for awhile.

Great dude, fabulous musician. "Show of Hands" is still one of my top instrumental CD's.
But everything he does is amazing.

If you haven't checked it out, Vital Tech Tones with Scott Henderson, Victor, and Steve Smith are an amazing couple of discs.

 

[R13D]

Saw him with Bela Fleck a few years back...incredible musician.

 

[torquil]

That sliding lick with both hands in opposite directions at 1:46 is awesome.

 

[Bo Faulkner]

thanks for posting! great stuff!

 

[ldizzle]

Great player...In a band situation he'd totally overplay 99% of the time.

 

[LarryNJ]

Bela Fleck & the Flecktones.
That's a Band situation.
Give 'em a call; tell them that you feel VW has been overplaying.

Keep us posted on their response!

 

[LarryNJ]

And in all seriousness (much as I dislike seriousness!)

VW's playing is evolved to a point where let's face it- Most of us will never be- Which is kewl- be yourself.

But at that level, his "overplaying" is really a demonstration of the heights he is capable of achieving. Don't you think he could lay back and groove? Think he could play in-the-pocket?
Ummm. Yeh he could.

Michael Manring does pyrotechnics on the bass guitar. I've seen him perform live/solo 2X. You have to rub your eyes to make sure there's only (1) Bassist playing.
Same scenario- it's a demonstration of achieved technique; what CAN be done-
Like building a Buggati that can go 230 mph; you're never going to drive it that fast, but it's engineered to do so.

I don't think a player of the caliber of VW would have trouble making ANY
situation sound amazing; he's a stellar player who puts his chops out there-
Because he has 'em-
And he can.

Simple.
Not your taste? Lots of others to listen to.