RIP: Donald “Duck” Dunn - November 24, 1941 – May 13, 2012
From Muddy Water's 1969 release "Fathers And Sons", here's one of the greatest line-ups you will ever hear.
Muddy Waters – vocals, guitar
Otis Spann – piano
Michael Bloomfield – guitar
Paul Butterfield – harmonica
Donald "Duck" Dunn – bass guitar
Sam Lay – drums
Paul Asbell – rhythm guitar
Buddy Miles – drums on "Got My Mojo Working, Part 2"
For our intents and purposes here on Tribute Week, we want to pay special attention to that glorious bass.
Rock solid, always in the pocket, but still never getting stale or repetitive, always building on what others are doing, but never really stealing the spotlight. Oh sure, there are other bass players who are faster, more fiddly, play more notes, got more flash. But I guarantee you, that every note that the Duck plays on this track is exactly where it needs to be, and it's always contributing, not bringing down. This, friends, is a masterclass in bass performance.
Donald "Duck" Dunn was a bass guitarist, session musician, record producer, and songwriter. He was famous for his 1960s recordings with Booker T. & the M.G.'s and as a session bassist for Stax Records. He could play soul, gospel, rock, blues, and everything inbetween. Dunn also performed on recordings with The Blues Brothers, Freddie King, Albert King, Levon Helm, Neil Young, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Guy Sebastian, Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, Roy Buchanan, Steely Dan and Arthur Conley.
What have you done with your life?
