Top 5 Bass Players

To all the people who know me pretty well can agree I have a strong passion for music, especially hard rock and heavy metal.  Went to see Mr. Big @ House of Blues Orlando last night and was amazed at watching the musicianship, creativity and the talent of Billy Sheehan.  I always knew he was a great bass player, but until I saw him play live it changed my appreciation for him even more.  So it got me thinking: Who are the Top Bass Players in Hard Rock, Alternative, and Heavy Metal.

After a long debate with a close friend last night over a couple of beers we started this debate as he is a bass player.  At first I was just going to limit it to Hard Rock and Metal and not Alternative, but as both of us agreed that Flea is one of the Top bass players of all time I expanded my criteria to add Alternative.  This is my list of Top players and there are some I am going to leave out even though I think they are amazing.  Some of the people who did not make the cut are: Geezer Butler, Jason Newsted, Les Claypool, Stu Hamm (who is one of the best), Frank Bello (which pains me), Michael Anthony, Nikki Sixx and Dave Ellefson.

Do not get me wrong all of these players are great at what they do, but they just did not crack my Top 5.  So without further a do here is my Top 5 Bass Players of all-time:

5. Geddy Lee - Rush: 1/3 of the greatest power trio ever
4. Cliff Burton - Metallica: Redefined bass playing in his short life: just listen to the opening of For Whom The Bell Tolls or Anesthesia
3. Flea -Red Hot Chili Peppers: Complete musician in all facets of the game, even humbled himself and went back to school to get even better
2. Billy Sheehan - Mr. Big: Just a wizard in his bass playing, from the DLR days to Mr. Big.  Owns the stage and plays with a style all his own
1. Steve Harris - Iron Maiden: What else can you say, plays with speed and tempo.  Another person who revolutionized bass playing with is 4 finger gallop style.  Not many people can keep up with his speed and is the driving force behind the Iron Maiden machine.

Well there you have it, my Top 5 Bass Players of all time.  Who is on your list.  I can not wait to see.  Let the debating begin.  Till Next Time.

The Polish Guy

Inspiration

I may be a little late to the show, but I just finished watching "Soul Surfer" with my 9 year old daughter and I was truly moved and inspired.  Bethany Hamilton overcame a shark attack and lost her arm to become one of the greatest female pro surfers in the world.  It makes me look back at my life on some of things I did not try hard enough, because it was too much trouble.  Watching not only this movie, but other people who have over come obstacles and various challenges in life made me think what can we all do to help inspire others.

What if all of us looked in the mirror and thought of just one thing to overcome how would that make not only your life but those around you better. What you choose does not have to reflect on what you do for yourself, but how it can help others: like volunteering at an animal shelter, spending time with kids at Ronald McDonald House, helping a family through Habitat for Humanity.  If we just took 4 hours during the week to help we can help so many people and in turn inspire others.

I realize we all work hard during the week and the weekend is family time, but just think about it. 4 hours out of 168 is not much to ask and you can even pick something the whole family can do together.  So I ask you too ask yourself - how can you be inspirational to others.


The Polish Guy

My First Blog

Hi everyone,  I am looking forward to sharing my "Random Thoughts" on a wide range of topics from Music, Books, Movies, History, Current Events, Sports and anything else that comes to mind.  I will not be touching on subjects like politics - that can be saved for the politicians and people who specialize in that field.  I wish for my blog to be open to my friends and create debate that is fun and nothing serious.  So off we go.

For my first Blog, I wanted this to be something fun.  I first came across this in an episode of Friends and it is called "The List." If you are familiar with this episode it has to deal with Ross having Isabella Rossilini on his list and when he meets her she is not on it.  So this got me thinking to who would be my "Top 5" this has changed over the years, but here they are.

5. Shania Twain: She has a great voice, smoking hot and likes hockey (what is there not to like about that).
4. Ashley Judd: Strong willed, likes sports (kentucky basketball and indy car), girl you would like to bring home to mom
3. Elisha Cuthbert: Likes hockey, seems to be someone you would just want to hang out with and have a beer
2. Heidi Klum: the Original Victoria Secret Angel - need I say more
1. Jessica Biel: Athletic, great lines and did you see her in Blade Trinity and if you saw the bad movie "Summer Catch" you know the pool scene.

I guess there was a little theme in my choices in having to be athletic, like sports and just someone who is down to earth.

I welcome to here your thoughts and what your "List" would look like.  Any topics you would like to see let me know.  That's all for now.  See you next week.

The polish guy