Jack Bruce 1943-2014 – Five Classic Basslines

As the music world mourns the loss of rock and roll pioneer Jack Bruce, we decided to take a look back through the master’s long and storied history to examine the legacy he left behind. To call him monumental would be only to scratch the surface of his influence and impact on the state of modern music. Rooted in the blues, Bruce played a style entirely his own by incorporating elements of rock and roll, jazz, and even funk into his repertoire. His work laid the foundations for the coming of hard rock and inspired a generation of bassists to up their game. While this list is in no way meant to be a definitive look at his best, we’ve tried to include examples that showcase both his virtuosity and his dynamism. Some of these tracks might not be his best known work (we very much intentionally left out “Sunshine of Your Love” to leave room for other, perhaps lesser known tracks) but his work as composer and bassist are on full display as we take a look back at 5 classic bass lines from this legend. Rest in peace, big guy. You will be missed.

HCKHH Blues: If I’m being perfectly honest with myself and with you, I could probably fill up this list using just songs from this album, Things We Like; in the interest of diversity, however, I’ll limit myself to this mind blowing track. Notable for his use of the double bass, the entire record is a monument for free jazz/rock fusion and this track, in particular, is just nuts. Bruce and his band jam their way through almost 9 minutes of frenetic freeform that builds and builds until it finally breaks. Here, Bruce shows he knows when to take the forefront and when to hold back to let the others shine. Regardless, which direction the track takes, Bruce’s mind-bending bass line holds the piece together and pushes the track into the territory of classics.

You Burned the Tables on Me: If there’s a track that proves that Bruce didn’t need Clapton to write a song that rocks, it’s this one. “You Burned the Tables on Me” is at least as good as anything Cream ever produced and it’s probably even better. A classic, blues inspired rock and roll effort, Bruce thumps and slaps his way into history without being overwhelming; any single part of this track is incredible on its own, but Bruce’s bass sets the tone for the entire song. His playing here is as effortless as it is funky and stands to this day as a testament to his brilliance.

How’s Tricks: Subdued without being marginalized, the bass line to the title track from his 1977 record exudes a sort of funkiness rarely heard in a jam so slow. Bruce was a master of setting the mood without taking over and this is a fine example of his ability to lead without drowning out his accompaniment. On top of that, his bass work is just so groovable on this track. You’d have to try to not nod your head to his rhythm and even then you’d probably fail. I’m certainly not arguing that this is his best or most memorable bass line of all time, but his work on this track is simply masterful, displaying his virtuosity and reach without being overt, and that takes a special talent.

Never Tell Your Mother She’s Out of Tune: Rock and funk both share a common ancestor in the blues. Though both genres have grown and evolved into beasts of their own, their commonality makes them ripe for crossovers and fusion. This track is a fine example of rock and funk’s shared roots and the bass work here is incredible. Once again, Bruce shows his capability for being an interesting focal point without overwhelming his band. Those horns and that bass compliment each other and neither would sound as good without the other. The final effort feels like it could have been a cover of Otis Redding in his heyday and is every bit as energetic and danceable as any of the rock and funk greats.

Deserted Cities of the Heart: It’s so easy to get caught up in “Sunshine of your Love” and forget about the rest of Cream. Really, if you listen only to the radio, you might think that Cream starts and ends with “Sunshine” and “White Room.” This track, off Wheels of Fire, is probably my favorite Cream track and Bruce’s dynamic bass playing is one of the major reasons why. Here he proves just how he’s the backbone of Cream. The bass line carries and propels the song from one movement to the next as it builds into a sort of pre-progressive jam that never fails to deliver the goose bumps. It was a headbanger before its time, accomplished without the pomp and excess of modern hard rock and metal.

What are some of your favorite Jack Bruce bass lines? Sound off in the comments!