This is absolutely insane- Beautiful, flowing, super complex! I didn’t realize that Ed played bass on this and I am a Strawberry Alarm Clock fan! Even as a bass player, I somehow never paid that much attention to the bass on this song but wow, thank you for posting this isolated track. I absolutely love it.
What a fuckin line. Very seamless playing, phrasing is enthusiastic and emotive. No measure is the same with all his little fun flourishes and ornaments. Having such a fun time learning this song and I'm keeping a few lines in my back pocket for the rest of my life as a bass player. Thought this song was overrated before I learned more about the band and the song itself. What a righteous song.
Prettiest bassline imho. Sticks in my head constantly. Ed King was magnificent. Hearing that Ronnie thought he was a terrible bass player is stunning to me (and the rest of the world!)
I just started playing in a cover band and have been learning a lot of their tunes and Ed King played on most of their hits but Leon still was a monster himself
Leon wrote the lines and Ed played it on the album. Leon wasn't sure if he wanted to be a famous musician. He was struggling with the idea and working at an ice cream company while they recorded this album. You fucking believe that shit. Leon is my favorite bassist and the fact he wasn't really sure if he wanted to make the choice in becoming famous shows a lot about his character and maybe his knowledge of how shitty the music industry is and how they fuck "their" talent over.
I completely agree. I love Leon Wilkeson, but Ed was exactly what these songs needed. Simple Man for example sounds very different (and less interesting) without Ed's incredible bass line.
@@milesoneal3939 I always read that and maybe Ed was getting rough structure type ideas from Leon but think of how many friggin licks there are in this song, how would someone learn every note of this from someone else. I imagine that Ed made a lot of those fills
Listened to free bird for the first time since I started playing the bass today. I couldn't pick the bass out of the mix before. Now? Holy shit.
The guy could play and was way better than people knew at the time.
The guys name is Leon Wilkeson and he's a BEAST just like you said my man!
Hes my favorite bassist
This is absolutely insane- Beautiful, flowing, super complex!
I didn’t realize that Ed played bass on this and I am a Strawberry Alarm Clock fan! Even as a bass player, I somehow never paid that much attention to the bass on this song but wow, thank you for posting this isolated track. I absolutely love it.
What a fuckin line. Very seamless playing, phrasing is enthusiastic and emotive. No measure is the same with all his little fun flourishes and ornaments. Having such a fun time learning this song and I'm keeping a few lines in my back pocket for the rest of my life as a bass player. Thought this song was overrated before I learned more about the band and the song itself. What a righteous song.
Prettiest bassline imho. Sticks in my head constantly. Ed King was magnificent. Hearing that Ronnie thought he was a terrible bass player is stunning to me (and the rest of the world!)
To be fair Ed King thought he was a terrible bass player as well.
Tastefully done as usual!! Ed was a Master at layers and was a very underrated bass player!! A true musician!! Thanks Ed!!Peace brother
Guitar and bass player
I just started playing in a cover band and have been learning a lot of their tunes and Ed King played on most of their hits but Leon still was a monster himself
what a fun to play bassline. thx for this.
This is awesome to hear the bass like this as someone who loves the bass guitar this is super cool
If this had been the only thing that Ed had recorded I'd still think he was a legend! What a bassline!!
Ed played bass like he played guitar. So it's very different. But it's beautiful. Love Ed's and Leon's bass. But this is Ed's.
Leon wrote the lines and Ed played it on the album. Leon wasn't sure if he wanted to be a famous musician. He was struggling with the idea and working at an ice cream company while they recorded this album.
You fucking believe that shit. Leon is my favorite bassist and the fact he wasn't really sure if he wanted to make the choice in becoming famous shows a lot about his character and maybe his knowledge of how shitty the music industry is and how they fuck "their" talent over.
RIP Ed!!!
7:32 the best part
Excellent
No bass player on Earth could have done a better job than Ed King - same with Gimme Three Steps and Simple Man
I completely agree. I love Leon Wilkeson, but Ed was exactly what these songs needed. Simple Man for example sounds very different (and less interesting) without Ed's incredible bass line.
So Ed was the bassist on Free Bird and not Leon? Didnt know that huh.
Yea apparently leon left the band for a short time when this album was recorded and came back after it was finished.
Yes, but most of the parts were originally Leon's as I understand them. Ed learned those, but I think there were one or two he wrote.
@@milesoneal3939 I always read that and maybe Ed was getting rough structure type ideas from Leon but think of how many friggin licks there are in this song, how would someone learn every note of this from someone else. I imagine that Ed made a lot of those fills
@@milesoneal3939 yeah I listened to live versions, Leon plays this song a lot differeny
Actual melody in a bass line. What a concept. Amazing.
Awesome!
Wow!
Took me too long to notice what a killer bassline freebird has. As if the guitar part wouldn`t be amazing enough...
WHY IS IT SO BURIED IN THE MIX
Because Ronnie thought Ed sucked on the bass ...go figure
I ask the same.
And Ronnie said Ed was the worst bass player he ever played with
Allen faster then a speeding bullet 😅