Stefan Lessard: Top Five

[i like tictacs]

Stefan, as a bass player, seems to be very underrated on these boards. Sometimes I wonder if people even know how to pick out the bassline of a song, or if they are just listening through their mothers' 1980s walkman headphones. I will attempt to present to you Stefan's best work throughout the years. If you are a doubter, I suggest you listen to these songs

#5: You Never Know, Busted Stuff: Throughout the whole song Stefan weaves an intricate bassline that seems to feather over the softer parts of the song, but add incredible power to the loud and powerful movements throughout. For example, when Dave is singing 'All fall down, it wont be so long now' Stefan is adding brilliant touches to both follow Dave's vocals and add power to the song with the open B string that he powers out.

#4: Pantala Naga Pampa/Rapunzel, Listener Supported: Everything about the bassline in these compositions is awesome. Like You Never Know, Stefan leads through the music and brings so much energy to these songs, especially in the verses when he does his little walk-down fill at the end of the measure. The chorus is also beautiful, and he supports Dave's vocals brilliantly without losing the feel of the song.

#3: Raven, Lillywhite Sessions: His syncopation throughout this song contrasting Boyd and Carter is awesome. His arpeggios under Dave's voice and his interplay with Roi and Boyd is fantastic. It is almost as if he is playing lead bass at some times, but still playing for the song and not getting in the way of it. His harmonic fills are beautifully placed throughout the song, and in the jam he really shines.

#2: The Stone: Any version. He adds so much raw power to this song, it's not even funny. While the Dave solo versions are wonderful, Stefan is really what gives the live version it's power. His rumblings on the B string provide a constant foundation for Dave's meandering guitar line, Roi's horn and Boyd's repetitive droning. This is the perfect example of Stefan really taking a great song and bringing it into the epic zone.

#1: Big Eyed Fish, Busted Stuff: While this may not be Stefan's flashiest, I feel that it sums him up perfectly as a bassist. In the beginning of the song and the verses, we have Stefan playing what is required of the song, and no more. His playing is solid, tight, and never getting in the way of the other instruments. As the song progresses, however, his playing evolves into an awesome thing of it's own. From about the 1:40 mark on, he takes on his own role providing beautiful fills under Dave's voice and guitar, adding; but still not interfering with the rest of the music. As the verse comes back, he goes back to his role as providing a super-solid foundation for the rest of the band. At the 2:40 mark, he goes off again, with beautiful yet-funky playing in the chorus, then leads into the 'Noooo waaay out' part, where he completely tears the song a new one. From here out, he shows us everything he does so well: supporting dave's voice, adding funk, staying solid, and interplaying with carter, boyd and roi. Let's not forget his nice outro line too, which I missed a lot this year in the 2006 BEFs.

Side note: Dreaming Tree. This is just a timeless riff that is so interesting to listen to, and certainly a unique composition. While it is certainly a really, really cool riff, I don't think it defines Stefan as a bass player or defines his style, nor do I think a repeated riff one measure long is worthy of his best work (as awesome as that riff may be). That is why it did not make the top five.

Although, it is probably my favorite riff to play.



Although I could put many more songs on this list, I wanted to showcase a few examples to highlight his playing. If I were to make this a top ten, I'd round it out with Two Step, So Much to Say (super funky, again), Everyday (Live), What Would You Say (fuckin' funk zone) and Sugar Will, perhaps.

Have fun kids.

[bense27]

Don't feel like reading through all of them right now, but I agree with what you said about You Never Know and The Stone. And Sugar Will is definitely up there on my list as well.

[carter29]

It may be a repeated and simple riff but his work on Crush is the foundation of that song, he keeps it flowing while the whole band adds their touch.

I don't think Carter would have the chance to shine on a lot of jams if it wasn't for Stefan, like Two Step, ABI, Seek Up...he just gives Carter the best bass riffs that allow him to go anyways with it. From a drummer's perspective, Stefan's playing really makes it easier to be bold, creative and let it flow. Kudos to Stefan

[Blake]

He comes up with some great bass lines, but imo he's way to damn repetetive. It actually annoys me that he can play the same thing over and over and not change it up a single bit.

I'm glad you like him though.

[GSR]

There is no groove like the Sugar Will jam.

[bassman462]

good post.

[Easy E]

you have way too much time on your hands

[GSR]

you have way too much time on your hands

to type a few paragraphs?

[SillyPutty]

Great post...and I agree. The Stone and PNP/Rapunzel have always been two of my favorites, and this is a good review from a bassists' perspective. Good read.

[checkii]

I support this thread completely. however i thin kit is more re-instating what people here think of him. He in my eyes is kind of like the best supporting actor int eh world. he is no kevin spacy or brad pitt. but he doesnt need to be, he brings just as much to music without having to be in the foregorund, which, i think is more impressive at times.

[GSR]

I support this thread completely. however i thin kit is more re-instating what people here think of him. He in my eyes is kind of like the best supporting actor int eh world. he is no kevin spacy or brad pitt. but he doesnt need to be, he brings just as much to music without having to be in the foregorund, which, i think is more impressive at times.

holla back.

[taparoo]

There is no groove like the Sugar Will jam.

[paulaitchison]

totally agree with the above, although i never underestimated him and didnt know others did

18 to 34 seconds of spotlight = sex on bass

5.10 to 6 min of busteds bartender, simple but perfect

sorry to say but i love the small space between outro

bass in captin is cool to,

[bassman462]

i really love his work in build you a house too.

[Nitro1515]

great post tictacs. Stefan is woefully underrated