Mick Karn – Bass

Andonis Michaelides (Greek: Αντώνης Μιχαηλίδης; 24 July 1958 – 4 January 2011), better known as Mick Karn, was a British musician who rose to fame as the bassist for the Art Rock/New Wave band Japan. His distinctive fretless bass guitar sound sound and melodic playing style were a trademark of the band’s sound. The wonderful thing is that he didn’t have a scooby what he was doing. HE did something with Bill Bruford and Bruford got the hump because, as I understand it, he thought Karn was uneducated as a musician. Great example of the fact that you don’t have to come out of academia to make a contribution.

I did this one because someone popped up on Talkbass asking about transcriptions of Karn’s playing and asked for this tune specifically so I thought ‘I’m not busy’ and here we are. I actually enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. ‘Talking Drum’ from Japan’s 19981 album ‘Tin Drum’ (was it really over 40 years ago?).