Carol Kaye: Session Legend Interview

[mpare]

I profess no expertise in music. However, it’s apparent to me that Carol Kaye is an exceptional bass player. This 70 minute interview with her, during which she is almost continually playing to demonstrate technical points she was making, was engrossing. I hated to see it come to an end. My guess is that guitarists, and anyone who has an interest in creativity, will enjoy watching this interview.

[Marty Canuck]

I am a hack of a bass player and I know that Carol Kay has demi-god status in the bass community. Thanks for sharing this! I will watch it later but happy to have this presented!

[Mule56]

Years ago my friend was asked why he used a pick playing bass, it's thumb and fingers. I remember so clearly he turn to the guy and said "if it's good enough for Carol Kaye, it sure as h*!! is good enough for me. If you don't know who she is you shouldn't even be asking." The guy shrunk away.
After that we talked about her for an hour.
He ws so impressed with her abilities.

[mpare]

Years ago my friend was asked why he used a pick playing bass, it's thumb and fingers. I remember so clearly he turn to the guy and said "if it's good enough for Carol Kaye, it sure as h*!! is good enough for me. If you don't know who she is you shouldn't even be asking." The guy shrunk away.
After that we talked about her for an hour.
He ws so impressed with her abilities.

Great story, Bob. I didn’t know about her before watching this video. Since then, I’ve read about her. She was, and remains, a tremendous talent and teacher. While I know nothing about music theory, it’s evident to that she does.

[mpare]

Mule56 Bob, this short piece on her is equally revealing. She’s a person I’d like to meet.

[Bosco]

Thanks for this - I’ve watched it a couple of times.

[jnj37]

Back in the mid sixties when I had just moved to LA, TV variety series were at their peak. During that time I was fortunate enough to write for a bunch of the series, and over a dozen variety specials. While it was fun working with the likes of Glen Campbell, Petula Clark, Andy Williams, Tom Jones, Sonny&Cher, and on and on, for me the most fun was I got to hang out with the musicians at rehearsals and recording sessions. The guys were better-than-good players, they were great, and so hip, so funny....and then one day I discovered they weren't all guys. The first time I saw and heard Carol Kaye at a session I couldn't believe it. A woman playing bass? The only woman I'd ever seen at a session was maybe a harpist. The first time you heard her you knew she was really, really, really, good. She was drop-dead brilliant. And the rest of the musicians, contractors, and producers sure knew it as well, because it seems from then on, whenever I was at a session, whether for a show or recording a theme song, Carol Kaye and her bass was sure to be found. What a treat.
Thanks for the memories Mpare.

[mpare]

Back in the mid sixties when I had just moved to LA, TV variety series were at their peak. During that time I was fortunate enough to write for a bunch of the series, and over a dozen variety specials. While it was fun working with the likes of Glen Campbell, Petula Clark, Andy Williams, Tom Jones, Sonny&Cher, and on and on, for me the most fun was I got to hang out with the musicians at rehearsals and recording sessions. The guys were better-than-good players, they were great, and so hip, so funny....and then one day I discovered they weren't all guys. The first time I saw and heard Carol Kaye at a session I couldn't believe it. A woman playing bass? The only woman I'd ever seen at a session was maybe a harpist. The first time you heard her you knew she was really, really, really, good. She was drop-dead brilliant. And the rest of the musicians, contractors, and producers sure knew it as well, because it seems from then on, whenever I was at a session, whether for a show or recording a theme song, Carol Kaye and her bass was sure to be found. What a treat.
Thanks for the memories Mpare.

And thank you for your insight.