Last week, I had the opportunity to go to the Missouri Valley Public Library and listen to Delores Dorland's presentation on her stand-up bass.
Dorland is the mother of the Times-News' front desk extraordinaire Carrie Goodsell. She currently plays with the Blair Area Community Band and the Kanesville Symphony Orchestra, but she has been involved in all kinds of musical performances during her time with her bass.
I had my own time with a bass, too, albeit a bass guitar. In my younger days (I'm talking extremely young, as I'm 23 right now) I played in the jazz band and would occasionally jam with my dad, who is a drummer.
I idolized bass guitarists like Jaco Pastorius of Weather Report, Chris Squire of Yes, Geddy Lee of Rush and, of course, Paul McCartney of The Beatles.
I still remember the first time I heard “Chameleon” off of the Herbie Hancock album “Head Hunters.” Paul Jackson's groovy bass line is forever engrained in my mind, and it was basically my starting point with jazz music. Jackson's connection with drummer Harvey Mason throughout that album left a huge impression on me.
I could name other albums and songs, as well, but we'd be here all day.
At a certain point, I started playing the bass less and focusing on other things more. Back then it was mainly school and sports; today it's mostly working and making sure my fiancee still loves me.
So it goes without saying that I haven't had much time to slap-a-da-bass.
I have multiple bass guitars, but just one of them has been sitting ever so temptingly in the corner of the bedroom in my apartment. From time to time I wipe the dust off and pick it up for a few minutes, but nothing too crazy. I haven't fully committed myself to going “all in” again.
Thanks to Dorland, I might just tune that thing one of these days and go for it.
