Xmas Instruments: Bass

This is a pretty loose term: stringed, skinned, brass, speaker, deep-throated? (It just means pitched.) Well, we’ll stick mostly with the longneck guitary thing. Electric, at times. At other times–look out.

Donna Singer gets jazzed when she reveals that time “Santa Plays the Bass.” It’s a North Pole jam session of moderate consequences. Unplugged.

DETOUR! Monty Harper (feat: Lisa Harper (tenor ukulele) & Donald Brown (cajon)) reveal in their backroom how “Santa’s Got a U Bass.” That’s a ukulele, kids. No, you can’t borrow mine. I don’t have one. Fine surf rock.

David M. Bax falsettos “Merry Swidmas” about Santa’s visit (where not a bass was playing). This downbeat jazz also wishes you a Merry Bassmas, so there’s that.

DETOUR: Feel the bass, see the lights, quips Kwistone in “The Santa in da Club.” Yeah, it’s club pop–you might wanna card this one for legality. But, it’s all about that sound system. Their “Santa’s Sleigh Drift” EDMs how important the bassline thumping in your ride must be.

Carols played on the bass still get a pass, but comedy about that monotone sound gets a play. So, here’s “Amazing Bass” from the Bob & Tom Show (morning radio from the ’90s, wee ones).

Merle Haggard interrupts his breaking out of county for Christmas when “I Made the Prison Band.” Ol’ C+W what names the players, beginning with the bassist. The power of performance compels him.

A gut bass, too features as well in “My Cajun Christmas” by Gary Strickland. Decorous Zydeco.

J9’s “Island Christmas” also includes this instrument for their Polynesian sound. Is there any ethnic genre the bass can’t anchor?!

“A Caveat Christmas” in which the elves are kicked into gear by music is played by Caveat (feat. Kelsey Minko & Jonny Jed). Trent, the bassist, leads the charge to save the gift dispensation. American R’n’R, and it wails.