What gets you hired as a professional bass player — and what does it take to stay relevant across decades of musical change?
Charlie Jones has worked with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, spent around 18 years with Goldfrapp, produced and co-written music with Siouxsie Sioux, and toured with The Cult.
Chapters
01:03 Life off the road: The Cult, recording and creativity03:33 From a Woolworths bass to early recording sessions09:00 How working in a studio shaped Charlie’s sound12:04 Why a record deal doesn’t mean you’ve made it14:13 Early sessions, chance connections and the Robert Plant call20:33 How Charlie prepared for the Plant audition — and why he got hired24:27 Honouring John Paul Jones without losing your own voice27:43 Page & Plant as an apprenticeship: musical instinct and thick skin35:05 No overdubs: the making of No Quarter: Unledded36:23 A new musical language with Goldfrapp45:05 Strong musical personalities: respect, contribution and loyalty50:44 Career advice: play live, create opportunities, trust your instincts56:48 Why spontaneity and enjoyment matter more than perfection1:00:30 Essential bass lines: Ramble On, Jah Wobble and more
In this episode of Now That's Bass, Charlie takes us behind the scenes of that remarkable career, from his early days working in recording studios to performing with some of rock's most influential musicians.
We explore why Robert Plant chose him for the band, how working with Page and Plant became his real musical apprenticeship, and why moving into Goldfrapp's electronic world challenged him to develop an entirely new musical vocabulary.
Charlie also shares practical advice about:
Getting hired for more than technical ability.
Developing your ear and understanding what a song really needs.
Working confidently and respectfully with demanding artists.
Building relationships and remaining loyal without losing your self-respect.
Finding live performance opportunities in today's music industry.
Using social media without becoming trapped by comparison.
Leaving room for experimentation, mistakes and fun.
We finish with a fascinating discussion of the bass lines and musicians that shaped Charlie's playing, including John Paul Jones, Jah Wobble and Ron Carter.
Now That's Bass explores the realities of building a working life in music through honest conversations with professional bass players.
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