IR and the bass guitar

[alwarpet_andavan]

In my mind, IR's usage of the bass guitar is special and unique in that it has both variety and depth, especially the songs composed during the eighties. True, Keith Peters is as good as anybody around, but let's focus on bass in IR's songs here.

The unique feature of IR's bass usage is the unconventional nature of support that the bass gives to the songs, in that, in some cases ("Thumbi Vaa") the bass guitar instead of acting as a support/rhythm instrument, acts as the lead in carrying the song. A list of such songs would run too long and hence we can discuss about a song or a few songs apiece.

Another unique feature is IR's tendency to use the "high" notes of the bass, especially in the beginning of songs - ("Kodai Kaala kaatre", "Kadavul Ullame or karunai illame", when the pallavi starts in "Madram vandha", to name a few...). This usage is also not common in rock/pop genres but can be found in jazz were the bass counters the main instrument (Sax, piano etc).......

Experts please enlighten this novice on this.......