Talking Bass, or is it Walking Bass?

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Back cover, Transformer, Lou Reed 1972

Having just posted about singles and bass, it's only appropriate to mention the single and the bassline that encapsulates the two so succinctly: Walk on the Wild Side, from Lou Reed's 1972 outing, Transformer. I first came across the tune on The Old Grey Whistle Test (natch) on it's release, and first heard the album at Jane's friend's place in Manor Hall.
The bassline that made this track was created by the one and only Herbie Flowers. He played the main line on string-bass and double-tracked a part on electric bass a tenth above it, to create that unique (and very lucrative in terms of sales) dark and laid-back foundation to Lou Reed's song. Flower's session fee for it should have been £12.00, but because he'd double-tracked two parts, he got £24.00. Flat fee. Amazing. By the way, this iconic studio session took around twenty minutes to lay down. They really don't make 'em like that any more.

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