Joe Dart is the acclaimed bass player with much loved U.S. funk band Vulfpeck - later this month, he reunites with his comrades in American-Irish outfit The Olllam for a rare performance at the National Concert Hall on June 18th, as part of this year's Tradition Now festival.
Ahead of the show, Joe lists his Top 10 albums of all time...
1. Blood Sugar Sex Magik - Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Red Hot Chili Peppers were easily the most influential band of my youth, and I basically learned how to play bass from watching and listening to Flea. To me, this album epitomizes RHCP's contribution to funk music.
2. Abbey Road - The Beatles
My three favorite bands will constitute my three top albums on this list. I love every Beatles record, but I had Abbey Road on vinyl and listened to it everyday in my teens. Paul's basslines are second to none.
3. The Royal Scam - Steely Dan
Here's another record I listened to on vinyl in my youth. I love Steely Dan's songs, lyrics, and of course the masterful musicianship of their studio band. Years later I would get to play bass with Bernard Purdie, drummer on this record. Surreal.
4. Travelling Without Moving - Jamiroquai
Stuart Zender remains a huge influence on my bass playing. His disco / funk work on this record echoes Bernard Edwards, and Jamiroquai's 90's space-funk acid-jazz captivated me when I heard it and holds up still.
5. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin
Good Times Bad Times is still my favorite 'album one, track one'. I find the whole record to be so heavy and funky and raw.
6. Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys
Start to finish, among the most gorgeous songs and production ever made. And the playing by the Wrecking Crew shows what a studio band can do.
7. All 'n All - Earth, Wind & Fire
Verdine White is, after Flea, maybe my biggest influence. His funky and melodic playing shines on this particular record, which I wore out on CD in my car for many years.
8. Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder remains, in my opinion, perhaps the greatest living songwriter. I feel like this record is his best. I can listen start-to-finish and remain blown away by every second of it.
9. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
When I was young I wrote a letter to my hero - Flea. He wrote back. His chief advice to me: 'Listen to What's Going On. Learn everything Jamerson does'. I took his advice.
10. Currents - Tame Impala
Among the records that came out in this millenium, Tame Impala's are among my favorite. I still can't get over the production on this record, how cool and heavy all of the sounds are, how hypnotic the parts, and how emotionally raw the lyrics are.
The Olllam play the National Concert Hall on June 18th, 2022, as part of this year's Tradition Now festival find out more here.
