Book excerpt: For the aspiring musician, knowing what to listen to is just as important as knowing what to play. Bass player and writer Ryan Madora provides the reader with exactly that--a guide to listening and learning from the greats. Shining the spotlight on players who are too often confined to the background, this book highlights the session aces, band members, and career musicians whose bass lines have permeated popular culture. Madora discusses the nuances of bass playing and the stylistic choices behind classic records, top-forty hits, and funky deep cuts. An invaluable resource for professionals and hobbyists alike, Bass Players To Know features players who have contributed to the evolution of the instrument, including Ray Brown, Jack Bruce, Cliff Burton, Duck Dunn, Louis Johnson, Edgar Meyer, Willie Weeks, and many others.