lowdown

Session Bassist, Russ Stableford. He also played Bass in 'The Muppets Band'.

Absolutely fine. Like I said, I was just curious, that was all.👍

Fiddle, I possibly understand, finish I totally understand - Fix is another matter for me. If I am asked to 'fix', or a suggested 'fix' from someone who is paying, or indeed if I have missed something that needs fixing, i am more than happy to go back and fix. Otherwise the deadline, is handed over to someone else, to become their deadline....

Why do you not want to go back and fiddle and fix? Many Symphonies have evolved into top work this way, along with many other classics throughout history I should imagine. Just curious, really...

I thought it was 1980, but I found this in among the reply posts. "This was in Oostende in Belgium in 1981. That is where he recorded a part of the album Midnight love (sexual healing). This rehearsal was for a concert at the casino in Oostende. He lived there for more than a year. Belgium ! Who could tell ?" Which ties in with the Wiki page... "On February 14, 1981, under the advice of music promoter Freddy Cousaert, Gaye relocated to Cousaert' apartment in Ostend, Belgium.[88] While there, Gaye shied away from heavy drug use and began exercising and attending a local Ostend church, regaining personal confidence.[89][90] Following several months of recovery, Gaye sought a comeback onstage, starting the short-lived Heavy Love Affair tour in England and Ostend in June–July 1981.[91] Gaye's personal attorney Curtis Shaw would later describe Gaye's Ostend period as "the best thing that ever happened to Marvin". When word got around that Gaye was planning a musical comeback and an exit from Motown, CBS Urban president Larkin Arnold eventually was able to convince Gaye to sign with CBS. On March 23, 1982, Motown and CBS Records negotiated Gaye's release from Motown. The details of the contract were not revealed due to a possible negative effect on the singer's settlement to creditors from the IRS."

James Jamerson Jr on Bass?

I have always thought this was the best ‘Shred’ out of all of them. Chick changing sounds/patches is priceless.

Yeah, I have always liked their version. I suppose it's a testament to a great tune when it gets plenty of covers. Dionne Warwick recorded a version I like as well. Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway also recorded their take on it, with a very different arrangement and approach.

Is it Silent Night ? Or indeed, just a blank canvas to play what you want? An attachment might be helpful for us all to view.

Over the last forty years, a large % of my music income has been from sight reading in professional pit & stage shows, arranging and work for music engraving/copying companies. I haven't used pen and manuscript for years (Feather Quill, ink and gaslight even longer), It has mostly been using Sibelius or Finale (and now Dorico) on Computer. Reading (and theory) for me, has been worth it's weight in money. So yes, definitely important from my point of view. 👍

It seems that in 1977, Disco Dancers (well Americans) had perfected the Art of 'Slap & Pop' air Bass. Check out 0:16 during the intro.

After walking into a recording session and then an Orchestra pit on the same day, the musical director for both said to me "Son, make today, the first and last day you turn up without a flipping pencil"...."Now that's out of the way, get the beers in"...I then asked if anyone in the band had a pencil? So I could write down the band drinks order....

If you asked that question to 10 people in Somerset, yes, we would know the answer to that. "Did they both sing with the Wurzels?"

Anita Baker, Queen of Jazzy Retro-Nuevo (You had to be there, with 8 million others)

Yeah, she is a terrific singer and certainly one of my favourite vocalists/musicians. But she certainly isn’t/wasn’t overlooked/unheard of. ‘The Rapture Album’ sold over 8 million copies, with two tracks receiving a Grammy each. There are over 30 of America’s finest session musicians and singers on that Album and it was a pretty big deal back in the 80’s. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapture_(Anita_Baker_album)

Of course, Roberta's terrific version is a classic, but Bob James did a nice cover as well.

The Golden Oldies (Nathan East, Bob James, Harvey Mason and Chuck Loeb). Check out the solo interplay, some serious ear chops going on. They seem to know how to groove.....

Frank Gambale fits in well, it’s tailor made for him. Always worth another listen (thanks for posting).

A true legend, very sad. Certainly one of my favourite musicians. R.I.P

Something of interest for you. Do you fancy talking to your DAW? I think this could be very useful (a shame that it is only for Logic at present...). http://voicecommander.net/introduction_to_voice_commander_logic_pro_video.html

Yeah, I remember that. Wasn’t there also a version by someone with a Balalaika in it as well?

Ah...I see, although you didn’t say featuring Sarah Ruba in the thread. (All this sampling is confusing me now) I was referring to the actual Sarah Ruba (sampled Fatback Band track) from a couple of years back.

I love Chaka Khan, one of my favourite singers. But isn’t this just a direct cover of the Sarah Ruba track (Bus Stop - Sampled) a couple of years back?