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Jackson 5

JapanAxe

By JapanAxe,
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JapanAxe Veteran

JapanAxe

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I recently came across a printed bass part that I did about 8 tears ago for 'Blame It On The Boogie'. At the time I would often download a MIDI song file and import the bass line into a program called Encore, then tidy it up. I had transposed it down to Db for a dep gig that I think never came off. I realised this when I tried to play along to the track!

Anyway, I did a new version in Sibelius in the original key of Eb - what a great song, and a superb bass line - it really makes the song. I've had so much fun playing it, as my technique has somewhat moved on since I originally tried it.

I know I have a bass part for 'I Want You Back' as well, and that one is pretty tricky, with off-beat 16th-note runs, especially in the breakdown. I aim to give that the same treatment.

Where am I going with this? First I just wanted to share the love for great disco songs. Second, does anyone know who played bass on these records? One of the brothers? Famous session player? Little-known session player?

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Roland Rock Mentor

Roland Rock

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Posted (edited)

I love those basslines too. Here's some info from a Google search:


Gary King
The late New York studio vet (Bob James, Roberta Flack) played on the Jacksons album Destiny [Epic, 1978], including the hit “Blame It on the Boogie.”


http://www.bassplayer.com/article/men-in-the-mirror-the-bassists-of-michael-jackson-how-alex-al-and-his-predecessors-pumped-up-the-king-of-pop/4769

Edited by Roland Rock
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JapanAxe Veteran

JapanAxe

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[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1383903338' post='2270507']
I love those basslines too. Here's some info from a Google search:


Gary King
The late New York studio vet (Bob James, Roberta Flack) played on the Jacksons album Destiny [Epic, 1978], including the hit "Blame It on the Boogie."


[url="http://www.bassplayer.com/article/men-in-the-mirror-the-bassists-of-michael-jackson-how-alex-al-and-his-predecessors-pumped-up-the-king-of-pop/4769"]http://www.bassplaye...ing-of-pop/4769[/url]
[/quote]

Cheers for that. Did he by any chance play on Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway's version of 'You've Got a Friend'? That's just lovely.

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lowdown Grand Master

lowdown

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I believe Wilton Felder played Bass on "I want You Back", he also played Sax with the Crusaders. (with the wonderful Pops Popwell on Bass)
Also I think there was a demo version knocking around somewhere, with James Jamerson on Bass

Pops On Bass here/Wilton Felder on Sax.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqGw7YBFH-A

Edited by icastle
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KevB Mentor

KevB

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I sometimes wonder if the Jackson's management would have ever noticed 'Blame it On the Boogie' if it hadn't been written and recorded first by someone else who just happened to have the name 'Michael Jackson'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcDj46elLhQ

Edited by icastle
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ambient Grand Master

ambient

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[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1383904230' post='2270529']
I believe Wilton Felder played Bass on "I want You Back", he also played Sax with the Crusaders. (with the wonderful Pops Popwell on Bass)
Also I think there was a demo version knocking around somewhere, with James Jamerson on Bass

Pops On Bass here/Wilton Felder on Sax.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqGw7YBFH-A
[/quote]

Yeah, it was Wilton Felder, I have some Michael Jackson transcriptions somewhere if anyone's interested.

Edited by icastle
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Geek99 Grand Master

Geek99

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Posted (edited)

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1383904230' post='2270529']
I believe Wilton Felder played Bass on "I want You Back", he also played Sax with the Crusaders. (with the wonderful Pops Popwell on Bass)
Also I think there was a demo version knocking around somewhere, with James Jamerson on Bass

Pops On Bass here/Wilton Felder on Sax.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqGw7YBFH-A
[/quote]

Yep -Wilton Felder. Jerry Scheff said so.

Edited by icastle
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chris_b Grand Master

chris_b

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I saw the Crusaders at the Victoria Palace when they toured the Southern Knights album. Pops Popwell was a huge presence on stage. His bass playing just took over.

Shame he didn't last much longer with them. I wonder what the story was.

One of the best gigs of my life.

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JapanAxe Veteran

JapanAxe

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Just pulled out the dots for 'I Want You Back'. Boy things have changed since I first attempted this! On the gear front I can now create a tight punchy sound, which is something my Ashdown rig (bless it) never gave me; and my technique has improved more than I realised. It's all gravy!

EDIT: That breakdown is still a finger-knotter though!

Edited by JapanAxe
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lowdown Grand Master

lowdown

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[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1383909403' post='2270625']
Southern Knights album. Pops Popwell was a huge presence on stage. His bass playing just took over.
[/quote]

Still one of my favourite albums,
Pops Popwell, Larry Carlton, Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson, Stix Hooper - Great Band.
PP takes a solo towards the end of Spiral, with the whole band supporting him, and it don't lose the groove.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WClGWrGgL1E

Edited by icastle
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BetaFunk Experienced

BetaFunk

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I first heard 'Darling Dear' in 1970 on the Jackson Five 'Third Album' where it was the last track. I loved in then and still think it's one of the best bass guitar performances ever on vinyl.................Enjoy!!!

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND-iW51idC0[/media]

Edited by BetaFunk
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JapanAxe Veteran

JapanAxe

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[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1383914528' post='2270716']
I first heard 'Darling Dear' in 1970 on the Jackson Five 'Third Album' where it was the last track. I loved in then and still think it's one of the best bass guitar performances ever on vinyl.................Enjoy!!!

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND-iW51idC0[/media]
[/quote]
Gonna have to but a Greatest Hits rather than just listen to them on U-Toob!

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tappel Newbie

tappel

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Posted

Regarding "I Want You Back," it was indeed Wilton Felder on the Jackson 5 recording. Here's the isolated track:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z91l_lPz1oc[/media]

Here's Jamerson playing the part for David Ruffin's version:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5XVyrioSV4[/media]

Tom

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lowdown Grand Master

lowdown

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[quote name='tappel' timestamp='1383949702' post='2271293']
Here's Jamerson playing the part for David Ruffin's version:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5XVyrioSV4[/media]

Tom
[/quote]

Yep, that's the version I was talking about.
The personal notes under the video are well worth a read as well (show more)
Thanks for posting Tom.


Garry

Edited by lowdown
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JapanAxe Veteran

JapanAxe

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It's often the way - the sound you hear when trying kit in a shop is no guide as to what it will be like in a live or recorded mix. And how many people would opt for a big semi-solid to play on a disco or funk track, but it worked for Gary King.

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chris_b Grand Master

chris_b

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[quote name='iconic' timestamp='1383983313' post='2271464']
....Wiltons tone sounds awful....but drop it into the mix and hey presto....
[/quote]

No magic there.

Any good producer and engineer will have better ears than us, they will have access to EQ options in the studio that far exceed what we have on any amp and they won't have a bad room to contend with. The track will then be mixed and mastered, which changes everything again.

On a gig, trying to sound exactly like your favourite bass player on record is a mugs game.

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John Schoen Apprentice

John Schoen

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[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1383991712' post='2271564']And how many people would opt for a big semi-solid to play on a disco or funk track, but it worked for Gary King.
[/quote]
It may look out of place in a funk setting but I had an epiphany last week playing some funk lines on my Gretsch hollowbody. Strung with roundwounds it has a twang that makes it great for disco and funk. :)

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