James Jamerson. The Jackson's.

[bubinga5]

Specifically this Jackson's record. When I first heard this I was blown away by the bassline. The chromatic lines he plays in a lot of stuff is so fantastic.  Love the way he surrounds the chords with that bouncing bassline. There is not a boring note he plays. Its always something interesting and so for the music. 

 

Edited February 16, 2019 by bubinga5

[YouMa]

I like 2468 he was brill wasn't he.

 

[bubinga5]

19 minutes ago, YouMa said:

I like 2468 he was brill wasn't he.

 

The Tom Robinson band weren't for me im afraid. 

[bubinga5]

But don't blow smoke up his bum hole. Tell us how you really feel YouMa.

Edited February 16, 2019 by bubinga5

[YouMa]

2468 is a Jackson 5 track mate. I think Jamerson was first to really make the bass dance. It's Jamerson and Edwards that really float my boat. There is true beauty in their phrasing.

 

[bubinga5]

😂 . Yes im embarrassed . Of course its brilliant. Sorry I thought you were being sarcastic. 

[bubinga5]

`I really think he learnt how to play like that from his upright bass and years of walking basslines. I think he had mastered his craft when he was playing his P bass on his back drunk playing in the Motown studios. 

[thebigyin]

Jamerson my favourite Bassist

[gary mac]

He was one class act on the bass. Always inventive and made those great songs even better 

[YouMa]

I think muting foam and a high action had a lot to do with his sound. There is no denying that he was very gifted though. It's just such a shame he did not live longer. I always got the impression they berry Gordy didn't really give much of a toss about those blokes playing for him.. From the stuff I have read and heard about Jamerson he could test the patience of a saint and was very stubborn. Although I wasn't there so this is all hearsay.

 

[chris_b]

1 hour ago, YouMa said:

I always got the impression they berry Gordy didn't really give much of a toss about those blokes playing for him.

I think Motown valued Jamerson very highly. He was the highest paid session player in the USA during Motown's heyday. . . and they put up with all his "games", which none of the studios and producers in LA did.

[YouMa]

Wish someone would find his bass. I find it very strange how it was stolen just before he died. Did he owe money? I know he had drink problems towards the end. Despite trawls on the internet there is very little info on the man even from family.

[KK Jale]

21 minutes ago, YouMa said:

Wish someone would find his bass. 

Alas the Funk Machine is almost definitely gone, to all intents and purposes. There's a huge thread on his various basses over on TB. The scratchplate pattern might get you close to an ID but since his son James Jr sadly died in 2016 there's nobody left who could authenticate it via the inscription supposedly carved on the back. 

JJ is probably my favourite player. What an incredible talent.