Old Horse Murphy Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 I've been a fan of Bill Withers and his band for years and recently started listening to his Live at Carnegie Hall Concert again (and again and again....) Melvin Dunlap is sublime all the way through as always and his partnering with James Gadson has to be right up there with the very best. My current favourite track is this one and the groove is almost trance-like. To me THIS is Bass playing: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 That's a tight rhythm unit 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songofthewind Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 Very very cool. Thanks for sharing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 Lovely. And all credit to his songwriting - everything he wrote has a lovely feel. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 Melvin Dunlap and James Gadson were the rhythm section on Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band classic, Express Yourself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bv4eRhKNMc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huge Hands Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 I wouldn't dare to count how many times I've listened to that album. There is live UK TV concert footage knocking around of Bill playing (I think where the still in your video is from) with Melvyn sitting looking so cool with his long black leather jacket, playing his early P-bass with his thumb. Most of his band at the time is missing (James Gadson included) but it is worth a watch anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearhart74 Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 if your a fan of BW then the documentary Still Bill is well worth watching. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SICbass Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 2 hours ago, chris_b said: Melvin Dunlap and James Gadson were the rhythm section on Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band classic, Express Yourself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bv4eRhKNMc One of my absolute favourite groove tracks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted December 19, 2019 Author Share Posted December 19, 2019 And of course one of my favourite jokes of all time too. Q: How do you make a duck in to a good singer? A: Put it in the oven until it's Bill Withers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK Jale Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 Always loved Withers and this LP is wonderful. In places the bass reminds me of some of the Curtis Mayfield stuff. Sooooo right! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huge Hands Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 1 hour ago, KK Jale said: In places the bass reminds me of some of the Curtis Mayfield stuff. That was usually Joseph "Lucky" Scott on Curtis' recordings. Another hero of mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 The Jose James cover album of the Bill Withers songbook put Nate Smith and Pino together. That is a nice section as well. Not that I am comparing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 Melvin's so quiet he said eight words last year; and six of those were 'airport'... My favourite live album, I never tire of listening to it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huge Hands Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 Found this recent interview with Melvyn but he doesn't get as far as mentioning his time with Bill: https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/melvin-dunlap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huge Hands Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 I was wrong - the classic leather jacket (and how could I forget tartan trousers sitting cross legged!!) uber coolness was from OGWT with James Gadson and his amazing "pyjama suit". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huge Hands Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 Probably get to see him in action more in this one, but you'll just end up watching James Gadson like me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huge Hands Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 (edited) It looks like I was right after all. This is the BBC concert with only Melvin from his usual band (he does allude to people being missing). You can see Melvin guiding the band at some points. The leather jacket is there though! Nothing against Benorce, butI do like some of the licks and fills this guitarist plays on this. Edited December 19, 2019 by Huge Hands Added extra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songofthewind Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 Those are what I call musicians, and that’s what I call a band! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 And while we are at it, sitting down to play is where it is at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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