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James Jamerson


risingson
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Our band have got seriously bored of doing the same covers over and over so we decided to throw some Motown into the set (or more Motown than is already in the set at least). Landed on 'For Once In My Life' by Stevie, 'Reach Out' by the Four Tops and 'What Becomes of the Broken Hearted'. It got me thinking of the unhinged capabilities of Jamerson again, the guy wasn't just a great player, him and the rest of the Funk Brothers literally reinvented the sound of popular music forever. Absolutely my bass favourite player! Anyone else out there with serious Jamerson love?

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well i thought he bumbles alot. :) seriously yeah love his playing..Stevie's "I was made to love her" is sublime playing...just wow

oh you tube again.. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pYux5-d1Es"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pYux5-d1Es[/url]

Edited by bubinga5
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[quote name='derrenleepoole' post='899350' date='Jul 19 2010, 08:13 PM']Check out this guys channel on Youtube: [url="http://www.youtube.com/user/jamersonshook"]Jamerson's Hook[/url] a great player who lives in the same town as me and has the whole Jamerson vibe nailed. Not sure if he's BC-er or not?[/quote]

Seen this guy before, pretty good stuff.

Found this as well, heard it before but worth checking out... isolated bass part to 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough'. Amazing.


EDIT didn't include the link! :) here we go [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07wC50bWbnY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07wC50bWbnY[/url]

Edited by liamcapleton
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[quote name='bubinga5' post='899305' date='Jul 19 2010, 07:29 PM']well i thought he bumbles alot. :) seriously yeah love his playing..Stevie's "I was made to love her" is sublime playing...just wow

oh you tube again.. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pYux5-d1Es"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pYux5-d1Es[/url][/quote]

My all time favourite Jamerson line.

This is amazing too:

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

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[quote name='molan' post='899375' date='Jul 19 2010, 08:38 PM']My all time favourite Jamerson line.

This is amazing too:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND-iW51idC0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND-iW51idC0[/url][/quote] :) there is nothing wasted with his bass lines, nothing that shouldnt be there..every note has something to offer

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[quote name='bubinga5' post='899382' date='Jul 19 2010, 08:44 PM']:) there is nothing wasted with his bass lines, nothing that shouldnt be there..every note has something to offer[/quote]

I love sone of the solo'd stuff on YouTube too - I can happily sit & listen to an entire album of Jamerson solo'd, lol.

The Wilton Felder solo'd I want You Back is great too - although it doesn't quite have the fluidity of JJ?

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z91l_lPz1oc&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z91l_lPz1oc...feature=related[/url]

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[quote name='Pete Academy' post='899391' date='Jul 19 2010, 08:48 PM']I seriously think he belongs there amongst the elite of musical geniuses. His bass parts were way ahead of what anyone else was doing at the time.

For me, it's always 'What's Goin' On', and the story behind it's conception - myth or not - is fascinating.[/quote]gottta love that album Pete.in my top ten...when you say myth do you mean the one about Marvin pulling him out of a bar a he was pie eyed? apparently he played the line pissed?

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[quote name='bubinga5' post='899410' date='Jul 19 2010, 08:58 PM']gottta love that album Pete.in my top ten...when you say myth do you mean the one about Marvin pulling him out of a bar a he was pie eyed? apparently he played the line pissed?[/quote]

Not just pissed,but lying flat on his back.

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[quote name='bubinga5' post='899410' date='Jul 19 2010, 08:58 PM']gottta love that album Pete.in my top ten...when you say myth do you mean the one about Marvin pulling him out of a bar a he was pie eyed? apparently he played the line pissed?[/quote]

Yep, and he played the bass part first time lying on his back.

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[quote name='bubinga5' post='899305' date='Jul 19 2010, 07:29 PM']well i thought he bumbles alot. :) seriously yeah love his playing..Stevie's "I was made to love her" is sublime playing...just wow

oh you tube again.. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pYux5-d1Es"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pYux5-d1Es[/url][/quote]

And all with the one finger.

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I think Jamerson may be the only bassist that everyone agrees on, whatever style they play. Some of his work is really amazing,as Pete said, ahead of the game by a country mile.

Would you consider playing Reflections by the Supremes Liam? Always got a great reaction when we played it.Not really a song you hear played much but loads of punters over 28 will be sure to know it from China Beach. Cracking bass line in it.

Edited by Mog
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[quote name='bubinga5' post='899410' date='Jul 19 2010, 08:58 PM']...when you say myth do you mean the one about Marvin pulling him out of a bar a he was pie eyed?[/quote]
I did no such thing! :) :rolleyes:


I recently bought a Motown comp and his lines and playing are just it. I always thought he was up there, but when you listen he just takes the music somewhere else. Just for an ounce of his talent I'd.....well I don't know really but I would. :lol:
I also liked Babbit as well.

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[quote name='Pete Academy' post='899391' date='Jul 19 2010, 08:48 PM']I seriously think he belongs there amongst the elite of musical geniuses. His bass parts were way ahead of what anyone else was doing at the time.

For me, it's always 'What's Goin' On', and the story behind it's conception - myth or not - is fascinating.[/quote]

This one. . .

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqtELR5GyfI"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqtELR5GyfI[/url]

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[quote name='Mog' post='899468' date='Jul 19 2010, 09:52 PM']I think Jamerson may be the only bassist that everyone agrees on, whatever style they play. Some of his work is really amazing,as Pete said, ahead of the game by a country mile.

Would you consider playing Reflections by the Supremes Liam? Always got a great reaction when we played it.Not really a song you hear played much but loads of punters over 28 will be sure to know it from China Beach. Cracking bass line in it.[/quote]

Yeh I think the language of James Jamerson is universal. Reflections is a great tune but we've got a male vocalist (although hasn't stopped us doing Chaka Khan before :) ). Another great tune though!

[quote]The ironic thing is that players like Louis Johnson cite him as their biggest influence, yet they put him out of business with their slap playing, which was something he refused to do.

Sad.[/quote]

Yeh that seems to be the most tragic part of it all... the players that were so enamoured with his playing in the first place completely replaced his sound. Equally though people like Louis Johnson, Nathan Watts, Chuck Rainey and Anthony Jackson would be the first people to admit that were it not for Jamerson then their music would not be half as interesting. Not just bass players, his influence is all over Stevie Wonder records, Beatles records.... everything.

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