A Jamerson Top Ten...

[TopCat]

Hello to all, I am new here.

I am very pleased to see a healthy interest in the man propogated here at TB and am just beginning to discover his work.

I want to hear and play as many of his records as possible, but with over 500 to choose from, I know not where to start.

That is why I thought I'd ask for personal recommendations from the myriad members here.

My current Top 10 is:

1. I Was Made To Love Her.
2. Bernadette.
3. You keep me hangin' on.
4. Going to a go go.
5. Roadrunner.
6. Dancin' In the Streets
7. What's Going On
8. Get Ready
9. Can't hurry Love
10. Darling Dear


I await your recommended recommendations with baited breath, fingers and credit card,,,

Regards

TC

[lonote]

I've heard it said that Carol Kaye played bass on "I Was Made to Love Her." Apparently, there was some disagreement on who played bass on some of the Motown tracks. Regardless of who played it, it's a great song with a fabulous bass line.

[honeyboy]

Have you yet purchased the "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" book with transcriptions and a C.D. of lots of his bass lines? It's a great place to start. Also, I would just look for some compilations or box sets of Motown Music at a store like Borders.

[EricTheEZ1]

1. There's a sticky about James Jamerson on this forum that links to an article where Carol Kaye is basically discredited for many of her claims, especially the James Jamerson/Carol Kaye "Who Dunnit" stuff.

2. This belongs is Bassists.

[funkyfretless]

hey,
good list so far. i would buy any of these motown artist: diana ross, marvin gaye, 4 tops, temps, smokey and stevie. there are may others but i believe the man did his best stuff with them.
i would add to your list:

for once in my life: stevie
standing in the shadows of love: 4 tops
reach out (ill be there): 4 tops
im gonna make you love me: temps
how long has that evening train ben gone: diana ross
cloud nine: temps
aint nothing like the real thing baby: marvin
aint no mountain high enough: marvin and diana ross versions
darling dear: smokey robinson version
special occasion: smokey robinson
whats happinin brother: marvin
flyin high in a friendly sky: marvin (demostrates nice walkin)
save the children: marvin (end of tune is smokin!!!)
god is love: marvin
your my everything: temps
i second that emotion: smokey
point it out: smokey
my guy: mary wells (upright at end of track is unbelieveable!)
home cookin: junior walker (hard to groove but if you work enough on it it will lock in)
heat wave: martha and the vandellas
how sweet it is to be loved by you: marvin
i heard it through the grapevine: marvin and gladys knight and the pips


hope this helps. ive learned all of these and the songs on your list. it takes time, but it really really really pays off. now if i could only learn when to use it at the right moment

peace,
evan

[IotaNet]

TopCat -

This is what you want to buy ...



Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971 [BOX SET]


And while this is a great thread, it really does belong in the Bassists forum.

[pointbass]

Originally Posted by IotaNet

TopCat -

This is what you want to buy ...



Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971 [BOX SET]

Yeah, that's the ticket Full of sheer bass coolness

... and while you're listening, lend an ear to the stuff Bob Babbitt has goin' on ......

[mrmoonjam]

"I Heard it Thru the Grapevine" by Gladys Knight and the Pips.
TYVM for another chance to mention this bass line, IMO JJ's best - makes other versions of the song pale by comparison.

[TopCat]

"for once in my life: stevie
standing in the shadows of love: 4 tops
reach out (ill be there): 4 tops
im gonna make you love me: temps
how long has that evening train ben gone: diana ross
cloud nine: temps
aint nothing like the real thing baby: marvin
aint no mountain high enough: marvin and diana ross versions
darling dear: smokey robinson version
special occasion: smokey robinson
whats happinin brother: marvin
flyin high in a friendly sky: marvin (demostrates nice walkin)
save the children: marvin (end of tune is smokin!!!)
god is love: marvin
your my everything: temps
i second that emotion: smokey
point it out: smokey
my guy: mary wells (upright at end of track is unbelieveable!)
home cookin: junior walker (hard to groove but if you work enough on it it will lock in)
heat wave: martha and the vandellas
how sweet it is to be loved by you: marvin
i heard it through the grapevine: marvin and gladys knight and the pips"

Excellent List!

Thanks for MAKING THE EFFORT, I WILL START DOWNLOADING now!

Regards

TC

[lonote]

+1000

[HotTubesGrooves]

Was Dusty Springfield's "take a little piece of my heart" played by Jamerson? Thats a fantastic line.

[TopCat]

"I was made to love her"

Is anyone else as obsessed with this tune as I am at present?

HaVE NEVER HEARD BETTER bASS TONE OR PLAYING THAN THIS SINCE....



tc

[rawrOOO]

Originally Posted by TopCat

"I was made to love her"

Is anyone else as obsessed with this tune as I am at present?

ive been obsessed for a good 2 years strong now, doesnt seem to be letting up any time soon

that song has a really rare quality about it. i can listen to it 3 or 4 times in a row, each time listening to only one instrument or section. like first time it's usually the bass line. i'll hit rewind and listen only to the vocals. then i'll listen to the keys or the drums, etc

[Fuzzbass]

I've just learned "This Old Heart of Mine" by the Isley Brothers... gotta be Jamerson, right? Very cool line.

Re "Heard it thru the Grapevine": even though Gladys Knight arrangement is fancier, I prefer Marvin's (including bassline) because it better fits the lyrics.

These are in addition to all the other great songs posted.

[Mojo-Man]

My underrated Jamerson tune.

You Met Your Match.

That bass line just kills me.

[steveb98]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned "It's a Shame" by the Spinners.

[Mark Wilson]

I don't know if I misread it, but what about "My Girl"?

That was Jamerson!

-Mark

[LarryR]

Originally Posted by steveb98

I'm surprised no one has mentioned "It's a Shame" by the Spinners.

+1.


I'll add The Supremes "Love is Here and Now You're Gone" to the existing lists.

Now, there's a rare Stevie track I have from a Motown Anthology (vinyl only) called "Thank You Love".
As a good friend and great player once told me "Jamerson's so far behind the beat, he's still playing the last song".

Classic JJ take.


Anybody who wants an .mp3 of "Thank You Love", just PM me and leave your email address.

[GM60466]

1. I Was Made To Love Her.
2. Bernadette.
3. What's Going On
4. Cool Jerk
5. Going to a go go.
6. Dancin' In the Streets
7. You keep me hangin' on.
8. Get Ready
9. Can't hurry Love
10. There's Something about you

gm

[Loel]

Here's just a handful bar/dance material not a top ten!

I was made to love her
Dancin' in the streets
Pride & joy
My girl
I can't help myself
Heat wave
Same old song
What's going on
Mercy mercy me
Ain't no mountain high enough

cheers