Damn, Jamerson really did hit that stuff

[tonebrulee]

Been studying Jamerson's monster groove to the J5's "I Want You Back".

(FYI - there are some amazing isolated bass tracks here, but you have to go here first and ask for a USER/PASSWORD to access them).

One of the things I think I've learned is just how hard Jamerson plucked with his right hand - i.e. the "hook" as he called it. JJ was well know to have a crazy high action along with heavy La Bella flats. No doubt this was a direct part of his sound/tone, but I'm thinking maybe the most important aspect of this setup was indirect - i.e. just how much *muscle* it required in his approach the instrument in terms of both his left and especially right hands. I'm playing flats with a mute on a P - all part of the recipe - but what really makes the overall groove sound right is when I turn down and pluck *much* harder. Doing that, both the attack and fundamental really come out front and JJ's thang comes alive.

Anybody else with ideas on chasing JJ's ghost?

[Twnty1inRF]

Jamerson didn't play on I Want You Back, Wilton Felder did.

[tonebrulee]

Originally Posted by Twnty1inRF

Jamerson didn't play on I Want You Back, Wilton Felder did.

Hmmmm, that's interesting - I had never read it wasn't JJ. Poking around, it looks like there is some controversy around who actually did the session. Is there anything confirming w/out question that it was Felder?

[jaywa]

What I find even more incredible than anything is that AFAIK, Jamerson only EVER plucked with the index finger. I don't believe he was ever a two or three-finger right-hand player. Which makes the speed and articulation on some of his faster runs even more impressive and then to know he was playing with high action, heavy strings and a foam mute to boot.

[Chasarms]

He was a double bass convert, which might explain the heavy right hand and the preference for the high action and tension.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by tonebrulee

Hmmmm, that's interesting - I had never read it wasn't JJ. Poking around, it looks like there is some controversy around who actually did the session. Is there anything confirming w/out question that it was Felder?

It's definitely Felder. He's said it was him as well! While Jamerson played on a good number of Motown hits, he didn't play on them all! There were a handful of bassists available for session work whenever Jamerson was having an 'episode' so to speak! Felder and Bob Babbit are just 2 names. Jamerson did the brunt of the 60's work though.

Besides, Jamerson could only go so fast with one finger!

[Laklandlover]

Originally Posted by Twnty1inRF

Jamerson didn't play on I Want You Back, Wilton Felder did.

Yes that would be the Wilton Felder sax player the Crusaders!

[JimmyM]

ya, there's no controversy. felder played it, period.

[bigtiny]

I just happened to be listening to Marvin Gaye's 'What's going On?' and I checked that it's Jamerson. Damned if he doesn't play some nice stuff on this.....

bigtiny

[jaywa]

Originally Posted by bigtiny

I just happened to be listening to Marvin Gaye's 'What's going On?' and I checked that it's Jamerson. Damned if he doesn't play some nice stuff on this.....

bigtiny

+1. One of his best tracks, IMHO.

[macaroni tony]

^ +2, What's Goin On is beyond bad

[Magnus Scott]

actually jamerson had a really light touch... don't know why it sounds the way it does.

[edmidlifecrisis]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9KC7uhMY9s

Watch for example, at 1:25 and again at 2:25. What do you all think? Looks like he's not digging in TOO hard....this sounds SOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!! I love this!!

[JTE]

"I Want You Back" was a California Motown recording, not a Detroit one. It's definitely Wilton Felder, and I've never seen any references to any confusion on that one. Bass Player Magazine had an article on the track, including a transcription which Felder helped do. It was a Fender Telecaster bass (single coil version) with flats, recorded direct. BTW, "I Want You Back" was Felder's first hit record too.

John

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Magnus Scott

actually jamerson had a really light touch... don't know why it sounds the way it does.

Really light?
...that's the first I have heard that. Sources?

There's a Chuck Rainey anecdote where Rainey was showing JJ "a really light flickering back & forth plucking motion".
Jamerson's critique? "...that there is sissy stuff".

[tonebrulee]

Originally Posted by Snipper!

The man was a genius.

Seriously. The term "genius" gets thrown around easily in our culture, but James Jamerson?? There can't be any question about it - the man was a stone cold musical genius. And Jaco and Mingus and McCartney as well.. quite a few playing down low.

[tonebrulee]

Originally Posted by Snipper!

IMHO because of the short sustain on those 7 year old strings, it meant that Jamerson could imply things and reslove them very quickly, tension and release,because the chromaticism and and implied tonality's were not be overly sustained and had very short note length

Man, that is a great point. I'm thinking too that that must be a big part of what I am hearing by digging in harder with the amp turned down - that initial attack is most of what you hear b/c it dies off exponentially fast as compared to a light touch through an amp turned up enough to pick it all up. It also underscores the swing of any line b/c the emphasized attack places the note more distinctly within the tunes rhythm in general.

[ExaltBass]

Originally Posted by tonebrulee

Seriously. The term "genius" gets thrown around easily in our culture, but James Jamerson?? There can't be any question about it - the man was a stone cold musical genius. And Jaco and Mingus and McCartney as well.. quite a few playing down low.

[trunkshope6]

he didnt play on i want u back but check out darling dear by the jackson 5 simply incredible work right there

[Lo.]

Jamerson played IWYB on a great David Ruffin version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XAfWQFLRU0

...it's faster than the Jacksons version. Heh.