Motown respect

FatCity · #1 08-11-2009, 08:21 AM

I know that I am very late to this party but wanted to share an experience that I have recently had.

I am a rock player with no formal training, just learned to play by learning songs that I liked and once in a band just learning the setlist. I have felt in a rut for a while now and decided to try learning some music that I don't normaly listen to. I was thumbing through an old Bass Player mag and came across the transcription for "I Want You Back" by the Jackson 5 as played on the recording by Wilton Felder. It is a totaly different approach to the instrument and quite inspiring to me. I feel like a new door has been opened. I downloaded "Motown 1's" and am having a blast practicing to these songs. I have heard them all for years but never paid much attention to the actual music...it wasn't "my thing" It is now.

Jim Campbell · #2 08-11-2009, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatCity

I know that I am very late to this party but wanted to share an experience that I have recently had.

I am a rock player with no formal training, just learned to play by learning songs that I liked and once in a band just learning the setlist. I have felt in a rut for a while now and decided to try learning some music that I don't normaly listen to. I was thumbing through an old Bass Player mag and came across the transcription for "I Want You Back" by the Jackson 5 as played on the recording by Wilton Felder. It is a totaly different approach to the instrument and quite inspiring to me. I feel like a new door has been opened. I downloaded "Motown 1's" and am having a blast practicing to these songs. I have heard them all for years but never paid much attention to the actual music...it wasn't "my thing" It is now.

grab a copy of standing in the shadows of motown (book) for some great jamerson lines

EricF · #3 08-11-2009, 10:31 AM

James Jamerson.

That is all.

DeluxeRed · #4 08-11-2009, 10:36 AM

It happens to durn near all of us sooner or later. Welcome to the Funkside.

bass_snake · #5 08-11-2009, 10:42 AM

Love Motown specially Jackson 5. Much respect!

Fred

Jazzdogg · #6 08-11-2009, 10:57 AM

You might also enjoy Tower of Power. Their bass player, Rocco Prestia, has a unique way of playing the bass that you might find both interesting and challenging.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvFFhBrtVp8

fearceol · #7 08-11-2009, 11:16 AM

+1 for Jamerson and "Standing in the Shadows".

Wilton Felder is also a great bassist. While sax is his main instrument, he occupied the bass chair on a lot of the "Crusaders" early albums. Check them out. Another band worth checking IMO is "Steely Dan".

sleeplessknight · #8 08-11-2009, 11:22 AM

+1 for all the above-mentioned musicians. ToP's "Soul Vaccination Live" is one of my desert island discs. I'd also like to add, check out Jackson 5's "ABC, 123" for another great bassline. A lot of bands do segues from "ABC" into "I Want You Back" and back again, with great effect. I recently had to do this as a sub with a Boston-based group called Booty Vortex. They've got an MP3 of it on their site, http://www.bootyvortex.com, that you might enjoy.

Welcome to the funk-side +1!

--Lee

warnergt · #9 08-11-2009, 11:39 AM

"I Want You Back" is a great tune. I find it challenging, too.

Also, there is a Shadows of Motown video. Great stuff.

bucephylus · #10 08-11-2009, 11:55 AM

Right on! And, SITSOM will overwhelm you with its goodness. Be aware, there is the book SITSOM that includes transcriptions and recordings by many current major pros and then there is a DVD chronicling the Funk Brothers and their Coming out party at the Fox Theater in Detroit. Both are outstanding references. The transcriptions will keep you endlessly entertained, and the DVD will make you cry at the end if you've got an ounce of humanity in your soul.

Isn't it amazing how well this body of musical work continues to stand the test of time? It is a real testament to the Funk Brothers and especially Jamerson and Benjamin.

I had the opportunity recently to attend the Fender Hall of Fame inductions at their annual meeting in Tempe. Great house band; Bob Babbit, wife Annie Jamerson and daughter Penny were all there and spoke to the attendees. I was struck by how sharp Annie still is - very classy lady and you can see why James married her. Penny is similarly sharp, and pretty intense which probably came from Dad. Anyhow, good folks all the way around. Babbit got up with the band to play What's Goin On. They've got a lot to be proud of.

FatCity · #11 08-11-2009, 01:21 PM

Thanks for all of the info- I appreciate it. I love these bass moments when something new grabs you and you become immersed in it. Very cool. :-)

PrivateHigh · #12 08-11-2009, 01:27 PM

Dont forget Stevie Wonder.

bass_snake · #13 08-11-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrivateHigh

Dont forget Stevie Wonder.

Agree!! Always has wicked bass lines.

Allmanfan456 · #14 08-12-2009, 02:03 AM

Im not much into Motown but check out James Jamersons bassline on the Jackson 5s Darling Dear. Its seriously the prettiest bass line I've ever heard.

Bluesy Soul · #15 08-13-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrivateHigh

Dont forget Stevie Wonder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass_snake

Agree!! Always has wicked bass lines.

Many of the great bass lines on Stevie's material were played by Nathan Watts who, like Babbitt, was another great bass player in the Motown stable. (But it's hard to imagine that James won't always be THE Man!)

+1 on the bass line to "Darling Dear".

Bluesy Soul

Lichtaffen · #16 08-14-2009, 07:36 AM

Welcome to real bass playing. I was in the same boat as you at first. I thought I was decent. Then my teacher asked that I buy the SITSOM book and learn it. Totally changed my playing and my approach to the instrument. Plus it taught me how to read sheet music because... surprise! No tab in that book. I can't recommend that book enough to any bass player.

Also, if you do decide to buy the book and learn it, I can't stress enough that you should learn to play as Jamerson played. Almost everything he played was in open position and he only used one finger on his right hand to pluck. Your hand strength and dexterity will improve dramatically if you learn it this way. I still learned it with two fingers, but occasionally I will play with one finger to get his feel.

Your band mates will notice. Good luck to you.

fender_funk_man · #17 08-26-2009, 04:09 PM

+1 to jamerson... His bass lines are really a beautiful thing

DaZombieWoof · #18 08-26-2009, 04:15 PM

Bob Babitt was very cool on the Standing in The Shadows video. Very few people who defined a style remain amongst the living. Jamerson is obvious case. I guess in Reggae Aston "Family Man" Barret is a living example of a defining player. Israel "Cachao" Lopez is a case of a recently deceased definer of a style of bass too.

CatfishStudios · #19 08-26-2009, 04:19 PM

James Jamerson is like a virus to bass players..... a wonderfully melodic rhythmically masterful virus.

He redefined bass for me, and many others.
Have fun on your journey, its a lifelong affliction.

The man played those lines with one hooked finger!

FatCity · #20 08-26-2009, 04:21 PM

Excellent stuff- thanks!