1979 James Jamerson Interview

[D Bopp]

Not sure if it's been posted here before, but I just saw this posted on another forum. Very cool interview from one cool cat:

Rick Suchow - NYC Bassist & Writer / rare Jaco Pastorius & James Jamerson tracks - Bass

[markjazzbassist]

great thanks!

[benjammin420]

great read, thanks!

[TheBasicBassist]

Nice!

[scowboy]

That was cool. Don't think I have ever seen that one.

[rtslinger]

Thanks great interview

[JxBass]

Good find, thanks!

[Thudstaff]

Nice tidbit. I think it bears mentioning that we as players should keep Jamerson's words in mind sometimes when we needlessly obsess over thinks like pickups/watts/cabs or exotic hardwoods etc. I get chills every time I hear "What's Goin On" because it bears the mark of genius through peerless playing and perfect arrangement/feel, not a seven string pizza paddle thru 1200 bi-amped blah blah blah into a gang of effects etc. Heck, he's playing strings that haven't been changed in years, while lying on his back, drunk in the studio. If that isn't feel, then I don't know what is. Pure awesomeness.

[Thudstaff]

^ "things"

[Thudstaff]

YouTube - What's Going On - Isolated Bass Track (James Jamerson)

taste....

[elwood1205]

"It's all in the fingers, man." - Best quote in the whole interview.

[A tempo]

Great find. I surfed the OP's original link to this which has a mountain of excellent articles about Jamerson, Jaco and just about everyone else. Don't miss the article on Jamerson's bass lines.

[jaywa]

What's you can really hear in that iso track is how Jamerson starts off really simple, with lots of space, and then just builds it up throughout the song.

So refreshing and different from all these players and bands I see that feel like they all have to be blowing at 100 mph right out of the gate. Let the song breathe and give yourself someplace to go.

[hennessybass]

"Bass players call from all over, wanting to know what type of equipment I use, what type of bass, what kind of strings-- things like that. I'll tell them, but that's not what's important; it's the feel. The strings don't make the sound, it's the feel. It's all in here, in the heart."

Everyone on TB should read, and re-read this quote... INCLUDING ME!!!

[Xavier Zed]

Great read thanks.

[ElMon]

In defense of good gear: Jamerson WAS playing a Pre-CBS Fender which were and are awesome instruments, not to mention expensive and hi-end (at the time) preamps and such. Just saying :-)

[conqr]

"Most of the bass players don't play bass; they're just playing at it. They're not really saying anything. It's just a lot of gimmicks, and actually I don't think they know what they're doing. A lot of the younger guys who I like copied me. Most young guys try to copy Stanley Clarke or Larry Graham."

So.. is the great Jamerson in effect saying he didn't care for the stylings of Graham and Clarke, who most young guys were copying? Man would that be something

[spigmu]

Originally Posted by Thudstaff

Nice tidbit. I think it bears mentioning that we as players should keep Jamerson's words in mind sometimes when we needlessly obsess over thinks like pickups/watts/cabs or exotic hardwoods etc. I get chills every time I hear "What's Goin On" because it bears the mark of genius through peerless playing and perfect arrangement/feel, not a seven string pizza paddle thru 1200 bi-amped blah blah blah into a gang of effects etc. Heck, he's playing strings that haven't been changed in years, while lying on his back, drunk in the studio. If that isn't feel, then I don't know what is. Pure awesomeness.

+1. And not only that, it's chills just hearing the first downbeat.

[billiam5billion]

This should be a TB sticky.

[leegreenman]

Thank you. Great read!