Bass Player on Night Court Theme?

[Testing123]

(I hope this is the correct forum…)

I've enjoyed the bass line (as well as the playing from everyone on that date) on the Night Court Theme (TV show) since I first heard it back in 1984.
Check it out here if yiou haven't heard it:
Night Court intro - YouTube

I found myself curious just who played bass on this date.
The tune was written by Jack Elliott. Wikipedia says that Ernie Watts was the saxophonist and (Harvey Mason Tribute - The Usual Suspects) states Harvey Mason was the drummer on the session. However, the person that played the bass part seems to be rather illusive. I've found reference to the following:
Marc Miller (Marcus?) (Who played the night court theme song), Chuck Berghoffer and Jim Hughart (comments from one of the Youtube videos). I could find nothing on any of these gentlemen's sites referencing Night Court or Jack Elliott. BTW, Mr. Berghofer doesn't appear to have a site, but seems to be on facebook. I don't do facebook, so…

Anyone have knowledge of who actually laid down that legendary bass part?

Thanks…

[JimK]

Nathan East may be a candidate...

[sound of bass]

No. But it is a cool line. Another cool line was from the "Barney Miller Show" in the 70's.

[guy n. cognito]

I'm guessing it was a keyboardist.......

[fenderhutz]

Even with modulation no way a keyboard does that slide about 15 seconds in.

[Mirios]

There is a Marc Miller who is an upright bass player. Maybe he doubles on electric? Not that I know anything just throwing that out there.

[Big John66]

I believe the guy who played with Lyle Lovett many years ago was named Mark (Marc) Miller. He was a great player and doubled on upright and electric.

[SkylineFiver]

Abe Laboriel

[Lesfunk]

I was under the impression that it was Ralph Humphrey who played drums on that.
I used to play bass for his Studio Drumming class at MI in Hollywood and we did that one once. I thought he said he played on it. I could be wrong

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Even with modulation no way a keyboard does that slide about 15 seconds in.

Go to the link below and click on the George Duke + Greg Phillinganes - Behind the Scenes video.

Spectrasonics - Videos

[conqr]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

Go to the link below and click on the George Duke + Greg Phillinganes - Behind the Scenes video.

Spectrasonics - Videos

Bittersweet. I can't argue with the incredible (increasing) level of fidelity available to keyboardists. These bass sounds, played in a full mix by a master keyboardist who truly feels and understands bass..I could not tell anymore if it's keys I was in fact taught a lot about bass by such a well rounded musician/keyboard master.

I've always preferred the combined input of several individual musicians over even the best single person at a workstation. Music is more than just the instrument, it's the soul of the person playing, their energy, their interpretation, their voice. In that sense an ensemble will always be superior imho. So I do wonder if this 'virtual instrument' trend, which seems to benefit keyboardists most, is a good thing, especially in some genres.

[Testing123]

Originally Posted by SkylineFiver

Abe Laboriel

Hi SlylineFiver,
Is this a guess, or an affirmation?

Thanks...

[Testing123]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

Go to the link below and click on the George Duke + Greg Phillinganes - Behind the Scenes video. Spectrasonics - Videos

Hi JAUQO,
The video you referenced was certainly not shot in 1984, eh? ;-)

Actually, while a keyboardist could certainly have pulled this off (even in 1984), if you listen to the tune, you can hear the subtleties of different timbres on the same note of the instrument. For example, Bb on the E string vs. Bb on the A string. I'm not sure if session keyboardists would even think about these minute details.
Not sure though... anything's possible.

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by Testing123

Hi JAUQO,
The video you referenced was certainly not shot in 1984, eh? ;-)

I know.


The reason I posted the video was in reference to fenderhutz comment.

And yes technology in 2011 has changed the game for sure.

[()smoke()]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

Go to the link below and click on the George Duke + Greg Phillinganes - Behind the Scenes video.

Spectrasonics - Videos

man, this is so awesome i just started laughing when i heard it!

[walterw]

while we're at it, how about that slinky fretless line on the theme to "northern exposure"? i can't pick up a fretless without playing it.

[JimK]

I have the Northern Exposure soundtrack...IIRC, the guy that composed the original music played all the instruments.
David Schwartz is his name-
http://www.davidschwartzmusic.com/home.htm

[XrisThaBassman]

It was Marc (not Marcus) Miller, who was a session guy in the 80's.

[Testing123]

Hey cool, XrisThaBassman.
Mind if I ask how you know this?
Thanks...