bassist with Crusaders

Mike Arnopol · #1 02-04-2010, 08:13 PM

I was just watching the new documentary "Soul Power" which documents the live concert coupled with the Ali/ Foreman fight in Zaire in '74. I'm trying to find out who the bassist playing with the Crusaders was. I don't think it was Wilton Felder as I think he was playing tenor.

deaf pea · #2 02-04-2010, 08:26 PM

It probably was Robert "Pops" Popwell . . .

. . .

IIRC, he was in the band then . . . and Wilton F. ALWAYS played Tenor Sax with the Jazz Crusaders live . . .

burk48237 · #3 02-04-2010, 09:29 PM

Felder's kind of interesting, he refused to play sax as a studio player, he felt that it was to big a part of the Crusaders sound. Actually before 1971 (the group started back in 1961) Wayne Henderson did most of their playing on the Upright. Larry Carlton was actually a member of the band back in the 70's. Popwell was in the band from 71- 79. After that they used various studio guys including James Jamerson Jr., Abe Laborial, and a few other studio players.

deaf pea · #4 02-04-2010, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burk48237

...Actually before 1971 (the group started back in 1961) Wayne Henderson did most of their playing on the Upright...

I worked with Wayne (as an audio engineer) all through the '80's ('til November of 1990) . . . He's a really good producer and arranger . . .

but AFAIK, NOT any kind of double bassist . . .

Jimmy Bond or Buster Williams played on most of those LPs in the 60's . . .

Zombbg4 · #5 02-04-2010, 10:28 PM

I used to play tuba with the Crusaders...drum corp that is

burk48237 · #6 02-04-2010, 10:28 PM

I just discovered that on Scratch a live album from the same era, that Max Bennet played the bass. It appears going thru their stuff on itunes that bass was an open chair. Even Chuck Rainey is credited with some tunes in the 70's and Felder played all the bass on one album.

burk48237 · #7 02-04-2010, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaf pea

I worked with Wayne (as an audio engineer) all through the '80's ('til November of 1990) . . . He's a really good producer and arranger . . .

but AFAIK, NOT any kind of double bassist . . .

Jimmy Bond or Buster Williams played on most of those LPs in the 60's . . .

Actually Henry Wilson was the guy I was thinking of, Wayne Henderson was their trombonist, my bad.

jerry · #8 02-05-2010, 02:36 AM

I love the Crusaders! I saw the Pop's Popwell version in the 70's, but they always had great taste in bassist, Alphonso Johnson and Marcus Miller are also on their later stuff.

JimK · #9 02-05-2010, 04:42 AM

'70s Crusaders' albums with Pops & worth checking out-
Those Southern Knights
Images
Free As The Wind

JimK · #10 02-05-2010, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burk48237

I just discovered that on Scratch a live album from the same era, that Max Bennet played the bass.

I have that on LP...had forgotten about it. Is this the one where there's a sample of circular breathing by Felder?

Anyway-
Check out Max Bennett on the L.A. Express albums (especially Tom Cat) + Joni Mitchell's Miles Of Aisles.

sbassface · #11 02-05-2010, 04:45 AM

informative

Andy_D · #12 02-05-2010, 08:27 AM

I saw them around 81 or so and Byron Miller was on Bass, Phil Upchurch on Guitar and Airto on percussion.

Hoover · #13 02-05-2010, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

Is this the one where there's a sample of circular breathing by Felder?

I know there's a hysterically ostentatious example of circular breathing on The Crusaders' otherwise sublime cover of Carole King's "So Far Away", but I don't remember which album that was from. Oh wait, it had a red cover...I don't suppose that helps!

Yeah, they do a fantastic version of that tune, and Larry Carlton's guitar solo just might be one of the
Best.
Guitar Solos.
Ever.
...and then they stop and the horns hold a note for 60 seconds, and then the tune goes on. Idjutz.

MR PC · #14 02-05-2010, 01:47 PM

Some nice playing from Robert Popwell on Joe Sample's "Rainbow Seeker" back then. Last I heard Mr. Popwell was leading a church congregation in TN (and hopefully playing too!).

JimK · #15 02-05-2010, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoover

I know there's a hysterically ostentatious example of circular breathing on The Crusaders' otherwise sublime cover of Carole King's "So Far Away", but I don't remember which album that was from. Oh wait, it had a red cover...I don't suppose that helps!

99.9% of my vinyl is still stashed at my mom's (Thanks, mom!)...so I looked
at http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p...0:0zfqxqygldje

"So Far Away" is on Scratch...looks like a pinkish cover to me (that's how I remembered it. Your rods & cones may vary).

bluesblaster · #16 02-05-2010, 05:15 PM

check out " I felt the love" from Free as the Wind, or "chain reaction" from the album of the same name. Good 'ol greasy funk at its best. I beleive thats Pops on both tracks.

JimK · #17 02-06-2010, 06:27 AM

"Chain Reaction" sounds more like Felder to me. I'll check the LP's credits the next chance I have.
FWIW, Pops has some greasy Funk on Images ("Bayou Bottoms").

Sounbwoy · #18 02-06-2010, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR PC

Some nice playing from Robert Popwell on Joe Sample's "Rainbow Seeker" back then. Last I heard Mr. Popwell was leading a church congregation in TN (and hopefully playing too!).

I remember an OLD issue of Bass Player where they talked with him and they had a pic of him playing a Jazz at his church.

MR PC · #19 02-06-2010, 02:18 PM

That must be where I read it. I've got most of those old issues and I'm thinking of what to do with them, since I'll probably never read them through again!

Jerry Ziarko · #20 02-06-2010, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sounbwoy

I remember an OLD issue of Bass Player where they talked with him and they had a pic of him playing a Jazz at his church.

Not sure about the jazz, but I did go see him preach and play a couple of times in the mid 90's. He was playing a "P" at the time and it looked like it had been with him awhile. Truly the best days of worship I have been to in my life. Not only a great player, not only a great preacher, but after talking in length with him, a very kind and gracious man.