Bassist most similar to James Jamerson who is still currently playing

mattsk42 · #1 02-11-2009, 02:56 PM

Well the title says it all.

Who is STILL playing in groups/CDs who sounds the most like Jamerson?

Don't start a debate, just give your choice of who it would be and why.

RexNFX79 · #2 02-11-2009, 03:01 PM

Robert DeLeo said in an interview once that he was basically a Jamerson ripp off. I do think his style is like a rock version of Jamerson. It's kind of busy but not in your face or overwhelming. Both have styles that fit well with what they are playing. Tasty stuff!

sometypeofplay · #3 02-11-2009, 04:21 PM

Bob Babbit. He did the Funk Brother's reunion tour and he's still an active session bassist around Nashville. He was right there with JJ laying down some wicked stuff. In fact some of those old Motown lines that you love so much are probably his.

DWBass · #4 02-11-2009, 05:55 PM

Randy Hope-Taylor. Sort of a JJ on steroids! I like Jeremie Coke's playing as well. Very melodic like JJ.

20db pad · #5 02-11-2009, 06:04 PM

Anthony Jackson is really the keeper of the JJ flame, in my estimation. He somehow manages to let his Jamerson influence shine in material that doesn't even sound like Motown while still sounding like himself.

Rocco Prestia, Will Lee, and Nathan East regularly quote Jamerson in their playing. Atlanta session man LaMarquis Jefferson did some JJ style playing on the TLC hit "Waterfalls", and Randy Jackson played a lot of Jamerson influenced stuff back before he took on A+R work and the "American Idol" thing blew up.

Chuck Rainey also needs to be mentioned, but I honestly don't know what he's up to these days.

NickBass81 · #6 02-12-2009, 01:32 AM

I agree with all the names above...Pino Palladino too said he's been very influenced by Jamerson...

MikeBass · #7 02-12-2009, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickBass81

I agree with all the names above...Pino Palladino too said he's been very influenced by Jamerson...

+1
I think Pino is really channeling JJ these days.

Aurel · #8 02-12-2009, 06:34 AM

Bob Babbit and Pino Palladino.

funkytoe · #9 02-12-2009, 08:14 AM

Bob Babbitt and Phil Chen are the best at copping a Jamerson-style groove. Chuck Rainey also, be he really uses it sparingly these days.

etoncrow · #10 02-12-2009, 08:19 AM

Bob Babbitt, of course; but also George Porter, Jr.

DumpsterDave · #11 02-12-2009, 08:24 AM

Stewert Zender tends to play a lot like Jamerson.

Lo. · #12 02-13-2009, 06:25 AM

This is a trick question. It's everyone, isn't it?

dannyssx · #13 02-13-2009, 06:38 AM

i like Willie Weeks, Duck Dunn and George Porter Jr..

kesslari · #14 02-13-2009, 05:35 PM

I've recently realized what tunes Bob Babbitt has played on, and am really impressed with his approach. Given that I thought that most of those tunes (take "Inner City Blues", for example) WERE Jamerson - wow.

54bassman54 · #15 02-17-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lo.

This is a trick question. It's everyone, isn't it?

it IS a trick question, since Jamerson invented the language and the vocuabulary we all "speak". that being stated, my vote goes to Willie Weeks.

drden · #16 02-17-2009, 09:18 PM

20db pad · #17 02-17-2009, 09:40 PM

Just bought Raphael Saadiq's new rekkid - he definitely has a Jamerson vibe going on. I'm assuming he plays bass on it - I got it from iTunes and there's no liner notes with the download.

Dr. Cheese · #18 02-17-2009, 09:51 PM

I agree that Anthony Jackson is closest to the spirit of Jamie Jamerson. Sounding like Jamerson is different that getting into the spirit of his playing, IMO. I think AJ took the Jamerson approach and carried it even further.

Datsgor · #19 02-17-2009, 09:53 PM

I gotta go with Bob Babbit. He is a Funk Brother afterall and played the Motown sound we love. JJ and BB were right there in it..., so it's got to be Bob.

cnltb · #20 02-18-2009, 04:52 AM

+1 on Anthony jackson, to me he sometimes sounds as though he adapted actual jamerson lines and used them elsewhere.
Very similar indeed on occasion