Before Funk was a recognized and accepted genre who were it's bassist?

JAUQO III-X · #1 09-22-2007, 07:28 AM

DWBass · #2 09-22-2007, 07:46 AM

If I'm understanding the question right..........Funk, as a legitimate commercial genre, probably began in early 70's. Probably actually started in the mid 60's. We all know Larry Graham, Bootsy (& JB's other bassists) & George Porter are some of the more well known names. I can refer folks to the Funk 101 thread as many of those tunes and noted bassists are from that period. Some examples of 60's funk have been posted as well.

phxlbrmpf · #3 09-22-2007, 08:00 AM

Hey, Jauqo, did Major Metal hijack your account or something?

JAUQO III-X · #4 09-22-2007, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phxlbrmpf

Hey, Jauqo, did Major Metal hijack your account or something?

Twnty1inRF · #5 09-22-2007, 08:34 AM

James Jamerson... nuff said.

JAUQO III-X · #6 09-22-2007, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twnty1inRF

James Jamerson... nuff said.

No it's not nuff said

jerry · #7 09-22-2007, 08:50 AM

James Alexander with the Bar-Kays

DWBass · #8 09-22-2007, 09:24 AM

I would have included James Jamerson's name but I just don't consider him a 'Funk' bassist. He was quite soulful & bluesy and obviously had jazz and classical training. I'm sure he had an influence on the funk genre as far as bass goes but he was not a 'funk' bassist.

Sounbwoy · #9 09-22-2007, 11:06 AM

I'm with the Funkfather on this one. Many of the people in the Funk 101 thread were already playing b4 funk was "accepted". Remember tho, that b4 funk they were playing whatever was POPULAR at the time, whether it be jazz or rock or whatever. While not bass-related, George Clinton could be cited as an example. He came up in the doo-wop era.
Do you want doo-wop in your funk?

Dr. Cheese · #10 09-22-2007, 04:21 PM

I agree with DWbass that folks like Bootsy and Bernard Odum who played for James Brown were the prototypical funk bassists. I would also include Jerry Jemmott for his funky line on "Memphis Soul Stew."

I can't resist posting that clip! Jemmott sounds so good, and that jazz of his looks awesome!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WHcWu-1iUg

Billy Low · #11 09-23-2007, 11:01 PM

I'm amazed that not one person has mentioned Chuck Rainey!

lbanks · #12 09-23-2007, 11:08 PM

either Melvin Dunlap with 'Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band'
or
George Porter Jr. with 'The Meters'

CapnSev · #13 09-23-2007, 11:09 PM

Larry Taylor on some of the old Canned Heat albums gets pretty funky, especially on the "refried boogie" number (Can't think of the album name). Not a funk band by any means, but some of the stuff is really close, especially with John Lee Hooker.

burk48237 · #14 09-24-2007, 08:47 AM

IMHO the father of early funk bass is Tommy Cogbill. He doesn't get much love around here because of his bassy "feel the bass not hear it" tone, but he was certainly the precursor of players like Rocco and Jaco. You listen to his playing on Wilson Picketts "Funky Broadway" or the early Aretha Franklin like "Respect" stuff, he really was the first muted note, fast funk player that just laid it down. Jaco cites him continually as a great influence.

http://www.bassplayer.com/article/du...n/Feb-06/18128

00Funk · #15 09-24-2007, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phxlbrmpf

Hey, Jauqo, did Major Metal hijack your account or something?

That was DEFINATELY funny. LOL

JAUQO III-X · #16 09-24-2007, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burk48237

IMHO the father of early funk bass is Tommy Cogbill. He doesn't get much love around here because of his bassy "feel the bass not hear it" tone, but he was certainly the precursor of players like Rocco and Jaco. You listen to his playing on Wilson Picketts "Funky Broadway" or the early Aretha Franklin like "Respect" stuff, he really was the first muted note, fast funk player that just laid it down. Jaco cites him continually as a great influence.

http://www.bassplayer.com/article/du...n/Feb-06/18128

One of my favorite bass players but during that same period you had Jamerson,Rainey,Dunn and Jemmott who were themselves also utilizing muted notes and it was funky.

Eublet · #17 09-24-2007, 08:57 AM

Not to derail this thread, but am I the only one that has often found Jermont's playing to be quite sloppy? He does create a good feel and groove though, so in the end it's all good. He's kind of like the Jimmy Page of bass playing to me. Cool grooves and sounds, nice ideas, but execution is not always the greatest.

Mojo-Man · #18 09-24-2007, 09:08 AM

The Bassists for James Brown.
Chuck Rainy
Jerry Jerrmott
Willie Weeks
Dough Ranch
Bob Babbitt
Bootsy
Cool
Louis Johnson

DWBass · #19 09-24-2007, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eublet

Not to derail this thread, but am I the only one that has often found Jermont's playing to be quite sloppy? He does create a good feel and groove though, so in the end it's all good. He's kind of like the Jimmy Page of bass playing to me. Cool grooves and sounds, nice ideas, but execution is not always the greatest.

I think for that time period, his playing may have be spot on. By todays standards? Yes, pretty sloppy. His playing technique was not very fluid either but again, during that time period, bass playing was not quite as precise or in the pocket.

Eublet · #20 09-24-2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

I think for that time period, his playing may have be spot on. By todays standards? Yes, pretty sloppy. His playing technique was not very fluid either but again, during that time period, bass playing was not quite as precise or in the pocket.

Yeah, it's almost like he was "swinging" his fingers at the string like little baseball bats, rather than plucking them. It always looked strange to me.