Family Man

baddarryl · #1 01-31-2009, 01:54 AM

I am sure this has been hashed before, but I just returned from The Wailers show in Myrtle Bch. tonight. Considering the fact that my main study point is to sit in the groove I was absolutely blown away by the grooves he set. I have always admired his playing and timing, but damn he was phenomenal tonight. What other bassist would you guys recommend to check out for me to really focus on the groove regardless of style. Thanks. Sorry just had to rant!

gotmule? · #2 01-31-2009, 12:09 PM

James Jamerson
Bob Babbitt

These two would be a great start for getting in the groove.

Sounbwoy · #3 02-01-2009, 10:11 PM

That's interesting. Fams is back on the road? Can you provide more info about who was with him? I'm interested, because there's another group billed as "The Original Wailers" with Junior and Al up front and Rohan Reid on bass.
Also, were you able to see what bass he was using? He typically uses a Fender, but he has been playing a Hohner BBass recently.

kesslari · #4 02-01-2009, 10:14 PM

For more reggae - (edited) Robbie Shakespeare
For funk - Rocco Prestia.

With both of them, the left hand is almost irrelevant (well, not really) but it's the massive groove they set up with their right hand that is absolutely overpowering.

They both really prove that it's about more than just "which notes".

DreadyDiggs · #5 02-02-2009, 01:06 AM

Sly is a drummer. You may be thinking about Robbie Shakespeare kesslari. Sly & Robbie.

Sounbwoy Fams has been touring for a while now. I recall that Junior Murvin was touring with him, and I had wondered why that stopped, I guess they're doing their own things seperately.

Al WAS touring with them, they did a live album close to my home town back in 2002 (I have it).

Al Anderson - guitar
Keith Sterling - keyboards
Ernest Williams - drums
Joanne Williams - Backing Vocals
Vincent Gordon - trombone
Aston Barrett - bass
Darrell Rose - percussion
Earl Lindo - organ
Gary Pine - vocals
Glen DaCosta - saxophone
Melvin Glover - Rhythm Guitar
Roxanne Prince - background vocals

That was the lineup then in 2002.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ42Z-EhfdM (clip from the 2002 concert).

That's a recent pic of the current lineup.

Fams, Ernest "Zeb" Williams, and Keith Sterling are the only three still playing from 2002.
Light-skinned guy is named Elan he's the new lead vocalist. Pines sounded a lot like Bob.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP-Z2r6yDrk
Vid from 2007, Anderson was still with them, with Elan singing. Sterling wasn't here for this concert.

Looks like the band is going through a lot of changes now. I definitely didn't know Anderson went to Murvin. How can you call it the Originial Wailers without Family Man?

One Drop · #6 02-02-2009, 01:13 PM

I've seen them with Pines many times, and last summer with the new singer. he wasn't very good at all, unfortunately, but I really didn't mind as I can't stop listening to what Fams is doing.

No one grooves quite like him, he really is unique even in reggae circles, from his uprightish tone to the way he shapes his notes, and the way he constantly plays with the time, pushing it slightly or laying scarily back but still holding it together.

For other groovy players whose time can be elastic I can recommend Jerry Jemmot, who plays like Jamerson on LSD, and Bernard Reid, who played on some great Tyrone Davis tracks.

Jemmot (or maybe Tommy Cogbill?):

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=VHKWBxDzyfU

Bernard Reid:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=EvUFUHa825U

Insane bass line on both tracks, masterpieces in their own way. The big thing missing from all those modern Motown style hits (Duffy, etc) is their fairly straight ahead basslines. when I hear them i can't help filling in what a Jamerson-like bassline would do in there in my imagination

Early reggae version same song, don't know who is on bass, but you can hear how subtly laying back a drop can create huge tension that paradoxically helps keep the song pumping forward:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=QAi57a9eCf4

Another reggae example, and one of my all-time favorite riddims). The bassist does a whole lot with a simple line by playing with the time a bit:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=VKwS79GP-98

Finally, for some funky reggae, a bit of a Toots specialty, with great simple but grooving bass, and a song for our times:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=H56EWMpDmbc

A real eye opener for me was starting to play along with James Brown tracks. if you're not so far into the groove you come out the other side, the whole song just falls apart. I got a copy of 'The Great James Brown Rhythm Sections' by Allan Slutsky and Chuck Silverman, with the accompanying CDs where you can isolate the drums and guitars, or the bass, and trying to play each of those songs is a sobering lesson in groove and time.

baddarryl · #7 02-02-2009, 01:25 PM

He played a Fender Jazz with chrome bridge cover and David Eden rig. Dont know what head, but 4x10 on top of a 1x15. Thunder to say the least. They had that Fidel Castro look alike singer and I think the original keyboardist. The singer was great. Don't know who else. They did have 2 very cute backup singers up front though. They were already barefooted, all else they needed to be was pregnant and in my kitchen!

One Drop · #8 02-02-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baddarryl

He played a Fender Jazz with chrome bridge cover and David Eden rig. Dont know what head, but 4x10 on top of a 1x15. Thunder to say the least. They had that Fidel Castro look alike singer and I think the original keyboardist. The singer was great. Don't know who else. They did have 2 very cute backup singers up front though. They were already barefooted, all else they needed to be was pregnant and in my kitchen!

I think he uses a WT800 usually, with a SAABDI in front. I love the bit of fur he gets on the leading edge of his notes, and the way he sings through his bass. I honestly worship everything about his playing and tone, which I can't say about many other bassists.

That's Earl 'Wya' Lindo on keys. He's been with the Wailers since '72 (I first saw him with them in '79), and played previously on a lot of Studio One recordings from the mid '60s on.

BTW I saw Junior Murvin with them a few years ago here in Lausanne. he played a real long, reflective solo on a slow ballad, and he went so far out there musically while still holding everything together, one of those solos that all makes sense at the end but that you though he could never tie up. That gig had the best sound of any reggae concert I've seen, big Meyer line array with no subs I could see. I've never heard Fam's bass as cleanly and I still can't get over the nuance and finesse he brings to such a huge tone. I like watching his left hand, he does some crazy muting and rolling that helps give his notes so much shape.

kesslari · #9 02-02-2009, 03:41 PM

Dreddy - busted. Total brain flart on my part. fixed now...

kesslari · #10 02-02-2009, 03:57 PM

Based on this thread I just ordered 'The Great James Brown Rhythm Sections'
Looking forward to working it.

baddarryl · #11 02-02-2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesslari

Based on this thread I just ordered 'The Great James Brown Rhythm Sections'
Looking forward to working it.

Get "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" about James Jamerson as well. Wonderful.

bass12 · #12 02-02-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baddarryl

He played a Fender Jazz with chrome bridge cover and David Eden rig. Dont know what head, but 4x10 on top of a 1x15. Thunder to say the least. They had that Fidel Castro look alike singer and I think the original keyboardist. The singer was great. Don't know who else. They did have 2 very cute backup singers up front though. They were already barefooted, all else they needed to be was pregnant and in my kitchen!

I saw the band last summer and it was the same singer - a white guy trying his hardest to sound like Bob Marley! It was okay, but nothing all that memorable. For other reggae players, check out old Studio One recordings (various bassists) and for one of the tightest outfits ever, have a listen to the Roots Radics band with Flabba Holt on bass. This band can be found on pretty much any Junjo Lawes recording from the late 70s to mid-80s (Barrington Levy, Yellowman, Michigan & Smiley, Cocoa Tea, Wailing Souls, etc.). Also check out Ronnie McQueen with Steel Pulse ("True Democracy" is a great album). For reggae, it's really a matter of checking out different "sounds" - Channel 1, Studio One, Bunny Lee productions, Treasure Isle (for rocksteady), Impact records, Joe Gibbs productions, Jammy's productions - the list goes on and on. A lot of good stuff also came out of the U.K. with Dennis Bovell, Fashion records and several bands (Steel Pulse, Aswad, etc.). For a good funk feel, you can't go wrong with any of the names already mentioned above. I'll throw in Bernard Edwards from Chic for good measure.

DreadyDiggs · #13 02-02-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesslari

Dreddy - busted. Total brain flart on my part. fixed now...

It's all good seen?

The one thing I can say I know is some of the good reggae basslines out there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKwzIA17uW8
Ijahman Levi - Let's Get Eclipse. Bassist jamming the headless, don't know his name sadly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsQ5SIxLlSM
Leroy Smart - Beautiful Rainbow. DEEP driving bass. I rock 10s in my car, this one shakes the ground. It's Shakespeare on bass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlbrjFnD5Xo
Aswad - African Children live. My favorite version of the song to date. Tony Gad on bass.

That's 3, I gotta stop haha.

One Drop · #14 02-03-2009, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass12

I saw the band last summer and it was the same singer - a white guy trying his hardest to sound like Bob Marley! It was okay, but nothing all that memorable. For other reggae players, check out old Studio One recordings (various bassists) and for one of the tightest outfits ever, have a listen to the Roots Radics band with Flabba Holt on bass. This band can be found on pretty much any Junjo Lawes recording from the late 70s to mid-80s (Barrington Levy, Yellowman, Michigan & Smiley, Cocoa Tea, Wailing Souls, etc.). Also check out Ronnie McQueen with Steel Pulse ("True Democracy" is a great album). For reggae, it's really a matter of checking out different "sounds" - Channel 1, Studio One, Bunny Lee productions, Treasure Isle (for rocksteady), Impact records, Joe Gibbs productions, Jammy's productions - the list goes on and on. A lot of good stuff also came out of the U.K. with Dennis Bovell, Fashion records and several bands (Steel Pulse, Aswad, etc.). For a good funk feel, you can't go wrong with any of the names already mentioned above. I'll throw in Bernard Edwards from Chic for good measure.

Yeah man, Roots Radics really changed up the sound. I love his bass tone, really exaggerated EQ and even thicker than the sounds Robbie Shakespeare was pioneering, but still super smooth and clean. This is a cool example. I feel Flabba's tone and muting style went hand in hand with his sparser pared down riddims:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=JEp-8dgz-i4

DreadyDiggs · #15 02-03-2009, 04:24 AM

I've watched the vid so many times it ain't funny One Drop haha. It's been on my favorite's list for a long time now.

That's drum & bass in sync right ther.

One Drop · #16 02-03-2009, 04:30 AM

I saw them with Gregory Isaacs in the early '80s, touring the 'Night Nurse' album. My goodness they sounded amazing, and he was at the height of his powers.

I saw them again with Israel Vibrations a few years ago, minus Bingy Bunny, of course. Flabba was playing his Hofner. Huge and smooth bass lacking in some character compared to what he gets with a J or P.

DreadyDiggs · #17 02-03-2009, 04:49 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgMgpo3U-VQ

UB40 Present Arms. Earl Falconer's Steinberger takes this whole performance.

Just listen. Playing this is so fun haha.

Sounbwoy · #18 02-16-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadyDiggs

Sounbwoy Fams has been touring for a while now. I recall that Junior Murvin was touring with him, and I had wondered why that stopped, I guess they're doing their own things seperately.

Al WAS touring with them, they did a live album close to my home town back in 2002 (I have it).

Al Anderson - guitar
Keith Sterling - keyboards
Ernest Williams - drums
Joanne Williams - Backing Vocals
Vincent Gordon - trombone
Aston Barrett - bass
Darrell Rose - percussion
Earl Lindo - organ
Gary Pine - vocals
Glen DaCosta - saxophone
Melvin Glover - Rhythm Guitar
Roxanne Prince - background vocals

That was the lineup then in 2002.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ42Z-EhfdM (clip from the 2002 concert).

That's a recent pic of the current lineup.

Fams, Ernest "Zeb" Williams, and Keith Sterling are the only three still playing from 2002.
Light-skinned guy is named Elan he's the new lead vocalist. Pines sounded a lot like Bob.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP-Z2r6yDrk
Vid from 2007, Anderson was still with them, with Elan singing. Sterling wasn't here for this concert.

Looks like the band is going through a lot of changes now. I definitely didn't know Anderson went to Murvin. How can you call it the Originial Wailers without Family Man?

Tanx Dready. That was my question too as I went to the show (we opened for them). It's definitely different. Papa on drums, George Kouakou on keys, Erica Newell is one of the background vocalists and sang with Ziggy and Melody Makers for a while, Rohan Reid on bass. They had Mitch who used to play with Culture on the Leslie but I don't think he's there anymore. The feel is funkier, not as heavy with Rohan getting a chance to go out front on some of Junior's new material. The one saving grace from my POV is that Junior didn't try to be Bob-he just sang his way. Of course Al and Junior's rigs are just insane...guitarists

Rohan is rolling with an ESP natural finish bass, that sounds real good. The night we opened he was using an Aguilar amp with a 4x10and 1x15 and he let me play thru it. It's nice, but not as round as I thought it would be...

DreadyDiggs · #19 02-17-2009, 12:34 AM

I'm guessing there's either some kind of bad blood between Fams and (Al and Junior) or something. I mean afterall, they are both guitarists haha.

I'm just amazed that Junior and Al call their group on "The Original Wailers" and no Fams around. Kinda contradictory to me. But Fams is still doing his thing.

One Drop · #20 02-17-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass12

I saw the band last summer and it was the same singer - a white guy trying his hardest to sound like Bob Marley! It was okay, but nothing all that memorable. For other reggae players, check out old Studio One recordings (various bassists) and for one of the tightest outfits ever, have a listen to the Roots Radics band with Flabba Holt on bass. This band can be found on pretty much any Junjo Lawes recording from the late 70s to mid-80s (Barrington Levy, Yellowman, Michigan & Smiley, Cocoa Tea, Wailing Souls, etc.). Also check out Ronnie McQueen with Steel Pulse ("True Democracy" is a great album). For reggae, it's really a matter of checking out different "sounds" - Channel 1, Studio One, Bunny Lee productions, Treasure Isle (for rocksteady), Impact records, Joe Gibbs productions, Jammy's productions - the list goes on and on. A lot of good stuff also came out of the U.K. with Dennis Bovell, Fashion records and several bands (Steel Pulse, Aswad, etc.). For a good funk feel, you can't go wrong with any of the names already mentioned above. I'll throw in Bernard Edwards from Chic for good measure.

Great post, bass12! I missed it first time around.