James Jamerson vs Bob Babbitt

Music_for_life · #1 07-18-2011, 07:25 PM

I was watching the 2002 dvd and the man has a grea sense of groove and he plays effortlesly...do you think he is at the same level of Jamerson?

IronLung1986 · #2 07-18-2011, 07:30 PM

idk about a VS scenario but babbitt kicks ass, no way around it. completely awesome bass player.

cybersnyder · #3 07-18-2011, 07:39 PM

I think Bob Babbitt would definitely win that showdown today. Heh.

I was listening to some of the Jamerson naked tracks and I think a lot of them sound like crap soloed. In a mix they turn into magic.

leegreenman · #4 07-18-2011, 07:50 PM

In my estimation Jamerson is in a league of his own, but Babbitt is clearly one of the greats. I love them both.

Dr. Cheese · #5 07-18-2011, 08:23 PM

Jamerson made the Motown sound. Babbitt did a great job of mastering that sound. They both deserve respect for their place in music history.

allexcosta · #6 07-18-2011, 08:27 PM

Versus... versus... versus...

TC2112 · #7 07-18-2011, 08:31 PM

Fortunately for all of us - it's not a contest and we can learn from and enjoy both of them. 2 of the greatest

Justbleazy · #8 07-18-2011, 08:38 PM

Hmmm.....I've yet to master a Jamerson recording (well maybe 1) yet I played Make Me Wanna Holla on my first night of playing the bass........

20db pad · #9 07-18-2011, 08:43 PM

I love Bob's playing but he's never been at the laboratory-grade, exceptional genius level that Jamerson was.

Dr. Cheese · #10 07-18-2011, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justbleazy

Hmmm.....I've yet to master a Jamerson recording (well maybe 1) yet I played Make Me Wanna Holla on my first night of playing the bass........

Simple doesn't mean it's not great!

Gecko 5 · #11 07-18-2011, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

Jamerson made the Motown sound. Babbitt did a great job of mastering that sound. They both deserve respect for their place in music history.

Well put Dr.
After the SITSOM, I was quite bitter. I felt Babbit was getting a lot of the glory that Jamerson should have got. Then I listened to some of Babbit's work. He's the real deal

sikamikanico · #12 07-18-2011, 08:56 PM

I think both played fairly decently

Mirios · #13 07-18-2011, 09:00 PM

Oh you meant in bass playing? I was hoping for some sort of supernatural cage match or something.

20db pad · #14 07-18-2011, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirios

Oh you meant in bass playing? I was hoping for some sort of supernatural cage match or something.

Babbitt was a wrestler at one time and Jamerson did a little Karate. It'd be an interesting brawl.

Roy Vogt · #15 07-18-2011, 09:10 PM

That's like comparing a 60s Corvette and a Shelby Cobra-both are thoroughly bad! I have played with Bob (with Dave Pomeroy's All Bass Orchestra) and moderated some Master Classes for him and he's a deep cat. James-say no more, a True Master and Genius!
When I realize those guys were doing what they were doing when I was in Elementary School I'm truly humbled.....

Winemule · #16 07-18-2011, 10:06 PM

Jamerson was a category of one. I still find it astonishing that he could pour so much booze into himself and not just function, but create beautiful sounds.

Randy Newton · #17 07-19-2011, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

I think Bob Babbitt would definitely win that showdown today. Heh.

I was listening to some of the Jamerson naked tracks and I think a lot of them sound like crap soloed. In a mix they turn into magic.

Are those bass tracks meant to be listened alone? No.

Would Jamerson have played 'em the same way if he was playing by himself? Probably not.

As said in many posts, Jamerson created this style and Babbitt learned it and mastered it; he happened to be at the right place at the right time with the right skills.

Drucocu · #18 07-19-2011, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Newton

Are those bass track meant to be listened alone? No.

Would Jamerson have played 'em the same way if he was playing by himself? Probably not.

+1

JJ wasn't a solo player by no means, he is THE epitome of a bandmusician - to serve the music and nothing more.

Randy Newton · #19 07-19-2011, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drucocu

+1

JJ wasn't a solo player by no means, he is THE epitome of a bandmusician - to serve the music and nothing more.

have a look at that

‪Jamerson bassline - solo from Mutiny, Jr. Walker & All-Stars‬&rlm; - YouTube

fisrt time i heard about this solo was in a Pino Palladino itw with BP mag circa 2004

odin70 · #20 07-19-2011, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drucocu

+1

JJ wasn't a solo player by no means, he is THE epitome of a bandmusician - to serve the music and nothing more.

+1