Is Louis Johnson mostly a "chops"/slap/funk guy?

midbass · #1 04-20-2011, 01:06 PM

LJ was one of the first guys who made me fall in love with the bass, but as I learned more about big name bassists, it seems like others have overshadowed him.

I believe he's got nice tone, and feel otherwise Quincy wouldn't have used him on all the MJ stuff...and The Dude.

But after Nathan East played on Bad instead of him, it seems like he fell off the '80s map.

OOPS: Wrong section, sorry. Mod please move.

Dr. Cheese · #2 04-20-2011, 01:29 PM

I'll answer before this gets moved. Johnson is a great bassist, but he is unschooled. Once his particular thing faded, it made more sense Quincy Jones to use players like Abraham Laboriel or Nathan East who could handle anything put in front of them flawlessly on the first take.

**nutdog** · #3 04-20-2011, 02:24 PM

I'd be extremely happy if I could play like LJ.

basstotheface · #4 04-20-2011, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I'll answer before this gets moved. Johnson is a great bassist, but he is unschooled. Once his particular thing faded, it made more sense Quincy Jones to use players like Abraham Laboriel or Nathan East who could handle anything put in front of them flawlessly on the first take.

+1

philtoler · #5 04-20-2011, 02:54 PM

LJ was amazing at what he did but his slap oriented style may have proved a bit overpowering for MJ stuff. Hence you got someone like Bobby Watson playing on "Rock With You" because his groove was relatively simple, and complemented that particular type of song really well.

Dluxe · #6 04-20-2011, 03:23 PM

Louis played on "The Girl Is Mine" on the Thriller LP. No slap bass anywhere on that one. I'd be happy to have played on 1/10th of the records he's been on.

Louis Johnson | AllMusic

hands5 · #7 04-20-2011, 06:27 PM

There's a misnomer of a few players that Louis doesn't have a good overhand,and that is absolutely false because I saw him with Earl Klugh in the late 80's and some of the tunes that Earl was playing on the 2nd set was some pretty heavy stuff and Louis nailed it, not to mention he can be a very melodic player,just listen to Michael Jackson's Lady in my Life

DWBass · #8 04-20-2011, 06:43 PM

Not sure why he stopped being the go to guy but Louis could definitely play. He did some stuff with George Duke and a lot of stuff for Quincy and other artists. I do know he and his brother ended up having some sort of rift and neither did anything for a minute. Maybe he just made himself scarce for a while. Some folks just are not made for the rigors of being a pro musician. It can take it's toll. Cats like Nathan and Abe were way more versatile and professional which went a long way with Q.

Chrisk-K · #9 04-20-2011, 06:50 PM

When did Quincy become the authority of the bass? He didn't hire Marcus Miller on MJ albums. Does it make MM inferior to Nathan & Abe?

chuck norriss · #10 04-20-2011, 06:51 PM

yea abe laboriel is insane.
i suppose you could say louis johnson was overshadowed or you could say his light burned very bright. and no light doesnt go out.
the man could've retired after thriller.
here's a list of acts he's played with according to wikipedia. i'd be happy just to have played for vanity 6:
* Andrae Crouch
* Angela Bofill
* Anita Baker
* Aretha Franklin
* Billy Preston
* Bill Withers
* Björk
* The Carpenters
* The Controllers
* The Crusaders
* Dave Grusin
* David Diggs
* Deniece Williams
* Donna Summer
* Donn Thomas
* Earl Klugh
* Gábor Szabó
* George Benson
* Gene Van Buren
* George Duke
* Grover Washington, Jr.
* Hannah Freidenberg
* Harvey Mason
* Herb Alpert
* Herbie Hancock
* Hiroshima
* Irene Cara
* The Jacksons
* James Ingram
* Jeffrey Osborne
* John Mellencamp
* Kent Jordan
* Kenny Loggins
* Lee Ritenour
* Leon Haywood
* Leslie Gore
* Makoto Izumitani
* Michael Jackson
* Michael McDonald
* Natalie Cole
* Patti Austin
* Paul McCartney
* Peabo Bryson
* Peggy Lee
* Pointer Sisters
* Quincy Jones
* Randy Badazz
* Rene & Angela
* The Ritz
* Rufus
* Sérgio Mendes
* Side Effect
* Sister Sledge
* Stanley Clarke
* Stevie Nicks
* Stevie Wonder
* Sweet Comfort Band
* Temptations
* Toshiki Kadomatsu
* Vanity 6
* The Brothers Johnson

chuck norriss · #11 04-20-2011, 06:52 PM

bill withers! michael jackson! stevie! come on

Dr. Cheese · #12 04-20-2011, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philtoler

LJ was amazing at what he did but his slap oriented style may have proved a bit overpowering for MJ stuff. Hence you got someone like Bobby Watson playing on "Rock With You" because his groove was relatively simple, and complemented that particular type of song really well.

Louis Johnson himself will say he doesn't read, and is not that schooled in theory. The man has a monster ear, a great memory, and is simply super talented. People like him and Pino (although Pino has a good theory foundation from what I hear) can work wonders without being able to read, but there are some situations you just can't get around having great theoretical knowledge, and the ability to read a chart quickly and accurately.

bucephylus · #13 04-20-2011, 07:39 PM

I totally dug the stuff he did with Earl Klugh. "Schooled" or not, he is a monster talent with his own distinctive voice; which is more than I certainly can claim.

bucephylus · #14 04-20-2011, 07:47 PM

BTW, referring at least to the stuff with Earl Klugh - IMO, that was way more about feel than chops. I would never put that label on his stuff. OK, not as versatile as some others, but so what?

DWBass · #15 04-20-2011, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisk-K

When did Quincy become the authority of the bass? He didn't hire Marcus Miller on MJ albums. Does it make MM inferior to Nathan & Abe?

Honestly, Marcus has a 'sound' and maybe it just wasn't what Q wanted. Plus Marcus was hangin' with Miles around that time. Don't wanna step on Miles' toes!

basstotheface · #16 04-20-2011, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

Honestly, Marcus has a 'sound' and maybe it just wasn't what Q wanted. Plus Marcus was hangin' with Miles around that time. Don't wanna step on Miles' toes!

The same could be said for Louis.

Al Berry · #17 04-20-2011, 08:00 PM

I'll agree with DW Bass and Dr Chesse..
Key words. Quick & professional
Louis is still today one of my favorite players as far as sensibility and feel.. Whether he's slapping or not, the man is sick.. I remember the first time I heard "We supply" all your funky needs.. Louis and Stanley
Some of you need to go back and listen to the Brothers Johnson albums..
I also know personally Louis is very much an artist, and artsy.. We all know what that can mean.. It's not so much about severing ties or even being flexible or professional.. Sometimes the artistic wind blows and the artist follows wherever, however long and wherever he may chose to follow that wind.. To whatever end.. wow! Got me thinkin about Jaco now...

drnknmstr · #18 04-20-2011, 08:05 PM

Dude, he played with Paul McCartney. "Silly Love Songs" is tame, though still groovy. Not chopsy at all.

tdizzle · #19 04-20-2011, 08:16 PM

I never would have thought that Louis didn't read. He has played on some pretty change heavy music.

drnknmstr · #20 04-20-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdizzle

I never would have thought that Louis didn't read. He has played on some pretty change heavy music.

+1. And in regards to the Bobby Watson comment, if you read the story in BP about it, Louis was on most of the record due to his precision.

I personally think he's one of the most underrated bassists ever.