Motown songs with Bob Babbitt ?

Bass301 · #1 09-12-2008, 08:27 PM

Hello ,

What Motown songs were basslines by Bob Babbitt ?

( My "Babbitt" search in the archives lasted over two hours to cover the past two years , so please be gentle if this question has been asked previously )

Babbitt's own website claims these songs :

Signed Sealed Delivered
Tears of a Clown
Cool Jerk
I Just Want To Testify
Never Can Say Goodbye (Gloria Gaynor version)
Ball of Confusion
Band of Gold

Did any other Motown songs have Babbitt playing bass ?

Thanks !

Dave R · #2 09-12-2008, 09:31 PM

The best discography I have seen is at the end of the DVD "Standing in the Shadows of Motown."

The only one I remember off the top of my head is "War" (un huh...what is it good for....absolutely nothin...)

The comment mentions the "dead lock" with the drummer. True.

One Drop · #3 09-13-2008, 05:42 AM

Scorpio, a few song's on What's Going On?...

EddieG · #4 09-13-2008, 05:55 AM

He definitely did Mercy Mercy Me from What's Going On. Rick Suchow has the MP3 over on his website, fantastic stuff.

jconary · #5 09-13-2008, 06:52 AM

The book "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" mentions Babbit as the bass in "Cool Jerk".

Dark Star · #6 09-13-2008, 07:12 AM

Inner City Blues (Make me Wanna Holler) - Marvin Gaye

JimK · #7 09-13-2008, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Star

Inner City Blues (Make me Wanna Holler) - Marvin Gaye

Bass Player mag did a recent transcription/article of that tune. Great stuff!

JimK · #8 09-13-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One Drop

"Scorpio"

"Scorpio" from Dennis Coffey's Evolution is not (technically) Motown. My LP sez Sussex Records.

Commreman · #9 09-13-2008, 09:25 AM

Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips

Wasim · #10 09-13-2008, 11:15 AM

Babbitt has a website, here's a link to the discography section:

http://www.bobbabbitt.com/disc.htm

emblymouse · #11 09-13-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Star

Inner City Blues (Make me Wanna Holler) - Marvin Gaye

There should be a statue of him erected somewhere just for that bassline.

StreamerDavid · #12 09-13-2008, 12:10 PM

"Cool Jerk" and "Midnight Train to Georgia" are not Motown songs. "Cool Jerk" was cut under cover in violation of Motown's contract for its session musicians. "Midnight..." was cut in NYC after Motown moved to LA. He moved to NYC after that and did a bunch of stuff. Here's a list of the ones I know:

"End of The Road" Marvin Gaye
"Ball of Confusion" Temptations

“LOSING YOU”
RARE EARTH

“SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED (I’M YOURS)” (GRAMMY NOMINEE)
STEVIE WONDER

“STONED LOVE”
SUPREMES

“TEARS OF A CLOWN”
SMOKEY ROBINSON

“UNITE THE WORLD”
TEMPTATIONS

“WAR” (GRAMMY NOMINEE)
EDWIN STARR

“WE CAN WORK IT OUT”
STEVIE WONDER

1971
“INNER CITY BLUES” (GRAMMY NOMINEE) MARVIN GAYE

1971
“MERCY MERCY ME” (GRAMMY NOMINEE) MARVIN GAYE

1971
“SMILING FACES”
UNDISPUTED TRUTH

1971
“SURRENDER”
DIANA ROSS

1972
“FLOY JOY”
SUPREMES

1972
“MASTERPIECE”
TEMPTATIONS

StreamerDavid · #13 09-13-2008, 12:11 PM

Also, "Band of Gold" is not Motown either.

Bass301 · #14 09-13-2008, 03:03 PM

I wonder how Babbitt was chosen to play bass on just a handful of Motown songs while Jamerson was so prevalent for the vast majority of Motown recordings ?

Although Babbitt is a fine bassist and one of my favorites,
it's surprising Berry Gordie allowed anyone but Jamerson to record the tracks. It's a credit to Babbitt he was chosen.

Would be interesting to know how it happened.

timmbass · #15 09-13-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Star

Inner City Blues (Make me Wanna Holler) - Marvin Gaye

I was gonna say that. Love that bass line...or those bass lines, because he plays it slightly different every time.

Yvon · #16 09-13-2008, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass301

I wonder how Babbitt was chosen to play bass on just a handful of Motown songs while Jamerson was so prevalent for the vast majority of Motown recordings ?

Although Babbitt is a fine bassist and one of my favorites,
it's surprising Berry Gordie allowed anyone but Jamerson to record the tracks. It's a credit to Babbitt he was chosen.

Would be interesting to know how it happened.

Motown would bring two bass player for a session.
Jamerson and somebody else (often Babbitt). When Jamerson couldN't play for any reason they would take the back up.

I don't remember where I read this, but I'm sure womeone else can remember.

Dark Star · #17 09-13-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Bass Player mag did a recent transcription/article of that tune. Great stuff!

It really was awesome. That work was what got me curious about Marvin/Babbitt.

JimK · #18 09-13-2008, 05:51 PM

Check out Standing In The Shadows Of Motown...the book.

Babbitt did some sessions because Jamerson was on a rare road gig (usually with Marvin Gaye).
I don't recall-
...was Babbitt doing sessions because JJ was out of sorts? I'm not 100% on the timeline.

Anyway, check & read the book.

LowDown Hal · #19 09-13-2008, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Star

Inner City Blues (Make me Wanna Holler) - Marvin Gaye

Anyone have a copy of the transcription I could get?

THANKS

Yvon · #20 09-13-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

Check out Standing In The Shadows Of Motown...the book.

Babbitt did some sessions because Jamerson was on a rare road gig (usually with Marvin Gaye).
I don't recall-
...was Babbitt doing sessions because JJ was out of sorts? I'm not 100% on the timeline.

Anyway, check & read the book.

Probably where I read it.
It's been what 20 years since I read this?
I'm still playing with the book, almost daily, but i never read the story again.