Rio Funk: Jimmy Johnson vs. Marcus Miller

Dr. Cheese · #1 05-13-2011, 06:33 AM

This is a nice finger vs. thumb comparison of the same song. Marcus Miller did the original studio version and the Jimmy Johnson version is live from 1984.
YouTube - Lee Ritenour - RIO FUNK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxkiq...eature=related

MikeBass · #2 05-13-2011, 06:38 AM

Great examples of two different feels/approaches and yet two killer tracks.

bassbrad · #3 05-13-2011, 08:58 AM

Always cool to see Jimmy Johnson play and an interesting solo.

MrLenny1 · #4 05-13-2011, 09:41 AM

I got my first 5 string in 1991, Jimmy Johnson was the only LowB man I had
heard back then, so I credit him for teaching me the LowB.
Thanks for sharing the 2 clips.

Dr. Cheese · #5 05-13-2011, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrLenny1

I got my first 5 string in 1991, Jimmy Johnson was the only LowB man I had
heard back then, so I credit him for teaching me the LowB.
Thanks for sharing the 2 clips.

Bucephylus posted the Jimmy Johnson clip in my thread about Louis Johnson's Alembic and Music Man tones. As a former Alembic owner, I definitely could get into the zing in Jimmy Johnson's sound! I have never heard him with such an aggressive tone before since I know him through his Flim and the BB's CDs, and his James Taylor gigs. I knew Jimmy Johnson was a monster player, but I had never heard him funk like he did on tht clip before.

I am an all time Marcus Miller fan. Anybody who hears me slap will pick up my Marcus worship in a minute. That said, I guess thirty plus years of hearing Marcus is leaving me a little bored. I know in 1979, Rio was some monster funk! Today, however, Jimmy Johnson's approach to that tune is just more interesting to me.

PDK · #6 05-13-2011, 09:55 AM

I actually like both.

Oldboy · #7 05-13-2011, 10:23 AM

Oh Jimmy! Sheer heaven to listen to.

Jamie_Funk · #8 05-13-2011, 12:03 PM

Both great...but Jimmy's take is my favourite - heard it a few years ago and was blown away.

J

JimK · #9 05-13-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I have never heard him with such an aggressive tone before since I know him through his Flim and the BB's CDs, and his James Taylor gigs.

You need to pick up Alan Holdsworth's Metal Fatigue & I.O.U. Live.
Also, JJ puts in some nice work with Billy Childs.

Dr. Cheese · #10 05-13-2011, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

You need to pick up Alan Holdsworth's Metal Fatigue & I.O.U. Live.
Also, JJ puts in some nice work with Billy Childs.

This is pretty neat!

YouTube - Allan Holdsworth - Metal Fatigue

Dr. Cheese · #11 05-13-2011, 01:40 PM

YouTube - Donald Fagen The Nightfly (HQ)

Just to remind you that Marcus can kill fingerstyle too, this is perhaps my favorite non-slapping Marcus Miller line, Donald Fagen's Nightfly. MM reminds me of Anthony Jackson a little bit on this song.

Hoover · #12 05-13-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

YouTube - Donald Fagen The Nightfly (HQ)

MM reminds me of Anthony Jackson a little bit on this song.

Wait a sec, I always thought "The Nightfly" was Anthony Jackson!

Blake Bass · #13 05-13-2011, 02:33 PM

I love Jimmy's playing on everything I've heard him do..this one is no exception, so Jimmy gets my vote !!

Rano Bass · #14 05-13-2011, 03:16 PM

I also like this version a lot YouTube - Lee Ritenour - Rio Funk live NorthSea Jazzfestival 2009

But i have to admit Melvin Davis sounds a lot like Marcus

bucephylus · #15 05-13-2011, 03:22 PM

I completely dig both players - two GREAT cats.

I think Marcus is more broadly recognized and tends to have a little more bling in his playing, plus being a great composer. Jimmy's approach is a little more understated; I believe he gets recognition from his employers, but maybe not so much on the popularity curve - so maybe a little unrecognized.

bassbrad · #16 05-13-2011, 04:52 PM

Jimmy Johnson's Solo on Panic Station is one of my favorites.

YouTube - Allan Holdsworth - Panic Station

bwoodman · #17 05-13-2011, 05:00 PM

Jimmy has been one of my favorites for a long time. He's the funkiest cat on a five string that does NOT slap! Nothing wrong with slap - just sayin' - he's got a real funky feel and I've never seen or heard him slap.

MixBass · #18 05-13-2011, 05:31 PM

Both are great!
Agreed-Jimmy's solo on Panic station is great.

BigOldHarry · #19 05-13-2011, 05:32 PM

"Rio Funk" is why I learned how to slap - and I used the song with a ton of students to teach them how to slap.

That and "Big Time" by Miles...

bottomzone · #20 05-13-2011, 07:18 PM

Jimmy is killing in that clip and the tone of his Alembic is one of the best that I've heard! If you haven't checked out Cahd Wackerman's Forty Reasons CD, you need to. Jimmy is all over that one!

YouTube - Chad Wackerman - Holiday Insane (feat. Allan Holdsworth and Jimmy Johnson)

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!