Why does james brown use two bass players?

[britrit]

Originally Posted by MacGroove

For their playing styles, feel and groove. Sometimes with 2 drummers. The Funkbrothers used 4 different drummers depending one style and feel also.

There were 3 drummers when I saw santana.

[Headroom]

As far as I'm concerned, James Brown's band is nothing but drummers. Some just swing the melody a little more than others.

[DirtDog]

Last time I saw JB was here in Ottawa few years back headlining at BluesFest (yeah!)

Anyways, he basically had two bands at that show - one stage left and one stage right that included bass, drums, guitar and horn section in each - and a bevy of backup singers plus this young hottie solo vocalist in a spandex American flag costume and his "valet/bodyguard".

I seem to remember one band (stage right, predominantly younger white guys) were called the "Soul Generals". Not sure what the other band was called - mostly older black guys. but they sure did FUNK! Basically, the bands would alternate tunes.

Unlike Smash's sterile experience, this was one F'N AWESOME show!!! I've seen some great acts at BluesFest over the years, but this one is still #1 to me.

DD

[DblG]

<Thread revived> (since I did a search! )

I caught the James Brown in the House of Blues in Las Vegas on VH1CL last night and was wondering why he had 2 bass players. Not too many shots w/ either of them very long, but it appeared one played while the other stood there. It seemed the guy with the MusicMan(?) played more. It was a huge band and ended with an awesome Sex Machine. What a show that guy brought. Anyone else catch this?

[DocBop]

James Brown has been using double drummers and basses player almost back to the beginning. Part of it was back in the day his shows were non-stop and he would wear players out. With a double rhythm section they could switch off. Which was good being James ran the band with an iron fist. All those dance steps and hand movements were queues for the band. Miss a queue and you were pay fines to James.

As James would say "it's all on the one".

[JansenW]

Originally Posted by DocBop

Miss a queue and you were pay fines to James.

So they can spread the fines between the two bass players!

[xlows]

This is probably the worst thread imaginable to revive.

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by xlows

This is probably the worst thread imaginable to revive.

Why do you say that ?

[DblG]

Originally Posted by xlows

This is probably the worst thread imaginable to revive.

If I had started a new thread, would you have contributed as much as you did to this one by telling me to do a search?

[T-MOST]

Thats just way too much funk for one bass player to handle!

[xlows]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

Why do you say that ?

Because it was about James using two bass players on his tour. Which was cut short by his death.

Just saying, it seems a bit pointless to revive it at this point.

And to whomever told me I'd tell them to do a search (too lazy to see who), I have yet to tell anyone to do search. That's not my job... it's why we have Spankypants.

[DblG]

Originally Posted by xlows

his death.

Me too.

Originally Posted by xlows

Just saying, it seems a bit pointless to revive it at this point.

My point was that I saw his House of Blues concert on TV, and discovered that in my 39 years, 10 months and 10 days on this earth I've been ignorant to the fact that he used 2 bass players live.

Originally Posted by xlows

to whomever told me I'd tell them to do a search (too lazy to see who), I have yet to tell anyone to do search. That's not my job... it's why we have Spankypants.

I fear the do a search reply.


gg

[theshadow2001]

I was looking through threads that I started and saw this one had a few new posts. Anyway I think the show that I saw were among his last few and I am very greatfull that I got the chance to see him when I did. I was blown away by the show. To be honest I couldn't even concentrate on the two bass players there was just so much going on on stage that I was just switching my attention between everything (and was also distracted by his dancers ). I also got a drum stick signed by one of his drummers which was pretty cool.

Just because james is dead doesn't mean that we shouldn't talk about why he used two bass players or any other part of his act. Its not like anyone is being disrespectful or anything

[jrock1956]

I opened up for James back in 1999 at the Ho Chunk Casino in Wisconsin. JB never used 2 bass players back in the 60's or 70's. 2 drummers yes and then only to give a different feel to a song and not because he was afraid one would quit because the drummers were normally under contract.
Fred Thomas was the main bassist and he played with his thumb (mostly downstrokes) because JB preferred the sound it produced. Thick with a lot of bottom.
The other bassist would do slappin parts and play fill in parts sometimes with Fred depending on the song. (Living In America)
The only time I saw them play in tandem was the opening number. And I was standing next to the stage as they played and the band sounded like a train rolling down the aisle. Just awesome. Sweet Charles was playing keyboard and singing but never picked up the bass. And he's an awesome bass player.
So the 2 bass players is something that came about in the late 80's or early 90's. Unless someone has some Youtube video to prove that wrong.