Barry White's Bassist?

[growlypants]

I've been listening to some old Barry White songs, and I can't seem to find who the bass player was on "You're the first, the last, my everything". Anybody know?

 

[Phillynative]

Wilton Felder. He played on a lot of Barry’s early hits and was also in the Love Unlimited Orchestra. A lot of those basslines get falsely attributed to Nathan East but I think he started playing with BW in the mid-late 70s.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Nathan East was recording for Barry White in high school, before he went to college.

 

[P. Aaron]

Barry White’s music is awesome.

 

[growlypants]

I appreciate the responses. I've certainly heard of Nathan East, but not Wilton Fender. But then I'd also forgotten about the Love Unlimited Orchestra, too!

 

[Phillynative]

I appreciate the responses. I've certainly heard of Nathan East, but not Wilton Fender. But then I'd also forgotten about the Love Unlimited Orchestra, too!

I made an appreciation thread about Felder, he’s my favorite bassist and one whom I think is very underrated. He’s more known for being the saxophonist of the Jazz Crusaders but he did a lot of bass session work in the late 60s and 70s.

Here’s an article about the “Can’t Get Enough” album that features the song that you mentioned.

Barry White - Can't Get Enough


White's 1974 release Can't Get Enough is the most consistent in his discography, and an all-time classic of baby-making bedroom soul. It begins, as many White projects do, with an opulent instrumental. "Mellow Mood Part 1" serves as a showcase for the band of ace session musicians White kept on retainer, which included rhythm guitarist Melvin "Wah-Wah" Watson and Crusaders' bassist Wilton Felder. Then comes "You're the First, the Last, My Everything," a driving disco anthem that became the blueprint for big hits by Donna Summer and others. It might just be the one track that best epitomizes the songwriting and production innovations of disco.

 

[Guiseppe]

I made an appreciation thread about Felder, he’s my favorite bassist and one whom I think is very underrated. He’s more known for being the saxophonist of the Jazz Crusaders but he did a lot of bass session work in the late 60s and 70s.

Here’s an article about the “Can’t Get Enough” album that features the song that you mentioned.

Barry White - Can't Get Enough


White's 1974 release Can't Get Enough is the most consistent in his discography, and an all-time classic of baby-making bedroom soul. It begins, as many White projects do, with an opulent instrumental. "Mellow Mood Part 1" serves as a showcase for the band of ace session musicians White kept on retainer, which included rhythm guitarist Melvin "Wah-Wah" Watson and Crusaders' bassist Wilton Felder. Then comes "You're the First, the Last, My Everything," a driving disco anthem that became the blueprint for big hits by Donna Summer and others. It might just be the one track that best epitomizes the songwriting and production innovations of disco.

Amazing that Wilton Felder was the player behind Barry White. I'm familiar w/ Felder by his work with Jazz Crusaders but had no idea he could groove SO hard!

 

[Michedelic]

I appreciate the responses. I've certainly heard of Nathan East, but not Wilton Fender. But then I'd also forgotten about the Love Unlimited Orchestra, too!

This entire album is a Felder tour-de-force…


…and keep in mind, with his feet Smith wasn’t one to need a bassist. Fender Tele bass, Sunn 2000s amp.

 

[Guiseppe]

This entire album is a Felder tour-de-force…


…and keep in mind, with his feet Smith wasn’t one to need a bassist. Fender Tele bass, Sunn 2000s amp.

WOW. I am sitting here getting blown back in my seat by ALL the players on this record. I knew Wilton was a great player but WOW. I am getting gassed by all of these songs. And Jimmy Smith is as good as any keys player I know from that day...

Excuse me while I lay back in this groove. Thanks!

 

[Michedelic]

WOW. I am sitting here getting blown back in my seat by ALL the players on this record. I knew Wilton was a great player but WOW. I am getting gassed by all of these songs. And Jimmy Smith is as good as any keys player I know from that day...

Excuse me while I lay back in this groove. Thanks!

As far as Hammond Organ players go, there’s Jimmy Smith, then there’s everybody else. His footpedal bass work is legendary, worth being studied by any upright or electric bass player, and the “organ trio” albums he did with guitarist Wes Montgomery are iconic. Wild Bill Davis may have set the precedent, and Joey DeFrancesco notably carried on the tradition, but it was Smith who fully realized the concept and essentially wrote the book.

 

[jerry]

As far as Hammond Organ players go, there’s Jimmy Smith, then there’s everybody else. His footpedal bass work is legendary, worth being studied by any upright or electric bass player, and the “organ trio” albums he did with guitarist Wes Montgomery are iconic. Wild Bill Davis may have set the precedent, and Joey DeFrancesco notably carried on the tradition, but it was Smith who fully realized the concept and essentially wrote the book.

Domi from Domi and JD Beck is keeping that tradition alive.

 

[Lowbassman]

Re: Wilton Felder; there's this little ditty: