Originally posted by Showdown
I don't claim to know the truth here, but I suspect that she played on re-cuts and demos, but believes she played on the real songs. Considering the number of hits she is known to have played on I don't think she would need to intentionally lie to bolster her reputation.
I don't know how recordings were done during that time period (maybe someone knowledgable about it could fill me in), but if they cut the rhythm tracks without the singer present, and never told her who the recordings were for, she could easily have assumed that she was playing on the original hits.
Just one man's opinion, but I would rather give her the benefit of the doubt and assume she is mistaken, unless it is actually proven that she intentionally lied. I just don't see the point in getting angry about it like some in previous threads have.
I'd give her the benefit of the doubt too if there had been any ongoing displays of any Jamerson-esque prowess after her Motown recordings. This is not a slam on her playing. Can someone name one post-Motown recording of hers that sounds like Jamerson? Even better, one recorded after he passed away
Bottom line, in our heart of hearts I think most of us know what we sound like. We also know what we don't sound like. Just as I don't think anyone would mistake Jaco for Stanley Clarke, I don't think based on what I've heard I'd mistake Carol for James.
Still witing on proof to the contrary.
Jamerson was one of the greatest, and probably most influencial, bassists of all time. Carol Kaye is also a great bassist. That won't change regardless of who played on the songs in question. I think instead of worrying about who played on the songs I'll just listen to them and enjoy them for the great music that they are. People loved these songs for years before anyone even knew who James Jamerson was, and I can enjoy them now without knowing for certain who played bass.
I still think credit where credit is due is very important, either way.