• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Did Verdine White really play on those great recordings?

gimmeagig

gimmeagig

Feb 25, 2004
2,891
1,197
Coeur D'Alene,Idaho
#1
Even to this day I love the recordings of Earth Wind and Fire. The were one of the reasons why I am a bass player today.
I have been trying to find live concert footage of EWF on youtube and every time I watch one of those clips I'm asking myself: "What the hell is Verdine doing?"
I know McEnroe is not the same player as he used to be and Franz Klammer doesn't hammer down the steeps like he did when he was younger, but I'm sure they still are older versions of their former selves.
But when I watch Verdine play now (there are also some clips with him trying out basses in stores) I wonder if he ever knew how to play. His playing isn't remotely similar to anything that was on those early EWF recordings. Whoever recorded Shining Star or Serpentine Fire had chops feel and imagination.Never in a million years would I think Verdine could ever have come up with these brilliant basslines when I listen to how he sounds now.
Are there any live youtube clips where he actually plays the bass and sound good? I'd love to have that, because it is so painful to see him now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wally Groove and Craig82
#4
Well the Larry Graham thing was just plain awful and the Midnight special was back in the stone ages but granted Verdine was actually playing on that one. And sounding pretty good too.
Here's the Al McKay Band and this is what happens when the bass player isn't trying to be a ballet dancer.
Simple tune, nothing that an old guy couldn't pull off, great feel and the band is locking....love that!


The Chicago bassist plays his ass off and he's a great singer on top of that.I wonder if Verdine got a little kick in the butt from that and stepped up his game. Whatever it was, it worked.
If there is anything on that level or better from EWF on youtube please post a link.
 
#6
  • Like
Reactions: TonetotheBone and songwriter21
#10
gimmeagig said:
Even to this day I love the recordings of Earth Wind and Fire. The were one of the reasons why I am a bass player today.
I have been trying to find live concert footage of EWF on youtube and every time I watch one of those clips I'm asking myself: "What the hell is Verdine doing?"
I know McEnroe is not the same player as he used to be and Franz Klammer doesn't hammer down the steeps like he did when he was younger, but I'm sure they still are older versions of their former selves.
But when I watch Verdine play now (there are also some clips with him trying out basses in stores) I wonder if he ever knew how to play. His playing isn't remotely similar to anything that was on those early EWF recordings. Whoever recorded Shining Star or Serpentine Fire had chops feel and imagination.Never in a million years would I think Verdine could ever have come up with these brilliant basslines when I listen to how he sounds now.
Are there any live youtube clips where he actually plays the bass and sound good? I'd love to have that, because it is so painful to see him now.
Click to expand...

I saw EWF live in 1973 or so and the band was great.
 
#13
madmic said:
I wish there was a way to stop this BS.
Click to expand...

Well, for starters, Verdine could just stop sounding like doggie poo when not on those records.

Next he could quit trying to dance and concentrate on playing the lines he allegedly wrote.

After this long he would sound better, not worse. That's the way it works for EVERYBODY ELSE. Everybody.

What the defenders are saying is that a black man from one of the greatest funk bands of all time should be excused for not having a sense of rhythm because he's older...despite the fact that he's still performing.

Can you see how that makes much less sense than the conspiracy theory in question?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Watchootognbout and Wally Groove
#14
I mean, you go to the links above, and yeah, he's playing in them...and they sound like bad cover band versions. After this long he should be able to dance around all he wants and be able to play this stuff without thinking about it at all. If it's not lip-syncing it's just plain lazy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wally Groove
#15
avvie said:
Well, for starters, Verdine could just stop sounding like doggie poo when not on those records.

Next he could quit trying to dance and concentrate on playing the lines he allegedly wrote.

After this long he would sound better, not worse. That's the way it works for EVERYBODY ELSE. Everybody.

What the defenders are saying is that a black man from one of the greatest funk bands of all time should be excused for not having a sense of rhythm because he's older...despite the fact that he's still performing.

Can you see how that makes much less sense than the conspiracy theory in question?
Click to expand...

Who said give him a break because he is old and black?
 
  • Like
Reactions: deff
#16
First off, the vast majority of people that attend EWF concerts are grandmothers who thought they bought tickets to Blood, Sweat and Tears. Not bass fappists critiquing every last detail of Verdines act. They dance like that because the people who go to those shows are there for more than a nasaly, slap fueled masturbatory show of musicianship...they are paying to see a "performance" with all of the "fireworks" they entail.

Secondly, Verdine White looks like someone's grandma.


What were we talking about again?
 
#20
avvie said:
Well, for starters, Verdine could just stop sounding like doggie poo when not on those records.

Next he could quit trying to dance and concentrate on playing the lines he allegedly wrote.

After this long he would sound better, not worse. That's the way it works for EVERYBODY ELSE. Everybody.

What the defenders are saying is that a black man from one of the greatest funk bands of all time should be excused for not having a sense of rhythm because he's older...despite the fact that he's still performing.

Can you see how that makes much less sense than the conspiracy theory in question?
Click to expand...

Starting to sound like the Steve Harris thread. Maybe they should merge the two
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back