Essential Motown songs?

[LanEvo]

As long as we're mentioning non-Motown artists, check out For the Love of Money by the O'Jays. I don't remember what label it was on (Philadelphia?) but the bass line is a classic.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

I guess we've established this isn't just about Motown specifically but when you post a song you should still identify it as Motown, Stax or whatever. Knowing where a song came from is part of digging deep enough into the music to be able to play it convincingly.

 

[HolmeBass]

For me these two tunes capture Jamerson at his funkiest. There's some deep sh*t in those tracks that should be studied and absorbed by all bassists.

A couple of great bass tracks, I really like that Jackson 5 recording! Jamerson kills it in the pocket, and once again I find myself struck by the singular sound and talent of Michael Jackson.

 

[todd0864]

The best excuse for a CD boxed set ever, and disc three just kills me, the cream of the cream:

https://www.amazon.com/Hitsville-US...sa+the+motown+singles+collection+1959-1971+cd

How's the sound quality? Are they all remastered?

 

[Spidey2112]

Buddah, not Motown

But one of my favorites from Gladys

She did record with Motown... are you saying this particular song was recorded under Buddah?

 

[farace]

How's the sound quality? Are they all remastered?

Honestly, I don't recall whether they were remastered or not; it's been quite a while since the set came out. As for sound quality, better than the scratched-up Four Tops records I have! Seriously, sounds okay to me but I've never done any comparisons.

 

[JTE]

She did record with Motown... are you saying this particular song was recorded under Buddah?

Yep, Buddah records got her after she and the Pips felt that Motown/Berry Gordy just weren't trying hard enough for them. Bob Babbitt once recounted that when he was preparing to move to Nashville a friend told him to put together a list of recordings he'd done. When the friend saw "Midnight Train to Georgia" on the list he said, "That's all you'll need, you'll get plenty of work just from that one."

I'm not certain that it's Jamerson playing on the Jackson Five's "Never Can Say Goodbye". It was recorded in late '70 or early '71 in Los Angeles, and I think it probably was Wilton Felder on bass, who also played bass on their recording of "I Want You Back".

 

[MisterFabulous]

How's the sound quality? Are they all remastered?

Sadly, no, not remastered. Killer song selection. Goes beyond the usual hits and hit artists. Great booklet, too. But if you want remastered Motown, the place to start is here:

https://www.amazon.com/Motown-Compl...UTF8&qid=1479130667&sr=1-2&keywords=motown+#1