Help with Whatcha Gonna Do? by Pablo Cruise?

[Rob S]

If anyone can help I would be grateful. I have the worst ear...

I would like to learn to play Whatcha Gonna Do by Pablo Cruise on the bass, but the runs/riffs he does are confounding me. Thank you if anyone can help.

Rob

 

[DieHard109]

Hi,

Tab? Not, yet.

I heard this song this morning on my local oldies AM radio station in my car. This tune has an interesting bass introduction and bass line. All I had to go on was a few lyrics. I did not know the group's name or the song title. I kinda remember the song's tune back in its day.

Google helped me out in identifying the title and the group's name - Pablo Cruise, by running the lyrics. The song came out in 1977.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Cruise

So, off to YouTube next, I found this:



Might try a public library's reference librarian and pick their brains.

Hope this helps you some.

My 1st post to the board. I saw your post, me researching same.

Take care

 

[PlayTheBass]

Just gave it a quick listen, and here's that intro bit:

G|14-15-16---------12-----|
D|---------0-12-14--------|
A|------------------------|
E|------------------------|

 

[JimK]

...that intro looks right!

IIRC, Bud Cockrell played bass on the album (A Place In The Sun)...I recall seeing the band do it live on an afternoon '70s Talk Show (The Mike Douglas Show) with Bruce (RIP) Day playing bass. It was live 'cause it was different enough from the recording...Anyway, Day ripped it up! Great job.
From what I've recently read...Pablo Cruise's current bassist is "Wolfman" from That Thing You Do!. He is a very capable player & vocalist!

 

[DieHard109]

Just gave it a quick listen, and here's that intro bit:

G|14-15-16---------12-----|
D|---------0-12-14--------|
A|------------------------|
E|------------------------|

Thank you.

 

[PlayTheBass]

Cool knowledge, JimK! Very interesting.

And you got it, DieHard. If there is another part of the song that's particularly stubborn, let me know.

 

[JimK]

Cool. When I first tried playing this tune, my intro figure was a variation of what you posted. That was me...close but not exactamundo. My friend & band mate (one of those guys that plays keys/guitar/drums/bass...all well...with perfect pitch) showed me what you TAB'd out. The OPEN string...I did not play that, but he did...and that made it cool.


...damn, it may have been The Merv Griffin Show (not The Mike Douglas Show) where I saw Pablo Cruise doin' "What You Gonna Do". IIRC, once upon a time, I checked youtube for this...did not see it but that was a few years back.

 

[PlayTheBass]

Right on!

Alright, here's a take on the whole tune. Great bass part.

 

[JimK]

Sean-
Very nice.
I will add that in bar_6 of the Verse...Beats 3 & 4-
I recall sliding up to that "A" on the D-string.

Some cool stuff is also happening on the outro...

 

[PlayTheBass]

Sounds cool, Jim! It sounded like a G-string A to me, but I like yours better.

Definitely some groovy variations on the outro.

 

[JimK]

...it's been years-
If you hear it on the G-string, I'm OK with it!


Now I'm wondering if it's the 2nd time through when he slides up.

 

[Rob S]

I just looked back at this thread I started and am stunned and amazed by the time and attention spent addressing my humble request. Sean: I'm blown away by your generosity. Thank you everybody!

Rob

 

[PlayTheBass]

Right on, Rob, thanks for the note! I'm really glad we could help you out.

Enjoy!

Sean