HER NAME IS CAROL KAYE

[galt]

I just came across a site for a new documentary on legendary bassist CAROL KAYE. Pretty cool. I remember really getting into the sound of the bass on the Hogan's Heros song , then years later finding out it was played by Carol Kaye in a Guitar Player magazine. She really defined the bass.

If you're interested here's the URL:

Link Removed

 

[markob]

Awesome Galt. Outstanding player and lady. Interesting that the Death doom stoner whatever thread gets attention and this doesn't
Thanks for posting this.

 

[5StringFool]

Sweet!!! Carol is one of my favorites.

 

[DrDAV14]

HUGE influence on everyone, whether you admit it or not

 

[galt]

Yeah it seems like a pretty cool movie. Maybe they'll do one on Jamerson too!

 

[Mike M.]

I saw a little bit on that here last week. Jeez....can't believe how many albums, films and TV shows she's played on during her career, especially in the 60's.

Well done, Carol!

 

[Emm9T]

Didn't she try to take credit for a bunch of Jamerson songs? I mean, yeah the girl can play, props to that, but her business ethics need some improvement.

 

[dhsierra1]

there was a thread here a few days ago on the YouTube posting of the trailer. Hope this gets the funding they're looking for, she deserves to be known in the mainstream like the Funk Bros. And a few other rhythm sections like the Wrecking Crew, Memphis, Muscle Shoals, etc......

 

[cjmodulus]

Yeah it seems like a pretty cool movie. Maybe they'll do one on Jamerson too!

They made a movie of 'standing in the shadows of mowtown'.
And yeah, I like her playing but the whole jamerson thing... I don't know.

 

[JTE]

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f28/new-carol-kaye-documentary-being-released-806955/

Last week's thread about this movie, and the disagreements over who played what...

John

 

[rockstarbassist]

Is this the same movie here or are there two??

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f28/new-movie-carol-kaye-808335/

 

[galt]

I think there's only one. The Youtube movie is the same one on the movie site.

As far as the Jamerson thing goes if it was recorded in Detroit it was Jamerson. If it was recorded in LA then it was Carol. She never claimed any of Jamerson's work. She doesn't need to.

 

[mindwell]

I think there's only one. The Youtube movie is the same one on the movie site.

As far as the Jamerson thing goes if it was recorded in Detroit it was Jamerson. If it was recorded in LA then it was Carol. She never claimed any of Jamerson's work. She doesn't need to.

I only wish that had been the case. But no, there were disputes in the past.

 

[SoCal1]

I think there's only one. The Youtube movie is the same one on the movie site.

As far as the Jamerson thing goes if it was recorded in Detroit it was Jamerson. If it was recorded in LA then it was Carol. She never claimed any of Jamerson's work. She doesn't need to.

I hate to get started...but for the sake of accuracy...ever hear of Wilton Felder, Eddie Watkins Jr, or even Freddie Washington??? Those guys PLAYED on Los Angeles Motown tracks...plus some others...not just Ms Kaye. If it was Detroit tracks in the heyday (the VAST majority of released Motown singles)...it was Jamerson...or Babbitt later and even Tony Newton on some very early Detroit tracks. I Was Made To Love Her (with Jamerson playing a double with guitarist Joe Messina) and Bernadette were The Funk Brothers and Jamerson...despite what Ms Kaye may have erroniously claimed. Not trying to dig up dirt...but I personally know better having spoken to Funk Brothers who PLAYED those sessions. The tracks are unmistakeable. Ms Kaye may have tried to copy those tracks in her basement or something. There's a better chance that Elmer Fudd played those tracks than Ms Kaye if Elmer plays fingerstyle. Anyone who hears a pick on either of those tracks needs to order a "miracle ear"...only $19.95.

 

[mindwell]

All that notwithstanding, Carol Kaye gave as much as anybody to the electric bass guitar. Her approach to the instrument was completely groundbreaking, and continues to be a part of so much great music. I'm looking forward to the movie.

 

[JTE]

I think there's only one. The Youtube movie is the same one on the movie site.

As far as the Jamerson thing goes if it was recorded in Detroit it was Jamerson. If it was recorded in LA then it was Carol. She never claimed any of Jamerson's work. She doesn't need to.

You need to do a bit more research. There are intelligent, knowledgeable, reliable, and objective people on both sides of the issue and the many songs in question. Plus, it's simply false to assert that Detriot was always Jamerson, LA was always Kaye. Wilton Felder played on "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5 for on obvious California example. Babbit's the bassist on "Midnight Train To Georgia" and the half of the "What's Goin' On" album that Jamersond didn't play.

Probably better to not say anything in this particular case than to make a patently false statement like the one quoted.

John

 

[johndough247]

You need to do a bit more research. There are intelligent, knowledgeable, reliable, and objective people on both sides of the issue and the many songs in question. Plus, it's simply false to assert that Detriot was always Jamerson, LA was always Kaye. Wilton Felder played on "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5 for on obvious California example. Babbit's the bassist on "Midnight Train To Georgia" and the half of the "What's Goin' On" album that Jamersond didn't play.

Probably better to not say anything in this particular case than to make a patently false statement like the one quoted.

John

+1

I remember reading her opinions of this on her website and she even put up isolated clips of her playing the lines in dispute to try to "help" her claims (short clips though if i remember correctly). The picking and the tone were quite obviously her...but listening to the isolated sections of those same songs on the SITSOM CD ('I was made to love her' stands out in my mind), it's clearly Jamerson or Babbitt from a sonic perspective (more distortion, no clicky pick sound, more in line with the Detroit motown bass sound).

I love really Carol's work, and I definitely don't dispute that she may have played a version of the song over in the LA studio (Demos or alternate versions of songs are cut all the time), but the final product IMO does not sound like her and has too much "Jamerson-isms" in the performance for it to seem plausible.

REGARDLESS, I'm still interested in seeing this movie

 

[grrg63]

I know one thing for sure- none of us were there in Detroit or LA, so we dont know who did what and it's pointless to argue about it. The people who were there are very old and memories fade. All these people; Jamerson, Kaye, Felder, Babbitt, etc. deserve our respect.

 

[Brad Johnson]

HUGE influence on everyone, whether you admit it or not

Haven't heard that one in a while.

 

[SamJ]

if she weren't a women, nobody would even know who she was... JMHO.