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James Brown - bass off key?
- Thread starter duckyincarnate
- Start date
Is it just me, or the bass incredibly off-key on James Brown's "The Boss"? Sounds like a bad tuning job to me, but maybe my brain is playing tricks on me.
Anyone else hear this?
It could be, the groove is number one for James Brown.
Look at it this way: James was into to Harmolodics before Ornette Coleman and he could dance!
Bass off-key??
I bought my bass pre-tuned from the factory; I Never have to tune mine......
Mike
I bought my bass pre-tuned from the factory; I Never have to tune mine......
Mike
Listen to some of Johnny Cash for some good off key stuff. Most(98%) was fine but sometimies they did a clanger- feel & groove was spot on & the song-can't remember the name- was about a BAD person doin BAD things-so maybe this one was ON PURPOSE!!
I know that this thread is over 4 years old but does anyone know if there is sheet music or tab for "The Boss"? I _love_ this song and want to try playing it... any suggestions, other than transcribing it myself?
I'm not a huge James Brown fan but it doesnt seem like this particular tune is (or was) very popular... I could be wrong so please dont flame me if you are a JB fan..
thanks,
--bm
I'm not a huge James Brown fan but it doesnt seem like this particular tune is (or was) very popular... I could be wrong so please dont flame me if you are a JB fan..
thanks,
--bm
I don't know how popular it in the whole scheme of things, but I know this song well and love it. Don't have a transcription, though.
I know that NaS probably isn't the only one who used this track as a sample. The track is "Get Down" from God's Son.
I know that NaS probably isn't the only one who used this track as a sample. The track is "Get Down" from God's Son.
I think I'm going to end my sheet music search and just try and hack it out on my own... we'll see how that goes
--bm
--bm
Those things happened, back in the day.
Another one that jumps out is the original recording of "I Shot the Sheriff" (Marley's, not Clapton's). One of the strings is a good quarter tone off.
Another one that jumps out is the original recording of "I Shot the Sheriff" (Marley's, not Clapton's). One of the strings is a good quarter tone off.
Something is playing along with the bass in certain spots and it is definitely off pitch. The bass root note is spot on. Now if he's playing double stops, the upper note is off. I do hear what you're hearing though.
The bass is definitely noticeably out of tune with the rest of the song.
That is stunning. James Brown was well known for demanding absolute precision from his hired guns.
I think precision is not a word you'd use with many of his recordings. Check out the beginning of give it up or turn it loose- I'm not even sure what that is supposed to be, but it felt good apparently. The breakdown on that song is the funkiest thing ever! And the kick pedal squeaks all the way through.
On I feel good, the bass and the horns clash big tune- one sounds like it's playing a major 7 in the kick, one a flat 7. However, it sounds awesome. When I hear bands do these tunes live (including my own) without the slop it sounds wrong.
I'm learning a ton of Motown this week preparing for a gig tomorrow backing someone, and the arrangements are all cleaned up, it really sounds different than the originals with the kick drum and toms having pitches that match the song and no low end, with the bass sounding like a drum half the time and carrying the low end when it's on electric and riding just above it when it's upright. There's magic in that slop! Absolute magic.
The bonus is that I'm learning a lot of deep cuts by this artist that I've never heard before, and I'm just reminded again of Jamerson's genius (or it James Genus? Not sure...).
Edit: I think I may throw autocorrect out the window- typing on Swype on iPhone might just be the most sadistic thing one can do to oneself...
On I feel good, the bass and the horns clash big tune- one sounds like it's playing a major 7 in the kick, one a flat 7. However, it sounds awesome. When I hear bands do these tunes live (including my own) without the slop it sounds wrong.
I'm learning a ton of Motown this week preparing for a gig tomorrow backing someone, and the arrangements are all cleaned up, it really sounds different than the originals with the kick drum and toms having pitches that match the song and no low end, with the bass sounding like a drum half the time and carrying the low end when it's on electric and riding just above it when it's upright. There's magic in that slop! Absolute magic.
The bonus is that I'm learning a lot of deep cuts by this artist that I've never heard before, and I'm just reminded again of Jamerson's genius (or it James Genus? Not sure...).
Edit: I think I may throw autocorrect out the window- typing on Swype on iPhone might just be the most sadistic thing one can do to oneself...
