Duck would have dunit differently. And I probably would have liked his version too.
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James Jamerson and the sung melody
- Thread starter IamGroot
- Start date
IMO, it is very hard to NOT get inspired by James if you listen(ed) to Motown. It happens without you notice even if you're not a bass player.
I often hear conga rhythms in JJ's lines. Listen for it. Brilliant stuff really.
lol. You're not gonna make it.
James Jamerson was an amazing bassist. I saw a video clip of one of his old Motown buddies talking about how someone wanted him to do their bass track but he was super drunk at the time. They couldn't sit him on a stool because they were afraid he was gonna fall off. Apparently he played an amazing flawless track laying flat on his back. lol
This is one of the wisest, most concise but, at the same time, meaningful post I’ve ever read on TalkBass! You’ve my respect SirYeah...
James Jamerson is THE bassman...
It's so obvious and simple when you ear him play! And then it's been 20 years I try do do the same and can't quite do...
My lines are ok and people who play with me are satisfied, but I know better... there's something missing...
Am I too sober?
Am I too white?
I fear I'm just not as gifted as he was.
You can't buy talent even with hard work and dedication, you can come near but never reach it!
That's why I 'm an architect who plays bass and he's a legend of music history!
That's not Jamerson, it's Wilton Felder.
I used to think Jamerson played on all the early Motown tracks but now we know that wasn't the case. It's reasonable to assume that because he and Bob Babbit sounded alike, at least recorded tone wise.
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Believe it or not I was invited to audition for Marvin Gaye back in the 70’s. Felt really honored but turned it down. At the time I felt sick not accepting the invitation but he would be deceased shortly after.
After reading the initial posts I couldn’t resist and went to play along with the “You Are the Man” album .. not content of this, I took out my pickup cover, I drilled the holes and I placed the cover onto my Am. Pro-Franken P-bass (the bridge cover was already on)
I couldn’t play it sober with a transcription and several weeks to prepare.
I did my best, and wore my WWJJD? shirt.
No capiceAfter reading the initial posts I couldn’t resist and went to play along with the “You Are the Man” album .. not content of this, I took out my pickup cover, I drilled the holes and I placed the cover onto my Am. Pro-Franken P-bass (the bridge cover was already on)
This is one of the wisest, most concise but, at the same time, meaningful post I’ve ever read on TalkBass! You’ve my respect Sir
Well...
Thank you...
Sir Paul has cited Jamerson as one of his major influences.
As I understand it by that time as Motown was moving some production to Los Angeles the producer was becoming the unseen star and later to become the star in the Hip Hop era. The Motown producers/writers took the Jamerson jazz inspired lines and wrote them instead of relying on a demo the chords and the inspiration of Jamerson and Babbitt to fill in the Funk Brothers low end. As a musician who also played melody, mostly known on sax for the Jazz Crusaders/Crusaders Wilton Felder was among those able to play a counter melody chart.
I think that Felder along with other classically trained and jazz musicians who crossed over to electric bass had a leg up on those raised playing basic blues, folk and rock
Absolutely there is a connection, but it’s more than just the bass being in sequence, so is the drum part.
legendary session drummer, Hal Blaine, alway started with him studying the vocal parts first. It is critical that percussion parts are supporting the rhythm cadences of the melody. The bass following the percussion part, will also be in sync with the vocals but also being tasked with making the chord changes flow in a logic fashion.
Jamerson understood this as his art shows.
This “Barnes” painting of the Sugar Shack has been in my family for decades!
James could give each Motown artist a signature sound, more Caribbean influenced for the Four Tops, Levi Stubbs' vocal range made it so easy:
Me and the boys used to doo wop A Taste Of Honey on the corner when I was a teen
At the same time James could get on the upright and he was James:
Me and the boys used to doo wop A Taste Of Honey on the corner when I was a teen
At the same time James could get on the upright and he was James:
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