Jeff Berlin plays Larry Graham

I haven't watched the video yet but I'm calling this first: I've got $10 that says Jeff doesn't play it the way Larry does.

 

I'm with you, Doc. I know he's not loved around here and I understand why. I'm cool with that. But he spent time with me in a long email exchange about 7 years ago when he really did not have to. He really seemed to be interested in helping me improve my playing and he got nothing out of the time he spent explaining concepts to me.

I respect the man for that and for his talent. And yes, his advice helped a great deal.

 

I think that would be true for anyone other than Larry Graham.

 

While I don't disagree, my point was more about how antipodal Berlin and Graham can be in their execution. I dig that Jeff appreciates Larry's work, but I suspect he just can't bring himself to play that way, because so much of what makes Larry's funk funky is an almost inherent casualness-bordering-on-sloppiness. The low open E in the "Thank You" line comes out of Larry as if it's almost an accident, or an afterthought...it kind of slips out of his hands rather than getting deliberately struck. Jeff just plays it like it's another note in the line...because Jeff is all about intention.

 

Why is he not loved around here? He is one of the best who ever lived. And don't forget, he's in his seventies.

 

His musical skill isn't the issue.

 

65

 

Ya I'm not sure what age has to do with it. My downstairs neighbor is 103 and he's a a-hole.

 

Then what is the issue?

 

Ive admired his playing since i started playing bass in 1981. Guys like him kept me home to practice when all my idiot friends were getting drunk at high school parties

 

It's the opinion of many people that he's arrogant, condescending, rude, dismissive, endlessly self promoting, not nearly as amazing at teaching or playing bass as he thinks he is, and generally unpleasant

 

And, since those types will outnumber someone like you, their ignorant opinions will too and a big bully like JB, to them, is a BUZZ-KILL because all they want to do is sell beer in bar bands playing music that doesn't require JB's advice.

 

That is the most antiseptic take on that song I've ever heard. There's just nothing funky about JB playing it. Some fancy riffing and solid time keeping throughout, yes, but he misses the heart and warmth that LG puts into it. The swagger of Graham's playing cannot be replaced with metronomic time-keeping.

 

You nailed it. This is why I don't like most guitar and bass shredders or most of the guys that appear on covers of guitar/bass magazines. They've got the technical chops to play anything, but it sounds soulless, mechanical, and over-rehearsed to me. And none of these guys can come up with a song like "Thank You" to save their lives. They would ruin it with unnecessary riffs, runs, and notes that kill the groove and soul (just like the video in the OP).

However, I did enjoy his analysis of the song. That was spot on.

 

You say that like it's a bad thing.

 

The video is not available in my country. Was it soulless and overly technical?