Just discovered Chuck Rainey

[jamro217]

Yes that is the one, I have a pic of it somewhere I'll dig out.

There were quite a few in the Guitar Player magazine article in 1977 featuring Chuck. He described the bass, too.

 

[seang15]

Seems to be. He's back to playing.
Here's some Prime Chuck...

My favorite, brother!

 

[Pbassmanca]

There were quite a few in the Guitar Player magazine article in 1977 featuring Chuck. He described the bass, too.

If somebody has that 1977 issue and can post the pics go for it!

 

[Pbassmanca]

Some of them are also on the interwebs. That's where I found them.

 

[JimK]

Rainey's '70s P-J bass

http://chuckrainey.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/studio.j

 

[JimK]

...interesting comments regarding his time with Steely Dan-
Invalid Link Removed

 

[jamro217]

If somebody has that 1977 issue and can post the pics go for it!

I may still have it around here somewhere.

 

[Pbassmanca]

Here's a couple shots of Chuck with his fairly heavily modded "1957" precision bass. He swears up and down that he bought it new with a rosewood fretboard in 60' or 61'.

 

[GregC]

He had a stroke a few years ago. Many musicians rallied around him and helped raise money for treatments. I believe he's recovered from that, thankfully.

Chuck did clinics here in Chicago both before his stroke and a couple years after. I'm happy to say I couldn't really tell the difference, it sure looks to me like he made a full recovery!

 

[Pbassmanca]

He sounds a lot like Jamerson in that Aretha song I linked in the original post. That's what attracted me to his sound. His mastery of the fretboard is so awesome.

Rainey has the amazing ability to add little melodic chordal phrases on top of his highly rythmic and percussive playing style which are immediately recognizable when you hear them.

 

[nolaguy]

He's on all the band stuff on this album-

 

[Phat Nick]

One of my favorite players! His work with Steely Dan stands out,great songs completed by top bass lines,but I dig also his work on Donald Byrd's "steppin' into tomorrow" and on Marc Jordan's "mannequin"...

 

[Pbassmanca]

One of my favorite players! His work with Steely Dan stands out,great songs completed by top bass lines,but I dig also his work on Donald Byrd's "steppin' into tomorrow" and on Marc Jordan's "mannequin"...

Stepping into tomorrow is a great album, and a phenomenal example of both Chuck Rainey's deep, mellow, and yet "cut through the mix" bass tone, and his unique rhythmic and yet melodic playing style. I listened to that album quite a number of times last week while I worked. Here is a spotify link to it:


Stepping into Tomorrow - Wikipedia

 

[MrLenny1]

Well, you're better late than never on Chuck.
A living legend indeed.

 

[P. Aaron]

I've heard his name a few times around TB, but I never really paid it much heed.

Just listened to this song on a whim:


Now I need more of Rainey desperately. What are his best recordings? Where to even start? He has a massive discography.

I know I could have just done this myself with Google, but I also just wanted to pay my respects to this man and his incredible talent. If you haven't listened to him yet, you need to! Thanks for reading!

That's a Stevie Wonder song. When you realize that, you wonder how it could be missed.

 

[Phat Nick]

Add "strokin' " by Richard Tee to your Rainey list...with these two and Steve Gadd on drums you can't go wrong!

 

[theevilplankton]

He also plays on the live album, 'Burnin', by the late (and great) Esther Phillips.

There's a few tracks scattered on You Tube, here's one -

 

[JimK]

How about Rainey with Eye To Eye...very '80s album/duo that used the same sessioneers as Steely Dan on their debut.
Gary Katz even produced their debut album.

 

[growler571]

What about Valerie Carter 1977 version of OOH CHILD by the 5 stair steps originaly. Is that Chuck on Carter's version of OOH CHILD? If so his tone is awesome on that song as well. It sounds to me like his P bass with labels flat sounds on that song. I love Valerie Carter version of ooh child and the bass playing on it is pretty simple and so perfect for the song.

 

[Phlipper]

In case this isolated bass track hasn't already been posted ...