Martha Reeves w/Jamerson Live '74

[bassfran]

I'd never seen this episode of Don Kirschner's Rock Concert before. Here's the full set.
Wow.

 

[Leo Smith]

Thank you for sharing .This is rare footage in the sense that there isn't much film or video of Jamerson playing. The only other example I can think of is the Marvin Gaye concert. They are wearing tuxes, Marvin is on piano, singing What's Going On.

In this Martha Reeves show, I think I see Dennis Coffey on guitar. Difficult to tell because of the limited camera angles. Got to meet him during the Ain't Too Proud tour. He's still sharp and ready to play!

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Just watched that a few nights ago. Amazing.
I wondered, is that the original funk machine?

 

[acebase62]

Many genius basslines from Jamerson!

 

[Mosthigh]

Looks like he's playing through a 60's Blackface Fender Showman or Bassman. A year earlier on that Marvin Gaye show, he's playing a '73 Dual Showman. Interesting, although I wonder If it was his decision to use any of those, or if that's just what was 'provided'.

 

[31HZ]

James Jamerson
Martha Reeves
Joe Sample
Wah-Wah Watson
Jim Keltner
Dennis Coffey
George Bohannon
King Errison

... incredible.

 

[nixdad]

I'd never seen this episode of Don Kirschner's Rock Concert before. Here's the full set.
Wow.

Thanks for posting! I saw this yesterday - so cool to see JJ performing live. Hopefully, more footage will be uncovered.

Is there any record of the tours or performances such as this where James was a participant? I saw the Marvin Gaye footage years ago, and I think there's some footage either from Midnight Special or another episode of DK's RC, but this is the first new film I've seen in years.

Just watched that a few nights ago. Amazing.
I wondered, is that the original funk machine?

It's the same mid-60's P-Bass that can be seen in the Standing In the Shadows of Motown book - the one that was stolen from JJ in 1983. You can tell from both the telltale "bright spot" in the tortoiseshell pickguard underneath the finger rest, as well as how far the sunburst finish extends into the upper cutaway.

Here's the bass from the posted 1974 footage:

And the same bass in the 1972 footage with Marvin Gaye:

It's obviously NOT the same early 60's bass from the iconic photo:

 

[nixdad]

James Jamerson
Martha Reeves
Joe Sample
Wah-Wah Watson
Jim Keltner
Dennis Coffey
George Bohannon
King Errison

... incredible.

WOW!