Robert "Pops" Popwell

[dougazbass]

Picked up a nice vinyl copy of Rainbow Seeker by Joe Sample. Starts out with RainbowSseeker on side one and the bass is fantastic. I look to see who it is and its a guy named. Robert "Pops" Popwell.
I've never heard of him. Anyone here know of him?

 

[BassIsBoss]

Helped groove the Crusaders into some gold records.....session player. Great feel.

 

[jerry]

He was one of the cats in the 70's, saw him with the Crusaders and he smoked! There are a lot of sessions he did back then, he was also in the Rascals when the also had Buzzy Fieten in the band. IIRC he's a preacher now and plays in his church.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

He was one of the cats in the 70's, saw him with the Crusaders and he smoked! There are a lot of sessions he did back then, he was also in the Rascals when the also had Buzzy Fieten in the band. IIRC he's a preacher now and plays in his church.

Last I heard, he was pastoring in Lebanon, Tennessee.

 

[JimK]

These three by The Crusaders (w/ Pops) are great & worth hearing-
Those Southern Nights ("Spiral" is a killer)
Images
Free As The Wind

...I recall liking all these over Rainbow Seeker (but it's been years since I last spun that one).

Then there's this little nugget I recall seeing on HBO back in the early '80s?
You can fast forward to about 4:30 (she did have a killer band backing her up)

 

[dougazbass]

Here's a YouTube link to Rainbow seeker.

 

[bluesblaster]

check out "I felt the love" on free as the wind by the Crusaders, classic "pops" ,really sweet groove.

 

[markjazzbassist]

great groove player, those southern knights is a fantastic record. love the crusaders!

 

[JimK]

Nobody diggin'/commenting on Pops doing the can-can with Olivia?

 

[RDUB]

Rainbow Seeker and Southern Knights... man it's been way too long since I listened to these.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Nobody diggin'/commenting on Pops doing the can-can with Olivia?

That was really embarrassingly Eighties! The little workout get up and bouncing around was pretty doggone corny, but Popwell still sounded like Popwell, and that was a good thing!

 

[hands5]

The bass solo on Spiral On Those Southern Knights

 

[jerry]

Going through a bit of Popwell love this week, this is the first song I heard him on with the Crusaders. Awesome P-bass work!

 

[keyboardguy]

Nobody diggin'/commenting on Pops doing the can-can with Olivia?

I was actually diggin Olivia

 

[markjazzbassist]

i love that record @jerry , spiral is classic, but my all time fav is "keep that same old feeling"

 

[keyboardguy]

i love that record @jerry , spiral is classic, but my all time fav is "keep that same old feeling"

Wow forgot about that one.....

 

[chuckNC]

I believe Pops Popwell played on Eddie Money's first album also. At least I recall seeing his name on the jacket. Although it's been a few decades....

 

[JTE]

I saw Pops with Larry Carlton, a NAMM show concert in Atlanta mid '80s. A forgettable Norlin sponsored show band, then Les Paul and drummer Larry London, then Carlton. It was wonderful.

 

[jerry]

I believe Pops Popwell played on Eddie Money's first album also. At least I recall seeing his name on the jacket. Although it's been a few decades....

Yeah, he's on there.

 

[bassbrad]

Robert 'Pops' Popwell was indeed on Invalid Link Removed and more records and also did quite a bit of touring over the years. His wonderful smile, groove, love and energy filled every bandstand and record so it is no wonder he was such a busy man.

Much like my other favorite LA session player of the day Abraham LaBoriel Pops was able to transcend styles and just bring the bass.