Robert "Pops" Popwell

[bassbrad]

Pulled this CD out of the stacks today and was as always inspired by the playing or Robert Pops Popwell especially on the track Go where his propulsive and slinky playing makes the tune shine and percolate.



Baked Potato Super Live! |Greg Mathieson Project - YouTube

 

[jerry]

One of the great ambassadors for how great a P-bass sounds.

 

[bassbrad]

One of the great ambassadors for how great a P-bass sounds.

One of the benchmarks for my incognito P-bass tone is Pops. Willie Weeks and Jamerson being the others. My Carvin LB50Koa with EMG HB pickups and meticulously tuned passive electronics co the trick. Thanks to the patience and genius of Jon Bessent @ ToneCraft who is most dearly missed.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Pulled this CD out of the stacks today and was as always inspired by the playing or Robert Pops Popwell especially on the track Go where his propulsive and slinky playing makes the tune shine and percolate.



Baked Potato Super Live! |Greg Mathieson Project - YouTube

This really sounds different from other Pops Popwell tracks. He reminds me of Verdine White on this song.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Pulled this CD out of the stacks today and was as always inspired by the playing or Robert Pops Popwell especially on the track Go where his propulsive and slinky playing makes the tune shine and percolate.



Baked Potato Super Live! |Greg Mathieson Project - YouTube

Pops Popwell’s playing is really different on this track. It really reminds me of Verdine White.

 

[bassbrad]

Pops Popwell’s playing is really different on this track. It really reminds me of Verdine White.

That is an interesting observation and I can see where you are coming from, much of Pops playing is similar to this track on the (all too rare ) occasion that he gets to cut loose as he does on this recording.
Verdine White and Robert Pops Popwell were both about the same age and had similar musical influences and playing experiences growing up and both were in their own ways profoundly joyful & spiritual men that certainly translated through their bass playing.

 

[Phat Nick]

Love Pops playing!!
After reading this post,I had to pull off some Crusaders stuff...that was (is) some incredible music,that really brings the smile...and Pops,on those three records he played on,lays down some nasty basslines...how about “fairytales” or “feeling funky”?!
Dig Pops also on Gap Mangione’s “suite lady” (Abe Laboriel and Mike Porcaro too on this one)