the Late Great James Jamerson..

[SamJ]

In another thread, I was reminded of the Great Jamerson, so I though I'd throw up this clip for anyone interested (should be all bassists IMHO).. and see if anyone else has anything to add.. not much footage of the old Cat on the computer sadly... And that Hook!

I am especially floored by his groove in between time signatures 02:20 - 02:50 which starts when Marvin hits that amazing high.


edit:
Jamerson had to scalp a ticket to get into this show and watch his bass lines played by another (able) bassist,.. I'm sure if that bassist knew Jamerson was in the audience as an uninvited attendee he wouldn't have been too happy.


edit(JT): here's an unbroken link to the performance :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDQ_EA5DJqI

 

[john turner]

oh man, thanks. you made my day .

 

[James Hart]

Man I miss both them, Marvin had the most amazing voice!

 

[SamJ]

The sad thing is that it wasn't until well after his death that his true contribution to bass, music and especially Motown was even truly realized.. as with most of the great artists thru out history, it's only after they're gone for ever do we really realize how irreplaceable they truly were..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Jamerson

 

[Jim Carr]

In another thread, I was reminded of the Great Jamerson, so I though I'd throw up this clip for anyone interested (should be all bassists IMHO).. and see if anyone else has anything to add.. not much footage of the old Cat on the computer sadly... And that Hook!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Y9KC7uhMY9s&search=james jamerson

Sam-

Thank you so much for this. I had never seen it, just stills from it.
Jamerson has always been my idol, and this song of Marvin's was the
first song I did in a cover band where I consciously tried to do
Jamerson's feel.

Yes, it was 1973.

I miss those two great artists. Gotta get out my '69 P-bass.

 

[SamJ]

Thanks Dr. Carr, I can't imagine a person with your background not knowing "The Hook" or Marvin..


More tear jerking reads about James..
http://www.bassland.net/jamerson.html

The famous Chuck Rainey on Jamerson:
Link Removed

 

[superbassman2000]

very cool vid, Sam, i think that it's really nice to get names like Jamerson's out there to the younger crowds, who may not have heard about him

 

[Chunk-O-Funk]

NOW THAT should be a sticky.

Thanks, really cant watch that one too many times.

Always wish I could sing like Marvin too.

 

[markjazzbassist]

thanks man. that also made my day. Marvin's beautiful voice, ohhhh man, i had chills. jamerson's hot rhythm was great too. and don't forget eddie "bongo" brown's nice conga work. great video. thanks so much.

 

[Murf]

This of course is why I despair...

quotes from youtube.com

lets see him do some billy sheehan with 1 finger

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That's not the point... let's see Sheehan groove like that with all 10...

reply

Im sure he cant do that, my friend has played for 3yrs and can groove like a bad mofo. You just need to have a good feel of the music, good mutings skills and timing.

To play like billy sheehan...well...not many people on earth can do that

Sweet Jesus!!!

 

[SamJ]

This of course is why I despair...

quotes from youtube.com



reply



reply



Sweet Jesus!!!

I hear you mate, the sad thing is if you actually have to explain Jamerson to someone, by definition you're already lost the argument. Sometimes I just thank the good Lord that he gave me the understanding for certain things.

I'd be curious if we went to Sheehans website and emailed him for his take on Jamerson, what he'd say? But there really is no need, we know what he would say.

 

[SundanceChile]

I'm pretty sure this was posted before, but this really did make my day. You have no idea how much i needed this.

 

[tjontheroad]

Timeless... Thank you

 

[Mark Wilson]

I'd be curious if we went to Sheehans website and emailed him for his take on Jamerson, what he'd say? But there really is no need, we know what he would say.

Just e-mailed him. let's see what he says!


-mark

 

[SamJ]

Just e-mailed him. let's see what he says!


-mark

cool.. post it here, or at least paraphrase it, should be interesting.

but I think this pretty much answers it: Invalid Link Removed

read the little box where they list his "followers"

 

[SamJ]

Something interesting I just read in the "answers" link is:

After a bicycle accident, he spent a year in a wheelchair. Forced to wear high-topped shoes in order to walk, the incident left Jamerson with a slight limp and a gnawing self-consciousness that would haunt him for his entire life.

God, if he only lived long enough to see how "cool" that limp is today.. and how copied!

 

[Sir Funkalot]

Jamerson changed my life. It was him that gave me the love for bass. I feel so sad that he never got the recognition he truly desereved. He will never know just how much we bass players out there loved his genius talent. No one played like him and I think no one ever will. He had a style that was only him.His choice of notes and incredible syncopation was the most beautiful thing not to mention the tone he had all done with that one finger. Wow!
I talked with Chuck Rainey many times about Jamerson. Chuck actually tried his bass out and told me the action was so high, he could barely play it but then Jamerson was an upright player who had incredible strength in his hands unlike many bass guitarists who never started on an upright, me included.

 

[vicenzajay]

I Definitely vote for a sticky....

and should be required watching for definition of the "pocket"

 

[SamJ]

I Definitely vote for a sticky....

and should be required watching for definition of the "pocket"

I spoke to another member about this... too many don't know him, and have no idea that (whether they like it or not) they're influenced by him and his mark on music, but especially the bass.

someone with connections PM a mod.

 

[Sir Funkalot]

There is a bass forum in mainland China.It is all written in Chinese charaters. Who do you think the most talked about and respected bassist there? It's JAMES JAMERSON! Guess who is second?