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the Late Great James Jamerson..
- Thread starter SamJ
- Start date
It's a testament to the individual human spirit. As hard as we work to "NAIL" JJ, we always fall short. But, it's ok, that's how it should be. Your time and effort though, does not go to waste. You have a natural feel for it and to see you performing this stuff IS educational in many ways. Keep up the good work. Northern Soul........damn straight!
Hi Forum,
The element that one misses in trying to cop some of those lines Jamerson played is the element of surprise. We have no idea if the records we were hearing was the first or the forty first take. I do not think I have seen anyone nail the technique as Lo has. Yet he is trying to do something that has already been done before. There is no element of surprise. What would be if interest to me Lo, is if you took a song that Jamerson never played and applied the style to that piece of music.
On another topic, There was an excellent article in the Los Angeles Union Local 47 monthly paper, "the Oveture", on arranger Paul Riser in which he discusses his career at Motown. He heavily credits the Funk Brothers collectively and individually. He mentions no Female bassist (that I saw) in the article written for the L.A. union paper... Hmmm, must be awful quiet in Palm Desert!
On Still another topic, the MTD video is coming along well.
Last note, I hear that there is an upcoming BassCast featuring Jamerson which you might find interesting. David Burgess is a purveyor of all things bass and I would personally bet that the Jamerson basscast will be a classic. BassCast can be heard on the web at [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I am sure someone will post here when the Jamerson basscast is ready.
The element that one misses in trying to cop some of those lines Jamerson played is the element of surprise. We have no idea if the records we were hearing was the first or the forty first take. I do not think I have seen anyone nail the technique as Lo has. Yet he is trying to do something that has already been done before. There is no element of surprise. What would be if interest to me Lo, is if you took a song that Jamerson never played and applied the style to that piece of music.
On another topic, There was an excellent article in the Los Angeles Union Local 47 monthly paper, "the Oveture", on arranger Paul Riser in which he discusses his career at Motown. He heavily credits the Funk Brothers collectively and individually. He mentions no Female bassist (that I saw) in the article written for the L.A. union paper... Hmmm, must be awful quiet in Palm Desert!
On Still another topic, the MTD video is coming along well.
Last note, I hear that there is an upcoming BassCast featuring Jamerson which you might find interesting. David Burgess is a purveyor of all things bass and I would personally bet that the Jamerson basscast will be a classic. BassCast can be heard on the web at [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I am sure someone will post here when the Jamerson basscast is ready.
That's a good point, about how does it work when not just copying an original Jamerson track. Personally I hear his influence everywhere, and I don't normally just use one finger when playing out or in the studio. You'll probably hear easily at least 5 other bass players referenced apart from a 'backbone' of Jamerson in my own improv. I 'grew up' listening to Paul Jackson, Stan Clarke, Miles Davis, Jaco and Bootsy to name a few, as well taking more than a passing interest in John Deacon, Sting, Phil Lynott etc. Then there's the years spent listening to Count Basie, Bill Watrous, Art Pepper, Zappa, Azymuth, Bob Marley, Sly & Robbie......It's all good. Hopefully, when I'm on form, I sound like me, and I ain't ashamed to be a sum of the parts I grew up with!
For a laugh you can see me messing about with IWMTLH in my latest "Jamerson meets John Bonham" vid - needless to say I would like to keep out of any discussion about who recorded the original, but I understand why feelings are strong. Maybe one day I'll sit down and do a job on the original, but believe it or not it's never been a favourite of mine!
ETA: If anyone wants me to do hook-style alternative take of any other tune like Bob suggests, give me a shout. LOL - I reserve the right to regret offering!
Excellent! No hurry, but I'd appreciate it. Thanks much for that, and for all your other videos.
Hi Fuzzbass - I put a version up for you. It only goes up to the end of the 1st chorus, hope it gives you some inspiration to get into the Jamerson improv zone!
This was the best of about 10 takes and there may be someone out there who could correct the LH fingering, as I'm not 100% sure about the verse riff.
If you check the original there's an obvious error at the beginning of the chorus but after that it's pretty close. I'm really glad you asked for this, it's definitely one of the best riffs I've tried that will teach me to play softer so that I can tackle faster stuff.
All the best.
duly bookmarked and forwarded to all my musical friend!
Great work!
on a side note.. the old man got his deserve here: http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_bassguitar.html
From Bob Babbitt's website regarding records made at Motown during the 1960's
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
This is from 2004 so it is in his Archives
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
This is from 2004 so it is in his Archives
Jamerson's style is an intense study and one of the great wonders of the world. i can only pick it up in bits and peices. i always hit a brick wall after about 8 bars. i love his playing on Diana's version of Aint No Mountain High Enough that Sam J posted, its the perfect example of playing inside, within the vocal dynamic of the singer. he's not listening to the drums cause he already knows where the beat is..Diana is actually pushing him with mood and nuance to play a certain way..its like having a crystal ball..he knows instictivley where she is going..his playing is so lyrical on that tune.... Jamerson's talent is uncanny...
This last weekend I visited Memphis and went to the STax museum and at they have you watch a film first and there was video of the Temptations singing "MY Girl" in the Motown studios and there were plenty of clips of Jamerson and the Funk Machine. It suprised me cause I had only seen the video of him playing live w/ MArvin Gaye. Dont know if anyone has this video but it was great.
Apparently Berry Gordy was a movie buff from the start and supposedly has video of the first Motown Review (There have only been little snips showing here and there) and most of the other live shows they did. The problem was the live shows were not designed to groove like the records. They generally sped up the tempo and I guess he has never released them in full. THAT would be a DVD to BUY!
I absolutely feel ya on that one. For me it was a long time ago but I remember going thru what you are talking about. At one point I guess I was about 20, I just started getting it. I started to feel good about my ability to groove. Having an upright attitude helps
I guess the Jamerson improv style is similar to learning the toughest pieces in any style where there is just an enormous amount of small details to remember. Heh - God is in the detail, not the devil.
LOL - I guess I hit the wall at about 1 min 30 on this one...it was take 4 - I'd need a lot more time to be happy to post an attempt at the lot in one go.
