Tommy Cogbill: What a bass player!

[thatjazzbassguy]

I've been obsessing over every record this great bass player has laid his grooves on. Most recently a couple of Solomon Burke's albums and From Elvis in Memphis. I love everything about the bass tone on these recordings as well as of course, the playing. It's a shame there's not a lot of tabs out there so I'm trying to figure it all out by ear which has got me falling back in love with this instrument....but I digress.

Does anyone have an idea of the sort of set up bass / amp / settings etc that can achieve this sort of bass tone? Thank you!

 

[MrLenny1]

P Bass, flats for strings, old vintage recording is my guess.

 

[jerry]

Check out the outro on this gem from Elvis in Memphis, it sounds like a pick to me.

 

[thatjazzbassguy]

Check out the outro on this gem from Elvis in Memphis, it sounds like a pick to me.

Good point!! Very thumpy

 

[bobyoung53]

Love Cogbill, every picture I've ever seen of him he has a P bass and played with his fingers and yes, most likely big La Bella flatswounds. Most of those guys used mutes too, I use rolled up flannel right in front of the bridge.
One of my favorites with Cogbill on bass is "Funky Broadway" Wilson Pickett.

 

[dougjwray]

He was a guitarist, too. I believe he might have played guitar on Aretha's "Think."

 

[JTE]

He was a guitarist, too. I believe he might have played guitar on Aretha's "Think."

Yep, it was the great Jerry Jemmott's first session. He was invited to visit the session to see how things are done. They did several tries and it wasn't jelling so on a break someone asked Jemmott to sit in on bass, and Cogbill picked up a guitar. Jemmott based a line on Aretha's left hand (she was playing piano) and they got the recording in two takes with Tommy playing a very cool guitar part.

 

[dougjwray]

Yep, it was the great Jerry Jemmott's first session. He was invited to visit the session to see how things are done. They did several tries and it wasn't jelling so on a break someone asked Jemmott to sit in on bass, and Cogbill picked up a guitar. Jemmott based a line on Aretha's left hand (she was playing piano) and they got the recording in two takes with Tommy playing a very cool guitar part.

Wow, I didn't know it was Jemmott's first session! And it's a shame more people don't talk about Aretha's piano playing.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Wow, I didn't know it was Jemmott's first session! And it's a shame more people don't talk about Aretha's piano playing.

She was a fine pianist who came out of Gospel, but could do a lot more.

 

[JTE]

And it's a shame more people don't talk about Aretha's piano playing.

I saw her at an award show thing, possibly Kennedy Center Honors. When she sat down at the piano and started playing, the whole band gelled.

 

[pbass2]

One of my heroes. His playing on "Dusty in Memphis" is stellar.

 

[pbass2]

Check out the outro on this gem from Elvis in Memphis, it sounds like a pick to me.

Hmmm, sounds like a guitar is doubling the bass when you're hearing the clicky pick sound. I think it's bass w fingers actually, then the geetar comes in for that tic-tac vibe.

 

[Sean Duncan]

when I play respect, I feel like a pick works really well. If he always played with his fingers, I guess he probably did on that song, too.

 

[Sean Duncan]

He was a guitarist, too. I believe he might have played guitar on Aretha's "Think."

This makes me think maybe he was playing with a pick some on bass.

 

[Michedelic]

I was looking for something else, and came across this further discussion…

Thread 'Tommy Cogbill - damn!'

Mar 8, 2021

Been on bit of a spending spree with nice pricey remastered vinyl of my faves. Just got the 1/2 speed Abbey Road remastering of Dusty Springfield/Dusty in Memphis.
Cogbill is so good it's ridiculous. So groovy and deep, super melodic, and the epitome of the "Fender Bass" sound. Damn tasty and highly recommended.

• pbass2
• Replies: 39
• Forum: Bassists [BG]

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