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What's so special about Larry Graham?

#101
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#103
diegom said:
I'm not the biggest funk/r&b fan out there, but I can see why people like Rick James, Bootsy Collins, Bernard Edwards and the likes.

I can even see why people like James Jamerson, although I think he's seriously overrated.

But I don't understand why Larry Graham is so highly regarded here on TalkBass and in the media. I listened to Sly and The Family Stone and Graham Central Station top songs on Spotify and watched a few videos on YouTube. Sure, he has that sort of thumping technique and a few fills on "Thank You," but is that it? I guess he did come before Rick James et al., making him a pioneer?

I'm being serious here. I'm not trolling. What am I missing?
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Of that group you mentioned, Rick James is the one that doesn’t belong in any pantheon. Graham does. Just my opinion.
 
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#105
diegom said:
I'm not the biggest funk/r&b fan out there, but I can see why people like Rick James, Bootsy Collins, Bernard Edwards and the likes.

I can even see why people like James Jamerson, although I think he's seriously overrated.

But I don't understand why Larry Graham is so highly regarded here on TalkBass and in the media. I listened to Sly and The Family Stone and Graham Central Station top songs on Spotify and watched a few videos on YouTube. Sure, he has that sort of thumping technique and a few fills on "Thank You," but is that it? I guess he did come before Rick James et al., making him a pioneer?

I'm being serious here. I'm not trolling. What am I missing?
Click to expand...


"I think he (James Jamerson) is seriously overrated"

All I can say is, WOW! Have a listen to this then point me to a better example of melodic funk bass playing.

 
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#106
diegom said:
I'm not the biggest funk/r&b fan out there, but I can see why people like Rick James, Bootsy Collins, Bernard Edwards and the likes.

I can even see why people like James Jamerson, although I think he's seriously overrated.

But I don't understand why Larry Graham is so highly regarded here on TalkBass and in the media. I listened to Sly and The Family Stone and Graham Central Station top songs on Spotify and watched a few videos on YouTube. Sure, he has that sort of thumping technique and a few fills on "Thank You," but is that it? I guess he did come before Rick James et al., making him a pioneer?

I'm being serious here. I'm not trolling. What am I missing?
Click to expand...


FunkyYeti said:
I'm not the biggest rock fan out there, but I can see why people like John Paul Jones, John Deacon, Geezer Butler and the likes.

I can even see why people like Cliff Burton, although I think he's seriously overrated.

But I don't understand why John Entwistle is so highly regarded here on TalkBass and in the media. I listened to The Who's top songs on Spotify and watched a few videos on YouTube. Sure, he has that sort of tapping technique and a few fills on "My Generation," but is that it? I guess he did come before Jones et al., making him a pioneer?

I'm being serious here. I'm not trolling. What am I missing?
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Hmmm... Will you not be the biggest fan Jazz of tomorrow?
 
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#109
diegom said:
I'm not the biggest funk/r&b fan out there, but I can see why people like Rick James, Bootsy Collins, Bernard Edwards and the likes.

I can even see why people like James Jamerson, although I think he's seriously overrated.

But I don't understand why Larry Graham is so highly regarded here on TalkBass and in the media. I listened to Sly and The Family Stone and Graham Central Station top songs on Spotify and watched a few videos on YouTube. Sure, he has that sort of thumping technique and a few fills on "Thank You," but is that it? I guess he did come before Rick James et al., making him a pioneer?

I'm being serious here. I'm not trolling. What am I missing?
Click to expand...
I wouldn't worry about not getting it...some people simply don't.
 
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#115
If a guy who has been here a while says he ain't trolling then he ain't. Or if he is it is innocent trolling. The very same reason I stay back sometimes. I don't always know when I am trolling or hijacking a thread because I am never trying to. But that does keep the accusers from saying so. My feeling YMMV.

Anyway there are lots of bass players that I feel the same about but most if not always it comes down to taste and listening preference. Folks who follow drag racing or off road racing may not understand what is so special about Richard Petty. But my in-laws think he is a GOD and they could care less about Big Daddy. I once read a story about a very famous rock guitarist (can't remember who) that said the world is full of kids who can out play some of the most famous musicians out there. But until you tour and see all of the talent out there you would never know.
 
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#116
two fingers said:
Couldn't have said it better myself. And, yes, he looks like a million bucks every single performance. Not on my coolest day ever could I even get in the ballpark of Larry Graham cool. He just oozes cool.
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JimmyM said:
He was first, he's an excellent player, he sings his ass off and has an amazing and versatile voice, and he has done a whole lot more than "Thankyou" and "Dance To The Music." Plus he still rules a stage at age 73. Now do I like "One In A Million"? No I don't :D But there's no underestimating his importance to moving bass forward.
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5StringBlues said:
Baddest mother on the planet.
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You guys all forgot to mention his real super powers: he survived Sly Stone and his thugs and went on his own successfully. At the time he left Family Stone there were armed gangs on various sides traveling with individual members.
 
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#118
diegom said:
I'm not the biggest funk/r&b fan out there, but I can see why people like Rick James, Bootsy Collins, Bernard Edwards and the likes.

I can even see why people like James Jamerson, although I think he's seriously overrated.

But I don't understand why Larry Graham is so highly regarded here on TalkBass and in the media. I listened to Sly and The Family Stone and Graham Central Station top songs on Spotify and watched a few videos on YouTube. Sure, he has that sort of thumping technique and a few fills on "Thank You," but is that it? I guess he did come before Rick James et al., making him a pioneer?

I'm being serious here. I'm not trolling. What am I missing?
Click to expand...
Your avatar picture gives you away!!
You look far too friendly not to love Larry!
 
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#119
diegom said:
I'm not the biggest funk/r&b fan out there, but I can see why people like Rick James, Bootsy Collins, Bernard Edwards and the likes.

I can even see why people like James Jamerson, although I think he's seriously overrated.

But I don't understand why Larry Graham is so highly regarded here on TalkBass and in the media. I listened to Sly and The Family Stone and Graham Central Station top songs on Spotify and watched a few videos on YouTube. Sure, he has that sort of thumping technique and a few fills on "Thank You," but is that it? I guess he did come before Rick James et al., making him a pioneer?

I'm being serious here. I'm not trolling. What am I missing?
Click to expand...

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