What's so special about Larry Graham?

[MJ_Sotti]

"HEY! Look at MEEEEE!"

 

[roccobass]

Since James Jameson was brought up in Larry Graham thread, and since most of seem to have the time, I’d like to suggest a good read for all fans of JJ, Motown or music history in general. It comes with a cd of comments and tributes too. Personally, I think it great!
Standing in the Shadows of Motown

 

[MJ_Sotti]

What. In. The. Actual. F.

 

[monkeyland]

 

[More or Les]

For Sale/Trade - Real Deal Larry Graham Moon Bass

a great instrument,,,,,

 

[Matt R.]

What an original idea for a thread.

 

[Funky Ghost]

Anyone could simply google to find that he essentially invented slap bass.

Lazy topic tbh.

 

[BassBrass]

Is Miles Davis the BEST trumpeter? Heck, he couldn't (or wouldn't, you decide) even play the same bar the same way twice in a row.

Except for the countless times he did... the point of Nefertiti is, listen to Tony Williams and the melody is a mobius strip. You must be speaking metaphosically about the wossit, oh ya, the stereotype

 

[manchego_eggo]

he's drake's uncle, that's like the only reason, like ever ever.

 

[Mikey F]

Larry Graham plays the bass like his balls are the size of planets. His voice is unreal, and so soulful.
Graham Central Station is some of the best funk of the 70's. Sly obviously is no joke either. People that revolutionize an instrument should be held in the highest regard. If there were no Larry Graham, music would be entirely different. Especially Prince, Flea, Wooten, Marcus Miller, etc. He belongs on the Mount Rushmore of bass as far as I am concerned.

 

[mcnach]

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?

Why do you think you're missing anything?

We can't even agree what bass is best for metal, do you think we all appreciate the same players equally?

You just don't particular like Larry. That's ok. I don't get Entwistle, for example...

 

[Craigmartini]

Hey all,
this is just my opinion on Larry G. He is one of my favorites of all time. He really put me on the right path as far as understanding what the role of bass is in music. I saw this video when I was 12 years old. I'm 47 now, so for 35 years of my life, I've gone to back to this as a default guideline for every gig I've ever been hired to do, studio, or live. This video has information in it that has served me my entire career as a bass player. Be a support to the music, unless otherwise directed. In other words, play for the song, get out of the way of the vocals (or lead instrument), and be able to throw down when asked to .

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, we might think we're cool...but we'll never be Larry Graham cool.

 

[Playbyear]

I don't understand why Larry Graham is so highly regarded here on TalkBass ?
What am I missing?

Everything.

 

[mattj1stc]

Ditto too on a number of Jaco threads!

What's next, a thread about Geddy Lee being an overrated multi-tasker?

 

[Biggbass]

Inventor of slap bass technique should be enough...

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

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?

Well, we can debate and discuss about the importance of Mr. Graham but to say that James Jameson is seriously overrated is a little excessive IMO, especially considering the number and the importance of tunes and recordings in which Mr. Jamerson can be heard playing

 

[jeffb28451]

Why LG? Man, I’m 64 and I didn’t know until last week, when I stumbled on a “glyph” ( Prince between name changes) video from Paisley Park where Graham was playing in glyph/princes band. MY WIFE ( great supporter of my playing, but not at all musically informed or sophisticated, asked “who’s that guy in the white outfit with the white bass”. She noticed that he was playing a pocket when appropriate and soloed when asked to.

Love my Wife, but REALLY, if she can tell when a guy is a great player, anyone can. Larry Graham is a great bassist in many roles. I love Jaco, Entwistle, etc., but if you have to ask if Graham is a good player, maybe it’s just us old guys. I love a guy that can “root” like an old blues dude and also basically “invent” popping and slapping in a musical context: that’s LG

 

[Spectre Gunner]

Despite how much people here love themselves. We are all essentially copying all these old greats did. The only difference I can see is now we have 5-6-8-12-22 string basses to try to show off our skills. And yet most of us still can’t replicate their sound or rhythm.

“We’re good on cowbell but what this this song needs are more strings on that bass”.

 

[Mark Ambler]

He got SOUL, goddamn!