A blazed James Jamerson lying on his back in the studio playing this bass line is still better than any other bassist's best attempt at doing it sitting up and wide awake.
I was wondering if someone knew what strings does Jamerson used. I've tried the LaBella "Original 1954" flatwound strings, .052 - .110, but the tension is too high on a Precision. So, I would want a Motown sound using strings with less tension. What do you suggest ?
The tension may be high for most bass players, but that's an indication of how strong James' hands were. He started on acoustic bass, and he played on a daily basis for most of his career. As thick as those strings are, he'd break them on occasion.
@TricyLoveMusic Not forgetting Jaco and Entwhistle too! Jaco took Charlie Parker saxophone lines transcribed everything to bass and completely changed it, Entwhistle is severely underestimated, probably 'the' best rock bass player of all time
Jamerson was able to do with one finger that most inexperienced "bass players" (i use that term loosly) cant do with 2, 3, 4,or all 5 fingers and that is GROOVE!
IT IS A FACT, I JUST READ IT. JAMES JAMERSON DID NOT WANT TO CHANGE WITH THE TIMES. CASE IN POINT. HE HAD A BASS INSTRUMENT HE LIKE TO PLAY ALL THE TIME. A PRODUCER SUGGESTED TO HIM TO JUST CHANGE THE STRINGS ON IT, BECAUSE IT WOULD GIVE IT A MORE BRIGHT AND RICHER SOUND. JAMERSON DECLINE. SOME PEOPLE, NO MATTER HOW OLD OR YOUNG THEY ARE, SET IN THERE WAYS. SO BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO CHANGE WITH THE TIMES, HIS PHONE WASN'T RINGING AS MUCH AS IN THE PASS. TO ME, HE IS STILL THE BEST IN MY BOOK.
I believe that the phrase ...."I got more talent in this one finger than you have in your entire body!!" must have been associated with James Jamerson.
I will never understand why some You Tubers waste their time watching and spouting off about artists that they clearly don't appreciate. If Jamerson was such a "drunk" with such an "awful technique", then why are you here?? To all who continue to argue with this "Beeeann", it is obviously a waste of YOUR time, so don't bother. Instead, let's enjoy the talent and the sound of this brilliant artist who influenced a generation of other greats, and who truly was the Motown Sound.
Definitely Not the greatest technician, & an alcoholic, that's also fact & documented, BUT, despite all that, his groove/note choice/feel/& tone( regardless how out of tune it was ).....was Killer, & that's ALL that mattered back then, & 2 this very day!! He was & will 4ever will be, the Bass Players, Bass Player, & a Drummers Dream! The stuff he laid down continues 2 be studied/analyzed 2 this day, over 6 decades after the fact!!! Game over......WINNING!!! LOL.......
Ok, for all the idiotic comparisons about Jamerson vs all these Jazz/Rock/etc...guys, some of which stylisticly have Nothing 2 do w/ 1 another?! Please give it up....cause at the end of the day, most of those guys have been quoted as well as most players that pick up that instrument; as saying Jamerson was & still is a major influence, that goes for acoustic & electric! It's fact, it's documented, everything else is just opinion! He was an innovator, plain & simple!
TRUE GENIUS.. HE IMPROVISED THIS LYING ON HIS BACK, DRUNK, MARVIN HAD JUST HAD AN IDEA AND KNEW HE HAD TO GO AND FIND "THE GENIUS"!!! IMAGINE IF HE HAD TIME TO THINK ABOUT IT!!!! PEACE
@bowelrock please watch "Standing in the Shawdows of Motown" & go directly to the part where Bob talks about Jamerson, before u ever say something like that again!! Ur statement should've been more like, " Bob Babbitt is a better Bass player because of his mentors like James Jamerson! :-)
THIS IS THE BASSPLAYERS BASS PLAYER SO LITTLE NOTES BUT MOTHERFUCKER HAS THE GROOVE THAT FUCKEN HANG AT A MOTOWN SESSION WHOLE BUNCH OF BASS PLAYERS WERE FLOWN IN NO ONE COULD GET IT RIGHT WHEN HALF BAKED JAMERSON WAS FOUND AT A LOCAL BAR HE CAME IN FUCKEDUP LYED ON HIS BACK PLAYED OUT THE LINE ON A FIRST TAKE
How can Rolling Stones Magazine rate Flea as second best bass player of all time. This is a complete masterpiece. I could only dream of writing a piece of bass music or performing a piece that is so colorful and dimensional. Actually, soul to squeeze from RHCP goes in this direction as far as style goes, but Jamerson is king, always!!!
@termite98th jamerson is good but, entwhistle, chris squire, and McCartney are better. I like Donald Duck Dunn who was the other bassist for Motown as well but, these guys are second to most of my favorite Jazz bassists. Mingus and Ruffus Reid are amazing upright players and Monk was amazing as well.
@BBEEAANN1 Dude...smdh? WTH are u smokin?? 1st off, do u really know Anything about Jamerson's legacy on Upright ( which the majority of all the early Motown stuff was recorded w/ ) & on electric?? Have u ever seen "Standing in the Shawdows of Motown"?? or his Wikipedia page?? & who n the Hell told u Donald Dunn played Anything @ Motown? Dude, please do ur research on these cats before U start commenting on them, cause once u do that, you'll see that Jamerson wasn't just "good", but literally
@jasont0815 Donald Duck Dunn is responsible for half of the base playing on the stax catalog. The Stax collection is just as responsible as motown for the sound of the 60's. The two bassists responsible for the soul driven funk gospel sound of the 60's are Dunn and Jamerson. I also own the book standing in the shadows of motown and am aware of his contributions to the bass but, he wasnt Monk, nor was he Mingus who are the cats on the upright that made bebop what it was. Jamerson wasnt known...
@jasont0815 for his jazz but, for his motown hits. I do not deny that he influenced Entwhistle or Squire but, what they did with the bass was far more that what Jamerson did since he got stuck in his sound and couldnt get out. Hence the reason he stopped being called for as a session bassist. Entwhistle listened to more lead guitar players than he did bassist and has stated so. He loved Muddly Waters and played bass like it was a lead guitar. IF I was to listen to Entwhistle I wouldnt say...
@jasont0815 he tried to imitate anything Jamerson did but, I could easily say he was trying to mimic the lead players of the day. Squire, Entwhistle, McCartney were far more polished and you can hear that in any of their playing. As I said, Jamerson was good but, he would not be in the top 5 of 60's players I admire.
@BBEEAANN1 you've got it totally backwards, as much as I LOVE Chris Squire, John Entwistle, and Paul McCartney, they would never put themselves above James Jamerson in any way, there is nothing more "polished" than Jamerson's bass lines. McCartney has often cited Jamerson as his main influence for bass, there is probably nobody who's played bass on more hit songs or inspired more great bass players in the world than James Jamerson.
@truthslap Jamerson is not responsible for influencing more bass players than anyone in the world, he is responsible, along with Donald Duck Dunn, for molding the sound of Motown. When it comes to thrash or punk Jamerson isnt even found as an influence. Once again Entwhistle's playing comes mostly from imitating lead guitar players. McCartney is a guitar player that was forced to play the bass. I dont deny he was influenced by Jamerson but, his playing is more like a guitar player as well.
@truthslap If you can call recording tracks drunk or high polished then yeah, Jamerson was polished. I dont deny he could grove but, he isnt the greatest bassists around technique/time wise and never has been. Im happy you think that Jamerson is good but, he is only ok to me and always has been. Squire, Geddy Lee, Les Claypool, Entwhistle, Cliff Burton, Ian McKayy, Eric Avery from Jane's addiction are far superior to Jamerson and always have been.
@BBEEAANN1 for God's sake, your first list was perfectly fine, but this new list with the likes of Cliff Burton, Ian McKayy, and Eric Avery has just sent my eyebrows over to the back of my head. I just don't even know how to discuss your other points, when you've just said that Cliff Burton, Ian McKayy and the damn guy from Jane's Addiction are better bass players than James Jamerson. I don't know how to move forward from here, so I just won't try.
@truthslap you dont think any of these guys have any merit in influencing music, are you serious? ?You are going to put Burton down when he is partly responsible for the last big movement that music took forward? I find you humorous at best considering you think that Jamerson did anything worthwhile on the upright that paul chambers, mingus or monk didnt already do. Avery is a fabulous bassist and his grove is better than Jamerson, sorry but, it is and that is why Jamerson is dated.
@BBEEAANN1 changed the game on acoustic as well as electric bass. When u look at his Wiki page, & any other source u look up, you'll see the 2 guys u mentioned, Entwhistle & McCartneys name come up a lot in the forEver long list of bass players, in many genres, that He heavily influenced! & since Squire was influenced by Paul & John, then I'm quite sure he listened to Jamerson as well. Ur not going to find to many bass players past/present/& future, & Jamerson's name not come up, FACT!!!
@jasont0815 If you think that you can compare Jamerson to Thelonius Monk or Charles Mingus, you are high. He isnt even on the same planet much less the same league as them. Scott LaFaro and Paul Chambers both made Jamerson's talent on the upright look childish. All four of these bassists were always far superior to Jamerson. I wont even go into their ability to compose because they were genius at it and created the only American music worth anything and jazz isnt even respected in the US.
@BBEEAANN1 WTH? Dude, thatz an enTirely different convo, & I aint said Nothing bout trying 2 compare Jamerson 2 Monk/Chambers/or Mingus? Thats apples & oranges dumb ass, both are good 4 U, but in different ways! Those guys are Legends 4 what they did in the Jazz world, as is Jamerson 4 what he did in the Pop Music/Motown Era, its Fact! ALL of them are Legends, the proof is 4ever etched in black n white/& on records/vinyl/etc, so what U or I think ain't gone change that, it's Musical History!
@jasont0815 you were the one who brought up jamerson on the upright not me.. hence the reason I brought up Monk, Mingus, and Chambers. The fact remains that Entwhistle, states he appreciates Jamerson, he flat out states that his style of play is based off of Muddy Waters and blues players on the guitar. Paul McCartney states he was influenced by multiple bass players, not just Jamerson and you forget that Paul was a guitar player first, alot of what he does on the bass also..
@jasont0815 comes from his influences on the guitar. These two players are responsible for what the bass is today, more than any other bass player in the history of the instrument, these two influenced all that have come after them, that is musical history. No one sounds like motown anymore, the sound died with the 60's
@BBEEAANN1 wether or not U like him is irrelevant. Yes, he technique was awful( the hook as they called it ) his bass was pretty much out of tune all the time, he never changed his strings, he was a drunk, etc..., all facts, that's never been questioned, BUT, his feel/phrasing/note choice/& groove were also Never questioned. Like it or not, It is what it is, U can have ur difference of opinion 24/7, but it will not change the fact that He was/is/& always will be a MAJOR influence on Bassist!
@jasont0815 i am not saying he was a bad bassist, just not the best and definitely not the guy who influenced the majority of bassists that are around today. You were the one stating that he was all of that and a bag of chips when he was half responsible for the sound of Motown and the other half of the stax collection being Donald Duck Dunn who made the 60's bass sound what it was. Carol Kaye is also responsible for that sound as well but, the sound is dated. IF you want to say I an narrow...
@BBEEAANN1 purist opinionated nonsense feel free but, it is fact their sound is dated and it stayed in the 60's and never grew, it just died. The Jazz bassists I have stated grew and their sound went beyond what it was. Jamerson never grew, he just sat where he was and that is why he stopped being called for sessions. This isnt opinion it is fact. It is a fact you dont like, oh well thems the breaks...
@Thepopdelusion have you ever heard of Montgomery Monk....... He composed and was one of the great bassists of jazz as well as thelonius Monk. There are 2 Monks being discussed here.....Thelonius played more than the piano as welll....
@Thepopdelusion sorry, it was suppose to be a james bond pun but, it came off wrong...I was discussing bass players and thought people would not confuse what I was discussing with Thelonius Monk. My apoolgies for the confusion
@BBEEAANN1 Respect is earned, & Jamerson earned his many times over! U wanna sit here & start comparing people, be my guest, cause that conversation has no end, cause after U get through the facts, it's all personal opinion! Jamerson & the rest of the Funk Brothers are Legends, what they did w/ what they had & their ability or lack their of, made & changed Musical History, & that Ain't my opinion, that's a Fact!!! Now take ur Narrow/Purist/Analytical/Over Opinionated views & kick rocks!! Lol
people get the myths mixed up. from what i've read in more reliable sources, this bass line was written by a Motown arranger. i would assume JJ added his personal touches.... i think the story is told in Standing In The Shadows Of Motown book... JJ liked this line b/c it was all licks in his personal style.
It really doesn't matter if he was drunk or sober when he played this ... it is one of the most beautiful pieces of music at the bottom of one of the most beautiful songs ever!
James is my Hero. Being a drummer, I just love a bass player who can lay it down FAT. THick and FAT. SO rare these days. MoTown is a movie that every serious musician should watch. Like- at least 20 times.
While I like some of Entwhistle and Lee's stuff and they have chops, etc - they are not at this level of bass players - they don't have the jazz background to pull something like this off. If you put either of them in the studio to record this they could not come up with the goods - period.
@Prmachen Jumping up to put a basket in a net vs. playing intricate bass lines which require your mind to be there..not the same.. Maybe you're right. If so, then he could have done way more if he wasn't into the booze. It is still great of course.
@BlueRIff63 You can pick apart the way in which my metaphor does not work, and you are correct in your statement, but the overall point I was making is that when someone of immense talent and practice reaches a peak level it doesn't take much thought, it's like muscle memory, they just do it. It's second nature. I'm only a moderately good guitar player but being inebriated doesn't really change my skill level at all. This guy could probably have recorded this standing on his head.
@BlueRIff63 WTH? Please watch "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" re: that, cause I hardly think an entire community of vocalist/musicians/people that actually played on that session would be telling the same lie 4 all these years. & honestly, its an unfortunate truth, that when a lot of legendary/iconic/virtuoso, etc..level musicians have played some of their "Best Stuff", a lot of them were Heavily under the influence! So it's really not a hard thing 2 believe when u really think about it!
@jasont0815 OK - I'm wrong - so it would have sounded even better if he was sober. I don't buy into this "magical performance while wasted" theory. Every time I've heard musicians wasted either live or on recordings - it has been awful. And virtousos like Parkening and Segovia could never do their thing even slightly high needing laser focus to play their demanding music. Not an "unfortunate truth" but an unfortunate myth.
@BlueRIff63 LMBO! Do some research, Please! James addiction was Well documented, & one of the primary causes of his passing, the chance that he Wasn't lit while performing was slim, hell, that's been the story 4 Farrr 2 many legends, but I guess u would say someone like Charlie Parker or Hendrix was sober when they played a lot of that "magical" music??!! But wether or not U buy into it or not, ain't gon ever change the fact that it happened then, & still happens today! An unfortunate FACT!!
@BlueRIff63 I'll also say, I've been Very fortunate 2 meet/talk/& share the stage w/ some of the best in the biz, & from the stories alone, I promise U drugs & alcohol, as we all know, has played 2 big a part in musicians professional & personal lives, past & present. I've been on stage w/ guys who could barely stand, but played amazingly, & unfortunately that was the problem, functioning addicts never see the problem, cause it rarely ever affects their work. It is what it is, sad but true!
@BlueRIff63 Last thing, sorry for the Novel....what really kills me, is that I've been on tour & in sessions w/ cats, & heard cats say that they can't even really get going creatively until they drink a lil or smoke a lil?? I've even heard younger cats say that! How messed up is That???!! But as i said, it's an unfortunate truth....idk how the hell they're able 2 play ANYthing, in that condition, i really don't, but I've seen it/been on stage w/ it & heard it 2 many times 2 deny it! Peace
This is classic.....I can't believe that 24 people disliked this! Jamerson's plaing is so melodic, I could just listen to the bassline and still feel the complete essence of this song! Great post!
Oh....U know,THIS MAN and THE MEN HE PLAYED ALONG SIDE were and ARE STILL UNTOUCHABLE.,and as mentioned above,if you have not seen "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown" you have sorely missed out on a moving experience.I had the pleasure of meeting 3 of the original FunkBros. Ivy Joe Hunter,Uriel Jones,and Bob Babbit at a premier here 8 or so yrs. back and those were three of the most congenial as well as humble cats you'd ever want to meet.I know Ivy and Uriel have passed on may they R.I.P.aFAN
@ElectricBlueCitrus Agree! Although, I think you'd struggle to fit a sheet of rice paper between Entwistle and Lee they're so close. James Jamerson has great melodies and a great tone. Amazing to listen to.
Everytime I watch "In The Shadows of Motown" I get emotional. I have always loved the Motown sound and never knew that The Funk Brothers are the reason why it my favorite time of music.
No one else created what the Funk brothers did.Like with a lot of things what people think is new now a days musically was already done by the men at Motown. They made a sound that is copied to this day.and if they can't copy it, they sample it. Any one with heart knows that the sound they made is outa site!!!
I LOVE HIS PLAYING ! he grooves, he builds up his lines, plays for the tunes, interesting lines both melodic and rythmical.... does it for me! thanks James, who didn´t get influenced more or less !
When Berry Gordy brought all the best jazz/blues/R&B musicians he could find in Detroit, he brought JJ. Only problem was, JJ wanted to play upright. Gordy made him play E-bass so he did it his way.. he used upright technique on an E-bass... and that's how it got to be called "The Hook." JJ & Motown always made me want to play bass... never got around to it, but it always influences the key bass lines I play.
I'd just like to remind everyone that Jamerson recorded this bass line while he was wasted and laying flat on his back. Oh and made it up on the spot. So yeah.
@losbanditosjandh Don't forget that he also used only one finger to play all these very busy bass lines, wow huh?! I am from Detroit and got to go to Hitsville once and they show you where he actually lied on the ground like you said also where the floor was worn from Stevie Wonder stomping his foot on the floor to playback of the tracks, everyone who is a Motown fan should check Hitsville out!
The album's arranger, Dick Van DePitte, says this was a written part made up of Jamerson's own brilliant material. The stuff was probably improvised at one point—but apparently not on this date. Van DePitte's explanation: "After the late sixties, Jamerson had a certain attitude that he wasn't going to give you any more than he had to... On "What's Going On"... he just read the part down like I wrote it. He loved it because I had written Jamerson licks for James Jamerson."
if you don't think james jamerson was the greatest bass player of all time, listen to this and then to the recording of what's going on. It'll blow your mind.
THEIR ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE ON HERE WHO THINK THEY HAVE A EAR FOR MUSIC...WHEN THEY DONT!!! THIS GUY PLAYED FOR ALL THE MAJOR MUSICIANS..LIKE MARVIN GAYE & STEVIE WONDER...JUST TO NAME A FEW..FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT GAVE THIS MUSICIAN A THUMBS DOWN...FUCK OFF!!!
@ClaudioHomme69 DOES IT REALLY MATTER? WHY DOES THAT BOTHER SOME PEOPLE? I COULD REALLY GIVE A SHIT ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT CAPS LOCK! ANYWAY, YOU ARE ONE TO TALK.
ON YOUR PAGE IT SAY'S...FIDDLE DIDDLE THAT YOU WROTE IN CAPS LOCK.
I only recently learned of JJ and saw Shadows of Motown. What a story. What great musicians. I'm learning bass and if I ever get to 2% of Jamerson's level it'll be a miracle.
Legend has it that he (Jamerson) is laid out on the floor of Motown Hitsville Studio A drunk while he's playin this. So he's drunk,laying on his back and playing all this WITH ONE FINGER...CAN YOU SAY GENIUS!!
I haven't listened very carefully to his bass-lines before but am slowly starting to realise how much his bassplaying brought to the songs. Its funny how clearly the deadspots on the c# at 0:30 are heard on the isolated track but dissapears on the full recording. Crappy old P-basses. :)
To think someone got in the house and stole this fine old Precision bass while everyone is attending Jamerson's funeral...We have never heard if it has ever been recovered. We all know it would mean so much to the family to have that bass back in their possession. Anybody ever hear anything on this?
who in the hell gave this a thumbs down? Yea seriously they are not a musician and not a bassist. What they fail to realize is that this one of the greatest bass lines ever played, he played it on his back, drunk in studio A at Hitsville. So whatever thumbs down my ass James Jamerson was the Best!
The thumbs down aren't musicians. You have to be a part of music in order to appreciate the licks and the concepts and denotations that each instrument brings to a song. They are profound and distinct. You just can't beat a prolific musician.
Actually it was a mirth story about he came to a session drunk and played magic bass flat on his back drunk. That impressed the F Bros. If you want to quote Standing in the Shadows stories..quote the Papa Cita one. The drunk genius drummer..
For me the sad story was,,,when Jackson debuted the moon walk on the 25 years of Motown show.. Jamerson had to scalp a ticket in for a nosebleed seat.
Actually, as I'm trying to recall (assuming it matters-ha). What I remember reading is that Gaye wanted him very much to play on his record. And sort of hunted him down, urgently, because of studio time or whatever, and found him, not sober, and he was able to put down the track.
Marvin Gaye said he needed him to play, urgently, but he was drunk, totaled. But he dragged him to the studio for the recording and he played lying on his back.
@nnndIT From an official article: Gaye was desperate to have Jamerson play on "What's Going On", and went to several bars to find James. When he did, he brought Jamerson to the studio, who then played the classic line while lying flat on his back. If you find any article saying James Jamerson 'was drunk' that day, please post that material. If well James came across difficult times and had to deal with alcoholism for a while, it doesn't mean he was drinking all the time.
@nnndIT Please, feel free to check out 'Standing in the shadows of Motown' too. To the best of my humble knowledge James didn't show too much interest that day, he was simply tired and decided to try the bass line while lying on his back... why don't you say that " All the guys at the snakepit -studio- remained speechless after so outstanding playing" A drunk fella can't play that great bassline 'drunk' ... if you don't believe me , try it!. Next time check out your sources.
@Virpatrick That’s not exactly true... have you ever heard of functioning alcoholics? Lots of great musicians played tweaked out of their minds. Jimmy Moon use to play while on horse tranquilizers. They even had to get a fan to play one gig for him because he blacked out. Michael Peter Balzary aka Flea use to play tweaked out of his mind on Heroin. Even William "Benny" Benjamin use to play and even record drunk off his ass on corn liquor according to the surviving members of the funk brother.
@Virpatrick BTW, if you watch "Standing in the shadows" the surviving members wouldnt say it out right. But they all were implying Jamerson was too drunk to sit on a high stool which he usually sat on. So he had to lay flat on his back on the ground instead.
James Jamerson owns a way of thinking in his playing that encompasses a lot for me as a bassist .. (forget his sound or feel on the instrument) his bass lines have survived 40 plus years in top form, they still run chills up my neck when I listen .. "For once in my life" by Stevie Wonder is probably the greatest example of a bass dominating a song and becoming as important as the melody & lyrics .. which is often the case in Jamerson's career // 5 stars for my mentor "James Jamerson"
@ahaaaaaaaaah ...so your saying the guy who invented today's standard for "midioker" bass playing would be overrated? Who invented the standard for bass over the last 40 years? You have to go through James Jamerson to have any credibility as a bassist kids
@ahaaaaaaaaah Most people dont even know who he is so how is he over rated? he actually played the instrument instead of picking 5 notes on a keyboard set to bass......
There are a people whose eyes and ears capture and process a very limited spectrum, and their ability to appreciate anything outside that spectrum is nil. And there are those who simply don't understand pure taste, melody, and feel as opposed to technical fireworks designed to dazzl
Sounds great with Dr.Dre headphones
youreastupid 23 hours ago
This is the definition of smooth! Wow he had the tastiest bass lines. The hook!!
Peacefrog35 1 week ago
James Jamerson is one of the illest bass players that ever did it. Anyone sayin' otherwise, go off yourself, now please...
oskamadison 3 weeks ago in playlist R&B instrumentals 2
A blazed James Jamerson lying on his back in the studio playing this bass line is still better than any other bassist's best attempt at doing it sitting up and wide awake.
shelldon12 3 weeks ago 4
I was wondering if someone knew what strings does Jamerson used. I've tried the LaBella "Original 1954" flatwound strings, .052 - .110, but the tension is too high on a Precision. So, I would want a Motown sound using strings with less tension. What do you suggest ?
0630812 1 month ago
@0630812
The tension may be high for most bass players, but that's an indication of how strong James' hands were. He started on acoustic bass, and he played on a daily basis for most of his career. As thick as those strings are, he'd break them on occasion.
reggie44 2 days ago
The secret to the Motown sound is to play a neglected P-bass with a warped neck, never ever change the strings, and to use one finger.
MikeC2K10 1 month ago 9
this is a master at work here. Awesome groove.
zeprock70 1 month ago
He was simply amazing!! extremely talented
lovelylessa08 1 month ago
Its amazing how Jamerson could play this on his back and drunk! and the fact he played with one finger, AMAZING TALENT!
BattersDrumming 1 month ago 5
He changed the bass game. Mr. Jamerson and Mr. Graham took the bass from minor significance to can't do without...
TricyLoveMusic 1 month ago 10
@TricyLoveMusic Not forgetting Jaco and Entwhistle too! Jaco took Charlie Parker saxophone lines transcribed everything to bass and completely changed it, Entwhistle is severely underestimated, probably 'the' best rock bass player of all time
Timmy4pawz 1 week ago
Comment removed
BBEEAANN1 1 month ago
Jamerson was able to do with one finger that most inexperienced "bass players" (i use that term loosly) cant do with 2, 3, 4,or all 5 fingers and that is GROOVE!
ewfmatthew 1 month ago
Now wait, he played this all with one finger...holy crap.
VideoMask93 2 months ago
IT IS A FACT, I JUST READ IT. JAMES JAMERSON DID NOT WANT TO CHANGE WITH THE TIMES. CASE IN POINT. HE HAD A BASS INSTRUMENT HE LIKE TO PLAY ALL THE TIME. A PRODUCER SUGGESTED TO HIM TO JUST CHANGE THE STRINGS ON IT, BECAUSE IT WOULD GIVE IT A MORE BRIGHT AND RICHER SOUND. JAMERSON DECLINE. SOME PEOPLE, NO MATTER HOW OLD OR YOUNG THEY ARE, SET IN THERE WAYS. SO BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO CHANGE WITH THE TIMES, HIS PHONE WASN'T RINGING AS MUCH AS IN THE PASS. TO ME, HE IS STILL THE BEST IN MY BOOK.
Super3259 2 months ago
I believe that the phrase ...."I got more talent in this one finger than you have in your entire body!!" must have been associated with James Jamerson.
nuke97 2 months ago 4
JAMES JAMERSON DID NOT PLAY BASS ON ALL 4000 SOME-ODD MOTOWN RECORDINGS BY THE WAY
rally41 2 months ago
I will never understand why some You Tubers waste their time watching and spouting off about artists that they clearly don't appreciate. If Jamerson was such a "drunk" with such an "awful technique", then why are you here?? To all who continue to argue with this "Beeeann", it is obviously a waste of YOUR time, so don't bother. Instead, let's enjoy the talent and the sound of this brilliant artist who influenced a generation of other greats, and who truly was the Motown Sound.
Bentom86 2 months ago 28
THE BEST.
007swingin 2 months ago
oh my god, what a beast!!!
wdsa8d 3 months ago
none of the bass players you talked about were funky and jamerson was FUNKY.
twainfunk57 3 months ago
damn man, his bass had a voice of its own
m30wc0w 3 months ago
Definitely Not the greatest technician, & an alcoholic, that's also fact & documented, BUT, despite all that, his groove/note choice/feel/& tone( regardless how out of tune it was ).....was Killer, & that's ALL that mattered back then, & 2 this very day!! He was & will 4ever will be, the Bass Players, Bass Player, & a Drummers Dream! The stuff he laid down continues 2 be studied/analyzed 2 this day, over 6 decades after the fact!!! Game over......WINNING!!! LOL.......
jasont0815 3 months ago
Ok, for all the idiotic comparisons about Jamerson vs all these Jazz/Rock/etc...guys, some of which stylisticly have Nothing 2 do w/ 1 another?! Please give it up....cause at the end of the day, most of those guys have been quoted as well as most players that pick up that instrument; as saying Jamerson was & still is a major influence, that goes for acoustic & electric! It's fact, it's documented, everything else is just opinion! He was an innovator, plain & simple!
jasont0815 3 months ago 2
Syncing this up with What's Going On. Great bass track.
progrockcoffee 3 months ago
Donald Duck never played bass for Motown. He was always with Stax. I have great documentary on Stax records that I need to pull out and watch again.
SuperSoulSeeker 3 months ago
@SuperSoulSeeker Thank U!!!! Somebody knows their stuff!!!! Lol....... :-)
jasont0815 3 months ago
TRUE GENIUS.. HE IMPROVISED THIS LYING ON HIS BACK, DRUNK, MARVIN HAD JUST HAD AN IDEA AND KNEW HE HAD TO GO AND FIND "THE GENIUS"!!! IMAGINE IF HE HAD TIME TO THINK ABOUT IT!!!! PEACE
smokinjoe1984 3 months ago
Bob Babbitt plays a better bass.
bowelrock 4 months ago
@bowelrock If it weren't for James Jamerson, Babbitt wouldn't know how to play his bass.
shelldon12 3 months ago
@bowelrock please watch "Standing in the Shawdows of Motown" & go directly to the part where Bob talks about Jamerson, before u ever say something like that again!! Ur statement should've been more like, " Bob Babbitt is a better Bass player because of his mentors like James Jamerson! :-)
jasont0815 3 months ago
This is so... peaceful.
LouisHaynes2 4 months ago
THIS IS THE BASSPLAYERS BASS PLAYER SO LITTLE NOTES BUT MOTHERFUCKER HAS THE GROOVE THAT FUCKEN HANG AT A MOTOWN SESSION WHOLE BUNCH OF BASS PLAYERS WERE FLOWN IN NO ONE COULD GET IT RIGHT WHEN HALF BAKED JAMERSON WAS FOUND AT A LOCAL BAR HE CAME IN FUCKEDUP LYED ON HIS BACK PLAYED OUT THE LINE ON A FIRST TAKE
yungsu100 4 months ago
Please watch my video of another great jamerson bassline.....For once in My Life.
GrantSmithBass 4 months ago
It´s not the same bass line that I heard in "What´s Going On Moarbin Gaye - HD" on You Tube.
leandroarruda2000 4 months ago
How can Rolling Stones Magazine rate Flea as second best bass player of all time. This is a complete masterpiece. I could only dream of writing a piece of bass music or performing a piece that is so colorful and dimensional. Actually, soul to squeeze from RHCP goes in this direction as far as style goes, but Jamerson is king, always!!!
termite98th 4 months ago
@termite98th jamerson is good but, entwhistle, chris squire, and McCartney are better. I like Donald Duck Dunn who was the other bassist for Motown as well but, these guys are second to most of my favorite Jazz bassists. Mingus and Ruffus Reid are amazing upright players and Monk was amazing as well.
BBEEAANN1 3 months ago
@BBEEAANN1 Dude...smdh? WTH are u smokin?? 1st off, do u really know Anything about Jamerson's legacy on Upright ( which the majority of all the early Motown stuff was recorded w/ ) & on electric?? Have u ever seen "Standing in the Shawdows of Motown"?? or his Wikipedia page?? & who n the Hell told u Donald Dunn played Anything @ Motown? Dude, please do ur research on these cats before U start commenting on them, cause once u do that, you'll see that Jamerson wasn't just "good", but literally
jasont0815 3 months ago
@jasont0815 Donald Duck Dunn is responsible for half of the base playing on the stax catalog. The Stax collection is just as responsible as motown for the sound of the 60's. The two bassists responsible for the soul driven funk gospel sound of the 60's are Dunn and Jamerson. I also own the book standing in the shadows of motown and am aware of his contributions to the bass but, he wasnt Monk, nor was he Mingus who are the cats on the upright that made bebop what it was. Jamerson wasnt known...
BBEEAANN1 3 months ago
@jasont0815 for his jazz but, for his motown hits. I do not deny that he influenced Entwhistle or Squire but, what they did with the bass was far more that what Jamerson did since he got stuck in his sound and couldnt get out. Hence the reason he stopped being called for as a session bassist. Entwhistle listened to more lead guitar players than he did bassist and has stated so. He loved Muddly Waters and played bass like it was a lead guitar. IF I was to listen to Entwhistle I wouldnt say...
BBEEAANN1 3 months ago
@jasont0815 he tried to imitate anything Jamerson did but, I could easily say he was trying to mimic the lead players of the day. Squire, Entwhistle, McCartney were far more polished and you can hear that in any of their playing. As I said, Jamerson was good but, he would not be in the top 5 of 60's players I admire.
BBEEAANN1 3 months ago
@BBEEAANN1 you've got it totally backwards, as much as I LOVE Chris Squire, John Entwistle, and Paul McCartney, they would never put themselves above James Jamerson in any way, there is nothing more "polished" than Jamerson's bass lines. McCartney has often cited Jamerson as his main influence for bass, there is probably nobody who's played bass on more hit songs or inspired more great bass players in the world than James Jamerson.
truthslap 2 months ago
@truthslap Jamerson is not responsible for influencing more bass players than anyone in the world, he is responsible, along with Donald Duck Dunn, for molding the sound of Motown. When it comes to thrash or punk Jamerson isnt even found as an influence. Once again Entwhistle's playing comes mostly from imitating lead guitar players. McCartney is a guitar player that was forced to play the bass. I dont deny he was influenced by Jamerson but, his playing is more like a guitar player as well.
BBEEAANN1 2 months ago
@truthslap If you can call recording tracks drunk or high polished then yeah, Jamerson was polished. I dont deny he could grove but, he isnt the greatest bassists around technique/time wise and never has been. Im happy you think that Jamerson is good but, he is only ok to me and always has been. Squire, Geddy Lee, Les Claypool, Entwhistle, Cliff Burton, Ian McKayy, Eric Avery from Jane's addiction are far superior to Jamerson and always have been.
BBEEAANN1 2 months ago
@BBEEAANN1 for God's sake, your first list was perfectly fine, but this new list with the likes of Cliff Burton, Ian McKayy, and Eric Avery has just sent my eyebrows over to the back of my head. I just don't even know how to discuss your other points, when you've just said that Cliff Burton, Ian McKayy and the damn guy from Jane's Addiction are better bass players than James Jamerson. I don't know how to move forward from here, so I just won't try.
truthslap 2 months ago
@truthslap you dont think any of these guys have any merit in influencing music, are you serious? ?You are going to put Burton down when he is partly responsible for the last big movement that music took forward? I find you humorous at best considering you think that Jamerson did anything worthwhile on the upright that paul chambers, mingus or monk didnt already do. Avery is a fabulous bassist and his grove is better than Jamerson, sorry but, it is and that is why Jamerson is dated.
BBEEAANN1 2 months ago
@BBEEAANN1 changed the game on acoustic as well as electric bass. When u look at his Wiki page, & any other source u look up, you'll see the 2 guys u mentioned, Entwhistle & McCartneys name come up a lot in the forEver long list of bass players, in many genres, that He heavily influenced! & since Squire was influenced by Paul & John, then I'm quite sure he listened to Jamerson as well. Ur not going to find to many bass players past/present/& future, & Jamerson's name not come up, FACT!!!
jasont0815 3 months ago
@jasont0815 If you think that you can compare Jamerson to Thelonius Monk or Charles Mingus, you are high. He isnt even on the same planet much less the same league as them. Scott LaFaro and Paul Chambers both made Jamerson's talent on the upright look childish. All four of these bassists were always far superior to Jamerson. I wont even go into their ability to compose because they were genius at it and created the only American music worth anything and jazz isnt even respected in the US.
BBEEAANN1 2 months ago
@BBEEAANN1 WTH? Dude, thatz an enTirely different convo, & I aint said Nothing bout trying 2 compare Jamerson 2 Monk/Chambers/or Mingus? Thats apples & oranges dumb ass, both are good 4 U, but in different ways! Those guys are Legends 4 what they did in the Jazz world, as is Jamerson 4 what he did in the Pop Music/Motown Era, its Fact! ALL of them are Legends, the proof is 4ever etched in black n white/& on records/vinyl/etc, so what U or I think ain't gone change that, it's Musical History!
jasont0815 2 months ago
@jasont0815 you were the one who brought up jamerson on the upright not me.. hence the reason I brought up Monk, Mingus, and Chambers. The fact remains that Entwhistle, states he appreciates Jamerson, he flat out states that his style of play is based off of Muddy Waters and blues players on the guitar. Paul McCartney states he was influenced by multiple bass players, not just Jamerson and you forget that Paul was a guitar player first, alot of what he does on the bass also..
BBEEAANN1 1 month ago
@jasont0815 comes from his influences on the guitar. These two players are responsible for what the bass is today, more than any other bass player in the history of the instrument, these two influenced all that have come after them, that is musical history. No one sounds like motown anymore, the sound died with the 60's
BBEEAANN1 1 month ago
@BBEEAANN1 wether or not U like him is irrelevant. Yes, he technique was awful( the hook as they called it ) his bass was pretty much out of tune all the time, he never changed his strings, he was a drunk, etc..., all facts, that's never been questioned, BUT, his feel/phrasing/note choice/& groove were also Never questioned. Like it or not, It is what it is, U can have ur difference of opinion 24/7, but it will not change the fact that He was/is/& always will be a MAJOR influence on Bassist!
jasont0815 2 months ago
@jasont0815 i am not saying he was a bad bassist, just not the best and definitely not the guy who influenced the majority of bassists that are around today. You were the one stating that he was all of that and a bag of chips when he was half responsible for the sound of Motown and the other half of the stax collection being Donald Duck Dunn who made the 60's bass sound what it was. Carol Kaye is also responsible for that sound as well but, the sound is dated. IF you want to say I an narrow...
BBEEAANN1 2 months ago
@BBEEAANN1 purist opinionated nonsense feel free but, it is fact their sound is dated and it stayed in the 60's and never grew, it just died. The Jazz bassists I have stated grew and their sound went beyond what it was. Jamerson never grew, he just sat where he was and that is why he stopped being called for sessions. This isnt opinion it is fact. It is a fact you dont like, oh well thems the breaks...
BBEEAANN1 2 months ago
Comment removed
Thepopdelusion 1 month ago
@Thepopdelusion have you ever heard of Montgomery Monk....... He composed and was one of the great bassists of jazz as well as thelonius Monk. There are 2 Monks being discussed here.....Thelonius played more than the piano as welll....
BBEEAANN1 1 month ago
Comment removed
Thepopdelusion 1 month ago
@Thepopdelusion sorry, it was suppose to be a james bond pun but, it came off wrong...I was discussing bass players and thought people would not confuse what I was discussing with Thelonius Monk. My apoolgies for the confusion
BBEEAANN1 1 month ago
@BBEEAANN1 Respect is earned, & Jamerson earned his many times over! U wanna sit here & start comparing people, be my guest, cause that conversation has no end, cause after U get through the facts, it's all personal opinion! Jamerson & the rest of the Funk Brothers are Legends, what they did w/ what they had & their ability or lack their of, made & changed Musical History, & that Ain't my opinion, that's a Fact!!! Now take ur Narrow/Purist/Analytical/Over Opinionated views & kick rocks!! Lol
jasont0815 2 months ago
fake bass line.
leandroarruda2000 4 months ago
@leandroarruda2000 What do you mean?
cursedswordsman 4 months ago
@leandroarruda2000 its not fake, the multi-track masters to this song are all over the internet. the horns, flute, drums, vox etc
jgk381 4 months ago
people get the myths mixed up. from what i've read in more reliable sources, this bass line was written by a Motown arranger. i would assume JJ added his personal touches.... i think the story is told in Standing In The Shadows Of Motown book... JJ liked this line b/c it was all licks in his personal style.
peepsieD 5 months ago
For me that´s a real bass player, Billy Sheenan and company have nothing to do next to James, John Paul Jones, Rocco Prestia etc
danibazz10895 5 months ago
A genius. Simple as that.
Wamz1978 5 months ago
When James was on he floor, inebriated, writing this, there was nothing to interfere with the muse, and the muse took full advantage!
uckbee 5 months ago
It really doesn't matter if he was drunk or sober when he played this ... it is one of the most beautiful pieces of music at the bottom of one of the most beautiful songs ever!
kbsquare 5 months ago
James is my Hero. Being a drummer, I just love a bass player who can lay it down FAT. THick and FAT. SO rare these days. MoTown is a movie that every serious musician should watch. Like- at least 20 times.
brandondrummings 5 months ago
@brandondrummings I'll check it out!(bass player here)
ClassicRockMan95 5 months ago
While I like some of Entwhistle and Lee's stuff and they have chops, etc - they are not at this level of bass players - they don't have the jazz background to pull something like this off. If you put either of them in the studio to record this they could not come up with the goods - period.
BlueRIff63 5 months ago
He might have been lying on his back while recording this but no way was he wasted - I don't believe a wasted person could pull this off - no way.
BlueRIff63 5 months ago
@BlueRIff63 that's like saying lebron james couldn't dunk a basketball drunk. It's what they do.
Prmachen 5 months ago
@Prmachen Jumping up to put a basket in a net vs. playing intricate bass lines which require your mind to be there..not the same.. Maybe you're right. If so, then he could have done way more if he wasn't into the booze. It is still great of course.
BlueRIff63 5 months ago
@Prmachen LOL!!!! That's a good way to look at it!!!
jasont0815 3 months ago
@BlueRIff63 You can pick apart the way in which my metaphor does not work, and you are correct in your statement, but the overall point I was making is that when someone of immense talent and practice reaches a peak level it doesn't take much thought, it's like muscle memory, they just do it. It's second nature. I'm only a moderately good guitar player but being inebriated doesn't really change my skill level at all. This guy could probably have recorded this standing on his head.
Prmachen 5 months ago
@BlueRIff63 WTH? Please watch "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" re: that, cause I hardly think an entire community of vocalist/musicians/people that actually played on that session would be telling the same lie 4 all these years. & honestly, its an unfortunate truth, that when a lot of legendary/iconic/virtuoso, etc..level musicians have played some of their "Best Stuff", a lot of them were Heavily under the influence! So it's really not a hard thing 2 believe when u really think about it!
jasont0815 3 months ago
@jasont0815 OK - I'm wrong - so it would have sounded even better if he was sober. I don't buy into this "magical performance while wasted" theory. Every time I've heard musicians wasted either live or on recordings - it has been awful. And virtousos like Parkening and Segovia could never do their thing even slightly high needing laser focus to play their demanding music. Not an "unfortunate truth" but an unfortunate myth.
BlueRIff63 3 months ago
@BlueRIff63 LMBO! Do some research, Please! James addiction was Well documented, & one of the primary causes of his passing, the chance that he Wasn't lit while performing was slim, hell, that's been the story 4 Farrr 2 many legends, but I guess u would say someone like Charlie Parker or Hendrix was sober when they played a lot of that "magical" music??!! But wether or not U buy into it or not, ain't gon ever change the fact that it happened then, & still happens today! An unfortunate FACT!!
jasont0815 3 months ago
@BlueRIff63 I'll also say, I've been Very fortunate 2 meet/talk/& share the stage w/ some of the best in the biz, & from the stories alone, I promise U drugs & alcohol, as we all know, has played 2 big a part in musicians professional & personal lives, past & present. I've been on stage w/ guys who could barely stand, but played amazingly, & unfortunately that was the problem, functioning addicts never see the problem, cause it rarely ever affects their work. It is what it is, sad but true!
jasont0815 3 months ago
@BlueRIff63 Last thing, sorry for the Novel....what really kills me, is that I've been on tour & in sessions w/ cats, & heard cats say that they can't even really get going creatively until they drink a lil or smoke a lil?? I've even heard younger cats say that! How messed up is That???!! But as i said, it's an unfortunate truth....idk how the hell they're able 2 play ANYthing, in that condition, i really don't, but I've seen it/been on stage w/ it & heard it 2 many times 2 deny it! Peace
jasont0815 3 months ago
@ElectricBlueCitrus
or john entwistle, not to mention flea, les claypool, or billy sheehan.
on another topic, this is what i tend to sound like wasted on my back as well!
shwabity 6 months ago
This brother is getting a standing ovation right now from this commenter.
junniecn 6 months ago
This is classic.....I can't believe that 24 people disliked this! Jamerson's plaing is so melodic, I could just listen to the bassline and still feel the complete essence of this song! Great post!
FunkInDaPocket47 7 months ago
@FunkInDaPocket47 -Carol Kaye must have 24 different usernames.
kyuss2922 6 months ago 9
@kyuss2922 and i always thought black guys owned the bass
Skidblanar 3 months ago
@Skidblanar Huh? I'm white, but whatever.
kyuss2922 2 months ago
There are many original bassists, but James is the originator that's why he is, as @prints76 says, untouchable.
kkj1966 7 months ago
Oh....U know,THIS MAN and THE MEN HE PLAYED ALONG SIDE were and ARE STILL UNTOUCHABLE.,and as mentioned above,if you have not seen "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown" you have sorely missed out on a moving experience.I had the pleasure of meeting 3 of the original FunkBros. Ivy Joe Hunter,Uriel Jones,and Bob Babbit at a premier here 8 or so yrs. back and those were three of the most congenial as well as humble cats you'd ever want to meet.I know Ivy and Uriel have passed on may they R.I.P.aFAN
prints76 7 months ago
@ElectricBlueCitrus Or Chris Squire and Tony Levin. Mark King from Level 42 plays amazing slap bass...quite scintillating
irena7777777 7 months ago
@ElectricBlueCitrus Agree! Although, I think you'd struggle to fit a sheet of rice paper between Entwistle and Lee they're so close. James Jamerson has great melodies and a great tone. Amazing to listen to.
irena7777777 7 months ago
@ElectricBlueCitrus Two names; John Entwistle and Geddy Lee
irena7777777 7 months ago
@ElectricBlueCitrus I'd like to argue with you about that...
irena7777777 7 months ago
Comment removed
545t3t4t5 7 months ago
Everytime I watch "In The Shadows of Motown" I get emotional. I have always loved the Motown sound and never knew that The Funk Brothers are the reason why it my favorite time of music.
BORONJ91 7 months ago
Jamerson is god.
Drackorage 8 months ago
this is so peaceful
6142014 8 months ago
I love the way that when he sustains the high note you can hear the studio compressor amplifying the bleed from the drum kit!!
priesty78 8 months ago 3
I love the way that when he sustains the high note you can hear the studio compressor amplifying the bleed from the drum kit!!
priesty78 8 months ago
yes!!!!!!!!!
Candygirl820 8 months ago
No wonder you're going around calling everyone gay and pissed off at the world.
That will be $165 for my Psychiatrist fee. Wait--actually yours will be a charity case since you were so in need. God bless you.
biggstile 8 months ago
I'M jamming along to it now with my guitar.
benthemiester 8 months ago
No one else created what the Funk brothers did.Like with a lot of things what people think is new now a days musically was already done by the men at Motown. They made a sound that is copied to this day.and if they can't copy it, they sample it. Any one with heart knows that the sound they made is outa site!!!
tellthetruthg 8 months ago
real bass man ever
stickwithganja 8 months ago
24 people are def.
StardomUSA 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I can study this for days!
Bassline00@gmail.com
00Bassline 8 months ago
I LOVE HIS PLAYING ! he grooves, he builds up his lines, plays for the tunes, interesting lines both melodic and rythmical.... does it for me! thanks James, who didn´t get influenced more or less !
jollesen 9 months ago
for those who think that know how to play,,,
stickwithganja 9 months ago
james was the king
bill4long 9 months ago
I heard he never made much money and died broke. Who has the nerve not to pay this guy what he deserved. wtf
flubno 9 months ago
@flubno u shud watch "in the shadows of motown"
OTISENGLISH 9 months ago 24
@OTISENGLISH
You should take an extra three seconds and spell your words correctly.
zapwatt 6 months ago 5
@flubno the same guy that had the nerve to say that this album shouldn't be released...
levirayrocks 9 months ago
THIS IS GROOVE!
catherinempal 9 months ago
AS WITH HARP PLAYERS HAVE TO GO THRU LIL WALTER
ALL BASS PLAYERS HAVE TO GO THRU JAMERSON
yungsu100 9 months ago
he only had about a hour to come up with this.
the best ever.
didnt get payed that good eather.
ya my spelling sucs so wat
STEVEM730 9 months ago
i can't believe he played all this with just one finger
frejjohansson 9 months ago
@frejjohansson he used downstrokes too with "The Hook"
stigbeve 9 months ago
@frejjohansson
When Berry Gordy brought all the best jazz/blues/R&B musicians he could find in Detroit, he brought JJ. Only problem was, JJ wanted to play upright. Gordy made him play E-bass so he did it his way.. he used upright technique on an E-bass... and that's how it got to be called "The Hook." JJ & Motown always made me want to play bass... never got around to it, but it always influences the key bass lines I play.
jazziackeys 9 months ago
This bassline is epic especially if you think about the story of this bassline
Cardinallover31 9 months ago 3
One take, plastered, on his damn back. Genius.
tubricant 9 months ago
... and he played w/ one finger...
Jackalope40 9 months ago
I'd just like to remind everyone that Jamerson recorded this bass line while he was wasted and laying flat on his back. Oh and made it up on the spot. So yeah.
losbanditosjandh 10 months ago 97
@losbanditosjandh And thats how bass players got their rep...
MegaAshtong 9 months ago
@losbanditosjandh Imagine what he would have sounded like if he had rehearsed, was'nt wasted and standing upright. Now that would be classic!
MrKenndawg 6 months ago
@losbanditosjandh Don't forget that he also used only one finger to play all these very busy bass lines, wow huh?! I am from Detroit and got to go to Hitsville once and they show you where he actually lied on the ground like you said also where the floor was worn from Stevie Wonder stomping his foot on the floor to playback of the tracks, everyone who is a Motown fan should check Hitsville out!
Monsterdrumma 5 months ago
@losbanditosjandh wow i had no idea....and for that matter thats exacly how i recorded the basslines to my last cd hahahaha....
pilabass 5 months ago
@losbanditosjandh
The album's arranger, Dick Van DePitte, says this was a written part made up of Jamerson's own brilliant material. The stuff was probably improvised at one point—but apparently not on this date. Van DePitte's explanation: "After the late sixties, Jamerson had a certain attitude that he wasn't going to give you any more than he had to... On "What's Going On"... he just read the part down like I wrote it. He loved it because I had written Jamerson licks for James Jamerson."
jdwal24 4 months ago
@losbanditosjandh Wow, Did Marvin says he Wrote Jamerson lick for Jamerson?
TheBrazenHell 4 months ago
@losbanditosjandh and he was drunk coming from the bar!!!!
sswilliams1286 4 months ago
Arh!-Hrh!-HMFHMF-Les-HMF-Clay-herm-pool!
tunivand 10 months ago
if you don't think james jamerson was the greatest bass player of all time, listen to this and then to the recording of what's going on. It'll blow your mind.
loosebrooseable 10 months ago
There have been may many bass players to pass through life as we know it, but James Jamerson is my favorite: I LOVE MOTOWN!
simon4186 10 months ago
THEIR ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE ON HERE WHO THINK THEY HAVE A EAR FOR MUSIC...WHEN THEY DONT!!! THIS GUY PLAYED FOR ALL THE MAJOR MUSICIANS..LIKE MARVIN GAYE & STEVIE WONDER...JUST TO NAME A FEW..FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT GAVE THIS MUSICIAN A THUMBS DOWN...FUCK OFF!!!
briank46 10 months ago
@briank46
+1 here...who ever had the audacity to dislike genius like this should be shot. This bass player is a legend!
don8tionsplz 10 months ago
@briank46 I agree with what your saying, but do you really have to type it in caps lock? c'mon now.
ClaudioHomme69 9 months ago
@ClaudioHomme69 DOES IT REALLY MATTER? WHY DOES THAT BOTHER SOME PEOPLE? I COULD REALLY GIVE A SHIT ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT CAPS LOCK! ANYWAY, YOU ARE ONE TO TALK.
ON YOUR PAGE IT SAY'S...FIDDLE DIDDLE THAT YOU WROTE IN CAPS LOCK.
briank46 9 months ago
Great!!!
KOUNOSUKE916 10 months ago
Simply beautiful. One of the best bass tracks.
DazManCat 10 months ago
i wish i played bass instead. i feel like a bass player
madFlam1 10 months ago
the man james jamerson WOW much love 4 the brother
madlargetrks 10 months ago
I only recently learned of JJ and saw Shadows of Motown. What a story. What great musicians. I'm learning bass and if I ever get to 2% of Jamerson's level it'll be a miracle.
MonkeySeeism 10 months ago
Legend has it that he (Jamerson) is laid out on the floor of Motown Hitsville Studio A drunk while he's playin this. So he's drunk,laying on his back and playing all this WITH ONE FINGER...CAN YOU SAY GENIUS!!
SIGMA3ZA94 10 months ago
I haven't listened very carefully to his bass-lines before but am slowly starting to realise how much his bassplaying brought to the songs. Its funny how clearly the deadspots on the c# at 0:30 are heard on the isolated track but dissapears on the full recording. Crappy old P-basses. :)
sonicaddiction 10 months ago
@sonicaddiction anytime i hear a song now i listen to the bass. i love the bass and james jamerson is the reason why i listen for it.
mjjcng8958 8 months ago
Jamerson called this tune " A masterpiece".
nuke97 10 months ago
James plucked all his lines using one finger. ONE FINGER. Holy hell.
Clumsythumbs 10 months ago
theres jaco, and then theres this. this is how the bass should be on this style of music. James Jamerson will live on forever....
TheAlmightyBassist 10 months ago
man,this is better than anything by les claypool
ejdbk 11 months ago
To think someone got in the house and stole this fine old Precision bass while everyone is attending Jamerson's funeral...We have never heard if it has ever been recovered. We all know it would mean so much to the family to have that bass back in their possession. Anybody ever hear anything on this?
lclaughton 11 months ago
19 maggots in our midst!
wa1ufo 11 months ago
Thanks for posting this...major lesson on how he did it. The touch, the feel, the tone, the taste, the note selection, its all right here.
catboyzee 11 months ago
who in the hell gave this a thumbs down? Yea seriously they are not a musician and not a bassist. What they fail to realize is that this one of the greatest bass lines ever played, he played it on his back, drunk in studio A at Hitsville. So whatever thumbs down my ass James Jamerson was the Best!
antoniobassmancruz 11 months ago 4
asuming this is the original bass track, where the hell did you find it?
elbjornbjorn 11 months ago
@elbjornbjorn it is real, nobody can emulate jamerson's basslines that well. its got the perfect tone and exactly the same as the track.
faltribe 11 months ago
@elbjornbjorn This has been out for a while. The Jamerson family tribute website to Jamerson had it up for a while on myspace.
HaliB75 11 months ago
The thumbs down aren't musicians. You have to be a part of music in order to appreciate the licks and the concepts and denotations that each instrument brings to a song. They are profound and distinct. You just can't beat a prolific musician.
kaykay17miss 11 months ago
flawless
koolfraser 11 months ago
when i get the money i am buying a bass. james jamerson is that guy.
mjjcng8958 11 months ago
Actually it was a mirth story about he came to a session drunk and played magic bass flat on his back drunk. That impressed the F Bros. If you want to quote Standing in the Shadows stories..quote the Papa Cita one. The drunk genius drummer..
For me the sad story was,,,when Jackson debuted the moon walk on the 25 years of Motown show.. Jamerson had to scalp a ticket in for a nosebleed seat.
lacy235 11 months ago
Actually, as I'm trying to recall (assuming it matters-ha). What I remember reading is that Gaye wanted him very much to play on his record. And sort of hunted him down, urgently, because of studio time or whatever, and found him, not sober, and he was able to put down the track.
nnndIT 1 year ago
I'm just saying something I heard. I love Motown and I thought I'd put in my 2 cents--but ya'll probably know more.
nnndIT 1 year ago
Marvin Gaye said he needed him to play, urgently, but he was drunk, totaled. But he dragged him to the studio for the recording and he played lying on his back.
nnndIT 1 year ago
@nnndIT From an official article: Gaye was desperate to have Jamerson play on "What's Going On", and went to several bars to find James. When he did, he brought Jamerson to the studio, who then played the classic line while lying flat on his back. If you find any article saying James Jamerson 'was drunk' that day, please post that material. If well James came across difficult times and had to deal with alcoholism for a while, it doesn't mean he was drinking all the time.
Virpatrick 1 year ago
@nnndIT Please, feel free to check out 'Standing in the shadows of Motown' too. To the best of my humble knowledge James didn't show too much interest that day, he was simply tired and decided to try the bass line while lying on his back... why don't you say that " All the guys at the snakepit -studio- remained speechless after so outstanding playing" A drunk fella can't play that great bassline 'drunk' ... if you don't believe me , try it!. Next time check out your sources.
Virpatrick 1 year ago
@Virpatrick That’s not exactly true... have you ever heard of functioning alcoholics? Lots of great musicians played tweaked out of their minds. Jimmy Moon use to play while on horse tranquilizers. They even had to get a fan to play one gig for him because he blacked out. Michael Peter Balzary aka Flea use to play tweaked out of his mind on Heroin. Even William "Benny" Benjamin use to play and even record drunk off his ass on corn liquor according to the surviving members of the funk brother.
SlapNutsPoonJab 11 months ago
@Virpatrick BTW, if you watch "Standing in the shadows" the surviving members wouldnt say it out right. But they all were implying Jamerson was too drunk to sit on a high stool which he usually sat on. So he had to lay flat on his back on the ground instead.
SlapNutsPoonJab 11 months ago
James Jamerson is God!
pbass156 1 year ago
James Jamerson owns a way of thinking in his playing that encompasses a lot for me as a bassist .. (forget his sound or feel on the instrument) his bass lines have survived 40 plus years in top form, they still run chills up my neck when I listen .. "For once in my life" by Stevie Wonder is probably the greatest example of a bass dominating a song and becoming as important as the melody & lyrics .. which is often the case in Jamerson's career // 5 stars for my mentor "James Jamerson"
164407 1 year ago 2
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saeccify 1 year ago
Jamerson gets more done with his index finger than most people can dream of doing with their whole hand.
Maynard242 1 year ago 4
This comment has received too many negative votes show
That Jamerson guy is old school shit and has always been very overrated,
after todays standards he would be a midioker bassplayer,
no more than that, let's face the truth! Hahahahahaha!
ahaaaaaaaaah 1 year ago
@ahaaaaaaaaah ...so your saying the guy who invented today's standard for "midioker" bass playing would be overrated? Who invented the standard for bass over the last 40 years? You have to go through James Jamerson to have any credibility as a bassist kids
jacme1219 1 year ago 2
@ahaaaaaaaaah Most people dont even know who he is so how is he over rated? he actually played the instrument instead of picking 5 notes on a keyboard set to bass......
beserker1912 1 year ago
There are a people whose eyes and ears capture and process a very limited spectrum, and their ability to appreciate anything outside that spectrum is nil. And there are those who simply don't understand pure taste, melody, and feel as opposed to technical fireworks designed to dazzl