WOW! That is the highest compliment I can give when someone has taken me out . It is incredibly sad that he died broke ? Without his incredible bass lines to countless motown hits who knows if you could even dance to them. I'm not a dancer but I can appreciate those who do but, I am a listener and the countless tickles to my ears he brought are invaluable!
@instantextra It is DEFINITELY not Felder. It's Jamerson. You can hear the rounder bottom and chromatic improvisational style. Felder, as great as he was read a chart for "I Want You Back" and took a couple of liberties with the line. This was played off the top of Jamerson's head.
I absolutely adore Jamerson. However, this sounds a lot like Carol Kaye to me. Under good headphones the articulation and attack sounds more pick like. Less thump than Jamerson too.. Anyhow, just my two cents. No offense intended to anyone here. Don't be hatin...I know I could very well be wrong. Wish Motown kept better records for all concerned...
WOW DUDE! same here. i heard this song, and i got my grandmother to buy me a bass & amp, and it took me forever to play this song, but i got it now, and a lot of his other songs too!
There is no B-15 Flip-Top sound in this recording... This is likely direct or a miced "west-coast" amplifier, and may not have even been Jamerson. This sounds to me like their LA recordings which could have used any number of studio bass players other than Jamerson.
100% R&B Soul Inspired by a 1968 B-15 Flip Top, this model is a tribute to thoes late 60's and early 70's clean fat bass tones!!!!!. It is the kind of tone you hear on more Motown recordings, as played by a pioneering young James Jamerson 24/7!!!!!.
Actually, it's likely that this wasn't done by Jamerson at all, as amazing a line it may be--Wilton Felder was the bassist for most of the J5's early releases.
I JUST READ SOME LITERATURE ON THIS GREAT BASS PLAYER. ONE FACT THEY SAID IN THE PIECE, BEFORE (JAMES ) CAME ALONG, MOST BASS PLAYERS WOULD ONLY PLAY THE ROOT OF THE NOTE. HE IS GIVEN THE CREDIT FOR EXPANDING THE BASS LINE. THAT IS WHY WE CAN TODAY, LISTEN TO HIS SONGS HE PLAYED ON AND ENJOY THE BASS LINE AS WELL AS THE FEATURE ARTIST. I HOPE I DIDN'T CONFUSE YOU ALL. THE SONGS OF TODAY BASS LINES ARE PLAYED PRETTY STRAIGHT. MR. JAMERSON, YOU WERE AND STILL (THE MAN). R.I.P.
I wasnt even looking at the video - my head's just trying to understand what the heck is going on with the timing on the song lol... crazy crazy bass !! Sigh...to be able to play like this, let alone compose something like this !!!
My bass playing is forever influenced by James Jamerson...our song "Eye To Eye" by Pluto's Orbit is an alternative song, but i try to showcase my Jamerson influence.
@LEFitzing Just to clarify, you are talking about the cheesy production screen at the beginning of this video and the background music accompanying it. Not the intro to Darling Dear.
@DONNIMETROPOLIS Not really sure what the "sigh" means but, my comment is only for the purpose of saying there are others that I enjoy as well "please have a listen". ("YES" unequivocally James Jamerson is arguably the best ever). My cousin Ronn' Matlock has personal knowledge of and respect for Mr. Jamerson as he used to work with several of Motown's "royalty" back in the day. I consulted with him and he agrees with you (and I) that yes, Mr. Jamerson belongs at the top!!! One Luv...
The man could play! Back in these days bass was a background instrument. JJ took bass out of the box. He was very good and listen to the number of shifts, he had great range. I'm sorry but bass back in these days even jazz did not cut it this well.
@exemplar1 LEARN AND LISTEN MORE, ....I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOURE PERCEIVING TO HEAR WITH YOUR EARS, BUT ITS QUITE A BIT MORE THAN JUST THAT, AND UNIQUE TO JAMES JAMERSON. EVERYONE ELSE CANT BE WRONG....YA THINK?
@DONNIMETROPOLIS313 Again, no disrespect to anyone... I have played similar bass lines many times. James Jamerson is playing a slightly modified boogie blues bass line. He plays well, better than I do for that matter. Still, let's not make it more than it is.
@DONNIMETROPOLIS313 THANKS!! SOMEBODY UNDERSTANDS!! HES GOT THE SAME NOTES AND BASS AS EVERYONE ELSE..HES JUST THE MASTER!! HE WAS THE ONLY MAN AT MOTOWN THEY KNEW WAS A GENIUS AT THE TIME :-) PEACE
@alphakid42..i disagree..this song is magnificent..michael singing is great as usual and the bass is like another voice singing another song..jamerson was as much a genius on the bass as michael was at singing..this song would have been a hit on any other groups album except the jackson fives cause they had so many other great songs at the time..this song was underrated..one of my faves by jackson five
If Jamerson was treated so well why did he have to buy a scalped ticket & sit in Balcony @the Motown 25 celebration & watch someone else play HIS bass licks & why is it that to this day most people have no idea that it was the Funk Brothers w/ Jamerson who really made the Motown sound , not the singers,if Motown really gave a shit then those guys would have had their recognition & a chunk of the profits.
Wonderful! However tis notion that Jamerson was not properly compensated is fiction.I saw his hall of fame indunction and his widow thanked Berry Gordy profusely for all he had done for him and the family.
@kenj280 just because she was grac ious enough to thank him doent remove that fact. Im from Detroit and that is a fact. Its just what record companies did those days
Interesting to me, this suggestion popped up as part of the mix in a Jaco Pastorius piece. Jamerson is great no doubt, but there are a lot of great musicians out there also. For greatest I have heard Stanley Clarke argued, Jaco, Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Les Claypool, Steven Rodby, Charles Mingus, and many many others. Pastorius was a full professor of Music at the University of Miama at the age of 19, played classical, funk, jazz, rock, and c and w.
Poster overstates things a little, but it is a nice bassline. Most decent studio bassists have the ability to create lines like this. But yes, Jamerson was very good.
@herrdruhl I agree with your comment, but I think it's thanks to the influence of seminal bassists like Jamerson that we have expanded our horizons with the bass.
@herrdruhl MOST STUDIO BASSIST HAVE THE ABILITY TO CREATE LINES LIKE THIS???? Most studio bassist have riffs that are directly influenced by the sound that changed america, Motown. That sound is james Jamerson. Why would you even have a problem with that. BTW He was more than good, most "Studio musicians are not in the rock n roll hall of fame.
alpha kid u crazy...this song is sheer genius..michael singing is great as usual..and the bass is like another voice..jamerson was much a genius on base as michael was with his voice...this song would have been a great hit on any other persons album..except the jackson five cause all their songs was so great ..this one was one of my favorites j5 songs and underrated
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This is clearly a FILLER song for an album. It is completely forgettable, has no hook, and is almost elevator music from the start. Yes, the Funk Brothers were remarkable, but there is no bass here to speak of. With great respect to the the Funk Brothers, this example is not worthly of a single listen. Instead, check out the bassline in I Want You Back, which is in my view, the best pop song bassline ever written.
James Jamerson is is a legend for bassists. Ben Benjamin, the fellow motown drummer matched him every note to create one of the greatest rythym sections ever. He died in poverty. Today we are fortunate to have David Garibaldi and Rocco Prestia from Tower of Power (legendary funk band). Check out the St Croix video under link with Rocco Prestia.
the world's prettiest bassline? tough to say exactly. but i definitely always thought one that is quite possibly deserving of that title is from the song "who's loving you," which of course is also james jamerson.
@turtlesoup7 Are you sure that "Who's Loving You" is Jamerson? I know the J-5 stuff that Bobby Taylor produced was cut in Detroit, but it could be Babbitt. I'd love to think that it IS Jamerson, being a huge J-5 fan. To my knowledge, the only J5 song Jamerson is playing on is this one. Please tell me where you got your info from, I'd be curious to see that... thanks !!
@megavega4 i'm a big fan of jackson 5 too, but admittedly the info i got was by looking it up and well, if u google search-- who's lovin' you "played bass," pretty much all the hits say jamerson. tried with babbitt and got nothing. BUT that being said i'll admit it could still be untrue as so much stuff from back in those days is all mixed info (hendrix jammed with sam cooke?). i always felt that bassline stood out, and i was content with the musician being an obscurity of "the corporation"
@turtlesoup7 I can hear everynote Jamerson played on a track...Turn the bass up tight and listen to ..'end of our road' marvin gaye and 'I was made to love her' stevie wonder...Peace
@smokinjoe1984 "i was made to love her" is probably my favorite stevie wonder song, yet i never paid attention to who plays the bass on it. and i still need proof, cuz now i'm reading that supposedly even stevie wonder himself claims the bassist in the studio was carol kaye. but i would need proof of that as well.
This was classic late 60s and 70s soul bass. i love this period of music because stereo had been around but was expanding with technology and the bass set the tone and groove for records during that time. Id give anybody a million dollars for a bass line, or track for that matter, in todays so called music. Great Post.
@nurikara ...and studied for science,because if you haven't seen"Standing In The Shadows Of Motown" then break your neck,the opening sequence about J.J. was worth the price of admission.
TO JIM JAMERSON, U WERE AND STILL ARE THE EPITOME OF THE BASS GUITAR AND YOU'LL LIVE ON FOREVER. THAT WHATS GOING ON STORY WHERE HE PLAYED IN THE RECORDING SESSION ,ON THE FLOOR FLAT ON HIS BACK AND PLAYED WHAT WE HEARD ON MARVINS CLASSIC IS OUT OF THIS WORLD.
@cheerskiwi I think the expression "slapa the bass" is a reference to the movie "I Love You Man". But your right, it has nothing to do with Jamerson because he didn't use any slap techniques. :)
@cheerskiwi you see, people think that slapping or playing with 3-4 fingers makes a bassist a good bassist... I think that playing bass is much more than this.
The founding father of bass. His bass lines were indeed worthy of claims he sung the lines. What many people don't realize is that as a stufio musician he didn't have time to 'practice', he just played what he felt.
No, with due respect, I recorded at Criteria in Miami (the "B" rhythm section) and can say that Mr. Chuck Rainey would be the father, the fab Mr Jamerson his younger brother. Both of equal greatness, inventiveness, soul, precision (P-bass..lol).
That A section was Rainey, Cornell DuPree, and the magnificent Bernard Purdy.
Amazing sound both these guys put to tape...ah, analog.
@IMAWriterRobJ Excuse me.. but I MUST correct you. The founding father is most CERTAINLY Jamerson. In the early 60's Jamerson was already liberating the bass from it's simple "root/fifth" role. Not to take anything away from Chuck Rainey, but his basslines from the late 60's and early 70's came several years later. So with respect to the timeline, the pecking order is JJ.. then CR. Facts are facts. Even Chuck has acknowledged that Jamerson helped him find his way.
@GHOF62 of course he practiced.... he probably practiced all day, but he reached a certain point in his playing ability so that with the skill he had, he didn't need to practice technique anymore for the genre he played. This happens to everyone. Dont be fooled young musicians. Every one needs to practice no matter how talented they are. I understand everyone sucking up to james jamerson but, he only became this way because of practice and experience.
@jlimproj I am well aware that he practiced to get where he was. What some folks don't understand is as a studio musician Jamerson and others were (and still are) not given alot of time to tweak their groove. They were expected to be able to play a given song will little or no practice..on that song. Even to day anyone who has worked as a studio musician understands they may be expected to play competently after a 1 minute look at a music sheet. The ones that make it can do this.
In the Jaco biography its reported that when fans gushed too much over him he would say humbly that he was just trying to play as good as James Jamerson, and Jimmy Fielder (BS&Ts bassist)
Everyone talks about what a genus JJ was and he certainly was and he was one of my biggest influences once in awhile I'll turn on the radio to an oldie station and hear a song I played on and at times I can hear James' influence...but one person we forget to give props to is Jermaine... he learned all these great bass parts and played them while singing and dancing....my respect also goes out to the other JJ.......
@StringTherapy Thank you so much for saying that. Although Jermaine never recorded a note on bass during the J-5 era, he DID have to learn those bass parts (which ironically were NOT recorded by Jamerson) and had to recreate them while singing, dancing AND directing the band. Thankfully, Motown released "Live At The Forum" which showcases the 1970 and 1972 J-5 concerts at the L.A. Forum. Jermaine plays his ASS off, especially on CD #2. Take a listen.. you'll be impressed.
@codywilloughby I respect your opinion, however youre comparing jazz bassist and motown bassist. Jamerson played as a session player for pop songs, he wasnt part of a jazz fusion group. You have to listen to his parts with a different ear. I dont even think this is my favorite jamerson line. Also, he played the lines with one finger on his right hand, they called it "the hook" (interesting fact to keep in mind)
@codywilloughby I knew Jaco, & loved his ingenious playing. But he was too specialized to be considered the best. Jaco would have fallen especially flat in a serious funk or pocket R&B band. His thing was fusion, & jacofied often incredibly beautiful musicality. Yet, he was no Jamerson. Jamerson would have soulfully grooved Jaco into an early grave, with no special effects. Jamerson was a boundless genius and could get funky. Teen Town is Jaco's ode to Larry Graham, great, but not funky.
@codywilloughby No Jaco? LOL... you sir.. need your hearing checked. If you do your homework, you'll find that Jamerson was already an accomplished jazz/bebop upright bassist before he even had a career at Motown. He was THE hot bassist in Detroit... in his late teens. That's what made his whole style what it was.. the chromatic bebop approach to pop music. His genius was that he was able to incorporate that stuff into pop bass parts and not be intrusive. His genius predates Jaco by a decade.
M. is not a musical genius. Great singer, especially when he was young. Analyze his musical structures, not very sophisticated. James Jamerson, genius bass player. Quincy genius producer. McCartney,Lennon, geniuses. M, not even close.
@124slowhand there is more to genius than musical structure. There's soul, phrasing, improvisational skill. rhythm, diversatility, and organic creative capacity. MJ did have ingenuity, especially given that he was never trained. Musical structure can be very technical, and ultimately anybody technically recreate what is structural, but no one could do MJ but MJ. He was baad, and especially as a youth, a genius singer.
@swiftmachine1515 Actually.. the reverse would be more appropriate. He was the White James Jamerson. The Who came AFTER Motown... and Entwistle admits that he was a big fan of Jamerson and was influenced by him.
@coolsweetgroovy You are out of your mind.. Carol NEVER recorded a note in Detroit.. which is where this was recorded. You're OBVIOUSLY being inflammatory and trying to start trouble. EVERYONE who's ANYONE knows it's Jamerson.. and you'd think that a sworn affidavit from the producer of the song stating that it's Jamerson would be enough. This is so OBVIOUSLY Jamerson.. you can hear this style on everything he's recorded. Carol was NEVER this funky ...
@coolsweetgroovy As I said.. it's common knowledge that it's Jamerson. Sorry if you missed the boat. You must be related to Ms. Kaye. It's bad enough that she's tried to lay claim to other Jamerson performances. As far as THUMPING goes, I don't know what you're talking about. Check out "Bernadette" .. "For Once In My Life" or "I Was Made To Love Her" and you'll hear Jamerson playing in this style. Or do you think that's Carol Kaye too? You make me laugh.. seriously....keep up the comedy.
@megavega4 P.S. I just emailed you the link to find a real James Jamerson bass and Also on Youtube search type in The Beach boys I Was Made To Love Her! and Listen it's the exact same bass proving that it's Carol Kaye not Jamerson
@coolsweetgroovy It's NOT Carol Kaye. Enough already.. the tone is WAY different.. Stevie's version came out first.. she copied his line and replayed it. Let it rest already.. EVERYONE knows it's Jamerson. End of story. I will no longer reply to your ridiculous comments and slanderous lies..
@coolsweetgroovy I hate to break this to you but "I was made to love her" was originally written and recorded by Stevie Wonder in 1967, and released by Motown Records in 67'. Motown was in detroit, Kaye wasnt in Detroit in 67' so she couldnt have possibly recorded the original. Although in 67-68' the Beach Boys covered that song... but so did Jimi Hendrix, Whitney Huston, Jackson 5 and Boyz II Men. There are no facts proving Kaye wrote this song, infact they all prove she covered Jamerson!!!
@TheFunkKnuckle From Carol Kaye's own mouth.. she never recorded a single note in Detroit. So.. if this was recorded in Detroi in 1967....doesn't his comment violate both the time/space continuum AND some laws of physics? lol....
There's only a coupl.e of other bass lines I'd put above it. Perhaps Willie Weeks work on the live version of "Little Ghetto Boy" on Donny Hathaway Live. That bass line kills but this is quite good as well.
Not to be insensitive but... Jamerson became undependable and unable to conform to the ever changing needs of the music industry. This was due to his, ever increasing alcohol issues. He could not read music which also inhibited his recording ability. He was paid the same as all the other studio cats and given far more chances and opportunities than most. Of course, today his influence and contributions are priceless.
@aaplatypus LOL.. now.. before you start talking ( or typing) you should SERIOUSLY do your research. If Jamerson couldn't read.. then PLEASE tell me how he was able to sit in on upright bass with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra when they recorded string parts? Jamerson was a FEROCIOUS reader, as told by Valerie Simpson. He just felt that whatever he came up with was better than what was written. But if the producer or arranger needed a note for note part played, he did it flawlessly.
@megavega4 Though, I have sat in on many a session with the most basic chord hints and have made it through without a hitch. You're right. I should have said, "he didn't LIKE to read". Obviously he was a schooled musician but my point was that his difficulties rose from issues related to his abilities. Alcohol and attitude factor in.
32 slappers bassists cant play this
vitaobass 17 hours ago
32 guitarists get jealous
vitaobass 17 hours ago
gives me goosebumps lol
briantlager 1 day ago
How can you just not love everything on this planet when listening to this bassline?
shelldon12 2 days ago
WOW! That is the highest compliment I can give when someone has taken me out . It is incredibly sad that he died broke ? Without his incredible bass lines to countless motown hits who knows if you could even dance to them. I'm not a dancer but I can appreciate those who do but, I am a listener and the countless tickles to my ears he brought are invaluable!
MrRandblues 6 days ago
to me, the two bests basslines are September and Aint no mountain high enough with the supremes and the temptations.
ManelRuivo 1 week ago
Pure Jamerson! What a masterpiece!
bolder2009 2 weeks ago
Sounds like Wilton Felder on bass. I think it is.
instantextra 2 weeks ago
@instantextra It is DEFINITELY not Felder. It's Jamerson. You can hear the rounder bottom and chromatic improvisational style. Felder, as great as he was read a chart for "I Want You Back" and took a couple of liberties with the line. This was played off the top of Jamerson's head.
megavega4 5 days ago
sad that he died :( R.I.P MICHAEL GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN :'( <3 <3 <3 <3
briantlager 2 weeks ago
I absolutely adore Jamerson. However, this sounds a lot like Carol Kaye to me. Under good headphones the articulation and attack sounds more pick like. Less thump than Jamerson too.. Anyhow, just my two cents. No offense intended to anyone here. Don't be hatin...I know I could very well be wrong. Wish Motown kept better records for all concerned...
FlintboyG 3 weeks ago
@FlintboyG Its definitely Jamerson, wonderful!!
stevelane1956 1 week ago
Yes, you are right!!
randyreal574 1 month ago
Comment removed
instantextra 1 month ago
because of this song........
this time last year i grew a pair and finally bought a bass
[i couldn't even play the intro and I could just about pay notes with with my thumb]
a whole year later............i've got this bassline by the balls (and a few others ;-) )
it' funny where inspiration and your imagination can take you
Osifuwa 1 month ago 13
WOW DUDE! same here. i heard this song, and i got my grandmother to buy me a bass & amp, and it took me forever to play this song, but i got it now, and a lot of his other songs too!
zorro1955 3 weeks ago
can jermaine play this bassline?
zorro1955 3 weeks ago
@Osifuwa Groove on!
EtcEtcAndEtc 1 week ago
wanna hear something really incredible? he played all those tunes with only his index finger on his right hand. true story
justinlaboy 1 month ago 3
@justinlaboy Sure did! The finger was called the "HOOK"!Nuff said......
cdiaz55 1 month ago
you`re right about that. he did, and you can go to the musuem in detroit, and they`ll tell you the same thing. 1 finger guys
zorro1955 3 weeks ago
@MobiusRoom
Amen!
peterbiltroy 1 month ago
great music.... i'm new to motown music but lovin it so far
MrMackdaddy48 1 month ago
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There is no B-15 Flip-Top sound in this recording... This is likely direct or a miced "west-coast" amplifier, and may not have even been Jamerson. This sounds to me like their LA recordings which could have used any number of studio bass players other than Jamerson.
frankie5string 1 month ago in playlist Favorite videos
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frankie5string 1 month ago in playlist Favorite videos
So, after an hour of trying to learn this I have gotten to 1:00.
Natejitsu 1 month ago
@Natejitsu Lol....I im Not even Gonna Atempt It yet
n4s250 1 month ago
100% R&B Soul Inspired by a 1968 B-15 Flip Top, this model is a tribute to thoes late 60's and early 70's clean fat bass tones!!!!!. It is the kind of tone you hear on more Motown recordings, as played by a pioneering young James Jamerson 24/7!!!!!.
wahs12312 1 month ago
@wahs12312 surely with a few notes u can tell its that man Jamerson!
smokinjoe1984 4 weeks ago
Actually, it's likely that this wasn't done by Jamerson at all, as amazing a line it may be--Wilton Felder was the bassist for most of the J5's early releases.
jscoupal 2 months ago
@jscoupal They flew the multitrack tape back to Detroit specifically so that Jamerson could play bass on the track.
megavega4 5 days ago
I JUST READ SOME LITERATURE ON THIS GREAT BASS PLAYER. ONE FACT THEY SAID IN THE PIECE, BEFORE (JAMES ) CAME ALONG, MOST BASS PLAYERS WOULD ONLY PLAY THE ROOT OF THE NOTE. HE IS GIVEN THE CREDIT FOR EXPANDING THE BASS LINE. THAT IS WHY WE CAN TODAY, LISTEN TO HIS SONGS HE PLAYED ON AND ENJOY THE BASS LINE AS WELL AS THE FEATURE ARTIST. I HOPE I DIDN'T CONFUSE YOU ALL. THE SONGS OF TODAY BASS LINES ARE PLAYED PRETTY STRAIGHT. MR. JAMERSON, YOU WERE AND STILL (THE MAN). R.I.P.
Super3259 2 months ago
@MobiusRoom with James Jamerson there will never be any comparison.
andrewvincent89 2 months ago
I wasnt even looking at the video - my head's just trying to understand what the heck is going on with the timing on the song lol... crazy crazy bass !! Sigh...to be able to play like this, let alone compose something like this !!!
praxkan 2 months ago 2
My bass playing is forever influenced by James Jamerson...our song "Eye To Eye" by Pluto's Orbit is an alternative song, but i try to showcase my Jamerson influence.
andrewvincent89 2 months ago
The intro is a sample from the Pat Metheny Groups song "The Roots of Coincidence." Just thought someone should make that observation.
LEFitzing 2 months ago
@LEFitzing Just to clarify, you are talking about the cheesy production screen at the beginning of this video and the background music accompanying it. Not the intro to Darling Dear.
MLATX512 2 months ago
yes, thanks for clarifying.
LEFitzing 2 months ago
McCleadon Media Consultants Best intro EVER!!!
Blueden89 3 months ago 2
Is it true James Jamerson only played with 1 finger?
CreshoVlog 3 months ago
@CreshoVlog On his right hand - 'the hook'
waveclipper 3 months ago
Jamerson was a complete beast. His bass lines were creative and funky while still be incredibly supportive of everything else.
jbyrd2112 3 months ago
@DONNIMETROPOLIS Not really sure what the "sigh" means but, my comment is only for the purpose of saying there are others that I enjoy as well "please have a listen". ("YES" unequivocally James Jamerson is arguably the best ever). My cousin Ronn' Matlock has personal knowledge of and respect for Mr. Jamerson as he used to work with several of Motown's "royalty" back in the day. I consulted with him and he agrees with you (and I) that yes, Mr. Jamerson belongs at the top!!! One Luv...
fjcampbell1 3 months ago
What a great tone he had!
TheBassgeetar 3 months ago
idk about greatest bassest of all time lol... but damn his shit is hip
eBell05 3 months ago
The man could play! Back in these days bass was a background instrument. JJ took bass out of the box. He was very good and listen to the number of shifts, he had great range. I'm sorry but bass back in these days even jazz did not cut it this well.
grayhairandblueeyes 3 months ago
Jamerson is killing it!! I like listening to his stuff.
246MLG 3 months ago
No disrespect to James Jamerson, but what I hear is a boogie blues baseline. That has been around a long time. At least since the 50's.
exemplar1 3 months ago
@exemplar1 LEARN AND LISTEN MORE, ....I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOURE PERCEIVING TO HEAR WITH YOUR EARS, BUT ITS QUITE A BIT MORE THAN JUST THAT, AND UNIQUE TO JAMES JAMERSON. EVERYONE ELSE CANT BE WRONG....YA THINK?
DONNIMETROPOLIS313 3 months ago
@DONNIMETROPOLIS313 Again, no disrespect to anyone... I have played similar bass lines many times. James Jamerson is playing a slightly modified boogie blues bass line. He plays well, better than I do for that matter. Still, let's not make it more than it is.
exemplar1 3 months ago
@exemplar1 I BET U HAVENT LOL
smokinjoe1984 3 months ago
@smokinjoe1984 I have 25 years experience at playing the bass. At one time or another, I have played just about every style there is to play.
exemplar1 3 months ago
@exemplar1 Awesome, then it will be easy for you to produce an example of the 1950's boogie blue bass line this sounds like. Can't wait to hear it!
MLATX512 2 months ago
@DONNIMETROPOLIS313 THANKS!! SOMEBODY UNDERSTANDS!! HES GOT THE SAME NOTES AND BASS AS EVERYONE ELSE..HES JUST THE MASTER!! HE WAS THE ONLY MAN AT MOTOWN THEY KNEW WAS A GENIUS AT THE TIME :-) PEACE
smokinjoe1984 3 months ago
31 people have no happiness in life, how can they? there fucking deaf....
NoizyWun 3 months ago
Groovy baby... *rawr*
shaygahweh 3 months ago
I believe Jamerson was the greatest..and we still have the music!!!!..Peace
smokinjoe1984 3 months ago
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too busy he's all over the map..............
davidaburdick 4 months ago
@alphakid42..i disagree..this song is magnificent..michael singing is great as usual and the bass is like another voice singing another song..jamerson was as much a genius on the bass as michael was at singing..this song would have been a hit on any other groups album except the jackson fives cause they had so many other great songs at the time..this song was underrated..one of my faves by jackson five
mightymikec7 4 months ago
John Entwistle is the greatest
Nim000A 4 months ago
@Nim000A Nope.
Murreh 3 months ago
All the great bass players acknowledge Jamerson as the greatest bass guitarist ever, so who are we to argue?
MrReedBass 4 months ago
@MrReedBass thats what im sayin, bass players up to and including the rock n roll hall of fame, what planet do these people come from?
DONNIMETROPOLIS313 3 months ago
This is a great example of his genius at work.
MrReedBass 4 months ago
If Jamerson was treated so well why did he have to buy a scalped ticket & sit in Balcony @the Motown 25 celebration & watch someone else play HIS bass licks & why is it that to this day most people have no idea that it was the Funk Brothers w/ Jamerson who really made the Motown sound , not the singers,if Motown really gave a shit then those guys would have had their recognition & a chunk of the profits.
TheRyryramone 4 months ago
@TheRyryramone Motown put out a lot of amazing stuff but Barry G. got the better of any and all contractual deals.
MELLSBAD 4 months ago
@TheRyryramone iS THAT REALLY TRUE?Never heard that before. An outrage.
stackingswivel 3 months ago
Wonderful! However tis notion that Jamerson was not properly compensated is fiction.I saw his hall of fame indunction and his widow thanked Berry Gordy profusely for all he had done for him and the family.
kenj280 4 months ago
@kenj280 Fair enough in the year 2000....I think he died troubled..peace
smokinjoe1984 3 months ago
Comment removed
DONNIMETROPOLIS313 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@kenj280 just because she was grac ious enough to thank him doent remove that fact. Im from Detroit and that is a fact. Its just what record companies did those days
DONNIMETROPOLIS313 3 months ago
Interesting to me, this suggestion popped up as part of the mix in a Jaco Pastorius piece. Jamerson is great no doubt, but there are a lot of great musicians out there also. For greatest I have heard Stanley Clarke argued, Jaco, Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Les Claypool, Steven Rodby, Charles Mingus, and many many others. Pastorius was a full professor of Music at the University of Miama at the age of 19, played classical, funk, jazz, rock, and c and w.
johnwiseman17 4 months ago
GREAT song . . . .SWEET BASS!
2SugarsPleeze 4 months ago
this is insane, he's just flowing through the track like water. oh my god.
wilderstyle 4 months ago 2
RIP Michael and James
XWhalewarsX 4 months ago
Poster overstates things a little, but it is a nice bassline. Most decent studio bassists have the ability to create lines like this. But yes, Jamerson was very good.
herrdruhl 5 months ago
@herrdruhl I agree with your comment, but I think it's thanks to the influence of seminal bassists like Jamerson that we have expanded our horizons with the bass.
MikeOnBassGuitar 5 months ago 2
@herrdruhl MOST STUDIO BASSIST HAVE THE ABILITY TO CREATE LINES LIKE THIS???? Most studio bassist have riffs that are directly influenced by the sound that changed america, Motown. That sound is james Jamerson. Why would you even have a problem with that. BTW He was more than good, most "Studio musicians are not in the rock n roll hall of fame.
DONNIMETROPOLIS313 3 months ago
With all DUE respect to Mr. Jameson, please check out the bassline on Foster Sylvers' "Misdemeanor". Oh My, My..... you'll see.
fjcampbell1 5 months ago
@fjcampbell1 Track is impressive..I prefer James Jamerson...Peace
smokinjoe1984 3 months ago
@fjcampbell1 sigh......
DONNIMETROPOLIS313 3 months ago
alpha kid u crazy...this song is sheer genius..michael singing is great as usual..and the bass is like another voice..jamerson was much a genius on base as michael was with his voice...this song would have been a great hit on any other persons album..except the jackson five cause all their songs was so great ..this one was one of my favorites j5 songs and underrated
mightymikec7 5 months ago in playlist bubble gum soul 2
I Want You Back - Isolated Bassline is at youtube DOT com SLASH watch?v=z91l_lPz1oc&feature=related
alphakid42 5 months ago
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This is clearly a FILLER song for an album. It is completely forgettable, has no hook, and is almost elevator music from the start. Yes, the Funk Brothers were remarkable, but there is no bass here to speak of. With great respect to the the Funk Brothers, this example is not worthly of a single listen. Instead, check out the bassline in I Want You Back, which is in my view, the best pop song bassline ever written.
alphakid42 5 months ago
@alphakid42 You must be deaf.
Capcoor 5 months ago
@alphakid42 Its a decending major scale :-)
smokinjoe1984 4 weeks ago
this is amazing
ragglefraggle09 5 months ago
Comment removed
MTIVS 5 months ago
@doctorbasslayer Yes, that was his style. He played everthing with his index finger, nothing else.
flubno 5 months ago
I usually dont like motown but anything by jamerson is chill with me :)
drmrmcmadman321 5 months ago
James Jamerson is is a legend for bassists. Ben Benjamin, the fellow motown drummer matched him every note to create one of the greatest rythym sections ever. He died in poverty. Today we are fortunate to have David Garibaldi and Rocco Prestia from Tower of Power (legendary funk band). Check out the St Croix video under link with Rocco Prestia.
TheStampedehero 5 months ago
the world's prettiest bassline? tough to say exactly. but i definitely always thought one that is quite possibly deserving of that title is from the song "who's loving you," which of course is also james jamerson.
turtlesoup7 5 months ago
@turtlesoup7 Are you sure that "Who's Loving You" is Jamerson? I know the J-5 stuff that Bobby Taylor produced was cut in Detroit, but it could be Babbitt. I'd love to think that it IS Jamerson, being a huge J-5 fan. To my knowledge, the only J5 song Jamerson is playing on is this one. Please tell me where you got your info from, I'd be curious to see that... thanks !!
megavega4 5 months ago
@megavega4 i'm a big fan of jackson 5 too, but admittedly the info i got was by looking it up and well, if u google search-- who's lovin' you "played bass," pretty much all the hits say jamerson. tried with babbitt and got nothing. BUT that being said i'll admit it could still be untrue as so much stuff from back in those days is all mixed info (hendrix jammed with sam cooke?). i always felt that bassline stood out, and i was content with the musician being an obscurity of "the corporation"
turtlesoup7 5 months ago
@turtlesoup7 I can hear everynote Jamerson played on a track...Turn the bass up tight and listen to ..'end of our road' marvin gaye and 'I was made to love her' stevie wonder...Peace
smokinjoe1984 3 months ago
@smokinjoe1984 "i was made to love her" is probably my favorite stevie wonder song, yet i never paid attention to who plays the bass on it. and i still need proof, cuz now i'm reading that supposedly even stevie wonder himself claims the bassist in the studio was carol kaye. but i would need proof of that as well.
turtlesoup7 3 months ago
@turtlesoup7 WATCH 'STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF MOTOWN DVD'!! STEVIE KNOWS IT WASNT CAROL KAYE..ONE NOTE TELLS ME ITS JAMES JAMERSON
smokinjoe1984 3 months ago
This was classic late 60s and 70s soul bass. i love this period of music because stereo had been around but was expanding with technology and the bass set the tone and groove for records during that time. Id give anybody a million dollars for a bass line, or track for that matter, in todays so called music. Great Post.
bishstick1 5 months ago
Man, if you play bass, you couldn't help but love that song! Gorgeous.
pinhead907 5 months ago
i love plaaying this
kigger622 6 months ago
nice lines...beutefull
EduardoPaz1981 6 months ago
yet again, his right index should have been preserved as a groove-relic.
nurikara 6 months ago 25
@nurikara ...and studied for science,because if you haven't seen"Standing In The Shadows Of Motown" then break your neck,the opening sequence about J.J. was worth the price of admission.
prints76 5 months ago
@nurikara sooo true "The HOOK" indeed..
GrindahKLX 4 months ago in playlist GrindahKLX's Favourited Videos
TO JIM JAMERSON, U WERE AND STILL ARE THE EPITOME OF THE BASS GUITAR AND YOU'LL LIVE ON FOREVER. THAT WHATS GOING ON STORY WHERE HE PLAYED IN THE RECORDING SESSION ,ON THE FLOOR FLAT ON HIS BACK AND PLAYED WHAT WE HEARD ON MARVINS CLASSIC IS OUT OF THIS WORLD.
junniecn 6 months ago 2
Why is the top rated comment "slapa the bass"? Jamerson didn't use any slap techniques
cheerskiwi 6 months ago 55
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@cheerskiwi I think the expression "slapa the bass" is a reference to the movie "I Love You Man". But your right, it has nothing to do with Jamerson because he didn't use any slap techniques. :)
MTIVS 5 months ago
@cheerskiwi if anything it should be hooka tha bass or claw tha bass hahah
sms1189 5 months ago
@cheerskiwi you see, people think that slapping or playing with 3-4 fingers makes a bassist a good bassist... I think that playing bass is much more than this.
But of course, there's space to everyone. :)
renangoncalvesflores 4 months ago
@cheerskiwi Because "finger that bass" is far more misinterpretable.
13Niagro37 4 months ago 8
@cheerskiwi either did giddy lee
AlexKalicinski 4 months ago
The world greatest bass player...Motowns James Jamerson!!!!
nefferteri2 6 months ago
The founding father of bass. His bass lines were indeed worthy of claims he sung the lines. What many people don't realize is that as a stufio musician he didn't have time to 'practice', he just played what he felt.
GHOF62 6 months ago 4
@GHOF62
No, with due respect, I recorded at Criteria in Miami (the "B" rhythm section) and can say that Mr. Chuck Rainey would be the father, the fab Mr Jamerson his younger brother. Both of equal greatness, inventiveness, soul, precision (P-bass..lol).
That A section was Rainey, Cornell DuPree, and the magnificent Bernard Purdy.
Amazing sound both these guys put to tape...ah, analog.
IMAWriterRobJ 5 months ago
@IMAWriterRobJ Excuse me.. but I MUST correct you. The founding father is most CERTAINLY Jamerson. In the early 60's Jamerson was already liberating the bass from it's simple "root/fifth" role. Not to take anything away from Chuck Rainey, but his basslines from the late 60's and early 70's came several years later. So with respect to the timeline, the pecking order is JJ.. then CR. Facts are facts. Even Chuck has acknowledged that Jamerson helped him find his way.
megavega4 5 months ago
@GHOF62 of course he practiced.... he probably practiced all day, but he reached a certain point in his playing ability so that with the skill he had, he didn't need to practice technique anymore for the genre he played. This happens to everyone. Dont be fooled young musicians. Every one needs to practice no matter how talented they are. I understand everyone sucking up to james jamerson but, he only became this way because of practice and experience.
jlimproj 5 months ago
@jlimproj I am well aware that he practiced to get where he was. What some folks don't understand is as a studio musician Jamerson and others were (and still are) not given alot of time to tweak their groove. They were expected to be able to play a given song will little or no practice..on that song. Even to day anyone who has worked as a studio musician understands they may be expected to play competently after a 1 minute look at a music sheet. The ones that make it can do this.
GHOF62 5 months ago
In the Jaco biography its reported that when fans gushed too much over him he would say humbly that he was just trying to play as good as James Jamerson, and Jimmy Fielder (BS&Ts bassist)
moffat691 6 months ago
31 people need to step away from the crack flakes.
canonballbaker 6 months ago 2
Everyone talks about what a genus JJ was and he certainly was and he was one of my biggest influences once in awhile I'll turn on the radio to an oldie station and hear a song I played on and at times I can hear James' influence...but one person we forget to give props to is Jermaine... he learned all these great bass parts and played them while singing and dancing....my respect also goes out to the other JJ.......
StringTherapy 6 months ago 5
@StringTherapy indeed
smithhedgehog 6 months ago
@StringTherapy Thank you so much for saying that. Although Jermaine never recorded a note on bass during the J-5 era, he DID have to learn those bass parts (which ironically were NOT recorded by Jamerson) and had to recreate them while singing, dancing AND directing the band. Thankfully, Motown released "Live At The Forum" which showcases the 1970 and 1972 J-5 concerts at the L.A. Forum. Jermaine plays his ASS off, especially on CD #2. Take a listen.. you'll be impressed.
megavega4 5 months ago
I'll bet that one finger was the muscley-ist one finger of all time :-)
smithhedgehog 6 months ago
Thank for the beautifu track. Could you upload more songs played by Jamerson? Some are uncredited... Though it's easy to identify the genious.
YBedarshi 6 months ago 2
no doubt he was a low end monster! but he's no jaco. much respect but no love, feel me?
codywilloughby 6 months ago
@codywilloughby I respect your opinion, however youre comparing jazz bassist and motown bassist. Jamerson played as a session player for pop songs, he wasnt part of a jazz fusion group. You have to listen to his parts with a different ear. I dont even think this is my favorite jamerson line. Also, he played the lines with one finger on his right hand, they called it "the hook" (interesting fact to keep in mind)
KenAllday 6 months ago
@codywilloughby Who'd You Think Jaco Was Trying 2 Copy .
donibegood 6 months ago in playlist dustie jams 2
@codywilloughby I knew Jaco, & loved his ingenious playing. But he was too specialized to be considered the best. Jaco would have fallen especially flat in a serious funk or pocket R&B band. His thing was fusion, & jacofied often incredibly beautiful musicality. Yet, he was no Jamerson. Jamerson would have soulfully grooved Jaco into an early grave, with no special effects. Jamerson was a boundless genius and could get funky. Teen Town is Jaco's ode to Larry Graham, great, but not funky.
cleotube 6 months ago 2
@cleotube mistake, I meant that River People (not Teen Town) was an ode to a bassist Larry Graham riff Jaco-ized.
cleotube 6 months ago
@codywilloughby low end? playing on more number ones than anyone? are you drunk?
smithhedgehog 6 months ago
@smithhedgehog yeah thats a bit of stretch, but i do idolise the man
THIRSTYGUMS 6 months ago
@THIRSTYGUMS me too
smithhedgehog 6 months ago
@codywilloughby No Jaco? LOL... you sir.. need your hearing checked. If you do your homework, you'll find that Jamerson was already an accomplished jazz/bebop upright bassist before he even had a career at Motown. He was THE hot bassist in Detroit... in his late teens. That's what made his whole style what it was.. the chromatic bebop approach to pop music. His genius was that he was able to incorporate that stuff into pop bass parts and not be intrusive. His genius predates Jaco by a decade.
megavega4 5 months ago
this song is actually a remake of a a miracles song
mjjcng8958 6 months ago
M. is not a musical genius. Great singer, especially when he was young. Analyze his musical structures, not very sophisticated. James Jamerson, genius bass player. Quincy genius producer. McCartney,Lennon, geniuses. M, not even close.
124slowhand 7 months ago
@124slowhand there is more to genius than musical structure. There's soul, phrasing, improvisational skill. rhythm, diversatility, and organic creative capacity. MJ did have ingenuity, especially given that he was never trained. Musical structure can be very technical, and ultimately anybody technically recreate what is structural, but no one could do MJ but MJ. He was baad, and especially as a youth, a genius singer.
cleotube 6 months ago 2
Amazing groove!
Fhuul 7 months ago
His Jackson 5 stuff was some of the best stuff he did. Hail the king.
zao144 7 months ago
slapa the bass
1prettyricky 7 months ago 4
All I hear, is the bright voice and interpretation of Michael Jackson served by this great soul melody.
That's the genious
denilsson31 7 months ago
@denilsson31 Actually, that's the just not paying attention to the music behind the singer, like most casual listeners.
PoeticJustice05 7 months ago
@PoeticJustice05 , I hear the bass guitar sometimes in the song but I have to listen carefully.
Is he the author of the melody or a contributor ?
I've seen his biography on wikipedia. Interesting.
denilsson31 7 months ago
@denilsson31 He is the composer of that bass line. The funk brothers always created their own parts to songs.
PoeticJustice05 7 months ago
the black john entwistle :)
swiftmachine1515 7 months ago
@swiftmachine1515 Actually.. the reverse would be more appropriate. He was the White James Jamerson. The Who came AFTER Motown... and Entwistle admits that he was a big fan of Jamerson and was influenced by him.
megavega4 7 months ago
This can't be James Jamerson his style is thump thump thump with one finger that wouldn't work for this song it's Carol Kaye on bass sorry
coolsweetgroovy 7 months ago
@coolsweetgroovy You are out of your mind.. Carol NEVER recorded a note in Detroit.. which is where this was recorded. You're OBVIOUSLY being inflammatory and trying to start trouble. EVERYONE who's ANYONE knows it's Jamerson.. and you'd think that a sworn affidavit from the producer of the song stating that it's Jamerson would be enough. This is so OBVIOUSLY Jamerson.. you can hear this style on everything he's recorded. Carol was NEVER this funky ...
megavega4 7 months ago
@megavega4 This doesn't sound like Jamerson do you hear any thumping? no it's Carol Kaye and yes she can get funky
coolsweetgroovy 7 months ago
@coolsweetgroovy As I said.. it's common knowledge that it's Jamerson. Sorry if you missed the boat. You must be related to Ms. Kaye. It's bad enough that she's tried to lay claim to other Jamerson performances. As far as THUMPING goes, I don't know what you're talking about. Check out "Bernadette" .. "For Once In My Life" or "I Was Made To Love Her" and you'll hear Jamerson playing in this style. Or do you think that's Carol Kaye too? You make me laugh.. seriously....keep up the comedy.
megavega4 7 months ago
@megavega4 P.S. I just emailed you the link to find a real James Jamerson bass and Also on Youtube search type in The Beach boys I Was Made To Love Her! and Listen it's the exact same bass proving that it's Carol Kaye not Jamerson
coolsweetgroovy 7 months ago
@coolsweetgroovy It's NOT Carol Kaye. Enough already.. the tone is WAY different.. Stevie's version came out first.. she copied his line and replayed it. Let it rest already.. EVERYONE knows it's Jamerson. End of story. I will no longer reply to your ridiculous comments and slanderous lies..
megavega4 7 months ago
@megavega4 Whatever
coolsweetgroovy 7 months ago
@coolsweetgroovy no it is not the exact same bass. you are on some drugs. really i heard the song and it is totally different
mjjcng8958 7 months ago
@mjjcng8958 ok each to their own fav bassist
coolsweetgroovy 7 months ago
@coolsweetgroovy I hate to break this to you but "I was made to love her" was originally written and recorded by Stevie Wonder in 1967, and released by Motown Records in 67'. Motown was in detroit, Kaye wasnt in Detroit in 67' so she couldnt have possibly recorded the original. Although in 67-68' the Beach Boys covered that song... but so did Jimi Hendrix, Whitney Huston, Jackson 5 and Boyz II Men. There are no facts proving Kaye wrote this song, infact they all prove she covered Jamerson!!!
TheFunkKnuckle 6 months ago
@TheFunkKnuckle From Carol Kaye's own mouth.. she never recorded a single note in Detroit. So.. if this was recorded in Detroi in 1967....doesn't his comment violate both the time/space continuum AND some laws of physics? lol....
megavega4 5 months ago
@coolsweetgroovy Are you serious? I listened to a few bars of the aforementioned track..and that is clunky bass playing! you must enjoy arguing!
smokinjoe1984 4 weeks ago
@coolsweetgroovy Under really good headphones it sounds like Carol Kaye. Less low end thump and more pick like articulation.
FlintboyG 3 weeks ago
GRANDISSIMO BASSISTA.
keleization 7 months ago
Judging from pics I've seen of him he lookslike would be pretty offened if anyone called his work pretty only saying
coolsweetgroovy 7 months ago
Motor Booty Affair must be here
jameat3r 8 months ago
There's only a coupl.e of other bass lines I'd put above it. Perhaps Willie Weeks work on the live version of "Little Ghetto Boy" on Donny Hathaway Live. That bass line kills but this is quite good as well.
TheWorfster 8 months ago
remember when michael was black? those were the good ol' days
rmaxtpmx 8 months ago
25 DISLIKES=25 CLOWNS WHO DON'T REALIZE HOW MUCH A MAN PUT INTO HIS CRAFT SO THAT HIS BASS BECAME A MIRROR OF HIS OWN SOUL.
palmares77 8 months ago 2
He's one the reasons why I'm a bassist.
geetarstar 8 months ago
Not the best bassist ever.
But a VERY good one. Love this song.
nughumper69 8 months ago
TASTE!!!! This is the only bassline ever to bring a tear to my eye. It's like a glimpse of God.
MegaCheezwiz 8 months ago 3
We can fly in this baseline...yuhhhuuuu.. There wil never be another bassist like him...
andreoliveira1969 8 months ago
James Jamerson- Pop and R&B break through bassist
Jaco Pastorious- Jazz break through bassist
Victor Wooten- Consists of both break through bassists
Justbleazy 8 months ago
@Justbleazy
Ralphe Armstrong of Jean Luc Ponty circa 1977-79
hieronomy 8 months ago in playlist bass solos
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awesome!
Thanks! Bassline00@gmail.com
00Bassline 8 months ago
now that is how you pklay the bass
pathorne2 8 months ago
Did he play on the original with Smokey Robinson and the Miracles?
Capcoor 8 months ago
Not to be insensitive but... Jamerson became undependable and unable to conform to the ever changing needs of the music industry. This was due to his, ever increasing alcohol issues. He could not read music which also inhibited his recording ability. He was paid the same as all the other studio cats and given far more chances and opportunities than most. Of course, today his influence and contributions are priceless.
aaplatypus 9 months ago
@aaplatypus LOL.. now.. before you start talking ( or typing) you should SERIOUSLY do your research. If Jamerson couldn't read.. then PLEASE tell me how he was able to sit in on upright bass with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra when they recorded string parts? Jamerson was a FEROCIOUS reader, as told by Valerie Simpson. He just felt that whatever he came up with was better than what was written. But if the producer or arranger needed a note for note part played, he did it flawlessly.
megavega4 7 months ago
@megavega4 Though, I have sat in on many a session with the most basic chord hints and have made it through without a hitch. You're right. I should have said, "he didn't LIKE to read". Obviously he was a schooled musician but my point was that his difficulties rose from issues related to his abilities. Alcohol and attitude factor in.
aaplatypus 7 months ago