JAMES JAMERSON

[Ottomastiff]

@behjoh you are talking apples and oranges in a way. Fusion bass was a very self gratifying type of medium. Support and a hey hey look at me kind of thing. Weather report etc..

Jamerson was all about groove pocket support, and being GREAT at it made him what he is. Jaco was wonderful for what he was, as was Jamerson.

It's hard to compare the two. How do we compare edgar mayer to cliff burton?

Not objective, just subjective. Both great! Who is better? who cares! I enjoy them both!

[ePRmu]

Yeah Jaco was great, but he can't even touch Jamerson's parts on the album What's Going On

[brandondrummings]

BEST EVER!!! 

[PJ92386]

Thanks for sharing

[shamkim]

Wow. people are really on here comparing jamerson and jaco. Grow the fuck up lol

[behjoh]

Jaco took it further.......

[debiear]

@behjoh Even so, before Jaco's parents had even met & conceived him, Jamerson had changed the course of electric bass playing.

[behjoh]

@debiear Right!!!

[narcoman2]

@behjoh For musicians - certainly. For commercial pop? Music that most people know? Jamerson, Babbit - those were the motown boys. After that? Macca for making bass LOUD. Carol Kaye for putting funk into white music!!.... Jaco was most certainly THE bass playing talent for many many years - but he's influential to players who wanna be like Jaco. These cats were players of music that communicated to the masses...

[lptomtom]

Jaco's boring, James' the man!

[SpagsJippy]

Jamerson was incredible, his impact on the bass world was immeasurable. And if you dig into the Jaco recordings you will find a very powerful motown/Jamerson influence in his playing, yet there's so many people who still really dislike and reject Jaco. Open up those ears! There's nothing wrong with a different style

[artfxl5]

I'm glad, I found out who played all those wonderful bass lines. listening as a kid in the 1960's I had not a clue who he was. Jamerson's style was, like no other on the radio. that I can remember at that time.

[hitmanbluesband]

Some people say guys like Paul Chambers or Ron Carter or Charlie Mingus are tops, but it's a different head from what Jamerson accomplished. If more bassists today would really listen to what he did and how he did it, instead of Flea, Geezer or Geddy (not that they aren't great, but you need to hear Jamerson to understand them in context), they would be better players, IMHO.

I'm getting off my soapbox now.

[pk06511]

I DONT PLAY AN INSTURMENT BUT I WISH I DID I LOVE MUSIC AND I SEE YALL LOVE THIS MAN I MUST LOOK HIM UP!

[theredrasta123]

@pk06511 Pick up a starter bass for cheap, it's real easy to learn but very difficult to master :)

[WWWNATHAN]

i remeber watching this show on tv it was great :D

[zorro1955]

say what you wanna say, but this guy is the best bass player EVER! he inspired me to play the bass, upright & electric

[mssquirrely]

I learn something NEW everyday....Woww! and OMG! I swear fo'cheezeandcrackas, Mr. James Jamerson 1:27 was F'iiine too! LOL!

Grt Post!

[dannypbass]

It's starts with Jamerson and it end with Palladino thats all you have to know.

[ODC771]

If you don't think he was influential, you don't think.

[RIVR2319]

Fucken GENIUS

[SweeetLou88]

What movie is this from?!?

[behjoh]

@SweeetLou88 Standing in the Shadows of Motown

[thmsjordan]

@SweeetLou88 - Its from the movie "Standing in the Shadow of Motown".

[samuelbellpierre]

More people should see this..

[SuperMaynard3]

this is a great freakin movie. easily one of my all time favs

[behjoh]

:-) lllooolll Yeah Right!!!

[Digitbig]

You know you kick ass when your right index finger has its own nickname.

[neofunkyman1]

Stanley Clarke!

[KaizerSoze10]

Bom demais, parceiro. Abraço

[Idisfan]

According to an interview with bass player magazine article, the beginning is played by Pino Palladino.

[Fjord76]

@Idisfan That's true, he's even listed in the film credits.

[icecreamladydream]

man i'm tellin you Mr. Jamerson is a genius. I would be honored to be apart of his lineage if I had it like that. Wow!

[kingbmore73]

James Jamerson = G.O.A.T

[BagpipeHustler]

he is the original groove-master. jj's playing was more than improv, it was more clarity to the jam....

[atheistasylum]

"The dirt keeps the funk.". I like that.

[BIGSOULMAN1]

A genius and the real sound of Motown, RIP James, legend!

[dondro5749]

I see people PLAY his bass lines and that's ok but he INVENTED those bass lines. I've yet to hear anyone anywhere at any level do what he did, peroid

[behjoh]

Mr Pastorius also did it.

[bassramos]

@behjoh Mr Pastorius did it to like 40 songs... JAmes did it hundreds of times. They did different things.

[Groovatronic]

@behjoh Not comparable in the slightest

[Groovatronic]

@behjoh Not comparable in the slightest, they're styles were so different

[behjoh]

@Groovatronic:Their styles were closer than you might think. Jaco started playing all best soul bassists before, mixing all the influences, started his own way of doing things. Jerry Jemmott wa also one of the bigest influences of Jaco. Big hug.

[MikeJ6129]

@dondro5749 ain't that the truth

[KilikaDrums]

happy birthday james.

[Jhn3n16]

You can't raise the bar any higher because Jamerson is at the top holding it up.

[fjgindy]

I play guitar and to this day, I think "JJ thoughts" when phrasing guitar notes. As important as it is to chose and place a note where you want it, its equally important to chose where NOT to place a note. JJ was a master of where he didn't place note. He would play in front or behind a beat all the time.

His playing was lyrical, melodic and heavenly. As time passes it just becomes even more amazing on what he created.

He was a one in an infinity.

[GiI11]

The most influential bass player of all time was J.S Bach :D

Nah, but in all seriousness, many bass players, particularly in progressive rock, were more influenced by Bach than by Jamerso.

[behjoh]

Progressiv Rockers , influenced by Bach ? You must be bloody jockin`. Offcourse harmonic cadences in jazz are many times taken from barroc music, but that takes a longer road than that.

Big Hug.

[GiI11]

Are you familiar with John Wetton's work?

Because otherwise you're coming off as rather ignorant.

[behjoh]

John Wetton? A neighbour of yours? So, when someone doesn´t know your favorite musicians is rather ignorant. Ok, fine to me.

[GiI11]

@behjoh

No, you're coming off as ignorant by claiming that there are no Bach influences in progressive rock bassists without actually looking into it.

[behjoh]

By the way, King Crimson was one of my favorite bands 30 years ago. But Steve Swallow was allready around. You must be one of those "music owners" . Big Hug

[THEFRANKLINFILM]

John Wetton played Bach bass lines for his brother who was a church organist. He always attributes Bach as being the best bass line composer in history.

[behjoh]

ALL barroc period was fantastic in bass line terms. Haendel was also a fantastic bass liner.

[THEFRANKLINFILM]

I assume you mean Baroque?

[behjoh]

I`m sorry, I am Portuguese. Obviously, if I wrote it in Portuguese you wouldn`t understand. Please accept my excuses.

Yours trully

[mad4it]

Yeh but prog rock is not most bass players. The one's with soul are influenced by james, mccartney, entwistle and the like.

[Swodaem]

The trouble with this clip, is that it just isn't long enough! They coulda done a whole film on Jameson - he's friggin' awesome!

[julescoltrane]

if you dont feel it dont play it. word

[barrett5000]

Just listen to the bassline to Ain't No Mountain High Enough! It is one of the most creative bass playing you will ever hear. He was great.

[DString20]

James Jamerson is what being a bass player is all about before slap and the technical solos took over, no body played basslines like James he keep it simple and just grooved with the drums,the most influential bass player of all time period, he influenced Jaco who took it to a whole new level but James paved the way for everybody , and back in the sixties all the bass players of all genres were listening to James

[behjoh]

yES SIR, INDEED :-)

[mandeepsingh1992]

James Jamerson was absolutely AMAZING

[muzikmaka89]

LOL HIPPIE 2:45

[KaiDune]

this was from standing in the shadows of motown...

[MiniMoose22031]

i go to edisto island ever year (except this one, stupid camp)  i never knew he lived there

[krblizzard]

The finest musician to come out of the low country of SC.

[Whicol2]

Man....that is pretty cool.

When I see a fat bitch walking down the street, I certainly don't get inspired.

[Roger11733]

I never knew he only played with one finger. Thats so much music with one finger.

I'll a JJ fan for life.

[RyRobb813]

Yep. Trained as an upright jazz player, so it was natural for him. Also played most of the lines half conscious in one take!

[louiestrums]

Thank you very much for posting this.

[Back0Pack]

What is this from?

[douglasgorney]

It's from "Standing in the Shadows of Motown". A documentary about the Funk Brothers -- the great studio musicians behind all the great Motown hits. Highly recommended!

[JosephNScott]

More from that page about Frank Wilson: "When Berry Gordy decided to open a West Coast Motown office, following his visit there to attend a disc jockey convention in 1963, he asked L.A. veterans Hal Davis, and Marc Gordon to take charge." (Matches what CK's been saying publicly for years -- frequently resulting in scornful reactions from her energetic detractors)

[JosephNScott]

More from that F. Wilson page you can find by googling "I lost my athletic scholarship after participating in the civil rights sit-in demonstrations": "During 1964-65 Frank [Wilson] saw an increasing number of his compositions being released[....] Frank[...] soon found himself[...] supervising recording sessions.[...] At some point in 1965 the decision was taken to launch Frank Wilson as a Motown artist in his own right[... recording in] Armin Steiner's 8 track Sound Recorders studio[....]"

[JosephNScott]

Note that Billy Wilson presents himself in the 2/18/2002 post as knowing who played bass on every 1964-1968 Motown recording. (!!!) Now check this out from the same post: "The Motown Alumni Associaton provides information and gives assistance to entities such as the Library Of Congress, the Smithsonian Institute, Motown/Universal Music Group [this is people like Harry Weinger] ,Rythum & Blues Foundation, Motown artists[...]" Should we be surprised there's a Kaye-is-a-liar myth?

[JosephNScott]

Billy Wilson, president of the MAA, wrote to me yesterday: "Virtually all that [CK] has said is true[....]" I'm not sure what to think about the difference between that and what he wrote in 2002 (e.g. perhaps he's done quite a bit of research at some point during the last seven years?), but in fairness to him I'm mentioning it here.

[behjoh]

Most of Funk bassists use fingers. JJ used his index finger to play all those grooves. Another regular bassist in motown scene was Carol Kaye, a superb lady-bassist.

[julian23retro13]

Hey Thats my Uncle

[SeamusBlonde]

thats a lie!

[mikey1829]

James Jamerson NEVER got the recognition he really so deserved.Man,this guy could just flat out PLAY<<<You could not only hear the soul but feel the heart behind his playing...RIP JAMES

[pablocruise75]

You are right. We all thought it was you Father playing bass. It was really your Father changing the course of bass.

James Jamerson= Legend

[dkcvv]

Great clip.

Thanks for posting

[frenschie]

Watch the whole DVD about the Funk Brothers! It´s worth every minute and a masterpiece of music!

[LDSBASS]

one of the most important films of the last 25 years? I believe so.

[kimchislayer]

I GOT THIS DVD TOO! I LOVE IT SO MUCH!

[ltinsley2]

One of my only regrets in life is that I couldn't meet James Jamerson before he passed away. Oh well, see you heaven......in about 70 more years!!! Not in no hurry!!!

[behjoh]

:-)

[u84six]

That was an awesome clip. Thanks!

[MusicDude86]

great clip!!!!

[Elswalbe]

LOL 1:12

[jeansbass]

James Jamerson is still very much present in every style of pop music today, 25 years after his death...an amazing talent.

[vonroden]

Is there any reason he used just one finger?

[behjoh]

sometimes acoustic players have that handycap.

It`s nothing to follow.

[barrycasebeer]

i've heard people say it allows for a person to play a tighter groove as opposed to using two fingers.

[clank4001]

It also works to even out your attack.

[6ft6cutie]

This clip is from "Standing in the shadows of Motown,"the best documentary/movie ever produced, in which James Jamerson and the Funk Brothers, finally get a detailed video and verbal documentary of the men (the surviving members at the time the documentary was being put together,) in their own words and personalities, of their experiences of being the the DNA of the Motown Sound, and subsequently, creating music history.

[boonokian]

what documentary is this?

[behjoh]

This was a documentary called "Standing In the Shadows of Motown" Dedicated to the memory and art of James Jamerson and his fellow musicians "Funk Brothers".There´s also the book with the same name, with James`s bass parts transcried ,and played by contemporary bass palyers.

[boonokian]

thanks very much

[behjoh]

See also " Sweet Motown Music"

[bassmantony]

the song from oo:06 is bernadette

[zEddyBear]

wat song is that bass part from. from 00:06 to 00:20.

plz help thnx

[Duraan84]

"Bernadette" by The Four Tops.