I think a lot of his style in this kind of song came from the fact that the bass had no sustain at the time. Old roundwounds didn't ring like today's basses do, therefore it seems to me he had to fill a lot of dead space with good note choices.
I live in the hills, they dug someone up and took his old Fender Bass. what I understand is the a band lost their bass player and needed a Bass Guitar to still play the gig. but, that was a nine years ago.
As a bass player, James played the nicest in the pocket grooves I have ever heard! I love you James and bless you for the inspiration you gave me! I just got a new Fender P Bass this week and hope to be buried with it!
I know James Jamerson played a Fender Precision Bass. I wonder, what is the brand name and model of the bass he is holding in the in the photo? that looks to have a natural finish and is not a fender. also, I would like to say. listening to him play as a kid in the 1960's was the reason I started playing the electric bass.
@artfxl5 The natural-finish bass is not a Fender, and that is not James Jamerson holding it. That model of Yamaha bass was not introduced until the 1990s--long after Jamerson died. He was an upright player foremost, and used the Fender bass because he could pick up gigs more easily by doubling up. His playing style and the setup of that bass were informed by his upright playing. He had maybe two Fenders he ever used, the most famous one being "The Funk Machine," a stock '62 sunburst P-Bass
Great video. I love to see folks giving tribute to the great Jamerson. I only wish he had gotten more credit and appreciation while he was living. He was certainly one of a kind, we owe a lot to him, he made so many great songs even greater.
It's so stupid the way people say this guy's the best or that guy's better. Music isn't a bloody contest. It's supposed to make you feel good. I think we can all agree though, that james jamerson was damned good at doing it : )
There have been so many tremendous bass players over the years, and yes, Basslistic is right when it says it's about adding to the art, though much of what is promoted is not art at all. However, if you ask the best bass players alive today for a list of the top 10 bassists of all time, James Jamerson will be on all of those lists and might well be number 1 on many of them.
If you want to know who the most respected musicians are, ask the other great musicians.
So was Entwistle - held it down in the most heavily rockin' & my all-time favorite band.
Now, why don't you pin heads ask Pino what he thinks? He'd give props & admit inspiration from Jamerson as well as the classic Stevie Wonder (often synth) basslines.
@keysi3 Jamerson is the best famous bass player of all time. Jaco was a great bass artist. He is not recorded as much as an ass shaking groove player. If you dont agree, try getting hired to record bass in the studio for the variety of artists James did. Now, try to play one bass line as great as Jamerson did. Ok, now play a thousand! Sorry, dont put Jamerson down for Jaco unless you know what it is to do what Jamerson did. Jaco was great, but Jamerson is a whole different story
"In essence a slow jam is a down-tempo love song that still maintains a prominent (even muscular) bassline and solid drum beat, with some degree of attitude attached.
Cheesy ballads might pose as slow jams but they are only love songs. It takes a solid groove to make a slow jam." .......where's the jamming? That's not what jam is son...you're missin the boat. :)
Jamerson was an amazing cat. Influenced everyone from McCartney (a favorite of mine) to Flea. So melodic, busy playing but never interfering with the song. Just a superb talent.
And 2 all who dispute James being the best...Lay on your back...dead drunk and read the charts 2 "What's Going On" without jacking it up...and we'll give the crown 2 U....
Brilliantbeing- I really liked your video description. How can it still be disputed that Jamerson was the single most important electric bassist of all time?
In the timeline of electric bass, there's BJ and AJ- Before Jamerson, and After Jamerson. Do the research- it all goes back to him. He's the delta of the instrument.
dagrapevine, i checked the names you dropped(chris squire,dave larue) as the ones who took the bass to the next level & being on the cutting edge. Are you stupid? Dont let your own tastes & opinions cloud the facts. Its like saying the flute is more important than the drums in a rock band just because I love the flute. How ignorant does that sound? We're discussing Jamerson & Jaco and you throw Squires name in as the one who took it to the featured instrument. You sound like a clown.
Gotta disagree with ya there man. You could leave out all the other orchestration on those old Motown tunes, keep only the bass and drums and they'd stand alone just fine. I agree that guys like Jaco fly on the frets but it took some real creativity to keep the basslines so interesting within tunes with that much orchestration. The Motown tunes were designed to showcase the vocals yet it was the bass that held it all together.
@banjometal -So true, if you study his runs they hold it all together because he's playing a harmony to the melody which creates a rhythmic harmony to the drumming, it can stand alone because he's always within the bounds of both the rhythm and melody but taken to his own funky-ness extreme which agreed with us all, caught my ear when I was eight and then again when I was 35 and still does.
its a matter of taste and opionion.if you listen to mccartneys bass lines on revolver and rubber soul that you wouldnt conclude that is where the bass guitar was re-invented.rain and daytripper are the songs i feel best illustrates mccartneys genius.chris squire is the man who took bass guitar to the level of a featured instrument.jamerson no doubt is the master of the motown/funk style and i like his style.
dave larue is currently the best out there on the cutting edge of modern bass guitar.
You may find it interesting to read through "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" a book full of Jamerson transcriptions that comes with a CD on which many great bass players play on. John Entwistle plays on a couple tracks and adds that Jamerson was his major influence.
The whole debate about who is the best,greatest bass player of all time, or musician for that matter is almost impossible, realistically speaking... There are so many styles, approaches, applications, technical abilities etc that vary... Well its easier to say who is the most influential musician, rather than the best or the greatest, that's not what music's about anyway, ya know? Its about adding to the art, not about building a pedestals...
@basslistic : My take is somebody had to start somewhere. This particular instrument (electric bass) is relatively a young instrument. The first time that I saw someone playing the electric bass is Wes Mongomery's brother, Monk Mongomery. It wasn't as focus as much during some of the earlier dates, and, it didn't take presents until James Jamerson showed everybody what could be done in a creative process. I know for a fact bass players weren't doing or thinking the way he was.
Ahh yes the 'there are no absolutes theory'. Well when it comes to Jamerson you have a lot to consider. It is not a question of style but of substance and also historical significance. The before James and after James thing.Before James the bass was a less important factor in music. It was important to jazz improvisation,(and no disrespect to the great jazz bass musicians,but they got away with a lot of bad notes),but to pop music the bass was a restricted instrument.JJ changed all that...
He was the first bass maestro in popular music. The first bass thinker. He understood like no other where the bass fit in the complete harmony of the vocals and the music.This guy was a musical genius. He played off the tempo,the melody,the changes,the time signature,all at the same time.His instincts were mind boggling. Motown music was not a walk in the park to play and Jamerson breezed through those arrangements like it was nothing. He was the greatest of all time and still is!!!
I didnt know that it was James Jamerson, said the Whos John Entwistle many years later. I just called him the guy who played bass for Motown, but along with every other bassist in England, I was trying to learn what he was doing.
@Jayantu1 Nuff said. As the years go by, one realizes more & more how much a genius Jamerson was. He was basically Motown's best producer, as most of these songs revolved around the bass.
Thanks for posting this...great Smokey Robinson & The Miracles song, I've been listening to that one a lot recently, particularly with the stereo panned to one side just to isolate James' great bass playing. By the way, where did the orchestrated piece from 1:51 - 2:09 come from? That's equally beautiful in its own way...would love to know who did that or what the name of that piece is...Thx!
2of2 jaco pastorious, victor wooten, even paul mccartney has admited to having being influenced by Jamerson. build foundations first then build up from there..... : )
Jaco and Wooten have not played on any albums to mention and have not altered the way the bass was played like Entwistle. Entwistle played the bass totally different from the standard. Check out, "An Ox's Tale"
lol, funk brothers consisted of many "white" musos as well as black FYI. (as im sure you already knew.) as for Jaco he's done more than you obviously care to know. and as for "hits" dont put words in my mouth. I see where your coming from for entwhistle but it doesn't float my boat. and i see that jamerson dont float your boat. please enlighten me on what made entwhistle great, ive seen many solos and masterclass videos by him and i appreciate other things in bass. are you a bass player btw?
Jaco has not altered the way the bass is played? Are you crazy? No one even dreamed of playing a melody line on the bass until jaco came around. He took the bass from the back of the stage to the front
@commieobama -First let me say I'm a hard rock, punk, alt country, motown lovin 40 something guy and there is one band that I never liked and that is the Who, they suck, sorry. And "An Ox's tale" is nothing but a trick there is no heart to it, that's why the guy can't hold a candle to Jamerson, it has nothing to do with fancy fingers.
@theo9997 Damn, how can you hate The Who, I know your not a Bass player? John Entwistles Bass playing is out of this world.. RIP James and John, two fantastic bass players.
I remember back in the late 60's and all through the 70's John Entwistle won every poll ever taken on being the best bassist. I think in 2000 he won Bassist Of The Millenium. I think it was Guitar Magazine and Bass Player Magazine. For the last 45 yrs John Entwistle was either number 1 or 2 in every poll from every magazine, TV, radio station etc. Just search "Bassist Of The Millenium" and tell me who you see.
Surveys vary. Some say Les Claypool, Jaco and Flea are the greatest. Don't trust surveys. On the Talk Bass Forum Jamerson got over 50% of the vote out of 20 players. Jaco was a distant second and poor John Entwistle was almost at the bottom. It's all a moot point. My Holy Trinity is James, John and Larry. Lets allagree to disagree.
My poor John almost at the bottom of 20 players, Hey! not too bad considering there are thousands of professional bass players and to be top 20 or 15 is an accomplishment. Surprising Entwistle at the bottom but still a great position. Being voted BASSIST OF THE MILLENIUM BY THOUSANDS OF OTHER MUSICIANS IS AN HONOR would you agree? Entwistle has for over 4 decades been at the top or very near the top in all polls conducted. I am proud of my Dear Boy John for top 20, great news, thanks, cheers.
No one had the same sense of groove and harmonic structure in terms of a bassline than Jamerson. The polls don't say shit, because all the magazines and other media see is flashy solo playing, so really they're only judging the bassists in the polls by that facet of playing. James Jamerson changed the way we play electric bass forever, if it weren't for him, John Entwistle's style would probably be completely different, and he'd be the first to tell you that.
And Jamerson wouldn't be the same if it weren't for all the upright players before him. Analyze your history a little better before you make claims like that.
yeah thats coz no one knew who the funk brothers were until much later, still people to this day dont even know what motown cosisted of. you asked any1 who played instruments for gladys knight and tell me if they give you a good answer. geez im sure ppl think darling dear was played by Jermaine Jackson.
i know who he is, and JE was at the forefront The Who in those times, not trying to say that hes not great, but in those times JJ was never credited in any of the songs he recorded in. No one knew who he was. Only musicians did. Re-read my public school system reply and maybe understand the point I'm trying to make.
If James Jamerson was the best and most influential then John Entwistle was second. I think John Entwistle was the best and that means James was second. Either way they were both great but Entwistle was able to prove his prowess on stage.
@commieobama Jamerson proved his prowess on stage also, the world stage. Just look at the list of Number 1 hits he played on. Motown had to pull him off the road because no one could play bass like him in the studio.
then i guess we agree to disagree, I love the fact that James Jamerson basslines are all pretty much improvs, the easiest example is whats going on by marvin gaye, live and studio recordings are different but maintain the same feel. not add fill here or fill there( not refencing to entwistle). but nice argument if we continue well never finish. i just hope we have edutcated others :) and im sure entwistle was influenced by jamerson, just like any bassist that changed the face of bass 1of2
Jamerson played on many hits, no doubt about that but he did not magically alter the way bass was played like Entwislte did. Jamerson was black and was hired by blacks and that was the way things were done in those days, sorry to have to say that. If you bass your opinions on how many hits someone played on then Pino Palladino is the greatest bass player having performed on over 375 albums from every artist. John Entwistle proved himself in studio and on stage for over 45 yrs.
WTF?!? James Jamerson and the Funk Brothers have single handedly played on more number one hits than ANYONE in the history of music. Undeniably so James Jamerson has the most recognizable sound of any musician . . . did I mention EVER?
Just because someone plays on the most number of hits does not mean he is the best. Motown only used a certain number of black muscians who were on the payroll. I would say Pino Palladino has played on more hits than anyone. Pino has played on over 400 albums from many famous artists. I think Pino has the most recognisable sound.
@Impex7 John Entwistle was the ONLY bass player voted by other professional bass players and musicians, the "BASSIST OF THE MILLENIUM". John Entwislte was voted number 1 or 2 in EVERY poll for the last 45 yrs. NUFF SAID
@MrTrajan69 And I'm sure the people who voted for Mr. Entwistle are just like you, they don't have a clue! They're probably the same people who voted Benny Goodman the "king of swing"!
@Impex7 OK, LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN. THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS AND BASS PLAYERS ALL SAID JOHN ENTWISTLE IS THE BEST OF THE BEST AND THEY CROWNED HIM, "BASSIST OF THE MILLENIUM". NOW YOU MAY NOT LIKE IT OR DISAGREE WITH IT. BUT IT IS A FACT. YOUR ARGUMENT IS NOT WITH ME. I AM MERELY STATING FACTS! THEY DID NOT CROWN JAMES JAMERSON OR ANYBODY ELSE. THEY TOOK INTO ACCOUNT ALL TYPES OF MUSIC, JAZZ, ROCK, COUNTRY, ETC. JOHN ENTWISTLE WON. CHEERS
@MrTrajan69 Ok let's do, get this straight! Mr. Entwistle might have been voted whatever, but what innovations does he have playing the bass? There are many who can play the licks after they've been laid down. But there is one originator, Jamerson was an originator! There wasn't anyone playing the way he played during his time. Entwistle might have played on more projects, but he will never have the impact of Jamerson. Most current musicians probably don't even know who James Jamerson was.
@Impex7 Jamerson was just lucky to play on Motown records not because he was great but because he was a local black kid and played for peanuts. Just because you play on many hits does not mean you are the best. Pino Paladino has played on thousands of songs and on over 400 albums, does that make Pino the best. James was good but not great, he was at the right place at the right time.
@MrTrajan69 Wow you really said that? James is good but not great. Why would you post that on this page that is a tribute to James Jamerson? Probably one of Entwistle's heroes. I bet he would really agree with you and pat you on the back for saying that stupid shit. Go get some manners and a brain please. Best bass player of the millenium. what retarded shit to say.
@MrTrajan69 -We are the lucky ones to have an original musical genius in our lives. He was more than great, he changed everything when it came to bass lines, there was NONE playing those grooves with that much emotion, and that's how we judge or compare.You think the hit factory didn't know or the singers didn't know what they were getting? Jamerson stands out so far and away from anything I've ever heard, it's pure, it's original, it's great and it' is the greatest bass playing I've ever felt.
@theo9997 LOL to say The Who which are considered the greatest live band sucks, just proves you know nothing about music. If The Who is not your favorite is fine but to say they suck is hilarious. BTW John Entwistle was voted Bassist Of The Millenium. Cheers
@theo9997 you must never have seen The Who, the greatest live band. You must have all of the Motown records. You must never have seen John Entwistle on his many solo tours and with other artists. Correct?
@MrTrajan69 Why would I want to see a band that I don't like, don't be a dick, just because you like something I don't. You can't force somebody to like something, I like Frank Black, I bet you don't even know who that is let alone like it and I hope you don't I wouldn't want to see you at a show. I've played more live shows than you've seen probably so lets not even go there. I don't own one Motown album because I can hear it on the radio all DAY IT's constant you know why? It's FELT by all.
@MrTrajan69 ya ur right just a coincidence that James was on all those hits and I respect Pino for playing on that many records but how many of them made as a huge of an impact on modern bass playing and soul,r&b and pop music in general as Jamerson's work? I
@jamersonisgawd Pino played on many more hits and many more albums so based on your logic he should be the greatest bass player ever. Pino has played with Eric Clapton, Elton John, toured with The Who and Simon and Garfunkel and many others. Pino has played on so many big singer songwriters albums it would make Jamerson look like a punk. Pino is god based on your criteria. Cheers
@MrTrajan69 .. your crazy to think that guy could stand up to jamerson......jamerson had way more timeless recording sessions than pino... and you said elton john?? ...oh god!...
@MrTrajan69 We can TRY this as many times as you'd like, but the reality stays the same! As I've said before, the vast majority of those thousands of musicians who voted, probably didn't have a clue as to who Jamerson was or his impact on MUSIC! We are not talking about who can play what, we're talking INNOVATION! And with that, Entwistle is not even in the same conversation! We will have to agree to disagree!
@MrTrajan69 YOu know and I know that John Entwistle was a wonderful bass player. THere is no way in Hell that is the greatest bass player. that is the most dumb thing I have ever heard. The gretest bass player would mean that his hundreds of hits are known all over the world and incredible to all, not just his thirty or forty hits to one Demographic. those thousand s of pros must all be professional dumb asses in that area as well.
It doesn't matter. Music isn't a competition, it's more about liking certain things.
I know that when I say something like "I think James Jamerson is the best bassist" it's really just my opinion, but I don't have enough time to awlays say all that to somebody.
as a young bassist i played JJ's licks until my fingers got blisters. Hours and hours after school. Starting at 13. At 15 i was on stage getting paid. To this day i owe my almost forty years as a musician and producer and songwriter in part to the inspiration from james jamerson.
James Jamerson ahd Chuck Rainey have to be my two favorite bass players. They know how to get the job done.. while staying out of everybody's way. At the same time they bring so much to the rhythm, harmoney, and melodic sections. A good bass player brings balance to everything.
Slutsky wrote in '95 that "IWMTLH" must have been recorded in '66 or '67, i.e. as of then he didn't think he knew what date it was recorded. But in '00 he wrote that he had received copies of CK's handwritten logs from the '60s 13 years earlier (i.e. 8 years before 1995), and that on "hits she claims to have played on, Carol's log always was at odds" re the dates. ("Always.") Hmmmm, that raises the interesting question, When did Slutsky begin believing he knew what date "IWMTLH" was recorded?
Damn! Sad to say that at 55 yrs old, I'd never heard of James Jamerson. But, having just watched The Motown Invasion, on BBC4, JJ's name was mentioned. So, even though all your questions seem irrelevant to me Joseph, I've recently found that I like to listen to bass, and I'm loving what I hear now in James's playing. I'm hugely saddened to read his story in Wikipedia, but gladdened to see that people recognize and love his talents in retrospect. He was bloody great! B-)
"all your questions seem irrelevant to me Joseph" Jamerson didn't use a pick and Kaye did. Jamerson didn't move to L.A. until years after the Four Tops' "Bernadette," and Kaye didn't record any Motown in Detroit. Motown reportedly sometimes recorded one tune in multiple cities via overdubbing. Some of the misunderstandings out there about Motown bass involve people not paying attention to which recordings a pick is audible on. In the case of "Bernadette" the pick is easier to hear on the mono.
Might I suggest you pick up a copy of "Standing In The Shadow of Motown" on DVD. It's all about "The Funk Brothers", early Motown and Jamerson (as represented on the cover holding "The Funk Machine" behind his back). I came to Jamerson late myself, but if you are gonna play bass...aim high! It was there all the time and is truly timeless!
Some questions about Motown bass & JJ that any fair-minded person can ask themselves. These are just _Qs_, so anyone giving this post a thumbs down or removing it is opposed to people asking these Qs (hmmmmm).
Did JJ play on '60s Motown using a pick?
Is a pick audible on the Four Tops' "Eleanor Rigby"? Who may have played bass on it?
I can answer the first question which asks if he used a pick, and the answer to that is no. He was known to play all of his bass parts with his index finger, which was nicknamed "The Hook."
Jamerson and the Fender Precision changed my life.
Thanks to the both of them,I now have a band called The Motown Lovers and will never ever forget James`massive legacy and the love he gave through his music to millions around the world.
I'm a white guy (Italian actually) and I started playing the bass in '66 and toured with a high end "Vegas" type act from '72 thru '84. I traveled, recorded, performed then finally burned out. I fell in love with Motown bass players. Jamerson in particular. I admired the pure sound and the rhythmic syncopation he produced with drummers and percussionists moving scales tastefully through progression. Willie Weeks is another one of my favorites too.
Yep. You should be amazingly proud. Your grandfather is more responsible for the feel and cadence of popular music in the last 30+ years than any other musician I can think of. Emulated to death but never bested...
I mean he filled up the gaps. before him bass players were playing more sparcely and I think he just added more of that melodic feel to fill the bottom up.
"I was really impressed by the inventiveness of the basslines and how they fit the drum patterns. I didnt know it was James Jamerson at the time, I thought of him as the guy who plays bass for motown. It wasnt long before every bassist in England had a bit of James in their playing style." -John Entwistle. Standing The Shadows of Motown disc 1.
hahaha no worries, someone just mentioned something about geddy lee on th first disc of standing in the shadows of motown and you said you didn't remember that from the movie. I was just clarifying that he was talking about the bass transcription book and not the movie
they played different styles. I'm sure Jamerson could play any WHO song he wanted to. Entwistle probably couldn't groove to this type of thing. nuff said
I idolize this guy, his basslines are melodic, yet at the same time are in the pocket. Jamerson was the best, is the best, and will always be the best.
can anyone answer this question.....did james play bass on mavin gaye "just to keep you satisfied"...its the last track on the lets get it on lp......please take a listen
Maybe someone else can initiate you on this. But suffice it to say that Jamerson is "singing" a duet with Smokey Robinson while "conducting" the orchestra from the "bass clef".
Brilliantbeing thanks for the video. And remember: "Never argue with an idiot; he'll just drag you down to his level and beat you with experience."
For those of you who just "don't get" Jamerson, there is a book entitled "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" complete with two CD's packed with examples of Jamerson's genius and testimonials from many of the top bass-players of our time. Jamerson was a once in a lifetime phenomenon. NO ONE has ever played like him; before or since.
I cant believe that I never heard of James Jamerson til today. I also "play the bass" but after listening to him I'm so not a "Bass Player". I'm blown away!! Being a huge fan of Motown n Blues, I always wondered who the musicians were that created the music. Thanx dalejosef, I will get that book but not for testimonials, I want to learn everything about the BEST BASSIST ever. Thank u Mr Jamerson for sharing ur gift with us. GODSPEED to u sir.
Well Sir, don't feel bad. Some of the top session bassplayers - guys who know all the songs; get all the gigs; guys like Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee, Marcus Miller, Willy Weeks - have said things like "After listening to Jamerson, I realized just how little I knew about playing the bass." It's all in the book. Plus it has many of his basslines written out note for note and played on the CD so you can play along. He was WAAAAAAAAAY beyond awesome. Good luck! enjoy the moment!
One more thing. Jamerson never "stepped" on anyone; never got in the way of the song with his bassplaying. Yet his playing was every bit as much of the "Motown Sound" as was any of the vocal groups of the day. The best producers at Motown knew better than to give him any sort of "chart" or written instructions and many of the top vocalists wouldn't record unless Jamerson was available. "Just do your thing, James!" was the word around the studio. On any given day, MAGIC was very likely to happen.
Do you know if Jamerson is still alive or still in the music business today? If so he needs to get back out there and pass his knowledge down to the next generation before its too late cos today's 'artists' are god awful!
Exactly, "U DONT GET IT"!! Its a shame cause ur really missing something incredible, i guess some people r missing that musical ear gene. I dont even think doctors have a cure for that yet, sorry..
I'm not a huge fan of this type of music, but the bass is amazing. You can't help but appreciate this level of skill.
TheLambeGaming 3 weeks ago
I think a lot of his style in this kind of song came from the fact that the bass had no sustain at the time. Old roundwounds didn't ring like today's basses do, therefore it seems to me he had to fill a lot of dead space with good note choices.
SumTingWong1000 1 month ago
The leave out the jam and the bread it goes on...
sspsllc 5 months ago
walufo:
I live in the hills, they dug someone up and took his old Fender Bass. what I understand is the a band lost their bass player and needed a Bass Guitar to still play the gig. but, that was a nine years ago.
artfxl5 9 months ago
As a bass player, James played the nicest in the pocket grooves I have ever heard! I love you James and bless you for the inspiration you gave me! I just got a new Fender P Bass this week and hope to be buried with it!
wa1ufo 10 months ago
I know James Jamerson played a Fender Precision Bass. I wonder, what is the brand name and model of the bass he is holding in the in the photo? that looks to have a natural finish and is not a fender. also, I would like to say. listening to him play as a kid in the 1960's was the reason I started playing the electric bass.
artfxl5 10 months ago
@artfxl5 The natural-finish bass is not a Fender, and that is not James Jamerson holding it. That model of Yamaha bass was not introduced until the 1990s--long after Jamerson died. He was an upright player foremost, and used the Fender bass because he could pick up gigs more easily by doubling up. His playing style and the setup of that bass were informed by his upright playing. He had maybe two Fenders he ever used, the most famous one being "The Funk Machine," a stock '62 sunburst P-Bass
john683011 9 months ago
@artfxl5 This is a composite picture of James Jamerson and his 2nd son
Joey. The Jamerson photo was from 1979 and Jamerson was 43 years old.
Joey is 43 now (this picture was taken after the Jamerson Tribute in
Charleston September 18th an 19th, 2003). The picture was taken by
Anthony McKnight when Joey Jamerson asked if he could pick Anthony's bass up.
When Anthony looked at him with the bass he got his camera and took the picture.
It was not posed to match the picture of James Jamerson.
frednich9603 3 weeks ago
Great video. I love to see folks giving tribute to the great Jamerson. I only wish he had gotten more credit and appreciation while he was living. He was certainly one of a kind, we owe a lot to him, he made so many great songs even greater.
whatanightmare1 10 months ago 2
2 thumbs down whats in your head James and Smoke it just dont get better
securitycat11 11 months ago
Anyone know what kind of Bass James is holding at 2:01 ? Not use to seeing him without his Fender P Bass.
fishfan67 11 months ago
@fishfan67 I think that's his son with some yamaha.
KristoLaptalo 11 months ago
Awesome. he's my ffavorite bass player!
fishfan67 11 months ago
He was the Best! Great video. Thanks for posting.
ladyacephoto 11 months ago
If you listen to Beatles "Hey bulldog" bassline you probably think this is Jamerson... Macca and James... they both MASTERS in this ART ♪
Virpatrick 1 year ago
@Virpatrick James was one of Paul's biggest influences on the bass, hence many later Beatles songs having very busy, JJ-esque lines.
rutgersbassist14 11 months ago
I like him and Larry Graham. :D
bkrc123 1 year ago
It's so stupid the way people say this guy's the best or that guy's better. Music isn't a bloody contest. It's supposed to make you feel good. I think we can all agree though, that james jamerson was damned good at doing it : )
jamesjonesrocket 1 year ago
Jamerson: Melodic bassmaster!
copewood1939 1 year ago
There have been so many tremendous bass players over the years, and yes, Basslistic is right when it says it's about adding to the art, though much of what is promoted is not art at all. However, if you ask the best bass players alive today for a list of the top 10 bassists of all time, James Jamerson will be on all of those lists and might well be number 1 on many of them.
If you want to know who the most respected musicians are, ask the other great musicians.
JonHammerHeart 1 year ago 2
@JonHammerHeart Good point!
dggd 1 year ago
@JonHammerHeart Good point! I knew a jazz bassist that had Jamerson at the top of his list!
dggd 1 year ago
Pino is ridiculously good. No question.
So was Entwistle - held it down in the most heavily rockin' & my all-time favorite band.
Now, why don't you pin heads ask Pino what he thinks? He'd give props & admit inspiration from Jamerson as well as the classic Stevie Wonder (often synth) basslines.
Dumb asses.
GreenDaveDefoeSt 1 year ago
sumbody please tell me wats the name of this song
biggspoon68 1 year ago
@biggspoon68 it's "Baby Baby Don't Cry by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
kaleka93 1 year ago
@biggspoon68 baby baby don,t cry
sheddski 1 year ago
wats da name of dis song??
biggspoon68 1 year ago
This is my all time favorite JAMES JAMERSON BASS LINE !
hossfly55 1 year ago
its stupid anyway because the best bassplayer of all time is neither of those two, its jaco pastorius.
keysi3 1 year ago
@keysi3 Jaco is boring
wetmelon 1 year ago
@keysi3 Jamerson is the best famous bass player of all time. Jaco was a great bass artist. He is not recorded as much as an ass shaking groove player. If you dont agree, try getting hired to record bass in the studio for the variety of artists James did. Now, try to play one bass line as great as Jamerson did. Ok, now play a thousand! Sorry, dont put Jamerson down for Jaco unless you know what it is to do what Jamerson did. Jaco was great, but Jamerson is a whole different story
bassramos 1 year ago
"In essence a slow jam is a down-tempo love song that still maintains a prominent (even muscular) bassline and solid drum beat, with some degree of attitude attached.
Cheesy ballads might pose as slow jams but they are only love songs. It takes a solid groove to make a slow jam." .......where's the jamming? That's not what jam is son...you're missin the boat. :)
chunkyostrich 1 year ago
damn if i made dictionaries i'd use that definition
soursourapples 1 year ago
Jamerson was an amazing cat. Influenced everyone from McCartney (a favorite of mine) to Flea. So melodic, busy playing but never interfering with the song. Just a superb talent.
Rightsideup 2 years ago
Whats the song called?
VarykGerai 2 years ago
"Baby Baby Don't Cry" by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
sactiger 1 year ago
And 2 all who dispute James being the best...Lay on your back...dead drunk and read the charts 2 "What's Going On" without jacking it up...and we'll give the crown 2 U....
michaeljulius119 2 years ago 6
@michaeljulius119 AMEN -- I tried it -- not drunk, but laying on my back. It's friggin' impossible! The man was a genius.
pamt726 2 years ago
Man, you are telling the truth.
mootbooxle 2 years ago
Brilliantbeing- I really liked your video description. How can it still be disputed that Jamerson was the single most important electric bassist of all time?
In the timeline of electric bass, there's BJ and AJ- Before Jamerson, and After Jamerson. Do the research- it all goes back to him. He's the delta of the instrument.
bkfindlay 2 years ago 3
bass porn.
mcartneymusic 2 years ago 67
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@mcartneymusic TOTAL lol
battou66488 1 year ago
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Hmm jamerson a real bass player chris squire a frustrated guitar player larue is 2nd tier behind miller,wooten and clark
fenjazz4 2 years ago
I really hate comparisons.
webdemarcio 2 years ago 3
dagrapevine, i checked the names you dropped(chris squire,dave larue) as the ones who took the bass to the next level & being on the cutting edge. Are you stupid? Dont let your own tastes & opinions cloud the facts. Its like saying the flute is more important than the drums in a rock band just because I love the flute. How ignorant does that sound? We're discussing Jamerson & Jaco and you throw Squires name in as the one who took it to the featured instrument. You sound like a clown.
pother101 2 years ago
Gotta disagree with ya there man. You could leave out all the other orchestration on those old Motown tunes, keep only the bass and drums and they'd stand alone just fine. I agree that guys like Jaco fly on the frets but it took some real creativity to keep the basslines so interesting within tunes with that much orchestration. The Motown tunes were designed to showcase the vocals yet it was the bass that held it all together.
banjometal 2 years ago 5
@banjometal -So true, if you study his runs they hold it all together because he's playing a harmony to the melody which creates a rhythmic harmony to the drumming, it can stand alone because he's always within the bounds of both the rhythm and melody but taken to his own funky-ness extreme which agreed with us all, caught my ear when I was eight and then again when I was 35 and still does.
theo9997 1 year ago
No one can hit "the one" like James Jamerson! Truly Soulful!
womanlybassplayer 2 years ago 3
its a matter of taste and opionion.if you listen to mccartneys bass lines on revolver and rubber soul that you wouldnt conclude that is where the bass guitar was re-invented.rain and daytripper are the songs i feel best illustrates mccartneys genius.chris squire is the man who took bass guitar to the level of a featured instrument.jamerson no doubt is the master of the motown/funk style and i like his style.
dave larue is currently the best out there on the cutting edge of modern bass guitar.
dagrapevine 2 years ago
O mestre...
stoned66neves 2 years ago
You may find it interesting to read through "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" a book full of Jamerson transcriptions that comes with a CD on which many great bass players play on. John Entwistle plays on a couple tracks and adds that Jamerson was his major influence.
tml1019 2 years ago 2
The whole debate about who is the best,greatest bass player of all time, or musician for that matter is almost impossible, realistically speaking... There are so many styles, approaches, applications, technical abilities etc that vary... Well its easier to say who is the most influential musician, rather than the best or the greatest, that's not what music's about anyway, ya know? Its about adding to the art, not about building a pedestals...
basslistic 2 years ago 23
basslistic, very true,well said,!
nyimtman 2 years ago
ABSOLUTELY!@basslistic!~
PF149 2 years ago
@basslistic and time goes on forever, there's no "all-time".
gunlak 1 year ago
@basslistic : My take is somebody had to start somewhere. This particular instrument (electric bass) is relatively a young instrument. The first time that I saw someone playing the electric bass is Wes Mongomery's brother, Monk Mongomery. It wasn't as focus as much during some of the earlier dates, and, it didn't take presents until James Jamerson showed everybody what could be done in a creative process. I know for a fact bass players weren't doing or thinking the way he was.
GIJAYNE2419 1 year ago
@basslistic yes
roamershaker 1 year ago
@basslistic Well said.
dggd 1 year ago
Ahh yes the 'there are no absolutes theory'. Well when it comes to Jamerson you have a lot to consider. It is not a question of style but of substance and also historical significance. The before James and after James thing.Before James the bass was a less important factor in music. It was important to jazz improvisation,(and no disrespect to the great jazz bass musicians,but they got away with a lot of bad notes),but to pop music the bass was a restricted instrument.JJ changed all that...
moongoon817 9 months ago 2
He was the first bass maestro in popular music. The first bass thinker. He understood like no other where the bass fit in the complete harmony of the vocals and the music.This guy was a musical genius. He played off the tempo,the melody,the changes,the time signature,all at the same time.His instincts were mind boggling. Motown music was not a walk in the park to play and Jamerson breezed through those arrangements like it was nothing. He was the greatest of all time and still is!!!
moongoon817 9 months ago 6
@basslistic Well said.
jtfsucks 5 months ago
I didnt know that it was James Jamerson, said the Whos John Entwistle many years later. I just called him the guy who played bass for Motown, but along with every other bassist in England, I was trying to learn what he was doing.
...anymore questions ??
Jayantu1 2 years ago 7
@Jayantu1 Nuff said. As the years go by, one realizes more & more how much a genius Jamerson was. He was basically Motown's best producer, as most of these songs revolved around the bass.
Kenteman 1 year ago
Thanks for posting this...great Smokey Robinson & The Miracles song, I've been listening to that one a lot recently, particularly with the stereo panned to one side just to isolate James' great bass playing. By the way, where did the orchestrated piece from 1:51 - 2:09 come from? That's equally beautiful in its own way...would love to know who did that or what the name of that piece is...Thx!
deodato2 2 years ago
2of2 jaco pastorious, victor wooten, even paul mccartney has admited to having being influenced by Jamerson. build foundations first then build up from there..... : )
tupacrulznxr 2 years ago 2
Jaco and Wooten have not played on any albums to mention and have not altered the way the bass was played like Entwistle. Entwistle played the bass totally different from the standard. Check out, "An Ox's Tale"
commieobama 2 years ago
lol, funk brothers consisted of many "white" musos as well as black FYI. (as im sure you already knew.) as for Jaco he's done more than you obviously care to know. and as for "hits" dont put words in my mouth. I see where your coming from for entwhistle but it doesn't float my boat. and i see that jamerson dont float your boat. please enlighten me on what made entwhistle great, ive seen many solos and masterclass videos by him and i appreciate other things in bass. are you a bass player btw?
tupacrulznxr 2 years ago
Jaco has not altered the way the bass is played? Are you crazy? No one even dreamed of playing a melody line on the bass until jaco came around. He took the bass from the back of the stage to the front
tml1019 2 years ago 2
i have to disagree since playing lead riffs on the bass is what got Bootsy Collins fired from James Brown's band
mrrlsaylesjr 2 years ago
The bass has to speak up somtimes though other wise its not using its full potential.
theManTCBflash 2 years ago
@commieobama -First let me say I'm a hard rock, punk, alt country, motown lovin 40 something guy and there is one band that I never liked and that is the Who, they suck, sorry. And "An Ox's tale" is nothing but a trick there is no heart to it, that's why the guy can't hold a candle to Jamerson, it has nothing to do with fancy fingers.
theo9997 1 year ago
@theo9997 John Entwistle was voted Bassist Of The Millenium by other professional bass players, sorry to disappoint you. Cheers
MrTrajan69 1 year ago
@theo9997 Damn, how can you hate The Who, I know your not a Bass player? John Entwistles Bass playing is out of this world.. RIP James and John, two fantastic bass players.
fishfan67 11 months ago
John Entwistle was voted by other professional bass players as the, "BASSIST OF THE MILLENIUM", enough said.
commieobama 2 years ago
show me the literature
hamaduku 2 years ago
I remember back in the late 60's and all through the 70's John Entwistle won every poll ever taken on being the best bassist. I think in 2000 he won Bassist Of The Millenium. I think it was Guitar Magazine and Bass Player Magazine. For the last 45 yrs John Entwistle was either number 1 or 2 in every poll from every magazine, TV, radio station etc. Just search "Bassist Of The Millenium" and tell me who you see.
commieobama 2 years ago
Surveys vary. Some say Les Claypool, Jaco and Flea are the greatest. Don't trust surveys. On the Talk Bass Forum Jamerson got over 50% of the vote out of 20 players. Jaco was a distant second and poor John Entwistle was almost at the bottom. It's all a moot point. My Holy Trinity is James, John and Larry. Lets allagree to disagree.
barriobajaj 2 years ago 6
My poor John almost at the bottom of 20 players, Hey! not too bad considering there are thousands of professional bass players and to be top 20 or 15 is an accomplishment. Surprising Entwistle at the bottom but still a great position. Being voted BASSIST OF THE MILLENIUM BY THOUSANDS OF OTHER MUSICIANS IS AN HONOR would you agree? Entwistle has for over 4 decades been at the top or very near the top in all polls conducted. I am proud of my Dear Boy John for top 20, great news, thanks, cheers.
commieobama 2 years ago
I'd say Jamerson has Entwistle beat by a million miles, if not for the fact that he did it first, just how much bigger of an impact he really had...
cowboystitching 2 years ago 2
How can you be bassist of the millenium when the electric bass has only been around for around 60 years?
bradenls0 2 years ago
No one had the same sense of groove and harmonic structure in terms of a bassline than Jamerson. The polls don't say shit, because all the magazines and other media see is flashy solo playing, so really they're only judging the bassists in the polls by that facet of playing. James Jamerson changed the way we play electric bass forever, if it weren't for him, John Entwistle's style would probably be completely different, and he'd be the first to tell you that.
iplaytehbasspipes 2 years ago
And Jamerson wouldn't be the same if it weren't for all the upright players before him. Analyze your history a little better before you make claims like that.
iplaytehbasspipes 2 years ago
yeah thats coz no one knew who the funk brothers were until much later, still people to this day dont even know what motown cosisted of. you asked any1 who played instruments for gladys knight and tell me if they give you a good answer. geez im sure ppl think darling dear was played by Jermaine Jackson.
tupacrulznxr 2 years ago
Hey tupac, you must be a black brother who can't spell. Must be from the public school system. Look up John Entwistle and then we can talk, brother!
commieobama 2 years ago
i know who he is, and JE was at the forefront The Who in those times, not trying to say that hes not great, but in those times JJ was never credited in any of the songs he recorded in. No one knew who he was. Only musicians did. Re-read my public school system reply and maybe understand the point I'm trying to make.
tupacrulznxr 2 years ago
oh and i forgot. If your such an Entwistle fan tell me who one of his main influences are.
tupacrulznxr 2 years ago
If James Jamerson was the best and most influential then John Entwistle was second. I think John Entwistle was the best and that means James was second. Either way they were both great but Entwistle was able to prove his prowess on stage.
commieobama 2 years ago
@commieobama Jamerson proved his prowess on stage also, the world stage. Just look at the list of Number 1 hits he played on. Motown had to pull him off the road because no one could play bass like him in the studio.
Kenteman 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@Kenteman HE ALSO PLAYED BASS ON THE 1974 HUES CORP DISCO CLASSIC "ROCK THE BOAT" WHICH STARTED THE DISCO CRAZE
battou66488 1 year ago
John Entwisltes influences are Elvis and Chuck Berry. JE was trained on the horns, French Horn and keyboards and reinvented the way bass was played.
commieobama 2 years ago
then i guess we agree to disagree, I love the fact that James Jamerson basslines are all pretty much improvs, the easiest example is whats going on by marvin gaye, live and studio recordings are different but maintain the same feel. not add fill here or fill there( not refencing to entwistle). but nice argument if we continue well never finish. i just hope we have edutcated others :) and im sure entwistle was influenced by jamerson, just like any bassist that changed the face of bass 1of2
tupacrulznxr 2 years ago
Jamerson played on many hits, no doubt about that but he did not magically alter the way bass was played like Entwislte did. Jamerson was black and was hired by blacks and that was the way things were done in those days, sorry to have to say that. If you bass your opinions on how many hits someone played on then Pino Palladino is the greatest bass player having performed on over 375 albums from every artist. John Entwistle proved himself in studio and on stage for over 45 yrs.
commieobama 2 years ago
WTF?!? James Jamerson and the Funk Brothers have single handedly played on more number one hits than ANYONE in the history of music. Undeniably so James Jamerson has the most recognizable sound of any musician . . . did I mention EVER?
hamaduku 2 years ago 6
Just because someone plays on the most number of hits does not mean he is the best. Motown only used a certain number of black muscians who were on the payroll. I would say Pino Palladino has played on more hits than anyone. Pino has played on over 400 albums from many famous artists. I think Pino has the most recognisable sound.
MrTrajan69 2 years ago
when you think oldies most the songs you think of hve james on the bass.. it is what it is..
himpc 1 year ago
@MrTrajan69 What sound/riffs did he innovate?
Impex7 1 year ago
@Impex7 John Entwistle was the ONLY bass player voted by other professional bass players and musicians, the "BASSIST OF THE MILLENIUM". John Entwislte was voted number 1 or 2 in EVERY poll for the last 45 yrs. NUFF SAID
MrTrajan69 1 year ago
@MrTrajan69 And I'm sure the people who voted for Mr. Entwistle are just like you, they don't have a clue! They're probably the same people who voted Benny Goodman the "king of swing"!
Impex7 1 year ago
@Impex7 OK, LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN. THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS AND BASS PLAYERS ALL SAID JOHN ENTWISTLE IS THE BEST OF THE BEST AND THEY CROWNED HIM, "BASSIST OF THE MILLENIUM". NOW YOU MAY NOT LIKE IT OR DISAGREE WITH IT. BUT IT IS A FACT. YOUR ARGUMENT IS NOT WITH ME. I AM MERELY STATING FACTS! THEY DID NOT CROWN JAMES JAMERSON OR ANYBODY ELSE. THEY TOOK INTO ACCOUNT ALL TYPES OF MUSIC, JAZZ, ROCK, COUNTRY, ETC. JOHN ENTWISTLE WON. CHEERS
MrTrajan69 1 year ago
@MrTrajan69 Ok let's do, get this straight! Mr. Entwistle might have been voted whatever, but what innovations does he have playing the bass? There are many who can play the licks after they've been laid down. But there is one originator, Jamerson was an originator! There wasn't anyone playing the way he played during his time. Entwistle might have played on more projects, but he will never have the impact of Jamerson. Most current musicians probably don't even know who James Jamerson was.
Impex7 1 year ago
@Impex7 Jamerson was just lucky to play on Motown records not because he was great but because he was a local black kid and played for peanuts. Just because you play on many hits does not mean you are the best. Pino Paladino has played on thousands of songs and on over 400 albums, does that make Pino the best. James was good but not great, he was at the right place at the right time.
MrTrajan69 1 year ago
@MrTrajan69 You are such a JACKASS! So I don't plan to waste any more time dealing with you! In other words, "Get away boy, you bother me"!!!!
Impex7 1 year ago
@MrTrajan69 Wow you really said that? James is good but not great. Why would you post that on this page that is a tribute to James Jamerson? Probably one of Entwistle's heroes. I bet he would really agree with you and pat you on the back for saying that stupid shit. Go get some manners and a brain please. Best bass player of the millenium. what retarded shit to say.
bassramos 1 year ago
@MrTrajan69 -We are the lucky ones to have an original musical genius in our lives. He was more than great, he changed everything when it came to bass lines, there was NONE playing those grooves with that much emotion, and that's how we judge or compare.You think the hit factory didn't know or the singers didn't know what they were getting? Jamerson stands out so far and away from anything I've ever heard, it's pure, it's original, it's great and it' is the greatest bass playing I've ever felt.
theo9997 1 year ago 2
@theo9997 LOL to say The Who which are considered the greatest live band sucks, just proves you know nothing about music. If The Who is not your favorite is fine but to say they suck is hilarious. BTW John Entwistle was voted Bassist Of The Millenium. Cheers
MrTrajan69 1 year ago
@theo9997 you must never have seen The Who, the greatest live band. You must have all of the Motown records. You must never have seen John Entwistle on his many solo tours and with other artists. Correct?
MrTrajan69 1 year ago
@MrTrajan69 Why would I want to see a band that I don't like, don't be a dick, just because you like something I don't. You can't force somebody to like something, I like Frank Black, I bet you don't even know who that is let alone like it and I hope you don't I wouldn't want to see you at a show. I've played more live shows than you've seen probably so lets not even go there. I don't own one Motown album because I can hear it on the radio all DAY IT's constant you know why? It's FELT by all.
theo9997 1 year ago
@MrTrajan69 ya ur right just a coincidence that James was on all those hits and I respect Pino for playing on that many records but how many of them made as a huge of an impact on modern bass playing and soul,r&b and pop music in general as Jamerson's work? I
jamersonisgawd 1 year ago
@jamersonisgawd Pino played on many more hits and many more albums so based on your logic he should be the greatest bass player ever. Pino has played with Eric Clapton, Elton John, toured with The Who and Simon and Garfunkel and many others. Pino has played on so many big singer songwriters albums it would make Jamerson look like a punk. Pino is god based on your criteria. Cheers
MrTrajan69 1 year ago
@MrTrajan69 .. your crazy to think that guy could stand up to jamerson......jamerson had way more timeless recording sessions than pino... and you said elton john?? ...oh god!...
broozebrothers 1 year ago
@MrTrajan69 We can TRY this as many times as you'd like, but the reality stays the same! As I've said before, the vast majority of those thousands of musicians who voted, probably didn't have a clue as to who Jamerson was or his impact on MUSIC! We are not talking about who can play what, we're talking INNOVATION! And with that, Entwistle is not even in the same conversation! We will have to agree to disagree!
Impex7 1 year ago
@MrTrajan69 Thats the stupidest thing I ve ever heard. LOL!!! He is awesome but come on! Please! LMAOOTF!
bassramos 1 year ago
@MrTrajan69 YOu know and I know that John Entwistle was a wonderful bass player. THere is no way in Hell that is the greatest bass player. that is the most dumb thing I have ever heard. The gretest bass player would mean that his hundreds of hits are known all over the world and incredible to all, not just his thirty or forty hits to one Demographic. those thousand s of pros must all be professional dumb asses in that area as well.
bassramos 1 year ago
@bassramos you know and I know that John Entwistle was voted Bassist Of The Millenium, enough said, cheers
MrTrajan69 1 year ago
@MrTrajan69 He can play tricks, that's not playing
theo9997 1 year ago
It doesn't matter. Music isn't a competition, it's more about liking certain things.
I know that when I say something like "I think James Jamerson is the best bassist" it's really just my opinion, but I don't have enough time to awlays say all that to somebody.
Doubter88 2 years ago
fair enough
commieobama 2 years ago
Wow that was easy. Thank you for not starting a youtube war. lol.
Doubter88 2 years ago
who are these proffesional bass players? all the showoffs out there? who dont know what the bass is for?
wtfAvailableUser 2 years ago
as a young bassist i played JJ's licks until my fingers got blisters. Hours and hours after school. Starting at 13. At 15 i was on stage getting paid. To this day i owe my almost forty years as a musician and producer and songwriter in part to the inspiration from james jamerson.
nublackmusic 2 years ago
Baby Baby Don't Cry- Smokey Robinson And The Miracles
Recorded in 1969.
xj14y 2 years ago
James Jamerson ahd Chuck Rainey have to be my two favorite bass players. They know how to get the job done.. while staying out of everybody's way. At the same time they bring so much to the rhythm, harmoney, and melodic sections. A good bass player brings balance to everything.
atl2maryland 2 years ago 2
Nothin so pretty as a motown bassline
baddaboomb 2 years ago 4
This has been flagged as spam show
Slutsky wrote in '95 that "IWMTLH" must have been recorded in '66 or '67, i.e. as of then he didn't think he knew what date it was recorded. But in '00 he wrote that he had received copies of CK's handwritten logs from the '60s 13 years earlier (i.e. 8 years before 1995), and that on "hits she claims to have played on, Carol's log always was at odds" re the dates. ("Always.") Hmmmm, that raises the interesting question, When did Slutsky begin believing he knew what date "IWMTLH" was recorded?
JosephNScott 2 years ago
Damn! Sad to say that at 55 yrs old, I'd never heard of James Jamerson. But, having just watched The Motown Invasion, on BBC4, JJ's name was mentioned. So, even though all your questions seem irrelevant to me Joseph, I've recently found that I like to listen to bass, and I'm loving what I hear now in James's playing. I'm hugely saddened to read his story in Wikipedia, but gladdened to see that people recognize and love his talents in retrospect. He was bloody great! B-)
sikorski 2 years ago 2
"all your questions seem irrelevant to me Joseph" Jamerson didn't use a pick and Kaye did. Jamerson didn't move to L.A. until years after the Four Tops' "Bernadette," and Kaye didn't record any Motown in Detroit. Motown reportedly sometimes recorded one tune in multiple cities via overdubbing. Some of the misunderstandings out there about Motown bass involve people not paying attention to which recordings a pick is audible on. In the case of "Bernadette" the pick is easier to hear on the mono.
JosephNScott 2 years ago
Might I suggest you pick up a copy of "Standing In The Shadow of Motown" on DVD. It's all about "The Funk Brothers", early Motown and Jamerson (as represented on the cover holding "The Funk Machine" behind his back). I came to Jamerson late myself, but if you are gonna play bass...aim high! It was there all the time and is truly timeless!
DJDennyRay 2 years ago
Some questions about Motown bass & JJ that any fair-minded person can ask themselves. These are just _Qs_, so anyone giving this post a thumbs down or removing it is opposed to people asking these Qs (hmmmmm).
Did JJ play on '60s Motown using a pick?
Is a pick audible on the Four Tops' "Eleanor Rigby"? Who may have played bass on it?
Same Qs, Stevie's "Respect"?
Same, mono mix of Four Tops' "Bernadette"?
Same, B. Holloway's "Just Look What You've Done"?
Where has BH said the last was recorded?
JosephNScott 2 years ago
I can answer the first question which asks if he used a pick, and the answer to that is no. He was known to play all of his bass parts with his index finger, which was nicknamed "The Hook."
icedflame210 2 years ago
Many thanks for the fine video.
Jamerson and the Fender Precision changed my life.
Thanks to the both of them,I now have a band called The Motown Lovers and will never ever forget James`massive legacy and the love he gave through his music to millions around the world.
Keep up the good work.
Spenner56 2 years ago
what songs are these?
jdizzle415 2 years ago
That bassline is a definitive statement!
AquilaUng 2 years ago
I'm a white guy (Italian actually) and I started playing the bass in '66 and toured with a high end "Vegas" type act from '72 thru '84. I traveled, recorded, performed then finally burned out. I fell in love with Motown bass players. Jamerson in particular. I admired the pure sound and the rhythmic syncopation he produced with drummers and percussionists moving scales tastefully through progression. Willie Weeks is another one of my favorites too.
bigtwnvin 3 years ago
yea thats my grandpa the best ever
julian23retro13 3 years ago 3
is James Jamerson actually your Grandad? if so, respect. The man was a legend and played on so many brilliant cuts.
flavadaveflynn1 3 years ago 3
Yep. You should be amazingly proud. Your grandfather is more responsible for the feel and cadence of popular music in the last 30+ years than any other musician I can think of. Emulated to death but never bested...
Eriogonum 3 years ago
absolute tune!!!!
flavadaveflynn 3 years ago
jamerson introduced a jazzy creativity to bass playing notdone before
qwerly45 3 years ago 2
I mean he filled up the gaps. before him bass players were playing more sparcely and I think he just added more of that melodic feel to fill the bottom up.
atl2maryland 3 years ago
"I was really impressed by the inventiveness of the basslines and how they fit the drum patterns. I didnt know it was James Jamerson at the time, I thought of him as the guy who plays bass for motown. It wasnt long before every bassist in England had a bit of James in their playing style." -John Entwistle. Standing The Shadows of Motown disc 1.
KristopherApa 3 years ago 4
oh man i don't remember that in the film
is that in the deleted scenes or special features
man i would of loved to see that
fishnsticks 3 years ago
thats not in the film its in the bass transcription book
tml1019 3 years ago
I'm sorry man, I forgot what I said.
fishnsticks 3 years ago
hahaha no worries, someone just mentioned something about geddy lee on th first disc of standing in the shadows of motown and you said you didn't remember that from the movie. I was just clarifying that he was talking about the bass transcription book and not the movie
tml1019 3 years ago
Oh yeah!!
Now I remember, but I think he was talking about John Entwistle?
Ahh doesn't matter they were both on there ! lol
Thanks man.
fishnsticks 3 years ago
thats right! it was john entwistle. at least things are cleared up. great movie and great book!!
tml1019 3 years ago
Yeah! I saw the film!
Didn't know there was a book on it!
Now it's imperative for me to look for that book!
Thanks for the info!
fishnsticks 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
John Enwistle voted by bassists as "The Bassist Of The Millenium" nuff said.
savanadanadana 3 years ago
they played different styles. I'm sure Jamerson could play any WHO song he wanted to. Entwistle probably couldn't groove to this type of thing. nuff said
WHO9ER 3 years ago
"Couldn't groove" to a bluesy motown sound? Sure he could. I question whether you really know Entwhistle as a bass player.
lowcountrycat 3 years ago 2
what is the title of this track?
i love it
samdeakins 3 years ago
"Baby Baby Don't Cry".
BILLIEandME2 3 years ago
Thanks for this Jamerson contribution.
He did so much for bassists everywhere. I play upright bass (classical music) but James is STILL my favorite bass player of all time.
gogobroncos 3 years ago
I idolize this guy, his basslines are melodic, yet at the same time are in the pocket. Jamerson was the best, is the best, and will always be the best.
sc2man13 3 years ago
Wow. How can I call myself a bassist without even knowing who this guy was?
wetmelon 3 years ago 4
Bass genius. Inspirational.
copewood333 3 years ago
so if a hear this i know everything about music?
aperisimo 3 years ago
The bass is having a conversation with the guitar and Smokey.
Brilliantbeing 3 years ago
What a lovely way of putting it. Exactly.
southfieldmo 3 years ago 2
Jamerson is the most innovative, breathtaking bassist to ever pick up the instrument.
One of my personal favorites is his work on "Love Is Here And Now You're Gone" by The Supremes.
Dear Lord...
gripedwards 3 years ago 6
can anyone answer this question.....did james play bass on mavin gaye "just to keep you satisfied"...its the last track on the lets get it on lp......please take a listen
00calvin 3 years ago
it could have been wilton felder. he played on most tracks on the album " let's get it on"
drinkincococola 3 years ago
I dont get it i can hear more vocals and orchestra in these songs than a bassline
WonderKidCopperfield 3 years ago
Maybe someone else can initiate you on this. But suffice it to say that Jamerson is "singing" a duet with Smokey Robinson while "conducting" the orchestra from the "bass clef".
Brilliantbeing 3 years ago
Brilliantbeing thanks for the video. And remember: "Never argue with an idiot; he'll just drag you down to his level and beat you with experience."
For those of you who just "don't get" Jamerson, there is a book entitled "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" complete with two CD's packed with examples of Jamerson's genius and testimonials from many of the top bass-players of our time. Jamerson was a once in a lifetime phenomenon. NO ONE has ever played like him; before or since.
dalejosef 3 years ago
I cant believe that I never heard of James Jamerson til today. I also "play the bass" but after listening to him I'm so not a "Bass Player". I'm blown away!! Being a huge fan of Motown n Blues, I always wondered who the musicians were that created the music. Thanx dalejosef, I will get that book but not for testimonials, I want to learn everything about the BEST BASSIST ever. Thank u Mr Jamerson for sharing ur gift with us. GODSPEED to u sir.
advancedauto 3 years ago
Well Sir, don't feel bad. Some of the top session bassplayers - guys who know all the songs; get all the gigs; guys like Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee, Marcus Miller, Willy Weeks - have said things like "After listening to Jamerson, I realized just how little I knew about playing the bass." It's all in the book. Plus it has many of his basslines written out note for note and played on the CD so you can play along. He was WAAAAAAAAAY beyond awesome. Good luck! enjoy the moment!
dalejosef 3 years ago
The above in reply to "advance auto": I cant believe that I never heard of James Jamerson til today...
dalejosef 3 years ago
the below, then. whatever! lol! these blogs always throw me. they need an "edit" botton.
dalejosef 3 years ago
One more thing. Jamerson never "stepped" on anyone; never got in the way of the song with his bassplaying. Yet his playing was every bit as much of the "Motown Sound" as was any of the vocal groups of the day. The best producers at Motown knew better than to give him any sort of "chart" or written instructions and many of the top vocalists wouldn't record unless Jamerson was available. "Just do your thing, James!" was the word around the studio. On any given day, MAGIC was very likely to happen.
dalejosef 3 years ago
Do you know if Jamerson is still alive or still in the music business today? If so he needs to get back out there and pass his knowledge down to the next generation before its too late cos today's 'artists' are god awful!
FionaDelalande 2 years ago
no he died on August 2, 1983 . but i do agree with you
WWWNATHAN 2 years ago
Exactly, "U DONT GET IT"!! Its a shame cause ur really missing something incredible, i guess some people r missing that musical ear gene. I dont even think doctors have a cure for that yet, sorry..
advancedauto 3 years ago