This post is all about a bassplayer from which not a lot of people know of. At least the music lovers who aren’t much into the musicians behind the music. It’s about James Jamerson, the bassplayer behind most of the Motown songs.
Jamerson was a bassplayer originated from Charleston but moved to Detroit later. Originally he was a gifted contra bassplayer but later on played his well-known Fender Precision bass. Although the name won’t ring a bell by most people, everybody…And I mean really everybody knows his music.
Jamerson playing track with drum and bass isolated
The Funk brothers
In the 60’s and 70’s Jamerson played in a group called “The Funk Brothers”, a group of session musicians responsible for the most Motown songs released in that time. They were highly undervalued cause most of the Motown acts performed with a prerecorded tape (which were the Funk Brothers but nobody told them). The Funk brothers made history as the most successful group of studio musicians ever in musical history. That says it all about the level of musicians… They were the best musicians at that moment, and for the Motown sound they still are.
Jamersons’s sound is best described as an mutes flat sound. A lot of bassplayers tried to accomplish it by using the same flat wound strings Jamerson used but with no success. But it was a combination of his play-style, the setup of his bass (which was very odd compared to other musicians) and the age of his strings. He never replaced a string, only if it broke.
Funk brothers, standing in the shadows of Motown documentary
James Jamerson is one of the top inlfuencers in modern bassplaying, at least for me, together with Jaco Pastorius. I also wrote a piece about Jaco some time ago, he inspired me just as much as James Jamerson did.
It was only years and years later when The Funkbrothers we're recognized for their effort and contribution (or in my opinion reasons) of the big succes Motown achieved...
Sadly Jamerson died at age 47 trough lont time alcohol abuse...
Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think about this great bassplayer..
I saw the documentry 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown' in the theatre when it came out. I was riveted to it and facinated with the funk brothers. Since then I have learned of the "Wrecking Crew" in LA and the 'Swampers' back in Muscle Shoals Alabama.
A 'peak behind the curtain' reveals some remarkable talents and characters. I have great respect for those who made the music and believe that they never got that they fair dues.
I am a musician and composer myself so their stories hold a special place in my heart.
Anyway, what may be decieving is that these documentaries come across saying that these sweat shops were a thing of the past and that today we don't treat the creators of beloved music in such a way. Well not true, as I am sure that many will conclude that there are hundreds of great studio musicians out there still 'standing in the shadows'. There always will be.
Popular music went through a trend in the 60's and 70's where upstart musicians and composers were given more and more opportunity to write and record there own music - rather than have the lables and producers have it done for them.
Today however, I think that that exchange of power is being reversed. Shows like American Idol and Amereica's got talent has put the focus on individual artists/stars and downplayed the roll of the back-up musicians. This has created an environement once again like the world of the funk brothers who would rather be paid a working wage for making music than making cars.
What do people feel about this throw back trend. Are we once again putting the power in the hands of the few rather than the many and subsequently exploiting musicians like it was done 50 years ago?
Please let me know your opinions on this change in dynamics.
Thanks again for both posting the article but also for helping shed some more light on how the music of that time was actually produced.
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Thank you for your extensive reply. I totally agree with you. Music nowadays is much more volatile, it is all about the singer/artist individual. An artist get a song (more often won't write it themselves) and records it companied by anonymous musicians. although they get a cut in shares of income, the aren't recognized for the talent that they bring. But to be honest, in the present tense there aren't musical revolutions anymore like the 60's and 70's. One day your hot, the next day your place is taken by ten others. Ofcourse exceptions. But i sure agree, and I would love to see that turning into musicians getting the recognition they deserve..
Thanks again,
Take care and have a nice day!!
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You too. All the best.
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great post, been a pro bass player all my adult life
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Thank you very much !! Much appreciated!!
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Really enjoyed the article, by the way. What inspired you to write about one of Motown's secret hero's?
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Thank you :) I'm inspired by music in general but have a weakness for bassplayers. I listen to all kinds of music with focus on the bassplayer mostly :) As I mentioned in my article, he influenced me by listening to him a lot on all the Motown records. Pieces of his playing I try to put into my own bassplaying. I often listen to his beautifull basslines with my bassbuddy Danny Samar. This morning I talked with another steemian ( @melbookermusic ) about Jamerson, that's how I got triggered and inspired to write a piece about him.
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Thanks I'll take a look. Cheers
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