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Favorite Bass Lines

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Was going through the worst of the worst thread and saw Jackie Wilson's Because of You being mentioned. I really like the record so I gave it another listen. I think I never realized how amazing the bass line is:

JACKIE WILSON - BECAUSE OF YOU -

It got me thinking. Bass lines are one of the things in a record that really gets to my spine. Lyrics can be bad, production too weak, but if the bass line is good, then I'm up for it. Of course, we've got James Jamerson to thank, but others picked up his style really well:

CURTIS MAYFIELD - MISS BLACK AMERICA - CURTOM LP -

Specially towards the end. The guy just goes bonkers all over the bass. Amazing!

Or this one:

YOU'RE JUST THE KIND OF GUY - KIM WESTON - MGM -

What are your favorites, then?

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Often described as the world's prettiest bassline, I give you my all time favourite -

Jackson Five - Darling Dear

I'd love to hear an isolated bass track of JJ playing this. There's lots of folk who are JJ wannabee's trying to play this on youtube, and although they are not as good as the great man you can get to see just how fabulous he was at laying an inventive and danceable bass line. ( try the one uri7777) of copurse no-one does the JJ one finger hook, but it is sweet to listen to, along with the young black version of MJ on vocal.

In Northern Soul terms Sam Dees "Lonely For You Baby" SSS Int. takes some beating, especially the intro.

James Jamerson on I'm Ready For Love from Martha & the Vandellas

check out the bassline on the "for once in my life" backing track which features on the double cd "standing in the shadows of motown. james jamerson fully exposed as the gifted genius he was. this track, regardless of stevie's vocal or lyrics, is a standout that could be played on its own merits at any northern/crossover soul night.

lets be clear here, there are many tremendous northern anthems that are carried by the bass contribution, included amongst these, the tamangoes, sam dees, bari track etc., but for sheer intricacies, none of which his latter day or former peers can touch, jamerson is a stand-alone in the art and will be revered for all-time.yes.gifthumbsup.gif

The greatest slice of bass for me is :

The intro to Stevie Wonder - Uptight - Tamla

Simplicity itself but played like a metronome. Result: Classic bassline intro that stands proudly next to anything produced by anyone before or since.

Regards,

Dave

ERIC MERCURY - LONELY GIRL PART 1 -

There's a female version where the bass is more pronounced. That'd be # 1. :thumbsup:

Just can't stop playing this after recently "rediscovering" it

FOUR TOPS-DONT BRING BACK THESE MEMORIES-MOTOWN -

That plodding bass, Levis vocals, and then that piano kicks in........Awsome

Definately gonna play this out when I get chance.

Montclairs "Hung up on your love" Fantastic!

As was said....as a genre it is very bass driven so lots to choose from. Sometimes though a good bassist is one who doesn't stand out imediatley... because he is so in time with his drummer & in tune with the band...thus weaving the song together.

We tend to pick tunes where the bass is right up front I guess.

& in that mold a few I like are :

Gino Washington - Like My Baby ...simple..but so enticing!!

Dee Clark - That's My Girl

Too Hot To Hold - James Duncan

& perhaps..an unlikely candidate... 21st Century - Every Little Heartache ...quite a pronounced bass for a slowish track...love it!

Edited by Bogue

soul bros six / ill be loving you .....wicked melody...loud in the mix almost like a reggae track !...

but then again...ray agees real real love is mental....must have been speeding his nuts off !!

James Jamerson on I'm Ready For Love from Martha & the Vandellas

yeah, such a great bassline the Jam ripped it off for 'town called malice'!

ESQUIRES - LISTEN TO ME - CAPITOL -

how bout The Esquires "listen to me"? one of them records you can pick up for 50 cents in almost any junk shop, but WOW. if it were rare??

Edited by rosies dad

The ohio players - you don't mean it - it has a crazy and fantastic bass going on me thinks !

Edited by mossy

A TOP BASS LINE FOR ME IS ON "TIME IS TIGHT" BOOKER T AND THE MGs

job opening - the del larks. that opening bass line has to be the best intro in any song.(imho)thumbsup.gif

Martha and the Vandellas Show Me The Way has one of my favourite basslines

Psychedlic soul is great too

and Herbs Never Never

the twangy bass line and the whole arrangement on,"love child",d.ross/supremes,imo quality,!!! heres the inst version,get the headphones on full blast,unsure.gifph34r.gif

NOT THE BEST BUT ONE OF MY FAVOURITES

FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS - THE NIGHT - MOWEST UK ONE SIDED PROMO/TEST -

KEV

BTW WHO IS THE BASS PLAYER ON THIS

mr dunn from b/t/mgs on stax,top man,???unsure.gifph34r.gif

Not a bass guitar, or bass riff, but the double bass string break in the middle of Judy Street still gives me tingles!

yeah, such a great bassline the Jam ripped it off for 'town called malice'!

Agreed.

Brilliant throbbing bassline, one of Jamerson's very best.

'I'm Ready For Love' is a classic song (wonderful lyrics) and a passionate performance by Martha.

We discussed it on another thread not so long ago.

Edited by Paul

And don't forget about 'Bernadette' by The Four Tops. Jamerson at his best again

I also love the bass line on 'Don't Leave Me' by Holland & Dozier.

And a few others come straight to mind...

'Brown Eyed Girl' (Van Morrison)

'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' (Marvin & Tammi)

'I Get The Sweetest Feeling' (Jackie Wilson)

'If I Were Your Woman' (Gladys Knight)

'Ain't Understanding Mellow' (Jerry Butler & Brenda Lee Eager)

'What's It Gonna Be' (Dusty Springfield)

'It Ain't Like It Used To Be' (Randolph Brown & Co)

Edited by Paul

How about this for a bass-driven double-sider...

Edwin Starr - Time/Running Back and Forth thumbsup.gif

Would that have been Bob Babbitt playing the bass?

'Astral Weeks' - Van Morrison

And don't forget about 'Bernadette' by The Four Tops. Jamerson at his best again

And a few others come straight to mind...

'Ain't Understanding Mellow' (Jerry Butler & Brenda Lee Eager)

Good call.

Regards,

Dave

Freeze-Southern Freeze and Dana Valery-You Dont Know Where youre Interest Lies

Byron Morris And Unity-Kitty Bey

Edited by wiggyflat

Not Soul, but the opening of "So what" by Miles Davis is built round that bass riff. Great stuff!

I use a 10lb breaking strain monofil laugh.gif

Great stuff, people, thanks.

Keep 'em coming.

Johnny Clarke Up Park Camp

Homer Banks A lot of love

The Animals We got to get out of this place

Cheers

Manus

Johnny Clarke Up Park Camp

Homer Banks A lot of love

The Animals We got to get out of this place

Cheers

Manus

This guys good doing The MVP's Turning My Heart Beat Up.

I have a Fender Jazz Bass at home with the intentions of learning it.But alas work prevents me.

This guys good doing The MVP's Turning My Heart Beat Up.

I have a Fender Jazz Bass at home with the intentions of learning it.But alas work prevents me.

Good footage Steve - the guy can play a bit - my son plays bass in a local band wish I had that kind of talent.

Cheers

Manus

This guys good doing The MVP's Turning My Heart Beat Up.

I have a Fender Jazz Bass at home with the intentions of learning it.But alas work prevents me.

https://www.youtube.c...h?v=cXnecE5837A

Hello Steve,

I have a nice custom Fender Precision bass in the office / studio, built to vintage spec but with both Jazz and Precision pick ups.

My cousin Steve Met made it for me.

He thought I'd pick it up pretty fast but after all these years it's not easy, especially as I don't have the time to study.

So it's out on loan at the moment.

Larry Williams - Ask For One Good Reason - Okeh

Absolutely incredible bassline!

Nice choice Joan - Just what I was thinking - Incredible bass line on this track and definately in my top 5.

Dave

Bassline..

The bass all the way through but especially the break at 1m 30s in the awsome Mitty Collier's take on "Git Out"

MITTY COLLIE - GIT OUT -

And nearly forgot this one; Frank Beverly & The Butlers - Love

ATB

Greg.

Edited by ClearVinyl

Jimmy Preacher Ellie - i'm gonna do it by myself (Jewel)

Not really sure if I'm replying with the right answers, but here are a few tunes, with what I think are great or unique baselines.

Jean Elias - How long Can I Go On Fooling Myself - BackBeat

Jean Plum - Here I Go Again - Hi

Clausel - Let Me Love You - Up Right

Ty Karin & George Griffin - Keep On Doin' Whatcha' Doin' - Sheridan House

Ann Peebles - I Don't Lend My Man - Hi

Barbara Brown - Can't Find Happiness - Atco

Candi Staton - Evidence - Fame

sometimes you just don't hear the bass well enough in many soul productions. one song in which i LOVE the bass recording is the break in the middle of 'stop you're hurting my heart' by dee andrews (1:00-1:12).

sounds like the guy is playing right in your living room! (anyone know who was on bass on these Tangerine sessions?)

DEE ANDREWS - STOP YOUR HURTING MY HEART - TANGERINE PROMO -

Edited by ljblanken

Darrow Fletcher - Pain Gets A Little Deeper

Lotsa Motown stuff of course, but for me-(today) it would be

Temptations-( Loneliness, made me realise) It's You That I Need.

Tony

Edited by tonyp

a couple of oldies from me not the best but,unsure.gifph34r.gif

now tighten up on that bass,

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