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Favorite Bass Lines


Guest Dante

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Guest Dante

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.

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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

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Guest Bogue

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
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Guest rosies dad

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

Edited by mossy
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Guest irishpip

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

Psychedlic soul is great too

and Herbs Never Never

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Guest Trevski

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

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Guest Paul

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
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Guest 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
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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.

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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

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Guest Paul

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.

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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
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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

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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
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