Bass Videos
The Legends of Funk and R&B – the Sixties
Meet Mark von Bergen –
Clearly the most important instrument in funk and R&B music – OK, together with the drums – is the electric bass. While Leo Fender first introduced the electric bass in 1951, it wasn’t until about ten years later that the instrument started making an impact in popular music, thanks to James Jamerson, session bassist for Motown Records in Detroit. Following in the footsteps of Jamerson were many notable bassists, most of whom at the time were uncredited and unknown.
In this edition, we will explore legendary funk and R&B bassists of the 1960s. In a past column, we covered the bassists for James Brown, including Bernard Odum, Tim Drummond, and Charles “Sweets” Sherrell, who provided the foundation of funk in the Sixties for the Godfather of Soul. But there are many others who provided some of the most memorable basslines in popular music during the decade. Some of the most prominent are featured here.
James Jamerson
Jamerson is widely credited as the man who brought the electric bass into the forefront of popular music. He played on countless seminal recordings, backing such artists as Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, and Junior Walker. Surprisingly, Jamerson plucked the strings using only his index finger, known as “the Claw.” This technique can be seen on this very rare appearance of Jamerson on video, backing Marvin Gaye on “What’s Going On?”
Duck Dunn
Donald “Duck” Dunn was a member of Booker T and the MG’s, which served as the house band at Stax Records in Memphis. There he backed such artists as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and Sam & Dave, as well as holding down the bass chair in the MG’s, known for instrumental hits like “Green Onions” and “Hip Hug Her.” In 1977, he joined John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd as part of the Blues Brothers Band, and can be seen in the “Blues Brothers” movie. Here he is with Booker T’s band.
Jerry Jermott
A large influence on players such as Jaco Pastorious (listen to Jaco’s “Come On Come On Over” and “The Chicken”), Jerry Jermott played on many important records of the Sixties and Seventies. He came into prominence when he joined King Curtis’s band in the late Sixties, culminating in the recording of two of the greatest R&B records of all time – “King Curtis Live at the Fillmore West” and “Aretha Franklin Live at the Fillmore West.” One of his most well-known basslines can be heard on B.B. King’s “The Thrill is Gone.” Here he performs “Memphis Soul Stew” with King Curtis.
George Porter, Jr.
George Porter Jr. co-founded the Meters in 1965 and remains today the most respected practitioner of New Orleans funk bass. Porter has also backed the likes of Dr. John, Maceo Porter, David Byrne, and Paul McCartney. In this video, he is seen with the Meters in 1974.
Bass Videos
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
Ian Allison Bassist extreme…
Most recently Ian has spent the last seven years touring nationally as part of Eric Hutchinson and The Believers, sharing stages with acts like Kelly Clarkson, Pentatonix, Rachel Platten, Matt Nathanson, Phillip Phillips, and Cory Wong playing venues such as Radio City Music Hall, The Staples Center and The Xcel Center in St. Paul, MN.
I had a chance to meet up with him at the Sellersville Theater in Eastern Pennsylvania to catch up on everything bass. Visit online at ianmartinallison.com/
Bass Videos
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
Spector Launches Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II…
Spector Musical Instruments expands their celebrated Woodstock Custom Collection with the Volume II series – a breathtaking series of 12 handcrafted, one-of-a-kind bass guitars, each one masterfully designed by members of the Spector team. Crafted in the Spector USA Custom Shop in Woodstock, New York, these works of art go beyond musical instruments and expand the boundaries of Spector Bass design.
Spector’s iconic design lays the foundation for the Volume II collection. Each bass showcases a unique vision, including the selection of tonewoods, electronics, captivating finishes, and intricate design details. The collection highlights Spector’s commitment to craftsmanship and artistry and the individual people and stories that make up the team.
“The Woodstock Custom Collection was such a huge success, and we had so much fun with it that we couldn’t wait to do it again,” said John Stippell, Director – Korg Bass Division. “With Volume II, we’re expanding on everything we learned from the first collection, as well as pushing our design and Custom Shop team even further. These basses are a testament to the inspiring talent, creativity, and skill of every person on the Spector team. I’m excited for all of these basses and love how they tell the unique stories of all involved.”
Visit online at spectorbass.com/
Bass Videos
New Gear: The Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model
Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model…
After playing a limited edition Dingwall live with Duran Duran, John Taylor has launched his
Dingwall Guitars production model, loaded with a Rupert Neve Designs preamp and
Rio-inspired graphics.
Dingwall’s major launch for 2023 was the limited edition Rio Dream Bass, featuring an
innovative Rupert Neve Designs onboard preamp. A year later, the range has been bolstered
with the Canadian company now offering unlimited access to its continued collaboration with
John Taylor of Duran Duran.
Dingwall CEO Sheldon Dingwall says the basses are a response to Taylor’s upfront bass style.
“John’s bass playing with Duran Duran really imprinted on me how a bass should fit into a band mix. The combination of tastefully busy syncopation, his punchy tone, and tight performance immediately drew my ear. His basslines have always had a special combination of energy and elegance.”
The John Taylor Signature model follows the formula of the limited edition Rio Dream Bass,
combining a lightweight Nyatoh body with three neodymium pickups to produce what Dingwall deems “wonderful playability and tones that display a rare clarity and refinement.” The JT Signature model also updates the Rio Dream Bass with a range of new colors; Metallic Black, Primrose, Cranberry and Seafoam Green, as well as a new 5-string variant.
Other specs include a bolt-on Maple neck, a Pau Ferro multi-scale fingerboard with the ‘Rio Eye’ inlaid at the 12th fret, and Dingwall’s new ‘Minimalist’ bridge. The headstock sports lightweight tuners and a Rio-inspired graphic that complements the body stripes, designed by longtime Duran Duran collaborator, Patty Palazzo.
Finally, an onboard preamp designed and configured in collaboration with Rupert Neve Designs, whose studio consoles have long represented the pinnacle of high-end audio engineering, promises a clear voice that balances punch and sustain. “Duran’s breakthrough single, the title track from 1982’s Rio, was originally recorded on a Neve console, so the history was already there,” says Sheldon. “But the team at Rupert Neve Designs absolutely nailed the tone.”
Like the Rio Dream Bass, the JT Signature has also been configured to Taylor’s own personal
specifications. “It all started when I was in Toronto about six years ago,” says Taylor. “A friend
showed me a Dingwall bass on his phone. I loved how it looked and immediately said to my
tech, ‘You’ve got to reach out to these guys!’”
For further information on the range options, head to dingwallguitars.com
Bass Videos
Interview With Bassist Edmond Gilmore
Interview With Bassist Edmond Gilmore…
I am always impressed by the few members of our bass family who are equally proficient on upright as well as electric bass… Edmond Gilmore is one of those special individuals.
While he compartmentalizes his upright playing for mostly classical music and his electric for all the rest, Edmond has a diverse musical background and life experiences that have given him a unique perspective.
Join me as we hear about Edmond’s musical journey, how he gets his sound and his plans for the future.
Photo, Sandrice Lee
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Bass Videos
Have Fret Sprout? Sharp Fret Management… a How-To Video
Products courtesy of Music Nomad Equipment Care and Zymol
Have Fret Sprout? Check out this sharp fret management how-to video…
Have you found a bass you like but noticed the frets feel sharp? Have you ordered a bass online and discovered that the frets are sharp on your hands when it arrives? Have you picked up one of your favorite basses and noticed that the frets seem unusually sharper than they used to? You might be experiencing fret sprout!
Join me as I fix those pesky frets on one of my basses so you learn how to fix yours too.
www.musicnomadcare.com
www.zymol.com
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
New Gear: The Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model
Interview With Bassist Edmond Gilmore
Have Fret Sprout? Sharp Fret Management… a How-To Video
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
New Gear: The Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
