Bass Videos
The Bass Players of James Brown: Bass Videos With Mark von Bergen
James Brown was the Godfather of Soul and Soul Brother No. 1. While everyone in his band contributed to his unique sound, it was the bass players – OK, and the drummers – who provided the foundation of the funk. William “Bootsy” Collins, who has been featured here before, is the most well-known of those who held the bass chair in the various incarnations of Mr. Brown’s band. But others contributed mightily as well, including “Sweet” Charles Sherrell, Bernard Odum, Tim Drummond, and Fred Thomas.
There are two excellent instructional books that feature Mr. Brown’s bassists: Glenn Letsch, “James Brown: A Step-By-Step Breakdown of the Styles and Techniques of James Brown’s Bassists” (Hal Leonard, 2009), and Allan “Dr. Licks” Slutsky and Chuck Silverman, “The Funkmasters: The Great James Brown Rhythm Sections: 1960-1973” (Manhattan Music, 1996). These books break down the bass parts of some of Mr. Brown’s most famous songs, including “Cold Sweat (Bernard Odum on bass) , “Licking-Stick Licking- Stick” (Tim Drummond), “Get Up (I Feel Like Being) a Sex Machine” (Bootsy Collins), “Give it Up or Turnit a Loose” (Bootsy), “Soul Power” (Bootsy again), “There It Is” (Fred Thomas), and “I Don’t Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing” (Charles Sherrell). We highly recommend both books.
Bootsy Collins
Bootsy joined Mr. Brown’s band when he was a mere 18 and left less than a year later. In that short period of time, he revolutionized the funk. Here he is seen playing in Paris in 1971 at the Olympia in Paris. This concert was released on CD as “Love Power Peace.” Everything is perfectly executed on this tune, but note in particular at 3:42 when the band turns on a dime, segueing from “Brother Rapp” into “Ain’t It Funky Now,” and then at 7:21 when Bootsy takes a short solo that was inexplicably – and inexcusably – edited out of the recording. You can feel the platform shoes under your feet as you listen to Bootsy’s ingenious, heavily syncopated lines. Many feel that this is as good as it ever got.
Bernard Odum
Bernard was with the band from 1956 to 1969 when he left over a pay dispute and other issues, opening the door for Bootsy’s arrival. He played on such hits as “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” (1964), “I Got You (I Feel Good)” (1965), and “Cold Sweat” (1967). Here he is heard playing “I Can’t Stand It” in 1968, including a solo at 0:45. Tim Drummond, who later became Bob Dylan’s long-time bassist, played on the original recording.
Fred Thomas
Fred held the the bass chair in Mr. Brown’s band for more than 30 years, sometimes playing with a second bass player. In this video, the band plays a medley of “Get Involved” and “Soul Power.” It is difficult to identify the bass player but it is likely Fred.
Dance Lesson from the Man Himself
Here is a very special treat: a rare dance lesson from Mr. Brown himself. In case you have forgotten how to do the Boogaloo, the Funky Chicken, the Mashed Potatoes, the Robot, or the James Brown, check this out.
Bass Videos
Interview With K3 Sisters Band
K3 Sisters Band Interview…
It is very rare when I talk to a band where all the members play bass. The K3 Sisters Band is a perfect example of a group where Kaylen, Kelsey and Kristen Kassab are all multi-instrumentalists and take turns playing bass.
Hailing from Texas, these three sisters have been playing music since they were very young and have amassed an amazing amount of original music, music videos, streaming concerts, podcasts, and content that has taken numerous social media platforms by storm. On TikTok alone, they have over 2.5 million followers and more than a billion views.
Join me as we hear the story of their musical journey, how they get their sound, and the fundamental principles behind these prolific musicians.
Here is the K3 Sisters Band!
Photo, Bruce Ray Productions
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Bass Player Health
What is a Pinched Nerve? with Dr. Randy Kertz
What is a Pinched Nerve?
In this month’s video, we will cover how to tell if you have a pinched nerve and when to seek professional help.
Dr. Randall Kertz is the author of The Bassist’s Complete Guide to Injury Management, Prevention and Better Health. Click here to get your copy today!
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Bass Videos
Interview With Bassist Danielle Nicole
Bassist Danielle Nicole…
Blues music has universal appeal. We all have our ups and downs and this particular musical genre often fits our reality. Just hearing that we are not alone makes us feel a bit better.
Danielle Nicole writes and sings the Blues. She does an amazing job at delivering both exquisite smoky vocals but plays just the right bass line to drive the tune home. Danielle recently released “The Love You Bleed” last January and will be touring the album this upcoming year.
Join me as we learn about Danielle’s musical journey, how she gets her sound, her plans for the future and more.
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Photo, Missy Faulkner
Bass Videos
Working-Class Zeros: The Struggles of Working-Class Musicians – Episode #1
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #1 – Gig Triangle, Day Gig, and It’s Awesome But Is It Necessary…
“These stories from the front are with real-life, day-to-day musicians who deal with work life and gigging and how they make it work out. Each month, topics may include… the kind of gigs you get, the money, dealing with less-than-ideal rooms, as well as the gear you need to get the job done… and the list goes on from there.” – Steve the Bass Guy and Shawn Cav
Bass Edu
Premiere! Bass Playthrough With Foetal Juice’s Bassist Lewis Bridges – From the Album, Grotesque
Premiere! Bass Playthrough With Foetal Juice’s Bassist Lewis Bridges – From the Album, Grotesque
Bassist Lewis Bridges Shares…
“Gruesome’s sparse intro marks a stark contrast from the intensity of the rest of the album. The original intention was to keep the bass simple but colourful, however as I worked on it, the lines grew more expressive and the more striking flourishes began to emerge. The intensity builds into a harmonic minor passage that takes us into the drop — a signature death grind cacophony. This is where Foetal Juice thrives. You’re getting a full-on right-hand barrage to in the face to take you into a groove-laden mulch-fest.
I owe my throbbing bass tone to the Darkglass Alpha Omega pedal borrowed from our sound engineer, Chris Fielding (ex-Conan), mixed with the clarity of the tried and true Ampeg SVT CL.
As mentioned earlier, colourful basslines are important, especially in a one-guitar band. Chucking some funny intervals and odd flourishes here and there brings life into the brutality. There’s no point sounding brutal if it’s not gonna be fucking evil too!
Recording this playthrough was hard work. This was not the fault of James Goodwin (Necronautical), who was kindly filming and is ace to work with, but because in true Foetal fashion, we had stinking hangovers — and that jam room was hot!”
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