inShare Late Motown bassist James Jamerson receiving award

Mercury News ^ | 1-17-12 | JEFF KAROUB

[bigbob]

The son of a Motown Records behind-the-scenes legend and inspiration for bassists the world over said he's planning to pay tribute to this father the best way he knows how.

James Jamerson Jr. said he will strap on a bass Friday and play his father's part on "What's Going On," the Marvin Gaye hit that the elder Jamerson "always bragged about." He will play during the National Association of Music Merchants show in Anaheim, Calif., and join his mother, Annie Jamerson, and other family members to accept the International Bassist Award on behalf of James Jamerson Sr., who died in 1983.

[bigbob]

James Jamerson Sr. was the best bass player ever.

See "Standing in the Shadows of Mowtown" if you have any doubt.

Very cool.

[Boogieman]

For me, it’s a toss up between him and Entwistle, but he’s a true legend.

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

Back when I used to read guitar mags (Guitar Player, Guitar World, GFPM), I saw his name pop up as an influence pretty often whenever they interviewed bass players.

Just for the record, my favorite bassists are Geddy Lee, Entwistle, Chris Squire and Steve Harris. But not always in that order.

[cuban leaf]

I’m a big fan of music documentaries (and documentaries in general), music movies and musician biographies. I’m also a bass player. I think Jamerson’s claim to fame is, as with so many musicians, being the first to do things.

Also, I own Standing in the Shadows of Mowtown and, though the reason for its creation is valid, I think it is the lamest music documentaries I own. I think it could have been a much more interesting documentary.

I think Victor Wooten would give Jamerson a run for his money. Heck, the bass player in Michael Shrieve’s band (used to play at TOST in Freemont area of Seattle every Monday) would give them all a run for their money, and few have even heard of him.

[cuban leaf]

Go to 6:33 here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Xg9nr0lv6w

Farko Dosumov