The Bass Line That Started a DYNASTY
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- Опубліковано 1 вер 2023
- #bass #basshistory #groove #analysis #transcription #ewf #paulthompson
For the FIRST time on my channel, I'm talking about the "Elements of the Universe" - EARTH, WIND & FIRE, and their legendary bassist Verdine White. I'll break down the song that brought them international fame (1975's "Shining Star") and tell you why the bass line is so iconic. I'll also use three of my favorite Verdine EWF grooves to show you the 3 essential elements to his legendary bass playing style.
Website: www.paulthompson.us
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I don't care what anybody says, you can learn the notes all you want. But if you ain't got that thang you ain't got that Thang!🔥
Facts!!
PREACH IT! ❤❤❤
Amen!!!!
Right on!
I saw EWF this weekend (2023). Verdine was legendary at age 72! Still dancing. Still taking solos. Still making the crowd scream.
Saw them with Lionel Richie(not worth the price for LR, but EWF just KILLED). Verdine was fantastic...his solo reminded me of Gene Simmons...so much "showman", but a much better musician!
i saw them too! it was incredible
Wow! Lucky you! Doggone, I leave Vegas just before they arrive. Dang
I was there, what an incredible show. Before the show, I thought LR should have open for EWF.
@@bradstensland506 Same here, saw them in Boston. When I realized EWF was opening for LR, I was like "What?" But LR was pretty cool too, when you realize how many of his songs you know. EWF was awesome!!! and Verdine was great!
met Verdine in Paris (France) in the early 2000, we were playing with my band in a restaurant to open the night… I was the bass player… and the waiter… he arrived mid afternoon to have a diner… imagine my reaction … he wanted to jam with the band after his lunch… one of the most humble and nice guy … he played on my Fender jazz bass, reading the real book, jamming with my band… one of the best memory of my life !! a great man !
Did he autograph it? I would faint!❤❤❤❤
@@praisemusic1016 unfortunatly no, I was too excited to think about it ! I was 25 … I still can’t believe that happened 😂 !
Grazie per averci ricordato che Parigi è in Francia, grazie di cuore❤️
@@Theolonius-ov1ij In altre parti del mondo, anche l'Europa ha le sue Parigi, quattro in totale, situate in Danimarca, Svezia e Russia. Il continente africano ne ha solo uno, in Gabon.
Stati Uniti: 18
Canada: 2
Panamense: 1
Danimarca: 1
Svezia: 1
Russia: 2
Gabon: 1
Verdine is always smiling when he's playing his Bass Guitar .
He is one of the best bass players of all time, no question.
My first bass teacher played "Shining Star" for me on my first bass lesson before I ever played anything on the bass. Verdine's playing is so inspirational! Thank you Paul!
Verdine is a major reason I took up playing bass in the late '70's! I'll never forget watching him, dressed as a witch doctor, playing an extended solo. While soloing, he danced his way into a hut made out of straw. The hut elevated into the air, and exploded with a huge flash! The solo continued, and he magically elevated from the floor, on the opposite side of the stage! He never lost the groove while performing the stunt!
I knew that was what it was as soon as I saw the video.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if it turned out he levitated that under his own power.
How do you do all that with a cable attached -- or did they have wireless kits back then?
I never saw that video.
Dang, I'm so envious of you right now lol.🙆♂️🙋♂️
I am a pure New Wave and hard core Rocker from the 70's and 80's. But whenever I hear EWF, I bow to the Masters!! Absolutely love Earth Wind and Fire. I, sadly, remember when it was broadcast on Sirius/XM that Maurice White had passed I was totally bummed out. Still bummed out to this day, may he rest in peace.🙏
Thank you for honoring one of the true originals of Funk.
As a non-musician, love watching your videos and learning so much. Even bigger appreciation of EWF's Verdine White.
At the age of 15 while living in Memphis we lived next door to Maurice and Verdine's aunt, she could never grasp the excitement they generated around the neighborhood when they would come to visit because to her they were just her nephews.
Incredible! He was the reason I left guitar and started learning to play bass back in the mid 70's! Playing Keep Your Head to the Sky, Devotion, Reasons, Where Have All The Flowers Gone, and so many more! Wow! Still the most exciting bassist in a Funk/Soul band to watch! Don't forget, he also dances while playing which is crazy when you listen to his deliberate and precise playing style! Thank you for showcasing this Bass Master!
Verdine's playing on "Happy Feeling" is what me start playing bass.
Thank you! Verdine White deserves every flower every video and every word of praise! ❤
Earth, Wind & Fire was my first major big concert I went to. I was blown away in 1977, Seattle, WA. By the mid '90's a hundred major concert acts later. EW&F is still in the top few bands acts live that I have seen to date. Only saw them that one show, man oh man what a show.
I was at that concert too! One of the best I've ever been to and every time I here a EWF song I can't help but tap my foot, start singing along and generally just be in a better mood. This band is one of the best!
You saw the All n All life changing concert!!!
I'm jealous! They're the #1 act that I have never seen. Don't know why. Maybe because I was a teenager in the 70s & one of my sis & my brother took me to a couple of shows until I was able to go with my own money....but I'm glad you had the opportunity to see them! Must've been a show for the ages ..
I'm not even a bass player, but I love this channel.
ALWAYS LOVE HOW U TAKE US TO SCHOOL WITH THESE VIDEOS!
I absolutely love the sound of the seventies Jazz Bass. That is the reason why I want to play the bass!
Verdine plays just a bit in the future. Each note is fretted, string pulled taught ready to release in advance of the beat. His timing is so precise and powerful. There is the energy that propels the groove.
Interesting that you mention that. I hear other bass players describe lagging a little behind as being "in the pocket" so to speak.
"Pocket" is a bit of an ambiguous term. To me it means establishing a steady feel and not deviating from it regardless of where the notes are played in time.
Not saying he plays ahead of the beat. He is prepared like an archer ready to take his shot in advance. That's why the kick and bass are so unbelievably tight. These days people rely on side-chaining..@@oceanaxim
Great that Verdine White came up with the idea of overdubbing bass in the studio. Nobody ever thought twice about overdubbing a vocal or guitar, etc. Go Verdine!
That's my music and era!😎😎😎😎😎
Should of been time my brother!
The greatest band ever!!
I was just watching the Classic Albums for Peter Gabriel's "So", and there's a nice short bit with Larry Klein talking about his use of tenths on "Mercy Street". Cool to hear them in a totally different context.
Oh brother, Paul on the subject of the band of my life and their mega outstanding bassplayer❤❤
I grew up with and by listening to the ellements.
Wisdom in it's most groovy form and shape ever.
The importance of the music of E,W&F for me can not be understated. It's the soundtrack that ALWAY's get's my head up when I'm feeling down. The lyrics, the music. Simply put: As essential as food for me.
You are spot on Paul to say, the bassline of Shining Star is deceptifly simple. Like almost any Verdine line is.
But that groove. My oh my.
It is the reason why you see so many interviews on bass chanels e.a. with greats like Marcus, Bootsy and Verdine besides them. Verdine's playing is exceptional to basspro's. For the public. He is that bassline that makes 'em dance. That's it. And that was and is Verdine's powertrick: Be a servant to the groove. Well, he is the groove.
Thank you Paul for time and time again making these valuable and outstanding lessons on the bassplayers and bands of my preference.
We Sir, have totally identical taste it seems.
Much appreciated❤
And hopefully you are in good health. Bless you!
Very glad I got a chance to see the band play live at a few outdoor festivals. I've never seen a more positive crowd, aged 5 to 95. It speaks so powerfully to EWF's beautiful worldview. Verdine shows such joy in his playing!
My favorite Group of All Times.
Verdine is not only sweet on that bass, he's a beautiful person. Met him in Hollywood, Ca back in the day!
Nine concerts and several tattoos later, and I am still hooked eternally.
I mean, the brass section, Philip and Maurice, and Verdine? He's a baaaaad bass man!
Thanks for being who you are and teaching us to really use our ears to listen deeper!!!
You have one of the (if not THE) most interesting bass channels on UA-cam. Thanks for your work!
Incredible band for incredible times life seemed good back in the DAY ❤️
I've seen them in concert at least 5 times including back stage where I thank them for all the years of great music. Watching him while playing, he scats every note he plays and his whole person is involved in movement to timing and rhythm. He is a joy to watch and listen to. The entire group is simply stellar!
Thanks for sharing, EW&F, great band! Dont forget to mention Mr. Louis Satterfield, EW&F's trombone player, and Verdine White's bass insructor.
Verdine White is always something to watch. He is intense! He's vicious on that bass! My favorite he did was African Symphony. He tore that bass up! Wooooo!❤❤❤❤❤❤
Yoo...I was pushin on the 110 north years ago in L.A...coming up on downtown, I see a dope coup next to me, I think a Benz?
For sure tho, it was Verdine! Haha I could not mistake him. He had the hair and the mug. That was a cool moment.
In 2011, I got to perform with EWF in Vegas! It was the most plush gig Ive ever done. It was at the Wynn, and it was for their premium guests/families so it was a baller party to celebrate their year of patronage. We rehearsed and stayed in the Wynn for a whole week to prepare...
It was a New Years Eve party, and they wanted a bunch of drummers to hype up the crowd, so that's why we were there. After we got the crowd hyped, EWF came out and we got to perform September with them!!!
Memories. Much love 🎉
That “Fantasy” bassline 😍
"Getaway" was the first song from EWF I tried to learn when I was introduced to band's music. I wondered then if there were multiple bass tracks in that song also. Maybe there was. And that 'digging in' was one of the reasons why I really fell in love in Verdine's playing.
In 1976 I helped form an R&B/funk band with the instrumentation of 2 guitars, me on bass, drums, tenor sax, and alto sax. We were all high school classmates from the suburbs of Richmond, Va. We did a lot of AWB covers, but later we added a trumpet and began playing "Africano/Power Medley" and "Yearnin' Learnin'" from the live portion of the Gratitude album. When All 'N All was released we added "Jupiter" and "Serpentine Fire" to the setlists. Our drummer had a '69 Mustang with a great stereo system with an early graphic EQ installed; we used to go tearing down the road with the All 'N All 8-Track tape blasting out of the speakers at high volume.
Thanks to your video, now I understand why there were so many subtle complexities in Verdine's bass lines. I got to see them live around 1979 and that show was still the best I've ever seen. The choreography, costume changes, and pyrotechnics were all flawless and spectacular, but none of that got in the way of the rock-solid musical performance. The horn section brought the number of musicians on stage to 12, and they worked together so well it was better than anything I've seen, before or since. I cried the day Maurice White died; Verdine will always be one of my heroes for the profound influence he had on my life. This white kid from the 'burbs will always be thankful that he got to experience EWF at its peak.
Great story...my HS band in 1976 (Norfolk, VA) attempted AWB (with no horns). ;-)
I had HS buds that attended a Uriah Heep concert at the Hampton Coliseum in (IIRC) 1973. EWF OPENED! All these long-hair buds talked about was how fantastic this Soul band was. Uriah Heep who?
Another brilliant episode Paul ! Not only did I wear out all the EW&F records but The Emotions ( My Everything from Sunbeam) and the debut record from Deniece Williams. Feat: Slip Away, Free, Somebody’s Watching all featuring the one and only Verdine White!
Thanks for that information. I didn't know Verdine White played on all those songs. Are there other great songs that he played on the general public doesn't know about?
Everytime Verdine plays he puts on a clinic..Another banger from the desk of PD Bass
Their very first album is Choice! A surprise for them that only know them for their "pop" hits, although those are Choice too. Lotta Class....Thank you for spotlighting!
EWF was the third concert I ever attended, in 1982. That show is still in my top five concerts I’ve ever been to.
Absolutely brilliant. Verdine was/is a huge influence on my playing. He taught me to slow down and lock into the groove......the rest is icing. : )
I was a fan of EWF for years before I finally. saw them live, and Dine was a revelation. How had I missed his skill ad talent all of those years. VERY discrete, but one hell of a musician!!
You can't put into words the feeling of watching Verdine White play live.
Verdine! Monster player, and I’m always glad when he’s brought up in the conversation about influential bassists.
Another trait of Verdine's bass lines is that he leaves space. This is related to his clarity but is its own thing.
I'm mainly a prog rock guy, but Verdine is my overall favorite bassist -- not because his playing is the most technically demanding, but because it is so tasteful and creative.
and we will groove that music, again, for a lonnnng time. Thanks you for this video, man. Great content! Cheers from Italy
Covering without doubt the 4 greatest music decades 50s 60s 70s & culminating in the great 80s that had the most genres peaking and popular at same time (my decade!) Thanks Paul.
What a massive musical force !!! LOVE these guys to death !!! They are so so underrated …..and so so gifted in composing -& performing …magical
I sent it to someone, who’s going to send it to him tomorrow
I feel like I undervalued the impact of players like Verdine on my decision to play bass (from guitar) as a kid in 1979 … I am glad to really soak it all in now, with incredible depth you provide!
In an interview I read, Verdine White stated that Louis Satterfield (Bassist for Chess Records and trombone player in EW&F) was his bass coach in the beginning. Thank you Paul!!!
They have a ton of awesome songs and records ...
Verdine’s greatest performance was “New World Symphony”. It was a live recording from the Gratitude album. I saw him perform it live twice during the time when they incorporated Doug Henning’s magic into their act. Him playing a funky bass solo while floating 30+ feet above the stage and then completely disappearing in mid air was spectacular!!!
Now that's a real bass player. I love it.
This music bass can help our children with some of their trauma. We need this music today--it is so soulful, up-lifting and just right!
I've been looking forward to this since you announced it a few days ago-- you never fail to disappoint brotha PD! Thank you!🙏🏽
Yes indeed Paul. That's The Way of the World was the first whole album I fell in love with. Thank you, thank you! 😎👍
Great episode about my favorite bassist ever.. THANK YOU
I was looking forward to vid, and it did not disappoint, pdbass
❤️ Verdine, one the best, bass or otherwise. So many great bass lines, as you said , pdbass , deceptively simple.
He’s one of the Masters!
Love your videos ! Brilliant analysis, excellent teaching. Everything is gold star blue ribbon video !
Best group EVEEEEEER!!!!!
The basslines on Earth Wind and Fire songs are like songs within songs. They truly stand out. Verdine White? An absolute master and legend. Love these breakdowns, sir! 🎸⭐️💯👍🏾
Another epic episode….thanks for sharing your analysis. I listen to my old favorites much differently because of your insight and my bass playing is better because of it🙏🏾
Yeah man - power to the brothers - power to the groove!
Great video, Paul! Mr. White has the "must learn" vocabulary every bassist should know.
Yep! I saw them in 1974 at VSU and was born again as a bass player. Verdine inspired my style as a pocket player and my claim to fame, moving with the basslines. One cat told me a deaf person could hear me playing by watching my moves LOL but so serious at the same time. I have Verdine to thank for that!!!
Your at it again . Lol . Know this please . The gratitude album which I know each song from top to bottom. Also the live version of DEVOTION is a morning ritual everyday as I drive to work . Pheeew . Good GOD do I love that that cut . Oh yeah it’s me Joey in Pennsylvania. Your tops Sir . Keep up the great work
I love this channel! ❤
That’s wild they didn’t have a #1 hit until album 6. Wow. EWF forever legends. Verdine 🎸 🔥
Thanks for covering the great Verdine White, groovin!! 😎
Clean, perfection! Bassist want to go wild. But, Simple, clean, and perfect, he is!
The great Dino!!!
Yes yes and yes. A tribute to absolute beauty. Thank you,
VERDINE!!!🔥🔥🔥🎸🎸🎸
I remain amazed at how eloquent, insightful and knowledgeable is this brother. I just keep learning each time I view a pdbass video. Thank you.
Blessings, Grace and Peace 😊
I watch E,W&F every chance I get! Verdine White has so much stage presence energy! I'm a hardcore rock'n'roller but I caught the Crossroads episode with Chicago a long time ago that sold me on EWF.
One of the best bass players in one of the best bands in the entire history of humanity.
Seen these guys(EWF) in concert(Cleveland, Oh), and Verdine was all over the stage! Loved it! 😊😊
I remember in the EW&F documentary..Louis Satterfield called Verdine a “Rhythm King”
AWESOME!!!! video,THANKS. I was turned onto Earth,Wind & Fire in 7th grade, that was in 1975, the Gratitude album just came out in November of '75 man I was BLOWN AWAY!!!! I still listen to EWF and yes Verdine's bass parts are EPIC!!!!
I had the great fortune of meeting Verdine. What a wonderful person and definitely has been an inspiration on how I play.
He is very underrated
OUTSTANDING video!!! I don't play or read at all, but bass is king to me in music. I study all the way back to Charlie Mingus, Larry Graham, Marcus Miller, etc. But the two greatest bass performances I have ever heard are by Verdine White (New World Symphony and Bad tune). I'd love to know your thoughts on them. I never miss your videos... keep up the good work!❤
His solo in New World Symphony is insane!
@richardpayton9671 agreed I've heard it hundreds of times, and I'm still amazed every single time I listen.
Love this channel bcs it pays tribute to music innovators both famous and mostly unheralded for all thier immensely talented. Berdine played bass this well while hoppin around side to side like a grasshopper with all that long black hair floppin off his shoulders
Hell yeah!! I'm fortunate enough to have seen EW&F live twice, and they remain one of my favorite bands!
Maurice White said in an interview that all the harmony's on the albums were done by him and Phillip Bailey. They taught it to the other band members later.
I never get tired of playing that major third he plays as the pickup to the verse out of the interlude in that song. Crazy
Beautiful job! You absolutely nailed the many musical attributes of Verdine White. As an older person who grew up listening to and grooving to EWF, its sad that they were among the last R&B super-groups to write and preform music with a positive outlook on a consistent basis. Long live EWF and again, PDBass, another great video!
I was going to say a lot of music is melancholy, but EWF take me back to pure joy, prob because I was a kid when they hit. Pure talent, skill, ambition and futurism, they were something else.
I haven't seen EWF since before Maurice died..but I saw them no less than four times back in the day and let me say that Verdine is a killer!
He leads the band with the neck of his bass..swinging it around like a baton(!) Never missing a note man!!
What a groove!
Paul knocks another one out of the park. Hard to believe but Verdine's been holding it down for damn near 6 decades now. EWF had such a huge sound and Verdine was the anchor.
“Can’t Hide Love” has always been my particular EWF fave. A large part of the attraction has always been Verdine’s bass line and the fact that his technique is so punchy and it’s also so high in the mix.
This is my favorite bass channel I think
That SS hook is just insane... and I forgot about mighty mighty which is just out of control...
Saw them at jazz fest in the mid-90s Maceo opened up the show was as good as you can ever imagine
Thank you. Verdin White is a genius
Perfect indeed! Thanks for the knowledge man. Keep'em comin'
Still one of the most legendary bass players to this day ❤🎉🎉🎉
Thanks for this run down of Verdine White's techniques and influence. I learned about all this late in my career, if I had known about him earlier I think my style would have developed in a way that obviously reflected his influence (damn my rural Midwest upbringing)
I even found out that earlier in my career I had a Yamaha TRB-4P bass that looked just like his (I don't know if he had the same electronics), it was one of the best basses, getting the sound I aspired to, that I ever owned.
Thanks again and thank you Maestro Verdine White!!💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️
I wish you existed when I was first learning bass. You open my eyes every time you post a video!