My music teacher showed me this song and I’ve been hooked. Just the beat and the way the drums slowly come in, and the way it all comes together. Chefs kiss 🤌
And most folk don't know that he would just toss away any music score (notation) he was given by the producers/arrangers and just used his innate talent to CREATE these bass music lines!
At faster tempos he did use two fingers, but the majority of the songs he did with Motown are with just one finger! And he's a great improviser! He was a jazz bassist after all!
@@marventos8104 most likely 4 fingers....on his fretting hand and of course ONE finger on his plucking hand. LOL you can gracefully accept that explanation as your "out"
Yes, another unsung hero who influenced a generation of drummers, including me. That is him on this track. He invented a drum lick I call a Benny. The start of "Aint Too Proud To Beg" is a Benny. Everyone uses it and no one knows where it came from. I do.
In the mid to late 70's, I bought an eight track tape of the Four Tops that included this song. Played on my stereo, you could hear this bass loud and clear! It made me fall in love with this song even more than before!! I don't hear the bass anymore when Bernadette is being played on the radio, or anywhere else, but I can still imagine it!
Absolutely brother! What Berry Gordy did that was unique with the Four Tops is the Funk Brothers all played a key higher while recording with the Four Tops then all the rest of the Motown Acts, which gave Levi Stubbs voice a sense of urgency which proved to be very successful and also he's my favorite singer of all time no one has more soul then Levi Stubbs may he RIP
Bernadette and Standing in the Shadow of Love have always been my favorite 4 Tops songs even as a little kid now I am learning about the man who made all those awesome basslines go
Those old Motown bass tracks inspired me to become a soul bass player in the late 60's. This track is proof that you don't need to play "lead bass" as so many overplaying guys do today.
From the opening notes to the end, while his life or soul was troubled, I want to imagine that he was at peace when he played these eternal notes. I have faith that he is in heaven playing and the Angels are asking him to play Bernadette one more time for eternity. This man redefined and invented at the same time. Peace
I'm here because this guy made a new nix of classics and modern for the carnival game I work at the age of 61, and I just smile during the opening bass, I forgot how grateful this song was
I’ve never cared for “older” music too much. Stumbled across this after becoming a fan to Davie504. This is so good it nearly brought me to tears at 1am. Could be the weed but god damn I understand the groove on a whole new level.
Aged around thirteen I had to find out who played that bass on my dad's gaye terrell compilation, that was near thirty years ago, it's a musical love affair that keeps me here now replying to stoners.
Can't go wrong exploring Motown, have you ever seen the movie Standing in the Shadows of Motown? It's about their house band, the Funk Brothers. They had more #1's than the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, and the Beatles COMBINED. Most prolific band in music history
Jamerson's fellow members of the studio band, the Funk Brothers, deserve a big well-done, too, because they helped create the groove right alongside James. The guitar players, three or four in particular, often played very rhythmic interlocking parts which allowed James the freedom to be more-melodic. They were Robert White, Eddie Willis, and Joe Messina. Later on, they were supplemented by some others, too, including Dennis Coffey and Wah-Wah Watson. The Miracles guitarist, and longtime Smokey Robinson collaborator Marvin Tarplin also played a big role.
I was a huge James Jamerson fan with out even know who he was back in the 60's and early 70's. And later when I took up bass he had a major impact on my playing style through osmosis. Back then I didn't know anything about studio musicians or "house bands" I just loved the music and Motown bass lines were among the best. Stubborn or not, as one poster noted, he totally got screwed by the industry.
James, what's really amazing is that Jamerson played those amazing lines with only one finger - his hardworking right-hand index finger, which he called "The Hook"! His other RH fingers he rested on the bridge cover of his Fender Precision bass.
My favorite Motown song. The bass line especially and also the background vocals are tremendous. I just visited the Motown Museum a few weeks ago and all these tremendous hits were done in the same smallish studio... about 20 ft by 20 ft.
It's extra crazy because he didn't even record using amps, just straight guitar with no pedals into the main board. His bass was so messed up other players literally could not even get it to play notes correctly. James Jamerson was literally the only person who could do these songs like he did
Jamerson said that he imagined a galloping Arabian horse when he laid this bass line. That’s how the legends process. In most Motown songs the band holds down steady repetitions. It’s Jamersons constant movement that makes..... Motown musically supirior! He taught all bass players the importance of anchoring the song even though they don’t realize it. He was just as good on his upright, But once he discovered that Fender he shook up the world. He was deeply in love with musical complexity. A freak of nature. Sorry, but you don’t recognize James Jamerson as the greatest that ever lived, then I question your music comprehension. You probably think that the best pizza is made in LA!
Awesome track, one of my favorites of the Late Great Mr. Jamerson. Carry's the track so well, plays against the drums in a way a LOT of bass players don't get. Truly a genius. Thanks for posting this!
I would say every basspløyer in some way more or less is influensed by this Maestro who invented groovy bass lines and found out how to play electric bass
I'm with you on that one cuz! I just wished that motown was still putting out the sounds like this.. I'm now old enough to appreciate just how good it all was.
If the essence of great musicianship is to place sounds in just the right spot with just the right emphasis, it doesn't get much better than this. The control he has over the dynamic difference between the off and on beats is masterful.
actually as a bassist myself...the first time i heard that descending line on Black Sabbaths' "NIB" i heard "Bernadette".. the same line in the same key....i guess Geezer Butler listened to as much James Jamerson as me...
I have no doubt this is him, but I think this might have been from a different take than the one that was released. He's accenting the roots twice here on the chord changes, and the first bass fill is different as well (B flat - D - F - A flat - B flat - A flat - F - A flat - B flat). Motown did many takes of the same songs, could have been on a different reel. That makes this an even greater find. I could listen to his playing all day and never get bored.
Paul McCartney cites James as a big influence on him. He recorded this track lying on the floor. Too loaded to stand up! True. And that's a compliment. I think the influence is obvious. Preferring melodic bass lines whenever the song needs that. James influenced a whole generation of bassists and beyond. He is the definition of an unsung hero, that's why I am singing it now.
You know that musicians reflect the influence of their contemporaries, the reason that the Beatles recorded Money is probably because Ringo was knocked out by the sound of Benny Benjamin he heard on the radio. The McBass of the post 64 Beatles was a phenomenal sound, but Macca was not Jamerson and vice versa.
So great to hear this fantastic bass part isolated! I was surprised how much the distortion adds to the percussiveness of the sound. Sounds like either the amp or the speaker was maxed out, or maybe it was recorded "hot", with the VU meters shooting into the red, as they so often did in those days. Great sound from a truly great bassist!
Frank, James Jamerson probably recorded using a tube amp, so maybe the overdrive is some natural compression and distortion coming from that. Tube amps have that wonderful warm yet punchy sound.....
His groove is nothing but feeling. Very few can communicate the very essence of their soul like James. Doesn’t get any funkier!
Got that right my friend, James Jamerson IS pure Funk.
I'm just grateful my soul gets to feel it too
The ONLY bass player that could play busy and never sound “busy”. The ONE AND ONLY JAMES JAMERSON.
It doesn't sound busy because it's all beautifully-executed, graceful dance moves on the fingerboard.
Nobody, and i mean nobody could play bass, like this man, ever, he was the greatest ever.
We all moved and grooved to this beat and never really knew who was actually behind it. It was the backbone of a musical movement.
One of my favorite songs Jamerson played on. He was able to drive the entire song and make it sound so effortless.
My music teacher showed me this song and I’ve been hooked. Just the beat and the way the drums slowly come in, and the way it all comes together. Chefs kiss 🤌
I play bass and James Jamerson is one of my favorite bass players. James Jamerson was an awesome and amazing bass player.
What's even more incredible that most people don't know, is that he played all of his beautiful bass lines, including this one, with only one finger!
And most folk don't know that he would just toss away any music score (notation) he was given by the producers/arrangers and just used his innate talent to CREATE these bass music lines!
At faster tempos he did use two fingers, but the majority of the songs he did with Motown are with just one finger! And he's a great improviser! He was a jazz bassist after all!
This bass line is just so sick, JJ the GOAT
I can listen to bass lines all day long.
me too. amazing
Nicknamed "The Hook" because he picked all those pretty Melodies with just one finger, truly amazing!
Also, his bass lines were often the “hook” of the song
Forreal? My buddy shamed me for mostly playing with one finger. Hell i don't feel so bad now
This was two fingers
@@marventos8104 No it wasn't
@@marventos8104 most likely 4 fingers....on his fretting hand and of course ONE finger on his plucking hand. LOL you can gracefully accept that explanation as your "out"
Benny Benjamin deserves mention here as well for his soulful drums meshed perfectly with Jamerson.
Papa cita!!! Was a baaaad boy!!!🥁
Yes, another unsung hero who influenced a generation of drummers, including me. That is him on this track. He invented a drum lick I call a Benny. The start of "Aint Too Proud To Beg" is a Benny. Everyone uses it and no one knows where it came from. I do.
brand
Not Benny,maybe Uriel or Pistol
No matter how many times I hear this...Still keeps my feet tapping, and sends shivers up my spine at 2:38
That's all groove right there. And James was the grooviest bassist of them all! #RIP
no one does it better PERIOD!!! absolute genius!!!
A TRUE Legend of the Bass, James Jamerson.
In the mid to late 70's, I bought an eight track tape of the Four Tops that included this song. Played on my stereo, you could hear this bass loud and clear! It made me fall in love with this song even more than before!! I don't hear the bass anymore when Bernadette is being played on the radio, or anywhere else, but I can still imagine it!
The great Levi Stubbs on lead vocals. Along with the the greatest bass player in history. Mr James Jamerson 🎤🎸
Absolutely brother! What Berry Gordy did that was unique with the Four Tops is the Funk Brothers all played a key higher while recording with the Four Tops then all the rest of the Motown Acts, which gave Levi Stubbs voice a sense of urgency which proved to be very successful and also he's my favorite singer of all time no one has more soul then Levi Stubbs may he RIP
Bernadette and Standing in the Shadow of Love have always been my favorite 4 Tops songs even as a little kid now I am learning about the man who made all those awesome basslines go
This was beautifully done. Hearing the bass first then the music....
Those old Motown bass tracks inspired me to become a soul bass player in the late 60's.
This track is proof that you don't need to play "lead bass" as so many overplaying guys do today.
This is lead bass. It overshadows everything in the song.
@@flacidhouse350 all instruments have been filtered out here
@@mnatiris Try and keep up if you want to correct people. You're making a fool of yourself.
gingervytis ; DON’T get me started on overplaying Bassists! A lot of these cats seem more interested in showing off their chops than serving the song.
@@warrencox7852 Because they are gay
James Jamerson will long be remembered for his truly genius musical talent!
Then there's :
Berry who?
I’m a drummer but this bass line alone is life!
I would PAY to SEE video of Jameson's HANDS doin' this groove!
I'd trade a finger to see the video of just his one finger picking
many times i've been surprised with this out of the blue ''BERNADETTE'' on the vocal version.
this one scared me!
hahahah!
From the opening notes to the end, while his life or soul was troubled, I want to imagine that he was at peace when he played these eternal notes. I have faith that he is in heaven playing and the Angels are asking him to play Bernadette one more time for eternity. This man redefined and invented at the same time. Peace
Jamerson's style was nothing less than BADASS! :-)
james was one of the best. he had such a feel. most unique
James Jamerson is the man.
A true unsung master of his art until resecently R.I.P Mr Jameson and the rest of the Funk Brothers.
Nothing but LOVE in this. Amen!
I'm here because this guy made a new nix of classics and modern for the carnival game I work at the age of 61, and I just smile during the opening bass, I forgot how grateful this song was
i love this Jamerson's basslines song very much & The Four Tops as well!
This man is an alien, I tell you these bass lines are out of this world.
He's the greatest, MR JAMES JAMERSON. Da' Man. The Legend.
This is music, can you hear it? Its a phenomenon, it's magical
I LOVE YOU JAMES JAMESON!!!! ❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰🥰
Master of the bass!
Legendary James Jamerson RIP you are not forgotten
just love the way those old basslines go bang bang bububa bang bang.....the best
I’ve never cared for “older” music too much. Stumbled across this after becoming a fan to Davie504. This is so good it nearly brought me to tears at 1am. Could be the weed but god damn I understand the groove on a whole new level.
Have you gotten into a similar catalogue these last few months? Motown is so far above common pop music groups it's not even close
Aged around thirteen I had to find out who played that bass on my dad's gaye terrell compilation, that was near thirty years ago, it's a musical love affair that keeps me here now replying to stoners.
Davie has nothing on Jamerson,.
@@burtreynolds2969 who said he did?
Can't go wrong exploring Motown, have you ever seen the movie Standing in the Shadows of Motown? It's about their house band, the Funk Brothers. They had more #1's than the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, and the Beatles COMBINED. Most prolific band in music history
I'm a bit too young for Motown but head this riff somewhere and it just chimed, I had heard it somewhere and it still sounds fantastic.
Awesome bass player. He created an entirely new way of approaching the bass.
Jamerson's fellow members of the studio band, the Funk Brothers, deserve a big well-done, too, because they helped create the groove right alongside James. The guitar players, three or four in particular, often played very rhythmic interlocking parts which allowed James the freedom to be more-melodic. They were Robert White, Eddie Willis, and Joe Messina. Later on, they were supplemented by some others, too, including Dennis Coffey and Wah-Wah Watson. The Miracles guitarist, and longtime Smokey Robinson collaborator Marvin Tarplin also played a big role.
RIP James Jamerson
I was a huge James Jamerson fan with out even know who he was back in the 60's and early 70's. And later when I took up bass he had a major impact on my playing style through osmosis. Back then I didn't know anything about studio musicians or "house bands" I just loved the music and Motown bass lines were among the best. Stubborn or not, as one poster noted, he totally got screwed by the industry.
Rest in peace oh great James Jamerson!!
How am I just now learning of this song?!? Everyone should hear this at least once!
1967!!!!!!! Wish i were there.....boy i would be old though lol.
I was 12 years old in ‘67. Am now 68. Was very well worth it!
Awesome!
I loved him just the way he was.
His bass definitely made the song. Unmistakably Jamerson. Appreciate the post, thanks!
I was blown away when I heard the guitar section on song the first time and still love it. This song will always have a place on my mp3 player's mix.
The Man! RIP and blessings
Benny didn't play during this period but he was the king from 1960 thru 64. Runner up at Stax Al Jackson and Duck Dunn
You are so right. Mr. Jamerson was his own man.
one of the baddest bass player's of all time, rock on my brother,
JAMES JAMERSON is THEE greatest Bass player PERIOD. Nuff said.
Excellent
i could listen to him play bass all day. damn shame he isnt around anymore.
I love his interpretation of how bass should be played!
So smooth!! Jamerson makes it sound so effortless! 👍👍👏👏👏👏😎
James, what's really amazing is that Jamerson played those amazing lines with only one finger - his hardworking right-hand index finger, which he called "The Hook"! His other RH fingers he rested on the bridge cover of his Fender Precision bass.
My favorite Motown song. The bass line especially and also the background vocals are tremendous. I just visited the Motown Museum a few weeks ago and all these tremendous hits were done in the same smallish studio... about 20 ft by 20 ft.
Absolutely laying it down nice and proper!
I love the way you did this. Man, he's overwhelmingly good.
Tell me about it! Best bassist that ever lived
Simply GREAT. Watta fuckin groove
he made this song a hit.
Total Legend!
It's extra crazy because he didn't even record using amps, just straight guitar with no pedals into the main board. His bass was so messed up other players literally could not even get it to play notes correctly. James Jamerson was literally the only person who could do these songs like he did
Jamerson said that he imagined a galloping Arabian horse when he laid this bass line. That’s how the legends process. In most Motown songs the band holds down steady repetitions. It’s Jamersons constant movement that makes..... Motown musically supirior! He taught all bass players the importance of anchoring the song even though they don’t realize it. He was just as good on his upright, But once he discovered that Fender he shook up the world. He was deeply in love with musical complexity. A freak of nature. Sorry, but you don’t recognize James Jamerson as the greatest that ever lived, then I question your music comprehension. You probably think that the best pizza is made in LA!
Playing a Bass guitar that good with only one finger, PURE GENIUS and James Jamerson was just that. Much Respect to the The legendary James Jamerson.
My grandma only had the oldies station playing in her car and I’m grateful. I forever a four tops fan. A Motown fan and especially a Jameson fan
And he did this while he was on his back drunk on the floor of the studio. Amaaaaaaazing.
I think that was the what's going on Baseline he did lying down.
He did not.
Awesome track, one of my favorites of the Late Great Mr. Jamerson. Carry's the track so well, plays against the drums in a way a LOT of bass players don't get. Truly a genius. Thanks for posting this!
I would say every basspløyer in some way more or less is influensed by this Maestro who invented groovy bass lines and found out how to play electric bass
I'm with you on that one cuz! I just wished that motown was still putting out the sounds like this.. I'm now old enough to appreciate just how good it all was.
You damn right ! The hook man
So good so far, that bass line from James Jamerson...
Great mix, thanks for posting
Regarding comments below that it "isn't Him",
It takes me about 10 seconds to hear wether its Him or not!
It IS Him!!!
No question about it!
If the essence of great musicianship is to place sounds in just the right spot with just the right emphasis, it doesn't get much better than this. The control he has over the dynamic difference between the off and on beats is masterful.
actually as a bassist myself...the first time i heard that descending line on Black Sabbaths' "NIB" i heard "Bernadette".. the same line in the same key....i guess Geezer Butler listened to as much James Jamerson as me...
I jumped out of my skin lol it mellows out then...🗣💥
More soul than a sock with a hole
weening
DOOM
I approve
I have no doubt this is him, but I think this might have been from a different take than the one that was released. He's accenting the roots twice here on the chord changes, and the first bass fill is different as well (B flat - D - F - A flat - B flat - A flat - F - A flat - B flat). Motown did many takes of the same songs, could have been on a different reel.
That makes this an even greater find. I could listen to his playing all day and never get bored.
I was trying to find someone that commented on this.
Headphones in on bust. 2:38 scared me silly!
Bernadette!!!!
LOL! :-)
Hahahahaha
genuineuni That was Levi Stubbs Who was once The Four Tops's Lead Singer.
LOL, that was probably the only track that had space to punch that word in, and yeah, that made me jump the first time I heard this.
rofl
I have zero musical talent but this makes me wish I did. So amazing!
With love to the Jameson family jimmy you bass will last a life time rest in peace my love
One of the best bass lines ever played x James Jamerson 🤍✨
Excellent and historic bassline being played, meanwhile insults are being exchanged in the comment section.
Keep moving forward human race.
Have a Happy Easter.
I was never too impressed by bass players until I heard this incredible James Jamerson
DocRewdySoul- well done & fascinating. Thanks much!
JJ was the best! This is from the "Standing In The Shadows of Motown" documentary about the Funk Brothers. The deluxe CD is the best.
His bass would sound so much better today man. The GOAT.
The greatest!!!
Paul McCartney cites James as a big influence on him. He recorded this track lying on the floor. Too loaded to stand up! True. And that's a compliment. I think the influence is obvious. Preferring melodic bass lines whenever the song needs that. James influenced a whole generation of bassists and beyond. He is the definition of an unsung hero, that's why I am singing it now.
No, the famous drunk laying down track is What’s going on. Not Bernadette.
What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye is the track you’re referring to
You know that musicians reflect the influence of their contemporaries, the reason that the Beatles recorded Money is probably because Ringo was knocked out by the sound of Benny Benjamin he heard on the radio. The McBass of the post 64 Beatles was a phenomenal sound, but Macca was not Jamerson and vice versa.
True Story
This is how so much info gets messed up. I’m glad people know enough to correct it.
I love this bass line
THE greatest bass player of all time, mr james iverson, from a white man, nobody ever even compares to him.
my hero! thanks for posting!
There are TWO bassists NO ONE can play like!
Jamerson and Jaco!
People have TRIED,
But it Won't work!
You hear a difference!
Its the Feel!
So great to hear this fantastic bass part isolated! I was surprised how much the distortion adds to the percussiveness of the sound. Sounds like either the amp or the speaker was maxed out, or maybe it was recorded "hot", with the VU meters shooting into the red, as they so often did in those days. Great sound from a truly great bassist!
Frank, James Jamerson probably recorded using a tube amp, so maybe the overdrive is some natural compression and distortion coming from that. Tube amps have that wonderful warm yet punchy sound.....
@@GeorgiaBoy1961 all of the Motown session musicians recorded direct into the board
Pbass.. flatwounds.. and mute under the strings ... all you need to get this tone