I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home) - Grand Funk Railroad - Bass Cover - Request

[@brucesmith9144]

Mel Schacher is one of those bassists who doesn’t seem to get the credit he rightly deserves. This is a gem.

[@BassCovers]

I totally agree.

[@mikesinawali]

Amen to that😎

[@mysterj1]

when I first heard Mel Schacher on the Live Album i was destined to play the bass guitar. Been almost 50 years now and that tone is STILL the bedrock to my playing.

[@des3298]

So when we talk about the best guitarist or drummer or bass or vocalist or lead man it all comes down to sound and style. NO ONE... NO ONE comes close to Mel Schacher when GFR was a power trio. His fender jazz bass with the west amps were the most amazing bass sound I ever heard. Raw and loud... actually really loud. But his playing, the blues rock style has never been duplicated. He is my #1. There is nothing I ever heard that compares to that sound and style. Mel...GFR 1969-1972... power trio...no others compare. IMO

[@davidhill3040]

Great cover of this classic. This song and "Roundabout" were the 2 songs that made me want to start playing bass back in 1975.

[@BassCovers]

Thanks very much! Those are two great tunes. I can see why you were inspired...thanks :)

[@whyyeseyec]

Nice cover, Greg. After listening to this it reminded me to listen to another GRF song that makes good use of an orchestra. The song is called Loneliness. Always thought this was a great GFR song!

[@BassCovers]

I'll check it out....thanks!

[@savedbyzero8340]

Great job Greg. You make it look easy!

[@BassCovers]

haha...thanks Midas. That's a big compliment. This song isn't easy! Thank you :)

[@ukulelelearning1595]

Wicked good. Thanks for sharing your technique. 🎉

[@colinsmith4453]

Good job Greg. I played this song on my Rickenbacker 4001 bass l bought in 1969. I like how you played with a pick. Thats how l play this song on my Rick you get that clean snappy punch. Im 73 now still rocking with my beautiful midnite blue Rickenbacker

[@BassCovers]

Thanks Colin. I find using a pick sometimes (when I think the original used a pick) not only gets closer to the original sound, but it can also help get close to the original "feel". Which for me is the most important thing :) Nice bass...thanks!

[@eddiederosia731]

always loved the bass in this song.

[@BassCovers]

it's a pretty cool line...thanks!

[@irishchuck2145]

OUTSTANDING !!!!! I've been searching for this for EVER!! Thanks so much mate

[@BassCovers]

cool...I hope it helps...thanks!

[@davidrothenberg5455]

Schacher is one of the best. GFR has been underrated from the beginning

[@BassCovers]

for sure!

[@markbass354]

GREG WHEN I FIRST HEARD THIS SONG I HAD TO HAVE A BASS, MOST EXCELLENT MUSIC

[@BassCovers]

hey Mark...cool :) So this was the tune that got you into playing bass? Was this back in the 70's?

[@markbass354]

YES, ALL I COULD HEAR WAS THE BASS AT FIRST, IT WAS 1973- 74 I THINK

[@BassCovers]

cool :) ...and did you learn how to play this one? If not, I hope this helps ;)

[@markbass354]

I WAS A BIT OFF BUT NOW I KNOW HOW TO PLAY IT, THANKS FOR YOUR HELP ITS A GREAT SONG

[@Marquinhos1901]

Grand Funk is such good vibes. You see the synchrony they have when they play which makes it all more sad how the band ended. This is a beautiful song man and you do it justice 10/10.

[@BassCovers]

Thank you very much Marco, I appreciate it :)

[@mikeking453]

Same here great job I've always loved that song

[@BassCovers]

Thanks!

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I so love this song. I never get tired of listening.

[@BassCovers]

cool...enjoy :)

[@alanlangley7246]

Me 2 when i drove OTR Tanker i hear this song it cranked to volume 10

[@jasoncarpp7742]

@@BassCovers Awesome bass playing! 🙂

[@chriskepler5505]

I have worked on and played this song for years and this is the best transcription I know of, great job!

[@BassCovers]

wow, thanks a lot! :)

[@chiefkirk]

Outstanding job Greg. Back in the early 70s as a Bass player, my band covered that and several other GFR tunes which at the time I could play note for note. I have since forgotten most of them but my love for GFR remains.

[@BassCovers]

Thank you very much. I really enjoyed learning this and developed huge respect for Mel Schacher. Thanks!

[@vandrucker]

Wow, that video took endurance to watch. Can't imagine yours to perform the long version. Really fun to watch the bass transcription. Thanks!

[@BassCovers]

haha...I hope you weren't too tired after watching it :) Thanks very much for the comment. Glad you liked it...thanks!

[@Steve-fe3vt]

Thanks for the video I can't tell how much of a pleasure it is to watch and hear you play. Thanks again.

[@BassCovers]

Thank you very much :)

[@tobyhoward4979]

Excellent work Greg on this super bassline. Thank you! And I love the liitle bow you do at the end! 🙂

[@jamoncure]

Thank you Greg!!! This is so awesome! One of my all time faves.

[@BassCovers]

I JoAnn, it was my pleasure. I'm glad you liked it...thanks! :)

[@alvingatchie3819]

I found it...awesome bassline groove

[@BassCovers]

cool...glad you like it...thanks!

[@telecaster0807]

I just got a Fender Mustang short scale, and this is the first song I'm learning ! Thanks for providing an excellent video tab.

[@BassCovers]

sounds cool. I hope the video helps...cheers!

[@doyl7181]

Thanks Greg, This is another one of my favorite songs. Again I see some of the little rifts I missed on this one. Great transcription and video. Frank

[@BassCovers]

My pleasure Frank. There's lot of little things that are easy to miss in this one...have fun!

[@ericnickel3280]

This is such a bad ass jam performed perfectly! Thanks for posting.

[@BassCovers]

Thanks very much...cheers!

[@tonygallo1104]

Yes, i remember listening to this way back...For a teenaged kid it was emotional, gutsy, and funky and yes the bass playing by Mel really pulls it all together. Not just a solid feel and good technique but he plays some chromatic approaches too.....Nice!!

[@BassCovers]

Thanks very much. Great lines he came up with!

[@tonygallo1104]

@@BassCovers you do it total justice too! good pick playing as well.

[@dferens]

Greg thank you for high-quality content, your channel is like a gold mine. You are a gun to me starting from today.

[@BassCovers]

haha...really glad you're liking the videos. I hope you can learn something from them. Good luck and thank you! :)

[@longsnapper5381]

That was fantastic. Many thanks.

[@BassCovers]

cool...I'm glad you liked it ...thanks :)

[@briancoyne6700]

Sick bass line!

[@BassCovers]

It's a good one...thanks :)

[@tomhumes2457]

Great mixing, transcription, visuals, and song choice! I was just digging this tune on the radio, and thinking “what a sweet bass part”. Now I’m playing it! Thank you !!

[@BassCovers]

Thanks very much. I hope it's helping...thanks!

[@badidou69000]

A beautiful music, which does not seem too difficult to play, it will be my exercise of this weekend. Thanks Greg. Take care of yourself

[@BassCovers]

Hi Abdel, good to see you've recovered. I hope you are well :) Have fun!

[@badidou69000]

@@BassCovers hi Greg, I was very sick because of the covid, but now I'm better, thank you

[@BassCovers]

@@badidou69000 Good to hear Abdel...stay well, be safe :)

[@Bassmint44]

Nice job Greg! As usual!! I need to get this transcription from you! It's a good one to have in the book...It's only two chords but some cool bass lines from Mel! Be well!

[@BassCovers]

It is pretty cool what can be done on just two chords eh? :) Thanks!

[@RobertJones-sj9tk]

This was right on! Great bass!!!

[@BassCovers]

cool...thanks very much!

[@CesarOmarMarinCSR]

unforgettable moments with this song a beautiful work applause Greetings from Chile

[@BassCovers]

Hi Cesar...thank you very much :) Greetings from Norway!

[@vegan_joyce]

I just found you. This was incredible! My quality of life has just improved greatly! Thank You :)

[@BassCovers]

haha...thanks :)

[@El_Chamuco_Veloz]

Aimless lady! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@TheGrooveMaster10]

Spot on good sir, thank you!

[@BassCovers]

You're very welcome...thanks!

[@fr3qh0pp3r]

Just beautiful !!!

[@BassCovers]

Thanks very much :)

[@TechGFR]

Outstanding Greg! Since you covered "Closer to Home", you must realize the greatness of Schacher. Everyone talks about Farner this and Farner that. BUT!!, it ain't Grand Funk if Mel ain't laying down the Bass line. If you just want to have some fun with your bass, cover "In Need". It aint a classic BUT if you can cut thru some of the crap, there are some great bass licks!

[@BassCovers]

He came up with some really nice lines for GFR for sure! I'll check out your request, I'm interested in cutting through some of the crap :) Thank you!

[@Jill-ni8fe]

Love it ❤ amazing song & bass line

[@BassCovers]

Glad you liked it...thanks!

[@mariolombardi4766]

Awesome and then some thank you for sharing! Really helped.

[@BassCovers]

Glad it helped...thank you :)

[@towahead]

Thanks for the great playing

[@BassCovers]

thanks Johnny!

[@maop1959]

fine

[@BassCovers]

Thank you :)

[@RealMcCoy3.14]

You're awesome, man. Thank you!

[@BassCovers]

haha...thank you! :)

[@scotthinman66]

Awesome! Thank you!!

[@BassCovers]

You're welcome! :)

[@Pasture_Prime]

Great Cover. Your the Captain now.

[@BassCovers]

haha...thanks :)

[@2HimTru]

Super job, Greg!!! Now that you've added Grand Funk, you should include Grand Funk Railroad's "Time Machine" .

[@BassCovers]

Hi Terrell, thanks very much. I'm not familiar with that song, but I'll check it out...thanks :)

[@spacedgroove]

Great transcription! Here's a song suggestion: Linda Diaz - Honesty (Cool Company Remix)

[@BassCovers]

thanks, I'll check it out!

[@MrPsamp]

sounds great Greg

[@BassCovers]

Thank you Paul :)

[@DesrochersBob]

Just a beginner, but damn, always loved this song. Great job!

[@BassCovers]

Thanks very much!

[@ukulelelearning1595]

Smooth!

[@BassCovers]

Thank you!

[@truemanshow733]

Thanks a lot. 😁🤗

[@BassCovers]

My pleasure :)

[@lilmelvin11]

Sweet! In the first garage band I was in (tip for new players...Always play with musicians better than you....only way to get better)...I still remember the guitar player Joel Meade telling me "Listen to Mel Schacher's Bass lines on those old Grand Funk songs. He's great ". We also learned early Santana songs like "Treat" and other classics ....Great tunes. Honest hearrfelt tunes.....It was a Good Era.

[@BassCovers]

That's an excellent tip...always play with musicians better than you! Thanks.

[@Bass.Player]

Very good!

[@BassCovers]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@rojer9344]

Nice pick action, wish I could play like that!!@

[@BassCovers]

Thanks very much. I actually consider myself very average with a pick. I wish I was better...

[@sojourner1511]

There ain't enuff thumbs on the up side yet, what you guys waitin for, resurrection day?

[@chriswalkerbass]

awesome Greg

[@BassCovers]

hey Chris, nice to hear from you...thanks!

[@jasonmallett2831]

Would you please do a live version of Inside looking out. That would be awesome. Thank you

[@BassCovers]

I'll check it out!

[@jumpjibe]

Greg, Thank you. I learned to drum to this when it came out. Now as a drummer learning to play bass this was eye opening and has made me play the drum part better sync. Question…in the fist fast riff part, there’s different fingering for an open string and then the next fretting the same note. Is this crucial or just showing a different way to play the same note? Asking for a friend :)

[@BassCovers]

Hi, thank you for the comment and question. I'm not exactly sure which part you're referring to, but when it comes to fingering, I recommend going with feels comfortable for you. I don't always remember which way I played the song when I write out the TAB, so sometimes there can be a difference. I hope that helps :) Thanks again!

[@OFLHLGZ28]

There are obviously different ways to play this. I learned it different than this - but your way looks great and is more efficient than my way

[@BassCovers]

Glad you liked it...thanks!

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Do you have any music by Mark Knopfler? Among my favourite songs by him is one called *"Going Home (theme from Local Hero)".*

[@BassCovers]

Hi Jason, I'm not familiar with that song. But I'll definitely check it out. Thanks :)

[@jasoncarpp7742]

@@BassCovers You should. Have you listened to Mark Knopfler's music in general? He's been playing music for a long time.

[@jamesjackson899]

Hey Greg, Could you please look into doing Souffle au Coeur by L'imperatrice. It has a very neat bassline but unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any tabs online or on youtube. It would be great if you could check it out. Thanks.

[@BassCovers]

Hi James, I like that band so I'll definitely check it out...thanks!

[@jamesjackson899]

@@BassCovers Great! Thanks Greg.

[@rayjay3545]

Did your name used to be Mr. No Head at KZbin on back a few good years ? He played bass to for a while at KZbin and disappeared .

[@BassCovers]

Hi Ray, it wasn't me.

[@MrRstJR]

Ride Captain Ride by Blues Image is another one I rank with this song.

[@BassCovers]

oh ya, I remember that song.

[@thomasmcfeely8869]

I was 12 when I was given a bass guitar. After a year of lessons and a lot of practicing in our basement. My brother and I thought we were rock stars. 1974, so my older brother knew a drummer and invited him down. His parents were probably happy to see that set leave and go into our basement. How our parents and neighbors didn't call the cops on us, I'll never know. It was probably a crime. Noise pollution. One of the songs our drummer wanted to do was closer to home. He already knew it, all 10 minutes of it. I learned some basics of part of it. But never went further than that. I did learn more of the guitar part later in my 20s. Then I started having problems with my hands cramping and locking up. I was a carpenter and thought it was from that. After numerous x-rays trying to figure out why I couldn't use my hands, I thought they were broken. Turns out at 29, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Locked and twisted, I sold all my instruments. I have since bought a bass, electric, acoustics, a banjo, a mandolin, and a banjolele. Amplification and a little 4 channel P.A.. I can give them to my granddaughter when I'm done. I can mess around a little bit 10, 15, maybe 20 minutes before my R.A. says stop. Anyway, I was looking up a lesson for I'm your Captain and came across your great channel. I sure wish KZbin was around 45 years ago. Sure would have saved me some time trying to learn a song. Picking that needle up and setting it down. Wanted to say thanks. 🌎✌️🙂

[@BassCovers]

You're very welcome :) I remember picking up and dropping the needle too. Cassette tapes were a real game changer for me! :) Sorry to hear about your R.A.

[@tomhumes2457]

Early RA runs in my family, so I got a major “Wow!!” and inspiration from you: rockin’! Here’s another brother on your team! I’m gonna go tell your story to my daughter who has dealt with RA since she was 11. She takes care of horses for a living. Most folks have no idea what she goes through, just to get by.

[@thomasmcfeely8869]

@tomhumes2457 I'm sorry she has to deal with that at such a young age. My daughter, who will turn 35 in August, was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis as a teenager like 12 or 13 was teased for the half dollar sized sores she would develop during a flare-up. She still tries to deny it but won't get tested. I think that she feels that if there is no proof, she won't lose everything she worked for. She saved every penny growing up, I mean every penny. By Jr High, she had two bank accounts. By high school, she was loan sharking. One day, I was driving her home from school, and she said dad, dad, pull over, so I did, and before I knew it, she was out the door and facing some girl in the middle of two guys. I could hear her asking for her money with interest. She said you've been avoiding me all week. Just when I was going to jump out and put an end to it, she was jumping back in, saying, "Let's go, dad." That's when she told me she loaned money to people with interest. That girl missed her payment. Anyway, it was partially my fault. You see, we owned a restaurant and bar and had connections both good and bad going back to the 20s and 30s. My grandfather was a Chicago motorcycle cop then immediately retired when he put in his 20 years. He immediately bought a bar in the northern suburbs. Which he did well in. He sold that bar and bought a building that he built out with a crazy bar design that sat 44 stools. Had a pool table in one back room and a gambling room in another. Card games and slot machines in another back room. I couldn't tell you about roulette or craps or any other Vegas style games. Grandpa was connected, if you know what I mean. So it turns out I grew up with kids my age and younger who were grandkids of the bad side. So, I used to take my kids to Arlington Park race track, and they picked up on some things like interest rates, which led to loan sharks. By the time she was 26, she had socked away $35,000, and with $25,000 from her fiance, they put $60,000 down on a 20-acre horse farm that had a huge barn with 10 box stalls attached to an arena and storage for hay and machinery. She already owned two horses which she was paying for, so you know that's not cheap. Her and her fiance were making almost $40 an hour at the same place. They were working 3rd shift and getting about 10 hours of overtime almost every week for 10 years for her and 12 years for him. He worked there longer, the longest story ever "Sorry ". The company was trying to close that plant and offered them almost $100,000 to buy them out. So they took it. My daughter also took the free college for the past two years, which she just graduated and already took her first job offer, working remotely. There is a slight pay cut, but it fits their budget. He opened his own business and is doing well. They both are hard-working, but I think a little luck doesn't hurt. He does help with the horses when she asks, so that is good to get through tough days. They just bought bailing equipment and bailed just over 200 bales in the fall. Tell your daughter with a positive attitude, a good diet, and exercise. You can make anything happen. You make sure you have her back. I'll bet she can get what she wants in life. 🌎✌️🙂 Tomic

[@tomhumes2457]

@@thomasmcfeely8869 What a great story!!! Thank you so much for sharing that. Sincerely My late wife also the Psoriatic A, and those huge sores she got head to toe, when it was bad. I can’t imagine a youngster having to suffer that, while going to school. She got little sores everywhere when it was not bad. Recurring sepsis, too. Thank god we had decent health insurance through my work. Her working days ended at 35, with a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. That was supposed to kill her, like it killed everyone in her treatment group. But, a great team and acceptance into a clinical trial, plus her outrageous refusal to die kept her going for 23 more years. She could barely get out of bed all that time, except for the rare good days, when she accomplished more than most healthy people. She taught our daughter (and me) to ride horses, and taught me how to care for them on a little farm we rented. She trained our dogs like a pro (I got daily compliments on our later beach walks), she became a public radio DJ, playing her own mix of singer/songwriter story songs, and she inspired and amazed everyone who met her. The example she set for our daughter about perserverance is nothing that can be taught in schools or books. We were able to miraculously find a condo right on the beach of our childhood adventures, and spent her last seven years looking over the ocean from our porch, never running out of things to talk about. Never falling out of love with each other. Since she’s been gone, I’ve been lost. Travelled everywhere visiting old friends, basically homeless. Cry every day. Finally getting help with a counselor, and a friend lending me a cabin for a few years, that I can’t afford to pay for. My daughter moved in , following a bad divorce, and we are just plain best friends. She doesn’t mind how weepy I get, and is full of ideas for making money, some of which are actually working. Brother, thanks again for your long story- it was a treat for me to read. Best to you and yours.

[@dogpower0088]

Can you do The Traitor by Herbie Hancock ?

[@BassCovers]

I'm not sure? I'll check it out.

[@dogpower0088]

@@BassCovers nice 🙂

[@AJs-guitar-bass]

Very accurate and very nicely done! There are a lot of little nuances in there that most people miss that you nailed perfectly. I'm a big fan of GFR's Live Album and just posted covers of Into the Sun and Are You Ready - have a listen and let me know your feedback. Cheers!

[@BassCovers]

Hi AJ, thanks for the comment. I checked out a couple of videos. It seems you can play :) I did have a little trouble hearing it though. Are you recording the audio direct to your computer or are using the video camera microphone to record the audio?

[@AJs-guitar-bass]

@@BassCovers just using the camera microphone... interesting that you were having trouble hearing it. When I listen to it on my computer, the bass comes through and can be heard easily; when I listen through my car stereo or home theater the bass is quite loud (almost too much so) and easily heard... go figure! Thanks!

[@goruby2]

Thanks again Greg Fairweather

[@BassCovers]

Very welcome

[@johnpaulclarkson4671]

Greg what's the jazz bass you're using here ? Any modifications to it ?

[@BassCovers]

Hi John Paul, back in the mid 80's I put a Bad Ass bridge and EMG pickups in it.

[@OGCDUBYA]

Are you using chorus or an octaver?

[@BassCovers]

Thanks for the question. No. I'm using a bit of compression and some EQ.

[@tperki2322]

Great bass transcription, but your chords are written like a bass player (said the guitarist, nudge nudge, wink, wink)... the Dsus4 belongs on beat 2 and then C6 (x32033). And the part where they go "Am I in my cabin" should be Dm. Just sayin... But taking nothing away from this very excellent bass line - NAILED...

[@BassCovers]

Hi, haha... thanks for the comment. Yes, I'm sure some piano players and guitar players will be scratching their heads over some of my chords... thanks! :) You've got me thinking though. Do the chords appear the same on the charts for each instrument? I know piano music can have a lot of extra little chords, but do those chords appear on the score for every instrument in that song? hmmmm?

[@edwardscissors974]

WOW 👏 THAT WAS FANTASTIC; SOMETHING TO STRIVE FOR AS A RELATIVELY NEW BASS PLAYER 🔊 👏 AWESOME!

[@BassCovers]

cool...keep it up!

[@edwardscissors974]

@@BassCovers I most certainly will, thank you for the positive feedback!