James Jamerson-Bassline-I heard it through the grapevine.flv

Studio Bassline -James Jamerson - I heard it throug the grapevine

[@EMANCIPATOR10282011]

JJ's basslines appeal to the soul and true music comes from the soul. James basslines is his means of communicating his genius about a particular piece. Some may not appreciate it because of their talents levels. But to those who appreciate James musical prowess, then you are communicating with him. This is his legacy.

[@blackdog5186]

Amazing how he played two versions of this song. One is upbeat and the other has more soul

[@FuntimeVideoChannel]

i love hearing these isolated tracks but i always keep in mind that these sections were recorded live with each player feeding off the other. no, the separate parts may not be spot on perfect but when you mix that stew together it's just pure magic. real people playing real music never gets old.

[@RackwitzG]

After many hours of practice over the last weeks I'm happy to finally have this one under my fingers. I played along and solo for hours in a row without getting bored by the genius in his lines.

[@mspinkytee]

The bassline is the best part of the song!!!!!!!!! That is how you know its "I heard it through the grapevine" Love it, its nastayyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kbsquare]

No way, there's no way that Jaco would disrespect Jamerson ... he had to grow up on Jamerson just like the rest of us ... and there's no denying that Jaco took bass playing to another place ... but before he did that, he had to listen to Jamerson and say "Wow, that's genius", just like the rest of us ...

[@maxm740]

All the subtle variations of the bass line and the way it weaves through the other instruments is why this song is genius. It's a wonderful song to listen to, but try to play it and be amazed by its true beauty; it just feels right. Comparing the bassists technical capabilities or achievements is missing the point altogether.

[@brandonmalone1893]

@@maxm740 yes your so right . He's amazing. Unbelievable feel. Whole your learning it listen to how you would play it. And then put the real song on. And it'll blow your mind

[@darganx]

A masterpiece - in ONE take!!

[@ringobeatmaker395]

so smooth ... so classic !! pure talent

[@benfurbank]

Love! It!!! So smooth and beautiful

[@sixsentsoldiers]

Know that the California Raisins thing has been erased from my memory. This is one of the greatest lines ever. Tasteful.

[@jgdycoop]

this is how i wanna play just straight and clean!

[@TranslateToEnglish]

A masterpiece! Just like the Mona Lisa.

[@glennso47]

This playing is amazing!!

[@TomGuerra1]

Very, very cool!

[@a1974h]

Thanks for the upload.

[@sleepycthulhu1]

So true. Didn't he just use his index finger when playing? Crazy!

[@ericmoss1384]

He did, it was nicknamed “The Hook”

[@doublestrokeroll]

I love this song....but his playing on Glady's Knight's version is just so much more amazing.

[@geestack9002]

is it hers is more greedy or something but I like her version better than all the versions myself oh almost forgot I like Roger Troutman version of Heard it Through the Grapevine also but Gladys Knight is my favorite version

[@kennet7837]

The Creedence Clearwater Revival version is my favorite clocking in at 11 minutes with a long, but amazing guitar solo party at the end played by the legendary John Fogerty!

[@doublestrokeroll]

Gee Stack It's the arrangement. Marvin's is beautiful but it's must more straight forward. Her's has so many clever lines and intricate things going on.

[@doublestrokeroll]

GameDirectorHD For me that one is good too but again I personally find it a little too "straight forward". The arrangement is a little bland. The solos are pretty great though.

[@G8GT364CI]

Jamerson played on the Pips version too.

[@RobertSandifer]

@1954telecaster He used the bass mutes that came with the Fender basses attached to the bridge cover back in the 60s I believe.

[@Ivartshiva]

just sick man

[@EntryWoundBass]

Exactumondo!!! ;)

[@CooManTunes]

Like the Beatles to Elvis. This is how music history works.

[@goodbassfishin]

@sylver264j another important point to make is, once someone (or a group) has shaped a certain style, it is only natural for some other people to come along and say: "how can I innovat this/be different?"

[@allrequiredfields]

Yeah I nnever thought this was him, but that weird stuff around 0:58 - 1:00 that's totally him.

[@rockabillygone]

I had heard that the Pips version was Kay not Jamerson. It is interesting to hear the odd timing and occasional off note selections. They are human but also godly in their selection. He def had that upright background, in the sense that he understood that in many cases it is what not what you JAMMED in there to sound impressive, but, rather what you left out to make the ebb and flow put goose bumps on your forearms. It's like proper breathing techniques during pregnancy. some folks feel they are horse hockey, but they mean a lot when all is said and done.

[@G8GT364CI]

No both were Jamerson can't you tell the difference, she used a pick.

[@battou66488]

it's in the correct key

[@EntryWoundBass]

@1954telecaster I read a Bob Bobbit interview about 10 years ago who claimed that James used two combined effects for his tone. A piece of foam (similar to the Fender bass mute) attached to the bridge below the strings, plus well played grime covered strings (in his own words "Don't clean those strings man! It takes the spunk away!")

[@losangelesnefastvs]

"Funk" not "spunk". He said, "The dirt gives it the funk."

[@buefyYT]

I love Jamerson and Jaco, comparing them is stupid, agreed, but Jaco is a better musician, and maybe bass player. PERIOD.

[@ANAALLAH1]

@SinSeared Of course this is Jamerson. Who would say otherwise?!!!

[@raddehc]

@SinSeared it takes a lot of free time to troll music videos on youtube though. ....and i bet a little pee came out while you were typing that... soulfreak4- thanks for the video this is great!

[@dondro5749]

As notorious as Motown was about not naming players (and Jamerson is my favorite bass player) I don't think the Gladys Knight's version was Jamerson on bass. Admittedly it's a funky bass line but the only credit I could find was that the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section was involved in the recording. David Hood is the bass player for the MSRS.

[@pdaddy879]

Its jamerson on that version

[@dm3830]

girls and boys, dont bother answering obvious trolls, specially those who say they are better bassists than Jamerson (FFS what a tool), just enjoy the music

[@buefyYT]

@TheNewsoul2 --at my definition of better is that they are pretty good at minecraft, play bass in a couple jazz groups, and are alright at the bass.

[@EntryWoundBass]

@mrsklmiller If I remember correctly its Bob Bobbit on Gladys Knight's version.

[@sms1189]

@bigstevehonest hes not out of tune at all man, thats just how recordings from that time period sound

[@DirkMetall]

He's the one who invented modern bass playing. But: I'm glad to hear some slight mistakes on hins isolated bass tracks. Makes me feel less bad, to know that even Jamersons' arent all perfect. Though - these small imprecisions don't make him groove less at all.

[@BeansMaskSheen]

its actually very sloppy. is this really the final take? I mean it's sick nonetheless but there are a lot of muting of channels, artifacts and glitches here. Who owns the tapes?

[@1954telecaster]

does anyone know if jamerson used a mute and if so what kind?

[@psyfirecords]

He used a kitchen sponge

[@thegroovesarge]

Man the jaco fanboys trip me out. Jaco was good for what he did. but Motown?? He wont touching Jamerson. This song probably would have had 1,000 more notes in it lol.

[@buefyYT]

@TheNewsoul2 because you can totally argue whose better right? hahaha.... how is jamerson better than? explain this "fact" to me.

[@bigstevehonest]

James is my all time favourite bass player, but is this the relased bass line? formt he singles take? cos its mad out of tune , the intonation on this bass is whack.