Marvin Gaye - What's Going On | Best Of Bass Lines | James Jamerson | Julia Hofer | Thomann

Julia plays James Jamerson's legendary bass line on Marvin Gaye's What's Going On! Enjoy!
Gear used: bit.ly/3kHMX6l
Recorded in Presonus Studio One: bit.ly/S1Pro6
Recorded and mixed with Universal Audio: tho.mn/uadx1
Monitors optimised through Sonarworks: tho.mn/sonar
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[@andrewjacobs3731]

Legend has it Marvin dragged James in and he was really drunk. Apparently he played on the recording lying on his back and delivered this amazing performance. Julia you nailed it, awesome job!

[@JoseAv-tx4yl]

​@@dejuren1367 probably the same

[@pedrobossio5440]

Brings a tear to my eye, frankly. Met James in Detroit in '72, nice guy. You know, this particular track was recorded while he was very drunk, laying on his back on the floor, first take. One of my biggest influences, genius!!

[@dominicrossitto5890]

Yes, I read that Marvin REALLY wanted James to lay down the bass line for this song. He went and retrieved him from a bar, had him lay on the floor in the studio and it was done isn something like one take. Absolutely amazing. 👏🏼

[@CCBassman]

Wow. You met him! So cool. It does make me emotional too. His legend and the lack of money and recognition he and the rest of the musicians received😢

[@georgehopkins8139]

GREAT job Julia! I'm a Viet Nam vet and came home in 69. Marvin produced 'Whats Goin On' in 71, and that song still gets to me.

[@bfdzvalable]

How Jamerson played the bass with one finger and so many intricate lines is truly amazing.

[@tdrtx]

It should be pointed out that Jamerson improvised the entire bass part. Such a fantastic musician.

[@vinnysilveira4685]

the trick to play this bass line is letting the notes ring.. this song breaths!

[@SombraDeLaMosca]

It's one of the most iconic albums in soul history, telling a complete story through all the songs, not just a hit-compilation, and it has aged like a very fine wine=) And, Julia, yes you did justice here, Mr. Jamerson would have been proud of you =) Thank you!

[@Peter-Alexander]

Very well said! Totally agree...

[@greguz]

50 years ago, a bass part in a hit song could be a composition unto itself, worthy of listening to by itself from start to end, every note having musical meaning, created and captured by stellar musicians playing everything in a single continuous take. And this is just ONE layer of what's going on! Jamerson should have received writing and production credit for his work. Thank you Julia for carrying the torch.

[@SammytheBammy1]

I’ve always felt that the bass line in this song was actually the lead.

[@inacioloiolasantos758]

This young lady is incredible...excellent bass player...

[@LoneRevD]

He did it inebriated laying on the floor as he was called from a blues bar. Amazing player RIP James.

[@grandduke2145]

Yes he did. He was afraid he would fall off the stool, because he was so drunk

[@sergiomory8261]

4:37 Your are killing it! 👏👏

[@belo1971]

Julia...You play like a Queen ! Love your youth and smile...Keep on rockin’

[@theglowcloud2215]

James Jamerson was an absolute virtuoso. Very rare talent.

[@Harlembrown]

Well done Julia. Well done.

[@jamesmccallum6770]

Beautiful. If I was made of chocolate, I would just melt. So smooth

[@teddownum7428]

Maybe my favorite bass line ever. Danke, Julia!

[@luciojacobinodemorais]

Salut! Merci, Julia! Thanks!

[@willieG333]

Mensch Meyer...you killed it. Greatjob!

[@loremarylugt]

flawless

[@keithmcduffie7182]

Well Done, Julia!!! Hearing Songs Like This Serves As A Magnifying Glass On The SAD State Of Today's Music. Young People (And Some Not So Young People) Don't Know That The Majority Of The "Artists" Today Cut & Splice Old School Song Masterpieces And Try To Pass Them Off As Their Own Creations: Bruno Mars & Dua Lipa The Most Notorious Of The Bunch!

[@jamesjjb0075]

Get Down Girl ON THAT BASSSSS! GOD BLESS!

[@corneliusfogan5924]

Beautiful Julia I remember when this first hit the record shop back early 70s scooped it right up and played it over and over,now look what's going on in the world!!

[@samuelhatman8995]

Young lady, you have channeled the Magic of Marvin Gaye and James Jamerson better than in the day. Thank you. I graduated that year. When you do "all" of these episodes it is so helpful to highlight the groove for us who played guitar back then and today work hard to play bass. Thanks! Also... to watch your expressions is so wonderful because girls did not play when I was just a kid in High School. It's a big wonderful club, and we all feel the same vibes when performing classics! zo... I wish all women of any interest at all to pick up that instrument and embrace it with the joy you show. It heals a lot, and it blesses others a lot!

[@dbras3276]

Magnifique interprétation Julia ! De là-haut, je suis sûr que James est du même avis…

[@realmichaelhawkins]

Next to James Jamerson your my favourite! 💫

[@clausm2203]

Another great lesson from the lovely julia

[@matttorrence2900]

Julia is a great bassist.

[@Yanto-Bardic]

Beautifully Played. My Favourite Motown Album Of All Time. Bought it (on vinyl) when I was 17yrs old and it changed my view of the world and my Listening tastes. All these years later I still get shivers through my body when I hear the opening Sax.❤

[@lightnintrucker]

I always loved the bass line to that song

[@charlieburns1385]

You. Rock Julia 🎶♥️

[@SurferJoe1]

One of the greatest songs ever written, and one of the greatest bass lines. I wanted to hear her do this one, and was thinking about requesting it when YT read my mind and it popped up on my start page, already done. Wonderful.

[@kazuyafukuda2392]

The best of baseline illustrations are so cute! Of course Julia too! 😊

[@Operator713]

I have heard this song probably a thousand times. But man, having the bass line out front like that really made a difference. I think this is my new favorite version. Thank you Julia!

[@stevelowe3525]

Lost count of how many times I've played this tube by Julia, its totally inspiring!

[@loonaya]

Great playing Julia! You only need the sponge on the bridge, the hook, and to be dead drunk laying on the floor to get the last 5% of the sound 🤣 You should only use Vileda sponges! They market their sponges as the closest in sound and material to James Jamerson sponges :P

[@myversionofstuff]

Julia thats the best base line ive heard you do , Fantastic

[@Pdrum]

Nice playing Julia!

[@tunite12]

Man that is the definition of cool.

[@johnedcs]

Simply beautiful ❤️👌

[@TheStuport]

A 50 year old Classic that STILL resonates in today's Mucked Up World! Great job showcasing A Legend in James Jamerson Julia! As always we FANS learn a ton and enjoy the playing tutorial as well! Cheers From Ohio

[@Kemet3.0]

Ohio always in the house!

[@TheStuport]

@@Kemet3.0 Cheers Vision World! I'm right smack dab in the middle....COW-lumbus🤣 Ohio takes a ton of chit...but all in all it's not that bad and I can think of many other places where people are living who would be stoked to come be a Buckeye! Keep Strutting Bruddah

[@benmaguire4098]

Hey Julia What a Gr8 Trk .. I think it shows such confidence in Mr Jamerson's playing .. He is not worried at all Lol he is in the Pocket & it gives the Vocalist or whatever other instrument's freedom to Riff over the top .. The Groove between Bass & a subtle Drum beat .. makes you want to get on the floor & sway & Leaves Marvin Free ( he is almost Rapping ) to do his Thang over the Top .. I remember when I 1st heard it .. it was so powerful even on a small Radio .. For me Truly a life changing moment .. I could not get enough .. You make it look easy But I remember thinking WOW .. it sounded like he was all over the Neck at once & with such ease .. Of course these day's there are so many Gr8 players But Bk then it was So Cool . As always Stay safe & big love to all at Thomann you & your Loved ones . Marvin was talking about the world & asking the question . Still important today .

[@migianaventura]

Julia Genia!

[@HF1600ie]

Love that bass and playing.

[@johnwade7430]

Thanks for this Julia - quite frankly, anything by James Jameson is pure gold but this has to be one of his greatest. The other one I love is the Stevie Wonder song ‘I was made to love her’ Pure gold….

[@hoodaman111]

Bravo!

[@rvbsoundfactory]

Very inspiring.

[@takeawaybenji]

Marvin Gaye is so awesome. He could be political and topical and yet so soulful

[@chuyo2619]

James Jameson was an amazing musician. He would creates those bass lines on the spot. Sometimes recording the whole track in one take. Many people don’t realize on how many songs James played.

[@Bluescat13]

Thank you! Wow! my all time favorite song and bass line. Sadly, the lyrics are still relevant today. Thank you again.

[@michaellupton1593]

You got the groove sister...great bass line, great song from a masterpiece of an album.

[@TheBartostock]

Excellent!!!!

[@jackv2244]

My all time favorite song and sweet bass line cover and for a song that's 50 years old it's still applies today

[@leonnavarro9240]

Beautiful Julia !

[@Robert_A_Keyboards4948]

So very cool!!!!!!!

[@arturomorillo]

Excellent Julia. Congratulations. You are great! Greetings from Venezuela.

[@GerhardStach]

Wunderbar gespielt Julia🤗

[@DrWasabiBeats]

Bravooo! I love u Juliaa 🥰

[@eldorado5319]

Thanks Julia, it's one of my all time favorite bass lines. And It makes my eyes water, especialy because what's going on in the Ukraine 😪 When Marvin sings "war is not the answer" i get a chill all over my spine . Namasté 🙏🏽

[@newage5d831]

Ukraine and.. Palestina, Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, libia, Armenia, Kurdish people, Africa, the whole world is bleeding... Not just Ukraine...

[@emmanuelacharithayamim3627]

@@newage5d831 ...wars, and rumours of wars....

[@joermnyc]

@@newage5d831don’t forget Myanmar, the people voted for democracy without military rule, and the military Junta staged a coup… that was the REAL stolen election!

[@retiredarchitect3462]

This song and The Ecology seemed so musically complex and so meaningfully deep to me in 1971, I still am in awe. I loved your pulling out the bass line.

[@melodiemaker86]

Wow you are so gifted and worked so hard to make it all & just let it happen! What a nice performance & your lovely bassface (3:49) is pure sunshine. Let is shine Julia! Danke schön.

[@rossco420]

Brilliantly played Julia what a tune 👌🏼🔥🔥🔥🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿That sandberg sounds fantastic

[@franklineno8616]

Julia,you weald that axe with great feel,and your choice of song is so on point based the state of the world, you rock girl...

[@eddierayvanlynch6133]

What's going on? I'm chilling to the best part of Friday. 👍😎

[@ottocoperti]

Che dire...bella e brava!!🤩

[@andersfalck6633]

Such a true favourite of all times to me, this song. So lovely how you handle it!

[@gustavoheberle6265]

This is a Masterpiece !!! Thank you JULIA ! Keep up with the classics ! Cheers from Brazil.

[@lamaludwig1470]

💛

[@kevinc5771]

Some serious bass faces going on here lol. Great playing

[@ilndboy7]

The Man and the Song that made me want to play Bass! Marvin is smiling for the way you played this ;)

[@BrazenNL]

The absence of the sponge is apparent. Nice timing.

[@andrecosta4390]

Amazing! One the best albums all times

[@Capgpro1]

Nailed it. Thank you Jules.

[@salparadise8581]

Fantastic

[@like2view]

You rocked it Julia!! Great!!

[@Peter-Alexander]

Hi Julia, again fantastic play! If you play an iconic song like this, doesn't it give you a shiver down your spine? This is like 'holy' music. Love this bassline so much. Marvin Gaye was an incredibly talented man and James Jamerson playing on bass was just fantastic.

[@jameswyre6480]

That Maj7 vibe is one of my favorites and served Pink Floyd well also.

[@CCBassman]

EXCELLENT playing!! Nice stuff Julia.

[@elpez71]

I can’t believe they played such awesome bass line the year I was born. You rock I could hear 👂 your improvise nice feel very crafty 🍷

[@darrencolvin]

Love those acoustic panels

[@iparracine]

amazing song!

[@OldBeatleMan]

Very nicely done... Thank you

[@sneaquie8587]

Thanks Julia! Easy listening on a relaxing Friday night.

[@haroldcook5360]

Nice bass and song!!

[@cici4753]

But you need to play it with only one finger!! Great job Julia!!

[@luisdeleon1489]

Delicious!! Good performance Julie!!

[@golds04]

Darling dear- for me still the tops. So many of the note choices are counterintuitive- genius stuff.

[@anthonycook4297]

Nice work, Julia 🙌🏽😎

[@MrSwany100]

Julia just wanted to say thanks for all the songs you do for us. I have learned a lot from you thanks my friend.

[@stephenpikaahu8883]

Bravo Julia blessings

[@Beelzybud]

Nice, some of his bass lines with Stevie Wonder were pretty sick too.

[@RideOp74]

I love that you appreciate the music from my generation, and you make it sound so good too! ❤

[@miner49er79]

Very good muscle memory Julia !!!! Danka Shern .

[@terrysbookandbiblereviews]

Awesome!!

[@1bassman9]

James Jamerson, a legend, had a technique where his note placement was so unpredictable yet always in the pocket ! Great video, Julia !!!

[@ronaldocorreiadossantoscor2189]

PARABÉNS Julia..

[@TheTkirk]

There's so much more to the story with him on that song!! Thanks for sharing and you need more feeling when you play on your bass (IJS)

[@MarceloNegreiros7]

Thanks for sharing, Julia.

[@oldgreentop]

You are in there sister!

[@joermnyc]

How about an episode on Tower of Power, heard “What is Hip” on the radio today, such a funky bassline, and I’m pretty sure it was all fingerstyle.

[@astralaudio101]

Jeez love your playing.. thank you 🙏