The Genius of Chuck Rainey

#bass #analysis #transcription #basshistory #q #paulthompson
Today I unpack the brilliant style of Chuck Rainey's bass playing using one of his masterful recording with Quincy Jones from 1973, "Summer In the City" (A&M Records). I'll break down the various techniques he's using (including "patting") and how the music was conceived under Q. A brilliant bass line that shows us everything that made Chuck Rainey (Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan, Donald Byrd, the Crusaders, King Curtis, etc.) one of the most recorded bassists in history.
00:00 Intro
01:43 'A' Section ("patting")
03:08 'B' Section (process)
04:34 'C' Section (the lick)
05:31 Transition to 'A' (nuance)
05:50 Outro
Website: www.paulthompson.us
Instagram @pdbass74
Twitter @pdbass74

[@coreysiegel9504]

About twenty years ago I met chuck in NYC. After speaking with him for a while I asked him for his autograph. He drew me an autographed picture of himself playing the bass. It might not be worth much, but it’s priceless to me. It’s amazing how much he could play and never get in the way of the other musicians and vocalist. His playing always complimented the music.

[@panzade]

I love the interview he did where he explained how he fooled Donald Fagen and Walter Becker in the studio when he was recording Peg. He turned away from them so they couldn’t see his hands while playing the chorus. He knew they didn’t care for thumb popping😂

[@kylec2761]

You really think every time they listened to the playback to mix the track they were fooled?

[@ianvargas23]

@@kylec2761 Only a fool would say that.

[@panzade]

@@kylec2761 Nah, they light-heartedly admitted later on in the interview that Chuck nailed that bass line. They loved it!

[@panzade]

@@ianvargas23 clever!

[@panzade]

Here’s where Chuck explains how he hid the slapping from them. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZKsc3RslJV6h8U Starts at 1:10

[@styner3]

It’s crazy that a guy this good didn’t start playing bass until age 21.

[@bustabass9025]

Chuck, Cornell, and Bernard. The rhythm section of a thousand memories. Much respect!

[@palmiras100]

"Rock Steady" is a demo - yes, a demo. One hears Rainey trying some ideas before he settles into the part, which has brilliant, endless variations of sixteenth-note combinations. Genius, indeed!

[@petertrotman7708]

I thought it was 2 bass players on the same track when I was a kid. Legend.

[@matthw633]

Wow ! That’s crazy !

[@KimSE4]

Really? I never knew that - I learned something on the internet today! Thank you.

[@louderthangod]

The Pharcyde sample. I didn’t know that was Quincy. Now “she keeps on passing me by” will be in my head all day.

[@jermainelong1843]

And that C section was used by Black Moon I believe - I can't remember the song though :-)

[@CommonGround99205]

Me either and the baseline is the main attraction to the beat.

[@brendanbarrett8421]

J Dilla is like Q tip Jr. when it comes to finding gems that come out of the earth faceted.

[@apexone5502]

@@brendanbarrett8421 Dilla wasn’t on the Pharcyde’s debut album. He had nothing to do with “She Keeps On Passing Me By.”

[@apexone5502]

That Quincy sample was also used on The Roots’ “Clones” as well.

[@marvinkelley6339]

I met Chuck at a bass clinic. He’s one of the coolest guy’s I’ve ever met and he had the best stories and yes, that’s how Quincy conducted his sessions as Chuck explained.

[@raphaelbayma2417]

The best bass channrl by far!!

[@nelsonphillips2730]

I really appreciate you covering this man .one of my favorite bassist of all time

[@andreaslundhall]

As an educator myself, I'm equally humbled and inspired by this. Best in a long time, bro!

[@killasic]

This is what KZbin is really good for. Invaluable knowledge. #thanksforthejewels

[@mrdaddy6686]

One of the coolest tracks ever recording. As a bassist and educator, I can say that I have studied a lot of Chuck Rainey, but patting, I hear it for the first time. Thank you, I always learn something new here.

[@dtsdigitalden5023]

Ahh, you've talked about Chuck! THE Chuck Rainey. People unfamiliar with him might think you're engaging in hyperbole, but you aren't! Great video sir.

[@ntodd4110]

His playing on Phil Upchurch's "Darkness Darkness" can send shivers up your spine.

[@Dan-ez6dr]

Thank you for recommending this track, it is an amazing recording. It's very reminiscent of the Caravanserai album by Santana

[@TKOCHAE]

I could say so more about this video. I was born in 1971, grew up in the 80's and my teenage close to adult years in the 90s and when I heard that clip from Quincy Jones all I could hear was that rap song and I was about to buss out singing..."SHE KEPTS ON PASSING ME BY" 😀😀😀😀♥

[@olesolja1407]

I absolutely love his work with Donny Hathaway too. Chuck is. Legendary indeed…🔥💯😎👍🏾

[@roybatty703]

I love his playing on Green Earrings by Steely Dan.

[@sirjer73]

The Groove Chuck and Bernard Purdie put down is frightening. Check out the KZbin version without the guitars in it. Man they was locked in!!!

[@petertrotman7708]

I remember my father playing "Summer In The City" with the living room windows open but the version from the "I Heard That" album which I prefer. I think Quincy remixed it but I could hear the bass ringing through it but too young to read the credits, years later finding out it was Chuck. A superb player. Bass Royalty is the right description. Hope you're well and cheers again for this.

[@ajbrown]

Not only is Chuck Rainey a bass god, he's a very humble guy. I met him at a few NAMM shows and he was more than glad to have a great conversation.

[@tomread5497]

My favorite, Chuck Rainey's bass on Roberta Flacks' rendition of Rev. Dr. Lee on I believe it was her first album. It has to be the smoothest, funkiest bass line ever. I started playing bass back in the 60s. I'm an old school pocket player. Chuck was that bridge between the old and the new and he did that seamlessly. I'm so grateful for you featuring this wonderful musician

[@toddhamby]

That’s my all time favorite bass line!

[@bgilmore62]

I was pitching a biography of Otis Blackwell I wanted to write and Chuck Rainey was one musician who was the nicest person. He made time for a nobody writer/poet such as myself. I was an ex-bass player by this point so talking to him via email was extra cool. I was able to include Chuck's quote in my proposal to like 20 publishers but no one wanted a biography of Otis Blackwell, the guy who wrote most of Elvis Presley's early hits including "Don't Be Cruel" and "All Shook Up." But everything you say about Rainey here is super cool and I always listen to songs he plays on. thanks for this one.

[@rogerdou7226]

I just love this kind of behind the scenes stuff. I loved all these records but this makes me want to re-visit them with a different focus. Thanks for that

[@mitchmitchell9588]

I am sounding repetitive, but always enjoy your videos. Putting names to bass lines, getting into great grooves, and enjoying watching you show and explain the technique. YOU are bass royalty!

[@bassvibasics479]

Damn, Rainey's tone on this track!

[@nalatreats]

Man. Yet another great video. You do the homework! If I had KZbin and you giving us the lowdown on these bass geniuses when I was learning bass in the 70’s…….. I’d not only be a better bass player but I’d be a better person. Love your videos man. The bass community needs you. Keep doing it brother.

[@fr3d490]

amen to that. My thoughts as well!

[@porthose2002]

Loved this analysis of Chuck. I met him a few times when he lived in Dallas. I was a young bass player and loved the opportunity to pick his brain. Nice guy too.

[@RaiderClarke312]

Thanks for Spotlighting Mr. Rainey. My favorite Chuck Rainey Bass Groove Is "Until You Come Back to Me"...

[@mdturnerinoz]

And a really nice and patient teacher. I took four one-hour lessons from him in San Jose, Ca. at Guitar Showcase in June 1987. He was SO inspirational to my playing I got comments from a band I was in about how I had improved my playing. BTW There is a great video on KZbin of BTS scenes with Chuck et al on "Peg". Thanks for this PD; you reminded me of a great experience in my bass-life.

[@crnkmnky]

😯❤️

[@sidebar4018]

Bass royalty is correct. Keep the dope videos coming. I love everyone of these songs.

[@alexandergallant6444]

True about Chuck. His work with Donald Byrd is some of my favorites.

[@bigtimelakersfan5836]

Nice real nice Paul. Thanks for another great video on the man Mr. Bass , Chuck Rainey!!!!

[@insidejazzguitar8112]

Love his emphaticism. Thanks for showing me that patting technique

[@djcoolcliff]

Chuck’s feel is like that!!!! One of my favorites!!!!

[@ngolinyirenda6421]

OMG 'Rock Steady' and the Steely Dan stuff !

[@MamaRii73]

I always learn something new. "Summer In The City" is my favorite jam. Thanks for broadening my horizons.

[@mdp303]

I kind of looked past Chuck Rainey. Then I decided to record Until you come back to me. Honestly I was amazed. Aside from all the double stops etc. The basic groove movement and subtle changes in the groove are mind blowing. He’s a true master of the instrument. He makes everything sound great. Rainey and Purdey the high water mark of rhythm sections

[@gtizzle7606]

that song is a masterpiece!!! and when that flute comes in towards the end, chills.......

[@ebertmahon8939]

Thank you for this. Chuck wrote a five book series called the Complete Bass Player. I had all five books and wished i could put my hands on them now. The information he shared in those books was priceless. He demonstrated how he used his index finger with a slight longer finger nail to replicate a pick with a focused back and forth motion. i wish he would reissue them.

[@pdexBigTeacher]

Now I have to scour the record stores to find this gem on vinyl. Thank you for highlighting one of my bass idols. Last year I tried to teach myself his amazing work on 'Green Earrings.' Could maybe hack away at 85% speed, but still in awe of him playing that with such dexterity and clarity. I learned a lot of those signature Rainey phrases from that soulful tune!

[@marioguarini]

i cant say how much i like Rainey lines, the sanford and son theme, green flower street , josie,kid charlemagne with Steely Dan, until you come back to me with Aretha, but i really think that peg is one the 10 most brilliant bass line of all time, so much pocket and creativity and sense of the bass arrangment. Thank you man great work

[@grafhilgenhurst9717]

Peg is the stuff!

[@boochbass]

Now i know where pharcyde's "passing me by" was sampled from...genius!

[@billsmith2212]

I met Chuck at a Bass Day event in NYC . It was probably back in the 1990's . Unfortunately for me , I knew he had been on " some " records , but had no idea the long list he had done . Nice guy that you could spend time talking to . You may want to check out the recent interview he did with Rick Beato . Chuck is a treasure . It's not about monster chops . He has taste and imagination .

[@FrankHudsonbass]

Thank you so much for making this video man. Chuck Rainey's style and technique has been under my radar for so long

[@garyt7855]

One of my favorite Chuck Rainey bass work is "Think Twice", by Donald Byrd

[@sirjer73]

Yes he put in major work with Professor Donald Byrd. Idk if he played bass on Fallin like dominoes but that was a killer bassline.

[@garyt7855]

@@sirjer73 Chuck is playing bass throughout the whole album, so yes, that's him on (Falling Like) Dominos

[@paulbradley8654]

I thinks soooo cool that you’re talking about Chuck.Secondly the response from everyone is very refreshing because a lot of players aren’t interested in the people that got us here today.Thanks to everyone.You have made my day!Gonna go and play now😀

[@TKOCHAE]

pdbass Everytime I watch one of your vids you always seem to make my night and also make me smile. I was born in '71 and as a child my household was filled with all of this music. The nostalgia always sets in. Before I even watched the video I was gonna ask you about Steely Dan, and there it goes....PEG ♥ one of my fav's by them. Then ♫HOT TOWN SUMMER IN THE CITY BACK OF MY NECK FEELING DIRTY AND GRITTY♫ I renember that song from the commercials that used to come on TV. LOL They would only play that snib bit of it. LOL But I eventually heard the whole song later asI got older. I'm always amazed and in AWWWW when I watch your vids also. You may have, I don't know, but when I started watching YT back in 2007 or 2008 I found the making of the song PEG by Steely Dab and it was amazing. It had a clip of Chuck Rainey playing the bass. You probably knew already though. It's almost 2am here in the south of the US ARKANSAS. GOOD MORNING/GOODNIGHT MY NEW AND FAVORITE KZbinR ♥♥♥ MUCH ♥ TO YOU

[@leroywilliams6380]

Paul thank you for another bassline breakdown. Even though I don't play bass or know what you're talking about regarding the music technique and terminology. You help me to really appreciate music even more because of the involvement of instrument. The bassline is always what grabs me about a song and learning about the bassist behind the music is like eating your favorite food....you just never get tired of it.......How is your P-Funk bassline project coming along?

[@almorris791]

It was Bobbi Humphrey's Harlem river drive ,That caught my ear back in the day. He's one of my favorite Bassist

[@bentropy]

I’ll never be able to play like these masters even if I practice every hour every day for the rest of my life, but I appreciate your vids and analyses ability to deepen my appreciation of the music and the art.

[@jimpottssoundandvision]

The "Streetwalker" made me want to play music when I was 7 or 8 years old! I have really enjoyed your Tiran Porter and Chuck Rainey breakdowns. Be Well, Jim Potts

[@alanpecherer5705]

Very nice tribute to one of the quiet monsters of the business.

[@minervameza2686]

This channel deserve WAY more subscribers. Great stuff!

[@shalamusic]

I remember Chuck talking about playing with one finger in the rt. hand rather than alternating 1st &2nd. At the time I was playing with Willie Bobo. I realized that Willie’s rt hand playing the bell pattern was the same thing.Ditto the rt hand of the Brazilians playing fast 16th’s, not alternating with two hands. The bell pattern on Grazin in the Grass by Hugh M. is an example of alternating with both hands playing the pattern. Chuck was right there with Jamerson but using his own techniques. Thx for your insight.

[@ObsidianLife]

Rainey was such a master!

[@chrisclermont456]

Another awesome video. I kick myself for not going to see him play live more often when he still lived in Los Angeles.

[@dougmael]

Chuck is unquestionably a great and very inventive bassist, and he is an even greater human being-one of the finest people whom I have ever met, conversed with, and learned from!

[@eliadelvescovo9473]

I love that you ended the video with Pharcyde's "Passin' Me By". They made history by sampling "Summer in the City"

[@jon8021]

Nightmares On Wax also used it well on their track “Nights Interlude” 👍

[@eliadelvescovo9473]

@@jon8021 cheers, I'll check it out!

[@jazzbrew68]

"Now in my younger days I used to sport a shaaaaaggggg....."

[@MamaRii73]

"SHE KEEPS ON PASSIN' ME BYYYYYYY"

[@MrBassflute]

I’ve been using this as a demonstration piece to my students since I first learned it at the age of 14 in 1974. Wonderful then and is timeless now. Sophisticated, urban, and the moment when Valerie Simpson finally comes in…just magical. However, I haven’t owned the album for decades, and I always thought it was Bob James on piano. I stand corrected. I had the album in a quadraphonic pressing, because I had a quadraphonic system at the time. I bet you that’s worth a few bucks today. Anyway, I love your channel. Keep up the great work.

[@PhotogV]

Lucky to see Chuck at a few Steely Dan shows when SD plays in DFW. I’ve always admired Chucks playing! Love this!

[@paulbradley8654]

I knew I should have gone.Ouch,that hurts now.

[@TenFalconsMusic]

Child's playing on Aja was the G.O.A.T. 😁👍

[@NelsonMontana1234]

The lick at 4:38 is pretty bad ass. I'm stealing that one.

[@ericcarter9890]

I learn so much from you, and you make the difficult look easy It's not. Kudos to you.

[@ricobonifacio1095]

This stuff is amazing. I have heard his work all through Steely Dan but his other stuff I need to look up and listen to.

[@ronaldburns3083]

Chuck Rainey,Wilton Felder, monk Montgomery,Lee Skylar were my first influences on electric bass

[@andymelendez9757]

Thanks so much for this. I had to learn ‘Peg’ from Aja and it was an education! His stuff is just pure gold as far as I’m concerned.

[@coreyshafarman8918]

The phrase “brilliant bassline” does not narrow down which Chuck Rainey bassline you’re talking about at all. He had so many great basslines throughout his career

[@hirokomlm131]

I first heard about Chuck Rainey because my dad wouldn't shut up about him. They did an album called Genuine John in 1970 and my dad was the guest vocalist. It wasn't until I got into Steely Dan later that I realized my dad hung with some major heavyweights back in the day. He finally introduced me to Chuck around 2005 when he played at BB Kings in NYC.

[@lesliestevenson5261]

That B section of you’ve got it bad….so good. Nicely done.

[@trevorblair5552]

Hi Paul, again you have knocked it out of the park! Personally I love his work with Donald Byrd especially the track Dominos. Keep up the great work! 🙏🏿💯👍🏾😊

[@BassPlayerNcl]

I’ve been looking forward to this one! Thrilled to see it’s a three-parter! 🥳 Thanks so much again for all this insight and musical treasure, Bassman; I’ll be digging into this Quincy album 😊🎶🎵❤️🙏

[@pdbass]

Thanks! I should change the title...I analyze 3 sections of a song! Didn't mean to mislead.

[@BassPlayerNcl]

@@pdbass I see! No problem at all; it’s an incredible video and resource! Thank you again for taking the time to create it and share it with us 😊🎶🎵❤️🙏

[@tonygohagan2766]

Nightmares on Wax also sampled that gorgeous groove, 'Summer In The City'

[@mikebassy]

Chuck is a really nice man , I was having some great chats with him in 2005 at Bass nature camp . The Steely Dan things are completely classic and so is the Aretha stuff . I was so in awe of him I didn’t ask too much about the recording sessions errrr can’t remember what I asked but I have some mini disc recording’s.

[@dirkpehrke9909]

Thank you. I kind of forgot about him, putting him behind Jamerson. But that stuff sounds great. Have to study him. Your video is great, straight to the music.

[@dardar1862]

Awesome! Thanks!!! Stanley fan, great to hear of the starting Master 🤗🙏🤗

[@405Lenny]

Brilliant is a great way to describe his playing. 🙏👍👍

[@craigwilliams6734]

A great review...this tune catches the zeitgeist & takes me right back to better days back then! Wonderful stuff!!!

[@jeronronnunkoffunk4691]

This is awesome, love chuck rainey bass playing, ironically I remember him saying he started with lead rhythm guitar at first but he lacked enough improv skills! Enjoy your videos sir!

[@charlescowan6121]

Thank you for the documentary on Chuck, he's amazing. I was hoping you would show me how to play that killer slap bass part on peg.

[@robertodutrajr]

Man! Everytime I listen to one of your analisys I go frenzy on listening every track you mention. Such a lesson to me. Thanks for sharing the enthusiasm on knowledge.

[@johnsworldofvideopoker]

You're so well acquainted with articulating bass techniques and well-versed in the "artistry" of the bass. Superb video on the greatness of a Jamerson contemporary, the exquisite, Chuck Rainey!🙌🙌🍎

[@spiderbass65]

Your explanations of these bass lines are awesome!

[@williampscott3539]

Loved his work with The Mizell Brothers

[@Iconoplastt]

I've recently gotten hard into Chuck, he's the man!

[@KeithCopeland778]

Chuck Rainey is one of the most recorded and influential bassists in history and one of the greatest!!! The master of double stops!!!

[@chiphargis3703]

After Ron Carter 💯

[@KeithCopeland778]

@@chiphargis3703 Exactly! That's why I said one of the most and not the most. Ron is in a class by himself!

[@gigiderienzo9404]

I've always thought Alphonso Johnson had already listen to this when he recorded "Cucumber Slumber" with Weather Report in 1974..

[@zicon4]

Yes sir! This one is so good - but I never knew it was Chuck Rainey! It seems so obvious now though. Thanks for the great video as always

[@ba55lick5]

Much respect Sir! I've been a fan of your channel from my first encounter! Keep this excellent content coming!!!

[@penguinquestionmark1704]

gonna go put my ears to that track right now!

[@bmdumas49]

pdbass I really enjoy your break downs of bass playing in music. Your videos are fascinating to me and I love it. I’m not a musician, but I do respect and appreciate the skill and creativity of musicians. I’ve been hooked on the sound of bass the first time I heard reggae music being pumped from my brother’s big stereo speakers and that deep bass I heard in my soul and I was hooked. I love Paul Denman from Sade, Bootsy Collins, Larry Graham, Verdine White just to name few. Your videos show me other bass players i didn’t know of so I check out their music. This woman really enjoys your videos so keep’em coming!!🎸

[@pdbass]

Thank you for watching!

[@jamesoconnell7443]

Thank you PDBASS.

[@jaktron]

Another fabulous video. French organist Eddy Louiss was on Hammond duties.

[@ag052976]

I first got turned onto Chuck back in the late 60’s. Listening to Mongo. Playing w/Bernard Purdie. Along w/a album he played on Dizzy Gillespie recording. “Cornucopia”. Amazing work….

[@ag052976]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXO0q6mQq5KDbac

[@b.rodclark7349]

Why Am I Treated So Bad? by the Sweet Inspirations ('67), his work with Donald Byrd, Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan, Percy Mayfield, Junior Parker, Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway... so on and so forth! I even believe that his bass playing's in the theme music of the Barney Miller spin-off 'Fish'; he always kept the tone rolled down with little to no treble in everything he played on.

[@thaddeuslanders4177]

II really enjoy you Brotha...you take me back on a lot of musicians who deserve the love you're giving them....I tell my kids all the time the musical greats you've spoken of were ahead of their time and still live my heart,,,keep doing what what you're doing,I appreciate your work!!!

[@leonardofelchnervii7905]

Great video. I think I will watch it again…right now.

[@rawedginnah]

I first heard of Chuck when the King Curtis instrumental “Soul Serenade“ was released. Love the work he did with Donny Hathaway too. Chuck is in my high 5 favorite bass players. Great post…🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯😎👍🏾

[@planetpeckham1]

I'm listening to brilliant tracks I'd never even heard of before thanks to this great channel.

[@alessandroarcuri209]

My very first bass method, bought when there was NO internet around, was precisely by the great Chuck Rainey! 😎

[@JohnGauge790]

My absolute favorite bass player.

[@kurth6595]

Now in my younger days I used to sport a shag, when I went to school I carried lunch in a bag

[@thefool2007]

Excellent video about this genius.