The GENIUS of James Jamerson (10 ICONIC Examples)
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What Made Motown’s Groove So Addictive? It all started with James Jamerson. His basslines didn’t just hold the music together—they made it move. From deep, driving pulses to unexpected melodic twists, Jamerson’s playing shaped some of the most iconic songs of all time.
In this video, we break down ten of his greatest performances, uncovering the note choices, phrasing, and groove that defined his legendary sound. Ready to see what made him one of the most influential bassists in history? Watch now.
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Video Breakdown:
00:00 – Introduction
01:35 – 1 – Uptight (Everything’s Alright) – Stevie Wonder
04:00 – 2 – Reach Out I’ll Be There – Four Tops
05:51 – The Story of James Jamerson
08:55 – 3 – You Can’t Hurry Love – The Supremes
10:48 – The Jamerson Tone
13:35 – 4 – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
16:00 – 5 – Bernadette – Four Tops
17:00 – The Hook
18:28 – 6 – I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Gladys Knight & the Pips
19:59 – Who Else Is A HUGE Jamerson Fan?
20:37 – 7 – I Was Made to Love Her – Stevie Wonder
22:47 – 8 – Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – The Temptations
23:57 – 9 – Darling Dear – The Jackson 5
26:15 – 10 – What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye
28:15 – The Tragic Ending
28:30 – Standing In The Shadows of Motown
30:17 – 11 – How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone – Diana Ross & The Supremes
31:23 – Who Should Be Next?
31:34 – Final Thoughts
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Originally posted by UCWTj3vCqkQIsrTGSm4kM34g at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT6fyB_hc-0
Hey hey, all!❤You can grab the FREE tab & notation here: https://sbl.link/3Fytsuk
What a fun video! Thanks guys.
You guys, your forgetting the fact that hé only played with "the hook" !!
that intro was amazing!
Awesome! Liked and subed.
That kind of feel really can't be taught, though the notes can be written. His style is as unique as a fingerprint
Awesome one, guys!
James basslines make me want to cry. thanks for this video
The quality of your channel is just amazing guys. The comments, the energy between both of you, the sound, the postpro, everything. Congratulations
that intro tho..
I absolutely 100% believe that Jameson used his index finger in an up and down motion- essentially a pick
You guys make me laugh in the intro. ????????????????
Absolutely the GOAT!!! I have the book from way back when it came with the cassettes! Unfortunately the tapes got lost. Does anyone know where these recordings can be found today?
I think I’ll buy myself a p.bass and fill it with foam too ????????????
A superb video, covering a superb bass player….so enjoyed this vid I’m gonna be watching quite a few times more ☺
I used to wonder why I love Motown songs so much. After I joined a cover band and paid close attention to song structure, I realized why. The songs may have straight forward melody but the rhythm section really gives them a great deal of sophistication much like listening to jazz (let my mind to dissect the sound). That was before Standing in the Shadows of Motown book came out. After I read the book I had the aha moment because funk brothers were rooted in jazz.
Jamerson’s bass line can’t be ignored yet it enhances the song not overshadows it. I can never get enough of jamerson’s bass line, Benny’s drum, and Ashford’s percussion. They tug my heart beat and pulsate my blood whenever I hear songs they played.
Jack Stratton mentioned
Shut the Bridge!
just wondering, when did he start to use the one-finger approach? perhaps in some of the earlier recordings he uses two fingers?
I love your channel and the insight you bring! I’m wondering if you have ever covered James Dewar of Robin Trower? He’s a favorite of mine as well as Derek Forbes, the original Simple Minds bassist. Thanks!
my fav baseline of all time is JJ The Jacksons "darlin Dear"
10 iconic examples + 1 iconic intro <3
I bought yesterday a P Bass because of this video. Now I finally have a Jazz Bass, a Bass with active Hambuckers and a P Bass haha. My wife is delighted, lol.
I describe Jamerson’s sound as milky, I don’t even know why or where I got that from but it’s just visceral. No one I mean no one gets that tone. I got to interview and write about the Funk Bros guitarist Robert (can’t remember his last name) right before SITS came out.
There's a story told of him playing his piece in a recording while lying flat on his back on the studio floor.
Loved this episode! Great work guys. Blessings to you.
Re. Can't Hurry Love, I think the first time I heard it was in Phil Collins' version. Assuming Lee Sklar played on that recording, do experienced bass players notice a difference in playing between the two? Does Sklar do his own thing, copy Jamerson perfectly or add his own touch?
i took lessons from james in 80 81 los angeles his opinion on slap it was …his words light weight
Amazing class! Can you do a class on Roberto Vally? From Brooklyn, NY.
He was born on Edisto island S.C., not Charleston. For a long time when driving into Edisto (nice beach town…), a lonely 2 lane rural road, there was a bronze historical marker in front of (presumably) the Jamerson house. It disappeared years ago, unfortunately….
My favorite James Jamerson bassline will always and forever be Stevie Wonder's "I Was Made To Love Her"
Not really controversial but I think JJ had more influence on bassists moving forward than Paul McCartney did. I know most rock bassist credit Paul but look at the range of Jamerson and it looks to me like he was THE biggest influence on what came later…outside of what eventually became Progressive.
love this so much thanks guys Tony New Zealand
Love that book. Changed me. Changed my playing. would play along to the CDs and pan left and right for isolation from bass and track. Ps Phil Chen also rocked
You guys really make the bass fun!
Who do you think was a better bass player, John Entwistle of the Who or James Jamerson?
Wait, they did the Tammi Tarrell and Gaye version. But not Jamerson on Diana Ross version. He killed the ending!
That was a great tribute. It takes guys with your skills to even try to make such a thing happen. Thanks.
Great Show Guy's Always fun and informative thankyou.
Jaco was a Huge Disciple of Jamerson and Jerry Jemmott . His Down Beat interviews in the 1980's were a Homage to them
Not to be THAT guy, but Jamerson was actually born on Edisto Island which is about an hour south of Charleston.
James Jamerson is the Godfather of the Electric Bass..
I was made to love her
And I heard through the Grapevine by days knight ???????? incredible. Of course What's Going on, Darling Dear. Perhaps my favorite , I think is What's Happening Brother.
Fantastic video! Thank you so much!!
I love his continuation of implementing ghost triplets from the method of Ray Brown. You hear those all over his work with the Oscar Peterson Trio