Talk:James Jamerson

Untitled

James Jamerson was a good bassist, and he did record Stevie Wonder's "I Was Made To Love Her". Ask anyone, look it up anywhere (except Carol Kaye material), or just listen and hear for yourself.

Carol Kaye controversy

I reckon someone should add a section on Carol Kaye's claims that she was the backing bassist on a lot of tracks that are Jamersons. http://rateyourmusic.com/board_message/message_id_is_1307107 is a good link to look up —Preceding unsigned comment added by 172.143.172.100 (talk) 14:33, 17 June 2008 (UTC)

No one should be able to forget she made the claims. When added to this article someone from Kaye's camp invariably comes to remove it. I did annotate on Stevie Wonder's I Was Made To Love Her that Carol also claims it. Let's see how long it stays up. BassLand — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.175.167.192 (talk) 01:52, 4 August 2011 (UTC)

Hello, I removed the aforementioned parenthetical comment regarding I was Made to Love Her. At first I was just going to tag it as citation needed, but saying that she mixed herself up with the beach boys' version and that she didn't even play on that one either does come across as a bit snarky. And frankly not relevant to Jamerson's cultural contributions. While it was hoopla at the time, Slutsky accumulated enough evidence during the lawsuits that the inclusion of Kaye's claims aren't appropriate for the Jamerson page in it's current state of development; perhaps if there was a more in depth section on "posthumous legacy?" In the meantime Kaye has many disputed claims. Barring legal validation of her claims, her page is really where any discussion of this belongs. Reve (talk) 19:38, 25 March 2015 (UTC)

What's Going On

According to the documentary on the Funk Brothers, Standing In the Shadows of Motown, Jamerson recorded the bass part to What's Going On while lying on his back on the floor. That's an impressive feat, but I wasn't sure if it had a place in this article. Any thoughts? --24.75.136.130 14:26, 7 June 2006 (UTC)

The music business is full of stories 'bout musicians playing under the influence of various substances. Amongst other things, I have actually seen a name guitarist slide backwards off a stool (he had to sit on a stool 'cos he couldn't stand), pissed as a newt, in the middle of a solo and continue playing his solo on his back. But unless it can be reliably referenced it has no place on Wikipedia.--Technopat (talk) 08:34, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

++++WHAT'S GOING ON++++++ Same thing heard here, but even more imcredible was that according to the documentary, Marvin Gaye also brought him in the studio drunk as a skunk, and that's when the song was recorder and he did actually play that bas line on his back. Listening to the song today, it's still hard to believe that he kept pace, and how amazing it still sounds.

What's Going On==

I think the story has a place in the article since it shows the lengths to which Marvin Gaye would go to have Jamerson play and how talented he was. If you don't mind I'd like to add it as part of a school project. Drj17 (talk) 01:45, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Jamerson 4.jpg

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BetacommandBot 03:41, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

Jamerson and innovation

Generally, music articles on Wikipedia seem to be written by individuals with good knowledge in one area of music but often lacking a more comprehensive understanding. For instance, the notion that "the role of the bass in popular music...until that time largely consisted of root notes, fifths and simple repetitive patterns" would be news to Jimmy Blanton, Ray Brown, Oscar Pettiford, Charles Mingus, and many other bassists playing more than just root notes and simple repetitions within popular music before the rock and roll era. Ascribing that shift to Jamerson is inaccurate, and something to which he himself no doubt would readily disagree. That Jamerson was masterful and innovative is a given, and saying that he is an innovator in the playing of the bass guitar, the Fender bass being only about a decade old by the time he picked it up in the early 1960s, would be more accurate.PJtP (talk) 00:28, 18 February 2010 (UTC)

Response to BetacommandBot: this is why the article specifies "popular music," which is a dumb term, but most people understand it to be a separate category from Jazz, Classica, modern music, etc..

Re: Jimmy Blanton, Ray Brown, Oscar Pettiford, Charles Mingus,. All of whom were primarily upright bassist. While Jamerson played the upright that is not what is being discussed here. The role of the ELECTRIC bass (For which Jamerson is noted in this instance), the statement rings true in my opinion. (BassLand) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.91.240.74 (talk) 14:51, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

• I agree with PStP. As written, the section talked about "bass" playing and not "electric bass" playing. Also, Jamerson's importance has little to do with what he played (his instrument: acoustic or electric bass) but is about what he played with his instrument. But... the sophisticated bass playing of jazz musicians had not been noticeable or relevant in pop music for many years; popular music had moved away from the jazz idiom. I have edited the article to make clear that JJ's innovation occurred in the context of then-current popular music such as R&B/rock'n'roll/country music. Many have indeed said he brought a jazz sensibility to his playing, but I have not heard anybody say that he was expanding the role or style of the bass in jazz. (but this article isn't about jazz) David Couch (talk) — Preceding undated comment added 19:15, 25 May 2014 (UTC)

Influence on bass players: this section is confusingly written. It starts "Prominent bassists who have claimed Jamerson as a primary influence include James Brown's bassist Fred Thomas, Bernard Odum, Bootsy Collins, John Paul Jones, Tim Drummond, Sweet Charles Sherrell, ..." It reads as if "James Brown's bass player" was Fred Thomas. He was, but so was Odum, collins, drummond, and sherrel. John Paul Jones was not, nor were the others. This should be rewritten (repunctuated) to clarify.

• • I have made some edits to the “Influence” section to tidy this up.——-Design (talk) 06:17, 12 March 2018 (UTC)

James Jamerson Discography

My Girl - Temptations
Bernadette - 4 Tops also claimed by Carol Kaye
Aint That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
Ooh Baby Baby - The Miracles
To Many Fish In The Sea - The Marvelettes
Uptight (Everything Is Alright) - Stevie Wonder
Heat Wave (U) - Martha & The Vandellas
This Old Heart Of Mine - Isley Brothers
I Heard It Through The Grapevine (2 recordings) - Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight & Pips
Where Did Our Love Go (U) - Diana/Supremes
Since I Lost My Baby - Temptations
For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
My Guy (U) - Mary Wells
Your Precious Love - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell
You've Really Got A Hold On Me - The Miracles
Love Child - Diana/Supremes
I Guess I'll Always Love you
Dancing In The Streets - Martha & The Vandellas
Don't Mess With Bill - The Marvelettes
What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
Standing In The Shadows Of Love - 4 Tops
Mickey's Monkey (U) - The Miracles
Cloud Nine - Temptations
Nothing's To Good For My Baby - Temptations
My Baby Loves Me - Martha & The Vandellas
You Keep Me Hanging On - Diana/Supremes also claimed by Carol Kaye
You Beat Me To The Punch - Mary Wells
Little Darling (I Need You) - 4 Tops
I'm Ready For Love
The Way You Do The Things You Do - Temptations
I Can't Help Myself - 4 Tops
Roadrunner - Jr. Walker & The All-Stars
You're All I Need To Get By - Temptations
You Can't Hurry Love - Diana/Supremes
Shop Around - The Miracles
Ain't To Proud To Beg - Temptations
My Cherie Amour - Stevie Wonder
It's The Same Old Song - 4 Tops
How Sweet It Is - Marvin Gaye
Take Me In Your Arms (And Rock Me A Little While) - Brenda Holloway
Ain't No Mountain High Enough (2 recordings) - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell, Diana/Supremes
My Baby Must Be A Magician - The Marvelettes
Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart - Diana/Supremes
Beauty Is Only Skin Deep - Temptations
Ask The Lonely - 4 Tops
Going To A Go-Go - The Miracles
I was Made To Love Her - Stevie Wonder also claimed by Carol Kaye
Hitch Hike - Marvin Gaye
I Second That Emotion - The Miracles
Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes
Jimmy Mack (U) - Martha & The Vandellas
I Hear A Symphony - Diana/Supremes
Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over) - 4 Tops
I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - Temptations
Get Ready - Temptations
The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game
Stop! In The Name Of Love - Diana/Supremes
That's What Love Is Made Of
Nowhere To Run - Martha & The Vandellas
Seven Rooms Of Gloom - 4 Tops
Pride & Joy - Marvin Gaye
(I Know) I'm Losing You - Temptations
Two Lovers - Mary Wells
I'll Turn To Stone - 4 Tops
Come See About Me - Diana/Supremes
Stubborn Kind Of Fellow - Marvin Gaye
How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone
If I Were your Woman Gladys Knight & The Pips
My World Is Empty Without You - Diana/Supremes
The Tracks Of My Tears - The Miracles
I'm Wondering - Stevie Wonder
Can I Get A Witness - Marvin Gaye
The Girls Alright With Me - Temptations

Shoo Be Doo Be Doo Da Day - Stevie Wonder
Reflections - Diana/Supremes
What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted - Jimmy Ruffin
Baby I Need Your Loving - 4 Tops
Quicksand... - Martha & The Vandellas
Reach Out...I'll Be There - 4 Tops
You Beat Me To The Punch - Mary Wells
The Bells - The Originals
Shotgun - Jr. Walker & The All-Stars
Fingertips (pt2)- Stevie Wonder
Hey Girl - Stevie Wonder
What Are You Gonna Do When I'm Gone (U) - Kim Weston (submitted by Chuck Whaley)
Still Water Runs Deep - Four Tops (Chuck Whaley)
All in the Game - Four Tops (Chuck Whaley)
My Baby - Temptations
The One Who Really Loves You (U)- Mary Wells
This Old Heart Of Mine - Isley Brothers
My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left) - David Ruffin
It Takes Two (U) - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell
Honey Chile - Martha & the Vandellas
To Busy Thinking About My Baby - Marvin Gaye
When Your Young And In Love - Marvelettes
Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell
Still Waters Run Deep - Four Tops
If I Were Your Woman - Gladys Knight & the Pips
I Want You Back - Jackson 5 (see below)
It's Growing - The Temptations (thanks to Catherine J. Lewis)
Agent Double O Soul - Edwin Starr(thanks to Catherine J. Lewis)
I Can't Get Next To You - Temptations (thanks to John Coe)
I want A Love I can Feel - Temptations (thanks to Anthony Parker)
Heart Breaking Guy - Supremes (thanks to Anthony Parker)
...And countless other Album tunes and "B" sides
Motown Album Tracks

Every Time I See You I Go Wild - Stevie Wonder (from Motown Legends reissue)
Respect - Stevie Wonder
A Place In The Sun (U) - Stevie Wonder
Hold Me - Stevie Wonder
Ain't That Asking For Trouble - Stevie Wonder
Baby Don't Do It - Stevie Wonder*
Angie Girl - Stevie Wonder
Music Talk - Stevie Wonder
I'll Love You Forever - Edwin Starrs Greatest Hits (thanks to Catherine J. Lewis)
(note: You can hear most of the above examples by clicking the above link)
Sunny - Four Tops (Thanks to Jeff Whittemore)
Sunny - Stevie Wonder (Thanks to Jeff Whittemore)
Fever In The Funk House - James Jamerson composition (Thanks to Jeff Whittemore) This recording is from a Earl Van Dyke album and it is pure Jamerson...
Non Motown Recordings

The following might be a more complete discography of James Jamerson:

A Place In The Sun - Stevie Wonder [album version]
Agent Double O Soul - Edwin Starr
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana & Supremes
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell
Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell
Ain't That Asking For Trouble - Stevie Wonder [album version]
Aint That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
Ain't To Proud To Beg - Temptations
All I Need is Time" - Gladys Knight & Pips *
All in the Game - Four Tops (Chuck Whaley)
Angie Girl - Stevie Wonder [album version]
Ask The Lonely - Four Tops
Baby Don't Do It - Stevie Wonder [album version]
Baby Love - Supremes *
Baby I Need Your Loving - Four Tops
Beauty Is Only Skin Deep - Temptations
Behind A Painted Smile - Isley Brothers *
Bernadette - Four Tops
Between Her Goodbye and My Hello" - Gladys Knight & Pips *
Can I Get A Witness - Marvin Gaye
Check Yourself - Temptations *
Cindy - Temptations *
Cloud Nine - Temptations
Come & Get These Memories - Martha & The Vandellas *
Come Round Here (I'm The One You Need) - Smokey Robinson & the Miracles*

Come See About Me - Diana/Supremes
Come to Me - Marv Johnson
Contract On Love - Stevie Wonder *
Daddy Could Swear, I Declare" - Gladys Knight & Pips *
Dancing In The Streets - Martha & The Vandellas
Danger, Heartbreak Dead Ahead - The Marvelettes *
Darling Dear - Jackson 5 *
Distant Lover - Marvin Gaye *
Didn't You Know (You'd Have to Cry Sometime)" - Gladys Knight & Pips*
Don't Mess With Bill - The Marvelettes *
Easily Persuaded - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
Everybody Needs Love - Gladys Knight & Pips *
Every Time I See You I Go Wild - Stevie Wonder [album version]
Fan the Flame - Temptations *
Farewell Is A Lonely Sound - Jimmy Ruffin * ?
Farewell My Love - Temptations *
Fever In The Funk House - James Jamerson *
Fingertips (pt2) - Stevie Wonder
For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
Friendship Train" - Gladys Knight & Pips *
Get Ready - Temptations
Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue - Temptations *
Going To A Go-Go - The Miracles
Gonna Give Her All the Love I've Got - Temptations *
Got to Find Myself a Brand New Baby - David Ruffin *
He Who Picks a Rose - Temptations *
Heart Breaking Guy - Supremes
Heat Wave - Martha & The Vandellas
Help Me Make It Through the Night" - Gladys Knight & Pips *
Hey Girl - Stevie Wonder
Hitch Hike - Marvin Gaye
Hold Me - Stevie Wonder [album version]
Honey Chile - Martha & the Vandellas
Home Cookin' - Jr Walker *
How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone - Diana/Supremes
How Sweet It Is - Marvin Gaye
How Sweet It Is(To Be Loved By You) - Jr Walker & All Stars *
I Can't Get Next To You - Temptations
I Can't Help Myself - 4 Tops
I Could Never Love Another(After Loving You) - Temptations *
I Don't Want to Do Wrong" - Gladys Knight & Pips *
I Guess I'll Always Love you - Isley Brothers
I Hear A Symphony - Diana/Supremes
I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Gladys Knight & Pips
I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
[I Know] I'm Losing You - Temptations
I Lost Everything I Ever Had (And Now I'm Losing You) - David Ruffin
I Love the Way You Love - Marv Johnson * ?
I Second That Emotion - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
I Truly, Truly Believe - Temptations *
I Want A Love I can see - Temptations
I Was Made To Love Her - Stevie Wonder
I Wish It Would Rain" - Gladys Knight & Pips *
I Wish it Would Rain - Temptations *
I'd Be A Fool Right Know - Stevie Wonder *
I'll Love You Forever - Edwin Starr [album version]
I'll Pick A Rose For My Rose - Marv Johnson * ?
I'll Turn To Stone - 4 Tops
(I'm A) Road Runner - Jr Walker & All Stars *
I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - Temptations
I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - Diana Ross & Supremes/Temptations *
I'm Ready For Love - Martha & The Vandellas
I'm So Glad I Fell For You - David Ruffin *
I'm Wondering - Stevie Wonder
Isn't She Pretty - Temptations *
It Should Have Been Me" - Gladys Knight & Pips *
It's A Shame - The Spinners *
It's Growing - The Temptations
It's The Same Old Song - 4 Tops
It Takes Two - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell
I've Passed This Way Before - Temptations *
Jimmy Mack - Martha & The Vandellas
Just A Little Misunderstanding - Contours *
Just Let Me Know - The Temptations *
Just to Keep You Satisfied - Marvin Gaye *
"L.A. Is The Place" - Kenny Koontz sadly James' last recording
Little Darling (I Need You) - 4 Tops
Love Child - Diana/Supremes
Love Is Hear & Now Your Gone - Supremes *
Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart - Supremes
Love's gone Bad - Chris Clark * ?
Make Me the Woman That You Go Home To - Gladys Knight & Pips *
May I Have This Dance - Temptations *
Mickey's Monkey - The Miracles
Music Talk - Stevie Wonder [album version]
Mutiny - Jr. Walker *
My Baby - Temptations
My Baby Loves Me - Martha & The Vandellas
My Baby Must Be A Magician - The Marvelettes
My Cherie Amour - Stevie Wonder
My Girl - Temptations
My Guy - Mary Wells
My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left) - David Ruffin
My World Is Empty Without You - Diana/Supremes
Neither One Of Us" - Gladys Knight & Pips *
No Man Can Love Her Like I Do - Temptations *
Nothing's To Good For My Baby - Temptations
Nowhere To Run - Martha & The Vandellas
Ooh Baby Baby - The Miracles
Paradise - Temptations *
Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes
Please Return Your Love to Me - Temptations *
Pride & Joy - Marvin Gaye
Quicksand... - Martha & The Vandellas
Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
Reflections - Diana/Supremes
Respect - Stevie Wonder [album version]
Save The Children - Marvin Gaye *
Seven Rooms Of Gloom - Four Tops
Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over) - Four Tops
Shoo Be Doo Be Doo Da Day - Stevie Wonder
Shop Around - The Miracles
Shotgun - Jr. Walker & The All-Stars
Since I Lost My Baby - Temptations
Slow Down Heart - Temptations *
Standing In The Shadows Of Love - Four Tops
Still Water (Love) - Four Tops
Stop! In The Name Of Love - Diana/Supremes
Strange I Know - Marvelettes *
Stubborn Kind Of Fellow - Marvin Gaye
Sunny - Four Tops [album version]
Sunny - Stevie Wonder [album version]
Take Me In Your Arms - Brenda Holloway
Take Me in Your Arms and Love Me" - Gladys Knight & Pips *
That's What Love Is Made Of - The Miracles
The Bells - The Originals
The End of Our Road - Gladys Knight & Pips *
The Further You Look, The Less You See - Temptations *
The Girls Alright With Me - Temptations
The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game - The Marvelettes
The Nitty Gritty" - Gladys Knight & Pips *
The One Who Really Loves You - Mary Wells
The Tracks Of My Tears - The Miracles
The Way You Do The Things You Do - Temptations
This is My Beloved - Temptations *
This Old Heart Of Mine - Isley Brothers
To Busy Thinking About My Baby - Marvin Gaye
To Many Fish In The Sea - The Marvelettes
Two Lovers - Mary Wells
Uptight (Everything Is Alright) - Stevie Wonder
Way Over There - The Miracles *
What Are You Gonna Do When I'm Gone - Kim Weston
What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted - Jimmy Ruffin
What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
When I’m With You (Live) - Harvey Mason (1976) *
When Your Young And In Love - Marvelettes
Where Did Our Love Go - Diana/Supremes
Why Did You Leave Me Darling - Temptations *
You Beat Me To The Punch - Mary Wells
You Can't Hurry Love - Diana/Supremes
You Can't Hurry Love - Supremes
You Keep Me Hanging On - Diana/Supremes
You Keep Me Hanging On - Supremes
You Need Love Like I Do (Don't You)" - Gladys Knight & Pips *
You're All I Need To Get By - Temptations
Your My Everything - Temptations *
(You're My) Dream Come True - Temptations *
Your Precious Love - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell
Your Wonderful Love - Temptations
You've Really Got A Hold On Me - The Miracles


Some Non Motown Tracks

Charles Wright & the 103rd Street Band - Ninety-Day Cycle People *
Charles Wright & the 103rd Street Band - So Hot *
The Five Daffs - Your So Faithful (1958)*
The Sylvers - Boogie Fever
Bonnie Pointer - Heaven Must Have Sent You
The Hues Corporation - Rock The Boat
John Lee Hooker - Boom Boom Boom
Jackie Wilson - (Your Love Is Lifting Me) Higher & Higher
Hugo Montenegro - Caravan
Billy Davis Jr & Marilyn McCoo - You Don't Have To Be A Star

• Al Wilson - Show And Tell (Bass played by Dennis Parker)
  

The Reflections - (Just Like) Romeo and Juliet *
The San Remo Golden Strings - Hungry for Love*
Donald Byrd - Danceband *
Rhythm Heritage - The S.W.A.T. TV Theme *
Starsky & Hutch TV Theme *
The Film Cooley High *


SOME ALBUMS
Motown & Non Motown
Some of these are remastered, reissued and
new albums with original tracks

1963 Doin' Mickey's Monkey - The Miracles *
1963 Meet The Tempations The Temptations *
1963 Heat Wave - Martha & The Vandellas *
1963 The Marvelous Marvelettes - The Marvelettes
1964 My Guy - Mary Wells
1964 (Just Like) Romeo & Juliet - The Reflections *
1965 Dance Party - Martha & The Vandellas
1965 Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes *
1965 The Temptin' Temptations - The Temptations *
1965 Shot Gun - Jr Walker & All Stars
1965 Second Album - Four Tops *
1965 Nowhere To Run - Martha & The Vandellas *
1966 Gettin' Ready - Temptations
1966 The Supremes A Go-Go - Supremes *
1966 On Top - Four Tops *
1966 Moods Of Marvin Gaye - Marvin Gaye *
1966 Down to Earth - Stevie Wonder
1966 Uptight Stevie Wonder
1966 Road Runner - Jr Walker & All Stars *
1966 Greatest Hits - Martha & The Vandellas *
1966 Get Ready - Temptations *
1966 Away We A Go-Go - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles *
1966 This Old Heart Of Mine Isley Brothers
1966 Greatest Hits - The Marvelettes *
1967 United - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrill *
1967 Higher & Higher - Jackie Wilson non motown
1967 The Supremes Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland - Supremes
1967 Reach Out - Four Tops
1967 With A Lot O' Soul - Temptations *
1967 I Was Made to Love Her Stevie Wonder *
1967 Someday at Christmas Stevie Wonder
1967 Everybody Needs Love - Gladys Knight & Pips *
1968 Your All I Need To Get By - Marvin Gaye And Tammi Terrill
1968 Here Comes The Judge - Shorty Long
1968 I Heard It On The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
1968 Diana Ross/Supremes Join The Tempations - DR & S / Temptations*
1968 Your All I Need - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell *
1968 Greatest Hits Vol. 2 - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles *
1968 Eivets Rednow...Alfie Stevie Wonder
1968 For Once in My Life Stevie Wonder
1968 Greatest Hits Stevie Wonder
1968 Love Child - Diana Ross & Supremes *
1968 Soul Goes On Jerry Butler
1968 Wish It Would Rain The Temptations *
1968 Feelin' Bluesy - Gladys Knight & Pips *
1969 My Whole World Ended - David Ruffin*
1969 Feelin' Good - David Ruffin *
1969 I Heard That! Quincy Jones
1969 Cloud Nine - The Temptations *
1969 Home Cook' Jr Walker & All Stars
1969 My Cherie Amour Stevie Wonder
1969 Nitty Gritty - Gladys Knight & Pips *
1969 Silk N' Soul - Gladys Knight & Pips *
1970 Live at the Talk of the Town Stevie Wonder ?? read comments below
1970 Signed, Sealed & Delivered Stevie Wonder
1970 Stevie Wonder Live Stevie Wonder
1970 Third Album - Jackson 5 *
1970 Diana Ross - Diana Ross *
1970 Second Time Round - The Spinners *
1970 Still Waters Run Deep - The Four Tops *
1970 Gladys Knight & the Pips' Greatest Hits - Gladys Knight & Pips *
1971 Exposed - Valerie Simpson *
1971 What's Going On Marvin Gaye
1971 Where I'm Coming From Stevie Wonder
1971 If I Were You're Woman - Gladys Knight & Pips *
1972 Nature Planned It The Four Tops
1972 Together: The Eastbound Jazz Years Various Artists
1972 Standing Ovation - Gladys Knight & Pips *
1973 Let's Get It On Marvin Gaye
1973 Eddie Kendricks Eddie Kendricks *
1973 Neither One Of Us - Gladys Knight & Pips *
1973 The Power Of Love - Jerry Butler non motown
1974 All The Faces Of Buddy Miles - Buddy Miles non motown
1974 Nobody Does It Like Me - Shirley Bassey non motown
1974 Boogie Down Eddie Kendricks *
1974 Fulfillingness' First Finale Stevie Wonder
1974 Hell up in Harlem Edwin Starr
1974 Instant Coffey Dennis Coffey & Detroit Guitar Band
1974 Live [Motown] Marvin Gaye
1974 Martha Reeves Martha Reeves
1974 Migration Creative Source
1975 Making Music - Bill Withers non motown
1975 Rocket Man - Hugo Montenegro non motown
1975 Home Brew - Arthur Adams
1975 Water & Power Water & Power
1976 Earth Mover Harvey Mason *
1976 Donald Byrd Caricatures *
1976 From Every Stage Joan Baez
1976 Love & Conversation Hamilton, Joe Frank & Dennison
1976 Motion Geoff Muldaur
1976 Pressure Drop Robert Palmer
1976 Put It in Your Ear Paul Butterfield
1976 Right There Lamont Dozier
1977 Looking Back, Anthology - Stevie Wonder *
1977 At Last Dirk Hamilton
1977 Having A Party - The Pointer Sisters non motown
1977 Carnival John Handy
1977 Elementary Wah Wah Watson
1977 Pacific Ocean Blue Dennis Wilson
1977 Shake It Well The Dramatics
1978 Any Way You Want It Deborah Washington
1978 Bonnie Pointer (Red Album) Bonnie Pointer
1978 Land of Passion Hubert Laws
1978 Love Breeze Smokey Robinson
1978 Swing Street Café Joe Sample with David T. Walker
1978 White Room Jimmy Ponder
1979 Bonnie Pointer (Purple Album) Bonnie Pointer
1979 Changing Times The Mighty Clouds of Joy
1979 Shoulda Gone Dancin' High Inergy
1979 Street Life The Crusaders
1979 Turn You to Love Terry Callier
1980 Aretha [1980] Aretha Franklin
1980 Hits! Boz Scaggs
1980 Special Things The Pointer Sisters
1980 The Big Chill (original sound track) Various *
1984 Truly for You The Temptations
1987 Good Morning Vietnam: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Various *
1988 Best of Chess Vocal Groups, Vol. 2 Various Artists
1990 Big Chill: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, Plus Additional Classics Various *
1991 The Big Chill: More Songs From The Original Soundtrack Various *
1992 Addictions, Vol. 2 Robert Palmer
1992 Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-197? Various
1993 Express Yourself The Best of: Charles Wright & the Watts Band non motown *
1993 Hum Along and Dance - The Temptations
1993 Starbox Boz Scaggs
1994 35th Anniversary Collection Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
1994 Emperors of Soul The Temptations
1994 Greatest Hits (1980-1994) Aretha Franklin
1995 Anthology, Best of - The Temptations *
1995 Classics Collection Marvin Gaye
1995 Master 1961-1984 Marvin Gaye
1995 Motown Year By Year: The Sound of Young America, 1969 Various
1996 Very Best of the Motorcity Recordings Marv Johnson
1996 Rated X-Traordinaire: The Best of Johnnie Taylor Johnnie Taylor
1997 Forever Yours Marvin Gaye
1997 It Only Takes a Minute: A Lifetime with Tavares Tavares
1997 My Time: The Anthology (1969-1997) Boz Scaggs
1997 Ultimate Collection The Four Tops *
1997 Ultimate Collection Gladys Knight & the Pips *
1997 Ultimate Collection Junior Walker & the All-Stars *
1997 Ultimate Collection Temptations *
1998 The Big Chill: 15th Anniversary: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Various *
1998 The Very Best of Edwin Starr Edwin Starr
1998 Live [Japan] Marvin Gaye *
1998 Ultimate Collection Smokey Robinson & the Miracles *
1998 Ultimate Collection Martha & the Vandellas *
1998 Ultimate Collection The Marvelettes *
1998 Ultimate Collection Mary Wells *
1998 Ultimate Motown Rarities Collection, Vol. 1 Various Artists
1998 Ultimate Rarities Collection, Vol. 1: Motown Sings Various Artists
1999 Motown's Lost & Found:Love Starved Heart ('64- '69) Marvin Gaye *
1999 Motown's Lost & Found: Along Came Love ('58-'64) Smokey Robinson *
1999 Motown's Lost & Found: Breaking Through (1958-1964) The Four Tops *
1999 Motown's Lost and Found: You've Got to Earn It ('62-'68) Temptations *
1999 At the Close of the Century Stevie Wonder
1999 20th Century Masters, The Millennium Collection: The Best of: Four Tops *
1999 20th Century Masters: The Best Of - The Temptations *
2000 Crusaders' Finest Hour The Crusaders
2001 Fourever The Four Tops
2001 Let's Get It On [Deluxe Edition] Marvin Gaye
2001 What's Going On [2001 Deluxe Edition] Marvin Gaye
2002 My Girl: The Very Best of - Temptations *
2002 Best of Both Worlds: The Robert Palmer Anthology Robert Palmer non motown
2003 Chrome Collection The Spinners
2003 Complete A&M Recordings Joan Baez
2003 D & B Together [Bonus Tracks] Delaney & Bonnie and Friends
2003 Let's Get It On [Bonus Tracks] Marvin Gaye
2003 Marvin Gaye Collection Marvin Gaye
2003 What's Going On [Bonus Tracks] Marvin Gaye
2004 David: Unreleased LP & More David Ruffin
2004 Face to Face With the Truth The Undisputed Truth
2004 Standing in the Shadows of Motown: Deluxe Ed Original Soundtrack
2004 Real Thing Houston Person non motown
2004 50th Anniversary Anthology Four Tops *
2004 The Best of Marvin Gaye(Motown Anthology Series) Marvin Gaye*
2005 Gold [Original recording remastered] Marvin Gaye*
2006 Finally Got It Right Charles Wright & the 103rd Street Band* non motown
—Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.4.212.28 (talk) 19:36, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

this sentence here:

He eventually performed on nearly 30 No. 1 pop hits -- surpassing the record commonly attributed to The Beatles. On the R&B charts, nearly 70 of his performances went to the top.

what means nearly, please some real proof, because paul mccartney performed on 29 number one singles, 20 with the beatles and 9 by himself, measured by the american top 100 charts.

so, give credit where credit is deserved. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.173.224.53 (talk) 22:20, 16 March 2010 (UTC)

"with the Beatles" I still think 29 is less than thirty. the nine McCartney played on his own records are clearly not part of the statement. At best it implies a tie.(BassLand) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.91.240.74 (talk) 14:55, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Birth Year

His tombstone lists his birth year as 1939, not 1936, so he was 45 when he died. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.10.55.53 (talk) 01:16, 25 July 2012 (UTC)

His instruments

There is a belief that Jamerson played three different Fender Precision basses: The 1957 ‘black beauty’; the 1961/62 with a ‘sunburst’ finish, the Fender "spaghetti logo", "clay dots" (and a chipped “tortoise shell” pick guard in some photos); and the 1964/66 bass with a different ‘sunburst’ finish, the Fender "transitional logo", "pearloid dots", and a “chunkier" pattern on the "tortoise shell" Pick guard. All three were stolen. I am looking for proper sources to cite. ----Design (talk) 07:51, 4 April 2016 (UTC)

• All three basses are clearly identifiable from photos, by those who know details of the changing cosmetic aspects of Fender basses. Currently this article, and other sources, only discuss the 1957 and 1961/62 basses, and claim the 1961/62 bass was the one which was inscribed “Funk Machine”. The “Funk Machine” is more likely to be the 1964/66 bass. Design (talk) 23:29, 5 February 2019 (UTC)
  • Bammesk maybe you can find a proper source for the “three basses”? It would be great to correct the record (as I understand it). Design (talk) 21:28, 15 April 2019 (UTC)
    • Design, the 1957-Precision and the "Funk Machine" are already properly sourced in the article. The third instrument is most likely this: Link 1, Link 2, a 1961-Precision auctioned in 2017 for $68,750. Jamerson had it until around 1968, then he gave it to bassist Billy Hayes. It looks similar to the "Funk Machine". Obviously it wouldn't have "FUNK" carved on the back. I will add this instrument to the article later. Here are my unsourced speculations, they won't be added to the article:
      

Speculation 1: Sources say he was particular about his instruments, didn't modify them or change strings, didn't do much maintenance in order not to change the sound, he tried to emulate the sound of an upright bass. The famed "funk machine" was his primary instrument for quality work. His previous instrument, the 1957-Precision, was stolen, so he likely kept a backup instrument for use on the road and live shows, where there is chance of damage and loss. The instrument auctioned in 2017 is his backup (secondary) bass and was given to Hayes. It makes sense that he would keep his primary instrument (the "funk machine").

Speculation 2: A few days ago I added a "sunburst Precision" in Jamerson's article and stated it was stolen, per Slutsky's book. Slutsky's work is partly based on interviews with Jamerson's friends and colleagues. There is a chance the oral accounts aren't perfect. Perhaps the so-called-stolen "sunburst Precision" wasn't stolen, perhaps that is the instrument which was auctioned in 2017 (his secondary instrument).

Bammesk (talk) 01:40, 16 April 2019 (UTC)

• Hi Bammesk, thanks for your reply. As you say the 1957, the 1961/62, and the 1962 Hayes bass are all sourced. The issue is that there is ‘original research’ on several internet bass forums such as ‘Talk Bass’(https://www.talkbass.com/threads/james-jamerons-funk-machine-wrong-year.1185714/) that show photographic evidence of a 1964/66 bass that is MORE LIKELY to be the ‘Funk Machine’ bass. The Slutksy book does not mention this mid-60s bass, and, I think, incorrectly identifies the 61/62 bass as the ‘Funk Machine’. I think this ‘original research’ is credible and have been waiting for it to be discussed or reported in a citable publication. Additionally, if Slutsky’s book is wrong about this then it may have lessened the chances of the 61/62 and the 64/66 basses of being found. Design (talk) 12:46, 17 April 2019 (UTC)

• Design, I don't have anything to offer on that, but I keep that in mind as I search though. Cheers. Bammesk (talk) 00:52, 18 April 2019 (UTC)
• Design, this Oct. 2018 writing addresses your points: [1]. Bammesk (talk) 20:28, 28 April 2019 (UTC)

• Design, waybacktimes.com isn't a reliable source on music, author writes: "my own conclusions", which is opinion, not fact. Bammesk (talk) 01:30, 2 May 2019 (UTC)

Bammesk, Thanks for your efforts. I hope reliable sources will emerge in future. Design (talk) 04:33, 20 November 2020 (UTC)

The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville has a 1961 p-bass on display that they say is Jamerson’s! It is the one with the chipped pickguard and clay dots! You can see it in the display case on the Museum’s homepage [2]. Design (talk) 07:35, 3 May 2021 (UTC)

It matches the 2017 auctioned instrument noted above. I updated the article. Bammesk (talk) 01:16, 27 July 2023 (UTC)

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List of bassists influenced by Jamerson

This list seems far too long. Perhaps we can come up with some criteria to get it down to a manageable size? Dlabtot (talk) 17:33, 14 June 2017 (UTC)

RfC - age of James Jamerson at his death.

The following discussion is an archived record of a request for comment. Please do not modify it. No further edits should be made to this discussion. A summary of the conclusions reached follows.

There is near-unanimous consensus to mention the birth year as 1936. In addition, a footnote shall be inserted that sheds light about the confusion between the two birth-years.(It preferably shall also contain the quote from Standing in the Shadows of Motown.)Winged Blades of Godric^{On leave} 13:48, 20 August 2017 (UTC)

---

According to his New York Times obituary, he died in 1983 at the age of 45. It doesn't list a date of birth.

According to his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame biography, he was born in 1936, and died in 1983 at the age of 47.

What should the article say? PS - be sure to read the threaded discussion below. Dlabtot (talk) 01:48, 24 June 2017 (UTC)

Survey

• Born in 1936, died in 1983. Isaidnoway (talk) 19:41, 22 June 2017 (UTC)
• Both: "Born in either 1936 or 1938, and died in 1983." That accounts vary just is for some folks, and unless you can find a third source which explains the existence of two dates or have overwhelming predominance of one so the other appears to be an outlier error or typo, simply show the fact of discrepancies. Other folks have been known to under-report their age (e.g. actress to get parts), or to over-report (here, perhaps to join WW I before legitimate), but there may be a later interview that explains things. Markbassett (talk) 23:54, 22 June 2017 (UTC)
• When two reliable sources offer competing dates of birth, report them both (as Markbassett indicated). See Betty Shabazz for an example where I did this. — Malik Shabazz ^Talk/_Stalk 00:57, 23 June 2017 (UTC)
• b 36 d 83 (Summoned by bot) per the source below. d.g. L3X1 (distænt write) )evidence( 13:58, 23 June 2017 (UTC)
• Report both, until further evidence arises. ----Design (talk) 00:37, 24 June 2017 (UTC)
• Both, per the above. This is standard operating procedure, until (if ever) a preponderance of independent reliable sources are found to favor a particular date, or new investigation by credible sources debunks the alternative date. — SMcCandlish ☺ ☏ ¢ ≽^ʌⱷ҅_ᴥⱷ^ʌ≼ 00:03, 25 June 2017 (UTC)
• b. 1936 The discussion below makes it clear that the 1936 date is correct, and the 1938 date is a known error. --DavidK93 (talk) 14:29, 27 June 2017 (UTC)
• b. 1936 the preponderance of the sources below show that this is the least likely to be incorrect way to represent his year of birth.·maunus · snunɐɯ· 16:36, 27 June 2017 (UTC)
• 1936 on 31 January per government records (Social Security Death Index is fairly widely used for such data). {"United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V9M1-LZ6 : 20 May 2014), James Jamerson, Aug 1983; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing). Collect (talk) 13:17, 28 June 2017 (UTC)
• Both - "Born in either 1936 or 1938, and died in 1983." per Markbassett (talk · contribs). Me-123567-Me (talk) 13:06, 11 July 2017 (UTC)
• Born 1936 - Overwhelming number of RSs in favour of '36 in the thread below. In addition, Collect's family search result clinches it. Normally we don't like to use primary sources but US Social Security birth data is hard to misinterpret. Jschnur (talk) 05:15, 19 July 2017 (UTC)

Threaded discussion

If anyone has access to a copy of Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Life and Music of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson, I would consider that a definitive source. Dlabtot (talk) 21:42, 21 June 2017 (UTC)

I accessed it through Google Books, it says (Part 1: Funky Beginnings, page 3): James' original birthdate was January 29, 1938, but in the late seventies, after seeing his birth certificate for the first time, he discovered, much to his dismay, that he had lost two years out of his life. He was actually born on January 29, 1936.

On another note, this article states that: Long troubled by alcoholism, Jamerson died of complications stemming from cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure and pneumonia on August 2, 1983, in Los Angeles at the age of 45, and uses The New York Times obit to support that sentence, but the obit from the NYT actually says - A coroner's spokesman attributed Mr. Jamerson's death, at the University of Southern California Medical Center at Los Angeles County General Hospital, to natural causes. Isaidnoway (talk) 19:39, 22 June 2017 (UTC)

• Additional sources for 1936:

Greenville News

Detroit Rock and Roll Magazine

Detroit Metro Times

Fender Bass Player

Music Radar

Charleston Jazz Initiative

USA Today

South Carolina Encyclopedia

Motown Encyclopedia

The Bass Book

Funk Guitar and Bass: Know the Players, Play the Music

R&B Bass Masters: The Way They Play

The Quest for the Melodic Electric Bass: From Jamerson to Spenner Isaidnoway (talk) 16:47, 25 June 2017 (UTC)

Pre-closure questions

In light of the bunch of sources mentioned in the sub-section just above, would anyone of @L3X1, Design, Markbassett, Malik Shabazz, and SMcCandlish: like to reconsider their !votes?Winged Blades ^Godric 10:54, 13 August 2017 (UTC)

I suggest use the actual quote from the book Standing in the Shadows of Motown that says Jamerson discovered late in life the 1936 date.----Design (talk) 11:29, 13 August 2017 (UTC)

Unchanged. L3X1 (distænt write) )evidence( 13:24, 13 August 2017 (UTC)

As Design suggested, I would recommend including 1936 and adding a content note about the confusion, with the quote from Standing in the Shadows of Motown. — Malik Shabazz ^Talk/_Stalk 16:22, 13 August 2017 (UTC)

Yep, that works for me, too. It's more encyclopedically informative anyway, since it informs our readers why there's any question about the matter.  — SMcCandlish ☺ ☏ ¢ ≽^ʌⱷ҅_ᴥⱷ^ʌ≼  22:00, 13 August 2017 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

References

Article rating

I revised article's rating (version) to B-class per ores. Bammesk (talk) 16:53, 20 April 2019 (UTC)

List of credits section

I removed a recent addition in this diff, see edit summary. A discography type of list belongs in its own article. He very likely has over 500 credits. Motown released 537 singles in 1960s [3]. He performed on most of these. His credits also include album releases, non-Motown recordings, and his 1970s and early-1980s recordings. Sidenote on the added list: Gloria Gaynor album was by his son [4], Boz Scaggs and Ben E. King albums are in [5], [6], [7], [8], others are noted in ricksuchow.com. Bammesk (talk) 02:34, 7 February 2020 (UTC)

He used one finger.

But did he actually only use one finger? 69.206.130.192 (talk) 04:41, 26 May 2023 (UTC)

The Funk Machine, maybe not a '62

I don't know if there is a reliable source we can cite for this, it's quite late and I'm quite tired, but some people familiar with Fender basses have identified that The Funk Machine is probably not a 1962 model, but rather either a '64, '65, or '66 based on both photographs and statements made by Jamerson about it being new when he got it alongside reports from others that he got it in 1966.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/james-jamerons-funk-machine-wrong-year.1185714/ 2A02:C7C:C4CD:A500:A4AA:31A2:FA81:F794 (talk) 22:22, 29 October 2023 (UTC)

to add on:

Although I don't see any particular evidence in the source supporting this additional theory, one (terrible website) source suggests there were two guitars known as The Funk Machine, the first was a '60 bought in '60 which was stolen 6 years later, being replaced by a '66 which Jamerson then wrote 'Funk' into the heel. https://www.waybacktimes.com/music/the-genius-of-james-jamerson/ - It'd seem the '60 Funk Machine being referred to is actually the '61 bass that Hayes sold at auction?

It's a pretty poor quality source there and giving evidence to the theory is entirely OR/SYNTH on my part here, I don't know if a good source has reported this or not, but it would make sense. 2A02:C7C:C4CD:A500:A4AA:31A2:FA81:F794 (talk) 22:30, 29 October 2023 (UTC)