Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Life and Music of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson by Allan Slutsky, James Jamerson Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $20.84 You Save: $14.16 (40%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Life and Music of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson
Book Review: This is Hottttttt
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this because i heard that jamerson was the guy who played the amazing bass line on "i was made to love her", so i bought this just hoping that song with the included transcription and audio track would be in there - needless to say, it was, and ever since it came in the mail, i have been riding a james jamerson wave, so this has been several months, and i appreciate his bass lines more each day. definately a must have for any bassist, as it will greatly improve your reading skills, and you will no doubt be a better bassist for whatever type of music is it you play. also great for anyone who can appreciate great music, as it is rare to find a virtuoso such as jamerson who also holds down the groove as well as anyone. there are so many great songs in this book, and jamerson also played many other great basslines which were not featured in this book. if i had to pick a few favorites from this book/cd's, i would say, in no particular order: how long has that evening train been gone (just real laid back and sweet), home cookin' (wow jamerson just let go and floored it the whole way through, and it sounds great) grapevine (amazing driving bass in this one), for once in my life (this has to be one of his top 3 basslines ever played), i was made to love her of course, and reach out i'll be there (great groove, and i love how he builds and then drops down to the low e right before the chorus). other incredible songs include aint no mountain high enough, bernadette, and whats going on, amongst many others. i guarantee if you buy this, you will not be disapointed. Book Review: A Portrait, a Tribute, a Learning Tool, & a Great Listen
Summary: 5 Stars
To comprehend James Jamerson's work, listen to the beautiful bass lines of the hits. Whether you're a student of bass or a seasoned player, playing those lines is no easy task! "Bernadette", "Reach Out",.... Envigorating sounds! Jamerson's story is here. Hear re-creations of his work minus vocals by the best of the best of today's bass players. Most of the sheet music is included! Sitting without tribute, quietly and anonymously in the audience at the Motown 25th anniversary TV special performance in California, Jamerson had been akin to the elder Indian in the old "Keep America Beautiful" TV ad who sheds a tear with grief at the spoiling of his pristine land. This book was a great first step at righting that wrong.
This book went on to inspire a similarly titled movie on the Funk Brothers. This book and the 2 CDs that accompany it are a one-of-a-kind find for the bassists and all who crave the Motown and soul sound of the sixties and seventies. Thanks to its author for assembling the treasures and for inspiring such good will in the music community!
Book Review: Superb resource for new Bass players
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a must-have for new Bass players who want to be serious about the craft. One possible draw-back is that there is no TAB, but serious students will value the extra push towards better standard notation reading skills.
Much of Jamerson's music is now 40+ years old. So, in some ways the book now also serves as an important Historical perspective on the roots of the modern Bass sound.
If you're serious about BASS, get the book.
Book Review: The book that started it all
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this book for a graduate project that I was working on and it changed me. I had heard of Jamerson, but like so many I didn't know who he really was. While growing up listening to oldies stations that overplayed certain Motown acts, I got pretty fed up with the Supremes, Tops etc. This book renewed my interest. I still can't stand the Supremes, but at least now I realize that it is because of their voices. There is a track on the "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" CD that is a Supremes tune minus the Supremes and it is brilliant. I recently heard it on the radio in the original form and couldn't bear it. The band was so brilliant and it is a shame that their genius is buried under the vocal tracks. This book helps expose this genius by getting right down to the foundation of it all. Jamerson WAS and IS the Motown sound.As great as this book is, the CD and the documentary of the same name are even better. These guys still have it, after all of these years.
Book Review: a good try, but not enough
Summary: 3 Stars
Through his books, Dr Licks has made the accomplishments of great bassmen available to the public. This compilation of Jamerson stands strongly in that body of work. Unfortunately, the book has weaknesses, some trivial, some critical. In the first category are a large number of minor editing slips in grammar and spelling - and who really cares? But there is a fatal omission: Jamerson's parts are scored but, there is no accompanying TABLATURE. (Licks includes tablature in other works, such as 'Funkmasters: the James Brown rhythm section').
This makes the book essentially unusable for the large number of bassists who have learned by the (currently dominant) tab method, and especially for beginners who love Jamerson but who will be unable to use this book in any practical way.
This music is not available on any of the usual web Tab pages (where the genius of Maralyn Manson is represented in ridiculous detail). As a lifelong Motown fan and beginning bassist, I looked forward to leaning from this book; unfortunately, it is nearly useless.