Existing comment:
Upright bass
ca. 1957
James Jamerson
James Jamerson was the most prolific session bass player in the Motown Records studio. Though he was uncredited on most recordings, his buoyant and melodic lines were a fundamental part of the "Motown Sound." This was his main instrument in sessions from 1957 to about 1961, when he switched to the electric Fender Precision bass (and on occasional songs thereafter). Jamerson's background on this bass led to his unusual technique of playing all his lines with his index finger, nicknamed "the claw." He may have played this instrument on the Marvelettes' "Please Mr. Postman" (1961), Mary Wells's "My Guy" (1964), and Martha and the Vandellas' "Heat Wave" (1963). |