The Bass Speaks Different (Musical) Languages (or Dialects, at Least)
The Bass Chronicles, Part 3A
Besides different eras sporting their earconic (as opposed to “eye”conic) bass lines, as examined here, so do the various genres of music. Sometimes all it takes is to hear a few notes to know the genre of the song. Here are some examples of that:
Rock ‘n’ Roll
Rave On (Buddy Holly)
Down on the Corner, CCR (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
We’re an American Band, Grand Funk [Railroad]
Sultans of Swing, Dire Straits
Rock and Roll Band, Boston
Blues
This is a combination of a Muddy Waters riff, a John Lee Hooker riff, and a “Boogie in A” of my own
Jazz
Haitian Fight Song, Charles Mingus
Fever, Peggy Lee
Moondance, Van Morrison
Motown
You Can’t Hurry Love, Supremes
Papa was a Rolling Stone, Temptations (BassChron3_TempsPapa)
I wonder if the singer or lyricist was intimating that his father was Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman, or Charlie Watts.
Higher and Higher, Jackie Wilson
People Get Ready, Temptations
Soul and Funk 1
Respect, Aretha Franklin
Cold Sweat, James Brown
I Got You I Feel Good, James Brown
Thank You Falletin’ Me Be Mice Elf, Sly and the Family Stone
Brick House, The Commodores
Super Freak, Rick James
Move On Up, Curtis Mayfield
- Part 3B will contain the rest of the bass line snippets, taking up with more soul and funk.