bass player with Aretha Franklin Archives

Gordon Edwards (Stuff)

By Thomas Semioli

Gone at Last, Mind Games, Sweet Disposition, Stranded in a Limousine…. Live from New York, it’s Gordon Edwards!

He was the bassist who helped forge the soundtrack of the Big Apple in the 1970s wherein jazz, funk, punk, rock, disco and reggae created a magical musical brew.

The Bronx was burning uptown, CBGB was forging new waves downtown, and the beautiful people were boogieing in mid-town Studio 54 as Gordon Edwards grooved mightily with passages that percolated with the rhythm of the streets.

Edwards was surprise choice for John Lennon’s Mind Games (1973) as the ex-Beatle usually favored unadorned accompaniment from his bassists. Gordon contributed a funky undertow to one of Lennon’s most under-appreciated collections.

A first call session cat, Gordon was a founding member of Stuff, a highly sought-after ensemble comprised of studio legends at the peak of their collective and individual powers: Richard Tee (keyboards), Eric Gale and Cornell Dupree (guitars), and drummers Chris Parker and Steve Gadd. Stuff and Edwards were everywhere in that halcyon era – in the clubs, touring, and recording under their own name and backing such artists as Paul Simon, Phoebe Snow, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Leon Thomas, Joe Cocker, Carla Bley, Donny Hathaway, and Aretha Franklin, among many others.

Gordon was the bassist on the infamous SNL episode wherein John Belushi spoofed Joe Cocker! https://youtu.be/aZsOyO_lXD8

Gordon Edwards Sound & Vision…

Stuff live at Montreux in 1976: https://youtu.be/MZcTP3-ARFQ

Joe Cocker:

“The Jealous Kind” https://youtu.be/F-FaZTyLkq4

“I Broke Down” https://youtu.be/c7MMhIbrPB8

“The Man In Me” https://youtu.be/hHwK_RWrHcs

John Lennon:

“Mind Games” https://youtu.be/QLeObvcUii4

“Intuition” https://youtu.be/7KI0nVS2BtU

“Only People” https://youtu.be/-SVbqK01ImM

Paul Simon:

“Tenderness” https://youtu.be/WNcmOBVvuxs

“Gone At Last” https://youtu.be/wT_zVoA6mYE

“Stranded in a Limousine” https://youtu.be/xVvbxAIrT-Y

Daryl Hall & John Oates: “Las Vegas Turnaround” https://youtu.be/up0qIJlETO4

Aretha Franklin: “With Everything I Feel in Me” https://youtu.be/37_c2VzXsfI

Grover Washington: “No Tears in the End” https://youtu.be/ZApAWvaZoZw

Donny Hathaway: “Magdalena” https://youtu.be/M-fPEiFxLt8

Carla Bley: “Song Sung Long” https://youtu.be/_VvfhAoaGC4

Phoebe Snow: “Sweet Disposition” https://youtu.be/PhxryBBwN4g

Leon Thomas: “Let’s Go Down to Lucy” https://youtu.be/1BnHNeUauww

Ralphe Armstrong (Jean Luc-Ponty, Mahavishnu Orchestra)

By Thomas Semioli

Detroit keeps producing more great musicians than any other place on Earth, and that’s a true story… Ralphe Armstrong

A student of James Jamerson and Ron Carter, and classically trained at Michigan’s Interlochen Arts Academy, Ralphe Armstrong succeeded Rick Laird in the Mahavishnu Orchestra in 1974 at the age of 16 – a gig that Jaco Pastorious had also auditioned for.

An upright player, solo recording artist, and among the early proponents of the fretless, Ralphe went on to work with Herbie Hancock, Jean Luc-Ponty, Santana, Aretha Franklin, Lenny White, Earl Klugh, Narada Michael Walden, Eddie Harris and as a studio cat on sessions produced by George Martin, among others. Armstrong’s weapons of choice in this era was the Gibson Ripper, G-3, RD Artist, and Victory.

After a brief break from the biz to raise a family, Ralphe was back on the bandstand and recording studio with Sting, Roger Daltrey, and Eminem’s ensemble D-12. In addition to gigs and sessions, Ralphe is currently an educator at the Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio.

Ralphe Armstrong Sound & Vision…

Mahvishnu Orchestra “Smile of the Beyond” https://youtu.be/IjM-UQ0zVUU

Jean-Luc “Egocentric Molecules” https://youtu.be/bFQyqJNwFI8

Lenny White https://youtu.be/CxPe0ucLjro

Aretha “Wonderful” https://youtu.be/S9X3IAYzh48

KYBP Adjunct Professor Tony Senatore’s rendition of “Mirage” replete with a comedic preamble, as played on Ralphe’s fretless bass: https://youtu.be/uFR32Zx6MDQ

Chuck Rainey (Steely Dan, Quincy Jones)

Courtesy of Chuck Rainey Com

Huffington Post (2016) – Tom Semioli: Eleven More Bass Players Who Belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame https://bit.ly/2gPVZgK

“The bass line/part is the one element in music that causes the listener to feel and hear the lyric, dance and above all enables the lead instrument to function.” Chuck Rainey

Word to all electric bassists: if you don’t know Charles Walter Rainey III, put down your instrument!

Along with James Jamerson, Carole Kaye, Duck Dunn, Bob Babbitt, and Jerry Jemmott, Mr. Rainey established the electric bass in the recording studio and on the bandstand. He is among the instrument’s most fervent and innovative practitioners.

When Quincy Jones, for whom Rainey often worked under, proclaimed that the development of the electric bass was among the most significant events in 20th Century music – he was referring to Chuck and the above referenced bass guitar icons.

Chuck commenced his musical journey as a trumpet player. He made the transition to baritone horn while studying the classics at Lane College. In the military Rainey switched to guitar, and then to bass where his talents flourished. He moved to New York City at the dawn of the studio era and emerged as a first call session player. In ’72 Chuck made the trip out west to Los Angeles with Quincy Jones where his legend was further established.

In addition to scores of television and film soundtracks, you’ve heard Chuck’s signature bass artistry enhance the work of Steely Dan, Aretha Franklin, Laura Nyro, Lena Horne, Donald Byrd, the Pointer Sisters, Tom Jones, Tim Buckley, The Rascals, Al Kooper, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Paul Simon, Bette Midler, Peggy Lee, Robert Palmer, Marvin Gaye, Lowell George, Dionne Warwick, and Rickie Lee Jones – just to skim the surface.

An educator, author, clinician, bass loving vinyl collectors are advised to seek out Chuck’s groovy debut solo gem entitled The Chuck Rainey Coalition (1972 / Skye Records) which never made it to compact disc for reasons unknown.

Chuck Rainey Sound & Vision…

Steely Dan “Josie” https://youtu.be/R-BipyU4WXs

Chuck Rainey Coalition “How Long Will It Last” https://youtu.be/i5aBtSdtum0

Aretha Franklin “Until You Come Back to Me” https://youtu.be/Nbokg0KM-n8

Laura Nyro “Eli’s Comin” https://youtu.be/SaFD-s66VG8

From The Wrecking Crew “Chuck Rainey Meets Tommy Tedesco” https://youtu.be/4X3WuGobeD0

Jerry Jemmott (King Kurtis, Aretha Franklin)

By Thomas Semioli

“Jerry never does anything just because it’s right to do, he likes to do it because it feels good…” B.B. King.

A true giant of the instrument – Jaco Pastorius cited Jerry Jemmott aka “The Groovemaster” as his favorite player and mentor. And when you hear (and feel) Jerry’s bass artistry on scores of tracks, you can obviously understand why. A disciple of Paul Chambers and Charles Mingus – Jemmott owns “the pocket.” Greatly inspired by Paul Chambers, Jerry often stretches the harmonic and rhythmic boundaries akin to his mentor.

Along with James Jamerson, Duck Dunn, Carol Kaye, and Chuck Rainey – Jerry Jemmott played a major role in establishing the electric bass in the studio and on the bandstand.

Jemmott was among Atlantic Records’ most prodigious session cats during their golden era – appearing on such landmark recordings by Aretha Franklin (Soul ’69, Aretha Now!, Live at the Fillmore), The Rascals (Freedom Suite, Peaceful World), King Curtis (Live at the Fillmore, Everybody’s Talkin’), and Roberta Flack, plus numerous sides by George Benson (The Other Side of Abbey Road, Tell It Like It Is), Ray Charles, Nina Simone, Gil Scott-Heron, Janis Ian, Herbie Hancock, Wilson Pickett and Herbie Mann to cite a very, very select few.

Jerry is also a prolific solo recording artist, waxing sides which meld blues, funk, soul, and reggae under his name and the moniker Jerry Jemmott & Souler Energy.

Bass Player cited Jerry with a lifetime achievement award in 2001. Be sure to seek out the video Jaco Pastorius Modern Electric Bass, hosted by Jerry. Dig the way Pastorius’ heartfelt admiration and reverence for Jerry bursts forth in that historic meeting.

Jerry’s main weapon of choice during his 60s/70s heyday was the Fender Jazz.

Jerry Jemmott Sound & Vision

“The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” Gil Scott-Heron https://youtu.be/6043Z_WPaKU

“People Got to Be Free” The Rascals https://youtu.be/6043Z_WPaKU

“Memphis Soul Stew” King Curtis & The Kingpins: https://youtu.be/0Loy55z4GpA

“The Thrill is Gone” B.B. King https://youtu.be/kpC69qIe02E

“Ain’t Got No I Got Life” Nina Simone https://youtu.be/LKLeYot4l3I

“Tracks of My Tears” Aretha Franklin https://youtu.be/oTD7PGgEq9c

“Soul Limbo” George Benson https://youtu.be/99ppx4byI2U

“Soul Turnaround” Freddie Hubbard https://youtu.be/7Ri9OiHS1LI

Reggie McBride (Stevie Wonder, Tommy Bolin)

Aretha Franklin wanted him in her band when he was 14 years old. At 16 he was on the road with The Dramatics and James Brown. And at 19, Reggie McBride became a member of Stevie Wonder’s ensemble and played on the multiple Grammy Award winning classic Fulfillingness’ First Finale (1974).

A Detroit native, McBride absorbed the music of his hometown Motown and brought his unique combination of finger playing and slap technique to seminal sides by Rare Earth, Ry Cooder, Keb Mo, Funkadelic, Herbie Hancock, Phoebe Snow, Van Morrison, Minnie Riperton, David Lindley, Rod Stewart, BB King, Elton John (21 at 33, The Fox), and Rick Springfield, among many others.

On Tommy Bolin’s Private Eyes (1976) Reggie dispatched with any semblance of rock phrasing and plied gritty funk, R&B, and reggae lines which the late guitarist soared over.

Reggie’s 2005 solo album Element is a smooth jazz diamond in the rough.

Reggie McBride Sound & Vision…

Stevie Wonder:

“You Haven’t Done Nothing” https://youtu.be/0SEGHvLElxc

“Smile Please” https://youtu.be/TZGCP0W6DCg

“Higher Ground” Live on Beat Club https://youtu.be/XV1DK9tSHio

Tommy Bolin:

“Post Toastee” https://youtu.be/A7FOTBdbPN8

“Bustin’ Out for Rosie” https://youtu.be/9ua7_JS_F8I

“Sweet Burgundy” https://youtu.be/qako94KrCV0

Rare Earth:

Reggie bass solo https://youtu.be/WG260dL1NJM