His website was modestly subtitled “Music & Mayhem” – and when you watch our interview with the late great Phil Spalding from Terminal Studios in Bermondsey, London – you’ll know why!
And if you’ve been listening to pop music on purpose or by accident, chances are you’ve heard Phil Spalding. A chameleonic player, composer, writer, and clinician, Mr. Spalding was that rare bassist who served a multitude of genres with authenticity and a sense of “joie de vivre.”
A groove and melodic master whose expertise extends to the stage and the studio Phil’s credits are astounding: Seal, Sir Mick, Sir Elton, Terence Trent D’Arby, Joe Cocker, Toyah, Mike Oldfield, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Right Said Fred (“I’m Too Sexy”), Matthew Sweet, Bernie Torme, GTR with Steve Howe, Steve Hackett; Original Mirrors, Jewly Perso, Ray Charles, and if I keep dropping names I’ll break the internet….
Phil Spalding’s Know Your Bass Player Essay “The Journey” http://knowyourbassplayer.com/2022/06/30/phil-spalding-the-journey
Phil Spalding Sound & Vision…
Toyah in 1981: https://youtu.be/HWJWRbkGZBQ
Right Said Fred: https://youtu.be/P5mtclwloEQ
Original Mirrors “Boys Cry” https://youtu.be/XriIplP_-uE
Robbie Williams “Me and My Monkey” https://youtu.be/sY8LWPyOMpU
Mike Oldfield https://youtu.be/x5wP4SDYgro
Live with GTR from ‘86 https://youtu.be/qOujKHcwAW4
Phil and P.S.O. remake remodel of Mike Oldfield’s “Moonlight Shadow” https://youtu.be/Go-epkDEkvo
Phil Spalding Know Your Bass Player Interviews:
Courtesy of Ampeg
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