The book uses standard notation, forcing bassists to develop their sight-reading skills.
: Transcription highlights include "Bernadette," "What's Going On," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine". Groove3.com Where to Find the PDF and Book
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Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Life and Music of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson
As the anchor of Motown Records' legendary, tightly knit studio house band——Jamerson played bass on over 90% of Motown's recordings between 1962 and 1968. His work is woven into the DNA of American popular culture, driving hits for iconic artists like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Diana Ross & The Supremes, and The Four Tops. A Historic Track Record The book uses standard notation, forcing bassists to
Jamerson frequently used open strings to facilitate massive position shifts across the fretboard. He also utilized a technique called "raking," where he would pull his single index finger down across multiple strings to play descending arpeggios cleanly. The Legendary Gear Behind the Sound
Despite his significant contributions to Motown's success, Jamerson remained largely unknown to the general public. Several factors contributed to his relative anonymity. Firstly, the Motown Corporation, founded by Berry Gordy, focused primarily on promoting its artists, rather than the session musicians who played on their recordings. The label's publicity machine ensured that the likes of Diana Ross, David Ruffin, and Smokey Robinson became household names, while the Funk Brothers, including Jamerson, remained in the background. Share public link Standing in the Shadows of
James Jamerson's legacy extends far beyond his work with Motown. He played with a wide range of artists, including Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, and Aretha Franklin. In 2001, Jamerson was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with the rest of the Funk Brothers. The induction ceremony marked a long-overdue recognition of his contributions to popular music.
Before James Jamerson, the electric bass was treated like a surrogate tuba or a prop to pulse root notes on beats one and three. Jamerson changed everything. As the anchor of Motown's studio band, , he played on more number-one hits than the Beatles, Beach Boys, Elvis, and the Rolling Stones combined. You hear his uncredited genius on timeless tracks like: "My Girl" (The Temptations) "What's Going On" (Marvin Gaye)
Allan Slutsky spent years tracking down the uncredited Funk Brothers to give them their rightful place in history. Purchasing an official print or authorized digital copy directly supports the preservation of this vital musical history. Transform Your Playing