Is This the Greatest Walking Bass Line EVER??
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ธ.ค. 2024
- #basshistory #jazzbass #transcription #analysis #paulthompson
Talking about the music of the late, great Quincy Jones and his iconic 1969 album WALKING IN SPACE (A&M/CTI). His version of Benny Golson's jazz standard "Killer Joe" just might be the best walking bass line you've ever heard. I'll tell you how Ray Brown made it so good, from his choice of notes to his mind-lock with the great drummer Grady Tate. I'll also tell you why quarter notes separate the good from the GREAT. Check this out.
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This cat is too modest. His ability to analyze and break down this stuff is amazing.
He makes GREAT fukn videos!!!!
And his passion is contagious.
I think a lot of people know Quincy Jones' name but don't get how many songs he wrote for the soundtrack of their lives. Excellent memories bro, thanks. Thank you Quincy and bless his family.
Because of You and your analyses these Uber-Legends are NOT forgotten but live again. Killer Joe is the standard of what I like to call "Blue-Note" Jazz. LOVE THIS!!!!
Benny Golson recoded the track for Argo records, and I don't think he ever led a session on Blue Note. If you listen to the original recording, you'll find it is not typical of Blue Note at the time.
@@tylon2999 I know. My Father always listened to these legends and, it seemed that everytime saw the record play it was a Blue Note label...when I describe this music to the younger Ones I call it Blue-Note Jazz....just a name I use.
I never knew he drove with Uber🤔.. musta been an earlier test of it back then........
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LOL
RIP Quincy 🙏 and man, nobody does it like Ray Brown 🔥
yooo Digging The Greats!!! ✌
Two legends, reunited again.
:o the him!
❤Ray Brown. One of my former drummers used to work with the son of Ella and Ray Brown.
I was nine years old ( 1969) when I heard Quincy's "KillerJoe" the Ray Brown bass line always reminded me of what the album title's name is, "Walking In Space" and when I heard Freddie Hubbard's trumpet come in it made me think of "light" like the sun.
I was 18 that year, and growing up in the ‘60s my folks played a lot of their own music and allowed us access to play our mostly rock & blues on their Fleetwood console, but nothing memorably jazz ish at all. Browsing through “The Record Gallery” in downtown Victoria BC is when I first heard this playing in the background, and it was my gateway drug to the modern jazz idiom. For at least 10 carefree years including those of my early marriage (‘73), I immersed myself in the entire CTI catalog., and to a lesser degree Atlantic, Impulse, Verve. Of course there was a sprinkle of the ever expanding categories of “rock” What Walking introduced me to was the importance of the combination of less than pyrotechnic performances for their own sake, and tight, clean production values over what was all too common in the other genres.
Ah, those were the days
@fonkenful I hear you, but from a early age I always believe and thought just of everything as "music", no "category or"genre" . I'll try to explain, Jazz was more than likely the first kind of music I heard since I was a infant. I grew up in a duplex house, my family stayed downstairs and another family stayed upstairs, the father of the family that stayed on the second floor was a "jazz guitarist" who would play his instrument and up there besides playing jazz records and the sound who be heard throughout the whole house, on top of that the sound through the heating vents was even better. My parents also played Ramsey Lewis "In Crowd", Jimmy Smith, Nina Simone and then my older siblings played "Soul" . You know, Motown, James Brown and all the rest. I loved it all. Radio, TV, The Ed Sullivan show, Variety shows, Films, commercials, cartoons, especially cartoons. The music of cartoons for a little kid like me would be a double whammy in the form of "The Beatles" cartoon, to make my point I'm trying to say, music was just music to me, The first record I purchased on my own was Wes Montgomery's "Windy" 45rpm record, I was 7 years old when I bought that record because I heard it on the radio and the father of the family could play it too (he had some connection to the "Manchesters Craftsmans Guild" a jazz institution here in Pittsburgh PA, then again I would see "The Association" perform their original version on TV! I loved it all. I didn't put music into a "category" maybe until I was 12 and started reading books and magazines so I guess I got "smart" 🤨 but maybe that's a good thing because we have "preferred taste" like jazz, Jazz record labels are special.
You Sir, and Rick Beato are the two best teachers of music I have ever had the opportunity to listen and learn from. Incredible logic, well reasoned minutiae, and never f'n boring!
Rick Beato has never taught anyone anything. He stands in front of a whiteboard spewing modes onto it so you're confused and buy his book.
Agreed!
Yes!
Check out JFro90 also…. His analysis is awesome too 🤗
@@successtosignificance thank you friend, I shall do jus that. Much appreciated.
This is simply an understated and quiet tour de force describing a classic piece of cherished walking bass. Remarkable!
I really don't know a lot about Jazz. I'm glad your channel popped up in my feed, so I can follow your lessons. Rest in Peace to a musical legend, Quincy Jones
You did a great job in the way you educated people about Quincy, Ray and Grady. All three of these great men have made the transition to the afterlife.
I'm a drummer who goofs off playing bass, and I love that you give props to so many drummers with the bass playing artists you cover. Grady Tate is not mentioned in the same breath as Tony Williams or Joe Jones or Jeff Porcaro, but the guy plays the right things at the right time.
Another Grady Tate gem: "There's A Boat Dat's Leaving Soon For New York" by Phoebe Snow.
THANK YOU for all these works, I learn a ton and get exposed to all kinds of amazing bass playing and even songs & artists I've never heard.
I'm a jazz bass player who has the "other-way-round" learning experience.
I have learned so much from Paul Thompson about various rhythm section bass- drum combinations.
And, not having studied drummers as much as bass players it's always great to have them taught together - after all, the rhythm section is the heart and soul of any jazz group.
I also really appreciate the pop/rock musicians/bands he covers.
An essential guide to all things bass. ❤❤❤
I love to hear any mention of Grady Tate. I've a late 60's Roland Kirk record with Grady on percussion and it has been one of my favorite performances for decades.
Thanks for the "There's a Boat.." recommendation! Man this track is great 👌👌
Just been checking out Phoebe Snow's back catalogue. Love it! I'm now a fan.
Thanks for the tip-off.
I love Grady's work with Wes in "Bumpin'". He locks in a groove, very tastefully grows through the climax of the bridge, then masterfully transitions back to the groove in 2 beats. Subtle yet perfect.
YOUR playing is beautiful
He just casually destroyed that upright right before our eyes
I hosted jazz shows on the radio for 37 years. In many ways, _Killer Joe_ and Vince Guaraldi’s _Cast Your Fate To The Wind_ were the foundational essence of the sound of my programs.
Killer Joe. FAT TUNE
This has got to be the COOLEST music theory & recording review channel on TH-cam. RIP, Quincy Jones, the One and Only.
Excellent Work Here - R.I.P. Quincy Jones
Quincy wasn’t just a musical giant, he was giant human being that inspired me in all the things he did for all of my life. The man had class and music that swaggered or rolled. There will never be another man like him. Rest in power, indeed. And thank you for shining the light on Ray Brown and Grady Tate. ❤
Can I also recommend (for those that don’t know the albums, 1 - Smackwater Jack (cover of title tune and What’s Going On with Valerie Simpson on lead vocals - beautiful) 2) You’ve Got It Bad Girl - both Stevie covers and Summer in the City - both albums have been a staple in my dj sets. You are going to be missed, Q but thank you for everything you have left us. And thank you pdbass for yet another outstanding video. I always learn so much from you whilst being fully entertained. For me the best TH-cam channel I subscribe to.
I remember being in my hometown, where Ray Brown was scheduled to play a concert. I was in a grocery store, and it came on local news that he passed away in his sleep..just before the concert.
Ray's work on that album is just sublimely beautiful and powerful without ever really drawing attention away from the featured instrument is during their section. This is a great tribute, but there is SO much music that Q gave us over the years, it's hard to pick just one! RIP, Q.
“Walking in Space,” was my introduction to Quincy Jones. I had an uncle that introduced me to Jazz. Our family never got bored hearing that album over and over again. It led me to seek out more of his works when I was on my own. Love every cut to this day! Definitely, signature Quincy Jones.
When this video started, all I knew of Quincy Jones was “some music guy.” You gave me context and dimension to hear his work. I went and got some of his music and listened to it. Not primarily my thing BUT, it’s not about me. The music was fandamntastic. Thank you for taking the time to educate me. I now have respect for “some music guy.” Quincy Jones, I got to know you too late. But at least I got to know you.
That was fantastic. Great way to honor Q and at the same time remind us of what a bad dude Ray Brown was. I am now searching for a copy of Walking in Space on vinyl! Thank you for the education my brother.
I remember hearing this as a kid , laying on our living room floor. My dad put the album on the Hi-Fi and I was captivated! One of the groovingest ( yeah I know , not a word but y’all know what I mean ) songs ever recorded. Just great music . Thanks Q for leaving us a treasure trove of sensational music . And thanks Paul for explaining it only as you can.
Such bass nastiness!!!! I love your work, Sir!
I SO enjoy the breakdowns and “I didn’t know that!”s of bass lines in songs. Kinda makes me want to buy an amp and get into playing again! ❤
I grew up listening to jazz due to my Dad. That album got played so much. As a kid, I could care less 😂. Now… it is sooo appreciated!!! Thank you again pdbass for the breakdown. 💖
Props to your dad!
For me, this is THE definitive version of killer Joe that all the other ones are compared to. My dad has the original vinyl from when it was first released. I enjoyed listening to that whole album over and over. As soon as I could get it on CD I got a copy from him and myself. There's not a single bad track on there.
RIP Quincy. This hit me harder than I anticipated. He was a special person. I think it hit me, now that he's gone, how bad the music industry is now. "Producers" make garbage, by and large. We used to have great pop music. That's important for a society. Quincy was THE MAN!
This was an amazing analysis of the bass line, the song, and the musicians, and you correctly drew attention to Quincy's special power. So glad I got to live in a time when he was creating...
Thank you Mr. Q, for who you were and the gifts you shared with us…. Godspeed…
Amazing analysis, Bassman. I love your tone on the upright too 😀✌️❤️
You're right, my friend; this is probably the greatest walking bass line ever. I was 11 years old when Quincy's version of Killer Joe came out. Our first FM soul radio station, WTLC, aired in 1968, and Killer Joe was a staple for the quiet storm. Much gratitude to you, my friend.
I marvel at the mastery of gifted musicians. They speak a language that everyone understands, but only a relative few can speak articulately . To all the musicians in the world... keep doing your thing! May you never "get used to" or take for granted your gifts and your ability to touch our souls. Musicians? Maybe. Magicians? ABSOLUTELY.
I picked up bass like 40 years ago and played for a couple years and then never continued so it's fun to watch what pros and how creative and talented y'all are. Thanks for these videos
WAIT!!!!! I had no clue you played upright bass so well. YOU KILLED IT!
New to the channel? 😄
Rest In Power Quincy Jones! Ray Brown is that amazing combination of simplicity, style and creativity. Quarter notes tastier than any quarter pounder. Thank you PDBass for your work shining the light on so many legends.
You nailed it on this vid. Ray Brown's playing is in the pocket. Love the channel.
My name is Joe and I love this song. And especially this recording! Everything you pointed out is spot on. Ray Brown and Grady Tate playing together...school for swing.
My first view of your channel. I learned about the quarter note and a few black men that I knew only in hearing their music on albums my parents played during my developing years. I knew the music. Now, I know a few that gave a soundtrack to what I called “home”. Subscription…. earned. Like…. earned. Thank you for your content.
Frankly, when you got to the melodic shift, then the bomb, I was in happy tears. So sweet, so simple, so soul. Thank you.
Killer video!! Once again you knock it outta the park Paul!! Thank you so much!!
Thank you for giving me a sorely-needed smile today. Walking In Space was a go-to in my father's record collection, and I could never get enough of Ray Brown and Killer Joe. Thank you, Quincy Delight Jones--we loved you so. [And as for my drinking game with the word, "iconic"...it was a one-drink day! 🍸😉]
“The sorcerer supreme” 🔥🔥🔥 I LOVE that❤❤ I love your channel, too
Thank you for introducing me to this wonderful piece of music.
Always something new with PDbass❤🎉best wishes from Yorkshire, England
This is why I love this channel. A great study of the new classics in music. You know what to look for if you're a novice or a veteran who's exploring new options.
I'm not a bass player but this video helped me appreciate what Ray is doing here - thanks for the great content!
I starting playing drums at age 57 after a being a lifelong music lover. Your videos are such a helpful easily accessible education for someone with a full life who wants to keep going deeper into music. Thank you so much!❤
Beautiful arrangement indeed! Thank you for this video! I love each and every one of your videos!
I haven't seen enough people talking about Quincy and his time in Paris. Nadia Boulanger had quit composing at the death of her sister Lilli, and devoted her life to teaching. She had a throwback to the Italian Method of Napoli Orphanages, and took under her wing the finest musicians in the world.
Quincy was a product of her influence.
No mention of this in any obituaries! He’s there with Aron Copeland and Phillip Glass.
I love it... "live for the quarter note"...you rock my man...!
You continually make the best and most informative Jazz History videos anywhere!!!
Thank you for the rundown of Quincy Jones' incredible career.
RIP to another of the greats ❤
Magnificent. Mr. Ray Brown and this video.
Classical trumpet player here, fan of Quincy Jones and all things that era, and stumbled across this video. Excellent analysis, tightly presented. Good stuff.
Salute to you Paul..another great video and such a detailed demonstration of a classic production and yes…The Greatest Walking Bassline Ever!! Cheers!!
Well said, let's keep Quincy in our hearts forever. And Ray, he's one of the finest, unbelievable feeling, as you mentioned, those quarter notes, the vibe, the phrases, just love it.
Ray Brown just has telepathic "feel" of where to go and how to do it. That's organic and I have no words.
Fantastic arrangement, the walking bass is simply amazing and elegant, your interpretation deserves to be mentioned, beautiful! I always appreciate your videos!
Cheers from the Land of The Rising Sun… 🔴 🤙
Rest in Greatness Mr. Jones!
ahh man "Killer Joe" the very first jazz tune I ever learned to play. High school stage band in 1983-84. It was actually a Conrad Johnson arrangement (IYKYK) we played and I had no idea until now that Quincy recorded a version of this song.(which probably inspired Profs arrangement) incidentally I learned it as drummer because that was my first instrument, and later piano, as I was an aspiring music major at that time. Great video as always but this one touched me in a few ways. RIPQ
thank you for the concise but in-depth analysis, your channel is an amazing resource!! R.I.P. Quincy Jones 🖤
Another fantastic video that put a big smile on my face. Thank you for giving the gift of music.
You always deliver great stuff. Thank you!
What an insightful video, never heard of you, but the knowledge you explained opened my eyes about bass playing. I have always loved the " Killer" bass line. It carries the song. Love it and a big thanks to you.
5:00 - that's SICK man! Those half steps down just crush.
Agreed✅but I think your vocabulary is a little off😂😮
There's a need for a channel like this... so many thanks! Blessings from the Caribbean 🌴
This is the kind of bass playing that made me want to be a bass player. Ten, twelve years old, growing up in a small Arkansas town. I didn't know the names of a lot of these guys, but I knew the sound. Ray Brown, James Jamerson, Bernard Odum, Fred Thomas, Wilton Felder - I eventually learned their names, but their sound was there from the beginning. As the years went by I migrated to other sounds - guitar, punk rock - but this is where it started. I love to see you educate young people on history, but for me, it just takes me back home. The root. The one. That's where it all starts.
As always, this was a wonderful video. This song was formative for me as I was trying to learn how to walk bass with my left hand on the piano back when I was in our high school jazz band. Learning more about it from you is gold.
Man! This is one of my favorite records. It's both timeless and very much of its time... and, start to finish, it's just as flawless as it is effortlessly cool. Thanks for a great video! I was delighted to come across this just now.
That bassline-so hip, it hurts!!!
BRAVO!!! Well Done Sir!
Your statement about the quarter note (for some reason) really sunk in, especially coupled with those cool fills you demonstrated, I've been gratuitously playing triplets as themselves but it's lurchy and not quite smooth. Keeping the quarter note in my head/gut (just as the hi-hat for the drummer) is a powerful 'calibration' to make that work better in the song context. Top tier channel, thank you!
I came to know Ray Brown as member of the Oscar Peterson Trio, great stuff. The most juicy basslines you can imagine. 😊
is that the Too Tall Gang? Was he playing "Green Dolphin Street"?
This was outstanding !!!! As Always !!! Thank You for this !!!
Thank you! I can't thank you enough. Can't find words for the joy your playing and analysis brings....
Man what a great video on Q and Ray Brown and "Killer Joe" and Grady Tate's drumming. I grew up playing that song over and over on our little terrible record player. Beautiful, man. - Benjamin
A wonderfully informative 6+ minutes seeing and hearing Q's songs through your eyes.
Thanx for another great video. I learn so much ❤
Thank you for sharing and giving us this history lesson
Love this! I played mostly in indie and progressive rock bands but every once in a while a song would come along that I could get into a solid walking bass line and it empowered me feeling my drum partner in total sinc with me. I loved playing bass and those quartet note songs were just so much fun. My drum partner and I usually were pretty tight but that just seemed to be on a different level!
Ray Brown.....The King !!! Such an influence on my playing. Layin' it down straight and heavy !!!! RIP Ray !!!
Was just getting ready to sign off for the night and then noticed that pdbass dropped a new video. I always love your content. Thought provoking, informative, tasteful, and well-written. Thank you for this look at one of Mr. Jones' masterworks. I don't play upright, but I had a great time trying to play along with you and Mr. Brown on my acoustic-electric bass guitar. Keep up the great work.
As always, your video here is wonderful. You do such a great job of delivering this information, with playing examples and explanations. Your playing is superb, and your content is most enjoyable to experience. Just a few weeks ago I listened to Quincy's "12 Notes" on Audible, which made his passing even more touching for me. Thanks for your great work!
I dum about music details. If Paul does a video on it, I go listen. Never disappointed!
I don't know quite how to make an eloquent comment, but you nailed it, Sir! The channel and the content are superb!!!
Thank you for the best music listening celebrations on this planet. I needed some good vibes this week. Love this channel.
Yo Bro…. you’re a gem… thank you for sharing all your talent, knowledge, experience, wisdom, and inspiring us all…even the non- bassist…
I learn so much from your vids, get turned on to, new to me stuff and/or get reminded of stuff I didn't think relevant. Thank you 😎
Yeah, man. Great video. Reminds me of the “Ray Brown’s retired” sequence on Miles live at Plugged Nickel with Ron.
I agree with Killer Joe. Congrats on this channel and all your work.
Paul, your intonation is fantastic!
I get that this is in large part a Quincy tribute, and Ray is one of the all-time greats, of course, but I have to say that Paul Chambers' walking on Giant Steps is an absolute master class. Walking through non-diatonic changes is challenging enough, but to connect the chords in such a linear-sounding way as Chambers did... mind-blowing! I spent hours listening and re-listening to him on that song and learned so much about voice leading.
Chambers died much too young - I wonder what other kinds of genius we would have heard from him if he had lived a long, full life.
❤ you’ve got a beautiful channel here. I really love the way you highlight musical quality in your quality way.
My absolute favorite album of all time. Thank you for educating me on all the aspects of the greatness involved in its creation.
Love your choices of pieces to dissect and explain for us, with historic accounts from their protagonists, key musical knowledge and all in a few minutes. Thank you 👍🏼
Walking in Space is an historical album. This is a great video to point out the style of music at that time. Thank you for this.
I'm not a bass player, but I love this channel. You've opened my eyes (or ears) to some great music.
This is an excellent video, my friend. I really enjoyed it. You packed so much interesting information into a short span of time. Thanks a lot for making this.
Brother!! I knew from the title you were going to talk about " Killer Joe!" I love your videos so much!! Be well, my friend from afar!! ❤❤❤
Great stuff as always bruh!
The way you broke this down was incredible! After looking at some of the subjects of your videos, I subscribed instantly so I can hear your excellent commentary. Thank you!!!
Man you nailed it! This is why Ray is my favourite double bassist. My favourite walking lines of his is a live version of 'Sunny of the Street' with Dizzy and Sonny Stitt from the late 50s, and 'Things Ain't The Way They Used To Be' from the 90s - also live!
Yo PD! Before I forget! I heard today in my car: Yester You, Yester Me, Yesterday. Good lord almighty what a beautiful song. It’s gotta be the Funk Brothers. I can just feel it! Please check that one out and do a segment on this perfect tune. Thank you P!
100% agree with this assessment...As soon as I saw Quincy in the thumbnail I thought "Killer Joe" straight away. Ray Brown was the greatest.
I learn something every time I watch your channel. Whether it's playing or history, it's always something. I hope you are doing well. 🙏🏾