Notes:Come on out to the MetroTimes Blowout 2010. Old Empire will be at Skipper’s on Friday, March 5th. We’re up against some heavy hitters. If you choose to see us, we promise not to be gentle.
Old Empire (1:00)
Sisu Kid (Midnight)
The Wall Clocks (11:00)
The Kodaks (10:00)
Wristbands will cost $20 and are good for ONE person for the entire Blowout weekend. There will be NO single day wristbands available. Individuals MUST be WEARING a wristband to get into Blowout venues.
So here we are finally at the end! My pick for the Top Rhythm Section of Pop, Rock and Soul is Tom James and Danny Kanka of Old Empire, perhaps the greatest Post-Machiavellian SoulCore band ever.
JK!
1. James Jamerson/Benny Benjamin and others -- Motown
Toiling in obscurity at Motown studios in Detroit, the Funk Brothers laid down the groove for a sound that would literally change the musical landscape. Starting in 1959. it is estimated that James Jamerson played bass on more #1 hits than the Beatles. Sadly it was only after his premature death in 1983 that he received any real recognition, having never been officially credited on a Motown recording until 1971. Benny Benjamin was Jamerson’s usual side kick on the drums until his death in 1969. Bob Babbit was another Motown bassist that played on many tracks, most notably Marvin Gaye’s Mercy, Mercy Me Here is a live clip with Jamerson on bass:
I am almost to the end of my Top 20 rhythm sections of pop, rock and soul. It’s been a fun ride, and I probably could make about 5 of these. No matter how many lists I made, these two would always be my 1 and 2 pick. Tune in tomorrow to find out who my #1 pick is.
Donald “Duck” Dunn/Al Jackson -- Booker T. and the MGs
As the house band for Stax records this band helped define southern soul. Formed in 1962 their first hit “Green Onions” was just a warm up jam during a recording session. They would go on to back Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave and many others. Donald Dunne joined the band in 1965 and along with Al Jackson on drums they laid down the backbone for some of the songs that would define soul music.
These two served as the rhythm section on some of James Brown’s best work from the mid to late 60’s. They defined the modern funk sound and laid down some of the most memorable grooves of all time.
Larry Grahm/Gregg Lerrico -- Sly and the Family Stone
Perhaps more than any other band Sly and the Family Stone fused the two worlds of rock and soul. Coming out of Oakland, California, this band changed rock, pop and soul music everywhere in every way. Larry Grahm and Gregg Lerrico were a big part of the band’s success. Their syncopated playing style and Graham’s early use of the slap funk bass style took the band to new sonic levels.
What can be said about The Band? 4 Canadians and one American? We are all Americans.
Performing as the backing band to Bob Dylan was probably enough to earn them a spot in rock and roll eternity. But to go on and record some of the sweetest soul music of all times is another. More often than not it was Rick on the bass fiddle with Levon playing the cans. The fact that both of them could sing the sweetest of songs only makes it all the easier to put these two at number 5. read em and weep:
Eric Bourdon, the English lad from Newcastle (The Animals) just happened to be in Cali back in 1969 as he saw a group of musicians that would eventually become WAR. Los Angeles born, their message of unity and racial equality still echoes today. Listen to this simple yet elegant groove.
Stan Lynch/Ron Blair-Howie Epstein -- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
When Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers first came on to the rock and roll radar, a lot of the press and music industry wanted to label them “New Wave”. Which is somewhat funny now, but just goes to prove how much their roots rock, twang-n-roll set them apart from the arena rock bands that dominated the scene of the late 1970’s. I mean who could ever forget the first time they hard those jangly opening chords of American Girl? Stan Lynch and Ron Blair were the original drummer/bassist for the Heartbreakers and their work on the first four albums is just outstanding. Howie Epstein replaced Blair in 1982, and he managed to fill Blair’s shoes and then some. I would even go a step further here and say that The Heartbreakers as a whole are one of the most under rated bands in rock and roll. Mike Campbell (guitar) and Benmont Tench (keys) rounded out a unit that could kick anyone’s ass on any given night.
It is sometimes easy to forget the sphere of influence this band has had. Originally formed way back in 1974, the Talking Heads came out of NYC’s CBGB scene with their first ever gig opening for The Ramones in 1975. Tina Weymouth was persuaded to take up bass by Chris Frantz since the band could not find a regular bassist. Together they would grow into one of the most innovative and rock steady rhythm sections in rock history. Have a listen to this for proof:
Ringo Starr/Paul McCartney -- The Beatles
Ringo’s technical limitations are perhaps what made him the perfect drummer for the fab four. And in the end… it doesn’t really matter since he is the only soul on earth who can claim he was the drummer for The Beatles. Well, Pete Best my have a thing or two to say about that, but that is another sordid tale. Paul McCartney’s melodic style on that Hofner violin bass will always be a sonic treasure. The Beatles changed the world…of music at the very least.
