Blog

I like them all, but I think I've listened to the "Out" list a little too much in the last couple years. They don't seem so fresh anymore.

In:
Kékélé, Ponton La Belle ft Loko Massengo
Kanda Bongo Man, Assali
Nine Horses, Wonderful World
Mory Kanté, Courougnegne
Jimmy Rushing, Take Me Back, Baby
Bugotak, Maadai-Kara (Mission Impossible)

Out:
Bonga, Monta Ki Ngi Xica
Patty Griffin, Rowing Song
Pretty Girls Make Graves, All Medicated Geniuses
Rilo Kiley, It Just Is
Norah Jones, Don't Know Why
Reis ensemble, Bô Dame Canja
Brenda Holloway, Trapped In A Love Affair
Abbey Lincoln & Hank Jones, Close Your Eyes

Top 50 meme (I assume this is the top 50 scrobbled artists overall when I found this)

1. How did you get into 29? (Tie at 28: Stevie Wonder and The Divine Comedy)
Stevie Wonder I've been familiar with as a teenage listening to oldies radio. With the Divine Comedy, I can't quite pinpoint the instance I've started listening, but I first heard of them by listening to their music online. Probably in 2006.

2. What was the first song you ever heard by 22? (Snow Patrol)
Run, or maybe Spitting Games. No, I'm pretty sure it's Run.

3. What's your favorite lyric by 33? (Three-way tie at 31: Aberfeldy, The Moody Blues, and The Velvelettes)

Of all the songs of all these artists:

The spoken words at the end of Nights In White Satin:
"Cold-hearted orb that rules the night
Removes the colors from our sight
Red is grey and yellow white
But we decide which is right
And which is an illusion"

4. How did you get into 49? (sigh... another three way tie, at 47: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Mates of State, and Harvey Danger)
Oldies Radio, a mix tape from a friend of mine, and the internet.

5. How many albums by 13 do you own? (Dusty Springfield)
Surprisingly none, but I do want to get Dusty In Memphis sometime. Preferably the extended edition.

6. What is your favorite song by 50? (The Essex Green)
My stats say New Orleans, but the one I've enjoyed more is the very catchy and lyrically interesting Our Lady in Havana.

7. Is there a song by 39 that makes you sad? (yet another three way tie, at 37: The Spinners, Phish, and Rufus Wainwright, three artists probably never uttered in the same sentence before!)

Surprisingly, no. There's probably a Rufus Wainwright song out there that I haven't listened to yet that will, though.

8. What is your favorite song by 15? (Taylor Hicks)
Hmm, would that include his Idol performances, or just his originals. Actually, never mind, even if the former are included, his best ever will have to be his rendition of Georgia on My Mind.

9. What is your favorite song by 5? (Super Furry Animals)
Tough one, but it'd probably be Slow Life.


10. Is there a song by 6 that makes you happy? (The Beatles)
Oh, certainly. I think just about any song on Abbey Road will do just that.

11. What is the worst song by 40? (Martha Reeves & The Vandellas)
Speaking of Abbey Road, the song Something was covered by Martha and the Vandellas, and it was a very trite, almost emotionless version of an amazing song, so this would have to be their worst.

12. What is your favorite song by 10? (Yes)
And You And I. This may actually be one of the best pieces of music ever written.

13. What is a good memory you have involving 30? (Summer Hymns)
Seeing them live at a bar in Madison and hearing their live performance ofPity and Envy.

14. What is your favorite song by 38? (back to the combo of The Spinners, Phish, and Rufus Wainwright)

Spinners: Probably It's A Shame.
Phish: Divided Sky
Rufus Wainwright: Either Release The Stars, or Rules and Regulations.

15. Is there a song by 19 that makes you happy? (Pearl Jam)
I'm having trouble thinking of one; almost all of the Pearl Jam songs I like are rather darker, like Jeremy and Black. So I'll have to say no right now.

16. Is there a song by 25 that makes you sad? (tie between Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Paul Revere & the Raiders)
Nope.

17. What is the first song you ever heard by 23? (Otis Redding)
Hmm... I remember listening to Try a Little Tenderness at a somewhat young age, so I'll count that one.

18. What's your favorite lyric by 11? (The Ladybug Transistor)

from Splendor in the Grass:

The first time I was ever kissed, the very first person I did miss
the first time I said goodbye, the first time I felt I’d die
the first time I felt shame, the first time I was to blame
If I had one wish I’d ask to relieve splendor in the grass

(technically this is a Jackie DeShannon song, but I've listened to the Ladybug Transistor version so much more that it seems like the most natural version to me.)

19. Who is a favorite member of 1? (Belle and Sebastian)

Actually I don't have a favorite. I confess, Stuart Murdoch is the only one I know the name of automatically (I know, I'm a bad fan )

20. Is there a song by 14 that makes you happy? (The Ditty Bops)
Really, everything they've done. Waking Up in the City especially has this effect (it also happens to be my most scrobbled track as well)

21. What is a good memory involving 27? (The Byrds)
I've mentioned oldies radio a lot; apparently one of the stations I listened to often would only play the track Eight Miles High late at night; the dark, psychedelic effect was very eerie and interesting whenever I was half awake and about to fall asleep.

22. What is your favorite song by 16? (Edwin Starr)
War, of course. Edwin's done a lot of great songs, actually, but he will be most remembered for this early 70s classic.

23. What is the first song you ever heard by 47? (back to the Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Mates of State, and Harvey Danger tie)

SR&TM: I'm not certain, but I think it's either You Really Got a Hold on Me, or Track of My Tears.
MoS:No idea.
Harvey Danger: Little Round Mirrors.

24. What is your favorite album by 18? (The Marvelettes)
I'm not really sure; their greatest hits albums generally are more or less the same, and all their original albums were pretty much poorly arranged (not unlike most pop albums of the time, this being before it was normal that the LP was seen as an art form rather than a collection of songs).

25. What is your favorite song by 21? (Neil Young)
Very tough question. I'll go with Out on the Weekend.

26. What is the first song you ever heard by 26? (tie at 25 between Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Paul Revere & the Raiders)
ELP: Lucky Man.
PR&TR: Good Thing.

27. What is your favorite album by 3? (of Montreal)
Satanic Panic in the Attic.

28. What is you favorite song by 2? (U2)
Very tough question. With or Without you, One Tree Hill, and Ultraviolet(Light My Way) are all ones that could possibly be the best.

29. What was the first song you ever heard by 32? (back to the three-way tie (at 31) of Aberfeldy, The Moody Blues, and The Velvelettes)
Aberfeldy: Not sure.
The Moody Blues: Go Now.
The Velvelettes: Needle in a Haystack. The surprising thing is, this very commercial-sounding song of theirs, which was a minor hit, never, ever gets played on oldies radio, nor is anything else by the Velvelettes for that matter. Granted, they weren't one of Motown's first-string bands, but they were still pretty darn good.

30. What is you favorite song by 8? (Marvin Gaye)
He sang many excellent songs, but I Heard it Through the Grapevine is still probably the best. Yeah, I know, I'm going with the easy, familiar song again, but it really is that great of a song.

31. How many times have you seen 17 live? (Queen)
Unfortunately I never got a chance (and would have been too young anyway). Oh yeah, I guess they still are touring again, but without Freddy it's probably not the same.

32. Is there a song by 44 that makes you happy? (wow, a 4-way tie at 43: Radiohead, The Raspberries, The New Pornographers, and Led Zeppelin )

Fake Plastic Trees, Tonight, The Laws Have Changed, and... I can't think of one for Led Zeppelin.

33. How did you get into 12? (Pink Floyd)
I'm not really sure, although classic rock radio certainly played a role.

34. What is the worst song by 45? (back to the 4-way tie of Radiohead, The Raspberries, The New Pornographers, and Led Zeppelin )

I like everything I've heard from all these bands.

35. What was the first song you ever heard by 34? (Brenda Holloway)
When I'm Gone. Another Motown artist who almost never gets radio play anymore; I actually first heard this track of hers on a Motown complation LP that we somehow had at our house. We lacked a record player at that time, but I was so fascinated by this and a couple other albums that I had to bring them on this one trip to visit relatives, and played it there. That was a neat experience, even though this particular track of Holloway's wasn't that great. Interestingly enough, this compilation was produced in the 60s by Motown, and meant to be of their then-current hits. It had lots of familiar songs, of course, but also ones that would now be considered obscure, despite being hits. This speaks volumes of how oldies radio needs to expand its horizons beyond their standard repertoire.

36. What is the first song you ever heard by 48? (back to the Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Mates of State, and Harvey Danger tie)

Already answered, on question 23.

37. How many times have you seen 42 live? (Another tie, at 41: Architecture in Helsinki and The Who)
None for either.

38. What is you favorite song by 36? (sigh...yet another tie (at 35): The Supremes, and Van Morrison)

The Supremes: Forever Came Today.
Van Morrison: Tupelo Honey. Another song that may be one of the best musical creations ever.

39. What was the first song you ever heard by 28? (Stevie Wonder and The Divine Comedy)
Stevie Wonder's first song I heard was My Cherie Amour. The Divine Comedy's first for me was Something for the Weekend.

40. What is you favorite album by 7? (The Four Tops)
Another group that's known less for their albums than for their songs. The one album of theirs I own, which is a compilation, is The Ultimate Collection, which is pretty good. Actually, they did have one original album in the 60s called Reach Out that is considered pretty good, although for some reason it contains two covers of songs by the Monkees, which I've steered clear from even listening to, despite my curiosity.

41. Is there a song by 31 that makes you happy? (Back to the three-way tie of Aberfeldy, The Moody Blues, and The Velvelettes)
Hypnotized by Aberfeldy. In Your Wildest Dreams by the Moody Blues. And for the Velvelettes, oddly enough Lonely Lonely Girl am I, despite it's dark-sounding title, is actually upbeat enough that it gets me in a good mood.

42. What is your favorite album by 41? (Architecture in Helsinki and The Who)
I have neither of the albums from either artist.

43. What is your favorite song by 24? (The Flaming Lips)
I haven't yet decided on a favorite.

44. What is a good memory you have involving 46? (the 4-way tie at 43: Radiohead, The Raspberries, The New Pornographers, and Led Zeppelin)

Listening to any of these bands generally is a good experience, but I can't think of a specific memory.

45. What is your favorite song by 35? (tie: The Supremes, and Van Morrison)
I already answered, but I'll just mention Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison again because it's really that good. Also, Sweet Thing from him is also excellent.

46. Is there a song by 9 that makes you happy? (Laura Nyro)
Her rendition of Up On the Roof can always make me happy.

47. What is your favorite album by 4? (The Temptations)
I have their 5-cd Greatest Hits box set (entitled Emperors of Soul), but I can't give it an unqualified recommendation because the last cd in the set is very superfluous (at this point in their career, Melvin Franklin and Otis Williams were the only original members, and they rarely sang lead, so it's really not the same. So instead, I'd say my favorite album by the Temptations would be Wish it Would Rain, another original album that was actually good by Motown LP standards.)

48. Who is a favorite member of 37? (back to the combo of The Spinners, Phish, and Rufus Wainwright)
Of the two bands, I have no favorites.

49. What is the first song you ever heard by 43? (the last for the 4-way tie: Radiohead, The Raspberries, The New Pornographers, and Led Zeppelin)
Radiohead: Optimistic.
The Raspberries: Go All the Way
The New Pronographers: Jackie
Led Zeppelin: Yep, it's StairWay to Heaven.

50. What is your favorite song by 20? (CAKE)
What a coincidence, Italian Leather Sofa by them is playing right now. I'll go with that.

There a few lessons to be learned from this meme: Oldies radio stations need to expand their playlists, songs don't always convey the same mood as their titles suggest, popular bands should quit after most of their members are dead or left the band, sometimes the cover versions of songs are better than the originals, and I need to get more plays in so that I have fewer artist ties!

For a streamable tag radio of all the artists listed here, click here for Motown records radio


Motown Records, also known as Tamla-Motown outside of the United States, is a record label originally based out of Detroit, Michigan ("Motor City"), where it achieved widespread international success. Motown played an important role in the racial integration of popular music as the first record label owned by an African American and primarily featuring African American artists to regularly achieve crossover success and have a widespread, lasting effect on the music industry.

Incorporated on 12 January 1959 by Berry Gordy, Jr. as Tamla Records, Motown has, over the course of its history, owned or distributed releases from more than 45 subsidiaries in varying genres, although it is most famous for its releases in the musical genres of R&B, hip hop, pop, and soul. Motown left Detroit for Los Angeles in 1972, and remained an independent company until 1988, when Gordy sold the company to MCA. Now headquartered in New York City, Motown Records is today a subsidiary of The Universal Motown/Universal Republic Group, itself a subsidiary of Universal Music Group.

In the 1960s, Motown and its soul-based subsidiaries were the most successful proponents of what came to be known as The Motown Sound, a style of soul music with distinctive characteristics, including the use of tambourine along with drums, a prominent and often melodic bass line played by the electric bass guitar, a distinctive melodical and chord structure, and a call and response singing style originating in gospel music.

See also Wikipedia - Motown


702, 7669, 21st Creation, 98 Degrees, 98 Degrees/Stevie Wonder, Ada Dyer, Al Green, Andrew Logan, Ann Peebles, Another Bad Creation, Artz & Kraftz, AZ, Barbara McNair, Barrett Strong, Basic Black, BeBe Winans, Benzino, Bgoti, Billy Eckstine, Billy Preston, Billy Preston & Syreeta, Blaze, Blinky, Blu, Bobby King, Bobby Nunn, Bobby Taylor, Bobby Womack, Bonnie Pointer, Boyz II Men, Brenda Holloway, Brian McKnight, Brownmark, Bruni Pagan, Bubba, Bunny DeBarge, Carl Bean, Carol Riddick, Caroline Crawford, Carrie McDowell, Charlene, charlene & stevie wonder, Chico DeBarge, Chico DeBarge Featuring Joe, Chuck Jackson, Clifton Dyson, Commodores, Common, DARRYL DUNCAN, David Ruffin, Dazz Band, DeBarge, Dennis Edwards, Diana Ross, Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross & Michael Jackson, Diana Ross & the Supremes/The Temptations, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Diana Ross and the Supremes with the Temptations, Doc Box & B Fresh, Donnie, Duke Jupiter, Dynamic Superiors, Eddie F. And The Untouchables, Eddie Kendricks, Edwin Starr, El DeBarge, Erykah Badu, Felicia Adams, Finished Touch, Foley, Frances Nero, Frank Wilson, Gary Byrd & The Gb Experience, General Kane, Georgio, Gerald Alston, Gladys Knight, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Gordon Staples & The Motown Strings, Grenique, Grover Washington Jr., Grover Washington, Jr., High Inergy, Horace Brown, India.Arie, J. Spencer, Jason Weaver, Jean Carn, Jen E, Jermaine Jackson, Jermaine Jackson & Devo, Jerry Butler, Jesse West, Jimmy Ruffin, Johnny Gill, Journalist, Joyce Fenderella Irby, Junior Walker & The All Stars, Kem, Kim Weston, Kiss the Sky, Kreuz, Ladae, Ladae!, Lady Levi, Lateasha, Lathun, Leon Sylvers III, Leon Ware, Linda Griner, Lionel Richie, Lushus Daim & The Pretty Vain, Magic Disco Band, Magic Disco Machine, Mario Winans, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Mary Jane Girls, Mary Wells, Mary Wilson, Maureen Steele, Mazarati, MC Brains, Melanie Durrant, Michael Jackson, Milira, Mind, Heart & Soul, Motor City Crew, Motown Sounds, Nu Soul Habits, Patrice Holloway, Paula Perry, Platinum Hook, Popcorn and the Mohawks, Pretty in Pink, Prince Markie Dee, Profyle, Public Enemy, Queen Latifah, Queen Pen, Rare Earth, Remy Shand, Rich Nice, Rick James, Rockwell, Ronnie McNeir, Rosie Gaines, Scarface, Shadee, Shanice, Sharissa, Shorty Long, Smokey Robinson, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Sparkle, Stacy Lattisaw, Stephanie Mills, Stephen Marley, Stepz, Stevie Wonder, Stevie Wonder & Michael Jackson, Stone City Band, Syreeta, Tammi Terrell, Taral, Tata Vega, Teddy Riley, Teddy Riley featuring Guy, Teena Marie, The 5th Dimension, The Andantes, The Contours, The Emotions, The Four Tops, The Funk Brothers, The Good Girls, The Isley Brothers, The Jackson 5, The Marvelettes, The Monitors, The Originals, The Pointer Sisters, The Satintones, The Spinners, The Supremes, The Supremes & The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Velvelettes, Thelma Houston, Thelma Houston and Jerry Butler, Today, Tommy Good, Tony Toni Toné, Trav, Val Young,
Vanity, Whitehead Bros, Willie Hutch, Wilson Pickett, Wreckx-N-Effect, Zhané,

Oh my God: I had the worst night of my life last night. I had a party at my house celebrating my ~Special Day~ (it only comes once a week!). I invited all my friends. We were having a good time and then my friend Mart had to ruin it all. He said, "Hey dude, let's put on some music!" I was like, "NO!!!" He didn't care, he proceeded to put on Sublime. I was so upset because I told him not to! I punched him in the face. Everyone got all upset and then they left. I mean Sublime are bad, but not that bad.

It's so unfair. I mean, really, why would ANYBODY play music at a party!? It's ridiculous, I know. Parties were invented for socializing. Music was invented for being anti-social and for the Liberals to cause havog. The two do not The Clash. Why did Mart, or rather, everyone, have to put music on at that party? It just makes no sense. A party is going well, then he decides to take a gamble. He puts on music, even though he KNOWS, as everyone KNOWS, that it has been scientifically proven that music can be annoying to the senses. It's just a stupid thing to do.

You know it's funny, I go to parties every week. None of them EVER have music. I'm starting to think that it's just a myth that a lot of parties supposedly play loud rap music. Maybe they did, like 100 years ago, but this is the 21st century, the Postmodern era. We have the personal technology to not need outside stimulants, albert an ineffective stimulant like music. Also, I only hang out with intellectuals like me. Maybe loser Linkin Park fans jam out to their anime, but that's not me, man. I say that if you're gonna be Japanese, keep that shit in Japan, fa real. Logic, heard of that word everyone in the world? Not that I hate everyone, it's just I feel like I'm on that watchtower, watching the masses go mad and I'm all like, "These people don't know the truth." I fully believe that.

Take my advice man, like always, and you'll be safe. NO MUSIC AT PARTIES! Make that happen, you!

A few months ago, I did some research on music from the 50s and 60s for a writing assignment. It required that I listen to an incredible amount of music from that time period -- music that I wasn't very familiar with. By "incredible amount of music," I mean so much that I almost went crazy from it. And by "wasn't very familiar," I mean I knew close to nothing about music from the 50s. I was a little more familiar with music from the 60s, the decade in which I was born.

My research lead me to discover some great music. I have taken my favorite songs from the research and compiled a playlist titled "50s-60s Jukebox." I like to listen to it on my iPod when I go for a walk.

If you can listen to only one song on the playlist, listen to "Shotgun" by Junior Walker & The All Stars. It has an infectious groove. "Love Letters" by Ketty Lester has been a long-time favorite of mine.

50s-60s Jukebox

Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid - Ketty Lester
A Town Without Pity - Gene Pitney
Sugar Town - Nancy Sinatra
That's What Girls Are Made For - The Spinners
Remember (Walking in the Sand) - The Shangri-Las
Tighten Up - Archie Bell & the Drells
I Just Don't Understand - Ann-Margeret
Till I Waltz Again With You - Teresa Brewer
I Know (You Don't Love Me No More) - Barbara George
Shotgun - Junior Walker & The All Stars
Running Scared - Roy Orbison
Every Little Bit Hurts - Brenda Holloway
I'm On the Outside - Looking In - Little Anthony & The Imperials
Maybe - The Chantels
Hey Love - Stevie Wonder
Summer Wine - Nancy Sinatra
Little Darlin' - The Diamonds
The Girl's Alright With Me - The Temptations
Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine) - The Penguins
Daddy's Home - Shep & The Limelites
Love Letters - Ketty Lester
Come A Little Bit Closer - Jay and the Americans
Lucille - Little Richard
Sweet Talkin' Guy - The Chiffons
Everyday - Buddy Holly
The Name Game - Shirley Ellis
Sleepwalk - Santo & Johnny
Grazing in the Grass - Friends of Distinction
Little Star - The Elegants
Mr. Lee - The Bobbettes
Dream Lover - Bobby Darin
One Summer Night - The Danleers
Show Me the Way to Go Home - Johnny Otis Show

Below is the playlist, tagged for Last.fm radio. Note that not many of the songs are currently streamable at Last.fm; however, that could change in the future.

Some Things are Better Left Unsaid
A Town Without Pity
Sugar Town
That's What Girls Are Made For
Remember (Walking In The Sand)
Tighten Up
I Just Don't Understand
Till I Waltz Again With You
I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)
Shotgun
Running Scared
Every Little Bit Hurts
I'm On the Outside - Looking In
Maybe
Hey Love
Summer Wine
Little Darlin'
The Girl's Alright With Me
Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)
Daddy's Home
Love Letters
Come A Little Bit Closer
Lucille
Sweet Talkin' Guy
Everyday
The Name Game
Sleepwalk
Grazing In The Grass
Little Star
Mr. Lee
Dream Lover
One Summer Night
Show Me the Way to Go Home

Inspired by Trixx's excellent list, I thought I'd make one of my own. So I started playing all my NS tracks from A onward (well 1 actually). I thought I could probably manage 50-75 quite easily. Several days worth and God knows how many tracks later, I had a count of the list I'd made. 80 odd and I'd reached the end of I. I tried to take some out but couldn't remove enough to keep the overall list manageable so I went through J and K to make just under 100 and here it is.
There is just too damn much too damn good music.
Hopefully, or not if nobody's interested, I'll get around to the rest of the alphabet in the next few weeks.


100 Proof - Somebody's Been Sleeping
A Case of Tyme - Manifesto
Aaron Neville - Hercules
Adams Apples - Don't Take It Out On This World
Al Kent - The Way You've Been Acting
Al Wilson - The Snake
Albert Jones - I Do Love You
Alfreda Brockington - Chained And Bound
Allnight Band - The Joker
Andrea Henry - The Grass Is Greener
Ann Perry - That's The Way He Is
Ann Sexton - You've Been Gone Too Long
Annabelle Fox - Lonely Girl
Archie Bell & the Drells - Here I Go Again
The Artistics - Girl I Need You
Audio Art Strings - There's Nothing Else To Say (inst)
Autographs - I Can't Do It
Baby Washington - Breakfeast In Bed
The Babysitters - You'll Have To Wait
Baltimore & Ohio Marching Band - Condition Red
Bandwagon - Breaking Down The Walls Of Heartache
Barbara Acklin - Am I The Same Girl
Barbara Acklin - Just Ain't No love
Barbara Lynn - I'm A Good Woman
Barbara McNair - Forget You Ever Met Me Baby
Barbara Pennington - 24 Hours A Day
The Belmonts - You're Like A Mystery
Benny Spellman - Fortune Teller
Betty Everett - Getting Mighty Crowded
Betty Lavette - Let Me Down Easy
Billy Butler & The Enchanters - Right Track
Bobby Freeman - C'mon And Swim
Bobby Garrett - My Little Girl
Bobby Hebb - Love, Love, Love
Bobby Sheen - Dr Love
Bobby Womack - What Is This?
Booker T & The MG's - Green Onions
Brenda Holloway - I'm On The Right Track
C.O.D.'s - She's Fire
Candy & The Kisses - The 81
The Capitols - Cool Jerk
Truly Smith - My Smile Is Just A Frown (Turned upside Down)
The Casualeers - Dance, Dance, Dance
The Cavaliers - Hold On To My Baby
The Charades - Key To My Happiness
Chris Clark - Love's Gone Bad
Chuck Woods - Seven Days Too Long
The Contours - Just A Little Misunderstanding
The Contours - First I Look At The Purse
Darlene Love - Too Late To Say You're Sorry
Darrell Banks - Angel Baby
Dave "Baby" Cortez - Unaddressed Letter
Dee Dee Warwick - Worth Every Tear I cry
The Dells - Run For Cover
Detroit Spinners - I'll Always Love You
Dobie Gray - Out On The Floor
Don Thomas - Come On Train
Dorothy Ashby - Soul Vibrations
Dorothy Parker - Shindig City
Earl Van Dyke - 6 x 6
Eddie Floyd - Big Bird
Eddie Jefferson - Psychedelic Sally
Edwin Starr - Agent Double-O Soul
Edwin Starr - Back Street
The Elgins - Don't Wait Around
Epitome Of Sound - You Don't Love Me
The Fascinations - Girls Are out To Get You
The Flirtations - Nothing But A Heartache
The Four Vandals - Wrong Side Of Town
Frances Nero - Footsteps Following Me
Frank Wilson - Do I Love You
Frankie & The Classicals - What Shall I Do
Frankie Valli - You're Ready Now
Fred & Bobbies Rhythm Section - What Is This
Fuzz - I'm so Glad
Gene Drayton Unit - Cake Shop
Girls From Uncle - Agent For Love
Gladys Knight & The Pips - Here Are The pieces Of My Broken Heart
Gloria Jones - Tainted Love
Googie Rene - Smokey Joe's La La
The Incredibles - There's Nothing Else To Say
The Invitations - Ski-ing In The Snow
The Isley Brothers - Behind A Painted Smile
J. J. Barnes - Hole In The Wall
J. J. Barnes - Our Love Is In The Pocket
Jackie Wilson - Higher And higher
Jerry Butler - Moody Woman
Jimmy Ruffin - He Who Picks A Rose
Joanie Sommers - Don't Pity Me
Johnny Jones & The King Casuals - Purple Haze
Judy Street - What
Just Brothers - Sliced Tomatos
Kenny Bernard - Ain't No Soul
Kim Weston - Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)
King Curtis - Memphis Soul Stew

If you made it this far - congratulations.
If you made it this far and wish you hadn't bothered, blame Trixx, it's all his fault, he started it.

No, this isn't a poll, or an opportunity to voice your opinions on the matter - it's pure fact. The best bassist ever is James Lee Jamerson.

Who? Come on, you've all heard a ton of his basslines, you just don't know it yet. This is because he was a massively overshadowed session player for Motown records, providing the funk and the soul of hundred upon hundreds of classics with his band 'the funk brothers' (right about now, the funk soul brother, take a wild guess who that's referring to..

Here's a selection of some of their rhythms:

My Girl - Temptations
Bernadette - 4 TOPS
Aint That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
Ooh Baby Baby - The Miracles
To Many Fish In The Sea - The Marvelettes
Uptight (Everything Is Alright) - Stevie Wonder
Heat Wave (U) - Martha & The Vandellas
This Old Heart Of Mine - Isley Brothers
I Heard It Through The Grapevine (2 recordings) - Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight & Pips
Where Did Our Love Go (U) - Diana/Supremes
Since I Lost My Baby - Temptations
For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
My Guy (U) - Mary Wells
Your Precious Love - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell
You've Really Got A Hold On Me - The Miracles
Love Child - The Supremes
I Guess I'll Always Love you
Dancing In The Streets - Martha & The Vandellas
Don't Mess With Bill - The Marvelettes
What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
Standing In The Shadows Of Love - 4 Tops
Mickey's Monkey (U) - The Miracles
Cloud Nine - Temptations
Nothing's To Good For My Baby - Temptations
My Baby Loves Me - Martha & The Vandellas
You Keep Me Hanging On - Diana/Supremes
You Beat Me To The Punch - Mary Wells
Little Darling (I Need You) - 4 Tops
I'm Ready For Love
The Way You Do The Things You Do - Temptations
I Can't Help Myself - 4 Tops
Roadrunner - Jr. Walker & The All-Stars
You're All I Need To Get By - Temptations
You Can't Hurry Love - Diana/Supremes
Shop Around - The Miracles
Ain't To Proud To Beg - Temptations
My Cherie Amour - Stevie Wonder
It's The Same Old Song - 4 Tops
How Sweet It Is - Marvin Gaye
Take Me In Your Arms (And Rock Me A Little While) - Brenda Holloway
Ain't No Mountain High Enough (2 recordings) - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell, Diana/Supremes
My Baby Must Be A Magician - The Marvelettes
Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart - Diana/Supremes
Beauty Is Only Skin Deep - Temptations
Ask The Lonely - 4 Tops
Going To A Go-Go - The Miracles
I was Made To Love Her - Stevie Wonder
Hitch Hike - Marvin Gaye
I Second That Emotion - The Miracles
Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes
Jimmy Mack (U) - Martha & The Vandellas
I Hear A Symphony - Diana/Supremes
Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over) - 4 Tops
I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - Temptations
Get Ready - Temptations
The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game
Stop! In The Name Of Love - Diana/Supremes
That's What Love Is Made Of
Nowhere To Run - Martha & The Vandellas
Seven Rooms Of Gloom - 4 Tops
Pride & Joy - Marvin Gaye
(I Know) I'm Losing You - Temptations
Two Lovers - Mary Wells
I'll Turn To Stone - 4 Tops
Come See About Me - Diana/Supremes
Stubborn Kind Of Fellow - Marvin Gaye
How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone
If I Were your Woman Gladys Knight & The Pips
My World Is Empty Without You - Diana/Supremes
The Tracks Of My Tears - The Miracles
I'm Wondering - Stevie Wonder
Can I Get A Witness - Marvin Gaye
The Girls Alright With Me - Temptations
Shoo Be Doo Be Doo Da Day - Stevie Wonder
Reflections - Diana/Supremes
What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted - Jimmy Ruffin
Baby I Need Your Loving - 4 Tops
Quicksand... - Martha & The Vandellas
Reach Out...I'll Be There - 4 Tops
You Beat Me To The Punch - Mary Wells
The Bells - The Originals
Shotgun - Jr. Walker & The All-Stars
Fingertips (pt. 2)- Stevie Wonder
Hey Girl - Stevie Wonder
What Are You Gonna Do When I'm Gone (U) - Kim Weston
Still Water Runs Deep - Four Tops
All in the Game - Four Tops
My Baby - Temptations
The One Who Really Loves You (U)- Mary Wells
This Old Heart Of Mine - Isley Brothers
My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left) - David Ruffin
It Takes Two (U) - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell
Honey Chile - Martha & the Vandellas
To Busy Thinking About My Baby - Marvin Gaye
When Your Young And In Love - Marvelettes
Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell
Still Waters Run Deep - Four Tops
If I Were Your Woman - Gladys Knight & the Pips
I Want You Back - Jackson 5
It's Growing - The Temptations
Agent Double O Soul - Edwin Starr
I Can't Get Next To You - Temptations
I want A Love I can Feel - Temptations
Heart Breaking Guy - Supremes

And on, and on, and on...plus there are countless superb hits where the rhythm section is completely ignored in the credits, any one of these could (and some very likely were) have been played by the funk brothers.

James Jamerson played on more #1 hits than Elvis, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles put together. Sure the songs had some great vocals on top of them, but any of the old motown singers of the day could have done them justice - no-one else could ever touch the perfect driving rhythms and the sweet funk inherent in every single bar. Bands would write and record songs with other session musicians only to throw them away in disgust until James Jamerson & co turned up and made them into hits that are still household names today.

Jamerson was the heart and soul of his group and was once carried in to a recording session session too drunk to walk or stand on his own (alcoholism unfortunately lead to his untimely demise) and still tear the house down better than anyone else could from flat on his back with the funk machine (his trusty p-bass) strapped and resting on his belly.

The bass in question had frets with higher action that you'd find on a double bass, and frets so dead as to almost make the neck fretless.

Without this man we'd have no modern rhythm and blues as we know it, John Paul Jones, John Entwhistle...any modern hip hop or dance music...nothing. He revolutionised funk and soul and brought the bass into its own more than anyone before and since.

Bow down to this horrifically unknown legend. (Hell, he doesn't even have a last.fm page for me to link to).