[quote name='bass_ferret' post='4607' date='May 22 2007, 06:29 PM']Lots of early stuff was cut live but this is a stereo recording (although rather crude) with tellingly just the vocals and bass centre in the mix. Legend has it that once Motown went multi-track Jamerson got a track to himself. Alternatively this also makes it possible for the bass to be re-recorded.[/quote]
Sorry, did not see this. Should be put next to what I put about them not multi-tracking. I don't have any firm evidence/sources. I just remember seeing it on the Standing In The Shadows Of Motown documentary.
EDIT: I'm pretty sure Axis: Bold As Love was the first 4-track recording though and that was 1967, wasn't it? Obviously multi-track overdubs existed before that (eg. Pet Sounds) but I still think the multi-track recording technology was only just coming into play when this track was recorded - and it might not have reached Motown at this point. It still sounds like it was recorded live, but just mixed in stereo rather than mono.