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James Jamerson


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[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1420321258' post='2648126']
Tears of a Clown was the one that did it for me. Genius.
[/quote]
In the case of Tears of a Clown, there has been some dispute as to who played bass. There is also more than one version of that song.

Whether this is correct I don't know but it's often said that:

First version, LP version which became UK single is Tony Newton on bass.
Second version, which became US single is Bob Babbitt on bass.

Either way it's great.

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As far as the funk machine is concerned, you've got the pro thief who knew exactly what he was stealing (probably an insider) or the opportunist who sold it on for a bit of cash and it's probably long gone. It's a shame but let's not get all dewy eyed - it's a '62 P - plenty of those around.

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[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1420325905' post='2648199']
This is a good read.
[url="http://www.philbrodieband.com/muso_james_jamerson-funk-machine.htm"]http://www.philbrodi...unk-machine.htm[/url]
[/quote]

The Funk Machine mystery is a bit odd.

As far as I can make out, Jamerson owned four Precision basses: a black '50s, an unknown sunburst generally referred to as "early sixties", a second sunburst '62 or '63, and a sunburst '65/'66 (the one in the 1976 Guitar Player interview photograph… transition logo, very patterned pickguard). All of these seem to have been stolen or lost, then replaced by the next.

The bass in the most famous (mid-'60s?) Jamerson photo - the one which pops up on google right away - has presumably a big claim to be the Funk Machine as that would tie in with the timeline of the greatest Motown recordings. That's the one with the chipped pickguard tip, and it is either #2 or #3… impossible to tell which, IMO.

Trouble is, the link above states the 'Funk Machine' bass with 'funk' carved into the neck heel was stolen in the early '80s, days before his death. That surely would make the FM the '65. But... Bob Babbitt said the true FM was stolen LONG before, in Detroit, before JJ even moved to California, where he eventually passed away. That would make the FM either #2 or #3. Unless he kept the '62 FM... and bought a spare. But somehow I don't see JJ as a spare bass kind of guy.

Something doesn't add up. Lot of people looking for it, though :)

Edited by KK Jale
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[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1420367631' post='2648399']
An interesting read about 'Tears of a Clown',
and the playing of Tony Newton (Touring Motown Bassist at one point).

[url="http://www.gregwilson.co.uk/2013/08/the-tears-of-a-clown-a-classic-that-nearly-never-was/"]http://www.gregwilso...arly-never-was/[/url]
[/quote]Yes, that was a very interesting read. Good link, thanks.

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