Wilton Felder appreciation

[jamersongoated]

I think Wilton Felder is an underrated bassist and deserves more credit with his work from the late 60s when he was given his Fender Telecaster Bass by a club owner in 1968 (which is when he began to learn bass) to playing I Want You Back in 1969 and the amount of musical understanding that he shows throughout everything he played shows that he truly deserves to be credited amongst the session greats such as Chuck Rainey, Carol Kaye, Abe Laboriel, Nathan East etc.  

[ian61]

Totally agree with you, IWYB is a stellar piece of bass writing and playing. I think the problem is he didnt really play on that much that is known, as saxophone was his primary instrument which he played on the Steve McQueen film, Bullit among others.

[chris_b]

I guess his name isn't well known amongst the general public, but as a 1st call session player in LA, he wasn't unknown or underrated by the music business. I first heard him in the early 70's when I bought the 2nd Crusade double album. His bass lines were simple, effective and musical.

[Piers_Williamson]

3 minutes ago, chris_b said:

I guess his name isn't well known amongst the general public, but as a 1st call session player in LA, he wasn't unknown or underrated by the music business. I first heard him in the early 70's when I bought the 2nd Crusade double album. His bass lines were simple, effective and musical.

Did he play on Sreet life?

[chris_b]

Yes. One of my favourites.

[obi 2 kenobi]

Also, check out Inherit the Wind solo album

[jamersongoated]

If you listen carefully… he’s playing the funk machine on Let’s Get It On. Jamerson was present at that session but Felder’s take was used over Jamerson for that track. 

[jamersongoated]

Although he is playing it at the bridge.

[The fasting showman]

I came to this through the Beastie Boys

 

[The fasting showman]

Wilton Felder on this too.

 

[Old Man Riva]

 

[chris_b]

Have a listen to Bobby Bland's albums, Dreamer and His California Album, on which he shared bass credits with Max Bennett.

 

 

[chris_b]

. . . .  and Bobby Bland's  Reflections In Blue, which Wilton Felder shared the bass chair with Chuck Rainey and Scott Edwards. All fantastic players.

[Beedster]

1 hour ago, Old Man Riva said:

 

 

That is sublime tone and a lovely part 👍

[Old Man Riva]

19 minutes ago, Beedster said:

 

That is sublime tone and a lovely part 👍

Isn’t it just!

 

Genuinely one of my favourite bass parts to listen to (and play along to). Some lovely bits down the low end, some lovely bits up the high end. Melodic motifs, a few double stops and everything he does is sympathetic/adds to the track. But the killer thing for me, amongst the terrific playing/part, is the space he leaves. It really makes it.

 

The tone/sound has often baffled me. I always assume it’s played finger style, but at times, when I listen to it, it sounds like it could be a pick. I’ve spent way too much time over the years pondering this!

[Beedster]

2 minutes ago, Old Man Riva said:

Isn’t it just!

 

Genuinely one of my favourite bass parts to listen to (and play along to). Some lovely bits down the low end, some lovely bits up the high end. Melodic motifs, a few double stops and everything he does is sympathetic/adds to the track. But the killer thing for me, amongst the terrific playing/part, is the space he leaves. It really makes it.

 

The tone/sound has often baffled me. I always assume it’s played finger style, but at times, when I listen to it, it sounds like it could be a pick. I’ve spent way too much time over the years pondering this!

 

Agree with al of that, pretty sure it's a pic, although he might be mixing in other styles also 👍

[Piers_Williamson]

2 hours ago, chris_b said:

Have a listen to Bobby Bland's albums, Dreamer and His California Album, on which he shared bass credits with Max Bennett.

 

 

There's a link with why Witon's on the Joni tracks isn't there (other than shear class)...wasn't Max Bennett one of her affairs?