By Ralph Terrana (ralph) (209.240.198.62) on Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 10:53 am:
| By Ralph Terrana (ralph) (209.240.198.62) on Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 10:53 am: |
Well let's see how fast this one fill up. Babbitt, you are definitely bigger than life it's own self.
| By Caleb (64.157.70.242) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 12:33 am: |
Babbitt,have the vocalists been set for the tour?Who will they be?Also,what is your memory of Paul Riser-did you work with him?
| By rhythmqueen (12.64.30.175) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 09:15 pm: |
Babbitt, You stated in SITSOM that you were playing in Stevie Wonder's band when you became a Funk. How did you become a member of Stevie's band?
| By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 10:00 pm: |
Bob - Be sure to invite Paul Riser to the stage when you come to Detroit, so we can applaud him.
Thanks
| By Bassn for God (24.158.71.34) on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 09:37 pm: |
Bob, where are you man? Do you have any info on the concerts?
| By BOBBABBITT (64.12.97.7) on Friday, March 21, 2003 - 12:36 pm: |
HEY MO-FU'S (MOTOWN FUNK FAN'S)
WILL ANSWER ALL MESSAGES THIS WEEKEND.....
| By Flytoo (205.188.209.38) on Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 04:16 pm: |
Bob,
You mentioned in a previous post that the Ampeg B-15 that was on-stage with you during the filming of SITSOM was Jamerson's. Alan stated in his book that Jamerson's B-15 was stolen...did James get another one before he passed away? How's the knee doing? I've dropped a total of 52 pounds! I sure feel a lot better and even had to buy some new clothes! Flytoo
| By STUBASS (152.163.189.235) on Monday, March 24, 2003 - 02:15 pm: |
HEY BOB: THANKS FOR GETTING THE CD'S TO ME!!!...NICE WORK...QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS TO COME!!!...THANKS AGAIN...STUBASS
| By BOBBABBITT (64.12.97.7) on Monday, March 24, 2003 - 10:13 pm: |
HEY MO-FU’S............THE “BABBITT” HERE............................
CALEB + SIS..............VOCALIST FOR THE TOUR.........SO FAR I KNOW JOAN OSBORN AND BOOTSY COLLINS WILL BE ON THE TOUR.........NOT SURE IF BOOTSY WILL BE DOING ALL THE GIGS?............PAUL RISER........I DID WORK A LOT FOR PAUL RISER AND WHAT I REMEMBER WAS IF HE WROTE THE NOTES OUT ( WHICH HE USUALLY DID) THAT'S WHAT HE WANTED TO HEAR.........SOME TIME YOU COULD CHANGE IT A LITTLE DEPENDING ON THE PRODUCER........PERSONALLY I REALLY LIKED HIM AND THOUGHT THAT HE WAS VERY CREATIVE........I THINK THAT PAUL WAS THE MAIN ARRANGER AT DETROIT MOTOWN.......SIS.....WOULD BE NICE TO BRING HIM ON STAGE IN DETROIT BUT THAT WILL BE UP TO ALLAN.........
RYTHMQUEEN..........STEVIE WONDER LIVE PLAYING........MOTOWN KNEW THAT I WAS DOING SESSIONS IN DETROIT AND ALSO I HAD DONE A FEW OF THE MOTOWN REVIEW LIVE SHOWS FOR DRUMMER HAMILTON BOHANON WHO WAS ALSO STEVIE’S LIVE DRUMMER AT THAT TIME.........
BASS’N FOR GOD..........HAVE NOT HAD TOO MUCH TIME TO GET ON THE SITE AND AS OF THIS FRIDAY THE 28TH I WILL BE ANSWERING THE POST’S WHEN I GET A CHANCE TO GET TO A COMPUTER WHILE WE ARE ON TOUR..............LAP TOP BY THE NEXT TOUR.........
CONCERT DATES CAN BE FOUND ON TICKET MASTER SITE + SITSOM.........I WILL POST THE SCHEDULE AS SOON AS I GET IT...................
FLYTOO..........THE AMPEG AMP ON THE STAGE IN THE FILM WAS BROUGHT IN BY PISTOL.........HE SAID IT WAS JAMERSONS AMP....I AM NOT SURE IF THE AMP WAS HIS SECOND AMPEG....BUT I KNOW THAT HE ALSO HAD THE KUSTOM AMP........THAT WAS A GREAT BASS AMP!! I ALSO HAD A KUSTOM!! KNEE ON AND OFF BUT GETTING STRONGER!!
52 POUNDS....WOW.....THAT’S GREAT NEWS..................
| By Flytoo (152.163.188.68) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 11:09 pm: |
Bob, yet another quality post! It's always great hearing from you!! Speaking of Kustom amps...I remember going to dances when I was in high school (I grew up in the St. Louis Missouri area) and I saw Bob Kuban and the In Men play a couple of times. They had a few hit records in the 60's one of which I remember was "Drive My Car". They all had Kustom blue sparkle amps amd what a sound, very clean with plenty of power!! So what became of your Kustom amp? Did you use it live or in the studio? .... And, I've been meaning to ask you if you happen to know Pam Gadd? We ran into her several months ago in Nashville at the Country Music Hall of Fame. She was giving a banjo demonstration and had pretty good vocals as well. Man she could flat play! Anyway, I was just wondering if your paths have ever crossed? Flytoo
| By Son of Thunder (64.157.74.14) on Saturday, March 29, 2003 - 10:52 pm: |
Babbitt,saw where the 2 Dionne Warwicke albums you guys did are now available on CD.Thom Bell's Track of the Cat and Jerry Ragavoy's Then Came You.You can order thru soulmusic.com/ambsoulclassics.htm
| By Son of Thunder (65.59.109.118) on Sunday, March 30, 2003 - 02:16 am: |
Babbitt,just spent an hour on that soulmusic site.They have the Lou Courtney album you guys did on CD,"I'm In Need Of Love".It's a little expensive being an import but it's worth it.They have alot of stuff you did in Detroit.The Detroit Emeralds greatest hits-Chairmen of the Board-100 proof's 2 albums combined on 1 cd-Flaming embers-8th day,etc.All on Cd,check it out.
| By Caleb (63.208.117.72) on Sunday, March 30, 2003 - 08:35 pm: |
Babbitt,I just checked out this soulmusic.com site myself and it's loaded.There's tons that you did in Detroit.R Dean Taylor,Freda Payne,etc.Definitely check it out.
| By Caleb (209.245.113.249) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 05:07 pm: |
Babbitt,how about the record,"Love Makes The World Go Round"-Dion Jackson.This is a nice record.Where was it recorded?Chicago or Detroit?Who were the other musicians on it,do you remember?Also,have touched base here with your one-time bandmate Ray Monette.Can't believe some of the records he played on.I take it your getting ready for the funk brother tour.Stop in here when you can. Caleb
| By Azra (64.66.20.5) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 06:19 pm: |
Does anyone know how to reach Norman Whitfield? We'd be interested in talking to him about the Whitfield label. Please forward our e-mail address to him if you have contact. Thank you. info@azramusic.com
| By CyberCowGrrl (68.83.143.249) on Friday, April 04, 2003 - 09:22 am: |
Funk Brother Tour Dates
www.cyberpg.com/Culdesac/Stars/fbtourdates.html
and
Personally autographed Music Books by the Funk Brothers.
www.cyberpg.com/Culdesac/Stars/fbBooks.html
| By TD (68.70.126.246) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 01:38 am: |
Hey Bob
I plan on seeing the Funk Brothers on tour with my son when they come to D.C. in April.
Any way to be able to meet you all after the show?
MO FU fan
TD
| By Bassn for God (24.158.71.34) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 08:30 pm: |
Bob,
How is the tour preperations going? I hope more dates will be added a little closer to the south. Is there any chance that a "Live" CD can come from one or a combo of tour dates? I believe it would sell. Could you please explain the benifits of the Fender P-bass sound over other bass? I have always heard there was a big difference, but I can really hear the differences between playing styles. I believe you play a Lakeland, what model? I have really been working for a different sound in my rig, so any ideas to setup would be great. Hope your knee is going well.
Keep the bassline strong and your heart in the song,
Robert
| By BOBBABBITT (205.188.209.38) on Monday, April 07, 2003 - 10:47 pm: |
WIL ANSWER LATER THIS WEEK
| By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Monday, April 07, 2003 - 10:58 pm: |
HEY BOB: CD'S A LOT OF FUN...AND MAKES ONE USE HIS BRAIN!!!...WE'LL BE SEEING YOU GUYS OUT HERE IN L.A. ON THE 23RD!!!...THE MILLER & PALMER CONTINGENT'S ABOUT 30 STRONG!!!...PLEASE HIT THAT TRIPLET WITH THE GHOST NOTE AT LEAST ONCE FOR ME!!!...23RD...WILTERN THEATRE...LA...IT'S GONNA BE A BLAST!!!...STUBASS
| By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 12:01 am: |
Bob - I'll see you on the 18th at the Opera House.
| By Michael In Detroit (159.53.238.243) on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 02:56 pm: |
Babbitt,
Got the tickets at 10:00 am. as soon as they went on sale. I'll be there 2nd row center at the Opera house digging the show. Hopefully, we'll get a chance to hook up. Give a call if you get a chance. Take Care
Michael
(In Detroit)
| By Caleb (64.157.68.69) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 06:40 pm: |
Babbitt,I might be loading you up with some posts.I know it might be awhile before you come on here being on the road now with the funks but wanted to ask some questions.The record "Inner City Blues"-Marvin Gaye,was that bass part,when the bass first comes in,written out or did you come up with that?That's some serious bass work on that record.Also,went on and ordered that Lou Courtney CD.It's a very good album(two thumbs up).Have been reading where you guys are tearing it up on the road.Caleb(Tons of great information on the Ray Monette thread-background information and the assembling of the Scorpion group).
| By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 08:13 pm: |
Great Job, Bob Babbitt!!! You and the rest of the Funk Brothers were fantastic. Thank you for that excellent performance.
| By TD (68.70.126.246) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 02:23 pm: |
Bob
It was great meeting you at the D.C. concert. Thanks for signing my Standing In the Shadows book.
I got a kick out of you mentioning the tee-shirt my son was wearing-Paul McCartney, I also liked my sons answer. He couldn't play bass like Bob Babbitt. I guess i taught my son well.
It was also great talking to your brother- Ed in the row behind us. Your other brother was in the row ahead of us. Very cool.
Thanks for a great show
TD
TD
| By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 08:51 pm: |
Bob:
Kevin "KevGo" Goins here...we met at the Apollo where you signed my What's Going On LP and we met again at the Hammerstein in NYC at last Friday's gig.
Great show and great performance by you and the Funks. Hope to see you again soon.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
| By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 09:49 pm: |
Hey Babbitt. I'm not sure if you'll be reading this soon, but if you do, I'm going to be all over you like a cheap suit this Wednesday night in L.A.
Ralph
| By Derrick (63.187.96.184) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 07:33 pm: |
Bob ,
Do you or any of The Funk Brothers encourage young people to get involved with music instead of drugs and gangs ?
Have you seen any younger fans in the audience so far at your gigs with the Funk Brothers ?
| By rhythmqueen (12.64.54.2) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 11:10 pm: |
Babbitt,
What a great performance you and the Funks gave Saturday. You guys sounded great--well worth the trip, indeed.
| By 65memories (66.72.187.67) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 09:41 am: |
Bob...
It was great meeting you last Friday night. The Funks were great! As you indicated then, it will be awhile before you get back to this forum, but hopefully you'll be surprised by your many fans.
To answer Derrick's inquiry, yes, there were a lot of young fans at the Detroit concert. In my case, the three Torgerson brothers and their entire families were there, with kids ages 26, 25, 19, 18, 15, 14, and 13. The kids loved the concert.
And the young children brought up on stage seemed to love it as well. It was indeed a family celebration.
Gary Torgerson
| By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 10:05 am: |
Babbitt
I know you are going to be tired when you get back answering all of our questions but do you see any new albums coming out for the Funk Brothers or anything else due to the acclaim you all are getting now? I think its time for the Funk Bros to be back on the charts like the Isley Bros. I know there is the soundtrack to the movie so maybe you guys want to take a rest or something...
Stephanie
| By Derrick (63.187.97.90) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 04:50 pm: |
Bob ,
I heard from a tv station in San Francisco that I can pick up on my sattelite tv system that you and the guys will be performing at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland tonight ! I am a native of the Bay Area and I hope all goes well !
| By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 04:57 pm: |
HEY BOB: *GREAT* SEEING YOU LAST NIGHT!!!...THE SHOW WAS ABSOLUTLY FANTASTIC...AND YOU WERE BETTER THAN THAT (WE WERE SITTING WITH FREDDIE WASHINGTON...WHO WAS SAVORING YOUR EVERY NOTE)!!!...THEY DID PUSH A BIT TOO MUCH BASS THROUGH THE SOUND SYSTEM...AND AT TIMES... I WAS JUST WATCHING YOUR RIGHT HAND AND SORT OF VISUALIZING THE NOTES...BUT YOU WERE FANTASTIC...AND THE ONLY CAT WITHOUT A BACKUP TO PICK UP SOME SLACK!!!...THE TEMPO ON "HEATWAVE WAS A BIT FAST...I CAN ONLY IMAGINE YOU WORKING ON THOSE "TRIPLETS" AT THAT PACE...BUT IT SOUNDED GREAT!!!...SORRY WE DIDN'T MAKE IT BACK TO THE HOTEL...BUT YOU GUYS MUST HAVE BEEN "BEAT"...AND WE WERE ALL ON AN EMOTIONAL "HIGH"!!!...HOPE TO BE ABLE TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOU ON YOUR NEXT VISIT!!!...KEEP ON "FUNKIN"!!!... STUBASS
| By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 04:58 pm: |
PS: WHEN YOU AND RALPH EMBRACED...I SWEAR... I THOUGHT THAT ONLY ONE OF YOU WOULD COME OUT OF IT ALIVE!!!...STU
| By Caleb (209.245.112.104) on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 08:34 pm: |
Alright!!I was hoping to read something like this.Ralph and Babbitt coming together,that's outstanding!!
| By JSmith (212.39.231.20) on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 08:42 am: |
Joan Osborn has a version of the ol Spinners track "I'll Be Around" currently being played on BBC radio here in the UK (guess it's a new release from her). Will she be performing this on the Funk's tour ??
Mr. Babbitt, do you recall working at Motown / Golden World with Gene Dozier / Billy the Kid / Billy Jackson (he used all 3 names) in the mid 60's ??.
Of all the musicians he worked with while based in Detroit, you are the one he remembers best.
| By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 10:40 am: |
Stu,
Hugging Babbitt along with the rest of the Funks must go down as one of life's most emotional moments for me. I'll never forget Wednesday night and I can never thank you enough for inviting me to L.A. to see the guys.( By the way Angels...StuBass is one hell of a cool guy. You ladies are in great hands. )
| By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 11:10 am: |
RALPH: IT WAS *ALL* MY PLEASURE!!!...STU
| By Caleb (209.244.233.226) on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 10:04 pm: |
Hey Ralph,did Babbitt give you one of those mighty bear hugs?Was that the first time you saw him in many years?
| By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 11:15 am: |
Caleb,
Yeah, it was a famous Babbitt hug alright. Of course I was doing my best to return the love. Over the years Babbitt and I have been in touch via e-mail and I'm trying to remember if we've talked on the phone at some point. But Wednesday night was the first time we have been together in way too many years. Like I have mentioned, it was a very emotional night for me. Russ took some great pictures of all of this which he will post on the forum soon.
| By Lynn Bruce (65.60.202.214) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 12:16 pm: |
Ralph,did you notice how hard it was for all you ex- Detroiters to keep that sh*t eating grin off your faces during the whole show.
Happy and sad for the days in the 60s, when we were so busy we didn't realize what we had!!
| By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 12:21 pm: |
Yeah Lynn, I was grinning. And like we've often said lately, we just thought it was all normal back then. I guess it wasn't.
| By Wonder B (81.49.154.21) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 12:28 pm: |
Babbitt, since SITSOM came out I was trying to remember the first time I read your name on a record sleeve. Now I found out... although I was still young at that time (LOL) it was on Jimi Hendrix's 'Crash Landing' LP I believe... HOw did you end up recording that stuff and how difficult was it to play with the guitar part that obviously no one could modify...
| By L (12.141.160.25) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 12:30 pm: |
Lynn,
Exactly man! My face *was* hurtin' that night. I tried to quit smiling. Pointless. Dang Funks made me happy. They got some nerve.
| By drums (68.80.23.97) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 01:26 pm: |
Hi Mr Babbit,
I dont know if you will read this and respond, but I just wanted to tell you and the rest that your story brought me to tears. Watching you play "Ill be there" and the other songs listening to the words have inspired me to no end. I hope that you guys make a new album/cd and get more of the recognition that you have deserved for a long time.
I also want to commend you on your thoughts regarding the riot situation in Detroit and seeing that emotion overwhelm you. I am so proud of you guys that you will never know.
Please tell this to the other Bros. out there. It may not be a grammy, but you guys are winners to me.
Daren Metz
Sony/Studio 4
PS. They shouldnt have cut "Ill be There(Reach Out)!!!
| By Caleb (64.157.72.189) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 02:27 pm: |
That's great Ralph!!How did the funks sound?Did they rip it up?What's the word on their next move,have you heard anything?
| By Caleb (63.208.113.64) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 09:43 pm: |
Ralph,great shot of Babbitt flying a bird to the camera-man on that website you set up.Hey Babbitt,I've been listening to "Scorpio" the last couple of days and all I can say is "Holy Shit".Picked up the dvd and love the two segments about the code language and the ones who didn't make it.I wish they were in the regular movie.That's a bunch of great guys your with there.Their like your own brothers now.I sensed a good connection between you and Pistol as well.It must of been hard when he passed away,Johnny Griffith too.Look forward to you visiting the forum again.Caleb(Steelers select two immediate impact players in day 1 of the nfl draft!!)
| By radiogoon (166.90.232.80) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 11:45 pm: |
Babbitt,
From one four stringer to another....I been using SITSOM for a teaching video, blew me away that we have similar right hand styles. Keep on layin' it down boss, you all that. Here's a question straight outta left field, do you remeber the brand of sponge you were using for a mute? I've been playing with different material to get that old early sixties muted Fender tone, haven't quite found it yet. Peace.
Dr. Z
| By Joetter (65.138.11.210) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 06:24 am: |
Babbit,
This is the day, April 27th that Andrew passed away in 2000. I was trying to start a new conversation on this site about Andrew in his honor but It doesn't seem as if I can get through.
I hope you don't mind if I put it on your thread.
Andrew L smith died April 27,2000 around 1pm in the afternoon in a Catholic hospital in East Brunswick, New Jersey.
He had over 20 years in a successful career in the music industry on the east coast where he played drums, arranged, composed and produced music. He even had a host of hit records to his credits even some grammys and gold records.
Not everyone knew that his first beats were on a little tom-tom that our parents brought back from a trip. When my father's cousin's husband, a professional drummer , saw Andrew's interest in the drums. He gave Andrew his first pair of drum sticks, practice pad, and later a snare drum.
His formal instruction started with George Wilson at Roosevelt Elem. Irwin Klocko at Durfree Jr High. Fred Bolt at Central High.
During elementary school and part of Jr. High he took private lessons and was headed toward classical music. Until one day we met a postman delivering a country ham from relatives in Tennessee.This meeting changed his life forever.
Meeting Charlie Bannister took him full circle. Taking lessons from Charlie Bannister laid the foundations for what later would allow him to realize his dreams of a successful musical career.
Charlie Bannister had a drum shop where the top entertainers would come in town to rehearse before there gig in town( the Jazz Crusaders and others). This exposure was awesome.
Under the guidance of Charlie Bannister's, at the age of 13 he and some other young musicians formed a group call the Quintet Plus. They recorded their version of Shop Around. They played for sock hops around town and talent shows. Later the group performed often on the Robin Seymour Show in Canada.
At Central High School, band director Fred Boldt gave Andrew freedom to arrange some of the tunes for the stage band. I'm sure Fred Boldt didn't have any idea then that years later that Andrew would hire him for some sessions.
It was at Central High School that Andrew was discovered by Motown in his senior year. He told me years later that it wasn't easy being accepted by the group. They watched for a while to see if he had what it took to be there. When that time of acceptance came, he felt that the group took him under wing. Being the youngest in the group, they gave him valuable lessons he later took with him to the east coast after Motown moved to the west coast.
Years later Andrew would recall stories about the musican friends he had made along the way. There are a couple I keep in contact with. They are Bob Babbit and Ed Wolfrum. You guys are great!
You fellows don't let Andrew's memory die. God Bless you for that.
While in New Jersey he studied and grduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelors Degree in Music and in Journalism. Just another accomplishment to be added to a list of many.
When my mother and I were at the funeral home in Detroit, making arrangements. A tune came over the radio. I told the lady helping us, that the person we were making the arrangments for ( my brother) played the drums on that record we were listening to. To console both of us , she remarked that he may have passed on but his music would never die.
It is true, I now turn on the radio and there he is, in his beat, it's all his.
I want to thank Babbit for telling me about www.soulfuldetroit.com last June. I have followed the different threads from time to time.
Thanks to all of Andrew's friends and fellow musicians for keeping his name alive. I have learned so much by coming on this site. This is history.
Andrew's sister
Joetter
| By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 11:10 am: |
Joetter,
Thanks for posting Andrew's story for us. Those of us that knew him will never forget him and those that were not forunate enough to know him personally will certainly always remember him through his music.
| By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 12:14 pm: |
JOETTER: INSPIRING STORY...THANKS FOR THAT!!!...FRED BOLT YOU MENTION...MY BROTHER BRUCES'S SAXOPHONE TEACHER AND WOODWIND MENTOR...SUCH A NICE MAN!!!...STARTED BRUCE ON THE PATH FROM BEING THE OUTSTANDING GUITARIST THAT JOE MESSINA INSPIRED AND TAUGHT HIM TO BE...TO THE ALL AROUND MUSICIAN WHO COULD PICK UP JUST ABOUT ANY INSTRUMENT EVER INVENTED AND WALK INTO ANY SESSION OR PERFORMANCE AND HOLD HIS OWN WITH THE "BEST" OF THEM!!!...YOUR BROTHER WAS A HIGHLY ACCOMPLISHED AND ACCLAIMED ICON...AND HIS MUSICAL LEGACY WILL LIVE ON FOREVER THROUGH THE LARGE BODY OF OUTSTANDING WORK LEFT BY HIM FOR ALL OF US TO ENJOY!!!...REGARDS...STUBASS
| By Caleb (65.59.102.115) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 05:35 pm: |
Great post on Andrew.Wish he was still here.
| By Brenda Green (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 11:32 pm: |
Just want to say Kudo's to you, Joetter for remembering your brother. He was a terrific guy, who never met a stranger. He always made you feel comfortable in his present, maybe because he was so comfortable with his music. Man, could he play those drums! He is missed by so many, not just his family but all of us who came in contact with him. Let's call this day, "Andrew Smith Day." May peace be with you.......
Brenda Woods Green
| By bobby lewis (68.41.160.42) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 09:16 pm: |
hey babbit, bobby lewis here. i'm not gonna ask ya one single question. you've got enough to answer. i saw the bio on andrew smith and it took me back to the session you and andrew produced on sal and i over at GM studios in the 70's. i'm sorry to hear he passed away. i missed ya at the rooster tail get together but i got to see the movie the day after it came out. it was so werid seeing all those guys i knew back in the 60's. thats the way i remembered all of them looking. i just wanted to jump in and say hi. glad you are still the most popular guy on this string. hopefully i'll run into ya again sometime. maybe nashville. see ya bobby
| By Caleb (64.157.66.244) on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 08:49 pm: |
Hey Big B,where the heck are ya'?Are you guys doing some additional gigs?You and Andrew Smith,that was a good team.I'll be looking in here to see if you came on.Keep gettin' down on that bass(Scorpio) Peace
| By BOBBABBITT (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 10:12 pm: |
HEY MO FU'S...THE "BABBITT" HERE!!!!
JUST GOT HOME YESTERDAY...BEEN GETTING THINGS IN ORDER AT HOME AND RUNNING AROUND TOWN........... SESSION TOMORROW .........I WILL TRY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS THIS WEEKEND....THE REVEIWS OF THE TOUR WERE GREAT!!!!!!!!ONWARD>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
| By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 10:47 pm: |
(((WELCOME BACK BOB))))
| By Derrick (63.187.129.30) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 07:38 pm: |
Bob ,
Is it really difficult to play a bass ?
Why was the snare drum the driving beat on all of the earlier Motown hits ?
| By BOBBABBITT (152.163.188.68) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 11:30 pm: |
HEY MO-FU’S........I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR YOUR TERRIFIC RESPONSE TO THE FUNK’S LIVE CONCERTS AND THE DVD.....IT WAS SO GREAT TO SEE SOME OLD FRIENDS AGAIN AND THE HAPPY UPLIFTING LOOK ON THEIR FACES!!!
I COULD FEEL THE NATURAL HIGH FROM EVERYONE AND KNEW THAT THE FUNK’S HAD MADE THEM FEEL GOOD AND THAT MADE ME FEEL SO GOOD AND SOoo SUPER HIGH!!!!!!!
FLYTOO.......I USED MY KUSTOM AMP LIVE AND IN MY HOME STUDIO IN NEW JERSEY.....
I SOLD THE AMP TO A LOCAL GUITAR PLAYER NOT REALIZING THAT I ALSO SOLD MY HOME STUDIO BASS SOUND....LIVE AND LEARN.........DO NOT KNOW PAM GADD......
HOW IS YOUR WEIGHT GOING?? SINCE MY KNEE OPERATION ITS BEEN HARD FOR ME TO TAKE IT OFF.........BUT THE KNEE IS GETTING STRONGER.......NO MORE CANE.....
SON OF THUNDER & CALEB....THANKS FOR YOUR INFO TO SOUL MUSIC SITE...
“LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND” DION JACKSON.....RECORDED IN DETROIT AT UNITED SOUND.....PRODUCER WAS OLLIE McGLAUGLIN (COOL JERK) THE OTHER MUSICIANS THAT I SEEM TO REMEMBER...... JOHNNY GRIFFITH, EDDIE WILLIS AND I THINK PISTOL?? “INNER CITY BLUES” THE BASS LINE WAS PARTIALLY WROTE OUT
(DAVE VANDERPIT) I HAD TO COME BACK ANOTHER TIME TO OVERDUB THE BASS AGAIN AND THAT S WHEN I ADDED THE SLIDING EFFECT TO THE BASS LINE.......GO STEELERS!!!!!
JSMITH........I DO RECALL GENE DOZIER...BUT DO NOT REMEMBER HIS SESSIONS........
RADIOGOON.......SPONGE ON BASS IS A CLEANING SPONGE I FOUND IN THE BATHROOM OF THE THEATER WHERE WE RECORDED AND FILMED THE SOUNDTRACK.......
STEPHANIE........WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FUTURE RECORDINGS.......ONE PROJECT IS A XMAS CD WITH XMAS SONGS PLAYED IN THE MOTOWN STYLE....FOR XMAS 2004
WONDERB.........JIMI HENDRIX ALBUMS.......RECORDED AFTER HE PASSED AWAY.......A LOT OF OUT TAKES AND RECORDINGS THAT WERE NOT RELEASED WERE EDITED AND SPLICED TOGETHER....OVERDUBBING THE BASS WAS LIKE BEING A HEART DOCTOR...
JOETTER........LOVED YOUR POST ABOUT ANDREW....LETS KEEP HIS NAME ALIVE!
RHYTHMQUEEN.........WISH YOU WOULD HAVE TOLD ME WHO YOU WERE IN THE RESTAURANT EARLIER THE DAY OF THE CONCERT...DID YOU TELL ME YOU GOT A “GYPSY FROM JUPITER” CD??? DID YOU LIKE IT????
BASSNFORGOD........TALK OF TOUR IN THE SOUTH LATE SUMMER....P-BASS.....JAMES USED THE P-BASS AT MOTOWN AND THE PRODUCERS IN DETROIT THAT WERE RECORDING THAT STYLE WANTED THE P-BASS.....I DID PLAY A JAZZ BASS AT THAT TIME BUT SWITCHED TO THE P-BASS........THE P-BASS HAD A FULLER HEAVY WARM SOUND COMPARED TO THE JAZZ AND TO OTHER BASS’S....HARD TO BEAT THEN.........
MY LAKLAND IS AN ORIGINAL MODEL AND SOUNDS GREAT IN THE STUDIOS!!
AS FAR AS YOUR RIG GOES YOU MAY WANT TO ADD A SANDS AMP TO YOUR EXISTING GEAR IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ONE.......IT WILL ENHANCE YOUR SOUND AND IT HAS BASS, TREBLE, AND MID RANGE THAT YOU CAN BLEND TOGETHER THE WAY YOU LIKE IT.............SINCE I STARTED USING THE SANDS AMP I SOLD MY GRAPHIC EQUALIZER...
BOBBY LEWIS.........HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH YOU AND THAT WE CAN HOOK UP SOMEWHERE IN THE FUTURE.....SAY HI TO SAL IF YOU STILL ARE IN TOUCH WITH HIM.....
DERRICK.......FUNK BROTHERS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE........IF YOU GO TO... STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF MOTOWN.COM AND CLICK ON LINKS, AND THEN CLICK ON EDUCATIONAL CYBER PLAYGROUND, YOU CAN READ WHAT THE FUNK’S ARE SAYING TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE...........YES THERE HAVE BEEN YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE CONCERTS, THE SMILE ON THEIR FACES AND THE LOOK IN THEIR EYES TELLS YOU THAT THEY ARE EXTREMELY HAPPY....I HAVE PERSONALLY ASKED THE YOUNGSTERS IN THE AUTOGRAPH LINE IF THEY HAD A GOOD TIME AND IF THEY WERE DANCING....THEY ALL ANSWERED YES!!!!!!!!!
THE EARLY MOTOWN RECORDS AND THE SNARE DRUM WITH THE DRIVING BEAT...
BENNY BENJAMIN!!!!!!!!!!! IS IT DIFFICULT TO PLAY BASS???? WITHOUT A DOUBT.......
HOPE I DIDN’T FORGET ANY ONE....ITS GREAT TO BE HOME......MY DOG (BOOBOO) IS FOLLOWING ME EVERYWHERE I GO...IT WAS GREAT TO BE PLAYING LIVE FOR THE PEOPLE...THE FUNK’S ARE READY FOR MORE AND I KNOW THAT YOU ARE!! BOB BABBITT
| By Funkyone D J Dollar BILL (216.221.81.96) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 12:03 am: |
Hi Mr. Babbitt,
We had such a great time at the Toronto show and it was a thrill to wish you a great show when you were loading in and congratulate you afterwards.How do you like that Harkee quad bin?Was that yours or just contracted for the gig?Friend of mine uses 2 and loves them.You are correct about the kids enjoying the show as there was a teacher who brought his whole class and they just didn't want to leave at the end of the night.They were just as excited to meet you guys as I was.We'll just have to keep it a secret that it's music their parents dig too so they'll still think it's cool.Thank you and your crew,including Mr.Slutsky and all the Philly greats that backed you up.I hope we reflected back the positive vibes you gave us that night and you realize that what you guys are doing is not only entertaining,but important as well.
Much respect to you and yours,
D.J. $ BILL
P.S. Any plans for a Funk Bros. Clothing line?Uriel was a fashion plate that afternoon in his Jacket,Baseball Jersey and Ball Cap!
| By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 09:55 am: |
If I remember correctly, it seems I noticed a rather young crowd at the L.A. concert.
| By Caleb (64.157.68.162) on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 11:20 pm: |
Welcome home Big B.Steelers drafted what appears to be a pretty solid quarterback in the fifth round.Very good defensive players picked as well,will make an impact right away.Can you comment a little on the record "Supernatural Thing"-Ben E King.Tune is very happening.What's next for the funks?
| By Flytoo (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 08:32 am: |
Bob,
Did I hear you say tour of the South? Does that mean you guys are coming to Texas? I'll keep my fingers crossed. The weight is still coming off although not as fast as it did in the begining. I've lost a total of 62 lbs!! I had to buy some new clothes 4 or 5 weeks ago (went from a size 58 waist to a 50) and they're already really baggy on me. And, I feel so much better! Thank you for your encouragement..it means a lot!! Now we've got to get you to start eating better so you can start losing. I'm glad to hear your knee is getting stronger! It was very cool hearing about all of the rave reviews you guys got on the tour!! I ran out and bought the SITSOM 2 DVD set and it is great!!! Now I get to watch you play a lot. All the best to you and the rest of The Funks!! Flytoo
| By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 11:56 pm: |
HEY BOB!!!...QUICK ONE!!!...FIRST OF ALL..THANKS TO ALL YOU GUYS FOR DOING L.A....WE ALL HAD A *BLAST*!!!...NOW...I WAS EXPLAINING TO A GUITAR PLAYER FRIEND TODAY...WHERE MY "SWEET SPOT'S" WERE...AS FAR AS THE PART OF MY RIGHT HAND FINGERS THAT MADE CONTACT WITH THE STRINGS...AND WHERE THOSE HARD CALLOUSES SOON TOOK OVER!!!...MORE TOWARD THE INSIDE OF THE FIRST TWO FINGERS...BETWEEN THE TIP AND FIRST KNUCKLE ON UPRIGHT BASS...AND MORE TOWARDS THE FINGERTIP...JUST RIGHT OF CENTER ON ELECTRIC!!!...YOU APPEAR TO PLUCK LARGELY ON CENTER FINGERTIP...FIRST TWO FINGERS!!!...AM I CLOSE...OR I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE MY OWN "LYIN EYES"!!!...THANKS...STUBASS
| By BOBBABBITT (152.163.188.68) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 11:20 pm: |
HEY MO-FU'S........TAKING WIFE TO GRAND CANYON TOMORROW (WED) AND THEN I WILL BE IN LA ON SUN FOR BMI SHOW TUES NIGHT..STILL NO LAPTOP.....WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS WHEN I GET BACK....BOB BABBITT
| By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 11:29 pm: |
HEY BOB: YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT THE "DELL" WEBSITE!!!...THE HAVE BEEN RUNNING SPECIALS ON THE INSPIRION LAPTOP!!!...I GOT ONE...AND IT'S AN OUTSTANDING COMPUTER...AT A GREAT PRICE ( I HAD MY COMPUTER GUY CHECK IT OUT...AND HE SAID THAT IT'S A VERY GOOD SETUP)!!!...UNFORTUNATLY...SINCE I OVERCAME MY NEED FOR IT...IT'S SITTING AT HOME...ONLY USED ONCE...BUT I STILL RECOMMEND IT HIGHLY!!!...STUBASS
| By Caleb (65.59.108.38) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:54 am: |
Big B,will the funks be on hand for this festive next tues night,the bmi gig,or is this something your attending on your own?Catch you when you get back.Caleb
| By Bassn for God (24.158.71.34) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 02:22 pm: |
Bob,
Which Sans Amp model do you use? Is it the rack mounted version or the smaller DI box style? I love the DVD, I have played it 5 or 6 times. My rig is a EB Stingray 5 with a SWR Workingman 15 amp. I am setting up some home recording equipment for the group I am with as we prepare to put down 3 songs. Unlike the Funks with 3 songs a session, I will feel lucky if I get the first song done in three weeks. Hope your knee is going well, I am due back to the doc's to check out screw problems in my rebuild. You are in my prayers.
Robert
| By Caleb (171.75.84.55) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 08:17 pm: |
Babbitt,this post comes in two parts:1)I saw on another site where Jeff Beck signed a bass you have recently.Did you see him and reunited with him after over 30 years now and 2)I read on an old post where you saw Paul Warren playing in a club in I think it was Dearborn when he was 16.I was just listening to Papa was a rolling stone and know he played those blues like guitar licks on there when he was 17-he was smokin'.How did his inception with Motown take place?Did you bring him there after you heard him in the club?Did you take him to Norman Whitfield?
| By Flytoo (205.188.209.109) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 07:36 am: |
Hey Big B, hope you and the Mrs. had a great time at the Grand Canyon! Just a quick weight update.... I've had a good last couple of weeks at Weight Watchers and now I've lost a total of 72 lbs and, my wife has lost 41 lbs!! AND, the best news is that I no longer have to go to the "Big Mens" stores to shop for clothes! Bought some new pants last Saturday size 44!! I second what Stubass said about the Dell laptops. I've got a Dell Latitude and I love it!! Flytoo
| By Steve Litos (209.100.86.4) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 10:49 am: |
...I'm not half the man I used to be! Jeez,Flytoo that's great!
-Steve
| By Caleb (171.75.84.123) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 09:00 pm: |
Hey Flytoo that's great-that's some serious weight loss there.Keep it goin'!!
| By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 09:29 pm: |
HEY FLYTOO: I WAS JUST CLEANING OUT MY CLOSET TODAY...DISGARDING SOME OLD STUFF...BUT HAD I KNOWN...I WOULD HAVE SENT YOU SOME NICE STUFF!!!...KEEP IN MIND...I'M ABOUT 140 LBS...AND HAVE A SIZE 30 WAIST...SO HOW LONG BEFORE YOU'LL BE ABLE TO WEAR ANY OF MY "NEARLY NEW" CLOTHES!!!..I'VE GOT SOME NICE "BLASS" AND "RAPHAEL" SLACKS THAT I'M SURE YOU'D LIKE!!!...KEEP IT UP!!!...STUBASS
| By Flytoo (205.188.209.109) on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 10:50 pm: |
Steve, Caleb and Stubass,
Thank you all for your words of encouragement! Stubass, sounds like you've got some real nice threads that I would love to have but, I think my waist was bigger than 30 inches at birth! I'll be tickled if I ever get back into a size 38 again! Flytoo
| By Caleb (171.75.84.217) on Saturday, May 17, 2003 - 12:02 am: |
Babbitt,read the article on the bmi night for hdh by Detroit's own Mighty Sue W.(woman can write an article).You must tell us about your experience slash interaction with Berry Gordy and Brian Holland.Did you get to speak briefly with these individuals?If so,how was it?
| By BOBBABBITT (205.188.209.109) on Saturday, May 17, 2003 - 11:10 pm: |
HEY MO- FU'S....WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS MON OR TUES
| By Flytoo (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 08:18 pm: |
Bob,
I finally got to sit down and watch all of the extra stuff on the SITSOM DVD's and saw the part about the "code language".....laughed my butt off!!! Who came up with it and when? I'm guessing James knew it as well?? Too funny!! Flytoo
| By BOBBABBITT (64.12.97.7) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 12:37 am: |
MO-FU'S...SORRY I AM LITTLE BEHIND...BUT ALONG WITH BEING IN THE STUDIO WITH MY NORWEIGEN ARTIST FRIEND, I PULLED MY HAMSTRING MUSCLE ON THE RIGHT LEG, IT'S BEEN HARD TO SIT AND TYPE FOR TOO LONG...I HOPE I CAN CATCH UP THIS WEEKEND...BOB BABBITT
| By Caleb (171.75.84.184) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 11:56 pm: |
Big B get some medical attention on that-we gotta keep you healthy.Hey,how about those Pittsburgh Pirates,are you a fan?Their building something there.They've got some nice young bats!!Very strong.I am a Tiger and Pirate fan.Unfortunately the Tigers aren't doing that well thus far.Serious rebuilding process taking place there in the motor city.Well hope to see you on here this weekend.Caleb
| By Flytoo (205.188.209.109) on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 09:33 am: |
Bob,
I'm sorry to hear about the hamstring. I've never had it happen to me but I've seen ball players pull them and it looks very painful! Hope you get better soon!!!! Flytoo
| By Eli (205.188.209.109) on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 09:41 am: |
Babbitt..Next time get a better piece of pork!
Oh, that hamstring!!
| By BOBBABBITT (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 01:20 am: |
HEY MO FU’S............THE “BABBITT” HERE................TO ALL CONCERNED....ICE ON HAMSTRING HAS IT FEELING BETTER!!!!!!! AND BOBBIE ELI...GET YOUR “GUITAR STRING” READY<<<<<<<<<<<<
FLYTOO.........”CODE LANGUAGE” THERE WAS A TV SHOW WHERE BILL COSBY DID THE VOICES OF ALL THE CHARACTERS......THE SHOW WAS CALLED “FAT ALBERT” AND ONE OF THE CHARACTERS SPOKE SIMILAR TO THE “CODE” MOST OF THE FUNK’S ,INCLUDING JAMES SPOKE THIS “LANGUAGE” STILL DO NOT KNOW TOUR DATES, BUT I KNOW THERE IS TALK OF TOURING IN THE SOUTH!! KEEP GOING WITH THE WEIGHT LOSS...YOUR DOING GREAT!! I WILL BE THERE WITH YOU!!!!!!!! GRAND CANYON & SEDONA WERE AWESOME!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND BOTH PLACES................
STU-BASS...........YOU ARE RIGHT IN YOUR OBSERVATION OF MY RIGHT BASS HAND....... MIDDLE FINGER ALONG WITH INDEX FINGER MOST OF THE TIME....THE MIDDLE FINGER ACTUALLY STRIKES THE STRING....SOMETIMES ALTERNATING INDEX AND MIDDLE FINGER, SOMETIMES JUST MIDDLE FINGER, SOMETIMES JUST INDEX FINGER, (HARD TO BELIEVE JAMERSON ONLY USED THE INDEX) IF I GET TIRED I WILL SWITCH TO THE THIRD FINGER FOR A SHORT TIME TO GIVE THE INDEX AND MIDDLE FINGERS REST.....................
BASSN FOR GOD..........THE SANS AMP THAT I USE IS THE DIRECT BOX....
THIS IS GREAT FOR LIVE BECAUSE YOU CAN XLR OUT OF THE DIRECT BOX INTO THE MONITOR AND THE HOUSE SYSTEM.........IN THE STUDIO IS WHERE YOU WILL FIND THE BEST RESULTS.....IT WILL ENHANCE YOUR SOUND TEN- FOLD!!!!!!!!! I HAVE NOT BEEN USING IT ON THE FUNK BROTHER GIGS BUT HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT USING IT.. I MAY DO SOME EXPERIMENTING NEXT TOUR.........THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS............ I WILL SEND SOME ON FOR YOU...............
FUNKY DJ DOLLAR BILL.............IT’S A GREAT FEELING TO KNOW THAT THE FUNK BROTHERS SENT OUT A POSITIVE VIBE AT THE TORONTO SHOW.......THE PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE SENT THAT POSITIVE VIBE TO US AND IT JUST CAME RIGHT BACK TO YOU....WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED AT ALL OF OUR CONCERTS TO EXPERIENCE THIS FEELING!! THE HARTKE SPEAKERS WORKED GREAT FOR THE TOUR! THERE WERE TWO SPEAKERS, (15 AND TWO 10’S) THE AMP WAS A GALLION KRUGER,(RENTAL EUIPMENT) THE MONITOR WITH THE BASS AND A TOUCH OF DRUMS COMING OUT OF IT MADE A GREAT COMBINATION!!
CALEB..............JEFF BECK AUTOGRAPH ON THE BASS.......AT THE BMI SHOW IN LA I PLAYED THAT BASS......IT IS PHIL CHENS BASS............IT IS ALSO THE SAME BASS THAT IS LEANING AGAINST JAMERSON’S AMPEG AMP IN THE MOVIE.........
WHEN HDH CAME ON THE STAGE AT THE END OF THE SHOW THEY WENT TO EACH FUNK BROTHER AND SHOOK THEIR HANDS AND HUGGED THEM.......SOME OF THE FUNKS HAD ALREADY LEFT THE STAGE WHEN BARRY GORDY CAME UP.....JOE HUNTER, EDDIE WILLIS AND MYSELF SPOKE BRIEFLY TO HIM AND PHIL CHEN TOOK A GREAT PHOTO OF THE FOUR OF US!! THE BAND AT THE BMI SHOW WAS FANTASTIC! STEVE JORDEN PLAYED DRUMS ALONG WITH URIEL.....TOTO KEYBOARD PLAYER DAVID PAICH PLAYED ALONG WITH JOE HUNTER........BY THE WAY I HIT IT OFF GREAT WITH DAVID.......I WILL DEFINITELY STAY IN CONTACT WITH HIM.....WE ALSO HAD A TREMENDOUS HORN SECTION....TOP LA PLAYERS..............STEELER DRAFT.....I REALLY LIKE THE SAFETY THEY GOT ON THEIR FIRST PICK, SMART CHOICE TO MOVE UP AND GRAB HIM.... ALSO DEFENSE END TO WATCH!! “SUPERNATURAL THING” BEN E. KING............BERT DECAUTAUX SESSION. ....MEDIA SOUND (NEW YORK CITY) GUITARS..............JEFF MIRONOV, JERRY FRIEDMAN (CAME UP WITH GREAT GUITAR FIGURE) DRUMS......JIMMY YOUNG
KEYBOARDS....NOT SURE, COULD HAVE BEEN DERECK SMITH OR PAT REBILOTT???
YOURS TRULY ON THE BASS...........TOP 10 RECORD!!!!!!!!!!!!
PAUL WARREN......I WAS PLAYING AS A SUB IN A BAR IN DETROIT FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND ONE OF THE NIGHTS THE REGULAR GUITAR PLAYER GOT SICK, THE GUITAR PLAYER THAT THEY GOT TO SUB THAT NIGHT, PAUL WARREN, WAS ONLY 16 YEARS OLD ...HIS FATHER HAD TO BE WITH HIM ALL NIGHT.......MAN...COULD THIS GUY PLAY!!!!!!!!!!! I HAD BEEN RECORDING AT MOTOWN WITH THE “SCORPION” GROUP BUT WE HAD JUST LOST RAY MONETTE TO THE RARE EARTH.......I ASKED PAUL IF HE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN COMING TO MOTOWN TO DO SOME RECORDING WITH SCORPION.......
WE HAD ONE REHEARSAL WITH MIKE CAMPBELL AND WENT INTO THE STUDIO TO RECORD ALONG WITH DRUMMER ANDREW SMITH........WOW!!!!!!!! HE WAS AMAZING!
THE WORD GOT AROUND FAST ABOUT PAUL AND NORMAN WHITFIELD HEARD THE STUFF WE USED HIM ON AND STARTED TO USE PAUL IN THE STUDIO...........PAUL COULD NOT READ AT THAT TIME SO THEY WOULD JUST SAY TO HIM........“WHATEVER YOU HEAR, JUST PLAY IT” WELL, IF YOU LISTEN TO THE LEAD GUITAR ON “PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE”
YOU WILL HEAR PAUL......... ONLY 16 YEARS OLD.......I THINK HE IS WITH JOE COCKER NOW AND RECENTLY HAS PLAYED WITH TINA TURNER...............
THAT’S IT FOR NOW MO-FU’S.........BOB BABBITT
| By Lynn Bruce (69.14.140.151) on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 10:53 am: |
Bob,I,ve been having problems with straighting my leg after it has been bent for a while.I also had a hamstring problem after my knee surgery.I just saw my surgeon and he said a lot of my problems are due to having a weak quadrisep(thigh)muscle whose strengh goes down the tube after surgery.Even though I've been walking 5 miles a day.So we've got to do squats and bike riding to get that mammy jammer back in working order.(of course I'm discounting age as a reason for slow healing) lol
Lynn
| By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 12:49 pm: |
HEY LYNN: NO MEDICAL EXPERT HERE...HOWEVER...IF YOU'RE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BACK OF YOUR LEG...YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT THE POSSIBLILITY IF DISC PROBLEMS IN YOUR LOWER BACK!!!...I HAD SURGERY A FEW YEARS BACK FOR A SERIOUS DISC PROBLEM (SCIATIC NERVE)...AND THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO IT WERE QUITE PAINFUL...AND KEPT ME OUT OF ACTION FOR THE BETTER PART OF THE YEAR!!!...ONE OF MY SYMPTOMS WAS A SEVERE AND PAINFUL TIGHTENING OF THE BACK PART OF MY LEG WITH WHAT WOULD SEEM LKE A HAMSTRING!!!...I COULDN'T WALK FOR MORE THAN 40-50 YARDS WITHOUT STOPPING FOR A FEW MINUTES!!!...THANKFULLY...STUBASS IS BACK...BETTER THAN EVER!!!...STU
| By Lynn Bruce (69.14.140.151) on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 01:38 pm: |
Thanks Stu,the problem with a knee operation,or replacement is that it overloads either the hamstring or the quad when your recouperating due to favoring the muscle that is least traumatized, causing muscle overload,hence the good muscle gets a sprain. Sometimes from favoring the other leg,IT becomes a problem. You can't win!!
Maybe it's time to visit Vancouver to try their "herbal" method of healing.
| By Bassn for God (24.158.71.34) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 09:13 am: |
Lynn, I understand your pain. I have been surgery plus 3 years and I felt as if I would never get back to where I wanted. I had total reconstruction along with a new knee cap. The pressure on my hamstring was pretty instense at first, but after some very intense electro-therapy with a little machine that could cause an instant cramp in selected leg muscles, I am back to my old self minus the joint pain. Just stay the course and try not to favor the problem, its tough but worth it in the end. I still have the stiff leg problems after long periods seated, but I can walk and run without my knee dislocating anymore, big deal to me. You are in my prayers, I know how painful it can become sometimes. You will get better.
| By Steve Litos (209.100.86.4) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 12:22 pm: |
Bob,
After watching the DVD I was thinking that the "code" language sounded a bit like "FAT ALBERT"...well not actually Fat Albert, but Mushmouth. At least I think that's what the character's name was.
-Steve
| By Steve Litos (209.100.86.4) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 12:42 pm: |
Lynn - Is your injured leg the "high hat" leg or the "bass drum" leg?
-Steve
| By Flytoo (152.163.252.68) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 09:22 am: |
Bob,
I hope the ole hamstring is feeling a lot better by now!
When you play, it appears that you have very light touch with your right hand? Are you really just "brushing" the strings with your fingers?
Also, I've been playing about 4 years now and have yet to get any callouses on my left fingertips. I hear other bass players say that they have them? When I played a guitar I got them but not so with bass. It's not a problem for me when I'm using roundwounds but flats hurt. Thought you might have a suggestion?? Also, I'm hearing that a 4 DVD set of SITSOM is going to be released this November. Do you know what the other 2 disc's will include? AND, thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. You showing up on this forum is way too cool!!! Flytoo
| By Lynn Bruce (69.14.140.151) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 09:39 am: |
Steve:My bass drum(right)leg.
Beazab Beazabit,were you guys speaking carny?
Leazinn Breazuce
(weazith theaza feazuked eazup kneazee)
| By Caleb (171.75.84.115) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 11:19 pm: |
Babbitt,was reading about the Irene and the Scotts record on Ray Monette's thread.Would be great to hear that record.Hey,how's Ed Greene doing down there.You guys doing some more sessions together?How about telling him about this forum and bringing him on.Give it a shot.Thanks,Caleb
| By girlbassplayer1961 (208.8.159.199) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 03:16 am: |
Mr. Babbitt, who played bass on When I die by mother load? Thanks for answering this during your busy schedule!
| By stephanie (64.63.221.148) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 08:01 am: |
I love that song by Motherlode I just recently found the album on EBAY in Mint Condition!!!! I hope Babbitt played on that one......I wish that had been a Motown song..
Stephanie
| By An Inquiring Mind (171.75.81.24) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 10:28 am: |
Who's Motherlode?
| By Steve Litos (209.100.86.4) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 10:39 am: |
Motherload is a Canadian band from the late 60's early 70's. "When I Die" (not to be confused with And When I Die by Laura Nyro & BS &T) was a Curtis Mayfield influenced pop hit from that era.(The melody sounds a bit like the Impressions "Man Oh Man".) Anyways, It's a pretty good song!
Girlbassplayer...I believe the bass player was none other than the most noted girl-bass-player out there - Carol Kaye.
| By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 05:31 pm: |
Hey Gang:
Here's a URL describing the group Motherlode. Since they recorded "When I Die" in Ontario, Canada, I don't think Carol Kaye may have played on that record. Since the group was a quartet of guitar, drums, sax & organ the "bass" part may have come from the bass pedals or keys from the organ that was used on the recording. I have the 45 & Motherlode CD so I would have to hear it again.
Anyway, the URL with Motherlode's bio is:
http://www.canoe.com/JamMusicPopEncycloPagesM/motherlode.html
Good luck & happy reading,
Kevin Goins - KevGo
| By Steve Litos (209.100.86.4) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 06:02 pm: |
Kev - I know where I read it! I saw the album for sale at Dusty Groove America last year and she's credited on the back of the album cover.
I didn't buy the album however.
-Steve
| By Steve Litos (209.100.86.4) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 06:16 pm: |
Here's a link to the song in Real Audio
http://www.geocities.com/canadianhits/
Sorry to clutter up Babbitt 2A.
-Steve
| By girlbassplayer1961 (208.8.159.219) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 07:46 pm: |
Thanks Guys/girls it is Carol Kaye on Bass and if you don't know who Motherlode is, you're missing some great music! Sorry to have asked this on Babbitt 2 I thought he would know!
| By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 08:39 pm: |
Folks:
I went on Carol Kaye's website & contacted a friend of mine who worked for Buddah Records at that time - both confirm that Carol Kaye played bass on the Motherlode LP.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
| By girlbassplayer1961 (208.8.159.216) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 11:51 pm: |
Thanks Kevin! I love this site and thread, it's great to beable to talk to others who have the same interests in music!
| By Caleb (171.75.81.125) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 02:46 am: |
Babbitt,read on an old Lynn Bruce thread where Motown started using members from the Detroit Symphony on sessions for them.Supposedly they were initially kind of rigid,maybe even a little poindexterish,but soon began wearing berets saying,"What's happenin' man".Do you have any recollection of these individuals and this transformation that took place?Thank you,Caleb
| By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 03:03 am: |
CALEB: BEFORE BABBITT JUMPS IN ON THIS ONE...I CAN TELL YOU THAT MY HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA TEACHER...MR. JOSEF KERTEZ... AN EASTERN EUROPEAN IMMIGRANT...RIGHT DOWN TO HIS VINYL SHOES (NO "KGB" HERE)...USED TO GO DOWN TO MOTOWN (ON A BUS) AS A VIOLA PLAYER!!!...HE WAS STILL AS EASTERN EUROPEAN AS YOU CAN GET...HOWEVER...WITH A LITTLE "FUNK" IN HIS STRIDE!!!...STU
| By Lynn Bruce (69.14.140.151) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 11:59 am: |
Caleb,Bob was the guy that told me those stories about the symphony cats when we were in a band together in 1966.I never did any work at Motown,but he would come in and keep us laughing with funny things like that on our breaks.
My biggest memory of that time was coming out of the bar (Wayne Show Bar or Vertigo West) after the gig one night and seeing both front seats of my volkswagon beetle GONE. Someone broke in my car and ripped off both of them and I had to drive home sitting on a beer case that was very tippy when I took off fast.
| By Caleb (171.75.84.228) on Saturday, June 07, 2003 - 12:39 am: |
Lynn,that's a rough story with your car.Coming out and seeing that your front seats are gone.I guess there wasn't a whole lot that could be done.Try to talk with you some more on your thread.Caleb
| By girlbassplayer1961 (208.8.159.223) on Saturday, June 07, 2003 - 02:53 am: |
Mr. Babbitt, I was reading some of your credits and noticed you played for Bonnie Raitt on "Green Light," what other sessions did you do for her?
girlbassplayer1961
| By the count (69.14.141.142) on Saturday, June 07, 2003 - 12:44 pm: |
HEY BABBITT,just watched the video of the FUNK BROS. induction into the HOLLYWOOD WALK from FEB.13th.Kool and great visiual and audio quality.Is that slab inserted into the walk yet?
I will be in the HOLLYWOOD area in 2wo weeks doing a FO.MO.CO. support thing for the wheel of fortune spot and would like to get some pictures of the walk.Hope the cement on your hands didn't harden before you wiped it off(instant callouses)
Do you know a TODD RUNDGREN? I'am painting a ROAD KING HARLEY tank for suppossidley him and had to pull out my Bat Out Of Hell album and do the cover of this as a mural on the tank sides.
He just seems kinda young to be the Todd from the group,but the customer is always right???????
Take kare and stay in good shape."COUNT"
| By Caleb (171.75.67.131) on Saturday, June 07, 2003 - 03:32 pm: |
Babbitt,nice article in the Tennessean.Hey,put on some coveralls down there,you'll get some gigs(laughing).
| By Caleb (171.75.84.58) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 05:02 pm: |
Greetings Big B!!Was reading where you did some session work for Frank Sinatra back in the 70's.What was the name of that album,do you remember?Would love to hear that.
| By BOB Yockey (24.236.135.15) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 07:05 am: |
Hi Bob. This is Bob Yockey, I played with Ray M. in his first band. Anyhow, Ed Goetz (Toad) wanted me to send you this note. Him and I have been jammin again, What a riot. He still has his Fender Bass but has been looking for his "Hard Shell Case" for his Guitar. He wanted me to ask you, If you've seen it?????
Ray informed me about this site, I LOVE IT.
I see you are still Rock'n. GOOD DEAL.
Bob
| By brown8644 (166.107.72.3) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 12:08 pm: |
Caleb, can you tell us about the article and
is their a web address to check out the article
Thanks!
| By Caleb (171.75.84.19) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 12:27 pm: |
Brown8644,scroll down on main forum conversation topics here and look for:Babbitt article in Tennessean.Click on hyperlink on first post.Good article!!
| By brown8644 (166.107.78.111) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 06:43 pm: |
Caleb, thanks i missed that one. Greatly
appreciated.
| By BOBBABBITT (205.188.209.109) on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 12:36 am: |
WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS THIS WEEKEND......THE "BABBITT"
CHECK OUT "TRACK OF THE CAT" THREAD
| By peterivera (205.188.209.109) on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 12:27 pm: |
Babbit: Let me sing with the Funk Bros.... I got a couple of "Licks" of my own....come on...
| By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 02:26 pm: |
I like this idea. Put Pete on the second set of drums next to Uriel and turn him loose. Alan Slutsky, if you're looking in, think about this. I promise you Pete will blow the house down.
| By Caleb (171.75.84.82) on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 05:23 pm: |
Yes,Babbitt get Pete in there with you guys.Would be great.Babbitt,I have a different question for you today.Was reading where when you and Andrew Smith left Detroit and moved to the New York/Philadelphia area you contacted Lebaron Taylor who was in partnership with Tony Bell and Phil Hurtt at the time.The two of you began doing sessions for them and eventually started recording for Tony's brother Thom.My question is who was Lebaron Taylor?When he was in Detroit what did he do there?Was he a record producer,an arranger or did he do some type of adminstration work?
| By Derrick (63.187.160.125) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 06:05 pm: |
Hey Bob ,
Is there any chance that The Funk Brothers might be playing in Boise next year ? I'm sure to make the 130 mile trek from Twin Falls if you are !
| By Eli (141.152.248.73) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 09:39 pm: |
Caleb,
Lebaron was one of the most influential record people in Detroit other than Berry himself!!Among other things he owned the Revilot label responsible for the Parliaments, Daryl Banks, Pat Lewis, JJ Garnes among a host of others.
With Don Davis he co owned Groovesville and Solid hitbound productions
Prior to this he was an influential radio personality on WJLB.
In 1972 he moved to the Philly area)Marlton NJ) where he went to an exec position at Atlantic and in 1975 he went to CBS which became Sony and he was a high ranking exec there until his untimely demise in 1999.
| By Caleb (171.75.84.2) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 10:28 pm: |
Man,was not aware of all this.Sounds like he was the real deal.Thanks for this information Bobby.
| By BOB BABBITT (205.188.209.109) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 04:32 am: |
HEY MO-FU’S.............THE “BABBITT” HERE
LYNN BRUCE & STEVE LITOS.............FAT ALBERT CHARACTER WAS THE “CODE” LANGUAGE.......SOME OF THE FUNK’S HAD DIFFERENT INFLECTIONS WHICH MADE IT SOUND EVEN MORE COMICAL............LYNN ..GREAT QUAD EXERCISE...SIT IN CHAIR, STRETCH LEG STRAIGHT OUT, RAISE LEG UP, DOWN, UP, DOWN.......DO AS MANY REPS AS YOU CAN STAND...THIS WILL BUILD UP YOUR QUAD MUSCLE AND TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF OF YOUR KNEE......
FLYTOO...........PLAYING WITH A SOFT RELAXED TOUCH IS THE BEST AND AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED THE ONLY WAY TO PLAY WITH THE RIGHT HAND........THINK ABOUT JAMERSON, PLAYING ALL THOSE NOTES WITH A HARD TOUCH WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE.........I THINK NEW CD IS INSTRUMENTS ONLY ON OLD TRACKS...........
GIRLBASSPLAYER61 & STEPHANIE.......DID NOT DO MOTHERLODE.........BONNIE RAITT “STREETLIGHT” ALBUM WAS THE ONLY RECORDING I DID WITH HER..........
CALEB.....IRENE & THE SCOTT’S.....ON SMASH RECORDS (MERCURY) WISH I HAD A COPY..
DETROIT SYMPHONY PLAYERS PLAYING ON MOTOWN RECORDS AND OTHER COMPANIES IN DETROIT.....I DID NOT SEE THEM ALL THE TIME AS THEY WOULD OVERDUB, BUT AFTER A WHILE THEY STARTED TO WALK WITH A SWAGGER AND SORT OF STRUT IN TO THE STUDIO’S......ALSO SEVERAL OF THEM STARTED A POP, ROCK, FUNK, ENSEMBLE....
ED GREEN.....WE HANG OUT TOGETHER A LOT AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING SOME PROJECTS TOGETHER......GREAT DRUMMER!!... .PERFECT WITH URIEL FOR THE FUNK BROTHERS ( MAYBE ONE DAY)..........FRANK SINATRA...I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO LOCATE THE PRODUCER TO GET THE NAME OF THE ALBUM, WILL LET YOU KNOW AS SOON AS I GET INFO....I DO NOT HAVE A COPY..........LABARON TAYLOR...TO ADD TO WHAT BOBBY ELI SAID...........LABARON WAS A DISC JOCKEY AT THE BIGGEST R & B STATION IN DETROIT WHEN I FIRST MET HIM.....THE FIRST SESSION I DID FOR WINGATE AT GOLDEN WORLD STUDIO LABARON WAS THE PRODUCER...THE RECORD WAS, “AGENT DOUBLE 00 SOUL” BY EDWIN STARR...HE THEN STARTED HIS OWN RECORD COMPANY (REVILOTT) AND PRODUCED PARLIMENT, DARRELL BANKS, PAT LEWIS AND OTHER ARTIST.......
WHEN ANDREW SMITH AND I MOVED TO EAST COAST HE CONTACTED ME TO NOT ONLY DO SOME RECORDINGS FOR ATLANTIC IN NEW YORK, WHERE HE WAS HEAD OF THE R & B DEPARTMENT, BUT TO ALSO HAVE ANDREW AND I COME TO PHILLY TO RECORD WITH THE PRODUCTION TEAM OF TONY BELL, PHIL HURRIT AND LABARON.........THIS EVENTUALLY LED ANDREW AND I TO THOM BELL!!!!!!!!!!!!
COUNT........THE FUNK BROTHER WALK ROCK PLAQUE AT THE GIBSON GUITAR CENTER IN LA IS FIRMLY IN THE GROUND.......RIGHT AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE FRONT DOOR............
I DID NOT KNOW TODD RUNDGREN...BUT MEATLOAF WAS A FRIEND OF MINE AND PERSONALLY CALLED ME TO PLAY ON THE “BAT OUT OF HELL” ALBUM THAT TODD PRODUCED.....THE DATES FOR THE RECORDING WERE DATES I HAD ALREADY BOOKED IN TORONTO FOR A ALICE COOPER ALBUM AND I COULD NOT DO THE MEATLOAF ALBUM......
BOB YOCKEY.......HEY BOB SAY HI TO TOAD...I DON’T REMEMBER ANYTHING ABOUT THE HARD SHELL BASS CASE...I PROBABLY SOLD IT, IF I HAD IT... .....ASK HIM IF HE STILL HAS ANY REHEARSAL SCORPION TAPES AND TELL HIM TO EMAIL ME ........OR ELSE?????
PETE RIVERA.......FUNK BROTHERS OR NO FUNK BROTHERS WE SHOULD JUST PLAY TOGETHER.....YEAH...........YOU CAN SING TOO.........BUT ONLY IF YOU BUY THE STEAK.....
DERRICK...CHECK STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF MOTOWN.COM OR THE AGENCY GROUP (CLICK FUNK BROTHERS) FOR TOUR INFO................
| By girlbassplayer1961 (208.8.159.207) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 06:13 am: |
Thank you Bob, I still love you on Street Light, great bass lines!!
| By Caleb (171.75.84.34) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 06:17 pm: |
And can he sing,man is serious and he plays a mean set of drums-get Pete in there.Peace
| By the count (69.14.141.142) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 07:02 pm: |
THANX BABBITT.The bike is about done,looks just like the album cover.Thanx also for the location of the FUNK walk plaque.Man,now if I kan only steal the walk of of fame plaques instead of the rock posters.
"COUNT"
| By Caleb (171.75.81.96) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 12:10 am: |
Babbitt,thanks for all the information.Can you talk a little about that first session you and Andrew did for Thom Bell.It was "Then Came You",just the three of you-is that correct?I guess he brought Bobby in after to overdub his guitar.I know that's him on there with that distinct effect on his guitar in the intro.So that session was like an audition for you and Andrew to work with Thom?I guess you guys passed and with flying colors might I add.Was that the only tune on the session?Thank you,Caleb (Were you able to tell Ed Greene about this forum?)
| By Lynn Bruce (68.41.107.30) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 07:30 am: |
Thanks Bob,I'll give it a try.
| By Eli (151.197.185.21) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 07:46 am: |
Caleb...
I was NOT brought in later.
We all did our rhythm dates TOGETHER.
Also, Then came you was not the first B,&A session, as there were much earlier ones.
Our musicians did not need auditions as theeir work spoke for itself.
The only,"know it all" here is me. I was there!!!!!
| By Eli (151.197.185.21) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 08:03 am: |
BTW...
The first session was the one that produced
"Rubber band man"
| By Caleb (171.75.81.15) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 12:30 pm: |
I'm not claiming to be a know it all as you are-what I posted here was information I recently read from a musician publication and was writing for confirmation and detail on this.If it was false then I ask for Babbitt to confirm.Also,how can Rubberband Man of been the first tune they recorded for Thom Bell when albums New and Improved and Pick of the Litter were recorded and released a few years earlier?Was Rubberband Man(off of Happiness is Being With The Spinners and released in 76)recorded before Then Came You which came out in 74?Not looking to start anything here,just want to here from Babbitt on this.Peace Bobby,I love ya
| By Eli (141.151.85.235) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 03:49 pm: |
I may be wrong, and if so I stand corrected.
I will though, consult the logs and verify just to be sure.
B.E.
| By BOBBABBITT (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 07:08 pm: |
BOBBY & CALEB.........BOTH OF YOU ARE RIGHT...... ANDREW AND I STARTED DOING SESSIONS IN PHILLY FOR LABRON TAYLOR, PHIL HURITT AND TONY BELL BEFORE WE RECORDED WITH THOM.......ON THOSE SESSIONS BOBBY YOU ALSO WERE THE GUITAR PLAYER ALONG WITH TONY.......OUR FIRST SESSION WITH THOM WAS A ONE SONG SESSION "THEN CAME YOU" FULL RHYTHM SECTION....BOBBY ALONG WITH ANDREW, TONY, LARRY WASHINGTON, THOM AND MYSELF.......BOB BABBITT
| By Caleb (171.75.81.5) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 11:18 pm: |
Babbitt,thank you for clarifying.Nice way to start out with Thom recording "Then Came You".
| By Eli (141.151.85.235) on Wednesday, June 18, 2003 - 12:36 am: |
Thanks Babbitt..I was having a "senior moment"
| By Caleb (171.75.80.217) on Wednesday, June 18, 2003 - 11:45 pm: |
Babbitt,next question:I'm listening to a tune by Robert Palmer that credits you with the bass work,it's called:"You Overwhelm Me".In the introduction there's something doubling your bass an octave higher.It's really nice,is that that piccolo bass you use to use?(It's a beautiful introduction).Caleb
| By Flytoo (205.188.209.109) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 11:50 pm: |
Hey Big B, I got a question about the Motown days. From seeing the movie and reading Alan's book it sounds like you guys worked in the studio all day and then played in the local clubs all night? You guys surely didn't keep this pace up all of time? What was your schedule like and how much downtime did you guys actually get and what did you do for fun? Hope the knee is getting stronger! Flytoo
| By publicimageltd. (65.136.96.45) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 12:13 am: |
Bob,
For reasons that I won't go into, I had my copy of Tim Curry's "Read My Lips" out the other day and noticed that your listed as the bass player.
How did you ever get hooked up with Bob Ezrin? I am assuming that it is a Detroit connection since Dick Wagner was Ezrin's primary guitarist.
Was it because Tony Levin was now working with Peter Gabriel and Ezrin was in need of a bassist for these sessions? And what was Ezrin like to work with? This isn't a particularly "good" record, but it does have it's moments. What I find to be intresting about it is how Ezrin is trying to get Curry to "act" out each of the songs in much the same way that Peter Gabriel did on his first solo album, only to a much greater effect. Any info on this that you could provide would be greatly appreicated.
Thanks,
Gordon
| By RB (142.173.31.75) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 02:12 am: |
Hello, Mr. Bob Babbitt, I just discovered this forum, which is great to have. I'm a bass player and longtime fan of your sound, plus when SITSOM came out I called every musician I knew (plus a lot of music lovers) and we all filled up the theater at the Vancouver Film Festival last year.
I've seen it on the big screen about 6 or 7 times, and now own the DVD. So great to have the story told in such splendid style and groove!! I have one technical question - have you ever used Thomastik strings? If so what do you think of them / if not, do you use flats and what type?
| By Sam (167.226.81.5) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 11:19 am: |
Hi Bob, My wife and I met you and the rest of the funks at the Hammerstein Ballroom concert in NYC a few months back. Good Show!!! I saw that you played on "I Got a Name" by Jim Croce. Nice basslines in that song!!! Did you ever play live with him? Also, How do you like the Gallien Krueger 800RB and Hartke 4x10 combination. I didn't get a chance to use mine live yet. Take care of that knee. Have you ever used the joint supplement Glucosimine? Supposed to be good for that sort of thing. Thanks, Sam
| By Caleb (171.75.84.244) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 02:50 pm: |
Big B hangin' with George W,let's hear about it.
| By Heikki (62.71.79.239) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 01:11 pm: |
Hi Mr. Babbitt!
I don't know if this has been discussed here already or not, but could you describe the "funk box" used in The Rubberband Man by the Spinners.
Best regards
Heikki
| By BOBBABBITT (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 08:09 pm: |
HEY MO- FU'S.........ANSWER QUESTIONS SOON
THE "BABBITT"
| By BOBBABBITT (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 01:21 am: |
HEY MO-FU’S.......(MOTOWN FUNK FAN’S)
CALEB......IT WAS A SPECIAL DAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE!! THERE WAS A JAZZ BAND WITH SEVERAL SINGERS THAT DID A TRIBUTE TO DUKE ELLINGTON AND ABOUT A 10 OR 15 MINUTE SPEECH BY GEORGE W. HE HAS SIGNED A PROCLAMATION MAKING JUNE “BLACK MUSIC MONTH”.....AFTER HIS SPEECH WE WAITED IN LINE TO MEET THE PRES’ AND HAVE ARE PHOTO TAKEN WITH HIM....INDIVIDUALLY, AND WITH HIM AND ALL OF THE FUNK’S.....HE SAID THAT THIS PHOTO WOULD BE A GOOD PHOTO FOR OUR NEXT ALBUM COVER AND ASKED WHY WE DID NOT PLAY........THERE WAS TALK OF US PLAYING NEXT YEAR OR AT SOME OTHER FUNCTION FOR HE PRES’.......THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY FOR ME CAME WHEN AT THE RECEPTION I MET ONE OF MY ALL TIME IDOLS.....THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS WIDE RECEIVER LYNN SWANN FROM THE 4 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION TEAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I TALKED TO HIM AND THANKED HIM FOR THE GREAT YEARS AND GREAT THRILLS THAT I RECEIVED FROM THOSE STEELER TEAMS!!!!!!!!!
ROBERT PALMERS “YOU OVERWHELM ME”...YES THAT IS THE PICCOLO BASS DOUBLING THE BASS IN THE INTRO....I THOUGHT THAT THE SONG WAS ONE OF HIS BETTER ONE’S, ROBERT TOLD ME THAT THEY RELEASED IT AS A SINGLE THEN CHANGED THEIR MIND AND PULLED IT OF THE RADIO, I KNOW THAT HE WAS REAL DISAPPOINTED..........
SAM.......”I GOT A NAME” JIM CROCE.....THAT WAS THE ONLY SONG I EVER RECORDED WITH HIM AND NEVER PLAYED LIVE WITH HIM........I DID LIKE THE GALIEN KRUGER AND HARTKE COMBINATION...BUT THE MONITOR SPEAKER ALSO HELPED ON THE STAGE.....
I DO TAKE GLUCOSIMINE FOR THE KNEES, ALSO CELEBREX UNTIL I HAVE THE RIGHT KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY......
RB........I USE THE THOMASTICK STRINGS ON MY UPRIGHT BASS.... ON MY OTHER BASS’S I USE ROUND WOUND MEDIUM GAUGE.......FOR THE MOVIE I USED LABELLA FLAT WOUND MEDIUM GAUGE BUT I WAS HAVING SOME PROBLEMS ON THE LIVE CONCERTS SO I SWITCHED TO ROUND WOUNDS...THE ROUND WOUNDS ARE GHS BOOMERS.
PUBLICIMAGELTD............BETWEEN DICK WAGNER, WHOM I KNEW FROM DETROIT, AND ALLAN SCHARTSBURG, NY DRUMMER AND PERCUSSIONIST JIMMY MALEN, THAT I DID A LOT OF SESSIONS WITH, ALONG WITH BOB EZRIN WANTING A DIFFERENT FEEL FOR ALICE AND OTHER ARTIST HE WAS PRODUCING, I STARTED TO WORK FOR BOB ON QUITE A FEW PROJECTS......THE RECORDINGS THAT I DID FOR BOB EZRIN MADE ME REALIZE THAT HE WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST ROCK PRODUCERS OF ALL TIME, HIS PRODUCTION OF PINK FLOYD’S “WALL” ALBUM IS PROOF OF THAT!!!! AT TIMES WORKING WITH BOB WAS A CHALLENGE BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT IF HE WAS LOOKING FOR A CERTAIN THING HE COULD PICK UP YOUR INSTRUMENT AND ACTUALLY PLAY FOR YOU WHAT HE WANTED..... AS FAR AS TIM CURRY ACTING OUT EACH OF HIS SONGS... TIM WAS AN ACTOR WHO EXPRESSED HIMSELF THAT WAY AND BOB WAS INTO “THEATRICAL ROCK” BIG TIME....
FLYTOO........I DID WORK IN THE CLUBS FOR SEVERAL YEARS BUT I GOT SO BUSY IN THE RECORDING STUDIOS THAT I QUIT THE CLUBS TO JUST WORK AT THE STUDIOS RECORDING......WHEN I WORKED IN THE CLUBS AND WAS RECORDING AT GOLDEN WORLD BEFORE IT BECAME MOTOWN STUDIO B MY SCHEDULE WAS SO BUSY THAT AT TIMES I SLEPT ON A COT AT THE STUDIO....ON OF THE REASONS I QUIT THE CLUBS WAS TO GET SOME DOWNTIME BUT WITH HDH STARTING THEIR OWN COMPANY ALONG WITH WORKING AT MOTOWN AND OTHER INDEPENDENT COMPANIES THERE WAS NOT MUCH DOWNTIME...IF WE DID NOT WORK IN THE DAY SOME OF US WOULD GO TO GOLF COURSE TO HIDE OUT....LEFT KNEE ABOUT 80%...RIGHT KNEE HOPEFULLY AT THE END OF THE YEAR...HOW IS YOUR WEIGHT?? I AM FINALLY STARTING TO GET BACK TO EXERCISING..
HEIKKI......NO “FUNK BOX” ON RUBBERBAND MAN....... THOM OVERDUBBED SOUND ON ONE OF HIS KEYBOARDS.....JUST A BIG FAT BASS SOUND......BOB BABBITT
| By Flytoo (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 09:12 pm: |
Bob,
It was great hearing about your visit with George W. and getting to meet Lynn Swann!! I remember the Steelers back in those days with "Mean" Joe Green and Terry Bradshaw. That was back in the days of the "steel curtain, what a team they were! Now I've got to ask you, what would James think about you using rounds with the Funks? I bet your P really sings with rounds on her? Did any of the funks notice a difference in your tone when you switched? Do you still use "the sponge" with the rounds? I took your advice and I'm trying to force myself to play with a lighter right hand and working on using two fingers. (I've been doing everything with one finger and James Jamerson I ain't!) Glad to hear your knee is doing better and that you're able to excerise again!! My weight has been kind of holding it's own. I've been deviating from the plan a lot more than I should. There were a couple of weeks in a row where I gained 1.6 lbs and then the week before last I lost 2.6 lbs and then this past Monday I lost another .6 lbs. The bottom line is that I'm right where I was 4 weeks ago. But, no way am I giving up. I'm in this for the long haul but it is time for me to get serious again. Total loss is 77.6 lbs! Not bad for a 6 month effort! How about you? Have you been able to drop any weight now that you're getting some excercise in? All the best!! Flytoo
| By Eli (151.197.125.156) on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 10:12 pm: |
Heikki..
The "rubbery" sound on RBM was me on one of my gadgets at the time.
I think it was called the Micro Synthesizer for the guitar. I may have used a DR.Q (envelope follower)also
| By Joetter (65.138.10.10) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 01:00 am: |
Babbit will you tell the story about the recording session for Rubberband Man?
| By publicimageltd. (65.136.96.213) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 04:49 pm: |
Bob,
Thanks a lot for the info about Bob Ezrin. It is greatly appreicated.
Gordon
| By Joetter (65.138.10.123) on Thursday, July 03, 2003 - 06:44 am: |
Babbitt,
Forget that question about Rubberband Man, I had the wrong session. Tell about the session for Midnight Train to Georgia.
Joetter
| By Caleb (171.75.84.229) on Thursday, July 03, 2003 - 11:00 pm: |
Babbitt,Lynn Swann now your talkin'.Did you say to him,"Go Long".Would be great to see any pictures that were taken there.If you can post please do so.Thank you,Caleb
| By BOBBABBITT (205.188.209.109) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 11:03 pm: |
MO-FU'S...BEEN BUSY IN THE STUDIO..WILL ANSWER SOON......THE "BABBITT"
COMING SOON.....BOB BABBITT.COM
| By BOB BABBITT (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 12:23 am: |
MO-FU'S........
FLYTOO....ROUND WOUNDS WORKING GREAT......NO PROBLEMS WITH THE FUNK'S.......MY WEIGHT UP AND DOWN BUT MORE EXERCISE MAKING A DIFFERENCE... KNEES STILL KEEP ME DOWN......STICK WITH YOUR DIET..... YOUR DOING GREAT!!!!!!!
CALEB.....NO PHOTOS WITH PRES YET.......LYNN SWAN, IN GREAT SHAPE, SORRY I DID NOT GET HIS AUTOGRAPH..
JOETTER."MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO GEORGIA" ANDREW SMITH AND MY SELF ALONG WITH GUITAR PLAYER JEFF MIRONOV CUT THE TRACK AT TONY CAMILLOS STUDIO IN SOMMERVILLE NEW JERSEY AFTER WE HAD TRIED TO RECORD THE SONG TWICE WITH A FULL (8 PLAYERS)RHYTHM SECTION...
| By Flytoo (64.12.97.7) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 11:33 pm: |
Bob, My wife and I are planning our vacation and want to visit Detroit the first week of October. We know we want to visit Hitsville but what other "Bass" kinds of things are there to see and do there? Besides music, are there any other must see things in and around Detroit? Any word on the Funks touring the South yet? Thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions!! All the best! Flytoo
| By blue rhythm bass (192.55.140.2) on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 12:39 pm: |
Bob:
I found you a copy of the Irene & the Scotts 45 record.....I will be at the Meadowbrook show August 21, 2003 and would be glad to give it to you in trade for an autograph!! As a fellow bass player, it would be an honor to have your autograph on my wall.......let me know what we can arrange...
Regards,
Russ
| By Treena (207.254.31.183) on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 02:05 pm: |
Hey Babbitt, what year is the Fender P bass you are currently playing....it sounds sweet!
| By BOBBABBITT (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 11:48 pm: |
TREENA........P BASS 65 OR 66....RIGHT AFTER CBS TOOK OVER.......
BLUE RHYTHM BASS.......EMAIL ME AT STUDIO-MUSICIANS.NET AND I WILL GET BACK TO YOU TO ARRANGE MEETING IN DETROIT........
FLYTOO......GO TO GREENFIELD VILLAGE>>>>> POST ON RAY MONNETTE THREAD AND ASK SAME QUESTION.......
NO WORD YET ON FUNK'S IN THE SOUTH?????
BOB BABBITT
| By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Friday, July 25, 2003 - 11:52 am: |
Babbitt you are so wonderful. Where else can you get a personal response from one of the greatest musicians of all time? Thanks Bob for your "personal touch."
Sis
| By Caleb (171.75.84.59) on Saturday, July 26, 2003 - 12:11 am: |
Big B,what's the good word!!What's the latest,fill us in.Speaking of the Steelers,saw some film on their number one draft pick.Man is serious,the real deal.Might need to learn how to hit properly though,supposedly he gets banged up alot.Still is going to be something to watch.Peace
| By Derrick (63.187.129.7) on Saturday, July 26, 2003 - 05:28 pm: |
Bob ,
I have a good question for you that you could probably answer for all of the Funk Brothers .
What do you guys like to eat while on the road ?
I would also like to see more of your fellow Funk Brothers on here so their fans can ask them questions too ! I have one for Uriel Jones about his drum set !
| By Funkyone D J Dollar BILL (216.221.81.96) on Sunday, July 27, 2003 - 02:23 am: |
Babbitt 2B or not 2B?Whether it is nobler to scroll through out thus post or to have things short but sweet.Alas the light through yonder window breaks and I will see thee Funks when the dish of fire drops bellow the vail of dusk again.
Farewell to thee,farewell.
| By willy shakes (216.221.81.96) on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 04:43 am: |
Out damned spot!
| By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 10:51 am: |
No one can tell me that this isn't one classy place.
| By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Saturday, August 02, 2003 - 11:56 am: |
Stupid question of the day.....
.....I understand before SISTOM you guys had not played together for years. How much rehersal time was necessary for you to get resonably tight again, or did you fall back into your respective positions naturally?
| By Caleb (171.75.84.174) on Saturday, August 02, 2003 - 11:02 pm: |
Hey Babbitt,what happened to Ali Bushame,the dude whose brother gave you the nickname "Babbitt"?Have you had any contact thru all the sitsom activity in Detroit?Just curious.Peace and Soul
| By BOBBABBITT (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 01:07 am: |
MOTOWN FUNK FAN’S........AKA------MO-FU’S
THE “BABBITT” HERE
ONCE AGAIN THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR KIND WORDS...........
DOUGLASM....REHEARSAL TIME WITH FUNKS AFTER ALL THOSE YEARS WAS 2-2 1/2
WEEKS BEFORE THE FILMING......EVERY DAY THE BAND GOT TIGHTER...THE GUEST ARTIST CAME IN ONE DAY AT A TIME SO WE ALSO PLAYED THE SONGS THAT THEY RECORDED QUITE A FEW TIMES BEFORE THE FILMING AND DURING THE FILMING AS THERE WERE 6 OR 7 TAKES RECORDED WITH DIFFERENT CAMERA ANGLES........RECENTLY I TOLD JOE MESSINA AND EDDIE WILLIS THAT THAT THEY SOUNDED LIKE THEY WERE “REGRESSING” BACK TO THEIR HIT MAKING DAYS.....AND THAT THEY WERE SOUNDING BETTER AND BETTER THE MORE WE PLAY!!!!!!!!!
DERRICK.........FUNKS MENU........CHICKEN.......FISH....STEAK... OK WITH MOST OF THE GUYS......JOE MESSINA IS A VEGETARIAN....BUT HE DOES EAT FISH.......UREIL LIKES THE RED MEAT.....STEAK, HAMBURGERS, BACON, ECT. JACK LOVES HIS DESSERT........
AS FAR AS THE FUNKS ON THE SOULFUL DETROIT SITE.....JACK, JOE MESSINA AND MYSELF HAVE BEEN HERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS WHEN WE HAVE THE TIME.....
JOE HUNTER DOES NOT HAVE A COMPUTER.....UREIL GETS INFO FROM HIS WIFE AND EDDIE GETS INFO FROM HIS WIFE AND SON............
CALEB........ALI BUSHAMIE.......HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HIM FOR YEARS....WHEN WE WERE FILMING A MUTUAL FRIEND OF ALI AND MYSELF TOLD ME THAT HE GAVE ALI MY CELL PHONE NUMBER BUT HE NEVER CALLED........THEN WHEN WE PLAYED DETROIT ON THE APRIL TOUR, SOME OF THE SIDEMEN MET A GIRL IN A LOCAL BAR NEAR THE HOTEL WE STAYED, TOLD HER THEY PLAYED WITH THE FUNK BROTHERS, SHE TOLD THEM THAT SHE WAS ALI’S DAUGHTER...ONE OF THE GUY’S GAVE HER MY PHONE NUMBER BUT STILL HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING........THE FIRST STEELER DIGEST FOR THIS SEASON VERY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT TEAM THIS YEAR......PASS DEFENSE BIG QUESTION BUT NUMBER ONE DRAFT PICK LOOKS GOOD AND SHOULD HELP...ALSO MIKE LOGAN (I REALLY LIKE HIM) BACK FROM INJURY...PLUS CHAD SCOTT IS ABOUT READY FOR PRO BOWL YEAR!!!!!!
MUSIC SCHEDULE FOR FUNKS.....AUG 8TH....EDMONTON, CANADA.... AUG 21ST...DETROIT......PLUS SESSION IN DETROIT FOR SOME OF THE GUYS ON AUG 20TH................AUG...28TH.......WEST BEND, WISCONSIN
SEPT 13TH.....BACK IN DETROIT.........AS FAR AS HERE IN NASHVILLE.....WORKING ON NEW BOB BABBITT SOLO CD....TRANSFERRING RECORDINGS TO PRO TOOLS OF PROJECT FEATURING MY SON ON VOCALS AND KEYBOARDS.....ALSO DRUMS ON A FEW TUNES.....
BOB BABBITT.COM IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION CURRENTLY....SHOULD BE READY SOON!
CD’S ....ADVICE/GUIDE BOOK, ALONG WITH A VARIETY IF OTHER MUSICAL CREATIONS....
WILL BE AVAILABLE......RARE EARTH GUITARIST RAY MONETTE AND MYSELF CHECKING OUT POSSIBILITY OF SCORPION ALBUM BEING RELEASED AGAIN........DOING SOME SESSIONS IN NASHVILLE.......BIG AL DOWNING CD THAT I PLAYED ON AND CO-PRODUCED WITH AL IS OUT NOW AND THE INITIAL REVIEWS ARE FANTASTIC!! ALSO HAVE GONE BACK TO STUDYING ACTING AGAIN (STUDIED 5 YEAR’S IN THE EARLY 90’S) AND AM CURRENTLY FILMING A SHORT FILM IN WHICH I HAVE ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL PARTS.......I PLAY THE “GODFATHER”...MORE ON THIS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.......BOB BABBITT
| By Flytoo (152.163.252.68) on Friday, August 08, 2003 - 10:30 pm: |
Dang Big B (or do we need to show you some respect now, and call you Godfather?), when do you have time to sleep? I was worn out just reading about all of the stuff you've got going on! Sounds like you're having fun with it all and that's great!!
Do you like tinkering around with your basses? I mean do you do like to change your own strings or do your own setup...or do you prefer to have someone else take care of that stuff for you?
I believe that you said on the CD that comes with Alan's book, that you actually worked with James on some of Motown's doublebass sessions. Do you recall which tunes those were? And how did that work? Did you both play upright bass and did you both play the same bass line? Speaking of upright bass playing....I've been listening to my copy of your Gypsy From Jupiter CD a lot and, I'm really hooked on Jazzy Kat! Great tune and some of the greatest upright bass playing that I've ever heard!!! Your upright has a very cool tone as well! Flytoo
| By Eli (151.197.33.80) on Friday, August 08, 2003 - 10:40 pm: |
Babbitt,
PLEASE tell Uriel to STOP eating all that red meat!!
After all, after a heart bypass one should cut out red meat altogether or eat very little of it and all of that other garbage as well.
Just because someone has a bypass does not cure a person of any future problems.
Placque can build up again and it can re occur.
I am not trying to preach, I just care.
Take it from a man of experience!!
| By Caleb (171.75.84.77) on Friday, August 08, 2003 - 11:11 pm: |
Good word Bobby!Flytoo,I'm pretty sure Babbitt was on Psychedelic Shack-Temptations with Jamerson.Jamerson playing the straight part and Babbitt doubling an octave higher thru a fender blender.Babbitt played a mean introduction thru it.Babbitt,please give tune a listen and confirm on this.Thank you,Caleb
| By Eli (151.197.33.80) on Friday, August 08, 2003 - 11:59 pm: |
Regarding two basses:
On the Ojays For the love of money, Anthony Jackson played the recurring main figure and Ronnie Baker played the accents on the first beat of bar one and the first and thid beat of bar two in the main two bar pattern and I doubled Ronnie with my Condor unit with a distorted lower octave.(Plus I od'd the wah wah part.)
| By Flytoo (64.12.97.7) on Saturday, August 09, 2003 - 11:43 am: |
Thanks for the info on doubling up on bass Caleb and Eli! But....what the heck's a Fender Blender?
Thanks,Flytoo.
| By Eli (141.151.82.175) on Saturday, August 09, 2003 - 11:47 am: |
Never heard of a "Fender Blender"
In Philly, Babbitt used a piccolo bass a lot doubling his parts an octave up, so to speak.
maybe thats what was meant.
| By Caleb (171.75.81.40) on Saturday, August 09, 2003 - 12:40 pm: |
Flytoo,the fender blender was a gadget that I think electro harmonix came out with.Babbitt used to use it alot.Listen to the introduction on "Plastic Man"-Temptations.He's using it there.It gives a different kind of fuzz-like sound(very happening).
| By lynnbruce (68.41.106.8) on Saturday, August 09, 2003 - 04:18 pm: |
Detroit Lions football 26---Steelers 13!!
Whaa ha ha- I know it's an exibition game but as a Lions fan,I takes em when I can get em.
Lynn
| By Caleb (171.75.81.37) on Saturday, August 09, 2003 - 10:37 pm: |
Watch out for those Lions this year.Am a serious fan of both of these teams.Really like everything the Lions are doing as far as getting back on the winning track.Can't wait for week 1 of the new season.Caleb
| By Electronic Eli (141.151.58.35) on Saturday, August 09, 2003 - 10:48 pm: |
Caleb,
Thanks for the ifo on the "blender".
For some reason it passed me by and did not make it into my "bag of tricks"
| By Caleb (171.75.81.29) on Sunday, August 10, 2003 - 02:05 am: |
Bobby,you had some quality gadgets of your own.Been listening to "Sitting On Top Of The World"-Spinners.Love when you come in on the introduction with whatever effect you had on your guitar.Really moves ya'.Peace
| By Eli (151.197.209.123) on Sunday, August 10, 2003 - 02:26 am: |
Hi Caleb!!
Thanks man. Ill have to ;isten to it again and I will let you know what it is.
Thom was a very fastidious producer in the studio and he very rarely liked "effect gadgets", except for my electric sitar which became "standard", and when you heard an effect, it was something that slipped in, by me "fooling around".
Usually he would give me one of his "smirks" as if to say "thats a no no" Ellsworth.
He liked to call me Ellsworth, as he nicknames for everyone.
I can count on one hand the wah wah and fuzz things that Thom used, well maybe two hands.
| By Caleb (171.75.81.114) on Sunday, August 10, 2003 - 03:09 pm: |
Bobby,there's another one off of the Pick Of The Litter album that's got something similiar happening in the introduction,"All That Glitters Ain't Gold".Please give that one a listen too.Where did the name Ellsworth come from?Where did he get that from?
| By Ellsworth (151.197.44.39) on Sunday, August 10, 2003 - 04:14 pm: |
Caleb,
I will check out the song and let you know .
The Ellsworth thing comes from the "El" in Eli and I would imagine that in TB's mind it must remind him of Ellsworth Bunker, although I am not aware of his historical significance.
Even at Thom's birthday party this past January he exclaimed..Ellsworth!!! with a big smile on his face.
Go figure!!
| By Emaceo (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, August 10, 2003 - 08:15 pm: |
The more I check out this site, the more I like it! To actually be able to contact and interact with some of my favorite musicians of all time is just awesome!!! Although I missed most of them, i did see the Motown Revue in '68 or '69 (I think!) with the Temptations, Blinky, Four Tops(I think, getting old!) and lots of others. The band leader was Hamilton Bohanon, when I first heard of the Funk Bros, I thought that he would be one. Will you be playing another date in the Detroit area soon? I thought that I saw earlier that you would have another date there sometime in September. I had planned to catch you at Meadowbrook, but will be going there to see Three Mo', I mean Young, Cook and Dixon, cause that's the wife's birthday! Anyway, enough rambling! You guys are GREAT!!!
| By BOBBABBITT (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, August 10, 2003 - 09:24 pm: |
MO-FU'S.......THE "BABBITT" HERE.........
JUST GOT BACK FROM EDMONTON, CANADA........ FUNK'S PLAYED OUTDOOR CONCERT FRIDAY NIGHT......37,000+ PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!
NEWSPAPER WRITE UP SAT MORNING...
"A VARIABLE EXPLOSION OF FUNK"....... ONWARD>>>>>>>>>
| By Caleb (171.75.84.200) on Monday, August 11, 2003 - 04:44 pm: |
Babbitt,regarding Tony Bell-did you ever find out the exact nature/cause of death?Thank you,Caleb
| By Bassn for God (24.158.71.34) on Tuesday, August 12, 2003 - 07:37 pm: |
Well I am finally back. Work has been WAY TOO MUCH lately, but I do have a job, so not complaining. Bob, I was just wondering what type of music you enjoy listening say in the evening. I am a jazz fan when Motown or Contemporary Christain is not spinning on the disc. As of late, I have venture out in to various other sounds searching for the bass sound. Spent several hours the other evening(I mean morning) playing along and adding to Santana's Supernatural. Also can you email me your mailing address so I can send for my copy of your made at home cd.
Keep the bass line strong and you heart in the song
Robert
| By BOBBABBITT (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 08:34 pm: |
Caleb.....Not sure what the cause of Tony's death was? I think he had a stroke years ago and everyone thought he was not going to make it but he woke up from a coma just before the family was going to pull the plug.....If it was a stroke this time he didn't make it...Bobby Eli may be able to give you more info........
Bassn for God........Listen to Classic R&B, Funk Jazz, and some New Age....Still tune in to different styles to hear what's going on and what went on........Did not have your email address but you can reach me at bobbabbitt1@aol.com
| By Caleb (171.75.81.5) on Friday, August 15, 2003 - 02:02 am: |
Babbitt,thanks for the info on Tony Bell.Posted Bobby Eli on this.Babbitt,can you listen to Psychedelic Shack-Temptations and confirm that that's you thru that fender blender thru intro.Thank you,Caleb
| By Blue Rhythm Bass (192.55.140.2) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 03:27 pm: |
Bob,
Thanks for spending a moment with my son and I at Meadowbrook. I hope the record is OK - i never got a chance to play it! By the way, when are guys back in Detroit? I heard a rumor about an art festival show? The band sounded great at the show - I wanted to mention that I have the same Hartke setup you used at Meadowbrook and it sounds great.
Regards,
Russ
| By blue rhythm bass (192.55.140.2) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 02:19 pm: |
BABBITT & FUNK BROTHERS FANS: Just announced that the FUNK BROTHERS are playing September 13th at the Detroit Festival of the Arts - come and see the band kick it out!!
Regards,
Russ
| By Bassn for God (24.158.71.34) on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 09:57 pm: |
Bob,
Any news on the Funk Brothers coming south for a date or two. Even close to your home would be close enough for me. Finally remember to try and use a sponge mute in one of my rigs(Peavey MilestoneII). I was shocked at the different sound that was coming out of my amp. I am thinking of a new bass and just wondering about any suggestion you might have. My budget is somewhat tighter than yours, but I am planning to make my new purchase by March '04. I have a lot of overtime schedule at work, so I am going to enjoy the fruits of my labor. I am playing an Ernie Ball MM Stingray 5 right now and I love it. But I long for a more traditional "Precision" sound.
Keep the bass line strong and your heart in the song
Robert