@r4nd4zzo: Bassline of the Week #42. This week’s selection is an absolute classic: Labelle’s 1974 hit “Lady Marmalade.” Originally written by Bob Crewe & Kenny Nolan for the band Eleventh Hour, the song skyrocketed to success when recorded and released by Labelle. Produced by Allen Toussaint and Vicki Wickham, the track debuted in November ‘74 and claimed the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in the spring of ‘75. Sharing the top of the charts at the time were Frankie Valli’s “My Eyes Adored You” and Minnie Riperton’s “Lovin You.” For those who were around in ‘75, perhaps you remember hearing this song on the radio while en route to see “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” at the picture show. I’ve always had a fondness for this track. As a millennial, my introduction to the song was through Lil Kim and Xtina’s rendition for the 2001 film “Moulin Rouge.” However, it wasn’t until later that I discovered the considerably funkier Labelle version, which got me grooving much more than the 2001 version. The funk that permeates this track is courtesy of none other than The Meters, who serve as the rhythm section here. The legendary George Porter Jr. holds down the bass, showcasing his undeniable talent. I had the pleasure of seeing him live on last year’s Jam Cruise, where he truly brought the house down. The bassline itself is a prime example of how effective groove can be achieved through the use of space. It’s nearly a 50/50 split between notes and rests. Perhaps we could all benefit from incorporating more silence into our playing, don’t you think? I’ve checked out the original version by Eleventh Hour, and it doesn’t feature the same bassline, leading me to believe it was composed by Porter. Can anyone confirm? Curating this series continues to be an amazing educational experience and I’m privileged to share it with all of you. Thanks for tuning in as usual. 🙏🏻 Cheers, R4ND4ZZO @georgeporterjr #bass #basslines #themeters #labelle #pattilabelle #ladymarmalade #moulinrouge #xtina #lilkim #1975 #2001 #montypythonandtheholygrail #tight #funky #space #low #dope #thanksandgiving

Andrew Randazzo

Open In TikTok:

Region: US

Thursday 22 February 2024 02:03:06 GMT