Rating: 
Summary: a good try, but not enough
Review: Through his books, Dr Licks has made the accomplishments of great bassmen available to the public. This compilation of Jamerson stands strongly in that body of work. Unfortunately, the book has weaknesses, some trivial, some critical. In the first category are a large number of minor editing slips in grammar and spelling - and who really cares?
But there is a fatal omission: Jamerson's parts are scored but, there is no accompanying TABLATURE. (Licks includes tablature in other works, such as 'Funkmasters: the James Brown rhythm section').
This makes the book essentially unusable for the large number of bassists who have learned by the (currently dominant) tab method, and especially for beginners who love Jamerson but who will be unable to use this book in any practical way.
This music is not available on any of the usual web Tab pages (where the genius of Maralyn Manson is represented in ridiculous detail). As a lifelong Motown fan and beginning bassist, I looked forward to leaning from this book; unfortunately, it is nearly useless.
Rating:
Summary: a good try, but not enough
Review: Through his books, Dr Licks has made the accomplishments of great bassmen available to the public. This compilation of Jamerson stands strongly in that body of work. Unfortunately, the book has weaknesses, some trivial, some critical. In the first category are a large number of minor editing slips in grammar and spelling - and who really cares?
But there is a fatal omission: Jamerson's parts are scored but, there is no accompanying TABLATURE. (Licks includes tablature in other works, such as 'Funkmasters: the James Brown rhythm section').
This makes the book essentially unusable for the large number of bassists who have learned by the (currently dominant) tab method, and especially for beginners who love Jamerson but who will be unable to use this book in any practical way.
This music is not available on any of the usual web Tab pages (where the genius of Maralyn Manson is represented in ridiculous detail). As a lifelong Motown fan and beginning bassist, I looked forward to leaning from this book; unfortunately, it is nearly useless.
Rating: 
Summary: A Portrait, a Tribute, a Learning Tool, & a Great Listen
Review: To comprehend James Jamerson's work, listen to the beautiful bass lines of the hits. Whether you're a student of bass or a seasoned player, playing those lines is no easy task! "Bernadette", "Reach Out",.... Envigorating sounds! Jamerson's story is here. Hear re-creations of his work minus vocals by the best of the best of today's bass players. Most of the sheet music is included!
Sitting without tribute, quietly and anonymously in the audience at the Motown 25th anniversary TV special performance in California, Jamerson had been akin to the elder Indian in the old "Keep America Beautiful" TV ad who sheds a tear with grief at the spoiling of his pristine land. This book was a great first step at righting that wrong.
This book went on to inspire a similarly titled movie on the Funk Brothers. This book and the 2 CDs that accompany it are a one-of-a-kind find for the bassists and all who crave the Motown and soul sound of the sixties and seventies. Thanks to its author for assembling the treasures and for inspiring such good will in the music community!
Rating:
Summary: Inside the mind of a genius
Review: While at one time he was simply known as "The Motown Bassist" to thousands of aspiring bass players around the world, including more famous and world class bass players than you can imagine, James Jamerson is now a legend of immense proportions. If you don't know who Jamerson is by now then you simply must get this book.If you do know who James Jamerson is, then this book is a no brainer. Quite possibly the most influential musician of the past 50 years. If it weren't for him, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and countless of others in the rock and r&b genres wouldn't sound the way they do. The biography is compelling and I read it straight through over a several hour period when I first received this book. The lessons are difficult, and definately not for the beginner. For a beginner who wants to learn classic R&B style bass playing I'd reccomend the Duck Dunn book (What Duck Done) followed by the James Brown book (Funkmasters). Donald "Duck" Dunn was the house player at Stax and has also played on countless classics from Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding and many other Memphis Soul artists. More recently he's played with The Blues Brothers and even Neil Young. His lines are much more straightfoward than Jamersons and are easier to learn. When you get through that book you can go on to Funkmasters and learn some classic James Brown grooves. Finally, when you've graduated from those books you can take a crack at the Jamerson book, though I think it should be on your shelf from day 1 to give you inspiration, and so you can listen to the tracks with the bass prominently mixed. Just to get it into your ears, so to speak. You might also hear a Motown tune you think you can pick up and will want to reference this book. James Jamerson, legend, towering genius of Bass, has challenged countless bass players exposed to his playing. This book will challenge you, it will push you, and it will humble you. Be sure to look for the movie and CD's by the same name in the fall of 2002.
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