AWB's Funkiest Bass Line (With Only THREE Notes)

#bass #averagewhiteband #groove #analysis #paulthompson
Let's breakdown Hamish Stuart's stanky bass line from 1975's "School Boy Crush" and analyze what makes this SIMPLE groove so FUNKY. I'll also talk about what Steve Ferrone is playing on drums and where you might have heard this jam outside of the Average White Band. Grab those sleigh bells and get ready to move!

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[OriginalOldSkoolFunk]

Growing up we used to call AWB "Blue-eyed Soul, from the ghettos of Scotland." You want to talk about one funky group. Excellent musicianship and staying power. Another great video from you sir. Thanks.

[cdiaz]

Love the Steve Feronne story of after the Run through rehearsal of "While my guitar gently Weeps" at the R&R Hall of Fame Prince started playing the "School Boy Crush" lick and Steve started looking around only to see Prince giving him the nod!!

[oldskoolmusicforever]

I actually saw The Average White Band back in 1978 and 1979 and this band could groove and funk with the best of them.

[bigtimelakersfan]

AWB some funky talented dudes. Not only some funky dance music but a classic ballad “ A Love Of Your Own” Priceless!!!
Thanks again pd bass you never fail!!!!

[jajonjohnson]

Allen gorrie's bass solo on pick up the pieces from the person to person live Album was great. And the bass intro to TLC from the same album was one of the funkiest things I've heard.

[andreacheney]

Yeah. I’m approaching my 59th birthday in two months, but I still love AWB from my childhood in the 70s. I have all of their hits on my iPhone.

[samripley]

I've become obsessed with AWB in the past year and a half, they've written some truly great songs, impeccable rhythm. My favorite album is Soul Searching, highly recommend

[mikestillwagon]

I got to see them with Wild Cherry opening. Years later I got to talk with Bryan Bassett who played in Wild Cherry. He said that every night he would jump through the shower quickly and got out so he could catch AWB's set because they were astounding every night.

[matthw]

I saw AWB @ Belmont Race Track in NYC….yeah, where the Belmont Stakes horse race is run. Crazy funk, crazy tight band…..and they had a guest vocalist….Chaka Khan. They tore that place up ! They performed for almost an hour. They had the same producer, Arif Mardin . Hamish Stuart & Steve Ferrone are all over Chaka’s “ Naughty “ album. As is that Bad Man of bass, Anthony Jackson. And also a cameo from Luther Vandross on “ Papillon “, which he actually sang first on Greg Diamonds project. AWB was hitting it hard back in the day. They also had a smooth slow song, “ A love of your own”. Great song. Howard Hewitt covered it. Thanks for the memory 😎

[EchoHoundmusic]

I've been watching your videos recently, just discovered your channel. I've been a bass player for 30yrs, mainly rock and blues. You are opening my ears up to a whole unexplored world for me. Thanks!

[derekdemarco]

I saw AWB with Tower of Power here in Las Vegas! They sounded great live!

[MarcG]

Saw the title and I already knew it was School Boy Crush. Ahhhh the soundtrack of my youth growing up in NYC

[perrypecoul]

I always figured they were from Detroit or Philadelphia or one of the Eastern states. I'm blown away that they are Scottish. Makes me want to research them now. I've had the cut the cake record since the early 90s after I heard Rakim's "Microphone Fiend". Timeless classic ...Schoolboy Crush"!!

[DocGreenePrivate]

I first learned this song in 1975, or thereabouts and I have maintained that it is without a doubt the absolute funkiest song ever written

[jazzpunk]

The entire CUT THE CAKE album is a treasure trove of great rhythm section interplay. Not a weak track, the "If I Ever Lose This Heaven" cover is great...:Grooving The Night Away" has a killer sax solo section/jam. The bass groove throughout that tune is happening, as well.

[FAMUCHOLLY]

Yep. Learned that bass line when I started messing around with the bass as a young self taught musician. A true FUNK classic. Thanks professor Paul!

[morganconey]

A menace to a microphone, a lethal weapon
An assassinator, if the people ain't stepping
Love the tune and after ra spat on this one everyone else should have left it alone 🎤

[jmarcguy]

Never really thought about how few notes are used! You’ve got this song that sounds like it has Christmas sleigh bells at the beginning and then that first bass note drops. Great jam!

[ThomBoecker]

Apropos AWB favorites, I recommend their cover of the Isley Brothers' "Work to Do."

[geraldgirtman]

It was crazy that color was thrown out the window with this band , started out all from Scotland, tragedy struck with the loss of Robbie McIntosh, but in steps Steve Ferrrone, their songs are historical , Robbie on pick up the pieces, person to person, Steve Ferrrone: schoolboy crush, A love of your own so on so forth, I saw them live in 77, 78, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Chaka Khan, and we just lost Irene Cara, they all loved AWB and had encounters with them!