The Bass Line That Started a DYNASTY 

I saw EWF this weekend (2023). Verdine was legendary at age 72! Still dancing. Still taking solos. Still making the crowd scream.

Verdine is a major reason I took up playing bass in the late '70's! I'll never forget watching him, dressed as a witch doctor, playing an extended solo. While soloing, he danced his way into a hut made out of straw. The hut elevated into the air, and exploded with a huge flash! The solo continued, and he magically elevated from the floor, on the opposite side of the stage! He never lost the groove while performing the stunt!

Great that Verdine White came up with the idea of overdubbing bass in the studio. Nobody ever thought twice about overdubbing a vocal or guitar, etc. Go Verdine!

At the age of 15 while living in Memphis we lived next door to Maurice and Verdine's aunt, she could never grasp the excitement they generated around the neighborhood when they would come to visit because to her they were just her nephews.

My first bass teacher played "Shining Star" for me on my first bass lesson before I ever played anything on the bass. Verdine's playing is so inspirational! Thank you Paul!

I've been looking forward to this since you announced it a few days ago-- you never fail to disappoint brotha PD! Thank you!🙏🏽

I remain amazed at how eloquent, insightful and knowledgeable is this brother. I just keep learning each time I view a pdbass video. Thank you. Blessings, Grace and Peace 😊

I was looking forward to vid, and it did not disappoint, pdbass ❤️ Verdine, one the best, bass or otherwise. So many great bass lines, as you said , pdbass , deceptively simple.

I feel like I undervalued the impact of players like Verdine on my decision to play bass (from guitar) as a kid in 1979 … I am glad to really soak it all in now, with incredible depth you provide!

Their very first album is Choice! A surprise for them that only know them for their "pop" hits, although those are Choice too. Lotta Class....Thank you for spotlighting!

and we will groove that music, again, for a lonnnng time. Thanks you for this video, man. Great content! Cheers from Italy

I was a fan of EWF for years before I finally. saw them live, and Dine was a revelation. How had I missed his skill ad talent all of those years. VERY discrete, but one hell of a musician!!

Verdine is not only sweet on that bass, he's a beautiful person. Met him in Hollywood, Ca back in the day!

Perfect indeed! Thanks for the knowledge man. Keep'em comin'

I am a bass player, thanks so much for making this video man it was really good, I'm 58 years old this year. I've been playing since I was 15, I actively playing a band now. We play country and Rock. But I'm down to learn new things and I learned something today. Thank you so much brother! 🔥

Yes yes and yes. A tribute to absolute beauty. Thank you,

They have a ton of awesome songs and records ...

Love this channel bcs it pays tribute to music innovators both famous and mostly unheralded for all thier immensely talented. Berdine played bass this well while hoppin around side to side like a grasshopper with all that long black hair floppin off his shoulders

Thanks for sharing, EW&F, great band! Dont forget to mention Mr. Louis Satterfield, EW&F's trombone player, and Verdine White's bass insructor.

Verdine is vicious! Also, congrats on reaching 105K subs! 🎉

Verdine’s greatest performance was “New World Symphony”. It was a live recording from the Gratitude album. I saw him perform it live twice during the time when they incorporated Doug Henning’s magic into their act. Him playing a funky bass solo while floating 30+ feet above the stage and then completely disappearing in mid air was spectacular!!!

I never get tired of playing that major third he plays as the pickup to the verse out of the interlude in that song. Crazy

Another trait of Verdine's bass lines is that he leaves space. This is related to his clarity but is its own thing. I'm mainly a prog rock guy, but Verdine is my overall favorite bassist -- not because his playing is the most technically demanding, but because it is so tasteful and creative.

Should of been time my brother! The greatest band ever!!

Thank you for this- I've been waiting for this one...

Hey Bass, bro I really wanna thank you so very much for all of these videos on Bass Players and the Basslines they played on the hits from yesteryear. You really have a great ear and it's taught me how to listen for the Bass parts much better, thank you. I've been stuck up in this nursing home bed ridden for the past six years now. and I plan to be out of here before the holidays come around. I have ideas & plans to build my new Jazz Bass with Warmouth Guitars. I lost all my Basses in a pawn shop back in the beginning of the new millennium, some in storage and some a sax player I used to be in a band with screwed me over for about four of my Fender Jazz Basses. I was going through a very rough time in my life dealing with homelessness and was trying to hold onto my Basses. But I truly learned the lesson of loosing things as we go through life. I'll have it all again some day soon. And then, I'll be back to laying don those Funky Basslines to the music I write. Because using VSTi plugins of sampled Bass just doesn't do it for me @ ALL! And I really look forward to adding what I've learned here from you once I'm back on stage. Thanx a lot Bass! May God Almighty continue to bless you beyond your imagination!

Hell yeah! This was pure gold!!💜

He’s one of the Masters!

Huge thank you for uploading. Lifetime drummer I am.

You present your content with facility, clarity and accessibility. Very impressive

So incredible!!

I recall the video "Star Licks" where Al McKay stated that the intro was a Funk/Rockabilly type guitar line and it does sound like a funkier country or Bill Haley rock thing to it. thanks for the breakdown!!!

Bravo ! I’m so glad you got to one of the cats that all of us listened to back in the 70’s. Before we knew about Stanley, Jaco or Alphonso Johnson , all us young guys lived and breathed on everything EWF recorded. Verdines style was so 60’s-70’s in that it was expressive without being oppressive. For me it started with their album “Last days and times”, songs such as Power, Time is on your side, Make it with you ,Mom, and Where have all the flowers gone, to the Gratitude album and his solo on New World Symphony. Verdines been a powerhouse on 4 strings and a mentor to who knows how many players. Thanks for the flashback Paul. As usual, you knocked it out of the park !

Awesome breakdown

Great commentary on one of the most underrated bassists in R&B. Got to go back and revisit some of his funkier basslines.

The bass and drums are the rhythm section, everything is an add on.

The first EWF song I heard was "Getaway". As a beginning bassist, I loved the double-tracked bass parts, but couldn't figure how to play them live.

Still amazing. First saw them at 13 in Clarkston, Michigan. Going to see them in Vegas this November.

Love me some EWF. A funky disco beat is good for the soul.

When I bought That's the Way of the World album, I was so excited to get home and play it, I had a car accident in my 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air. It wasn't my fault. I got out, looked at my car, so nothing, and told the guy, "You cool"? And off I went, jumped out of my car, ran into the house, tore off the plastic, and finally settled in. I LOVED IT and still do!

I love EWD. I only have a vague idea of what you are talking about, but I do know it's funky and wish I had taken some music lessons. You're a great teacher 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

I was really impressed with his solo on new world symphony. From the gratitude LP.

I remember in the EW&F documentary..Louis Satterfield called Verdine a “Rhythm King”

Great video and knowledge about how Verdine plays..the song Be ever wonderful his playing is pinpoint and melodic its unreal. Thank you for this video.

I saw EWF live three times in the late 70s into the 80s and Verdine was an absolutely iconic presence on stage, a consummate showman, which is unusual for a bass player and so amazing considering the chops he was putting on display at the same time. I've always felt he was underrated as a bass player and overall performer.

I love your videos and insights on the beautiful sounds of the BASS. 😊

You’re exactly right about their song, September, Earth, wind, and fire was so good of a group that even that song to me isn’t even in their top seven or eight

Back in the day, knowing the band members by their instruments. Not anymore. Lol. What a great musician. Legendary group. Their horn arrangements would have made Duke Ellington proud too.

Saw them in Jamaica and Chicago. In Chicago I was right up against the stage with my elbows on the stage. Verdine's sweat was falling on me and i didn't care and I'm very very fussy about things like that but that was VERDINE WHITE😊😅😂❤

He is the heart of the band.

Immediately subscribed... brilliant videos and insights

Music education at it's very best! Thank you, Sir! 🙏🏽

Well I must commend you sir the way you explained things was top drawer thanking you

That's why you got to go to the Claremont lounge on funky Saturday nights. Either that or trapeze

So glad you covered this one. Of course Shining Star is classic, but I grew on hiphop, and know that basslines from YZ's So Far. I love that bassline. Good lookin out!

Verdine White is the person who made me want to play bass. And Shining Star would also be one of my faves from EW&F for a long time. My father used to play EW&F's Oakland Coliseum gig from the 80s many times a month (sic). He downloaded it from BearShare back in the glory days of P2P and it's still on YT somewhere. He ground this to the bone with the repetition, but at the same time it was closest to a genuine family event we would've ever had togetherm so I'd always come down from my room. We watched it so many times, I could've listed which songs had footage of Verdine's wardrobe malfunctions in my sleep. lol

Agreed. Love this video.

It would help to know about Verdine's training and background. He was classically trained on the Bille Double Bass method by Radi Velah of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and his electric bass instruction came from Louis Satterefield. Satt also had a hard touch on the bass as well.

Bravo !

You are really good !

Thanks brother!!!!

thats a nice watch

I love "POWER" from 1973!!!!

Another great video! EWF ❤ you should check out sly and Robbie. Some heavy bass on grace jones, Gwen Guthrie and many others

Thank you! You just got another subscriber.

amazing bass lines...have you done any videos of the great Mark King?...

you remind me of the late, & great, Al Jarreau.

I’m gonna dig deeper into this and listen very closely😎

He kills it on Can't hide love

Thank you!

Great post .. Freind of mine plays bass we were playing cosmic slop By funkadelic and he said man I got hit it like Verdine White would .. you helped me understand that a tad better thank you

The greatest bassist, bar none!!

Verdine's bass lines are ALL about fun, which is THE reason for playing your instrument. Isn't it? I think so.

I grew up on EWF. What a treasure to the world. I have not seen them play live unfortunately but based on the performance recordings it doesn’t look like Verdine is playing live. Is he? Can you move as much as he does and hit all the notes? Not being critical. Just an observation.

love your take on this it's awesome. How are you getting YOUR sound here? It's great.

It is September now, so it’s time to learn the best bass line of the month!! ✌️😁

New subscriber. Love your videos. You have to make a video about the super funky bass playing of Terry Lewis of the band The Tyme and Half of super producers & songwriters Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. Check out his funky bass playing on Alexander O'Neal's "Fake" and Morris Day's "Fishnets" as examples.

Can you do one on Jamal Rasool of B.T. Express? Do It (Till You're Satisfied) If It Don't Turn You On (You Oughta Leave It Alone) and This House Is Smokin' would be dope to take a look at.

Verdine's solo on " New World Symphony " Gratitude is PHENOMENAL. It made wanna play bass. Will you ever tackle it?

Fellow wrestling fans: "Shining Star" is the song that laid the foundation for "Somebody Call My Momma" (for Ernest the Cat Miller/Brodus Clay). You welcome. 😊

Saw EWF in the 80s. Amazing show! Verdine is a bass beast!

Okay,, but Verdine is a genius. I believe his father was a doctor, who wanted Verdine to follow in his footsteps. Thankfully for us all, he abandoned school to become a doctor of funk. As a bassist I love that he often plays between low on the E and high on the G strings to make a huge distinction for emphasis. It also brings the timing out front and center. Another bassist, like John Entwistle or Chris Squire, who experimented and walked outside the lines of typical bass playing. Doubling the bass is genius and now I will have to try it. Maybe a low pass with the 5-string and a high pass with the 4-string. Maybe clean down low and some big muff up top.

Hey Paul, are you filming at a lower frame rate these days? What ever it is, it looks good, especially the way it captures the vibration of the strings. Or maybe I just never noticed IDK

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

This is why I hate social media, I total missed the passing of the great Nard because all these trash individuals are in the way. I Shead a tear for this brother because his album Nard was a master peace played on my mothers stereo daily in our 2 bedroom apartment in Houston Tx. The Master Rocker will live on forever, If I have anything to do with it from my sound system to my kids ears.

Verdine White est pour moi un des géants de la basse funk à l'instar de Dennis Edwards ou encore Louis Johnson. J'ai plusieurs basses et dans ma collection, j'ai la chance d'avoir une Ibanez signature Verdine White (avant qu'il soit endorsé par Yamaha je pense). Mais malheureusement, je ne joue pas comme lui ! 😂

Earth, Wind & Fire, Ohio Players and Funkadelic still in my playlist...

This is anew some video!!!!

Eart Wind & fire Is Gods Band

I don't care what anybody says, you can learn the notes all you want. But if you ain't got that thang you ain't got that Thang!🔥

He is one of the best bass players of all time, no question.

I am a pure New Wave and hard core Rocker from the 70's and 80's. But whenever I hear EWF, I bow to the Masters!! Absolutely love Earth Wind and Fire. I, sadly, remember when it was broadcast on Sirius/XM that Maurice White had passed I was totally bummed out. Still bummed out to this day, may he rest in peace.🙏

met Verdine in Paris (France) in the early 2000, we were playing with my band in a restaurant to open the night… I was the bass player… and the waiter… he arrived mid afternoon to have a diner… imagine my reaction … he wanted to jam with the band after his lunch… one of the most humble and nice guy … he played on my Fender jazz bass, reading the real book, jamming with my band… one of the best memory of my life !! a great man !

As a non-musician, love watching your videos and learning so much. Even bigger appreciation of EWF's Verdine White.

Thank you! Verdine White deserves every flower every video and every word of praise! ❤

Incredible! He was the reason I left guitar and started learning to play bass back in the mid 70's! Playing Keep Your Head to the Sky, Devotion, Reasons, Where Have All The Flowers Gone, and so many more! Wow! Still the most exciting bassist in a Funk/Soul band to watch! Don't forget, he also dances while playing which is crazy when you listen to his deliberate and precise playing style! Thank you for showcasing this Bass Master!

OUTSTANDING video!!! I don't play or read at all, but bass is king to me in music. I study all the way back to Charlie Mingus, Larry Graham, Marcus Miller, etc. But the two greatest bass performances I have ever heard are by Verdine White (New World Symphony and Bad tune). I'd love to know your thoughts on them. I never miss your videos... keep up the good work!❤

Earth, Wind & Fire was my first major big concert I went to. I was blown away in 1977, Seattle, WA. By the mid '90's a hundred major concert acts later. EW&F is still in the top few bands acts live that I have seen to date. Only saw them that one show, man oh man what a show.

Thank you for honoring one of the true originals of Funk.

Verdine plays just a bit in the future. Each note is fretted, string pulled taught ready to release in advance of the beat. His timing is so precise and powerful. There is the energy that propels the groove.