Marcus Miller: “What Is Hip” (Live)
Here’s the drill: take a tune anchored by one phenomenal bassist and have it covered by another.
This is Marcus Miller and his band covering Tower of Power’s “What is Hip”, which of course featured the bass work of Rocco Prestia.
TOP fans might notice a difference in tempo from the original. Drummer Jason “JT” Thomas said that Marcus “started at the right tempo, I came in faster…” and that Marcus’ look on his face said “JT done pressed the gas, now I gotta keep up!!”
And keep up he did. JT says they still laugh about this clip to this day.
Smokin’.
like TOP version better.
I agree……RP is one of, if not the BEST bass player out there! Can you say ghost notes?
Dang that is some fast thumb action going on there.
Marcus Miller
what a great way to wake up…..
One of my fav’s!
I’m with Dale and Stephen…. its too fast, andl the ghosts don’t work with the thumb. It feels like Duran Duran does Tower of Power!
the T.O.P. live has that incredilble arrangement. that’s full of textures in the groove! love marcus, but the tempo makes you lose the depth.
AWESOME!!!!
MAN. even when I try to ‘air-thump’ at this tempo, it’s way too fast for me. Marcus has great endurance!
Way too fast. I prefer Rocco’s finger style funk better. It’s a reason my fingers have callouses trying to play that way. The word is try ;)
Marcus version is stellar!! Just look at those thumbs fly! I mean who else can do this? This is not the vocal version, but a jazz instrumental rendition.. Marcus is the Man!!!
Whew!! This is some Funky! Ish!! Marcus is the man!! Look at that thumb! Way to go Master Basses Marcus
Made me wanna kick out the ceiling like listening to “Cottontail”. Thirty years ago, I might have attempted something like that, but I’m on my third pacemaker!!!