New releases, music videos and album news — indie, rap, rock and pop. Always covering Ren, Chris Webby, Sam Tompkins, bbno$, CHINCHILLA, Muse, Yungblud and more.
The one bassist Ray Charles always relied on: “Play it slow and still groove”
Ray Charles regarded session musician Carol Kaye as his preferred bassist, particularly valuing her ability to maintain a convincing groove on slower songs. The article argues that this demonstrates why technical speed alone is not a measure of musicianship: restraint, timing and feel are equally important.
Kaye, credited with playing on an estimated 10,000 recordings, recalled working with Charles on both fast material, including ‘I Don’t Need No Doctor’, and slower ballads. When she asked why he hired her for comparatively simple bass parts, Charles reportedly said that playing slowly while retaining the groove required a truly good player; the article presents Kaye’s versatility and distinctive musical personality as evidence of that judgement.
In short
- Ray Charles considered Carol Kaye an exceptional bassist.
- He valued her slow-playing groove as much as speed.
- Kaye played on an estimated 10,000 tracks.
Explained simply
Carol Kaye is a session bassist who has appeared on an estimated 10,000 recordings, making her one of the most recorded musicians in history. Ray Charles was among the major artists who specifically sought her out for his recordings, working with her on both fast-paced and slower songs.
What made Charles's choice of Kaye significant, according to reporting, was his reasoning. When working on slower material, he valued Kaye's ability to maintain a convincing groove, and reportedly told her that playing slowly whilst still sounding compelling required a truly skilled musician. This perspective suggested that musicianship depends not on technical speed alone, but on timing, restraint and feel.
Kaye's long career demonstrates the kind of versatility that allowed her to thrive across many different recordings and styles. Her work highlighted the importance of musical judgment and distinctive personality in performance, qualities that complemented her technical abilities.