It’s All About The Bass (Part 5)

Into The Woods With Stewart Strauss is a listener supported podcast. I thank you for your patronage, by liking and subscribing. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

On this episode of #ITWWSS we’re going to celebrate Black Music Month, and hear more from some of the best bassists to ever hold an upright, fretless or fretted bass! There will be plenty of great vocals, percussion, drums, horns, guitars, keyboards, instrumentals, live and studio tracks, and (did I mention) bassists?

You’ll hear from Chaka Khan and Rufus, Bill Withers, Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius, Joni Mitchell, Phoebe Snow with the New York Rock and Soul Revue, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, The Jackson 5, Michael Jackson, Stanley Clarke, and Tower Of Power (TOP)

The emphasis is on the musicians we’ve heard our whole lives, but maybe didn’t know who these most accomplished players were. As long as the music moves you, there isn’t much more to know, unless you feel like taking a little deeper dive. 

Some of the bassists you’ll hear in the episode are…

Dennis Belfield, Jerry Knight, Paul Chambers, Jaco Pastorius, Larry Klein, Lincoln Schleifer, James Jamerson, Wilton Felder, Louis Johnson, Stanley Clarke, and Frances “Rocco” Prestia, 

The rest of the bands are powerhouse musicians too. Herbie Hancock, David Sanborn, Larry Carlton, Drew Zing, Donald Fagen, Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald, Bill Evans, Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, Jimmy Cobb, Narada Michael Walden, The Brecker Brothers, Sam and Dave, Vinnie Colaiuta, Michael Landau, Billy Cobham, Darren Johnson, Najee, David Garibaldi, Lenny Williams, Emilio Castillo, Bruce Conte, Mic Gillette, Stephen “Doc” Krupka, Lenny Pickett, Greg Adams, Chester Thompson, and many more.

Please check out live performances of my original music, as well as cover songs, skits, and a new segment where I tell stories about meeting various icons of the entertainment industry, to promote this very podcast. All on the Sonny Michaels Show, June edition. Always available on YouTube. There’s lots of great talent on the show, including a live performance from Acoustic Alchemy. I performed Bob Dylan’s Tangled Up In Blue. Please tune in when the spirit moves you.

Cheers!

It’s All About The [Iconic Rock] Bass (Part 4)

This episode of #ITWWSS takes another dive into the deep end of a guitar shaped pool, where reaching the bottom, we find some of Rock N’ Roll’s greatest recordings. All the bass players in this show have great skill, soul and their own distinct sound and style. 

I started playing cello at eight years old. Later in the elementary school orchestra. I wanted to play the upright bass, but I was too small to carry it. I picked up the guitar next. By the time I went to high school in 1967, the Summer Of Love had just taken place. The British Invasion was a few years in. The Doors and Jefferson Airplane just played at a local high school’s football field.

I’d begun playing guitar in middle school bands, made up of friends. I was playing clarinet in the school orchestra. The Byrds, Monkees, Seeds, Love, Buffalo Springfield, Doors and others were all performing all around L.A. I didn’t know at the time that many of those soon to be legends lived about 15 to 20 minutes away, in Laurel Canyon.

At about 16 I bought a used Gibson SG Bass, at Saul Betnums Music. Within a day or two, one of the few working high school bands I knew needed to replace their sick bass player, Ed Elowe for a Halloween dance, at a local park. The highly talented Steve Elowe walked me through as many of their songs as possible, including In A Gadda Da Vida, by the Iron Butterfly. I somehow got through the gig, got paid, and became a professional musician. (LOL)

As I’ve been putting together this series of (radio show type) podcasts, the hardest part is choosing what to leave out. There are countless performances by many more bass players that I could ever fit in, plus all the greats I haven’t heard of, yet.

Part 5 is coming together nicely and I’ll do my best to publish it during Black Music Month. It will be the last podcast in the series, but not even close to the last time I’ll feature great bassists.

I play the bass on all of my original and cover songs. I’ve only owned three basses in my life. The Gibson bass was traded in towards a new Fender Telecaster. I didn’t by another bass until 1994. After the Northridge Earthquake, lots of retail stores had millions of dollars worth of damaged goods. I bought a new Fender Precision Bass that had fallen off the wall and had a gouge in it. As you can imagine, it was sold at a bargain price. I kept it for several years and used it on a few demos, but ended up selling it to a friend in Reno, Nevada.

I bought another Fender bass last year, but this time went for a Jazz Bass. I love it to death! Bass is in my bones and DNA. I hope you love it even half as much and enjoy listening to my shows. 

Perhaps, you’ll be inspired to pick up a bass and send me something you’ve recorded? I’ll definitely listen and possibly include it in a podcast. @stewstrauss on Instagram and Twitter

In this show you’ll hear music from… Jethro Tull, Yes, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, Cream, Free, The Who, The Clash, Rush, Muse, U2, and Joe Walsh. A heavily British slanted show, no doubt. I came of age during the British Invasion and was heavily influenced by the music that followed.

Bassists include… Glen Cornick, Chris Squire, John Deacon, John McVie, Paul McCartney, Jack Bruce, Andy Fraser, John Entwhistle, Paul Simonon, Geddy Lee, Chris Woltenholme, Adam Clayton, and George “Chocolate” Perry.

Thanks for your continued support and patronage!

Happy Listening!!!

It’s All About The Bass (Part 3)

If The Bass Is Rockin’ Don’t Bother Knockin’!

In this episode of #ITWWSS we dive deeper into the bottom end, with some of Rock N’ Roll’s greatest bass players. From Chas Chandler, John Entwistle, John Paul Jones, and Paul McCartney, to John Deacon, Geddy Lee, Rhonda Smith, Jack Bruce, Jerry Scheff, Walter Becker, Chuck Rainey, Barry Oakley, and Bootsy Collins.

Songs from a few of Britain’s finest… The Animals, The Who, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and Queen, Rush, Jeff Beck, and Cream. Rush, a Canadian export. And a few (for good measure) from the U.S.A… The Doors, Steely Dan, The Allman Brothers Band, and James Brown.

All in all, some of rock’s greatest recordings. Although, the choices are overwhelming. There are so many more examples of great bass driven songs that a part four is inevitable.

All three Yardbirds guitarists, Eric Clapton in Cream, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page in Led Zeppelin, are included. You’ll hear some of their most legendary work. Jeff Beck, who never rests on his laurels, is heard live with bass player Rhonda Smith (Prince), drummer Jonathan Joseph, and guitarist, Nicolas Meier.

The Allman Brothers have been a favorite since the original release of Live At Fillmore East. Recorded 50 years ago, in March 1971, their performance sounds as good today, as it did then. Talking about the original Jam Bands, forget about it! 

Bootsy Collins is known for his persona, as much as his bass playing. As James Brown’s bassist, along with his brother on guitar, they helped define some of the Godfather of Soul’s funkiest tracks. It doesn't get any funkier than "Sex Machine" (it was never substantiated that the song was about me, but rumors still exist. The same goes for that Carly Simon song)

Thanks again for your support, by liking this page and subscribing to this podcast!!! It makes all the difference

If you’d like to be in touch, suggest a theme, have your originals heard, or just want to say hi…

@stewstrauss on Instagram and Twitter. StewartStrauss on Facebook

The Into The Woods with Stewart Strauss Theme Song ©2020StewartJStrauss

It’s All About The (Iconic) Bass!

On this episode of listener supported #ITWWSS...

Songs that you know instantly from their iconic bass line, or the bass carries the song in a unique and recognizable way. I urge you to snap your fingers and move your feet, while you’re listening to songs from…

Miss Peggy Lee, with Joe Mondragon and Stan Levy. Lou Reed, with Herbie Flowers. Sly and The Family Stone, featuring Larry Graham. Billy Cobham, with Leland Sklar, Jan Hammer and Tommy Bolin. Robben Ford (covering the O’Jays) with Jimmy Earl, Ray Williams, Terry Evans, Edgar Winter, Ivan Neville and Steve Potts. Pink Floyd. Morphine (Mark Sandman.) Muse. Tennessee Ernie Ford. The Blues Brothers, with Donald “Duck” Dunn and Steve Cropper. Aretha Franklin, featuring Chuck Rainey. Stevie Wonder, featuring Nathan Watts. Red Hot Chili Peppers. Stevie Wonder, featuring Prince and En Vogue.

Some of these songs and performances influenced generations to follow. Some are so funky, you can smell it! All are great!! 

Thanks for your continued support and happy listening!!!

If you’d like to contact me, please use @stewstrauss on Instagram and Twitter.

www.stewartstrauss.net

stewartstrauss.bandcamp,com

It’s All About The (Jazz) Bass

This edition of #ITWWSS explores some bass driven songs performed by some of the finest musicians to ever pick up a bass guitar, or upright bass!

We’ll hear rare performances, live and otherwise… from Jaco Pastorius with Weather Report. Stanley Clarke (covering Charles Mingus,) with Billy Cobham, Larry Carlton, Darren Johnson and Najee. Jaco Pastorius with Joni Mitchell, Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays. Jaco with The Word Of Mouth Big Band, featuring Michael Brecker, Peter Erskine, Bob Mintzer, Peter Graves, and Don Alias. Marcus Miller with his own band, featuring David Delhomme, Lalah Hathaway and Kenny Garrett. Miles Davis featuring Marcus Miller, Mike Stern and Bill Evans. Bassist Victor Wooten, with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, featuring Chick Corea and Sam Bush. Victor Wooten (solo), Chuck Mangione, featuring Charles Meeks, Grant Geissman, and a symphony orchestra. The funkiest of all surprises from the soundtrack album of Undercover Brother, featuring Jeffrey Osborne, Stanley Clarke, Eddie Griffin, and Snoop Dogg. Then one more from the mastery of Jaco Pastorius.

Thanks for your continued support and subscribing to Into The Woods With Stewart Strauss 

Celebrating Black Music Month on #ITWWSS with an eclectic blend of some of the most influential music and artists of the last one hundred years. 

June was declared African American Music Appreciation Month in 1979, by President Jimmy Carter. This episode of #ITWWSS exemplifies some of the contributions from artists and songwriters who have written, played and sang about their life experiences, then brought hope and joy through their truths and talents.

You’ll hear live music and studio recordings from… Ray Charles, Billie Holiday, Al Green, Sam Cooke, Pop Staples with Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal, The Pointer Sisters, Dianne Reeves, Al Jarreau with David Sanborn, Curtis Mayfield, Chaka Khan, Herbie Hancock, Cassandra Wilson, Cannonball Adderley with Joe Zawinul, Nina Simone, and Marvin Gaye.

I’m ecstatic that I get to share more of my personal (and in some cases, one of a kind, and rare) music library with you.

If you can take a minute to like, subscribe and support my podcast, it will mean the world to me and help this program continue to grow and be heard in more places.

Thanks so much and happy listening!

P.S. Please feel free to make contact on Instagram or Twitter.  Simply use @stewstrauss

I look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers!!!

An all 60’s #ITWWSS with the emphasis on songs from 1967, and Black Music Appreciation Month. 

On June 07, 1979, President Jimmy Carter declared the month of June as African American Music Appreciation Month. I’m pleased to be able to share some of the greatest music ever recorded from my personal collection with you!

My musical influences from the dawn of Motown, through the British Invasion. Songs from Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye, Eric Burdon and The Animals, Jeff Beck and The Yardbirds, The Byrds, The Buffalo Springfield, The Who, Sly and the Family Stone, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Otis Redding, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown.

It would mean the world to me, if you subscribe. I’ll keep the podcasts and my own music coming as long as possible. It’s a labor of love!!!

To contact me, make friends, make a request or tell me your story…

@stewstrauss on Instagram and Twitter

Cheers!!!

The Best D**n Live (Acoustic) Performances I’ve Seen And Heard (Part 5)

Includes stories about seeing… Groucho Marx, Woody Allen, Jim Croce, Andres Segovia, Rod Stewart and Ron Wood, Counting Crows, Eagles and more. Live acoustic performances from Lyle Lovett, Shawn Colvin, Jim Messina, Sons Of Champlin, Eagles, Sheryl Crow, Fleetwood Mac, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, The Rolling Stones, Counting Crows, Rod Stewart with Ron Wood, and Rickie Lee Jones. With studio recordings from Jim Croce, Andres Segovia and The Doobie Brothers.

I would be remiss if I didn’t include music from artists like Segovia. I watched him perform at the University of Southern California (USC) as part of a Master Class in the early 80’s. At the time, I was taking classical guitar classes at Los Angeles Valley College. My instructor invited the class to be part of the audience at USC. It’s a memory one doesn’t forget!

Segovia was in his late 80’s, but from the time he played the first note you knew you were in the presence of greatness. All but the most intricate passages were still performed with ease and a subtlety that a true master commands.

I saw Jim Croce perform in the early seventies. He was opening for Woody Allen, on one of his last standup comedy tours. Groucho Marx was in the house that night and joined Woody on stage for a few minutes. The story is told during the podcast.

Thanks for listening and listener support! 

Cheers!!!

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@stewstrauss on Instagram and Twitter

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www.stewartstrauss.net

The Best Damn Live (Acoustic) Performances I’ve Seen And Heard (Part 4)

Part 4 of The Best D**n Live Performances I’ve Seen And Heard is an hour of tour de force live acoustic performances, from artists that I’ve personally seen perform live. I’ve met a few and even introduced one or two at a concert or two. One particular guitarist/vocalist with Ricki Lee Jones is an old friend. 

Stories about seeing the artists, with live performances from… John Prine and Iris Dement, Greg Brown, James Taylor, Jerry Garcia and David Grisman, Rickie Lee Jones with Mike O’Neill, John Leftwich, Sal Bernardi, Keith Fiddmont, Ed Mann and Frank Morracco. Lindsey Buckingham with Fleetwood Mac, Dave Mason and Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Joni Mitchell, and Bob Dylan.

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Thanks for listening and your support!!!

If you’d like to be in touch…

@stewstrauss on Instagram and Twitter

Stewart Strauss on Facebook

www.stewartstrauss.net