Bass Icon Chuck Rainey Lays It Down: Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan & Quincy Jones
Вставка
- Опубліковано 30 кві 2023
- Chuck Rainey is a legendary bassist who has left an indelible mark on the world of music. Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1940, Rainey's career began in the 1960s as a session musician in New York City. He quickly gained a reputation as a versatile and highly skilled bassist, playing on countless recordings across a wide range of genres, from soul and R&B to jazz and rock. Rainey's grooving basslines and impeccable sense of timing have made him a sought-after collaborator for some of the biggest names in music, including King Curtis, Sam Cooke, Etta James, Harry Bellefonte, Al Kooper, The Supremes, Steely Dan, Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, and Marvin Gaye. The 'Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame' yearly inducts the legends of Rock music. As of 2003, Chuck Rainey's bass lines and rhythm influence are the documented backbone of the original hit recordings of the following artist and the year they were inducted: Aretha Franklin (1987), Marvin Gaye (1988), The Jackson 5 (1997), The Rascals (2000), Steely Dan (2001). At this time now, no side musician enjoys more legendary honor, prestige, fame or current influence in music.
My Beato Club supporters:
Justin Scott
Terence Mark
Farren Mahjoor
Jason Murray
Lucienne Kilpatrick
Alexander Young
Jason Wagner
Todd Ladner
Rob Kline
Nicholas Long
Tim Benson
Leonardo Martins da Costa Rodrigues
Eddie Perez
David Solomon
MICHAEL JOYCE
Stephen Stubbs
colin stead
Jonathan Wentworth-Linton
Patrick Payne
MATTHEW KARIS
Matthew Barouch
Shaun Samuels
Danny Kurywchak
Gregory Reedy
Sean Coleman
Alexander Verbitskiy
CL Turner
Jason Pappafotis
John Fulford
Margaret Carno
Robert C
David M Combs
Eric Flatt
Reto Spoerli
Herr Moritz Adam
Monte St. Johns
Jon Beezley
Peter DeVault
Eric Nabstedt
Eric Beggs
Rich Germano
Brian Bloom
Peter Pillitteri
I am really glad someone is talking to these guys on record while they are still with us. What a treasure.
YES
I was just about to say this. When these legends leave us, unfortunately so do their amazing stories. Awesome Interview.
YES YES
You nailed it, well said
Exactly--well said!!
Surely I'm not the only one that teared up at the end. Rick, i hope you realize the niche you created has become a huge purpose in life.
I, too, as I recognized some time ago that God definitely has a sense of humor, or I would not be here 68 earth years on.
No not the only one , me too ,
Amen, such a great interview/lesson.
I think all bassists teared up at the end.
@@halcop probably so, I'm just a drummer and I did.
The wife, the dog, the kids & the bank! Words to live by
Precisely 😎👍🏻
Rick I believe these interviews are your defining life work. Your career has made you uniquely qualified to speak to these talented musicians on their level. Your ability as a teacher makes you able to know what to ask them for the benefit of the world. I grew up reading liner notes and seeking out albums with musicians I had heard before. Being able to hear Chuck speak was a dream come true.
Bigtime. Nobody does interviews like Rick. Howard stern eat your heart out 😂
@@jchrizzy6995 It's a massive payoff to Rick's journey through every station in music and the industry. I bet he never, as a teen, aimed to do exactly THIS...but that teen Rick would have to think this is cool!
Well after watching this entire interview, one word comes to mind…..Professional. Chuck is everything you would ever want in a musician. What an incredible interview. I love the way Rick does his interviews. He poses a question and just sits back and lets the guy talk with no interruptions. Chuck did 98% on the talking in that interview and he was awesome.
and because Rick does not have an ego, thats why it works. One will never learn anything if one is so full of themselves.
Rick, I am humbled that you loved my comment! I’m a huge fan.
I was about to post....everything you just said. Time and again Rick's interviews, his technique, is so good, laid back, but he's so knowledgeable ---- makes Rick the perfect 'in the pocket' interviewer with all his interviewees!
@@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834 Yes. Like Chuck said, if someone is all ego, you never meet them. Just their ego.
Yup, reminds of daytime TV shows from decades past, e.g., Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas Show, where host allowed guest do much of the talking. The way it should be, imo.
The best series on UA-cam. These interviews are gold every time.
100%
I picked up the bass at around 53. I tried so hard at guitar (age 48), but I really gravitated to bass. I was always terrified playing guitar solos on stage. But playing bass was comforting. Now I'm 61, I'm not great, but I enjoy myself, and our band seems popular and gets gigs. So it seems it's never too late to start.
I haven't touched a Bass at all since 1994, at age 18. Life, travel, and love happened... but the desire to return never left me, and if you dive in at 53, I can *surely* jump back in at age 48! I mean, between us, I'm just the new kid!
I'm gonna do it. I won't feel silly, because olds like us doing these things in force will make us seen, and more importantly, heard!
"Peg" was the only time my mother, who's age 90 now, would yell out, "turn that one up."
Me and MY bass owe you a debt that I can never repay.
Respect.
"The longer you laugh, the longer you live"...the final jewel Mr. Chuck Rainey gave us in this great interview...
Rick you're doing such an incredible service to the history of music interviewing these titans on the channel. none of us will be around forever, and getting these people to talk about such monumental recordings and the experiences behind them is really important work. Bravo!
The same can be said of Questlove Supreme. Purdie & Rainey did a joint interview there worth listening to.
It’s so cool to see Chuck as a person and not just a bass player. He’s comes across as such an awesome, funny and likeable guy. I’m not surprised so many people wanted to work with him. I hope he knows how much of an impact he’s made to so many people over the years. Legend!
This is stunning. Mr. Rainey is my bass idol. This must go down as one of the most crucial interviews you've ever done. Thank you, so, so very much.
Amen
ok, ok...
A living legend. His bass tracks are filled with emotion and passion for the instrument. And he's pretty sharp for 83 years old. Great interview.
He’s sharp for any age!
You mean he's pretty sharp AT 83 years old. No disrespect intended.
You know what they say: Black don't crack
One of all time favorite bass lines is "Peg" by Steely Dan. If you're interested, "Scott's Bass lessons" has a breakdown on the construction of Chuck Rainey's bass on said classic track (very interesting).
I'm so glad Rick is making archival interviews with so many of the most important musicians in modern history.
First Bernard Purdie, now Chuck Rainey?!? You're doing the Lord's work Rick, thank you so much! Recording these monster musician's stories, tales, memories and recollections for all eternity is so incredibly important. Gentleman like Mr. Purdey and Mr. Rainey are musical geniuses, actual legends and played on some of the most seminal albums ever recorded, it's so great to hear what they have to say. These interviews will outlive us all and I'm so glad you have been doing them.
Chuck Rainey was my teacher at: "THE BASS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY" when it first opened up in 1978. Great teacher.
Wow! Chuck is so sharp for 83.. This was a great interview.. Peg is still one of my favorite bass lines ever..
Oh yes ...
A great little vid here 'making of Peg'. Essential.
even on par with rick
You must pinch yourself sometimes Rick. I know you are a very talented muso in your own right, but to be sitting across shooting the breeze with a great man like Chuck Rainey, with all that knowledge. Just brilliant.
And I love how you let them speak.
I was fortunate to take bass lessons from Chuck. He is an incredibly nice man. It was so humbling to learn bass from the master, yet he was always gracious.
I've watched 100's of interviews with every type of musician, politician, scientist, philosopher......can honestly say that this interview was one of only a handful where I felt like I was actually sitting there listening to two of my buddies chatting away....pure joy!!
They say never meet your heroes. I know this is the closest I’ll ever come to meeting Chuck. He did not disappoint- what a great blend of humor, heart, stories. Very inspiring. Chuck is the man and Rick delivers us another fantastic interview.
Paul, Chuck is a dear friend of mine...for over three decades now. Rick did a great job, and he got the "pure Chuck" experience!! I am so grateful that this happened. I feel like everyone needs to understand who Chuck actually is, in order to understand just how humble he is--and how those insane bass parts over the years have not got a drop of artifice in them. Just pure expression.
His "first take" comment cracked me up. Because I've recorded him many times--many many. It's a joke between us now, but the first time i asked him to take another run, he said, "Sure, I'll take another shot. But you're gonna pick the first one."
And I was POSITIVE the second take was better when it went down. Just felt like it flowed better. So, I didn't think much about it until the next day. I was about to print the track, and I thought, "Well, I'd better check that first take to see if there's anything in there I like better."
Man, the whole track was better--every note of it. And I think that's the magic of Chuck's playing. It really does just drop out of him.
Mr. Rainey is singularly one of my favorite musicians of all time. The nuance, the feel, and the creativity in his bass playing can only be described as UNBRIDLED GENIUS!! 🙌🏾🔥
Hands down my favourite session player of ANY instrument.
Mr. Rainey, there's a whole lot of people over and above those 30-40 people you mentioned that think you deserve all of the accolades you receive. We have been blessed to ride this rock through space at the same time as you. Thank You for all of the great music!
Chuck Rainey, not only a legendary musician, but a wonderfully gracious gentleman.
Walter Becker said that once he heard Chuck Rainey’s bass playing he realised he was so outclassed on the instrument that he didn’t need to bring his bass to the session anymore. Still as has been said so often before he and Donald wanted the completed tune in question to be loved 50 years from the day they were released. Chuck is still being asked about it now so it seems to me no one should question Donald & Walter’s motivation as the music is in the grooves.
In the next 500 years this series of interviews will be considered as important as the Lomax field recordings
Rick, this is one of the best interviews I've seen. I lead large teams in the construction of large and complex construction projects. The themes that Chuck touches on of the need for professionalism, to know your and everyone else's role, to make friends; these are applicable to so many professions. I'm requesting my teams watch this and learn from a master. Thank you so much for sharing this time with a very special person
Your comment resonates with me. Authentic leadership is becoming a lost art in the USA.
@@carlostorres271It appears to be being lost everywhere - it's certainly true here in the UK. People increasingly appear to believe that leadership is about giving orders, rather than leading by example.
The moment where Chuck says "I'm enjoying talking with you", got to me. Somebody like Chuck, with all those memories, it's so important guys like this can share their legacy with Rick and everybody, because we'll miss them so much when they're gone.
Same :-)
I’m listening late at night just happily blissed out and Chuck said that…
My eyes welled up and I felt so grateful.
Yeah hit me right in the feels brother. @@BenWidmer
I had the pleasure of meeting Chuck in Kingston ON back in 2014 at a night club after he finished doing a session/seminar. It was such a beautiful moment and totally unexpected. My friend and I were looking for a place to go and we were walking down the street and I said to her what's going on in there? So we walked in and as soon as I walked in and looked left...I saw Chuck Rainey!!! I said 'That's Chuck Rainey! His PR person immediately said to me....Would you like to meet Chuck? I said absolutely! Chuck & I had a glass of red wine and Chuck was so kind to share some of his stories...I asked him many questions...Chuck answered...he was the most wonderful man! I feel so blessed! Chuck Rainey...you are not only such an influence on so many us...but you are truly a beautiful and kind man! Thank you!
I'm not aware of anyone who asks great musicians such informed, deep, insightful questions the way you do Rick. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your interview series. Thank you!!!
I feel like I was just given a priceless gift - thank you SO much!
"I'm enjoying talking to you" what an awesome compliment in a great interview
There’s something really nice about these interviews where the subject seems to realize how much Rick appreciates music and their music in particular and they in turn realize how enjoyable it is to talk about their music with someone as enthusiastic as Rick.
Chuck Rainey. His bass tracks are what made me fall in love with Steely Dan’s music. What an incredible pleasure to hear his musical journey. Can’t that you enough Rick for doing this!
Unbelievably beautiful. You can tell how much Chuck is enjoying taking Rick on these recollections with him. All these great musicians that have been under appreciated by many, now getting some documentary recognition. Bravo! ❤
These videos/interviews are not just the typical format, these are historical musical digital records of cultural content, and history of music, that will be enjoyed by generations when all these great players are gone. For a man of his age, he is sharp and intelligent, and has zero ego for someone is is part of the fabric of music history, long live Chuck!
As a die hard music fan and a government tech contractor this interview is full of life lessons in succeeding in business. A master class! Thank you for continuing to bring us heroes of our best music!
Can you imagine being in the studio with mister Purdie and mister Rainey at the same time? That must have been an absolute treat. Another wonderful interview with an absolute legend. Thank you Rick, these interviews are amazing.
Oh man I would just sit, watch and listen, soak up all that magic!✌😎
When I started playing bass at 14, I first followed Duck Dunn, then Jamerson, of course, but when I heard Chuck Rainey, man, that was it for me ! Great interview !
I could have listened to this for 10 hours.
What an absolute treat! I started playing bass guitar at 15 years of age in 1978, shortly after "Aja" was released. Back then, that album was initially, the only one I ever practiced/played to get better on the bass. Chuck Rainey is one of the biggest, if not the biggest influences on the way I play bass to this day. Such a monster musician. Old school!
You can't have a Top 5 list without Chuck...
Rick, sincerely, you do the best interviews I’ve ever seen or heard.
This was an amazing interview with one of the greats and one of every bass player’s hero. You ask the right questions and then just let him talk uninterrupted.
Thank you for spending your time and experience making this incredible channel!
I wish you talk to him forever,.. or at least, longer. Chuck likes to talk and seems he would like to talk more, and I love to listen to his talk
He is a part of American history that touched so many peoples lives. The connection between Steve, Bernard and Chuck resonates with all our memories. What a special bassplayer and person.
Chuck was such an awesome influence on my Bass playing. Definitely showed just how powerful it is to lay down the groove and foundation in a memorable and fun way. It's why Bass is my favorite instrument!
Delightful interview. Rick keeps treating us
We're proud of you, Chuck - you're a living legend!
His playing on Rickie Lee's Woody and Dutch on the Slow Train is my all time favorite bass track. Sublime
Yeah man, good shout. Great track
Just listened to that track, suburb!!!
Say it again, your interviews are some of the best musical based interviews out there. Nabbing these legends, putting them at easy, letting them go and tell us their stories. Just gold.
Letting them tell the stories… that’s the key… strange lots of people don’t get that!! Rick does
if you put up a patrition between u and the engineer they can’t see you slap
They never knew it went down.
I've probably watched that video a dozen times!
My favourite Chuck Rainey story. Turns out he was right to slap, totally made the song
I remember him telling that story in the Classic Album documentary about Aja.
If a beat falls behind a music stand, does it make a groove?
Wonderful interview that really illuminates the often underappreciated creativity of the best studio musicians. The ability to hear a song that may be little more than a chord chart and one track and be quickly be able to wing something that fits in a timely, precise way is a remarkable improvisational skill that is completely overlooked in the creative process. A truly great talent.
What a beautiful beautiful human being Mr
Rainy is. Such wisdom
Legend, pure and simple ...I've learnt so much from him
All these interviews are like a living historical archive of music in the 20th century. So valuable.
Rick, you did it again. I sound like a broken record, but to see and hear the comfort level and respect that your interview guests show you is a true testament to your professionalism. Once again, I wasn’t familiar with your guest, but as with all of your other interviews, I found myself hanging on every word. Well done!
Me too with all you said!
It’s great to see Chuck looking and sounding so sharp at 83. I hope he still looking so good at 103.
Extraordinary as usual Rick. I’m amazed at your humility and genius. Rare to find those two things in one “package”.
A giant amoung bass players . I thought Chuck had passed away .glad I was wrong and glad he is still amoung us to share his wisdom.
Chuck Rainey is the living definition of a Musician’s Musician
One of the all- time greats and unsung heroes of popular music. Jamerson, Kaye, and Rainey are the Holy Trinity of bass in popular music.
@Richard Girard, let's add Bob Babbitt, Monk Montgomery, Lee Sklar and ìll also add Wilton Felder.
Paul Mc Cartney
Jaco?
Met Chuck back in the 80s when I was a teen...he was such a great guy and generous with his time/knowledge.
I call Mr. Chuck Rainey, the President of Bass. I met him when I was a kid in a Soho studio called Studio WIS. Studio WIS, at the time, was a loft owned by percussion master Warren Smith. I'll never forget as a teenager Chuck showed me the SONY Walkman for the first time and said we would be using it as a modern piece of technology. Music has changed a lot from then but Chuck has always been a great person, musician and President of the bass.
Just fabulous.
I love learning about these iconic musicians, Rick that you shed the light on. I know most of the music this man has played on but now I feel like I know the MAN, and for that I'm incredibly thankful.
My earliest tune I was hooked to was Where is the Love by Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack. Later , the group of my teens was Steely Dan and always captured by the insane groove and sophistication of those pieces. Years later when I took the bass seriously by myself I found that the driving force behind those rhythm sections was Mr. Rainey. What a legend. I am so glad you interview him!!!!!!
Those Roberta Flack tunes are indeed incredible!
Those Roberta Flack tunes are indeed incredible!
You’re the best Rick. Thank you for taking us on the ride with you thru music history and letting us get to know more about our icons. This interview was great, funny, and touching. Chuck Rainey is 83 and seemed to have fun reminiscing and appreciated your questions and the interview.
I met Chuck Rainey at the Sligo Jazz Project in Ireland in 2015 where he was a tutor. I ended up sitting chatting with him for about 20 minutes - we talked very little about music - he was fascinated by megalithic monuments and stone circles and knew all about the ones in Ireland and Scotland. He's as much a gent in the flesh as he is in this interview. He was recovering from illness at the time so its great to see him so well. He got up and played Josie with an Irish band called the Deloreans in a nightclub in the town. No superstar sh*t about him at all.
Rick , I hope everyone realizes how important these interviews are for posterity. God Bless you man .Thank you 🙏 Almost cried near the end.
The greatest instrument for any musician is humble pie. Legends never die. They record 🔴
I feel blessed that Rick is able to do these interviews in a way that the icons of our music world can relax and tell their stories for posterity. Rick has a special gift and we are the recipients. There is magic happening and I hope everyone knows and supports Rick’s efforts.
This is what it looks like when you have lived your life loving what you do!
One of the best interviews I've ever heard Rick. Chuck opened up on his life like no other.
Not just as a musician but also working in the industry itself as a day to day job that most of us will never experience.
Also his life in general.......extraordinary.
Awesome!! Met Chuck in the 90's he was a real gentleman! And of course laid down a killer bass track!!
Rick’s interview is gold.. Rainey is a musical legend and a wonderful human being as well.
This was really fascinating. How great that someone like this, who has been a hidden mainstay of the musical backdrop of the late twentieth century gets a chance to tell his story to someone who not only appreciates them, but is happy to stand back and let them speak. Thank you!
Man I love listening to great musicians tell their stories. I’m so glad this Rick is getting these amazing stories documented.
Chuck is one the most unique Bassist in music history! His sessions with Quincy Jones, Donnie Hathaway and Aretha are phenomenal!
My goodness. This series of Beato interviews from the past year especially is one of the most landmark series of musician interviews I've ever been lucky enough to learn from. Rick - my hat is off. I love that you let your guests talk.
"Until You Come Back To Me" - one of the all time greatest bass tracks ever been played.
Sinceihadyoumarvinliveinlondon
One of my favorite things in life is heroes having heroes
Mr. Rainey spent the entire interview talking about the plethora of absolute legends he's known, played with or with whom he was friendly. When he talked about Charles Mingus (one of my faves also) playing his bass, his eyes lit up and he made that excited gesture.
For that split second, he was a fan, once again.
I could listen to another 15 hours! What a legacy! What a legend!
How lucky we are to have lived during the Rainey Era 🙏🏻🤘🏼
Holy cow! What an outstanding interview, Rick! And that little story about the Sanford and Son bass line was a pure gold nugget!
Man! Rick is going for the Steely Dan trifecta! Incredible.
Legend
One of my favorite interviews by Rick. He lets these guys talk and doesn’t interrupt and that seems like it would be easy to do but it’s not. Rick has no ego. He’s genuinely in awe of these people and it shows.
As an LA studio musician, I did a lot of sessions and one tour in Japan with Chuck. It is great to hear him reminisce and talk about the inside stuff of being a session player. Great interview!
Absolute gold. Chuck is a giant. This was an absolute joy to watch. Thank you, Rick. You are creating an essential documentation of popular music history that will be studied for generations.
Rick, I know you know this, but these type of interviews are not only wonderfully educational but they are preserving history. Musicians, producers, engineers and record company executives all have important stories and information that create the context needed for my 3 year old grandson to understand why the 600 vinyl records he got from me (15-20 years from now) are\were an important part of my life. Please continue to get these creative-full of life artists, technical staff and production geniuses stories out and available so my grandson can understand his grandpa's passion.
Thank you
Robert Koep
CDA, ID
Rick Beato is the BEST interviewer of musicians, for musicians, by a musician, EVER!!!
Oh my, what an interview!! I am smiling and laughing and tearing up at the same time. Such a humble and grateful man. Chuck Rainey is a BMF! So is Rick B! Thank you so much for these insights into the minds and memories of these amazing musicians.
his bass in the Dan LPs is seared into my brain. absolutely defined sonic bliss in my youth
That hour went quick, what a legend.
This discussion, and the one with Mr. Purdy, should be mandatory viewing in middle and high school. It is so important for people to understand that you can be the best at what you do, while focusing on what's best for the group/team/business/band. Think of how incredible our world would be if we applied this philosophy to every aspect of life.
I wish I could meet Chuck Rainey and personally thank him for all of his contributions, his playing changed my life.
great interview Rick
Simply an incredible interview. This is a Master Class on how to navigate the music industry from a players perspective. It's so important to get interviews like this recorded, it's not often you get a legendary musician to talk about his career, experiences and the history of music in a long format video by an interviewer that is sophisticated enough to ask insightful questions then let the artist just talk. Awesome interview!
Chick is a frickin’ legend PERIOD. Listening to his experiences was a pure joy. He and Carol Kaye are pure deities in the world of studio players. I could listen to him for hours!
Doesn’t get any better than this. What a kind soul and a giant talent! Rick did you ever think Chuck Rainey would play bass on your shoulder?! Great job, Rick! One step closer to Fagen!
Saving for later, Chuck Rainey is an iconic bass player!