Ep23: The Synth Sounds of Parliament-Funkadelic's Bernie Worrell
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- Опубліковано 24 лют 2020
- Bernie Worrell is most known as the man behind some of the funkiest keyboard lines ever recorded. A musical prodigy from an early age, he went on to become the keyboardist for Parliament-Funkadelic, a collaborator with musicians like Fred Schneider of the B-52s and groups like the Talking Heads, and even had a prolific solo career. In the video above, we're digging into some of Worrell's famous keyboard and synth sounds and how he put them together.
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This guy needs his own show
It's your lucky day: ua-cam.com/play/PL6gRE6x7kQfr-MTSDqi0YTkynxNujVCl2.html
@@Reverb A large portion of those aren't even him.
Stefan Varner agreed
Amen to that 🎹🇯🇪
I want to hear the synthesizer solo for Dr Funkenstein.
His performance on Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense is unstoppable. His playing and programming on that record/movie represent the pinnacle of synthesizer musicianship. Infinite respect for Bernie.
Yes epic! The whole band was epic.
Went with a friend when in high school to see the movie in a cinema. Sitting next to us were our high school teachers LOL.
@@rikkousa Go see the concert!
Yes, they were amazing. I saw them in 1982 at the Us Festival, with Bernie. That whole band was on fire. There's audio on UA-cam of the show. SMS is of course a huge concert movie, one of if not the best. Saw it on release, a few times over the years and just watched it again 2 weeks ago. RIP Bernie.
and the solo on Life During Wartime...
He's a good lad.
I LOVE this guy. Could watch him talk and play synths forever
"Uh oh, now we're in super squeak mode" I need permission to sample that
Permission granted.
@@Reverb sweet, I'm going to throw that into an acid house track I'm working on
I had the tremendous honor of working with Bernie Worrell on a film score back in the 90's. We worked together for 3 weeks. I must have asked him 24,000 questions. I even had to score grass for him, because that is the way the Master works!
😂
Thank you for shining the light on the criminally underrated Bernie Worrell and giving us some insight on his sound.
Is Bernie underrated? Surely he's the first name you think of when it comes to funky keys... .maybe Stevie Wonder but he diluted his credentials with too much syrup
AndyQ When you read some of the lists the keyboard magazines or sites have for the greatest of all time, Bernie is usually left out. Bernie was like the Jimi Hendrix of Keys.
I couldn't have stated that any better Eric.
Exactly Eric, I’ve read keyboard magazines forever and they have always focused on the mostly Rock/Prog keyboard players. I always wanted to see features on funk guys like Bernie.
bongo4unme He is too good and too black.
One of the greatest keyboardist ever and the innovator that brought synthesizers to the forefront in funk and R & B music. Bernie was a musical prodigy. Dr. Woo we miss you greatly.
Indeed
If you put a microphone in the milky way, that would describe the sound of Bernie Worrell... RIP to the Woo Warrior! Dr Dre owes his estate royalties on GP ✊🏾
I agree Curt, Dr. Dre. should definitely cut his family a check!
You know it's Funkadelic when it involves a gold-plated wah 👌
It must've been something else to be recording in the studio with all those incredible talents in that band.
Yes it was"Funky",I was there.. United Sound studio, Detroit 1978💃
great segment!!!...quick Bernie story.....he grew up around the corner from me and was friends with my older siblings, I remember gathering around the TV to watch him play with vocalist Maxine Brown....didn't really understand until
years later after running into him in Japan and hearing him with Nona Hendrix...then I got it, badd dude!!
Thanks for the tidbit 👏
Bernie Worrell was awesome!!! He was a major influence in my musical life! The godfather, originator of a style that has stood on it's own from that day to this one. He stood alone! The Parliament/Funkadelic sound stood alone also. They came this way once and there won't be anymore. I've heard some imitators and it was "alright jive, but it wudn't all the way live!" May the funk circle be unbroken and roll on into eternity!
Duck Sermon M.D. true facts!!! Bernie created a style and sound that Dr Dre was using for all that west coast rap records and got filthy rich.
I'd love to see your take on Roger Troutman
GOOD CALL!!!!
Awww hell yeah!!
More bounce!
Yes 💃👁️
Like Stevie Wonder says. "I wish"!
I love this! I would love to see something like this on Eddie Hazel!
I definitely feel this Bern! Thanks. That was great. As a musician of a certain age; when George and these guys popped onto the scene, it was like they arrived in a spaceship. So awesome.
What's funny is that as he's just playing around you can hear a lot of these sounds in a lot of other less known P-Funk tracks.
My teenage years were lived in parliament's home town of Detroit funk ground zero. It was tremendous. Now I know how it was done. Bernie was the God of funk keyboards. He made Parliament distinctive. I listen often and get funky. You are very good at explaining the methods. Thank you for this informative video👍🎵🎼💪🤩🌞👏😂.
bizarre love triangle at 11:45 sounds awesome!
#fact
When I saw your comment....I was waiting for that final moment, for him to play the song that I can't play.
@@moosedude91 "Bizarre Love Triangle" by New Order
The Solina Strings.... I'm hooked on the sound even more, been a Parliament fan since I was a child.
Yeah This Was Cool / Whoever Hated On This Must Have Been D'Void-Of-Funk
It was probably Sir Nose ...🤣
Oh NO, NOT THE NOSE!!!
@@alvisgrady3357 You know it was him 🤭😂
Yeh, and they will never dance!...
For a Tail is Nuthing but a Long Booty ✌🏾
MBlack Productions I'm a shoot em with the bop gun
This guy and Andy are at the very top level of this sort of online music review thing. The very best.
I've been a Parliament funkadelic fan since was a youngster I remember when they came to Oakland coliseum in 1977 and the way that Bernie was playing those keys and the rest of the band members I was zapped by that shit that's when I became FUnkBrInGa and a part of that P-Funk
Yes Funkatere💃🤭
Hell yeah!!
Bernie worrell and Dave Greenfield are my favorite synth/keyboard players of all time. Both are gone but NEVER forgotten.
This was so bomb. This dude broke it down and I learned a lot of stuff, I was amazed that he was like hitting the sounds and playing of the man.
This is definitely a very good break down and portrayal of what Bernie was doing. I've seen parliament funkadelic in Madison Square garden newyork for the first time around the mid 70s. I can honestly say that most bands during that era pretty much sounded like each other or wanted to sound like parliament. The interesting thing about Parliament is that they became very popular early on and never sounded like anybody else. In a specific class of their own. They were always innovative original and extremely funky like no other. They set the real trend and was the epitome of what genuine funk should be and was supposed to sound like. I became a true funkateer at that time and this still remains to this day. This is why there were so many samples of their music. Not to mention James Brown. Just ask Dr. Dre!
You must feel pretty lucky being in the right time and place to witness them. I was born in 75 so missed out on seeing them live, they are the band I'd use my time machine to go and see. Still, had the chance to see James Brown which was a funky blessing.
AMAZING VIDEO thank you so much for this I had the honor of opening for Bernie at Trammps in NYC many years ago - such a kind and intelligent human being truly a genius and a synth pioneer - this insightful video reveals some of his stellar technique THANK YOU
Our dude here is hands down the most enjoyable person to talk synths on the internet.
New season of Synth Sounds Of! Yes!!!
I read this as "Synth Sounds of Yes" and I think that would be a great video
@@2dan4me97 That would be a great episode too!!
@@2dan4me97 Me too
I saw Bernie a couple times play with "Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains" with Les Claypool, Buckethead and Brain on drums. It was TRULY incredible to watch them all together!
Hell yeah Bernie rest in power. Love his Red Bull Academy Interview, he plays so great
Whoever edited that opening clip of Mr. Bernie working it out did a great job!
Great video, the keyboard work for Atomic Dog was played by David Lee Spradley of P-Funk.
Nice touch of playing New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle" on the string machine.🎹👌
This guy is hilarious could watch him for hours
I listened to Parliament/Funkadelic non stop for 2 years.
The Maestro Bernie Worrell was one of the best of the best!
Dude is a legend! Wish he had more solo albums! His work on Girlfriends Better is amazing!!!!
I saw Bernie play with Talking Heads on the Stop Making Sense Tour at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, NY. I was speechless every time he soloed.
William Kirk is my dude!!! He is one of my favorite Lords of Reverb. His videos rule. I've watched them all and crave more. I'd like to see Justin and William put out more content.
1st time here. Former VH1 senior producer and MTV recipient for Creative Excellence, I have to say your presentation is FLAWLESS from an instructional POV where most presenters fail or are lackluster. I've always been fascinated by the set up of colors on synths. I am off to you video on "This Must Be The Place." My fav song!!! Blessing to you bro!!
coincidentally enough, it was Talking Heads and Buckethead that introduced me to Bernie. he played with Les Claypool's psychedelic jam band and this Summer the Stop Making Sense concert is being remastered and re-released in theaters!
Really great to see the genuine love for Bernie’s art. I could listen to Bernie forever and always hear something new
This is an essential video for P-Funk aficionados. Thank you and well done.
"Hello, Earthlings!" I laughed out loud. Brilliant!
Maaan! This SOB knows what he is doing on this video. And the SOB is SON OF BERNIE! He really captured that classic sound. Bernie Worrell was a synth legend. Funk On!
Nice! Don't forget about the ARP Pro Soloist! Bernie once told me that people really knew him for the Mini Moog but the ARP was his absolute JAM!
I remember Bernie for the Kawaii PH50. I was and still am a gear nerd. His kawaii made me scratch my head as to why he used that thing. He liked it though..bootsy gave it to him. I think he enjoyed the string sounds bc the piano patches on that thing , from what I remember was terrible. Which I learned... Bernie can play anything and sound great... the lesson to me was play what you got and don't worry about your gear. Just play anything you have until another board comes your way.
this dude is hilarious. Bernie and Eddie, two legends RIP
Ur kidding me. That was Bernie live with talking heads. Dang
Per Nick Montoya (formerly of Moog Music...also worked on Bernie's synths) "...the actual flashlight bass patch uses a square wave on one of the Osc and Osc 3 control should be turned on .. 😎"
William Kurk for President of Funk, 2020!!!
Reminds me I need to listen to Bernie’s magnum opus “Atmosphere” on Funkadelic’s “Let’s take it to the stage” album. Damn good video. Super thanks 🤘
That Clav sound is real -- The best modern one I've heard. It's about getting the distortion right
Do Rick Wakeman next if you haven't already! He is a keyboard wizard.
Wakeman is a beast. He played some cool synth stuff on early Bowie albums.
Aye terminal passage
I love you terminal my man
Shawn McVey I did not know this!
bless up terminal passage!
I love Bernie. So much to say. So many stories, but let’s start with that.
YOU FINALLY F-ING DID YOU BEAUTIFUL SONS OF B-ES
danielson famile???
I might be wrong, but I've been reading heaps about TH and the making of those epic compass point albums - the reason Bernie used a Prophet 5 on tour was because Wally Badarou created/wrote the synth parts for the heads in the studio, but hated going on tour - and so enters Bernie Worrell into the live band! Wally is a much underrated musician, but he is for sure one of the all time greats.
Bernie Worrell "Ill Be With You" 🔥🔥🔥🔥 RIP Bernie
I remember seeing Bernie & Stevie Wonder playing together at the NAMM Show in Southern California. I've also seen pictures of Bernie and members of The Sun Ra Arkestra. Sun Ra also pioneered these sounds in early '60's, as he Sun Ra, played these and other earlier electronic keyboards and effects from the 1950's.
wow ! it makes you really appreciate the work that went into making those super funky sounds. Great job in recreating them for us. Thank you.
Indeed our Bernie is/was a Keyboard God 👏💃👁️
Only Reverb can get me excited for what is essentially an infomercial...But I love this series. Bernie was a beast and a complete showman. Nasty!
Don't forget the work with Mtume !! Thanks for Bernie!!
Do not attempt to adjust your UA-cam. There is nothing wrong. We will return it to you as soon as you are grooved! I AM GROOVED, BABY!!!
And I have been since I was 12 years old (I'm 57, now) when I first heard Bernie and Billy Beck from The Ohio Players Solina their way into my eardrums and my soul!
My Grandmother had me playing classical piano but it was those guys who made me want to play keys and synth!!!
I'm SO happy you did this video, if for no other reason than to give a HUGE shout out to the Master, himself!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
My favourite episode of the Synth Sounds series thus far. Great work.
Really nice. I was real late to the P-Funk, but afterwards, I had virtually everything they did before and up to around 80. Dude's where untouchable and were not mainstream, as in, not a lot of information on them at a point. All the people knew of them and packed every show. For me it was musical heroin I loved the soul of the sound.
It is so nice as I approach Valhalla to now see behind the curtain. See, though I love music I don't know music. Really nice job. I was thinking, hey I used to be cool like that guy, what the heck happened? Don't ask.
I was hoping you would show how to play the first part of Knee Deep by Funkadelic. Thats one of my favorite synth lines
That's Junie Morrison playing that, not Bernie. Bernie is on baby grand piano only on Knee Deep.
Knee Deep is mainly Junie on the synths on that one...
This was fantastic! Have to explore these on my synths.
Love all of these vids but this is my top. Been a a huge fan of Bernie and his far out sound for years. Very grateful I got to see him live before he passed. Excellent vid!
Fantastic episode!
Yep, the iconic Worrell, a humble innovator, those who took time to understand his genius knew/knows how influential this man was and still is. Same thing with Hazel and the great drummer Tiki. I really enjoyed this video, this man really studied.
Dang, I didn't know he played with Fela! I LOVE Fela. Fela is one of my top 5 favorite musicians ever.
Great show ! I’ve been a huge fan of Parliament from the first time I heard them as a kid 🤘🏼
That great brother Will! You snapped. This is so awesome. Bigups sir. Thanks. Glad you do these.
dude you made me smile all the way through that
Man, I really LOVE this. You are so right about Bernie Worrell, and I enjoyed watching this to see how Bernie tweaked everything. There is just one tiny thing to point out, and PLEASE people, don't call me a "hater" or anything. I've been a Bernie fan since I was turned on to P-Funk in 1974, and even went so far as to order his solo LP "All The Woo In The World" from my local record shop (did the same with Eddie Hazel's solo record, Games, Dames and Guitar Thangs) because no store stocked it where I lived. So, I am a HUGE Bernie and P-Funk fan, and also a fan of watching this guy recreate the sounds. That being said, just one thing: Bernie did not play the synth stuff on Atomic Dog. (To be fair, you never said Bernie was playing the stuff.) The entire track (according to any source you wish to consult) was put together by David Spradley, aka David Lee Chong at United Sound in Detroit. I've never seen any info on exactly what synths he played, other than the Fairlight CMI, the first sampling machine, which figured very prominently throughout the track.
Wow - two of my favorite keyboards players together - love this series. Love Bernie W
I think I've seen all of William's videos; this is his best one. Keep em coming
Love this video and the playing. Radiated funk into my whole night.
Bernie was one of the GOATs. Respect!
You did that! Thanks for bringing light to Mr. Bernie Worrell aka Maestro!
Unexpected bonus New Order, respect!
I was once at a Ween show at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA . I had a good side view of the stage. During one song, while Geener was at the front of the stage singing and focused on the audience, I see some guy come up behind the keyboard player and tap him on the shoulder. The keyboard player turns around, starts laughing, and switches with the guy. All of a sudden you hear the keyboard just going crazy, with seriously huge pitch-bending intervals and other funky weird stuff. Geener turns around with a look of WTF? It was Bernie Worrell ! He had a gig somewhere in SF later that night. You could tell the whole band was loving it and that they were fans of his.
I love how in depth you get!
Thank you for acknowledging the "Wizard" that was Bernie Worrell! Walking the universe for sure.
Thank you for breaking down that fine Bernie Worrell Funkadelic sound.
Long long long long overdue, appreciate this.
1:30 just put a smile on my face, I loved that!
Bootsy Collins Booty Fonk. Such a glorious description. Thank you
Nice to hear Bernie getting some appreciation. Thanks, this is great.
From 1973 onward, probably the 6 FUNKIEST keyboardists of that decade were probably: Herbie Hancock, Bernie Worrell, Stevie Wonder, Patrice Rushen, George Duke, and Larry Dunn of Earth, Wind & Fire. However there was so much funk going on that my list could be revised, depending on the argument. Even K.C. of K.C. & The Sunshine Band was very funky in those days. He keys on his album, I'm sure.
K.C. was a front man. His mostly black band were the real talents of the band.
Tiiiiiight!!! So psyched to see tons more people already giving shouts to this vid. Good to know that appreciation of BW has spread far and wide. Brilliant player, lovely guy.
Damn! I really love these videos!! Please do it more frequently!
This was great. Would love one of these on Vince Clarke. (Part of early Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure)
Seconded!
Love this series! More of these
Man William has wonderful skill, knowledge, and fashion sense
Fantastic video ! Thank you :D
super cool vid mate !!! thanks
Love this video so much.
Never got the respect in his lifetime
just awesome - thank you
Salutations William Kurk - any of your synth sounds tutorials and retrospectives are an instant click for me
Absolutely loved this video! Huge P-Funk fan for years, and seeing this makes me appreciate Bernie and PFunk even more so.