All these musicians/ vocalists are 'first call' Nashville session artists that play on countless artists records. This is a side passion of their's. Look up the live at Third and Lindley!
The band is made up of some of the best session guys in Nashville. We are 16-strong when we play live, but due to budget restrictions the video features a scaled down version of the band: Leader/arranger/keys- Tim Akers Drums- John Hammond Bass- Gary Lunn Guitar- Mark Baldwin Trumpets- Steve Patrick Saxes- Mark Douthit Trombone- Barry Green Lead vocals- Joey Richey Backgrounds: Kim Fleming, Kim Keyes, Gene Miller Mixed by Doug Sarrett
Tim Akers and the Smoking Section Totally awesome. Wouldn't surprise me a bit if you guys sat down, looked at the charts, maybe played a few sections real quick and recorded in one take. So great.
Tim Akers and the Smoking Section "The band is made up of some of the best session guys in Nashville." You got your Masters in Understatement from what university, again...?
Tim Akers and the Smoking Section "The band is made up of some of the best session guys in Nashville." You got your Masters in Understatement from what university, again...?
Tim Akers and the Smoking Section Lord, you all are truly blessed with the gift of music. This puts me in the mind of playing a vinyl album for the first time and smelling the record as it spins. Everything is precise and snappy! Love it!
I'm a sax player and arranger I can't help but chip in to say how disgustingly good this is and that I cannot stop listening to it. Thank you for your work on this, you guys are phenomenal.
@@oldwest517 You totally missed the point. Those guys are thosse who actually play when the record is made. They are so pissed of they made they own version, and kudos to them!
This is by far the best cover of a modern pop tune i've heard in years... It would be an absolute pleasure to experience your band live, or even better to work with you guys... You are keeping REAL music alive, all the thumbs up and respect to you and your team.
Clentonator You’ve probably heard or seen this band somewhere in the last few years. Their main job is as studio musicians in Nashville. They do tour some as “The Smoking Section”. Hey beautiful music by real people.
Holy Crap!!! This This THIS T-H-I-S is unreal. I'm a jazz pianist/vocalist & Arranger. You all made me cry. Perfect, fantastic...I am SO impressed. Beautifully done. THIS is how is should be played!! LOL Thank you Bless you all !!!!!
Still, wow, just WOW... Every time I watch/listen to this, I hear something else, a line, a timbre, a nuance.... WOW... Leave this up, forever.... please..
I never stop being amazed at the amazing level of play in this group. Most session players/singers are amazing, but these guys are, well, they make it look easy. Every single one of the players and singers here is simply at the top of their game. Notice how the horn players just bring it, the drummer is out of this world, the singers are spot on, the guitarist is funk wonderful, the bass is superb, and the keys are in the pocket and perfect. I hope to catch the big band someday!
Here it is years later and I am still watching and loving this performance. I rarely use the term "Nailed It", but these guys Most Definitely "Nailed It!". I'm a bass guitar player and normally focus on the bass guitar. My definition of "Nailed It" is when a performance has me focusing on every player and every vocalist, as this performance does.
WOW!! Steve!! Crazy what I find when I go surfing thru UA-cam!! Sounds great, friend! You've come a loooooooonnnnng way from us crankin' some Maynard in your car! LOL Stay well!
SMOKIN is an UNDERstatement. Love this! Listened to it 5 times in a row. This is an amazing rendition with unbelievable chord exchanges. The brass section is simply... Shiny! Thank you all! WHAT"S NEXT?
OMG! This blows the original right out of the water! really good old school sound of funk and soul. This just made my day and weekend! will be sharing this with everyone i can. Nashville has thee best musicians period. I hope you come to cleveland, i'll drop some money to see you live!
Just absolutely outstanding! How could 440 people possible click "dislike"?...apparently, they do not have the mental capacity to appreciate the brilliance of this arrangement and playing.
Beautiful. Real Music is NOT dead. Thank you guys. Awesome. The industry has changed so much. But QUALITY Never goes out of style. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for posting. You've got a new fan for sure.
I swear I love this version better than the first rendition.This band needs to be signed to a major record label. Man people do not appreciate the time and effort a band puts in to make a classic cover. I mean the singers are great and I especially love the horn section. There is a difference in knowing how to play an instrument then to know how to play an instrument with emotion and character. These guys got it. I swear if I lived in there area, I will come to every show!!!! You guys are my new favorite band!!!!!
The playing is completely killer, the arrangement is OUT OF THIS WORLD! I've already listened to this 3 times, and I'm loving every bit of it! Thank you for this excellent post of an already cool song, pumped up to the 16th power of cool! AWESOME!
Who in its right mind would even THINK of disliking this thing??? It's my third time in a row that I listen to this. It's amazing, I feel like playing now... :)
The last minute of this video still gives me chills even though I've watched it a few dozen times over a few years. Fantastic reharmonizations. ""Smoking" is the right name for this band.
Every single one of you is so great and together you make the music world explode in joy, skill ala first class and enormous power, thank you very much for that and also for the other great songs !!!! .-)
Holy smokes! Stumbled over your version and such a version it is!!! I'm definitely on the fan list after this!! Best regards and Merry Christmas in advance from Sweden
This is the kind of "good" that makes you want to throw things in disbelief. I mean... that was unreal. So great to see all the great talent that I've been seeing in liner notes for the last 30 years. Incredible. (Special shout out to John Eric Hammond who is just an absolute beast no matter what he's playing. Whether it's The Smoking Section or Dogs of Peace and everything in between, this guy is just unreal.)
Unbelievable. What an arrangement. The guitar accents, vocals , and everyone playing on this...every note played in perfect time. This is my favorite you tube music piece in years. I also enjoy the UA-cam Leonid & Friends’ EW&F September cover , but this Uptown Funk arrangement and A+ performance is Number one for me and makes me smile every day. Thanks.
Love this song. Stumbled across this version. Bass player, stellar! Drummer, ouch! Rhythm section is superb ! Love the key change at the end. Back up vocals...wow! The woman hitting high A# sooooo cool! Horns...cheeses rice. Thumbs up to all I didn't mention. The arrangement....so jazz;y cool! Can't stop listening to this. Kudos to the producer! HOT DAMN!! Smoking!
Absolutely killing. Nice to know my generation is still leading the way and making great music. You guys are just way too hip for the room)) meant in the nicest way possible!)
Friend of mine turned me on to this video today, all i can say is you guy's are freeking amazing!! All i wanted to do was get up get my funk out and dance! I hope you guys come to Reno! You are all incredible sounding. TIGHT!
@@matthewwicinski4968 Thank You for your service also Matthew.I have ticket's to see Brian Culbertson in Seattle in June. I'm so hoping they don't cancel..
Wow wow !!! it's so amazing version ! It's so Great ... I'm pleasantly surprised to hear you to play... It's amazing... with a lots of swing, the joys of playing and listening to great music with greats musicians. Thanks a lot ;)
THIS is how this song should have been done originally. It highlights excellent musicianship all over the place. No pitch shifting or computers needed, or wanted. Just all humans making music. Awesome.
8 years and still one of the best arrangements/performances ever bar none
All these musicians/ vocalists are 'first call' Nashville session artists that play on countless artists records. This is a side passion of their's. Look up the live at Third and Lindley!
The tightest, funkiest groove that you will hear ANYWHERE online. And that bass player?? Amazing.
That’s Gary Lunn! He’s a beast!
Bass player is a stone cold monster. Wow.
You noticed! He's nearly in all of my gospel CDs in the 80s and 90s man.
None better ANYWHERE!@@garyjohnson4988
YES
Yep. After this, no one else should touch this song.
You ain't lyin Stephen Edgerton and know that there will be plenty of "covers of THIS cover" , attempted "versions of THIS version" for sure!
Stephen Edgerton BABY!!! Tim is a friend of mine! His band is just that.. HOT!!!
Agreed.
+stillphil Workin on one right now!
Stay tuned.
+Stephen Edgerton Agreed
I’am 67, listening to this makes me feel 66 !!! 🕺
The band is made up of some of the best session guys in Nashville. We are 16-strong when we play live, but due to budget restrictions the video features a scaled down version of the band:
Leader/arranger/keys- Tim Akers
Drums- John Hammond
Bass- Gary Lunn
Guitar- Mark Baldwin
Trumpets- Steve Patrick
Saxes- Mark Douthit
Trombone- Barry Green
Lead vocals- Joey Richey
Backgrounds: Kim Fleming, Kim Keyes, Gene Miller
Mixed by Doug Sarrett
Tim Akers and the Smoking Section Totally awesome. Wouldn't surprise me a bit if you guys sat down, looked at the charts, maybe played a few sections real quick and recorded in one take. So great.
Tim Akers and the Smoking Section
"The band is made up of some of the best session guys in Nashville."
You got your Masters in Understatement from what university, again...?
Tim Akers and the Smoking Section
"The band is made up of some of the best session guys in Nashville."
You got your Masters in Understatement from what university, again...?
dave everhart you sir, win the award for best comment.
Tim Akers and the Smoking Section Lord, you all are truly blessed with the gift of music. This puts me in the mind of playing a vinyl album for the first time and smelling the record as it spins. Everything is precise and snappy! Love it!
2024 and this is still my benchmark for what a cover should be.
I'm a sax player and arranger I can't help but chip in to say how disgustingly good this is and that I cannot stop listening to it. Thank you for your work on this, you guys are phenomenal.
My guess is that these guys are so good that they sounded pretty close to this on a first sight-read of the chart.
@@oldwest517 You totally missed the point. Those guys are thosse who actually play when the record is made. They are so pissed of they made they own version, and kudos to them!
@@esavienola8474 You're saying that the original Bruno Mars recording was done in Nashville by these guys?
I played piano in my earlier years I'm totally lost in the chords
After playing trumpet for over 50 years these guys want me to pick up my trumpet and play along. Sweet sounds. Damn I wish I was there...
Anyone who considers themselves a musician, should listen to this and see what true musicality and creativity mean. ...I'm speechless ! AWESOME
One hundred thousand dozen likes to your comment. Total agreement. These guys are MUSICIANS.
Who's here after hearing about the passing of Tim Akers? He was gifted.💛
me too. I am so sad. This year has too many losses😔🙏
Tim was a good friend and an amazing talent. I wish I had seen him with The Smoking Section when I had the chance.
So sad .. Now I really cherish having travelled to Nashville's 3rd & Lindsley to see them 3 years ago . .
Damn, man. That is a complete bummer. The world is a little worse off now.
wait what? Tim Akers died?
I watch this video at least 3 times every day. I love this arrangement. Simply amazing
Me Too
I don't know how many times I've watched this thing - amazing chart, amazing performances.
This is by far the best cover of a modern pop tune i've heard in years...
It would be an absolute pleasure to experience your band live, or even better to work with you guys...
You are keeping REAL music alive, all the thumbs up and respect to you and your team.
Clentonator You’ve probably heard or seen this band somewhere in the last few years. Their main job is as studio musicians in Nashville. They do tour some as “The Smoking Section”. Hey beautiful music by real people.
Holy Crap!!! This This THIS T-H-I-S is unreal. I'm a jazz pianist/vocalist & Arranger. You all made me cry.
Perfect, fantastic...I am SO impressed. Beautifully done.
THIS is how is should be played!! LOL Thank you Bless you all !!!!!
Still, wow, just WOW... Every time I watch/listen to this, I hear something else, a line, a timbre, a nuance.... WOW... Leave this up, forever.... please..
Every so often I replay this to remind myself of how amazing this group of musicians is
THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' BOUT!!!!!!! Pocket groove, killer horns, rhythm AND vocals. Proof that a great horn chart just lifts the whole thing higher.
RIP Tim. You will be sorely missed.
I never stop being amazed at the amazing level of play in this group. Most session players/singers are amazing, but these guys are, well, they make it look easy. Every single one of the players and singers here is simply at the top of their game. Notice how the horn players just bring it, the drummer is out of this world, the singers are spot on, the guitarist is funk wonderful, the bass is superb, and the keys are in the pocket and perfect. I hope to catch the big band someday!
Here it is years later and I am still watching and loving this performance. I rarely use the term "Nailed It", but these guys Most
Definitely "Nailed It!".
I'm a bass guitar player and normally focus on the bass guitar. My definition of "Nailed It" is when a performance has me focusing on every
player and every vocalist, as this performance does.
This song should called as "if uptown funk was really a funk song" :v
I absolutely love this arrangement.
The horn section..... The bass player... The drummer.... Love it !
WOW! Speaking as an old dude myself - Old Dudes Got It Goin' On! Nice - Been playing this over and over all day! More Please!
I found this yesterday AND I CAN NOT STOP WATCHING IT..... I have watched 25 times in 24 hours... I LOVE IT!!!!!!!
Horn players are:
Barry Green-Trombone
Mark Douthit-Sax
Steve Patrick-Trumpet
Hi Steve, My name is Philip from Atlanta. Is the horn chart or conductor’s score available? If so, how can I acquire one?
super maestro....saludos desde Colombia sur america
love them horns baby!
WOW!! Steve!! Crazy what I find when I go surfing thru UA-cam!! Sounds great, friend! You've come a loooooooonnnnng way from us crankin' some Maynard in your car! LOL Stay well!
You guys are beyond legendary 🚀
I heard that Bruno Mars made a cover of this.
Zing!
Ha!!
Bruno Mars did not match Tim Akers & The Smoking Section ;-)
Didn't Bruno Mars write it?
Or that line above is a joke?@@createnewhandle_
SMOKIN is an UNDERstatement. Love this! Listened to it 5 times in a row. This is an amazing rendition with unbelievable chord exchanges. The brass section is simply... Shiny! Thank you all!
WHAT"S NEXT?
N i c e. Makes you want to let out a James Brown step or two.
OMG! This blows the original right out of the water! really good old school sound of funk and soul. This just made my day and weekend! will be sharing this with everyone i can. Nashville has thee best musicians period. I hope you come to cleveland, i'll drop some money to see you live!
Well... I've listened to this about 30 times now... since yesterday.
Just absolutely outstanding! How could 440 people possible click "dislike"?...apparently, they do not have the mental capacity to appreciate the brilliance of this arrangement and playing.
Just found this....absolutely awesome playing /vocals and outstanding arrangement! Love it...
Probably the best recording of Uptown ive ever heard!
Chills!! Chills again!! Click thumbs up if you got the chills listening to this tune! Excellent work Tim and da SS.
Wow! From a trumpet player in Portland Oregon. NICE arrangement!
Can never get enough of this. Perfection.
Beautiful. Real Music is NOT dead. Thank you guys. Awesome. The industry has changed so much. But QUALITY Never goes out of style. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for posting. You've got a new fan for sure.
I swear I love this version better than the first rendition.This band needs to be signed to a major record label. Man people do not appreciate the time and effort a band puts in to make a classic cover. I mean the singers are great and I especially love the horn section. There is a difference in knowing how to play an instrument then to know how to play an instrument with emotion and character. These guys got it. I swear if I lived in there area, I will come to every show!!!! You guys are my new favorite band!!!!!
Awesome arrangement. And the singer at 4:22 gives me chills!
YES! Badass!
WOW! What an incredible arrangement and stellar musicianship.
Best version available! I could listen to this on repeat for days. So cool!
You can always get it on Spotify
The playing is completely killer, the arrangement is OUT OF THIS WORLD! I've already listened to this 3 times, and I'm loving every bit of it! Thank you for this excellent post of an already cool song, pumped up to the 16th power of cool! AWESOME!
Excellent interpretation! Thank you for great music! :)
Absolutely brilliant version! Fabulous musos. Can't get enough of it!
INSANELY good. Damn....what brass...keys, bass...arrangement is just sick...pure brilliance!
Release an album and take my money. Please.
impressive groove and a terrific orchestration with five stars sound ... what else you need to love this arrangement!!
Who in its right mind would even THINK of disliking this thing???
It's my third time in a row that I listen to this. It's amazing, I feel like playing now... :)
Dwetmaster I'm on my 20th time through! I can't stop playing it
Alexandre The boys who know nothing about,music!!! We have separated the men from
the boys with this version!!!!
The last minute of this video still gives me chills even though I've watched it a few dozen times over a few years. Fantastic reharmonizations. ""Smoking" is the right name for this band.
killer playing and outstanding arrangement!
OMFG! That was the most amazing display of talent, musicianship and clever arranging I think I have ever seen.
This just kills... every musician included here is a master of their respective instrument. We need a lot more of this!!!
Please make more covers you great out really amazing never heard such quality music
Absolutely sensational on every level. Awesome musicians and what an amazing arrangement, very soulful!
SO LOVE this band and the individual long histories with so many of the players and singers!!! Wish I was singing with you guys!!! Tim you amaze me!!!
When real musicians play.
One of the best covers in history
*Killing version of Uptown Funk. This smokes the (excellent) original version IMO.*
Rob Michael This is the original version.
yeah I can't listen to the original anymore because i'm expecting to hear these grooves and licks.
@@timhall5256 no it’s not
WOW! Amazing! First time I heard this version and I like it so much!! Thanks Tim Akers & The Smoking Section
Great arrangement performed by some seriously musical genius dude types 👍👍👍
I really love this arrangement! There needs to more of this calibre of "pop" tune. Keep 'em coming!
Quite possibly the coolest thing I've heard this year. Can't stop grinning! :D
I don't think mere words can adequately describe just how skillful these musicians perform. I thoroughly enjoy listening to them!
Real musicians ladies and gentlemen.
best rendition I've heard so far. brings a maturity to this sometime juvenile funk. the hidden jazz version. beautiful!!
This just blew my mind! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G arrangement...well done!
Very tight! Excellent! - Thanks jammer!
Every single one of you is so great and together you make the music world explode in joy, skill ala first class and enormous power, thank you very much for that and also for the other great songs !!!! .-)
Bass player (Gary) kill'n!!!!
#TRUTH
Kick ass bass skills. Respect
@@BruceHitchings Jeff Coffey is a true Bass Beast. He among other credits was the Bass player for the band Chicago.
Had no idea this song had so many amazing interesting chords and chord progressions. Just amazing. And, these musicians are unbelievable.
The horn chart sounds like Jerry Hey arranging to me. Whoever did it, it's awesome!
***** Jerry Hey on steroids.
Tim Akers did the horn arrangement...he is bad to the bone!!!
+Jim Riley Yes he is. Got to hear them do this last weekend at two different venues - one inside and one outside. HOT both times.
Also sounds like Tom Scott arranging..
You gentlemen & ladies are incredible! Lov'in it!
Holy smokes! Stumbled over your version and such a version it is!!! I'm definitely on the fan list after this!!
Best regards and Merry Christmas in advance from Sweden
Bass player can use the force. Absolutely filthy groove and fills
This is the kind of "good" that makes you want to throw things in disbelief. I mean... that was unreal. So great to see all the great talent that I've been seeing in liner notes for the last 30 years. Incredible. (Special shout out to John Eric Hammond who is just an absolute beast no matter what he's playing. Whether it's The Smoking Section or Dogs of Peace and everything in between, this guy is just unreal.)
Loren Burrell "This is the kind of "good" that makes you want to throw things in disbelief."
I KNOW, right?
I keep coming back to this track. Tim and the Smoking Section are hot.
DAMN! Thats SOME SIZZLIN' HORNS! AMAZNG!
Love this version! So glad I happened to find this.
Damn!!! LOVE IT!!!! ... the arrangements, the harmony, groove...everything! Congrats y'all
Nice arrangement, great sound mix and fantastic musicianship. That horn section is razor fire!
Unbelievable. What an arrangement. The guitar accents, vocals , and everyone playing on this...every note played in perfect time. This is my favorite you tube music piece in years. I also enjoy the UA-cam Leonid & Friends’ EW&F September cover , but this Uptown Funk arrangement and A+ performance is Number one for me and makes me smile every day. Thanks.
WOW, great job all of you awesome talent in that studio.
I LOOOOOOOVE THIS VERSION!!! HAVE MERCY!
Fabulous version! Tight and every note on time and well placed! Full, total, great sound!
Dang, that drummer can change shirts faster than anybody.
hahaha...saw that...bad edit:)
Trombonist also has AWESOME tone when using ground-breaking "inhaling technique".
He’s probably a superhero.
Love this song. Stumbled across this version. Bass player, stellar! Drummer, ouch! Rhythm section is superb ! Love the key change at the end. Back up vocals...wow! The woman hitting high A# sooooo cool! Horns...cheeses rice. Thumbs up to all I didn't mention. The arrangement....so jazz;y cool! Can't stop listening to this. Kudos to the producer! HOT DAMN!! Smoking!
Absolutely killing. Nice to know my generation is still leading the way and making great music. You guys are just way too hip for the room)) meant in the nicest way possible!)
listened to you loads of times - really brilliant groove, arrangement and performing - thank you
Damn! Good stuff! Some Awesome Bass playing.
Friend of mine turned me on to this video today, all i can say is you guy's are freeking amazing!! All i wanted to do was get up get my funk out and dance! I hope you guys come to Reno! You are all incredible sounding. TIGHT!
Elders rock better , like wine .
Best quotes ever read on the UA-cam. For sure. Period.
express49 Damn striaght!
Amen,76 years young.Naval Air Veteran..
CHUCK Thank you for your service. Fellow vet, not quite as "fine" as you. Im a young 1967 vinatge.... keep on keepin on.
@@matthewwicinski4968 Thank You for your service also Matthew.I have ticket's to see Brian Culbertson in Seattle in June. I'm so hoping they don't cancel..
so great ! everybody, musicians & singers, arrangement, sound ... awesome!
thank you!
I'm a bass player, cant't tell you how mush I love the bass player, the sound is fucking unbelievable
Mr Gary Lunn on bass
This is just out of this world. Incredible.
Tim and crew,
That IS as good as it gets! MORE!!!!
Sending this link to the "Lettuce" guys. My son Erick is the bass player.
Wow wow !!! it's so amazing version ! It's so Great ... I'm pleasantly surprised to hear you to play... It's amazing... with a lots of swing, the joys of playing and listening to great music with greats musicians.
Thanks a lot ;)
THIS is how this song should have been done originally. It highlights excellent musicianship all over the place. No pitch shifting or computers needed, or wanted. Just all humans making music. Awesome.
Amen....
I think you will find computers were definitely needed and used ( to brilliant affect I might add )
A DAW shows up in this video more than once.
@@officialvisaural What does DAW stand for please.
@@paul1153 Digital audio workstation - a tool used to produce music in a linear fashion.
Brilliant playing on the back of the beat awesome arrangement ! LOVE IT!
This cover is absolutely sick, in the best way. Exceptional arrangement!
It is for me a joy to see you perform, great all of you, I listen to these 4 videos of you very often.
After hearing this!! Ronson's version is
a nursery rhyme!!!!
Awesome performance this is what I call MUSIC! Great arrangement and fantastic musicians, please give us more!
Does the thing the bassist play at 1:43 have a name. I'm thinking is it a specific technique, besides "just" slapping and being a beast?
+Mikkel Frandsen You nailed it.
+Mikkel Frandsen Just standard slapping and popping from what I can tell, he's just bloody good at it.
It's a "directed" fill by Doug from Tim (arranger)- and sure shows off his chops and taste... whew
And what kind of bass is that Gary's playing. Any body know?
Search Victor Wooten techniques and all will be revealed