What it takes to be a session legend with Gail Ann Dorsey
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- So today you’re in for something suuuuper different from my usual Friday lesson releases…
But don’t panic… you’re going to LOVE this new video.
It features a VERY special guest… someone who’s played bass for the likes of David Bowie, Lenny Kravitz, Tears for Fears, The Indigo Girls, Gwen Stefani, Seal… I could go on and on…
Simply put, they’re a true session legend.
The AWESOME Gail Ann Dorsey.
And the cool news for you is she came down to the studio in NYC to hang out and let me quiz her about their musical journey, what gear she uses, what it was like to work with David Bowie (and how she got the call in the first place), rehearsing with Lenny Kravitz and what the schedule is like when rehearsing with big artists like that…
And yeah… I filmed the entire thing for you!
It’s ok, you can thank me later ;)
This is a super rare opportunity to learn from someone who’s done it all! Ready to jump in?
As always, see you in the shed…
Scott
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What a pleasure to listen to a person who has lived and continues to learn.
So humble and sweet!
Thank you Scott!
I have a love for killer musicians who are humble, does something to the heart...
According to the Bhagavad-gita, humility is the first sign of knowledge. It shows that we understand how limited, small and dependent we are. The opposite is pride, which is very unattractive
@@jurjenvanderhoek316 amaanitvam is one of my favorite sanskrit words. It poorly translates into English, but the lack of need, lack of craving for exogenous validation, is truly a skill to develop (as Arjuna clearly did).
She have a very beautiful voice.
Beautiful to say the least. She has A VOICE !
@Oly Spart, yes I noticed that too, right away!
It reminds me of a time when American women used to have nice - or at least not annoying - voices.
She talks like Hendrix. Lol.
@@AtticusStount 🤨
"Get your shit out of the way. Serve the song." Amazing advice everyone needs to hear.
Gail Ann Dorsey. She is simply as cool as it gets.
So articulate, eloquent and humble. She is such a legendary and iconic artist. Amazing singing voice too.
Seriously badass, to play in Bowie's band you had to be top class!, let's face it he could afford the very best!
Yea she really is cool as a cucumber. And dang she can play.
Saw her during the Reality tour and absolutely fell in love, not just with her performance, but her entire pesona and her and Davids interactions. She is one of the most beautiful musicians I have ever seen perform.
I now understand why Bowie added "Lovely" to her name.
Every gig on stage and in studio best friend we wer love you G
Saw him live, and he loved his band members deeply. There was nothing but love.
It amazing how self-deprecating and humble Gail Ann Dorsey is. Although she is a side person, she has super star level talent.
does indeed.
Great singing voice too. She’s amazing.
She’s playing with top ppl so she better be a top level player...
singing while playing bass is hard AF
Paul McCartney seemed very comfortable with it.
It depends on the bassline, but most of them are not written to be played whilst singing, so they're very difficult. Check out Bowie's live rendition of 'Under Pressure' with Gail Ann Dorsey singing Freddie's part whilst playing the bassline -- insane!
@@ThinWhiteAxe same with Cream and Thin Lizzy and Motorhead songs, not written for vocals and bass together
It is!!!
I agree. David Crosby once described it as "like trying to dial two telephones at the same time"
Gail is one of my favorite bass players, and have you ever heard her sing "Under Pressure", with Bowie?? Just Spectacular!!
Can you believe this lovely lady is 55? She could pass for 20.
55? Jeez she does look way younger
What an amazing Lady
I'm not so sure; she has clear skin and vigour, but there are so many women that look more attractive later in life than when they than when they were young.
She's beautiful!
Probably helps to be doing what you love for a living!
What a terrific interview!
Gail Ann Dorsey is a killer musician and she's so articulate, knowledgeable, and funny. Scott Devine does a great job here, too. He's a pretty chatty guy but was smart enough to let Dorsey speak and not spend the whole time trying to interrupt her and talk over her (*ahem* I'm looking at yooooouuu, Chris Matthews!), so good on him for that. It's the mark of good interviewer.
I really, really enjoyed this immensely. Thank you so much for doing it! There are so many interviews out there in the media that frankly are rather dull. This wasn't one of them. I loved it. This is one of the very best SBL videos I've seen.
Ahhh thanks Sam! I'm pretty new at the interviewing thing - so it's great to hear some good feedback :)
There are certain other interviewees that *ought* to be interrupted a little more often, LOL. For example, if the thing is really dragging, knowing how to pick things up is a useful skill. It wasn't necessary for this piece, however.
i tell people to interrupt me. ADD
@@devinebass And you doing really great here, the first interview i'm watchin from you, and i enjoyed it a lot and you made me discover a very good artist. Thanks man keep doing
@@devinebass So true. You were attentive and curious. Most 'professional' interviewers are too busy thinking of their next clever and misplaced question. Your reticence was a reluctant and welcome blessing. Never change.
I loved this interview. What a pleasure. You did do a great job as an interviewer but TBH, I doubt you could go wrong with Gail, she's just so open and human. Loved hearing about her early days with Bowie. What a journey. What genuine musicians, both Gail and David. No wonder their music was such magic.
'And so I just thought, "I'm going to have to play the bass."'
- My thought when I saw this woman rockin' out next to Bowie 😶
Legend of a woman. A role model for musicians that survive on doing session work. Her work ethic is what I think sets her apart. Thank you for doing this interview with her.
I had the good fortune to see Gail playing with Bowie during his '04 tour in Colorado and Ohio. She was fantastic, great sound and groove, and was an excellent pair to Bowie on stage. They both set a high bar for professional, charismatic interaction with the crowd. And at the Ohio show they did Under Pressure, and Gail sang Freddie Mercury's part. And she nailed the high run...it was awesome. I never knew her story though - thanks for sharing Scott!
I’m not a musician, but I enjoyed this conversation SO MUCH!
Gail is amazing.
Hey Scott! You should interview Joe Dart of Vulfpeck next!
Agreed. Dude is a beast and pretty amazing. Lol
His real name is David Spade
Great socks
YES, lol!
I give em 420/420
She must really like Canada, eh? ;-)
I saw the socks and i knew someone would comment on this! LOL
yup
Let her finish her sentences. Don't interrupt her.
She's truly amazing! That bass line in Bowie's "The Stars Are Out Tonight" haunted me for days.
Thanks for watching Jan
i love that Bassline and had to play it all the time on my bass.
You know, Bowie worked with talented and famous people, great guitarists like Belew, Ronson, Slick and Gabrels but I can't think anyone better to carry on the legacy than Gail Ann Dorsey. I just love the chemistry they had on stage and her bass lines are at least as important as the guitar tracks on the albums she played. I just love her. Thanks for a great interview!
Love her. Fantastic bass and voice. Watching her and Bowie do under pressure live brought me to tears. She's just the fucking coolest.
The best rendition of Under Pressure, and that's saying a lot considering who else has performed it.
Love hearing her story...always fascinating to hear how people craft a life in music.
Fantastic woman. And how awesome she looks! She must be in her 50s, and she's looking like 15 years younger!
DoubleDee73 I'm 35... she looks younger. 😢
That tour with Bowie and NIN she went on was maligned at the time but it’s INCREDIBLE. The set starts with one of the artists playing and then it moves into songs with Bowie and NIN performing together, then gradually transitions into the other artists set alone. Fans of both bands weren’t happy because it was so different. But it’s incredible and there’s high quality recordings of the set very worth checking out if youre fans of both of them. It was visionary stuff IMO
You're right. It's incredible. One of my favourite live recordings to listen to or watch. Their music is very different but they really compliment each other.
I love Gail so much. Not only is she an impeccable and tasteful musician, but she is a great performer. She can hang back and let the star shine, or she can step up and give the show. And what a voice. Listen to Bowie’s “Seven Years in Tibet” where suddenly, on the last build, she starts to belt and her voice just rises above the heavy mix. And then there is the wonder of her duet with Bowie on Under Pressure, where she gets to be both Freddy Mercury and John Deacon. I saw her and Bowie do that number both in 1998 and 2004.
I went to the 2004 tour also, and holy moly her rendition of Under Pressure was absolutely haunting. She is one of the greatest of all time.
That would be Mercury and Roger Taylor who did the highest vocal parts for Queen.
Don't know if it's been deleted but her album, The Corporate World, was very underrated. Also, she played and sang the chorus of Midnight Train To Georgia, live with the Indigo Girls; one of those moments where the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
yes on the recording but rabbitfish means Bowie live; I saw that 04 tour too
I saw Bowie on his Earthling tour in 1997 and when they did "Under Pressure" and she was singing the Freddie part, it was jaw-dropping. Also saw the Reality tour in 2004, his last.
She's 55 years old here. Amazing.
What a great interview. Bass players are always the real musicians in any band. Her singing under pressure duets with Bowie were sublime..I've watched them all many times. So down to earth and humble..wow.
Real ? How about Integral ?
The "real" musicians?
Insecure much, mate??
I'm a multi-instrumentalist (yes that includes being a bassplayer) and *everyone* in a band is an integral part of that band's sound.
If you're, as bassplayer, the only real musician, you must be very busy, right? Since you're the absolutely only one playing music?
You wouldn't last 5 minutes in my band.
What an expressive articulate lady I have always admired she was excellent playing with Bowie just the two of them grazie Mille ciao
She's just beautiful on so many levels.
I love this interview, it was just simply very genuine. I am not even a bass player, but a guitarist, still I am always finding my self on bass sites. There is just something about the bass.
im not even a musician but love to listen to her history
yes man, i am bassist since my 14.years old, now im 38, theres something about that instrument that keep me in love, i understand you, i think you probably got same feeling, you are a bassist in your heart, but you just dont know it, let the love flows
@@espartacus001
Yes it has so many aspect, it usually leads the groove in the song, it tightens it. It's melodic and percursive at the same time.
That is actually true and well put. I guess I am a bassist in my heart. Since I write the basslines for most of my songs and it is usually when I am satisfied with the basslines then I feel Ihave something concrete.
@@Atlas65 yeah, and the sound of a good one is amazing, and the size is perfect for me, guitars are good but a litlle bit small, at least for me
Guitar guy here. Folk, you are absolutely right. We guitarist play around with our toys, but bass ans drum just hold the whole construction of rythm and pace the way to the music building. And sometimes, they play around too, even better than we slingers! 😉
In addition to being a great musician, Gail is an incredible backing vocalist. Her duets with Bowie while playing "Under Pressure" were special. Listen to her at the beginning of "If You Can See Me," one of the most underrated Bowie cuts ever from his "The Next Day' CD.
Never normally comment but what a fabulous human. A joy to listen to, great interview and your respect for her was clear. Great job!
why you never normally comment?
Awesome interview Scott. One of your best, at least for me. Gail is such a legend. This video is a must see, definitly.
Great interview, great socks!!!!
This is the most interesting and informative discussion of all the Scott interviews I have listened to. This artist as engaging as she is talented.
Can see why she and Bowie had such a great music relationship. Such a lovely person.
I met Gail in 2002. Have had a huge crush on her since. Beautiful human being.
I love Gail Ann. I saw her a couple times with Bowie. So awesome!!!
Great video Scott, this Lady is awesome!
I heard from two different people who dont know each other saw her with bowie and couldn't stop ranting about how amazing a vocalist and bass player she is. Bowie knew talent.
Never heard of her until I watched this interview. Needless to say, I am a fan just listening to the conversation. Definitely going to search out some of her discography for a closer look. Thanks, Scott!
She's so humble oh my God, just blows my mind with this load of humbleness! Couldn't be much more humble, just look at that,
- unbelievable!
Thank you so much for making this video I enjoyed it so much. Wouldn't mind meeting Gail Ann Dorsey in person one day.
What an amazing video.
What a nice interview with a nice woman.
...wow she's great ....honest , genuine , humble professional....and beautiful inside and out .....cheers Gail 🍷🍷
How could he interview her without falling in love from the start. Oh Gail you are a lovely & beautiful Artist.
Such a brilliant and insightful interview, where the interviewee can actually be heard and treated with honour and respect. A lot of people could learn a lot from this. Gail is so humble, honest and one of the greatest bass players.
Scott! I really appreciate you man for being such a cool musician for taking the time to teach and educate us, I was happy the day I found your channel I've learnt so much since that day, I always love to see your interviews ever since Victor Wooten.... Thank you brother and many blessings to you.
youtube.......no matter what people say, I learn so much. Never heard of this Sista....I live in Philly.......WOW. we're about the same age....
HOW IN THE HELL DID I MISS THIS LOVELY SISTER????😳🤦🏾♂️ (I'm mad at myself for not knowing her until now!!!)
She's great mate. One of my favourite bass players due to her playing with Bowie. Well worth checking this stuff out. Plenty of live Bowie material on UA-cam with her playing.
What a delight as a person, and an inspiration as a musician.
Omg I love her. I remember seeing her with Lenny on the GnR tour 2 years ago and was wondering who she was. She's my new inspiration. She's so humble and smart and sensible and down to earth. 😊
One of the greatest Stingray players ever. Class act
MrOrange I play one too
24:50. Her Stingray bass EQ setting -> light touch, big sound
"Typical guitar players" LOLLLL
One of the Very Best Interviews on UA-cam.. !!!!! Hands Down Great !!!!! Inspiration
I am so Inspired, Thanks Scott and Gail, Now I must go play an instrument.
Go play Joe... make it groove! :)
Super super super lovely person . Super super interview !!! Perfect !!! Gail Ann ,you are a great great inspiration ! !!!!
LOVE TEARS FOR FEARS! Love Gail Ann Dorsey. I met her up in the Catskills. Very sweet humble lady. God Bless. :)
Nice to see that you have the same hairdresser.
thats a cheap shot, but funny
:-D:-D:-D
Feel better about yourself now?
You guys must be a riot at parties
She beautiful
Scott - thank you so much for this! Lovely lady, amazing player, gorgeous voice. Had the honor of seeing her with Bowie multiple times, and love what she does.
shes amazing iv'e seen her with bowie play and sing killer backups while playing
Together with Tina Weymouth, Gail Ann Dorsey is a gem of a talent. An inspiration for me to learn and pick up the bass..fantastic singing voice also.
Gail Ann Dorsey, wooooowwww. What a great woman. I noticed her as an accompanist ... but this woman is awesome. Music should be versatile and harmonious. Unfortunately, the journey to success, which not everyone likes to take, hurts.
GAD, one of my favorite bassists and then there's her stupendous vocals like she did with Bowie on Under Pressure and some other songs.
I like that she emphasizes 'serve the music' ....that's why she gets the big gigs. So many players are so obsessed with the intricacies of 'playing' their instrument they lose sight of the music itself....cats like this are awesome musicians as opposed to just awesome players...there's a big difference....
The great thing about her that I absolutely love is: No matter her amazing technical skills, when she plays and sings it NEVER feels like showing off. It's always about her just being there, putting her heart and soul into making the songs work as best as it can be. That's a rare talent, which creates musical magic. And I think these iconic artists that she worked with really recognize that.
She's one of my absolute favourite musicians
She's an inspiring person!
A phenomenal guest, and an amazing dude interviewing her!
I love her bass playing on "Stay" by David Bowie. Earl Slick's guitar playing on that song is fantastic too!
Gail is an amazingly talented and kind person.
Thanks for the EQ tips Gail! Great interview. Great stories.
I'm in love with her now! What a woman! What a musician! ANd I love her voice so much, I've heard her singing fir several times, it was great!
I’ve enjoyed this interview so much that I watched it twice in its entirety such a humble talented and lovely lady.
What a voice
Edit: that was before I heard her singing voice, beautiful too!
People think bass is the easiest instrument to play, but it takes a lot of concentration when playing as the rhythm section of a band.
What a cool lady. Scott hell of an interview that was sir.
illegal comment "guitar is my favorite" must call inspector Davie504 to arrest her
I didnt have time to watch this interview but I ended up watching it anyway. Nice job.
Great Interview- Thanks for this post! Youngest of Five kids! Ms. D always hypnotizes me. What a Guitar she has there !
Saw her with Lenny Kravitz. She's so talented!!!
What a great interview. Classy lady with a great history. I loved Tears for Fears ...great to hear that Roland was a good guy. Had no idea she played with him. Also Lenny Kravitz. Very modest the way she presents herself with all the people she has played with. A real musician in it for the right reasons. The music!!! I love how she started out too...answering an ad for a bass player...very funny but also shows her determination which is probably why she is a working musician. Not afraid to take on new challenges. Hope I get to meet her one day!!!!
What a fantastic lady!!! I lived in Bath twice...it's up there with the best..;-))
You made it! ;)
Yeah....& played with so many great musicians down there...one of the most formative periods I've experienced. And it's all on cassette tapes!!
Cassettes ROCK!
And mine are all in a plastic carrier bag in the cupboard under the stairs....most made on my old Tascam 4 track....yep, I'm that old..;-))
Mine too, lol! Can you remember when walkman's didn't have a rewind button... so if you wanted to hear a song again, you had to turn the tape over, fast forward it, and then turn it back over... the good old days! ;)
She really said "when i was a teenager in the 70s"??? She looks 40???
Black don’t crack as they say
What a great interview !! Love that she picked "Believe" as her favorite Lenny song....one of my faves also !!!
Gail is lovely to listen too. My favourite Bowie song is Hero’s. Live version. Bowie is wearing a blue suit. Gail knows how to play and blend right in with David.
Always been a huge fan of hers as a bass player, it's great to see how humble, articulate and nice a person she also is!
🧡🧡🧡
I saw her play live with Lenny last July in Vegas at a corp event in a large outdoor venue... that was my first intro to her playing, she played her red jazz. Awesome groove player with Lenny. Cool video here!
Beautiful, articulate, talented and funny. What a lady!
Oh WOW !! She is my fave bassist an absolute legend. Thank you BRILLIANT interview 👏👏👏👏
Absolute beginners Bowie and Dorsey masterpiece
Trypho Diologues It was Matthew Seligman that played bass on the original. On later tours Bowie and Dorsey would duet but someone else would play bass (e.g. Mark Plati).
Bro...
this is THE best episode you've EVER done...SO cool/funny to watch you fall in love....and even cooler to listen to this musician philosophize...
Nice job!
It's ALL on youtube now.
No turning back
That's David Bowie's bass player isn't it?
Jup!
yep played with bowie and prince
Carlos P. Castaneda
She was one of them.
The one & only.
Yes. She was from mid nineties til his end as far as I know. Love her!
I cannot stop watching the BBC and Live by Request videos from the early 2000s. Just incredible.
Amazing lady, amazing musician, amazing interview ❤️
Bass players are humble.
She was BRILLIANT with David Bowie. So many different tones to play live, and she'd hit them all, along with many of her own sounds. So good.
I cant agree more..Film people are mean and disgusting.They pretend to be artist and they r not. I left it to peruse Music. And I dont regret it.
She's great in every respect. A brilliant player.
Scott, of course I don't want you to die... but now you can, after a meet and greet with this legendary bassist, I think I will be to much impressed being in front of her like that ! Gail Ann is a truly exceptional artist. Those who never heard about her, well guys it's time to get out of your cave ! :-)
Great lass - love her :-)
Any plans to interview Yolanda Charles? I'd love to hear a conversation with her. It's GOTTA be another great story :)
She's on the list Kenny :)
Fantastic!!! Just watching the video on the little Vanderkley and eq-ing your amp
+1 on the request for Yolanda Charles. She's a tremendous bassist.
I will like to see Yolanda too but not about her bass shoot just want to hear 👂 her talk and how she roles her eyes 👀 makes me want to put a ring on it.
Esperanza Spalding would be another :)
I loved this,knew she was a lovely,cool lady and you asked her all the right questions!......Magic!!
Huge fan! Great interview!