How Did BRIAN MAY End Up Playing Guitar On an R&B HIT?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ธ.ค. 2022
- #bass #groove #jeffreyosborne #analysis #basshistory #funk #slapbass #paulthompson
Digging into 1983's "Stay With Me Tonight" by Jeffrey Osborne, the iconic bass line (played by Alphonso Johnson), and the legendary musicians involved with the track--including producer George Duke, drummer Steve Ferrone, guitarist Paul Jackson Jr.--and a guest appearance by guitarist BRIAN MAY of QUEEN. And check out the BEST/WORST music video EVER. Ah, the 1980s.
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I love your work Paul. If I may add, this song was written by the late great Raymond Jones a friend of mine that I had the opportunity to work with on several projects including the sound track for the movie, Soul Men, and Spike Lee's Get On The Bus. This song brought sophistication and Funk to the dance floor when the disco period was still hanging on. The chord progression on the bridge is really slick. Raymond also wrote for, Whitney, Patti Labelle, and many more, and was a member of the group Chic.
I would have never guessed that Brian played the lead on this song! During that time period, I remember he did a duet EP with Eddie van Halen and he sang the theme song to star Fleet! My respect for Brian has increased!
@@jjs3863 yes. His full title is Dr Brian May.
This man is making me consider changing my mid-life crisis pursuit of learning the guitar to a mid life crisis pursuit of learning bass.
Thank you for saying PRE-HIP-HOP! A lot of people don't even know the roots of the music they like. Hip hop fans are blown away when I show them 702's "STEELO" is a sample of "VOICES IN MY HEAD" by The Police, for example.
I remember this tune and played it many times back in the day, but NEVER REALIZED it was ALPHONSO JOHNSON playing bass! Wow! I always thought it was Ready Freddie! Thanks for the lesson! Great, as always!
Good job Paul! As a horn player in funk bands throughout the 70s and 80s, your knowledge is incredible.
I like how you enjoy sharing this with everyone else. It makes the learning experience even better. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for the super, Fabricio!!!
I was a young soldier stationed in Germany when this came out, I used to crank this joker up and rock the barracks. Thanks for the memories.
Always informative, love you're channel.
Thank you for your service salute 🫡
ah Germany!
I have a top three list of Telecaster players from my '70s childhood and Brian May's plays one on 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' ('80); his main guitar is the homemade Red Special he built with his father in 1964 and is likely the guitar he played on this song that I'm SO tripping that it was him on this Jeffrey Osborne classic (I'm shocked I haven't Googled the album to find this out) but in hindsight of his guitar's phase switches, a treble booster and Vox AC30 amps, his delivered tone makes so much perfect sense now.
For years I've wondered who played that solo but that bass tone I've always admired so much that it reminds me of a similar tone on one of David Bowie's songs and I never would have guessed Alfonso Johnson as well on this track; thanks for the surprisingly unsolved mystery!
Discovering a new kick-ass track from the early 80's, played by unlikely alliance of musical legends with a Brian May solo in the middle. Exactly what I needed. Thanks for making my day!
More knowledge dropped about a track I thought I knew a little about already. Great video as always.
I love the format of your channel. I am always amazed about how much interesting facts you manage to squeeze into a relatively short video. It feels like you don't want to waste your viewers time which is appreciated. Cheers from Sweden!
This line is so great and one of the first basslines I learned. It's what helped to inspire me to play bass and many years later, I've not regretted it one bit.
Was looking forward to you getting into Osborne. The whole debut record is insane, it has both Larry Graham AND Louis Johnson on it!
All these years, I had no clue that was Brian May and now I can’t unhear his signature tone (home made guitar into an AC30 Top Boost with a treble booster).
This was the time when producers wanted to mix R&B with rock solos, a la “Beat It.” You had this, “Running with the Night” (Lukather) and others and it mixed like peanut butter & chocolate!
Loved that bright sound back in the 80s on the bass
That is a Poppin Badass Bassline, For sure. Always dug and respected the tune. Brian May does work but Alphonso Johnson is one of my favorite Bassist. I love his work with Billy Cobham on Hip Pockets, Cucumber Slumber with Weather Report, and his own legendary Bahama Mama. That'd be a Helluva show if you ever decided to take it on.
Also I had the opportunity to work with Jeffrey, and his manager Jack was a great guy to work with along with Jeffrey and the organization.
Alphonso is one of my favorite bass players.
Never knew this about Brian May on a track with these legends. Thanks Paul . Remember the lp cover . I was working on Security at Buckingham Palace for the Jubilee this year and saw Brian sound checking their set , and Alicia Keys was there dancing shaking it to don’t stop me now . That was a moment to remember. Alphonso!
Brilliant as always. Essential viewing and listening for bass players and fans of the bass.
This was a bass lead song. Distinctive. Thanks for putting this up.
I am a big fan of both the old L.T.D., Jeffrey Osborne and Queen (another bite the dust) but Brian May being on a funk recording is news to me. Gone are the days when talented artists enjoyed working with each other.
Big fan of “Slim” Johnson from way back in the day, but always thought that was Freddie Washington on this track since it had that “Forget Me Nots” vibe.
That bassline inspired me a couple songs. I love the syncopes so much.
Man, I can't stop hearing "Forget Me Nots" (Freddy Washington a year earlier) in this.
I co-wrote and played keyboards on three songs on this record.
Don’t You Get So Mad with Louis Johnson on bass. This was the lead single.
Other Side of The Coin with Nathan Watts on bass
When Are You Comin Back with me on Moog bass
All produced by the great George Duke Bomaye❤
Yeah Buddy.. Grand production..Slim Johnson killin
Excellent video. I remember when this came out Jeffrey was on fire back then
When I was working in retail, I use hear this song quite a bit
Man I love all these great players on this track and Brian May’s sound is so distinctive! Great video, again! I always look forward to seeing your next vids!
mind blown!! I had no idea that was Brian May
This video is outstanding! Great work, thank you!
All I remember about that album was that in '83 I was a little metalhead, and it really irked me to see Jeffrey's albums where Ozzy's were supposed to be at the local K-Mart...
Another early Christmas present from Paul this is one great bass line Alfonzo Johnson inspired me years ago and now once again Thanks Paul and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !!!!
Lol at the drum fail in the video! Those were the days...
So cool! I had no idea this song existed.
You never cease to amaze me with the unknown facts you uncover. I love watching your channel. I always love learning something interesting and new⭐❤
Great topic! I love this track for all the reasons you lay out. Epic solo by May, and that bass line is classic. Another great video from this channel.
Just saw this video right now and I'm actually going to see Alphonso Johnson tonight. Sooo random.
Queen my favorite rock group and B May 🤘🏾🎸
Nice video,another great fret less bass player to check out is Ralphe Armstrong 👍🏽
Always great to see a new video from you!
Your videos are seriously feeding my playlists!!
Another Gem sir!!
Brian actually plays on two tracks :) This gem, and the final track on the album, Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right. I really used to overplay this, but as you say, it's relatively simple, but it needs perfect timing. Thanks for this one.
Was he credited on those solos?
@@deeerv4905 Was on the CD.
Happy bday Mr Jeffrey. Love your eni mini Mani mo. Superb arrangements
Never heard this one before. Loved it Thanks!
Plane love is a funky one also...boy I gotta say you are a bass virtuoso keep those vibes coming👍🏽
Another great vid. I always learn something from this channel!
Nice video - big fan of Alphonso - saw him a few times with Weather Report once he was playing the Stick - once in a venue in bay area with members of Greatful Dead - keep up the work - good work
Thank u so much Paul. I always loved this track, btw I still have the LP! Anyway now I am copying your playing. Never thought I could play this bassline. But you play it so super clean, have to practice! Thanks again!
Love your channel, this is great content!! Thanks man ♥♥
Awesome historical context. Keep up the great content. 👍🏿
Another great lesson, professor
Yo, man you make me go back and find this music. Thanks!!
Jeffery is definitely one of my favs!!!
Ok that was cool, Alphonso and Brian may!
I read somewhere that Alphonso Johnson learned to slap specifically for this song. I know I never heard him slap before Stay With Me Tonight.
How am I today years old, learning that BRIAN MAY did that guitar solo on this track?
That whole track was 🔥
Always learning, great content
WOW!!!! Brian May?? Never knew!!
I looked at this , and before I even clicked play I said to myself...( ohh look Christmas came 14 days early )
OMG! It's too early in the morning to have my mind blown like this. Im really surprised this fact about Brian May wasn't heavily pushed when the song was in the charts. I used to listen to Casey Kasem's American Top 40 back in the day and learn bass lines from hit songs and Casey always spilled a little tea about each track in the countdown. Surprised he never mentioned this fact. Definitely would have helped move the song up the ladder. Or maybe Queen fans weren't ready to get this funky 😆. I bet Freddie dug it tho haha
Thanks. I love your channel.
Great stuff, love your channel. Speaking of songs where the bass line really carries the whole thing, have you considered doing a clip about Valley Girl? No one like all of Zappa's work, but that one is interesting especially because the extremely prominent bass part was added as an afterthought, at the last minute.
Great video!
Love your videos !
Brian's tone is so distinct i knew it was him the first time i heard the song.
Love love love 🫶🏾
Another great video!
YES! "Stay With Me Tonight" gets its due! You have a great channel, subscribing.
Excellent!
Well, my guess was way off. Great video, as usual, though. Thanks for the information.
Awesome🎉
Good info!
Never would've thought that
Alphonso Johnson is the Bass Player Thumping on this Track.....
I feel like this must've been a huge influence for Sinister Minister.
“Make it plain, brother!”
George had a thing of using great bass players for Jeffrey. Louis and Abe were first calls and there was also King Larry,
Thanks!
Thank YOU for the super, Dia!
U da man thanks again
I wonder what keyboard was used in that recording. It's quite beautiful sounding.
N I C E❗️😄👌👍❤️👊💯
Yea thats a great bass groove
Sir Duke!!
PJJ and George Duke. Stop right there, I'm in.
Can you a video who played bass on the song Don't Cost You Nothing, by Ashford and Simpson
That line is FIRE!! Fransicso Centeno deserves a video for sure!!!
Could you do one on charles meeks ?
Hey brother dig your gig and I really and truly follow you all the way but my constructive suggestion is maybe that your jump cuts at times are out of pocket in this clip and maybe some of the others. Drop your cuts on beat or you know how you do to keep fools like me in the trance like groove where we belong Hahahha. All the best from Jacksonville, Florida
Love it. I'm still learning. I appreciate you! I'll work on it.
Les Claypool always knew that the base was both a stringed instrument and percussion
In fact I hope Les Claypool is still getting royalties from the South Park theme song
Off topic.. I am trying to remember the name you used for gigs where musicians are hired to provide entertainment in the background during events..
"wallpaper"
@@pdbass thank you!
Slim johnson
Ok 👌👌👌🆗🆗🆗🆗🆗
First
Love your channel BUT! this was an awful song and bass line. It's a perfect example of the 80's at a time of throwing the kitchen sink and hope it sticks. Sometimes throwing together every musician together just doesn't work. THIS ONE IS IT!
Well, this just goes to show that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, this jam was a dance favorite and that bass was and is killer. Not trying to change anyone's opinion, that just music like art is subjective.
@@Stefluva62 Thx for understanding. In order to really know great, sometimes you have to be able to identify not so great done by the true greats. I should qualify why but it would take too long.
@@drummersagainstitk It's all good man, I'm sure there are songs you may consider great that I and others may not think is great. The point I made is when you are trying to get butts on the dance floor, especially in funk and R&B, the bass groove is what we gravitate to, and this thumping bass over a thousand watts is great for that. i don't think many of us that love that genre are particularly concerned with technique, we only care if it's funky and will make us want to dance.
@@Stefluva62 Let's test...Lovergirl Teena Marie bass line is great right. Say Amen and I won't bother you....
@@drummersagainstitk yes, I love that jam, Gigalette from Ozone featuring Teerna Marie is a much better bass line in my opinion. No debate there, and to be clear, I'm not saying your opinion is wrong. I'm just saying we don't always look for technique, just does it have a thumping base that makes me want to dance. it's all good man, seriously.
Yo Man THANK U SO MUCH FOR THAT WONDERFUL INFO👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿 from one bass player to another 😊