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!
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!
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..
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 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 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.
Whenever I need my ass kicked I come back here. Never gets old. Sometimes brings tears to my eyes. Near perfect arrangement and performance. The quote, "Before Pro Tools there were Pro's." fits absolutely here. Thank you all for a true classic. ...More than just 8 months old ...
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 !!!!!
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?
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... :)
WOW!! Steve!! Crazy what I find when I go surfing thru TH-cam!! Sounds great, friend! You've come a loooooooonnnnng way from us crankin' some Maynard in your car! LOL Stay well!
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.)
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!
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 TH-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.
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!
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.
@@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..
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.
Outstanding musicianship people ..... Quality playing ... tight arrangements ..... Hi from London UK ... Thanks for uploading AND crediting the Smoking Section names .... Top drawer !!!
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
Wow! Thanks for the music. You have been drawn into the music by the bassist as you want to get deeper. His embeleshments are his own but also following the written arrangement, listening to the rest of the ensemble and enjoying it! The bass lines define the harmonic progressions of the arrangement for folk like us. He must be a treasured must have bassist for projects like this! A blessing.
![[TH] VCT Masters Shanghai Playoffs DAY 6 // G2 vs GEN | 100T vs TH](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/M6jxF80AajI/mqdefault.jpg)
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?
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
This song should called as "if uptown funk was really a funk song" :v
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
2024 and this is still my benchmark for what a cover should be.
I’am 67, listening to this makes me feel 66 !!! 🕺
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.
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...
RIP Tim. You will be sorely missed.
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 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_
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!
Release an album and take my money. Please.
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.
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!
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.
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! From a trumpet player in Portland Oregon. NICE arrangement!
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.
Whenever I need my ass kicked I come back here. Never gets old. Sometimes brings tears to my eyes. Near perfect arrangement and performance. The quote, "Before Pro Tools there were Pro's." fits absolutely here. Thank you all for a true classic. ...More than just 8 months old ...
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 !!!!!
The horn section..... The bass player... The drummer.... Love it !
I absolutely love this arrangement.
Well... I've listened to this about 30 times now... since yesterday.
Whoever thumbs-downed this song doesn't know a single thing about music!
It was Bruno Mars
And you know they can't play.
You get them Rachel Jones .One wonders what the hearing and if they have a musical bone in their body.
Clearly they don't !
May I remind you they are ritards
I'll just mention it because it doesn't seem like anyone has so far, but these cats are reading charts, and this is is just so kicking tight!
Probably the best recording of Uptown ive ever heard!
*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
Can never get enough of this. Perfection.
Tim was a friend and he will be greatly missed.
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
Chills!! Chills again!! Click thumbs up if you got the chills listening to this tune! Excellent work Tim and da SS.
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.
The last 2 minutes of this is beyond incredible. Everybody is just laying it out there.
INSANELY good. Damn....what brass...keys, bass...arrangement is just sick...pure brilliance!
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!!!!
WOW! Speaking as an old dude myself - Old Dudes Got It Goin' On! Nice - Been playing this over and over all day! More Please!
Just found this....absolutely awesome playing /vocals and outstanding arrangement! Love it...
The best use of a house or office space I've ever seen!
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 TH-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 🚀
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?
so great ! everybody, musicians & singers, arrangement, sound ... awesome!
thank you!
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.
Quite possibly the coolest thing I've heard this year. Can't stop grinning! :D
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!!!!!
listened to you loads of times - really brilliant groove, arrangement and performing - thank you
I love this! I gotta see these guys live! The arrangement is unbelievably great! Thanks for making my day!
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.
Absolutely sensational on every level. Awesome musicians and what an amazing arrangement, very soulful!
It is for me a joy to see you perform, great all of you, I listen to these 4 videos of you very often.
Love this version! So glad I happened to find this.
Absolutely brilliant version! Fabulous musos. Can't get enough of it!
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!
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!!!
Excellent. The playing, the recording the quality all of it and the musicians are amazing. Great stuff!!
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 TH-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! What an incredible arrangement and stellar musicianship.
WOW, great job all of you awesome talent in that studio.
Brilliant playing on the back of the beat awesome arrangement ! LOVE IT!
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!
This just kills... every musician included here is a master of their respective instrument. We need a lot more of this!!!
You gentlemen & ladies are incredible! Lov'in it!
Oh, oh, oh--one of the best covers of Uptown Funk. EVER! Owwwww!
Real musicians ladies and gentlemen.
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.
Wow, what awesome musicians love watching stuff like this just pure talent.
I really love this arrangement! There needs to more of this calibre of "pop" tune. Keep 'em coming!
Great arrangement performed by some seriously musical genius dude types 👍👍👍
killer playing and outstanding arrangement!
OMFG! That was the most amazing display of talent, musicianship and clever arranging I think I have ever seen.
Nice arrangement, great sound mix and fantastic musicianship. That horn section is razor fire!
This just blew my mind! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G arrangement...well done!
Very tight! Excellent! - Thanks jammer!
After hearing this!! Ronson's version is
a nursery rhyme!!!!
Keeping the dream alive and damn well. thx
Top shelf, top talent, smokin' horn section and great backup singers! Absolutely awesome!!
DAMN! Thats SOME SIZZLIN' HORNS! AMAZNG!
Elders rock better , like wine .
Best quotes ever read on the TH-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..
impressive groove and a terrific orchestration with five stars sound ... what else you need to love this arrangement!!
Best version available! I could listen to this on repeat for days. So cool!
You can always get it on Spotify
Damn!!! LOVE IT!!!! ... the arrangements, the harmony, groove...everything! Congrats y'all
That last solo obligato soprano goes way "Gospel" Love it
I found this yesterday AND I CAN NOT STOP WATCHING IT..... I have watched 25 times in 24 hours... I LOVE IT!!!!!!!
I don't think mere words can adequately describe just how skillful these musicians perform. I thoroughly enjoy listening to them!
Shit, fantastic!!! Earth wind & fire and Toto together..... GREAT!!!
Damn! Good stuff! Some Awesome Bass playing.
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.
Outstanding musicianship people ..... Quality playing ... tight arrangements ..... Hi from London UK ... Thanks for uploading AND crediting the Smoking Section names .... Top drawer !!!
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.
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..
Had no idea this song had so many amazing interesting chords and chord progressions. Just amazing. And, these musicians are unbelievable.
omgee i miss going to live bands.. really!!!
Nov 28, 2020
I LOOOOOOOVE THIS VERSION!!! HAVE MERCY!
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
Wow!
Thanks for the music.
You have been drawn into the music by the bassist as you want to get deeper.
His embeleshments are his own but also following the written arrangement, listening to the rest of the ensemble and enjoying it!
The bass lines define the harmonic progressions of the arrangement for folk like us.
He must be a treasured must have bassist for projects like this! A blessing.
That was incredible! LOVE the arrangement!!!
This cover is absolutely sick, in the best way. Exceptional arrangement!
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.
I keep coming back to this track. Tim and the Smoking Section are hot.
WOW! Amazing! First time I heard this version and I like it so much!! Thanks Tim Akers & The Smoking Section