In the summer of 1988, you were with James Taylor doing a concert in Portland, Maine. I was bummed I couldn’t go to the concert because I was working at the 24-hour LL Bean store up the road in Freeport. The store was abuzz later that night when JT was rumored to be shopping. I didn’t see him because I was at my register on the second floor, but you happened to come to my register and I sold you some LLBean boots. No one knew who you were, but I did. Some joked that I just sold boots to Santa Claus, and I said “No, just the coolest bass player in music right now.” I never did see JT that night, but I didn’t care. It was a great pleasure to meet you.

@michaelhuggins9947

Жыл бұрын

What a GREAT personal story!!

This popped up for me today. (1/26/2023) Wow, way back with #45 (no, not that one!). Great video, great song, great stories. Loved watching you play. I was in high school when this came out. Loved it then, love it now. Thank you so much for sharing. It brightens my day.

You must be the most famous man on KZread at the minute - love the rate of video uploads ! 🤘😊

Mr. Sklar, you and I were at a car rental counter in Nashville back in the 80’s I think. I caught up with you just before you walked into an elevator. Just a quick word then to say that I loved your work. Well the same today as then, I love your work. Thanks for sharing your talent with us over the years and now providing us with a more personal way to share with us.

Fire & Rain; surely one of the finest popular songs ever written. Timeless.

@dr.zarkhov9753

4 жыл бұрын

I agree. Now that I've lived long enough to know that fire and rain in a more tangible way, it means that much more. Brings me to tears sometimes.

"There's gonna be somebody in that audience that's hearing this for the first time, and that's whom ultimately I am playing to." Life lesson! Thank you for this ❤♫

You don‘t need a green screen Lee. We love your room as it is. It is genuine and could be any of our rooms as well ;-)

You have become one of the best people to watch on youtube. thank you so much for the music, the talking, just you.

Rick sent me here! And thanks are in order!

Highlight of my day and lockdown, thank you sir.

What an awesome bass sound!

So grateful for you Lee. So grateful that you are sharing these experiences.

Elo Mr Skylar. I came across your name via a Rick Beato video. All I can say is thank you so bloody much, listening to you play, and your stories is perfect for these days spent in isolation!! I shall be going on a bit of a binge on your content and can’t wait to watch. Hope you and your family keep safe and well. All the best.

No need for green screen, just being yourself in your own abode is the way to be, thank you for all you share and do 👍

Thank you Mr. Sklar for your music, stories , and giving us a glimpse into the life of an icon.

🙏 thank you very much Lee for doing this every day! Take care and stay confident.

..and another classic from the legend himself! Who doesn't LOVE this song?

Growing up in Pacific Palisades and Brentwood, one of my best friends was a boy named Scott Moore. As I began playing more music, I would talk with Scott and his father Ron about my favorite musicians of inspiration. Anyways, one day Ron Moore told me that he is your accountant. Small world. Ron was a very good man to me as I grew up. I consider you the secret ingredient if an artist wants a catchy hit song. From Jackson Brown to JT, Phil, and many others, it is your bass line which caught my attention as standing out and being more than ordinary, pushing the song along, and never taking away from the song. I have played now for 32 years, I can't believe it. I am not a gifted musician, I am a practiced musician who pulls out licks from my bag of tricks. Thank you for taking the time during this awful moment in human history to share yourself with those who appreciate it. I moved to Mexico (Cabo), and gig more often than I ever imagined I would, especially down here, supplementing my life with my bass playing. I am excited to reaporoach songs I have played for years, but with a greater insight to your approach. I am eager to watch you play some Toto stuff. Somebody's Baby (JB) is also one I would like to see you play. Take care of yourself and your family.

I bet James Taylor is grateful to you as well.......:)

I, We love you just the way and place that you are playing and sharing your life with us. THANKS.

Please don't pull no green screen or whatever behind you,... your videos look and feel so homey and cozy, it seems like Iistening/talking to a good old friend , who calls you from far away by Skype.Thank you, mr Sklar, we love you!

You are a real treasure,sir. Ty for everything you do and give to us.

I like the pile of stuff behind you, it feels real and not stage set. It's Leland Sklar sittin' down telling us stories and brightens up my days.

Yes...by all means DON"T STOP making these videos!!!! You are a gem!

I became a huge fan back around 1970 when you were working with James Taylor. Never imagined sitting listening to you chat and play 50 years later...

For the rest of my life when people ask me who is my favorite bassist is I will answer. Leland Sklar.

Beautiful sound. I love that bass.

For me there is one particular song that Leland shines and it's "Only Love is Real" by Carole King....The song itself in tempo and sound is perfectly written and connected. I wish Leland would do the same as he did in this post, and enamor us with his brilliance.

“There is always somebody in the audience hearing the song for the first time.” - That describes me hearing Fire and Rain for the first time with this video. Thank you for the beautiful song and your gorgeous playing.

@kitano0

4 жыл бұрын

Just curious...how old are you?

@helenespaulding9372

4 жыл бұрын

kitano0 my thought too. It’s such a classic beautiful song.....

@helenespaulding9372

4 жыл бұрын

Joseph Francis Burton you should look up the full album and listen to it. Taylor and Jackson Browne had the most beautiful singing voices.

@lelandsklar6363

4 жыл бұрын

kitano0 73 next month! 🎂

@kitano0

4 жыл бұрын

@@lelandsklar6363 Not you, silly man...I was asking Joseph Burton. But, happy birthday...and thanks for these fun videos...been listening to you all my life, and such a pleasure to get to hang with you!

Hay Lee I am 46 and just picked up the bass a little over a year ago and fell in love. If your yard if your yard is your way of staying sane then the bass is mine. I stumbled across your videos the other day and found a kindred spirit. Keep it up. I love the stories and the truly masterful music.

Hello Lee, I have magically found You from Lee Michaels's Podcast. Magically because Fire and Rain and Steam Roller Blues got me thru my most Profound Life Experience in Real Time. James was telling the story of my Girl Next Store as I was living The Tragedy of Her Early Death. One night several years later, I was TOO HIGH and knew if I sat Iwould die as she did, And then Her Spirit Arouse as a Pure White Vision and I went toward her and we merged and I made it Thru. My Brother found me at my Home the next day still puking . His comment was, ' Well what do We have here?' So much for Holy Moments. Anyway, I worked Earthday 2000 in DC and came into contact with James in a small circle backstage and somehow thought he would know me, but he didn't. Im am 74 yrs. and am feeling much like I did in 1970 Sans Tragedy. Thank You for what You Had to say in dialogue and in Music. Peace, Bruce Spiegelman

Lee, my wife is a nurse and we've been watching your videos on our TV when we have some chill time. (We appreciate the shout outs too). She saw me watching this one while she was getting ready for work and stopped me!..."no no wait till I can watch too!" Huh! You're one of the few things we both like to watch on TV!

Thanks for bringing a beautiful daily shaft of light to my little village in England. You're not just an inspirational bassist but a truly inspiration person.

Simply one of the best songs on the planet. Loved watching you playing it. Thanks again.

Keep singing and talking to us Lee!

Leland your videos are giving my SVS subwoofer a real workout. I want to thank you so much for these videos and your career. Back in the day I went to junior high and high school with Jeff Porcaro. He graduated from grant high school early so he could start working on the Sonny and Cher TV show. I followed his career which ended so tragically. A few years ago when I was still burning compilation CD I made a 10 cd compilation of all the music Jeff had played on. There were times that I wish I could have been Jeff or lived his life. I have to say after watching your videos that I wish I could’ve lived your life. At a minimum I now need to do what I think will be a huge compilation of music that you played on. I knew of you from all those Toto concert videos you played on. With all your KZread videos it has been great to get to know you. I am 65 now and just retired and this is really not the world that I expected to retire in. However if there are more people like you in this world then there is hope. Take care Leland and keep the music alive.

@lelandsklar6363

4 жыл бұрын

Did tons of records with Jeff. He was such a dear friend. Losing him was one of the worst things in my life.

Fire and Rain. Just beautiful! Thank you. My 15y/o son has taken up the bass, and I have saturated his brain with music from the good old days, and teaching him as much as I can. He asked me today "Who's that," while watching this vid. "Well," I said...this is a legend." Telling him of your path. Then I pulled up your wiki page...scrolled down to your discography, and showed him how many songs, albums, and movies you've been on. "Wow!" "Yes son, wow!" And now another fan that will be watching these great vids. Thank you!

@lelandsklar6363

4 жыл бұрын

Give him my best wishes! All the very best.....

@PGeorge61

4 жыл бұрын

@@lelandsklar6363 Thank you! And to you as well.

Your enjoyment of this song, in this moment, is wonderful. ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 🌴 📸

Absolutely my favorite James Taylor song. It really brings back memories of traveling across country on my motorcycle to get to California from NC. I had it on cassette on a tiny little Sony Walkman player with an ear phone.

Yupp, still a legend

I heard a story about Horowitz when he was 92. He suffered from arthroses in his hands and they were stiff when he woke up in the morning. He would go to his piano and start playing. He sounded like a 3 year old pounding away, gradually he gained some mobility and several hours later he could play his solfeges. And he always gave his concerts in the evening. And he'd start again the next day.

I say Lee Sklar for president!!! Thank you Lee, don't stop!!!!

Best share yet. Thank you for the stories, the tunes, and the stories behind those tunes. Loved hearing your bass do the talking on stage over the years, and now loving hearing your voice doin’ the talking. A very sincere thank you for being who you are.

The first time I ever heard of You Mr Sklar was when I bought James Taylor’s album at 15 years old because of this song. It was one of the first times that I ever tried to figure out who the other people on the record were other than the title person. The reason I did that was because I fell in love with the bass line. So I went out and bought a Fender bass, quit playing trumpet in the school band, and met a whole bunch of people by playing in bands who are still my friends today. Thank you Lee

we love the spare room. You made what could have been a boring bass line into something majestic. Your basslines are alive in a right of their own. And I am clap clap clapping in my spare room. You've got a friend ... its called the A.I. algorithm copyright Agent

Mr. Sklar - quintessential flattened bass-pinky, BTW! Love your daily messages. Re: Horowitz - when I was at a crossroads of career choice I was headed toward sports and then I thought, "what can I do until I'm 90 years old?" and Vladimir Horowitz and Arthur Rubinstein popped into my mind - done deal! Thanks for your insights!

The passion you put in every note you play inspire me!!!

Oh where do I begin? First: Thanks for the video(s), Lee! I guess a good place to point something out, is that for you younger musicians: note how that he really was not going at some break-neck pace. Its harder to play slower than it is faster. This is a master musician very plainly and matter of factly schoolin' all of us @ once. It felt like he was whipping out one method/skill/ability after another as he went along, just smacking down that groove - with a snappy little run up the neck at the end, too. I would love to hear a tune or two from the Wolfgang band, if the mood strikes you, Lee. I think my favorite Dingwall is that nice all wood body, its too damn pretty to play....almost. Instruments are meant to be played and *not* collect dust (Another thing I was taught in Memphis).

You recognized brilliance when you saw it and James recognized brilliance when he saw it. You two were perfect together! Then you added a few more brilliant musicians and the rest is history!

Great performace my friend ! thanks for the shout out to ! LOL love you brother

Thank you Lee, this has deepened my appreciation of a song I've always loved. Keep well sir.

I love you, Leland. Your bass lines changed my brain in the '70s and set me on the path to be a composer and multi-instrumentalist. Your posts are my treasure. Damn, I'd love to jam with you. Maybe there's a universe where that happens. I'd love to tune in to that show.

There are many of us that are transfixed with your playing as well. Reminds me a lot of seeing BB King about 25 years ago. Just amazing to soak it all in as he did his thing. That is the same to me as watching you now.

@GudmundurKristjansson

4 жыл бұрын

yeah that's right about BB I also remember and that was way before I got me a real guitar, how BB also played with is belly! and used it as a WaWa effect! when he bent the body of his 335

Thank you for taking the time to do this. You are an inspiration

Love the way you are just as deeply absorbed within the more technically simple stuff as you are with the more physically difficult pieces. It's a real lesson for me that seems to have a lot to do with how to play music! Thank you.

As a player, I totally understand not getting bored playing the same songs a lot. Even on the most middle of the road covers I play, I enjoy the audience enjoying the music. And you being onstage with J.T. , I can't imagine that being anything less than exhilarating.

That’s beautiful, beautiful tone on that bass

Great videos. Congratulations from Portugal. Great bass player, fantastic stories. Thank you.

James Taylor and Paul Simon best acoustic players ever. Writing and playing skills of equal value.

Used to listen to this over and over, singing along :)

Mr. Sklar. If this message finds I have some things I'd like to say to you concerning your music. I grew up listening to James Taylor and cut my Bass guitar teeth on your work with him. I have many, many influences on my playing that range widely from Billy Sheehan to John Entwhistle to Will Lee. But you were and are the closest model to my style. While my health issues have taken a toll on my hands I still try to play from time to time. I know I'm blowing a lot of sunshine here but this is my opportunity to offer my thanks for your inadvertent tutelage and just plain old great music over the course of my 54 year old life.

So good. I love to watch you transform from telling the story with your mouth to telling the story through your fingers and your bass. You are in the song in such a way that you are bearing your soul. Thank you so much for sharing.

Thanks Leland for being a good friend to us all in these times of 'Fire & Rain' best wishes..

Love your channel Lee! You are so generous to share so much.

Greetings from Copenhagen, Denmark - me and my boyfriend are happy to have your lovely presence with us here in our livingroom! We feel like we have known you always after only a little more than a week! More stories about Led Zeppelin are most welcome - I´m a long term fan (and lover of blues and stuff mostly from before the 80íes , and also classical music in various forms:) ) and my boyfriend is a former guitarist. I work as nurse doing yoga and meditation on the side. Stay safe and on

Beautiful playing and sound. Perfect for the track.

For Christmas in 1970 this eleven year old finally got my own stereo. It was a blue, hard plastic, suitcase affair, a GE Wildcat. I had started fooling around on both drums and bass in late 1968, early 1969. I was a music geek already thanks to my guitarist older brother, and my even older sister. (My oldest brother was in Viet Nam.) The new stereo came with two albums, McCartney, and Sweet Baby James, by James Taylor. The stereo didn't have a headphone jack, so I'd have to turn the volume really low. I would put both albums on the turntable and hit play... Those two albums were like a lullaby that I'd fall asleep to every night. As such, I was very familiar with the drum and bass magic of you and Russ. Your playing was a huge influence before I even knew your name. I had gotten to see you play live many times over the years with many different artists in cities up and down the east coast. In 2010 the James Taylor & Carole King "Troubadour Tour came to Pittsburgh. It was the final show at the Civic Arena (Mellon Arena due to naming rights...) I had seen many artists over the year there, but I somehow knew this would be something special. But I was really excited when you and Russ came onto the stage. It truly was a magic night. In 2019 I attended a Russ Kunkle drum clinic in Harrisburg, and got to meet him in person for a minute. More importantly, one of the songs that he played along to was "Fire and rain", one of the songs that started my love affair with his and your playing. Watching you play this today brought all of these memories to the surface. Thank you again for your artistry and inspiration.

Thanks Leland for pulling us trough with your music and your stories and what an amazing bass that Frankenstein is. Greetings from the Netherlands, take care and stay safe.

oh wow, Mr. Sklar. What a pleasure it is to click on your youtube video. Believe it or not I'm 30 years old and have seen James Taylor 5 times. The first two times was when the original band from the Troubadour got back together for the James Taylor/Carole King tour. I was a high school student and went to both June 2010 shows with my mom at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia but had heard "Fire and Rain" before that. According to my mom I've liked James since I was around 3 or 4, drove her kind of nuts.

I'd love to know what bass players and musicians you admire and whether there's someone you'd love to play with that you haven't had the chance to do. I appreciate the videos you produce so much as they provide lots of glimpses into a life a lot of us only dream about! Thank you very much!

I think I had read that James Taylor had spent some time hanging with Jim Croce in the very early years in his back yard when Croce lived down the street from where I now live. Croce wrote the majority of his hits there. The small out house with the cathedral window that Croce was looking out of on his “You don’t Mess around with Jim” album still stands there. It was a farm house apartment he lived in during the late 60s, early 70s in Lyndell, Pa. Cheech Marin & Argo Guthrie hung out there a lot with him. He wrote time in a bottle there.

@lelandsklar6363

4 жыл бұрын

Cheech and I were art students in college together. I remember him telling me that he and a friend were going to try out a comedy act. OY!

@johnkenna2195

4 жыл бұрын

Leland Sklar - Very cool ! Caught their show in 1972 at the Valley Forge Music theater which no longer exists. Tore it down for a shopping center. I’m Still pissed about that. Who can forget “ Mother Mary Elephant” 😂

Bless you Leland Sklar.

There's such an art to playing simple songs like this and knowing when to "ground" it and when to "embroider" it. You just gave a mini master class in these things.

@DennisAlvarezMusic

2 жыл бұрын

If I may chime in, my favorite players (young and older) are those who can "embroider", but always know how and when to "ground" it. Very well said David.

Thank you for these stories of your career, may the future be as colorful as these are. Peace.

Wow! That was amazing! Thank you!

Happy B day Lee!!

Leland Sklar: the bass master. Thanks from Italy.....

I love listening to you share your memories and sharing your talent with the world. I'm a fellow bassist and enjoy watching and hearing you play. Keep the music alive and continue sharing with the world.

Stunning. Enjoying these videos so much. please don't ever stop

Leland, You are my bedtime storyteller here in the UK. I look forward to hearing you every night. You are a truly remarkable musician.

Green Screen.....! Perfect Leland!!

Smooth as a gravy sandwhich!!!

@Jeuwseph

3 жыл бұрын

Workin' on up trying to save the planet

sweet ! This is soooooo good of you to let us into your life .... be safe ... peace ! p.s. I have been blessed to be a chapter coordinator for Guitars For Vets .. in Viera Fl ... our goal is to end veteran suicide .. pass it on brother !

Your bass sounded phenomenal on this video!

Fire & Rain ....... such a beautiful song, ..... seldom I can hold my tears back. And btw., there is no "green screen" necessary, I like this background. It's a kind of "home-feeling".^^

this is so awesome Leland hearing you talking about the times and songs, ah man its ... beautiful

Just subscribed to your channel because Rick Beato thinks so highly of you. Looking forward to your pearls of wisdom, knowledge and history.

Worth mentioning again... that bass is outrageously, unbelievably good sounding. I don't know if you add any bump from 250-500 on your amp or if it just speaks phenomenally well in that region... man, just unreal. And it helps that you are playing it! I agree with you; playing songs and supporting them while adding, as you've said, as little as possible to contribute... that never gets old. Especially not a song this incredible and iconic.

that bass sounds great !

Lee, I am a t-shirt guy too!!! Rock on!!!

So much of my heart has always been wrapped around this song. Thank you.

Absolutely love these videos, hearing you play, and hearing you talk about your experiences creating music! Thank you Leland!!

Thank you so much for these moments of beauty and sanity in these deranged times, and thanks for being so honest and real. Your videos don't feel like a music legend talking to a camera, they feel like being on skype with a very loquacious friend! And that bass... Well, I've heard it in countless recordings of yours, but listening to it in this naked form is unreal, it truly is a dream bass, it sounds perfect and now I see clearly why it is such a studio legend in itself ;)

Very touching 😌 The beauty of this song never fades away over time.... Thank you for being a part of it!

Thank you !!! Pleased to hear your stories ! Go on and stay safe ! Hugs from Milano Italy ! Ciao Leland !

Magic, you are pure magic, you deserve the success and respect from everyone, best wishes!

Please, carry on! You are an inspiration. After a long time, I start playing 🎸 again. Stay healthy and stay at home 🌳 😉. Best wishes from 🇩🇪

Keep it up sir. Your stories and bass lines are tremendous!

The master himself. Please keep doing this .i work in healthcare and this is so cathartic!

You mentioned playing with B. B. King and how star struck you felt being in the same room with him-I think a lot of us, I know I do, have a similar feeling every time you come into our home with a story and song to share with us. Thank you for being so generous with your time and talent. Stay home...stay safe...save lives!