40. James Taylor / Smilin' Face

My new Web site is: www.lelandsklarsbeard.com. The new book is there and lots of goodies in the works...
Here are the directions to my new club house if you want to come and hang. flatfiv.co/pages/lees-clubhouse

[@grammawpayton]

I've listened to that song a million times and just now meeting someone who made that music is so completely enjoyable♥♥♥ Thank you for posting!

[@SuperGrayeagle]

Storyteller, master musician and most importantly a blessed human being.

[@mostviciousplayers2028]

thank you for the great music and thank you for saving your friends on the bridge to solo the boss.

[@jameskonkle7794]

Lee, I have always enjoyed your talent. True musician. I appreciate your dedication and demeanor.

[@Producelikeapro]

What a wonderful Bass line on a fantastic song! Classic, timeless music! Nothing beats real performances!

[@Belgija79]

All the best from Serbia🇷🇸🇷🇸🇷🇸👍👍👍take care!!!

[@NothingMaster]

Talented? Yes A person of integrity? Yes But above all, an authentic human being. Thanks for sharing these uplifting moments in such trying times.

[@aeonise]

For all that I would have loved living through the time these songs exploded, I am grateful to instead live in a time I can watch and listen to the brilliant artists behind those songs like this.

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

👍🏻 “there’s never been a greater time to learn” : nuevo laredo channel guy 2023

[@Eskimo1973]

Resist, never give up mr Sklar! I'm confident I speak for many when i say: We love you!

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Yeah, yeah, yeah! Hehehehehehehe!

[@phenixreturns]

@@Shred_The_Weapon in 2004 he resisted too lol

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

No surprise here, phenix returns. That was a year when a contender for the single worst Congress in the history of the United States Constitution was elected. I should think anybody with Mr. Sklar‘s intellect and memories would want to resist. I was only 14 years old at the time myself and just learning to play music.

[@chrisevanz]

What a great story ... played behind the curtain. I’ve had to play parts in from offstage ... but it was opera :) Your playing is full of joy - thank you :)

[@jonathanpeterson84]

RIP CARLOS VEGA!! Such a freaking Monster. If a middle finger had pocket, it would feel like Carlos Vega!! These videos are therapy man. THANK YOU !!

[@rubencorro4294]

Great fantastic bass line by the legend Leland sklar

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

we are blessed ☝️❤️🙏

[@antiv]

This is THE BEST THING to come out of this Covid mess. Thank you again sir.

[@brucepatbland837]

Absolutely! Lee and I are about the same age and I have never seen videos where I could see how clearly the bass player is playing. And of course he wrote the original lines on these songs. An absolute pleasure each day. Thanks Lee!

[@rickvargas2681]

Wow amazing memory mr.lee!

[@user-cv2lg8ml6e]

Thanks Lee for just sticking with it and for getting us all through the last 4-5years love your videos they are great . Keep them coming. ✌️

[@JohnnyGibbons]

It's so nice to see absolute mastery of the instrument like this, shorn of any showboating or extraneous "ego licks". This is the way.

[@peppergrind]

@Sock Account Then everything is ego, cos Leland is about the least egotistical musician ever.

[@paxkosoteras6623]

Les Français t'aiment, the french people love you. Merci pour la bonne musique. Thank you for the good music. Prend soin de toi. Take care

[@morganbeardslee7123]

I just heard this song, for the 1000th time and thought “who the f is that on bass” 💥💥💥💥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@morethanwords]

When Leland played live shows with James Taylor, JT introduced him as the Turin Shroud. Great bass player

[@lockedin60]

I think the time period between 1965-1966 were the rub years. I was is 6th grade Sept 66-May 67. Most of us males had the more current regular hairstyle but their was a friend of mine who was somewhat rebellious who had more of a Ringo Starr haircut. He was given a a hard time by the school administration. But he was never threatened with suspension so he was allowed to wear his hair his way. Now roll forever a few years. I am a Christian and I grew up attending church and still do. I do lean liberal . I just didn't accept what others said I researched things on my own I do hold a Masters of Divinity Degree. When I was 17 I was working part-time at a grocery store. One of the older ladies at the store invited me to her church. This would have been 1972/1973. The pastor was a conservative and narrow-minded. He said that when he was in school and he saw someone with long hair he knew what "gender' they were. He was implying female and it was his rant against men wearing long hair. Of course he used Scripture to support his opposition to long hair. Proof Texting the Christian Scriptures is not admissible in my book. I just wonder about this gentlemen if he saw Christian's males wearing earrings and tattoos today.

[@walterbrazil231]

Ask JT and the boys to join your teaching of us and then maybe no copy right issues. If anything it will get many more listeners of the great James Taylor and his fantastic musicians. Especially of you my brother. 🎶🙏🎶

[@babylontimes639]

My daughter and wife are RNs they are working in the hospital..... we are hoping and praying this will end soon....everyday is a new day for the healthcareworkers..... PEACE...

[@softroadingnewzealand5210]

Something about them walking bass lines that just scream coolness.

[@davidpackard8961]

absolutely...one of my favorite bass lines in a JT piece!!! great work, Lee!

[@yori4666]

I have up until now refrained from commenting on this channel out of respect mostly but I have to share this. Several years ago I was asked by a band of 'younger' folks (I'm 69 yrs now) for help arranging their material for performance. The bassist seemed almost uninterested. Major problem. He explained to me that no one really cared about the bass. He went on to explain and here's hook number 1, that he could stand off stage and most of the crowd wouldn't even miss him. Hook number 2. I went home and recorded Grinnin' Face. Don't tell on me. Gave it to him with the promise he would listen very carefully. Needless to say you changed this young man's life.

[@richbalam6092]

I feel so blessed to see you here regularly...what a privilege!! ...thank you

[@donnasingh1891]

One of my favourite tunes. Thanks for reposting...don’t know business but I love your channel..keep playing and talking👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@synthvault]

Rebel for life! Nothing but respect for you Leland!!!

[@mikekavanaughdotcom]

Woo hoo! And the money police didn't come! Thank you!!!

[@carminelombardi9575]

He makes the bass smile

[@arboristo4407]

Bobby Figueroa, Ken Linsey, Mike Pecanic, Jimmy Mcgrew,... all High school “players”....Danny McCullough...yeah he was a,... well maybe why I quit! My son is Kenneth Stringfellow. I don’t expect you know any of these people, but maybe, It doesn’t matter. The first five I played with back in the late sixties,...Pandoras Box Whisky and Gazarys after hours, nothing big, my son KS is still performing and creating anyway! I’m 71 and happy to find you, your stories are enjoyable for me, thanks for the journey ❤️

[@StephenOshea]

music so so sweet . always appreciate your music and playing the magic .

[@figgybass]

One of my favorite basslines ever!!!!

[@bliastreb6466]

This song came out when I was all of 17. I learned it the old fashioned way. That means a phonograph needle going back again and again, seconds at a time, wearing out the track because I WANTED this groove. So many years later to hear the man who CREATED this bass part has to deal with copyright? Really?

[@markknight6445]

Same here sir. What a pleasure to see the COMPOSER of this brilliant bass line giving us a close up show.

[@gedalifer]

Leave Leland alone! He’s do a public service and promoting the music and the artist! Thanks for your music sir!

[@coryobrien922]

Glad your back with your bass! I’ve got a smiling face!

[@arnejuergens7457]

So true...was a bit worried after yesterday' s messages when things sounded frustrating...but Lee' s back & it' s pure joy and intersting entertainment to watch & listen on a daily basis.

[@brianprice8815]

👍🏻🖕🏻✌🏻 enjoying listening to your stories and watching you play. I’ve enjoyed your bass playing for so many years of my life thank you for doing this.

[@highadventuremusic]

Wow! Now THAT'S a bass line! Thank you Mr. Sklar!

[@stickysongs]

Hippie playing behind a curtain... These stories are real gems. Thank you so much for being who you are!

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

can you imagine that all the sudden you're at the show to think where is the bass player?? he's behind the curtain...🤣

[@Millennial_Mike]

Beautiful song. Absolute masterclass in bass

[@janprimus]

That was just lovely Leland! Thank you.

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

he seems like the coolest dude that ever walked the face of the earth ☝️🌌📈🔭🐥

[@earlsteely4005]

You rock Mr. Sklar! Enjoy your great stories and videos.

[@svenlindemann5084]

Mahalo nui for sharing the music AND the stories !!!

[@klightlightmusic]

THE coolest base line EVER. Thank you a thousand times over.

[@bassman19561]

No excuses needed, I enjoy your playing and it gives me always ideas for my playing, stay safe and healthy

[@JonathanBourneEsq]

I guess I should have 'fessed up to say that I understand your frustration. I'm a "recovering" attorney who has played guitar in bar bands for the last fifty years and has recently switched over to the bass. I really appreciate your videos and am striving to become a player that is 25% as good as you are. Thanks for everything!

[@bucketlung61]

So pleased to see you back and not letting the KZbin suits bring you down. Best wishes from The UK.

[@jonmale3104]

Leland those lines make this song what it is!! I loved them then as I do now not forgetting James's voice the rest of the band a killer package!!

[@luvbasses5487]

YES! Thank you! I don’t care one iota if it wasn’t played verbatim to the record. By you sharing this clip, players should rejoice! This was hugely revealing...for me anyways! I’m totally stoked! Thank u Lee... I’ve said many times in the past that “the Internet has shrunk the world” and that it “ruined mankind.” On the contrary, its positive traits are well..treats like this kind. We get to see a highly revered, A-lister/bass hero play our favorite songs in a intimate setting. If there’s one good thing that came from this pandemic, this is a high point for me.

[@jamiekozimor6877]

Leland, thank you for bringing the sunshine.

[@RikerLovesWorf]

This bassline is one of the "Sweetest" ever recorded. A true standout, the D string plucks are just perfect ear candy.

[@johngastaldo6419]

My smiling face, thank you, these licks live on forever.

[@bootlebeats6331]

What's so enjoyable about your playing is the great compositional sense you have. You're in the same vein as Jamerson and McCartney. Individual approaches but melodically memorable lines. Thanks for sharing despite the digital fleas.

[@JDWDMC]

Thank you for your time Mr Sklar, it is very much appreciated.

[@michaelmaxwell8226]

Leland , I feel like an old friend you never met, everytime I watch your videos. Thank you, peace out brother.

[@michaelevan9184]

You are truly one of the greats .... humble & kind..... thank you sir

[@stevewest2849]

Still got the amazing licks Both performances are beautiful

[@Mortimer_Duke]

Terrific when “not being up to par” spanks 99% of others’ best by a country mile.

[@cr250rdr]

Queued up the 1988 live performance video referenced, synched up with this one, and enjoyed bass overdub along with the face time Leyland got in 1988!

[@Ed-Mace]

Tremendous Lee and so sorry you have to put up with this "copyright" business. Great stories my friend. I remember some decades ago buying The Section LP and was extremely amazed at the musicianship. You're all still legends.

[@ET_Don]

Leland. Thank you for all the years of great music, and now great videos. I play a little bass guitar as a hobby and have learned much from watching and listening to your work.

[@jcburn1973]

Lee I'm really enjoying watching your videos. Please never apologise for what you might perceive as a less than stellar performance or a bum note here and there. Everyone watching couldn't care less, we are all enjoying your playthroughs and stories and you being generous with your time and intellectual property. Peace man 🤟

[@thegreenman555]

Awesome bass lick. Be of good cheer, Lee. In the words of a C14th English mystic ‘all will be well & all manner of things will be well’ 🤗🙏😔

[@marcomazotti]

WHAT an awesome bass line !!!!! Love it - thank you for sharing Mr Sklar

[@missgoldie6257]

You are such a joy. I'm so sorry these things are happening to you. Just makes me sad. Heavy sigh. SUCH a gift, to see you play the bass lines I've listened to for so long. LOVE to your house, from ours.

[@jeffdicesare3703]

My favorite Leland/James Taylor bass line

[@1234uz]

You are DA MAN Lee . I have always so admired your bass playing and it is absolutely NUTZ what these people do regarding "copyright" geesh

[@larryburns3561]

Your bass adds so much

[@maglagratte573]

I must say I discovered bass with you ! I love drums but wow ! This is awesome !!! Thanks so much for sharing this with us ! Thanks thanks thanks ! During these hard times, you are the sunshine of my little meaningless life.

[@VJRKC]

Thank you again Mr. Sklar, you inspire with your talks and teach with your playing. 💪

[@yancylevi]

The best bassist! Thank you

[@dillonpudge9002]

Just doesn’t get any better than this. One of the greatest songs ever, with one of the greatest bass players ever, playing the lines that he wrote, with amazing stories straight from the horses mouth. Please wrap this man in bubble wrap so nothing bad ever happens to him

[@timin770]

I always loved the electric bass guitar in this tune

[@barrytomkinson9408]

lovely song and a lovely musician

[@twocsies]

Most of the people on KZbin are editing the videos. You can even edit directly on a phone. Screw up? Rerecord the segment. Thanks for blessing us with such great bass parts.

[@csgrinds]

Hey Leland, thanks again for doing these. Your Stratus video inspired me to spend initially a few days of practicing it on and off, then 2 days walking around the house with the bass strapped on permanently. Wife was not amused! Upshot is I after many years I have cleaned up my plucking hand technique a lot, with much saner L/R alternation now. Cheers!

[@pablokagioglu2546]

I started out playing guitar, but this song is the reason I picked up the bass... Heard Your Smiling Face on the radio driving home from work (Tucson AZ, 1995) and thought "what a great baseline", I wasn't much of a JT fan at the time, sure it was catchy tune, and JT sang great, but the bass is what made the song for me... From that moment on, anytime I heard I tune I liked, I was immediately listening for the baseline (I got the bug) even on songs I liked because of the guitar parts... Years later (1999) bought my first bass and the JT CD, found out Lee Sklar was the bass player, and been a huge fan ever since... I really like you do in KZbin, a breath of fresh air, honest, wise and informative... You bring so much context to each song you cover, things you simply don't find in liner notes or searching the web... You are a fantatic human being on top of being an excellent musician... I see this channel as a great legacy to music (in general) and any aspiring musician should watch every video... All the best... Love you dude...

[@405Lenny]

I know I’m four years late in seeing this but so glad I found it! That’s quite a story about you playing behind the curtain 😅 How outrageous. 🤔

[@BITESIZEJONES]

Always loved the bassline on that Taylor tune

[@thathawaiiandude787]

Whoa. Aloha Mr. Sklar. I’m a beginner bass player. And, finally, coming out of a rock some where, I guess, I tripped over that same rock and slammed my head into that sane rock and found your channel. Unable to find a bass teacher here Hawaii that teaches bass so far, I’ve been going all over KZbin/Internet desperately trying to find tutorials to learn. And seeing you on this first vid I came across, of one of the many great JAMES TAYLOR tunes I LOVE... was amazing. Most of the vids I’ve watched of the many musicians of my youth in the 70’s and 80’s I’d see you in them on bass.... James, Phil Collins among them. So, to watch and learn from a video you patiently loaded for all.... is so dang surreal. LOL! Huge Mahalo for that and the many years of great music. Stay safe and Aloha, brother!

[@SamPlaysBass49]

Lee, your "not up to par at this moment" is my "in my wildest dreams I wish I could play that 1/4 as well"

[@nathanwalters2856]

This is my favourite Lee Sklar bass line of all time. It always gives me a smiling face 😃

[@MisterMoe92]

Dear Leland, ironically KZbin recommended your channel to me a few days ago. So I paid you a visit and stayed. After months of not even looking at my basses listening to your stories and watching your playing I started to doodle around yesterday. Haven‘t really put my favorite bass (an ~80s Fenix precision bass with a Fender Custom Shop pickup and a beautiful failed aging attempt by the previous owner) down all day. Safe to say, I‘ve fallen back in love with it. So I just want to say thank you for being here and talking to us, it has left a deep impression with me in a good way. All the best.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

that's awesome..and Lee's almost seventy-three so if you look at how long he's played and still plays just goes to show there's a lifelong love with music...hopefully you're back on the path again and realize you could just keep on playing and take care of health

[@jameswhite7997]

Awesome we got it eventually!!!!!!! Worth the wait a delicious bassline.

[@Birthe-er4xc]

Thank U. 👍🥰😍🤩🌈🌞👍

[@mikeycon10]

What a line and groove!! Pure class 👌🏻😎

[@banjoperator]

Thanks man for your perserverence and your humanity, peace..

[@garyworsley9093]

Thanks. Love watching from lockdown in New Zealand

[@hairybustard4247]

Well you brought a smile to my miserable face here in Scotland. Thanks man and keep up the good work.

[@a.a.s.2230]

What fabulous tone! And I just remembered what I always loved most about this song was your bass line! The most tasteful "pluck"!

[@ryderhard]

Absolutely love this.. what a great pov into the bass of this song.. wow thank you

[@DustyMagroovy]

Wow beautiful!! Thanks so much, Mr. Sklar.

[@grantligon9770]

Really enjoyed that bassline. The fills are intriguing and really augment the flow of the song. Thanks

[@djuengst2000]

Thanks Lee, it’s still up. 😊

[@DS-ow2ge]

what a time to be alive. youtube recommended a bass play along by the actual bass player on the record. what a blessing. thank you for sharing the stories and music.

[@jarimarkkanen6383]

Thank you again sir. I love your humanity and kindness

[@KevinChew]

I'm not sure what's cooler, Lee's walking bass lines or when he closes his eyes and the groove is just rock solid and in the pocket.

[@i2ambler2002]

That bass just sounds so delicious. wow.

[@clementtardif750]

Wow and wow

[@peterjohnson896]

Thanks for your passion, devotion and commitment. Stay safe.

[@Jjules-zo5fr]

I love to hear what the bass actually does it’s fascinating. Thank you Leyland x

[@stevebadachmusic]

not only would your covers expose people to music and sell more music, but they can just monetize your videos and collect money that way too. they have all these avenues to make money, but instead they choose to censor everything out of fear. it's bonkers. thanks so much for all these videos

[@lockedin60]

Leland what you are running into is the bean counters over at Sony Music Entertainment which now is the copyright holder for Columbia Records. They are notorious for copyright infringement and DCMA and takedown orders. I think what you do and what Rick Beato does is educational and in many cases you do a good job of introducing an older artist to a new generation of listeners. I was the first generation who was able to get the first buzz out of this song. The Album was released just before I graduated from College. One of the most recognizable bass lines of all time. Keep on fighting brother.

[@andreasprzybyla6489]

KZbin is FULL of all kinds of people playing covers of other people's music ... especially during this time of social distancing. Some of those are "dead ON" re-creations of the original. WTF? Anyway, this is a masterful and wonderfully tasty performance. Thanks!