73. James Taylor / Shower the People

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]

About a million times over many years I sang with this song as I commuted to work and home - now I love seeing the bass I was hearing♥ Thank you for the video!

[@pl5bnsf]

Videos like this are why KZbin is so great at allowing so much information to be shared. Back in the old days, when that music came out, there would be next to no way for the bass playing on songs to be highlighted.I have so much appreciation for bass playing now that I never had before. And that applies to drumming as well.

[@maiziemom]

Never realized how beautiful the bass was until you singled it out and I could distinctly hear it! Lovely! 💗

[@oglemansviews675]

Man, I really enjoyed how melodic that bass line was .Hadn't noticed that before. Good work. Thanks for sharing your talent and your stories with us.

[@Original_Lurke_fromthe_Unknown]

Thank you to all who help us essential workers, healthcare workers etc.

[@kennonmoen4424]

Mmmmmm...that’s why I love the bass. Beautifully done! Thanks for another great visit. Stay home...stay safe...save lives!

[@uncledavesbadbass]

Something you said reminded me of an old friend who said..."It's nice to be important. But it's more important to be nice." Feel free to use that...spread love like you are Lee. Thanks much

[@wdbearfan]

Oh my God ...what a privilege to be sitting in with you and James. So cool. TY

[@tvandermeulen]

Hi Lee, I've watched all your videos since our lockdown here in Australia. Despite the sad aspects of the pandemic, getting to 'know' you through these sessions has been a profound pleasure. I'm of a similar vintage as yourself and have been an avid JT fan throughout. I have seen you both at a number of concerts here 'down under', all remembered fondly, and have all the recorded concerts, but the first time I saw the tape recorder wheeled out for 'Shower the People' took my breath away. Now today, hearing you recreate this incredible moment, and to hear your personal reminiscences of that time is a truly emotional experience for me. It has made me appreciate the power of music, and the feeling of having shared this magic moment, although we've never met. Thank you for your efforts and I hope you continue to play and enjoy your music for a long time.

[@tdclark235]

Your fingers are wonderful. You have provided the rythym section of our lives. Thank you!

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I so love this song *"Shower the People",* by James Taylor.

[@theosolberg]

Your videos have become a way to escape the frustrations of our current days. Thank you so much. And I hope we can keep enjoying them, as long as you enjoy making them.

[@mr.smileytm]

Leland, you are a major inspiration. Both your playing and your way of thinking are really making an impression on this 25-year-old fledgling bassist.

[@jobryant8672]

Love what you do with your right hand when its not playing the notes. Looks like you're scattering holy water on your right knee. Really enjoying these moments of calm and common sense, and, as Billy Cobham changed my life, its great to here the inside stories of your association with him. Cheers.

[@RicG.]

Great stories Leland - thanks so much for sharing! And thanks for mentioning us grocery store workers - it means more than you could know.

[@davidpackard8961]

A fantastic song...you are correct...perfect for the times. What really struck me was the melodic quality of the bass line. So sweet! Thanks again and again.

[@randyelviss4801]

You are such a lovely spirited man and it is a pleasure to ride along with you on this journey of remembrance! Cheers

[@KeithGriffin]

Saw this tour and the tape machine when JT came home to chapel hill and played in Carmichael. One of the memories that comes back to me frequently and I loved this video.

[@1983rlj]

You are a treasure sir! Thank you for sharing what's in you, with the world. Be safe!

[@bluehousemusic844]

Dear Leland, thank you so much for the wonderfull stories, beautifull music and great humam attitude. Keep well 🍀✌️🎥

[@BenGott]

Mr. Sklar, these videos are a joy. Thank you, and please keep sharing!

[@garymonteleone1731]

You hope We are having fun ? We are having a blast watching these videos !!!!! Thank you so so much for giving us your time ! Stay well and grab that WD-40

[@johnking8888]

First saw JT with this great gentleman, Russ Kunkel and Danny Kortchmar and band in the mid 70s The Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. Thank you for the great stories.

[@bassplayer8815]

It's impossible not to enjoy these videos they are amazing

[@guitarenigma]

I remember being at one of those live shows! Thanks for posting (and the memories)...

[@elzak040]

What a great start of my day…Thank you so much Mr. Sklar, take care 🙏🏼.

[@bryanhebden8398]

Thanks for your music Lee, and your thoughts and encouraging people to calm down and be respectful of others when dealing in this Covid environment.

[@steveseim]

Hahaha, that tape machine story is hysterical.

[@ronbock8291]

I know it’s the player, and not the instrument, but seriously, dude, if I owned that particular bass, I would never put it down, it sounds so fucking goooood. Thanks for doing these Lee, they’re my favourite thing on the internet.

[@Stratgem]

Finally caught up to your latest video. I'm sure its been said a million times. Thank you so much for doing this. I can't wait to go back with Bass in hand and learn from the master. Please, please keep this up when you have time. You have to be one of coolest people in our collective humanity! So many excellent stories. So much musical history. I just can not thank you enough for playing and talking to us.

[@MadeOnTape]

what a pleasure to see this. i can see so many memories coming through in your face and hands. thank you for documenting and sharing with us!

[@triketacular8093]

I taped a James Taylor concert years ago on VHS. It was on a pbs pledge drive show. If I remember correctly the concert was from the Beacon theatre. Loved his version of Chubby Checker's "Twist", :-). With James doing the twist with one of his female back up singers. So kool, lol. Thanks for sharing. Cheers.🙂👍🇨🇦

[@JohmathanBSwift]

You're bass and stories inspire musicians to be better Leland . Thank you . Oh, happy birthday to your loved ones.

[@frankjamesenglishartist]

Thanks Leland awesome stories and sounds, so many great JT songs you were on and more.. Us hippies need more people, we have been attacked since the 60's every decade.. Here in Michigan madness rules as usual, we are in Hamtramck an island city inside of Detroit, many people have been slow to recognize masks, today was a massive ordeal, our houses are four feet apart, on average 95 years old, many waves of immigrants have always come through this town and it is true now more than ever.. From all over the globe many are learning but we have trumper white supremacists like crazy here, their kids attacking us on the sidewalk not wearing masks, our front door is six feet from the sidewalk w a large porch i play on a lot.. The Ukraine here are massively for trump and popping out babies like crazy.. they swarm our sidewalks and force us out of their way.. Amazing bullies.. Only city in the US with a muslim government, many mosques, Polish, Bengal, Bosnian, African American most people live below the poverty line, average age mid to late 20's lol... Lots of music from this town in the past, many amazing bars and venues mostly now gone.. Now mostly you see suburban bands play here and leave, some national bands.. The Attic Blues Bar was my favorite, closed ten years ago very sad.. I had many amazing experiences there.. The Butler Twins were amazing they are worth checking out on youtube sometime, they lived above the bar.. They suddenly passed within a few months of each other right before i became a father.. I tried to help keep the bar going and i was there even on the last day it was open up past 2am.. It was sold in a shady deal with no warnings no chances to save it to a Ukraine mob, another way for them to consolidate a hold on our town.. Jack White attacked me at the Attic and has bullied me, talked bad about me to other performers and more.. He is a bad energy person and i have a lot of stories about him.. the darkside

[@Bassmint44]

There are not words BIG enough to describe how beautiful your heart is, LeLand! I hope our paths cross in person again one day. I need to remind you of when we first met backstage in Kansas City while you were touring with Phil Collins in 1985 on The No Jacket Required Tour! It was EPIC...for me meeting you when I was a young bass player! You're the BEST!

[@goodun2974]

Back in the 80s, when it took an entire rack of equipment to do what you can do nowadays with just a couple of looper pedals, I saw Steve Morse do a solo show that he introduced thusly: "What you're about to hear is made possible by the miracle of the microchip. If you like it, I'll take the credit; but if you don't, don't blame me, blame the microchip!". Not to worry, we all definitely liked it! Walking out of the club afterwards, I heard a guy in front of me say to his girlfriend, almost in disbelief, "I can't believe what I just heard!".

[@Steady47]

Thanks for sharing. It is one of my all time favorite JT songs. So nice to see you play and enjoy these timeless gems. Peace. :)

[@Stringman1950]

Man, that takes me back to happy times. Love your playing. Thanks, Leland.

[@probype]

Thanks Lee... beautiful song, so good to see you playing it, the clean, simple, yet perfect notes on it.... a pleasure seeing ..... I watch your videos every evening in my music studio at 6.00PM when I have my hour of music, study, playing... before I start playing.... so good... thanks again... ciao from Milan, Italy

[@orsie200]

Lee, I have been fortunate to see you perform with J T at least 3 times. I saw a show you described with the recorder. I’m crazy about J T, and I met him in 1967 at McCormick Place in Chicago. He was such a gentleman to me. I totally admit to also being crazy about you and Arnold McCuller. Maybe I’m just crazy, PERIOD. I know I say it often, but these videos are helping me make it through these days. Love from Iowa, Lori Parrish Niemi Euphonic Studio, LLC

[@CARDINAL701]

I love the way Leland plays, I have been a fan of his for decades....he knows what the bass is supposed to sound like, and what it's supposed to do in the context of the music he's playing. It's no mystery why you would need an abacus to count the number of sessions he's played on, and everyone sings his praises. A real icon. Love this channel.

[@dmlevitt]

what an iconic bass part. so melodic. I love that song. you are a kind soul. thank you for being so generous. love each episode. stay safe.

[@seeaitsch8217]

dmlevitt 👍👍👍

[@donniesmith6211]

Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis Tennessee- "Meet my friend, Revox." I found ticket stubs for 1982 and 84, but I think this was the 8/14/82 show. I've seen James twenty one times and you were with him probably ten or more of those times including The Troubadour Reunion Tour. Six times I've had the pleasure of seeing him with three generations of my family. Three times with my Mom and my kids and three times with my kids and grandchildren. You've deeply touched four generations of my family. We're excited to see the Tedesco film about The Section. Stay well.

[@donniesmith6211]

For what it's worth, one of my all time favorite bass parts is on "Secret O' Life."

[@exporter_CA]

Great song, great performance. One of my favourites so far. "Shower the people you love with love" - let this be the motto of our lives! Leland, we need more people like you in the world. Thank you!

[@chowchichang2922]

Another beautifully Melodic playing ... speechless !

[@antrivers46]

Wow, just wow. Stumbled across this whilst watching other JT reactions. What a privilege to watch you reacting. Fantastic bass player. Thrilled to find this, thank you ❤

[@wagnerribeirodesantana1651]

One of the most beautiful songs by James Taylor! ❤️🎶🎧

[@hermanklump8983]

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your videos. I don’t know anything about the bass, but I find your talent amazing and your presence calming.

[@PlainD]

Thanks for the stories, Lee. I remember watching James use the Revox on stage way back when. I especially liked the spotlight. Very nice touch.

[@csgrinds]

Leland - selfish request - "How sweet it is", if you feel inclined.

[@radeum1010]

I might getting older on the outside but that part of me on the inside that refuses to let go of my 'Rock and Roll Heart' has tears of joy welling up for such a beautiful and gentle, so far 8.35 of this KZbin .. (I've stopped there to write this) Thank-you Leland..

[@evans5172]

Absolutely awesome Lee 👍👍👍👍. Thank you Sir for taking the time to make and share these videos, thoroughly entertaining. Take care and look after yourself. Watching you in sunny South Wales, UK 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@metrhino]

Lee, these videos have been the highlight of my lockdown! Many thanks from (live at) Leeds, UK.

[@jimstrat]

Your videos have made the days much easier to deal with. Salute!

[@robfalgiano]

Beautiful. Your bassline is perfect. I love performing this song too. Never fails to move people. One of the best.

[@davemiddleton4146]

Thank you so much Leland! I appreciate your history, passion, humor and humility, and of course your playing:) Hello from Seattle:) Best, Dave

[@shannontheodorebrenneriii1470]

Thanks for putting these videos out, I must have seen you play with James Taylor and Phill Collins 10-15 times dating back to 1990, and your videos are making my cabin fever much easier.

[@chrisradburn4565]

Great channel, thanks for taking the time every day.

[@NylonVoice]

clapping - thumbs up! great memories indeed - thank you.

[@cfreeman5631]

Yep I saw that show, and he did it on Saturday Night Live with the machine.Awesome.

[@chybug1916]

Thanks again for another daily dose, I look forward to each one!

[@rodshop5897]

Fun to sit here, watch you with your bass, while I try to play along on my bass. Feels like we're playing together, and I'm getting to learn.

[@sharonsislockwall]

Just stumbled upon this series... Leland, what a gift! This is a joy, to go through your memories, and hear and watch you play these songs. I'm a somewhat novice player and am loving learning from how you play parts!!

[@jackharriet4814]

Thank you again Lee. Once more, it's very moving to watch you play a song that means a lot to all of us, but obviously has much more directly personal meaning for you. It's another effortlessly amazing bassline with tasty note choices all over and great moments - but - equally precious is watching you as you play. You said in this video that playing this song brings up lots of memories, and, we could feel that this was happening just by watching. All the best Lee - and happy birthday to your sister and nephew. Best wishes from England.

[@dondreibelbies9213]

Thanks so much for the music and stories! May you & yours be safe as well.

[@isitrealgood]

It is Wednesday 10:15 a.m. PDT, and this video is still up. (whew!) I love the stories. I love the talk about your gear and how you use it, and, I've said it before, it's fun to watch a master in action.

[@glennsmusicchannel]

Lee, May 12 is my dad's 75th and I know he appreciates your work! I went and saw him today - first contact since this all started.

[@mikemoran5003]

As usual, a great experience hearing great music and marvelous stories from your career. (I think the audio was the Boston 1988 show.) I'll be watching and listening tomorrow, Lee.

[@donnasingh1891]

I just loved this...the song..Jamesand you and that great bass playing. I’m so glad I found your channel. Love listening to you.

[@marccom34]

Wonderful...i push a play button...to see a video of you pushing a play button to play along a song with someone pushing a play button to play along a taperecorder....thank you so much for your video's...it really lighten up my day

[@dariomaiello393]

Meet you every night as you were an old friend...Lee! And think how emotioning must be remembering at all the wonderful music you gave contribution...top Musician!

[@edwinpauptit7460]

What a great way to start my day here in #theNetherlands. Took me back to the late 70's freaking around With two taperecorders to get the band a bunch of backing vocals😂

[@marcusviniciussantoskuchar829]

I used to have the videotape of that show. The use of the tape recorder was definitely a highlight of the whole experience. I believe it was recorded in Boston. Great song!

[@keithobrien5592]

Leland, you make it look effortless to play the way you play. I worked as a Locksmith for many years before I retired from my 9-5 job and so I love the WD-40 thing about the chair. I had to go and find the video you are playing along on to see it for myself after, I was disappointed you're not shown in it. Also the reference about - the squeaky wheel was appropriate in the song with WD-40 mention. Keep posting these videos, I look forward to more and I'm going to try to watch what I haven't seen yet. Thank you. I think I'm comment number 500.

[@waynethompson7460]

Wow.... your touch and feel on this! Thank you for sharing your time, stories, and talent!

[@justmusic108]

...well the sound... is ...hard to say... but for my soul it is really nice. Thank you very much, Leland, for today and for so many other days, thank you.

[@karlsbaby1]

What a joy it is to see and hear you everyday. I'm out in my photography studio doing some image retouching and enjoy your videos. I get notifications on my screen when you have uploaded a video and it's hard to wait to watch them. Your bass playing is so sublime yet powerful at the same time and there are always a few wonderful surprises in your bass lines. Thank you so much for doing these. Be well.

[@johndoyle2544]

So I finally (after many of these vids), have to tell you, that it was you sir, who opened one of the four doors for me: Prog: ELP 1971 Classical: Looney Tunes, Rocket Ship 7 1964 Rock/Pop, Ventures, Beatles, 1963 Jazz: The Section. 1972 I can’t remember how I came to own that “Pie” album, I think It was free somehow. Anyway, I played it a lot. And it opened my ears. I later saw your name on Spectrum and I smiled. I saw your name on a few other credits over the years too... However, I had no idea that you were the bassist on so many other tunes that I loved, but never purchased. Discovering your collaborations In these videos has made the hair on my arms stand straight. All I can say is Thank You!

[@Nick-sg8xo]

I remember seeing JT using the tape machine: on a TV appearance (SNL?). Thanks for sharing as always .

[@monkeymanyoung6153]

Thanks Leland. This is your very best playing for me, JT is so awesome too. Your a good man. Thanks

[@TheDontflinch]

Thanks for posting Leland!

[@mnelson56]

I saw one of those tape recorder shows at San Diego State University outdoor amphitheater, and I recall this in the early 80's! He did Shower the People with that big reel-to-reel on the stage. Funny as hell. Forgot about that. Dang, love Mr. Taylor!

[@sabvixen3374]

We have rules in the UK that are now confusing the heck out of people. Anyone that cannot work from home i.e. the low paid and manual workers are being ordered back to work. And Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have basically looked at the Prime Minister as the mad man he is and are staying on lockdown. Thanks for another video that cheers the soul

[@josecerezo1972]

MARVELOUS SONG!!!❤💯❌💯

[@acefox1]

Loved this video. Really loved your story about the tape player, Mona the pig and your bicycle bell. This is always one of my favorites.

[@johnp5771]

Vividly remember the Revox and you back in college in the early 80's. My first JT concert. A great memory. Thanks for reviving.

[@Mark_Brooks]

Thank you to you, Lee, for sharing your stories, your talent and your humanity with us. Long time fan. It means a lot to me for you to be here.

[@reliablebow]

Thank you Leland.... just went back to 88 and saw the video.... heartfelt ✨So good to hear you too🌟

[@jimsmallwood1445]

Great song. Celebrating 47 years of marriage today and we both love this song. Leland, you should get a pass on copyright issues here. What you are doing is playing to what you played on originally and providing joy to many in the process. You should get good wishes for that.

[@TerryRossi]

JT always moves me and you move me to man. So glad you are keeping the populous up and groovin. Don't stop!

[@johnjenkins5854]

Boston guy here. Seen you fellas many times. When James goes up register to LOVE LOVE LOVE IS SUNSHINE ☀️. And I love how how you beat, the beat. Loooong time fan. Thank You.

[@adamskaboy]

Great stuff Leland....I just love seeing the bass as you play it to the songs I’ve known for years. It’s quite a treat since I play guitar and have been playing songs from most if not all of the artists you have played with on all those great albums. It’s a nice cool breeze running through the house when I watch you play and listen to those songs I’ve loved all my life. Thank you so much.

[@jeffreyblue627]

I’ve seen you perform many times Leland. Thanks for the memories.

[@ondrejgratz4088]

Thank you, the VHS video recording of the performance, that you’re playing along to, just popped out on me It’s probably the most touching music video, I’ve ever seen. It’s great to hear it with your bass part.

[@howardwhitehead5927]

Love the sound of that bass, don’t stop playing it!

[@g4p5l6]

Always puts a lump in my throat- beautifully played. Revox sounding absolutely magnetic.

[@thecollective1584]

I just went back and watched the live version to which you referred...... Funny stuff.....

[@carlboswell986]

Not a long trip for me either! Thank you so very much for posting!

[@michaelsmith8288]

Thank you, Leland. Loved today’s ditty and the story behind. You are a genuine jewel and from all of us who love your posts, have a great evening. Maybe you will play Walking Man,. Love to you, from Tennessee.

[@MD-wk3gj]

During the tour with Carole a few years back I saw you guys 7 times and as you know JT basically tells the same stories (he’s an artist who crafts them) and I loved the rhythm to them and hearing the audience reactions as they listen for the first time and respond. Fun times.