Guitar Teacher REACTS: Lake Street Dive - 'Lola (The Kinks Cover)'

[@amtraktrekker]

Stumbled across this on KZbin about two months ago. Spent the whole afternoon listening to their videos.

[@sllanham]

Lake Street Dive are phenomal musicians all around. I wish they had much more exposure. Great video.

[@Ystadcop]

Agreed. The best.

[@Willdo7474]

You could do a Lake Street Dive marathon and I'd never stop watching, love this group. SO GOOD!

[@eddyburg101]

Love Lake Street Dive I think she's one of the best singers in the business

[@jamesgibson7207]

Yes her and Beth hart..

[@mat0920]

Love love love Lake Street Dive. Saw them in Birmingham AL a couple years ago. Killer show! That singer holds the crowd in the palm of her hands. Great entertainer

[@amandawoolley8181]

Me too! It was mine and my husband’s 15th anniversary and the night before we saw Metallica. What a blast 💥

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

The lead vocalist is Rachael Price and she could sing the phone book and sound great. She is also a great jazz singer. All the members of LSD learned their craft at The New England Conservatory of Music.

[@mr.iowegian]

Dude that is one of my favorite videos. They are great musicians,beautiful and the song makes me laugh. Your analysis is great!

[@keepinmahprivacy9754]

"I remember this being a really good performance.", dude that's every LSD performance! They are legit.

[@guslionel9360]

You all prolly dont care but does someone know of a way to log back into an instagram account..? I somehow forgot my password. I would love any tricks you can give me!

[@brettmack3704]

@Gus Lionel instablaster =)

[@bobinge4031]

Dave Davies is a genius. The build up in the song, (crescendo) obviously comes from emotional anger, and nailed it melodically, while searching for the notes beyond satisfaction, in a classical sense. A simple Concerdto.

[@jones3387]

My favorite cover of all time. Love how you love it!

[@TrentonTK9010]

90.9 the bridge is an amazing radio station and theses live sessions are a blessing to the world that they provide to us.

[@thorangla2853]

Hey!! .... Don't leave without watching this. This guy is fantastic! The band, the song, the performance are all amazing. Made my day Michael. Thank you!

[@jasonbroom7147]

LSD -- Great lead singer, great percussionist, solid guitar player (who does the majority of the arrangements), but the BASS PLAYER! Have we ever seen this much musicality out of a stand-up bass player, along with perfect harmony vocals? The energy she brings to almost all of their songs really makes their music, for me...and I'm a drummer! :)

[@Guitargate]

Dude she’s no joke!!

[@zak3744]

And the thing about the guitar player is that really he's a trumpet player, who apparently only took up the guitar as a bit of a side hustle after they decided they probably ought to have some sort of chordal instrument to round out their sound a bit! I particularly like some of their earlier, more trumpet-heavy work: the amount they squeeze out of such relatively sparse instrumentation is a thing of real beauty.

[@tshelton2289]

I’ve seen the live a couple times. Mike is one of the nicest dudes you’ll ever speak with. They took time to speak with and sign autographs for my daughters plus one. Mike is the conductor on stage, he holds it together

[@Willdo7474]

Dude straight up kills it on tambourine, honestly gets the most out of that instrument I've ever heard.

[@Guitargate]

FACT

[@michaelfisher9671]

The tambourine guy Mike Calabrese is a stunning drummer. Listen to him on Rich Girl. He’s not only playing polyrhythms he’s doing it ONE FRICKIN’ HANDED while playing tambourine with his spare hand, and singing harmony. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmqylGSLepyGiZY

[@sulyluu]

In one of their videos you can hear him say " wait, I don't have a drum, I'll play the chair" And he play a rhythm on the chair....

[@jamminwithgt283]

Any idea what brand of guitar strings or amp the guitarist uses to get this very unusual sound?

[@JoeIsOut2lunch]

Actually I think tambourine is a very underrated instrument all us musicians think but the person doesn’t know what they’re doing the tambourine but it’s actually quite the opposite think of Motown think of the Beatles. If you have a chance watch Standing in the shadows of Motown

[@involunteer]

I really love and appreciate how you help me find new nuance and technique in musicians I already have listened to and enjoyed a hundred times.

[@yunak9665]

A buddy of mine called me years back and dragged me to the 8x10 in Baltimore to see LSD. I had no idea who they were and it was before they took off, but, from note 1 I was hooked. They are insanely tight and captivating as a live group. I can't even imagine how good they are now with a keyboard player.

[@patreekotime4578]

I havnt gotten to see them again since McDuck (trumpet/guitars) left, but I did see them in the brief era when both McDuck and Akie (keyboards) were both in the band and it was an absolute wall of sound. Akie can also hit some ridiculous notes in his vocals, so now they can do harmonies with him and Rachel that they never could quite hit before. I do miss the somewhat sparse sound of the original lineup which really comes through in songs like Mistakes, but now they can really dig into a funk sound that they couldnt before... so its a toss-up for me!

[@auds9738]

This band is pure gold, every member is oozing with talent. Mike Mcduck (playing acoustic guitar in this video) kills at the trumpet too.

[@GeoffSaint]

I’ve loved this song for ever, and then I found this recording and loved it even more. Now, having you share your knowledge and your enthusiasm, you’ve taken it all to a higher level. Thank you Michael !

[@josephpetrocelli3930]

Enjoyed your reactions. I too was enthralled with their arrangement the first 10 times I listened to it. I first heard Lola when the Kinks released it and my band covered it. Yes that would make me that old. Lake Street Dive is unique. Yes that bass is something. Yes that subtle guitar...and Rachel Price make Lola come to life. Nice video well worth the 22 minutes I spent with you. Thanks.

[@BobMacNeal]

IMO, Rachael Price's phrasing is stoking this cover on top of stellar backing. Very cool breakdown Michael. Thanks!

[@flux1968]

Lake Street Dive are awesome. Thanks for this.

[@annmarie3573]

I first heard their cover of Wings' Let Me Roll It, and I was SOLD!

[@keepinmahprivacy9754]

For me it was their cover of A-ha's "Take on Me". That's a good sign of a great band, if you can remember the exact moment you first heard them!

[@danieljackson6427]

Thank you for this breakdown of one of my favorite covers of this song. They are fantastic and each one of them are right on it. And thanks to you I can find some of those cords !😊

[@stevestandley2376]

Great analysis and appreciation of a stunning performance.

[@jimratliff2753]

I only watch this video about 20 times. It is a kick ass performance and you took it apart really well. Good job.

[@FJD894]

Love Lake Street Dive, great to see your reaction to them!

[@Golf_England_Tottenham]

I've learned so much about music theory watching your channel - thank you sir. recently discovered you and love that youre surfacing all this great music. and as a bedroom guitar player and music lover I love your respect for the rhythm section

[@Tom70s]

The cool thing is this was a live radio show and they did two other numbers as well, plus interview in between. Live...one take. And, they had a show that night.

[@Guitargate]

That’s what I’m talking about!!

[@westonbush7037]

Michael I’m thankful for your insight on the pieces of music that you share with us. You make modern music a joy to listen to and pursue

[@theflyingalamo]

One of my favorite modern groups. Great band and add on Rachel's pipes!

[@cooporlando]

That first note had me ready for Boys of Summer.

[@jacobchmielowiec7199]

Right?

[@connorfoley2120]

Exactly. I was ready to groove out so hard lol

[@jtkane317]

Even the Ataris cover would be good to see reaction to.

[@epicrampage3041]

I just learned this week that Mike Campbell wrote that song and Tom Petty wasn't feeling it at the time.

[@epicrampage3041]

Also I knew I wouldn't have to scroll long before someone mentioned this. Lol. First post.

[@robertw1871]

It’s an amazing song cover.... glad you found it, that bass playing is superb

[@defunktmuzak6501]

I've been listening to them for about 2 years. love love love Rachel Price, and the whole band...

[@LPJMagicmusic]

But especially Rachel price😉

[@nineomite]

One of the best bass players I can think of... and for my money the best singer in the world. The percussion is fantastic. Both guitar players (the original fella stepped aside) are great and they added a fantastic keyboard player too... and of course they all sing so good! It's criminal that they aren't more well-known. I preach them like a religion haha.

[@wilibilljones]

SO good to hear someone who knows what they're talking about whose reaction to not just Rachael Price's voice and presentation, but Bridget Kearney's bass playing echoes what I remember thinking the first time I ever saw them (just on video so far, but worth a drive and whatever the ticket price will be).

[@shaunlahaie9492]

Michael, you mention that this came up in your youtube feed. I would love to see your feed on any given day, I mean, it would be just a collection of incredible music and with all the recommendations you get from people...man it must be driving the alogrithms crazy. Keep on keepin' on.

[@ursula3438]

Ray Davies is one of the greatest songwriters of all time.

[@Guitargate]

FACT

[@zack3135]

& Dave Davies is one of the most underrated guitarists of all time

[@genuinefreewilly5706]

No Doubt. His last album? Americana is pretty fine. Took me a while to get into it, but the lyrics are poetic and the chord changes are baffling but they work so well. Its like country but so different

[@Fnortner01]

I find myself keep coming back to this. They just take what is cool about the song and amplify it, give it their particular energy, and I end up feeling really happy. And if a song can do that, well they have done their job. And Michael's enthusiastic breakdown just adds to the whole great vibe. A favorite to come back to by the band and a favorite to come back to Michael's highlights. And I thought this was just a tired old song from the 60s. Oops.

[@pcau]

Love your analysis Sir! (And your enthusiasm) :)

[@josephhasty519]

Lake Street Dive is the stuff. First heard them live in 2008 at a folk festival in North Carolina. Bass player is Bridget Kearny. A true bad ass. Everyone in that group met at the New England Conservatory of music school… so they all have legit cred musically. Kearny is also a Beatlehead and a lot of their covers are Beatles tunes. This group and players are the real deal no doubt.

[@richg1746]

Awesome band playing an awesome song that breaks rules for excellence. Your right the base player is fantastic.

[@Slaphitter]

I’m so learning this one tomorrow. Crazy great video, dude.

[@Samalyzer45]

And on Bass: The incomparable Bridget Kearney!

[@evillemike2009]

Gotta bad crush on Bridget Kearney. I've never figured out how bass players in particular can play and sing at the same time. It's crazy.

[@macedindu829]

Great breakdown, thanks. Been a fan of LSD for a long time, and this was really interesting.

[@ryanphelan6861]

One of my favorite groups to put on wonderful for so many moments. Just so much soul

[@debravirden7130]

Enjoyed this cover so much! Great guitar licks.

[@dennisferrell3662]

I, too , have seen this before several times, and I've loved Lake Street Dive since their first album. Although I am a musician I never understood all that was going on in the structure of this song. Michael, thank you for breaking this one down. I would have never figured out all the chord changes. I was never a big Kinks fan, although I always liked this song. I may have to revisit Ray Davies' catalog now. LSD's vocal arrangements are always stellar - just check out one of their early tunes, "You Go Down Smooth" or their cover of the Hall and Oates tune "Rich Girl". They know how to build tension and blow it up at the end. Though they are all wonderful musicians and essential to the group's sound and vibe, it's Rachel and Bridget that take them over the top.

[@marshalljay4953]

Caught Lake Street at the 8x10 about 9 years ago. Love seeing them doing so well and playing places like the Ryman now. Rachael's voice is on another level, she's got an INSANE cover of Cheek to Cheek with James Findlay.

[@luisrosado1389]

I love your joy with this song. I love LSD and her voice is so powerful it just blows me away.

[@timmyjoe524]

I've seen then live countless times. They never miss a note. Every show is a masterclass of musicianship. They've grown so much as a band and been incredible to watch. Also, be sure to check out Rachael's album with Vilray, "Rachael and Vilray."

[@ALewis942]

Love the LSD Guys & Gals so much. Some of their other tunes with full 4 part vocal harmonies are insane!

[@jlegacy]

If you loved this, I would really recommend checking out the class they did for song writing at the New England Conservatory from 2014. Awesome stuff.

[@mikeschenk4730]

Bridget (the bassist) to me has always been the star of the band. Rachel. Mike and McDuck are all great in their own right. The bass in any LSD song is always the most interesting part.

[@dpratte]

Nice job in your analysis. I've been curious about key regarding LOLA...that wonderful C chord!

[@charliegessner7479]

Rachel and Bridget are amazing talents. Hell, so are the guys as well. LSD is still under so many peoples radar. They know how to bring it on every song.

[@FoxyJeff]

Please check out Foxes and Fossils cover of Sweet Judy Blue Eyes, Harvest Moon, and/or Early Morning Rain. Incredible!!!

[@dafthoser27]

Finally lake street! Love them so much.

[@auds9738]

10:00 i think the word you were looking for is counterpoint!

[@MrAquatoad]

Restrained virtuosity in complete service to song craft. LSD is so humbly LEGIT. Love.

[@bren106]

Michael this video of yours I re-watch every time it reappears on the screen. I got into LSD way back around 2013 when Bonnie Raitt mentioned them in an interview I read, she said they were one of the most exciting new bands she was listening to back then. Being a massive Bonnie fanboy I went straight to youtube to search them out and they blew me away. Desperately waiting for them to come over and tour U.K, doesn't matter where in the country they are playing I'm there to see them at last. You need to see them doing the Hall & Oates Rich Girl cover at Pickathon, just as mind blowing.

[@melonie9605]

Love this band, and wow this cover! Thanks for the video!

[@lancelotlink6545]

This band is absolutely amazing. It's crazy that I've only discovered them recently. I really wish you'd do a break down of one of their own songs. This one is beautiful but very basic. Their own songs have some really really interesting chord progressions. Good Kisser would be a nice option but there are so many others. Please consider doing another. Thanks!

[@lamech006]

Saw them live at a festival having never heard a note before. Totally knocked my socks off.

[@PanhandlePrepping]

Stole my thunder, Mikey! Was gonna throw this out on Tuesday Awesome job 🎸🔥

[@Guitargate]

YES!

[@KallyJones]

LOL. At 7:50 when you were commenting on the shot I was looking at it thinking "That's got desktop written all over it."

[@williams.1130]

They just found a massive fan. That was soooo well done

[@johnking8888]

You think this is good, check out LSD cover of Hall and Oates Rich Girl.

[@mister_darkwood9843]

great tune, can't wait to see them live again

[@jakabok4965]

Thank You For This Man! Ms Rachel Price is such a great singer. And the band, Holy S**t!

[@1Ma9iN8tive]

Rachael Rachael Rachael ... Lawdy Miss Clawdy Bridget Kearny on bass - tonelicious lickery Mike Olson on guitar (and is lead trumpet) ... dude is a one man band Mike Calabrese on tambo percussion - in the pocket Aaaaahhhhhh it’s so good

[@redrocks1983]

Thank You!

[@nowherebound2908]

Minnesota (Lake Street 😄) - represent! Nice overview of a classic song, done so well!

[@mitchweiner]

What an effortless voice Rachel has! Just absolutely gorgeous! Her voice reminds me of Bonnie Raitt! Tambourine played like a snare drum! I love it!

[@JeffScottLP]

Very beautiful, very moving. Thank you.

[@fastjazz]

This is one of my super favorite MP vids!!!

[@tommathews3964]

Michael, these are all classically trained musicians, as yourself. They met at the Massachusetts Conservatory of Music and have been together ever since. I saw them from close range in Birmingham a few years back and it is hard to describe! Rachel Price is the vocalist, and she is a FORCE, Bridgett Kearney on bass and those excellent harmonies, Mike Calabrese on percussion, and McDuck on guitar here. McD also plays trumpet. He’s only been playing guitar a few years, decided they needed one and picked it up. These guys are some of our brightest stars today, if you ask me! I would heartily encourage you to dig deeper. If you want some good places to start : “Use Me Up” “You Go Down Smooth” and if you just want a beautiful, gut wrenching Rachel song, that showcases her, try “Nobody Knows What I’m Doing Here” Lots of material on YT, you have much to look forward to!!

[@jordanritkes]

I saw them last year open for Avett Brothers last year in Berkeley, they were incredible

[@jacobtucker5719]

Fun fact, McDuck(the guitarist) was not always a guitar player, he started in the band as their trumpet player.

[@joyoushickory3090]

that's a great cover, and an even better musical analysis. Great job!

[@ericmuhs]

I learned so much about chording, as usual. You're such a great teacher: knowledgeable and enthusiastic. For my part, I'll chip in that this song was a staple of Kinks shows, and always a high water mark of the night. Everybody in the place would sing along. For. Decades. In 1970 this was such a risque subject, and I suggest that, along with Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side, this song played an important cultural role in normalizing non-binary sexuality. I've.listened to it a thousand times, and I'm still as confused as Ray Davies, the writer, about Lola. :) The Raincoats, an all female art punk band, did an important gender bending version of this around 1979 worth listening to.

[@do_regan]

Lead singer has a sweet voice. Was scrolling through the comments and the second she started singing I was just like "Daaaaamn!"

[@googo151]

THAT SINGER IS OFF THE CHAIN GREAT AND SO GOOD LOOKING TOO. JUST DISCOVERED HER TODAY FOR SOME ODD REASON. THANKS FOR POSTING.

[@derekbrown7614]

Dude their live cover of I Want You Back by the Jackson 5 out on the streets of Boston is incredible. Saw these guys live at Lagunitas brew co some years ago. Great show

[@zg1000dru1]

As noted repeatedly...their all great, but that diminutive little thing just giving a workout to that upright tub...GAWDDAMN! And yeah...been dumbstruck by this since by first listen in 1970 when my big brother brought the LP home....the song structure is MIND BLOWING. I loved watching this. The first time you called "bridge" I was like...you'd think that wouldn't ya. Just hang on.

[@AndyObusek]

Your energy is so contagious, love your videos, just wish you ended your hiatus on Phish

[@oniz12]

Hearing you talk about the tambourine and the harmonies in this video made me think of a group called San Salvador. In my eyes they are one of the best modern folk performances on par with (although way different from) Wardruna and Heilung. It would be great if you could analyse one of their KEXP performances they did this year; they don't use any guitars, but they do have very interesting harmonies and rhythms.

[@BrianMcGeary]

"Well I stood on my head, I lifted some rocks"

[@annmarie3573]

Better version! 😆

[@chriscavanaugh1001]

Lake Street Dive are just incredible. Go see them.

[@rickstadel5285]

At 10:12, are you thinking synergistic?😉

[@jamminwithgt283]

Really loved your video. One of my favorite songs. However I’m fascinated with the tone of the guitar. Any idea how he gets his sound? Guitar strings? Amp? Guitar brand? I play a Taylor 614ce but can’t duplicate even close to his sound. I’ve also heard the same tone on a couple of Martin guitars, even cheap ones. Any ideas how he captures this tone?

[@sloth_bristol9504]

LSD are such a talented group of musicians - good for someone to break it down to show how clever they are instrumentally and vocally. I discovered them much too late through a cover of Steve Winwood's 'Can't Find My Way Home' - you should look at that. Their covers are all brilliant (try Bohemian Rhapsody) and I'm sure the original artists would love them. Apart from Rachael (vocals) and Bridget (bass player) being drop dead gorgeous, they are just a lovely group of people.

[@keepinmahprivacy9754]

Seems like looking for the "the bridge" on this song is like trying to figure out what key "God Only Knows" is in!

[@mattstandardthree3660]

Hi, what is the climb up after the a minor chord it seems to follow the voices.it is driving me up the wall Cheers

[@melian9999]

Lola, I learned this years ago, great song, the kinks wrote interesting stuff, the big c turn around was the first time I saw a c with the added 5 in the bass, not that I knew that then. My ex keeps talking about this band, killer.

[@TheSlandis]

The camera is probably a drone. All the shows I've seen shot with drones are so cool.

[@TiltChamberlain513]

The Bassist Bridgette has a solo album called Won't Let you Down. Worth a listen

[@rw8147]

LSD is absurdly good. Rachel is a star, no question, but I can't get enough of Bridget on that bass. She's unreal.

[@Umbinator]

Do you usually provide a link to the original video in the description? I know I could find it myself, but I just noticed it was absent, and that might be useful for a lot of people, in case they want to add it to a playlist or something. Thanks, man. I appreciate seeing these videos from your perspective. Much more useful than an average reaction channel, as I can use your insight to learn more about my instrument. Have a great day!

[@LPJMagicmusic]

Dude do you have access to the PRS guitar factory or something?! Every episode I've watched theres another model🤘😂

[@gyanissimo]

...again brilliant...👏

[@JoeBoone82]

Lake Street Dive - You're Still the One from The Sultan Room (Shania Twain cover) You'd like that one. Good little guitar solo in there for you to discuss as well.

[@kayakttt]

Great breakdown, is this cover by LSD available on an album

[@tylerrichman9]

Lake Street Dive is killer!