ISAAC HAYES Theme from Shaft REACTION - This is one of the greatest arrangements to a song ever!

[@John_Chu]

That's Charles "Skip" Pitts on the iconic wah-wah guitar riff (he passed in 2012). An unsung hero of soul/funk music. Thanks Bennett & Harri.

[@digzat]

Thanks for the info on the wah-wah guitar riff I always wondered whom had that iconic sound!

[@bennettjoseph1481]

I too appreciate the info on Mr. Pitts! Unsung indeed..

[@stevemurrell6167]

When I was 13 or 14, Isaac Hayes came to my school (in Australia, he apparently knew my Indonesian teacher, Pak Affif....I can't remember how) and we were told that there was going to be a 'special guest'. At some point in the proceedings I went up to Pak, who was talking to this tall handsome black man and asked "Pak, when is the special guest arriving?" Pak looked at me weirdly and said "Steven, meet Isaac Hayes". I said hello, shook his hand and he said 'hello Steven, nice to meet you' and I said 'nice to meet you' and then I walked off. I wish I could say we had a great chat but that was it. I now treasure that slightly embarrassing moment from my childhood.

[@paulbarnett3849]

Yes, that's right baby,, SHAFT!!!

[@lokibojangles]

As my generation would say Out of Sight Issac Hays hopefully is not forgotten for his GREATNESS peace 🙏✌️

[@byranwonderly538]

Too good! Watching Isaac Hayes lead the orchestra into an extended intro....Fire!!!

[@johnc.195]

Loved it when it first came out...still sounds great 50 + years later. I can dig it! :-)

[@bryandamkaer3646]

Brings back fond memories of my childhood... absolutely loved this song and still do at 60

[@FarrellMcGovern]

Awesome live version...it's one of my favourite soundtracks.

[@EddioPinaR]

The great Burt Bacharach once he said "this is a song I wish I would composed"

[@dondonner1095]

Longest foreplay in the history of music, Genius.

[@Dan-dg9pi]

Thank you for doing this reaction. I don't think anyone under the age of 60 can fully appreciate just how influential, how revolutionary, how groovy that song was. I still remember Isaac collecting his Grammys and everyone in the auditorium was in awe of the song. The more was damn good too.

[@wedge4hire]

Number ONE in '71!!! For good reasons!!!!!

[@jamesleasure8836]

Brilliant piece of music and performance, all around! Mr. Hayes also played Chef on South Park, and I kept hoping to hear, "Hello children!"

[@ChuckHackney]

I am an old, tragically unhip white dude who is absolutely on love with this score. Absolute, unadulterated brilliance.

[@ChuckHackney]

This song, along with other music from the movie, was always playing at the Odyssey in downtown Wilson NC in the early 70s. Cannot think of having a beer or playing Foosball or celebrating my friends without this song. Thanks, Tom R. for that bar and those memories. And bless Isaac for this music. An extended, wondering journey...

[@kenlawless7247]

If you add up all the endless hours of practice and passion it took for these musicians to master their voices and instruments, you start to understand why this is so good. No AI or single producer with computer generated instruments can match this.

[@CONNIECOLVIN-wg8bq]

Beautifully done, agreed

[@paulprendergast3184]

That was pure brilliance!

[@Grateful_Dad_54]

I've been an Isaac Hayes fan since 'Hot Buttered Soul'! Thanks, Harri!

[@Kathiebaxter]

The very nicest of the Scientology celebs. Even ex Scientologists who worked with him say so!

[@bugvswindshield]

CHEF!!!! he was the voice of Chef on " South Park" for years until his death. rip Isaac. You were a wonderful soul that brought joy to millions.

[@Cynthia...]

What a fantastic pick, it sure doesn't get much better than Isaac. Thanks Bennett and Harri.

[@jessicalee7119]

I went to see him when I was 14 years old ~ I was So in love with him!!!!! What a voice ! What a Vibe!

[@rubyswaim1441]

I can dig it!

[@HarriBestReactions]

😁😁

[@suzannesellers7383]

This song was timeless right out of the gate when Shaft first came in the 70s I think. Sadly, Richard Rountree who played the iconic Shaft, passed away in 2023.

[@surferles589]

The entire soundtrack album is a masterpiece. He changed soundtracks for movies forever

[@edmundhudson]

That is an incredible production for a late night talk show. I wonder what the occasion was?

[@750count]

Isaac

[@Kathiebaxter]

This song is practically an ecosystem!!!❤

[@bennettjoseph1481]

Well said!

[@anneschreck5136]

One of my best friend's parents were a Dr and RN, so they had Mae who took care of the 6 kids after school. Mae was SO in love with Isaac Hayes from afar. I'll never forget how excited she was to drive 4 hours over to OKC to see him.

[@andyleclerc3600]

Fun fact: When the producer of PRESS YOUR LUCK made an unsold pilot called BIG SPENDERS for the American Broadcasting Company in the 1970's, he used the bassline from this and sweetened the sound

[@josephglatthaar6482]

Harri, you are the best! I adore this. What a talent he was, and what a loss for all of us!

[@BobGeogeo]

Magnificent music, and such understated lyrics 🙃

[@Lovejazz01]

When I was about 7 or 8 years old, my father took me and my brother to Stax studios and we we’re allowed to come in and sit in the control room , and we could see the orchestra outside the window in the big music room rehearsing. Isaac Hayes comes through the door and sits down beside us and offers us some peanuts he was eating, all we could do was smile in disbelief, because he was so iconic , we couldn’t believe he was right there in front of us. Fast forward to the present, Issac has since left us( RIP🙏🏾) and that studio exists in a display in the Stax Museum Of Modern Music , in the same location in Memphis. When I did a tour of the museum a few years ago I was delighted to see that same control room and I thought of that moment and those peanuts he offered us!

[@bennettjoseph1481]

Lovely anecdote. Thanks!

[@dsusan17]

I think the into is one of the most recognizable in music. Great reaction Harri!

[@JamesBond-ib9tq]

This is one of the rare times a live version equals or surpasses the studio version.

[@dsusan17]

Intro

[@rogerviklund7894]

The part around 4:50 vas useed as signatyure for the swedish program Sportspegeln (Sportsmirror, the most popular sportsprogram in Sweden) for manyb years. I think most swedes know Izak Hayes olso wrote "Soulman" and other songs and got an Oscar for the music to Shaft.

[@ChuckHackney]

Isaac Hayes is the man.

[@ChuckHackney]

Again, where is this type of music brilliance today? Another classic from music's magical, memorable decade, the 70s ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@glennfromel5711]

This would not sell today. That is why nobody produces it. Times change. In 1975 oldies were wanting 1950's music.

[@charlieeckert4321]

Oscar winner and ground breaker!

[@javavoicecafe6968]

Loved seeing Isaac conduct the orchestra then boom! That voice! Memories from childhood. Thanks Harri! ✌️❤️

[@whoneedssantawhenthereisgr1724]

Wow great memories! Thank you.

[@mayabairey]

Oooh I knew you would love this one!

[@HarriBestReactions]

I love it!

[@davebzen795]

Bennett - What a classic by the great Isaac Hayes. Great submission selection. Bravo Bennett and Harri!

[@josephmilitello647]

Half Past Autumn, a documentary about Gordon Parks, has a scene in which this was being recorded. Isaac has was a local icon in the 90s in Memphis, a city I used to visit a lot at that time.

[@RetNemmoc555]

Isaac Hayes was a bad mutha.. ❤

[@ronnelson7828]

Shu'chyo' mouth!

[@debbiechang5781]

This is great. I remember when this was all over the airwaves. Thanks Harri and Bennett. 🌺✌️

[@dondonner1095]

I cant get enough of this. The Guitar player and the Drummer so awesome.

[@b42baritone]

I would like to see your reaction to Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britian doing the Theme of Shaft. You will enjoy it.

[@HarriBestReactions]

Do you have a link pls?

[@b42baritone]

@@HarriBestReactions Its on KZbin

[@bennettjoseph1481]

@@HarriBestReactions -- kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJ2whWCleq6Eq9E

[@digzat]

Amen !!! This composition is OUTSTANDING ❤

[@robertwatson2823]

The soundtrack to Shaft is one of my favorite albums. The entire album is great, but the song that won me over is "Do Your Thing". Just 19 minutes of pure joy!! Thanks for the reaction Harri!!

[@hackermusic3355]

I took a course on classical music in college back in 1975 and it surprised me that my professor thought this song was terrific. Most adults I had known didn't even like this type of music, mostly because they didn't give it a chance.

[@garyseven5791]

Been listening to you for a while and just now realized what it is I find about you that's so familiar and likable you remind me of the time that I met Jimi Hendrix in Dallas Texas after his concert just a few words were exchanged but you have that same spirit about you. May God bless you, brother, and may your path always rise up to greet you!

[@kimmaedke2763]

That was cool. Isaac Hayes had a recurring role in the 1970s TV series The Rockford Files with James Garner starring. He played the role of Candy, I believe.

[@CONNIECOLVIN-wg8bq]

Harri, if you see this I want you to know that I guess I am sort of an unofficial member of the group. Been watching a long time and I think you are the dearest sweetest guy. The only reactor I watch. I live in Queens NYC. I am glad that guy sent you Paul’s books I am sick with long Covid. IfI ever can illl join. Love to you, Connie.

[@rhondahandley9595]

Wattstax 1973 is another live version. And Mr. Hayes was decked out too!

[@bowtangey6830]

One time the Oscars got it RIGHT!! A great (and greatly innovative) work.

[@paulwhite5840]

Takes me back Harri!

[@javiervillarreal2920]

Great song of orchestal soul, thanks my dear friend, good vibes of México :)

[@fredmcveigh9877]

No live performance is ever as good as the original studio version. Period.

[@jolenewitzel7919]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@LoisChisholm]

This was bloody brilliant!

[@tmr626]

I loved Isaac Hayes guest appearances on The Rockford Files starring James Garner. He always called Jim Rockford "Rockfish."

[@The5thGen]

Love this!

[@ziggy107]

agree, if this was not the best performance on Letterman, it certainly ranks top 3 (Nirvana Teen Spirit and MacArthur Park being somewhere in there too)

[@beachem1]

JOHN Shaft!!!

[@vodou61]

The soundtrack to, Superfly, written and performed by, Curtis Mayfield is one of the few soundtrack albums to outsell the movie for which it was written. Great album, ya outta check that one out.

[@dondonner1095]

I* remember seeing this when it happened. So cool.

[@coocoocachooglin]

Far out, man. Takin’ me way back.

[@ChuckHackney]

Down Shaft!😊

[@loriparks8805]

Isaac Hayes won an Oscar for the theme song from the movie Shaft , Legendary 🎶🎶 check out another song , Walk on By the original one song by Dionne Warwick song wrote by Burt Bacharach , Isaac version was off the chain 🤩 we just lost last year Richard Roundtree who played the movie character John Shaft ,

[@frankmartinez4856]

For all the Black Explotation movies! This one(Shaft) that broke the Mold 😳made Richard Roundtree a Big Star ⭐😬

[@ChuckHackney]

No song or instrumental was cooler than the theme from Shaft in the early 70s. Sheer brilliance and the spoken words are so memorable "that Shaft is one bad mother...... shut your mouth!"

[@chrischar9428]

You should catch this from Rock and Roll HOF

[@PennYanTV]

A movie and soundtrack from same time was even better Curtiss Mayfield's Superfly. You would love the entire soundtrack

[@glennfromel5711]

The arrangement sounds exactly like Maynard Fergusons arrangement. The great Trumpeter!

[@mrod7692]

Shorter than I remember.

[@CONNIECOLVIN-wg8bq]

Please check out MacArther Park on Letterman with Will Lee on Vocals.

[@trappenweisseguy27]

I’m rarely bothered by celebrity deaths but Ike’s premature passing was a sad day. He had so many songs even better than this one and his backing band The Bar Kay’s was fire with hits of their own such as soul finger and Holy Ghost. A great songwriter and musician, Check out Ike playing sax on his version of “let’s stay together”.

[@ChuckHackney]

I would have loved Barry White to have collaberated with Isaac.. maybe they did. Anyone know?

[@preshutchins]

I disagreed.... the greatest version of SHAFT song will ALWAYS ....be in the 🎥1972documentary WATTS-STAX ...LOOK IT UP

[@324cmac]

I think Superfly is better.

[@fordprefect4345]

The original version of Hayes on the recorded version is far far better than this pretentious load of garbage and Hayes pretending to be a conductor 🎉😮

[@geraldbryden6720]

Glastonbury is better.