464. James Taylor / How Sweet it Is!!!

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
My Post Office Box....Leland Sklar
PO Box 92316
600 Lincoln Ave
Pasadena, CA 91109-9998

[@patrickjordan7547]

The bass man who has seen it all and heard it all and was there when it was happening and he's in one of the greatest bass players in history

[@vanjamilosevic6937]

Fun fact: Metronome use Lee to practice time!

[@DublinesqueMusic]

More accurate than the Atomic clock at the Smithsonian Institute!

[@nofretzDW]

Is that a gnome that moves to the city?

[@timokauppinen5238]

🤣

[@sethcashman1011]

@@nofretzDW hahaha!

[@nofretzDW]

@@hanspeterlillese2225 you gnome I kind of humor

[@robster7316]

Lee's railroad tunnel story evokes vivid images of the old Road Runner cartoons! Scary!

[@teddysalad8227]

Low budget production is part of the charm Leland.

[@jrhguitarbassdrums]

WOW!! Had no idea the bass line on that tune was that elaborate.

[@100157rs]

How Sweet It Is to listen to you play your bass. So melodic.

[@patrickgarrett9866]

How sweet it is to be serenaded by Lee Sklar!! 😁✌

[@jurosdiction]

Caught you with JT and Carole on PBS last night. Just amazing.

[@Austin4098]

That's an amazing bass line. Wow !!

[@J-DUB-F1]

In the distant future hundreds of years from now, on what ever media people are listening to....this song will still be heard! :-) That train in the tunnel story gave me anxiety!!....and it's a scene from many an action flick!. Vaccinations are ramping up, which is splendid news!.....my mom(76) got her 2nd dose last sat. So far no bad side effects :-)

[@frommonkeytoman]

EVEN WITH your stories, anecdotes, and commentary... the bass play-throughs are the best part

[@TravelingWithLex]

Oh lordy lordy...groovin' with the KING. Thank you so much.

[@gustavoborchert]

Yep... compared to the situation of a lot of people around the world, it's just "another day in paradise."

[@FrankDudgeon]

Interesting to hear how this channel has evolved for you over the past year. I think your success with it owes a lot to your approach as a communicator. I spent many years working in radio and one thing I learned early on was to talk to individuals. You hoped a lot of people would be listening - but they were listening one at a time normally. So as an announcer I tried to imagine I was talking to one person as opposed to addressing an audience. Fortunately I worked at many stations that wanted that approach, as opposed to the big voiced, top-40 DJ thing. So, even though you're now at 149 thousand subscribers, I'd bet a lot us feel like we're hanging with a buddy, every day. That enhances communication. Well done, sir. Long may you wave.

[@randyschiffer3265]

Well said Frank.

[@bootlebeats6331]

GREAT note choices!!!! Always fun to hear you open it up a bit. Great lesson in how to improvise and still do the job of a bass player holding down the fort. Thanks for posting.

[@edwardkenny2356]

Just this week, I caught an old performance with JT and company, I believe from 1975. JT had long hair, your's was dark, and you were playing the carved up bass you have with the peace sign. Long time ago, made me smile. Be good, stay safe.

[@ianbartle456]

Good times - and for sure a LOT of great songs! Those 70s songwriters just pumped out classic after classic. Best not get me started there....!

[@johnpegg6771]

Yes Mr S. It is Friday or P.O.E.T.S Day. Thank you for your warmth, stories and sheer effortless (to me) musicianship, not forgetting your humanity. Last March I had no idea whatsoever what things might help me through the situation with covid. You are definitely one of those elements. My fiancee, Karen & I have watched all the posts and our musical awareness has improved exponentially over, what is just about a year now. Take care Mr S and Mrs as well as M&R (The Howlers) and , to all the Sklarites out there around the world. We are one tribe.

[@johncundiff7075]

Awesome! As a bass player, "Your Smiling Face" is still one of my all time songs to practice to!! I'm getting over "First Dorsal Compartment Release" surgery".. I hope you are well and healthy!

[@probe11111]

I hope you have a prompt recovery..! :D Does "first" means the position on the spine or the fact that you have more operations to come?

[@orsie200]

John Cundiff, Be easy on yourself. It takes time to heal!

[@jerrydesu]

Wow, that was great! A lot going on with the bass. Awesome 👍

[@D_Tuned]

I love how Lee finger dances between the root notes on this song. Try this for fun..at 13:58 say, "Ladies and Gentleman".

[@rbk7876]

This tune along with "Fire and Rain" are my top 2 JT favorites ! Thank You and peace and good health.

[@martinlyons9731]

I can relate the importance of that little train and the significance of it to you soul and wellbeing in these troubled times.

[@btofan]

One of these days this guy is going to be a great bass guitar player. Keep rocking' dude. Nice beard by the way - you remind me of the guy who use to jam with JT.

[@michaelwagner5453]

Mr. Sklar, WD-40 will take care of your squeaky chair. It also works well on my sore squeaky joints. The only drawback is that I slide of my bed sheets at night!

[@sceiron1]

🤣 🤣 🤣

[@brianmurphy7962]

Lee, great train story! I live and grew up in New Jersey.. When I was very young maybe 7th grade, 1967, me and friends would enter the tunnel in North Bergen New Jersey and make our way to Manhattan... every 30 feet or so there were cut outs, could fit three people. I was the smallest, so I would stand in between my friends, holding hands. First you see the light, then the wind, then the train is passing you at great speed .. maybe three feet from you. An unbelievable rush .. of course we could have died ..... kids from Union City, NJ, there was nothing else to do ....

[@bazgolin1036]

Sometimes the synergy between the song, the bass playing, the props, the stories and the side stories are stunningly perfect. This was one of those episodes. Thx!

[@davidheywood9645]

Lee, I've been a semi-pro bass player for many many years now and this has always been an inspirational bass line for me. I just love the feel and swing you put into it. Absolute classic. Thank you so much for sharing. Stay safe, lots of love from over here in England

[@depenpandya8421]

I love this tune and the chair is hilarious!!😅. Have a good weekend Mr. Sklar!! Its so good watch the guy who recorded this tune playing it here Lee! I listened to this so much as a kid and then performed it with a band for years! Thanks man!! Great memories!!

[@eddiethek]

High point of yesterday was getting to actually converse with you, Lee. It was nice to hear you respond to my voice - unlike you seem to do when I watch your daily KZbin videos !! Hey, I do look a bit like James Raymond. What a handsome son of a gun!!

[@lelandsklar6363]

It was such a pleasure for me too! Hope we can do it again.

[@PeaceMusic53]

Glad you survived the Train Tunnel Incident. Was that the last time you investigated a tunnel meant for trains. Haha!!! Sorry, I am sure it is funny looking back. The crazy things we do in our youth. It's a wonder we survived. Glad you're playing again. Love that riff you do up by the 12th fret.The light is at the end of the tunnel for getting back to normal. We just hope, like your experience, there is no train coming in the form of misguided leaders. Thanks.

[@kevinmcbride7306]

WOW!! Those are some sweet licks sir. And you make it look easy, though it is not.

[@Ed-Mace]

Great playing as always Lee! Those high octave fills are wonderful!

[@epet513]

I was 9 when How Sweet it Is hit the charts. It was the first time I heard JT. I've been a fan ever since.

[@manic5150]

Thanks for sharing Leland. I use to travel along the tracks when I was a youngster. The big fear was to get your foot caught in a switch yard. I didn't care for that song back in my day but now that I am in my late forties I dig it. 👍

[@garytoro2]

I can relate to the train story. I grew up in nyc in the 60s and we used to explore the subway between stations. The more we did it the easier it got. But it is scary. Thanks for playing that tune. Classic 👍 and as always much appreciated 🖕🖕🖕

[@sgommerable]

GREAT playing

[@Linda-wk9ue]

Thanks for the Friday chat 🙂 Enjoy your day and take care of the boys and we'll be here when you have time tomorrow 😀 And your segues (light at the end of the tunnel) are perfect 👌

[@UlIxes1]

I put the Like before watching. It's one of my favourite songs and the bass is my favourite instrument along with the piano... and you are a great...

[@alaincroisoeuil2110]

I just sang and played percussion with you on "How sweet..." It was so cool !!!!!!

[@paulgay7625]

Wow Lee,that is a fantastic bassline.

[@rrboyd10]

Dude... you just rock..... SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO love these videos!!

[@Larkpine]

How sweet it is to hear this! Always a joy to listen to your special eventures with JT and so many amazing people, musicians. Great story. 💗😎

[@844jimthompson]

I remember that train story you told us months ago..Such a heartwarming story..This new train story?..Wow..I would have crapped my pants..

[@clevjam]

Lee, What a cool deal being able to reconnect with the families and stories you may have forgotten after 30 years!! You are a lucky man to have truly lived life and enjoyed. It seems James, Phil, Toto, and all the rest have worked with the best. The chair is really funny😎..you could ask for a new chair and start your own furniture store in Pasadena...Cheers!

[@t.c.v.t.]

Love your playing. Grew up with my dad listen to and playing James Taylor on guitar at home. Never thought I get to watch you lay it down up close.

[@ianbartle456]

Yes - isn't it just a great pleasure and a true gift. Thx Lee - you've made the wold a better places in many ways and there's huge army of appreciators out there of all that you've done.

[@dmolls]

How sweet it is, the groovy pocket of the song’s classic bass line!!!!

[@luckyone8793]

Perfect song for Friday-- I Love that you treasure the "little things" & share them with all of us❣

[@johngallaghermusic9777]

Hi Lee. Love the JT track today. Those kinds of basslines really get me . That James Jamerson edge. very nice. Have a great weekend.

[@rongoad2581]

This is so much fun! "You were better to me than I was to myself."

[@robondabassjones2254]

Just when I thought I had a handle on this song... I watch Leland the legend, Jeez now I have to start again! Brilliant touch & feel, thanks for the vid dude, truly great.

[@FreedomRock44]

Love it........That master at his craft!!!!!! Play it Lee!!!!!!!

[@grammawpayton]

Thank you so much for this episode, it's beautiful♥ --Mental Frittata would be a good name for a band!

[@rikconverse8726]

I like what you say about the connectivity of technology and how this year has been a time to bring people together. That's one of the things I've always appreciated about you. You get it. We're all alone in this life, and getting to connect with others as we go through it, is the joy of it.

[@clcortelyou]

In the tunnel, man am I glad there was no equipment dragging to take you guys out! I’ve been almost that close to a freight train, outside, behind a camera, those things are just so powerful that it really is disorienting to be so close.

[@guytarr56]

Absolutely love your bass playing. Thanks for all the lessons.

[@douglasdegraff8335]

Thanks Leland for James Taylor. Wonderful song of his. I'm going to research David Sanborn. Have a Great day, Maureen, You, and the Kids. Love ya all! Doug. We must Shower the People.

[@kennonmoen4424]

How Sweet It Is...to have you play bass for us! That was too much fun watching and listening today. I love that song. Both train stories were magnificent; the David story, and the tunnel story (the mental frittata!). If something can be more than priceless-today was it! Every day is priceless, but, for me, today was over the top. Stay safe and stay well!

[@patrickonvancouverisland9223]

Nice!! never get tired of the these tunes!! and of course your precise playing☝️👋cheers man!

[@simc8996]

One of my favorite songs! Love that bass sound now Mister Sklar! :) Thank you !

[@bradb2514]

How sweet it is, indeed! Great session, Lee!

[@stephengoh5456]

Perfect! Love it. Thank you again.

[@utbpersonal]

Hi, Lee! You are the greatest!

[@brucejepson3799]

Awesome! I love how you love that bass and how you care about people! ✌️❤️

[@ivofechner8039]

A treat to see such a master just talking and playing. Lee just plays the song. Effortless mastery.

[@ericfleetwood6744]

Great story. The Santa Susanna Pass tunnel. You're lucky to have survived.

[@brucegwynn8509]

I love your channel, I totally get into your history in the music industry, I just can't afford to join the club but I'm gonna save up and by that book and get it autographed, I'm a laid off roanoke va boy so it's a slow go here , love your puppies too, it's so cool to see them talk (bark)

[@brucegwynn8509]

I meant to spell ( buy ) the book! Yes I'm embarrassed!

[@brucegwynn8509]

[e-mail], let's try that

[@teresaclark1508]

Same here

[@lelandsklar6363]

Will be here for you!

[@sceiron1]

@Bruce Gwynn. Lee is indeed a walking talking musical historian, and all round good guy, you will LOVE the book. 😎

[@lavatar3562]

Great fun watching you embellish your own bass line on this classic recording. It’s like having a bass lesson from one of the coolest guys on the scene. Love your accompanying stories as well.

[@scottlochhead9072]

Leland, love hearing your stories of life on the road! I really appreciate the beautiful bass playing that you have brought to the music of so many including James Taylor, Phil Collins etc. have really enjoyed this site over the last year! Thanks and be safe!

[@kurtr.warner6947]

Leland, you made my day!! Loved that song and remember playing that song at the college radio station. Got both of my shots. Just waiting to see the rest of my family and 2 wonderful granddaughters. No physical contact since June of last year. Keep up the great work! Warmest Regards, Kurt Warner Portland, Oregon

[@mikemclenison8200]

JT always does a fantastic job with his cover tunes! Love your playing on it, especially the riffs you do preceding the chorus. Would like to see/hear you do his cover of "Up On The Roof."

[@lindaregelean8015]

How sweet THAT was!

[@teenasage4196]

Your story made me imagine you two seeing the light at the end of the tunnel coming and you two plastered in there lol!

[@richardsisk1770]

How sweet it is! That’s one of the most expressive and brilliant bass lines! Thank you Leland! Wow 🤩

[@derekwaldrop112]

Right on Lee! It’s clear to see that you TRULY love TO PLAY James’ music, this is the most I’ve seen you cut up on a tune 🤩 and I’ve been watching since last March! Big thanks

[@djm4457]

And how very cool it is to watch you play live against this wonderful track that was playing everywhere back then! This tune stands the test of time like every other JT song. It transcends generations, owing much to the great musicians who played on it, so tight, like a hand in glove. And that Sanborn sax is its sweet signature. Thanks so much for all you do Mr. Sklar to bring the music to life.

[@billvs6505]

Here in the foothills of Colorado, we got 29 inches of snow a couple days ago. Normally we're ready for that. But my plow broke down, and the snowblower won't start. You brought a huge ray of sunshine into an otherwise crappy day as I wait for the AAA angel to come tow my truck to a shop. Thanks for the song and your narrative (I've also been in a train tunnel which I shared with a moving train - I was petrified). This is one of my favorite songs from JT. And Lee, if you're listening, your bass playing soothes me more than a working plow truck or snowblower.

[@mikeyo3230]

Thankful for all the great videos. Don’t underestimate how much this means to fellow musicians and music lovers. This is greatness ! Cheers from Philly

[@FreedomRock44]

SO glad you are speaking and caring for the underprivileged Leland.......Good Man!!!!!

[@TheDp1965]

Such a Great Story and an Awesome Bass Line... Thank you for sharing. Cheers.

[@gustavoviveros8394]

Thank You Lee 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@randyrudd5594]

Mr. Leland- I do thoroughly enjoyed this video. You could do a fireside one man show with just your anecdotes, humor and axe. You’re an absolute stitch. People, especially the younger folks, to my mind, aren’t aware of how bassists added so much color and nuance to the hits in the heyday of pop. Love your stories and playing- on ballads your playing had an empathic ring so palpable….”I hear what you’re saying and know how you feel,” answering the singer’s plaintive lyric. Hope you keep on keepin’ on!😊

[@randyrudd5594]

So😅

[@donaldmeehan1631]

Amazing to watch you play one of one most favorite JT cover songs . I am not sure you played exactly the same part on the album cut I will have to listen again and I realy don't care to copy you ,however I wish I had your brain to find my part.. Carley's vocal sends shivers down my spine and you lock that song together how do you do it . I wish you would teach some day and provide your wisdom and knowledge of music to all of us

[@zeke7142003]

That tone is similar to an upright bass. Incredible as usual.

[@johnsworldofvideopoker]

Fantastic rendition, Leland. What a tribute to James Jamerson. He’d be proud of you!🍎

[@wperkins1728]

"It's All About That Bass!" Cool, Man!

[@47heritage]

Hi Lee! Ya know there are certain songs I watch you play that you obviously totally enjoy playing and the look on your face and your body language shows that it's like you're back in the studio on that session. I loved this bass part even if it wasn't the exact one you played at the time. Outstanding!!!! I get my second shot on March 8! Can't wait! Take care and my best to the family!!!

[@marcomazotti]

What an awesome SONG and BASSLINE! Leland rules :))

[@wayneburba9457]

It’s so much fun to find that song , that gets you in a groove . You played that so effortlessly, had fun, lots of memories . Just great . Stay safe and healthy.

[@FreedomRock44]

Hahahahahaha that was the best beginning of a song ever that you have done........That song started so fast and you without skipping a beat went right into the Bass perfect timing......I am so pumped this is you Lee playing this......This played in my house all the time in my living room as young one. Was always so fun and happy!!!!!

[@joelgevirtz6181]

San Fernando Valley State, Northridge! Wpw, I interviewed for a job there once. I went elsewhere because I couldn't afford to raise a family on what they were paying. Oh, well. We possibly would've met up then. Great tune, by the way. I enjoyed this! Thanks!

[@anthonycook4297]

Love your fretboard movement on this tune , Lee. SO VERY COOL💯BRAVO 🙌🏽

[@davidmarais1048]

Thank you so much for these daily gifts, Lee. Love this song and your bass playing is simply amazing.. and, yes, you have indeed created a beautiful thing with your channel - and the clubhouse.

[@briansnyder6540]

Your skills blow me away Leland!!

[@davidrichman3760]

Lee, that was amazing. You really take that song “for a walk in the park” and gave it a lot of flavor. As always, I have a request: Honey, Don’t Leave LA. Glad you’re well. Keep up the great work and thanks for the videos. They are so, so great!

[@artski101]

Thank you for Friday's Zen

[@luvbasses5487]

Thank you Lee! Finally.... this is the one I’ve been wanting to see!

[@patgallo2752]

Thank you Lee!

[@sandrasmith7501]

Late to the party on this video! Would have loved to have been at a live performance of this and experienced that breakdown session! Surely enjoying your sharing these James Taylor stories and music.Wouldnt have known that you OR David Sanborn had played on this. Such a life you lead! I listen to David and Candy Dulfer a lot... love 'em. Gotta see if I can find video of you guys on Phil's last tour! Appreciating the time you take to share with us. I wanna stop...and thank ya, Leland. How sweet it is!!

[@enidsnarb]

Always liked this one in particular! Thank You as always!

[@whodder06]

Thanks for the visit and stories Lee! Have a great day!!