Louis Johnson isolated bass track

Hear the actual bass track from the Brothers Johnson tune "Strawberry Letter 23", from the original master tape. At 4:20 of this video, the entire song replays with full band & vocals but NO DRUMS, so you can clearly hear the bass in context. (There is an electronic hi-hat in this mix).

[@kevinparham1505]

One of the Greatist bass players we know thunder thumb Louis Johnson R.I.P.

[@phoenixthedevourer1716]

preachhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@alphonzojones9569]

One the greatest bassist EVER!!!!

[@geannettabennett3535]

Naaaaaaaasty bass! No other like it! He killed everytime. Miss this type of genius in music.

[@anthonyglennmollicasr.425]

Me too😞

[@spacedaddy5517]

You never seen me yet !. I love Louis Johnson.

[@sharkbiteleft2651]

Long live Louis.....he has left us.....but he will never fade. He is awesome.

[@huss03]

Superb. Much more precise than I was expecting.

[@richardduncan7638]

Louis was and still is a funky bass player. I love his soulful playing.

[@ricksuchow]

I will be posting some more isolated bass tracks in the near future... thanks for the comments.

[@gabealexander1884]

Hi, will you be posting any time soon? I am huge on Louis Johnson & studying his work but hard to hear what he plays on songs. Hope you can help the bass community! Thank you

[@cheifbeefloco]

Where do you find em?

[@ziggysmalls9329]

“I’ve never been given parts to play in my whole life. I’m the most rare bass player in the whole world,” Johnson told Rolling Stone contributing writer Steve Knopper in 2013 for the upcoming book MJ: The Genius of Michael Jackson. “No one ever gave me music paper to read; no one ever gave me anything to read. They tell me, ‘Here’s a track, play what you want.Talent is all it takes,and Louis had it

[@chrisgambaro-vega9504]

Which is a bit of an exaggeration. MJ usually had all of the ideas in his head for what he wanted the instruments to play. If you listen to the home demo for Billie Jean, there's a keyboard bass part on it that MJ came up with. He actually confessed to Darryl Hall that he got the inspiration for the line from "I Can't Go For That." "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough" and "Off The Wall" are others where the bass parts were pretty much in place. Still an amazing bassist.

[@ziggysmalls9329]

@@chrisgambaro-vega9504 if you say so.lol!@ We're talking about most of Louis endeavors.can't take that away from him by picking out instances that you think are otherwise.Michael had an ides,and how do we all know it was his slone.Maybe Louis had more than a hand in it than you know,besides playing the bass line.I agree he was a great player,been following him since 1975 when I first heard of him

[@chrisgambaro-vega9504]

@@ziggysmalls9329 I don't say so. Michael said so. I'm simply stating facts. Facts are not up for debate or discussion. You either accept them or not. He would have no need to lie about songs that HE wrote. Considering the fact that he composed his songs at home before he ever brought them into the studio, I'd tend to believe him before anyone else. MJ has given Louis credit for influencing his to use live bass underneath synth bass on certain tracks, so it's not like he's cutting Louis out of the picture. But this is what happens when iconic players die. We tend to deify them. If you think that someone as creative as MJ or Quincy didn't come over to Louis and say "Listen man, I'd like to play this" once in a while then you're mistaken. And James Jamerson improvised a good 90% of his lines, so Louis was not the first to so it. NONE of this takes away from the fact that he was an AMAZING bass player. But to suggest that NOBODY ever told you what to play? Nah son. That's just ridiculous. The whole work ethic of being a session player is to take direction.

[@ziggysmalls9329]

@@chrisgambaro-vega9504 whatever I guess you were the fly on the wall

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

@@chrisgambaro-vega9504 You are right. But, MJ loved the Brothers Johnson ( George & Louis) and did give them free rein and creative space to create whatever they felt on those songs.. ie: Working Day & night, PYT. I think where Louis is coming ( say Billie jean). he was told to play the man part BUT, play it in a way you feel and it.

[@lemarmundane]

I grew up off of this song.. If my life had a title track, it would be the Brothers Johnson... Strawberry Letter 23...

[@6402680]

Thank you for the funk and R.I.P. Mr. Louis Johnson

[@countingcoup]

This man is sorely missed!

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Louis is still alive with his music. The funk and feel is just brilliant!!

[@jimmyvincent1307]

Cambridge Bass Lessons Louis is amazing. I wonder which bass he is using on this recording. Can you make an instructional video on this song? Would be amazing.

[@gimmeagig]

That is really clean. No clanking no fret noise. No wonder Quincy loved him.

[@j.cooper6558]

very clean indeed

[@bassistdc]

+Jade Cooper Alembic bass

[@littleblackcloud86]

His usage of flatwound strings on his Stingray helped him sound so clean on recordings.

[@garybrice7689]

Pure genius. Love this groove. Brilliant.

[@oldschoolbbass]

he is using and Alembic with roundwounds on this album

[@robhammond7118]

This is it! Back in the day,in the 'Burgh.' I was a drummer exclusively until I saw these cats. Had never played bass nor did I have any desire to until I heard Louis. Before SnarkyPuppy, Earth Wind & Fire, Toto, Duke & Clarke, Rufus, Caldera, Mahavishnu, James Brown, and anything Rit, Grusin, or Bob James could part together, it was the Brothers Johnson. These are my 'Cats'.This is my all-time favorite band and Louis was and still is my all-time favorite bass player. I love Anthony Jackson, Abraham Laboriel, Clarke, Jaco, Nathan East and all those bad boys back in the 'Burgh'. My mother is 75 and she still loves their music. My daughter is 18 and she grew up on these cats because I wouldn't let the dust settle on those jokers after all these years. My dream while living on the ' The Hill ' on Allequippa Street and East Hills was to be the drummer for the Brothers Johnson. ( I know, I know I'm 58. ) But don't wake me up. This is one of the few good things I can remember. And the Bible says without a dream my people perish. LOL

[@BigInTheBurgh1]

Hey 'Burgh Bro....surprised you didn't mention Pittsburgh bassist Dwayne Dolphin.

[@87GeeTee]

THe Burgh! FTW!

[@4strings4me]

Louis was a great player.. Marcus Miller, Anthony Jackson, James Jamerson , Chuck Rainey... My Mount Rushmore... Bios don't lie.. Louis has a great bio also

[@jimdep6542]

Doug Rauch from Santana 1971 through 1973, and bassist with George Duke, Lenny White and Billy Cobham is my all time favorite. Louis Johnson is in my top five favorites too, along with Ralphe Armstrong from Mahavishnu and Jon Luc Ponty.

[@PearsonJd2]

Incredible work from The God of Thunder Louis Johnson. Funk in Paradise brother

[@tonysouthdakotaha8728]

That’s some badass bass jamming, so clean and flawless.

[@seangoward7132]

One of my favorite bass players ever!!! In the top 3 all time!!!

[@markmoore4895]

So what do you do with James Jamerson, Jaco Pastorious, and Stanley Clarke, and Mark Adams? Don't get me wrong, Louis Johnson is a ba-a-a-a-a-a-d man, but top three?

[@rev.bobbyjones1894]

1). Stanley Clarke 2.) Louis Johnson 3). Andre Berry ......Honorable Mention : Eric "EQ" Young, ...Mark Adams.....Bernard Edwards.....Marcus Miller....Mark King.....Armand Sabal-Lecco..... etc...

[@HolmanNov2065]

Rev. Bobby Jones Geddy Lee(Rush)

[@paul24w]

mark king freddy washington louis johnson

[@williampires125]

Easy top 3

[@mercyrn35]

His bass was like an orchestra. Just so much nuance. ❤

[@MrErnest268]

R.I.P. Lewis Your Funk will last forever

[@j.d.marshall1098]

Again, this song brought tears to my eyes, It is that good. Thanks Rick, Shuggie, George, and Louis.

[@mthomps0]

Wow. I’m a decade late hearing this isolated track. A total enjoyment.

[@andysmart1681]

RIP Louis Johnson a true legend

[@nickster0717]

RIP Man. Thanks for sharing your gift and being the low-end soundtrack to all of us that grew up in the 70's,80s and 90's.

[@slrmusicman1]

Thanks Rick for sharing. Enjoyed the bass licks

[@rosss1959]

The master at work....

[@Datanditto]

So great on many levels. Thanks for posting. What he did with a bass is so pure.

[@noelzwiseman7750]

After all these years I'm still in awe of LJ on bass...What a master and legend, RIP Louis

[@Underhills]

Whenever I think of BJ's I think of pink and blue stage lights - and a ton of smooth funk. I played these tapes to destruction back in the day. Quincy Jones made it all sound so fantastic, his style really enhanced it all.

[@andrevanleer7467]

Great song, great performance, great artists. I remember hearing this song on the radio when I was a teenager and loved the groove. It definitely inspired me to pick up the bass myself. It's definitely an Alembic bass that was used here, not a Music Man. Love the distinct sound.

[@kriticalelement]

Rest In Peace Louis. So glad I got to see you and George live back in '02. A great show that I'll never forget!

[@aaronj.brooks1977]

One of the baddest funkiest slap pop bass players that ever lived R. I. P. Louis “ Thunder Thumbs “ Johnson you will forever be missed 🙏🏾

[@neodental7312]

This track is fantastic. What great bends and slaps. Thank you so much for the isolated track. Would never of heard the sweet magic otherwise.

[@albclef]

I remember when this album came out , I was a teenager and drummer at the time but after hearing the bass I knew one day I would pick up bass . Quincy Jones recording quality was so far ahead of its time . Quincy raised the bar. RIP Louis you are one of the greatest bassist ever .

[@prudawalkman7571]

I Pruda Bass thank the entire Johnson Family - Everlasting positive vibrations and soul, THANK YOU / MUCH RESPECT, SINCERELY PRUDA BASS

[@Pudsy440]

Cool ... always interesting to hear isolated tracks like that.

[@willielee8923]

That's a beautiful bassline!!!

[@kushwookie420]

Out of all my years of playing bass, I just now discover thus dude. He's pretty badass

[@LMaxx5]

I aint k ow wby this record was changing my life, just knew NOTHING ever sounded this good. My band director played several instruments. Bass was one. Louis Joshnson and Benard Edwards were his heroes. Had both their styles on lock!

[@MarcG7424]

Thunder Thumbs will always be in my top 5 bassist of all time I'm glad I can still listen to his brilliance whenever I want

[@tonyonbass]

LITERALLY from THE very first (not slapped) note, which btw Mr Johnson ever-so-slickly choses to play the b7th BELOW the tonic AND as a pushed/anticipated 16th note, to me, it is a triumph on its on merit: Masterful Time & Groove. Tension and Release as Legato & Staccato. Wide Dynamics from smooth figer-style to Fortissimo Slap. And a truly COMPOSED line with emphasis on which octaves were most effective for the SONG and mix. On the final mix, his bass-playing was so hard to differentiate, having been complimented and counterpointed by his brothers amazing single-note-funk-guitar lines, it was always tough for us bassist's to be sure about "his" bass-line. ~Until right freakin' now!!! WOW. THANK YOU

[@sisterfister2047]

Jesus Christ, chill man. Sometimes less is more.

[@tonyonbass]

Sister Fister . Advice that would apply nicely to your sadly inept comment. Haha. Chill Sister Fister. Less baby commenting would be "more" appreciated. This is the big boy table sweet heart.

[@johnmaer]

Have you kicked Johnnie Cochrane's ass too?

[@mattfoley6082]

Stason Goines Never noticed that beginning b7 until you pointed it out. You're right, that is a nice touch. I always thought it was a G. And I hear nuances on this iso I never noticed on the full track. I cried when I heard the news of LJ's death.

[@paul24w]

Marshall Rock Jones Ohio Players Quote From Interview With Bass Player !!! Would You Have Slapped Him Down

[@jamesgilliam4464]

Louis my musical hero. I miss him

[@nedzadbadnjevic6885]

RIP brother,you the BEST.

[@reneeanderson7825]

I was inspired by the Brothers Johnson growing up in the seventy along with other P-Funk groups and most say Strawberry Letter #23, Get the funk outta my face & I'll be good to you were some of my favorite hits, "Thunder Thumb & Lighting Licks". May your music live on, you will be miss. R. I. P. my Bro.

[@su_nioj992]

Thank you for the post been trying to show my girl specifically this isolated bass track.

[@martinplatt5928]

Incredible talent. RIP

[@gewglesux]

I love isolated tracks

[@AntonioCharlieBrownClark]

R.I.H. Louis

[@stephenfreeman2207]

Thank you for the post! He is legendary - bass guitar skills galore.

[@revmarcusstee3]

James Jamerson.....Mark Adams (Slave).....Donald 'Duck' Dunn....Louis Johnson....

[@Fakename70]

Jack Bruce, Chris Squire...

[@3dsman]

I'm a Nathan East fan..

[@MrJungleWarrior]

Larry Graham, Jaco, Victor, Stanley, Verdine...

[@marinellibo]

@@MrJungleWarrior Bob Babbitt

[@thomasbarnard8378]

Can’t forget Mr Collins

[@liesdamnliesandstatsweird1934]

Wow!!!! Louis was an INCREDIBLE bassist. 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

[@xlizard420x]

one of the best ever i grew up listening to them and the other great bands and music the 70s gave us get the funk out of my face thankyou brothers johnson for creating great tunes

[@futuristicconcepts1257]

Kudos to one of the greatest bassists on planet earth. There will never be another like Louis Johnson even with all of the phenomenal bassists of today. Louis played on an unnatural level. Rest in peace brother and when you're with Heaven's Supergroup I know that you'll rock the walls of paradise!!

[@muller1007]

Great!!! This song is one of the reasons I've been loving and playing Alembic basses for 20 years now. I actually owned an identical Alembic Series 1 to the one Louis Johnson's played on this track.

[@freddiesmith135]

This guy had up all feeling it. bad bad bass player!!!

[@kathyl5135]

His music will live for all time.

[@GrantSchinto]

As much "classic rock" as anything else out there so far as I'm concerned. Brilliant and still holds up fantastically well decades later.

[@billytheweasel]

This is what hooked me into Brothers Johnson. So cool to hear Louis in iso.

[@carll.negleyiii2770]

I loved this bass line and learned it back in the day. What a badass.

[@motowninvestor]

R.I.P. Louis

[@chrisberardi5999]

Amazing and musical all by itself.

[@1bIgFaTsOnOfAbItCh]

I've bought homes, vehicles, and put 4 daughters through college with a bass guitar (keyboards too) and it started when I was 12 years old and saw/heard the most amazing bass playing ever when The Brothers Johnson performed "Get The Funk Out My Face" on the Midnight Special. 3 years later got my first paying gig on bass and it's been a career ever since. Wish I could've met him to let him know how his playing inspired me.

[@oldschoolbbass]

Love Louis Johnson Alembic Bass on this album I fell in love with that bass with the omega cut he used.

[@edennard1]

Yep .. That’s not the Music Man on these tracks on this album.. it is indeed the Alembic

[@witterth]

Tight as f**K and really precise the man knew where it was! what a loss.

[@michaeltiztisdale9422]

.. Thanks For That Share .. Louis Had A Most Amazing Technique Of His Own .

[@garybrice7689]

Beautiful song that captured the era perfectly!

[@vectoranonymous7867]

Gary Brice what's the song? Brilliant musician

[@robertbentley4646]

Vector Anonymous the song is Strawberry letter 23

[@lowendvibeswesleyhorn8053]

Timeless song

[@rickb1266]

Louis Johnson and his Alembic bass on this track! It really didn't matter what bass he used, you could always tell that it was "Thunder Thumbs"!

[@ebertmahon8939]

True, this was when he was using Alembic basses at the time.

[@mariannehelg4260]

Rick Barnes oh man, I was not sure if was a Precision or not... so this is an Alembic sound

[@rickb1266]

Marianne Helg Alembic all the way!

[@chrisgambaro-vega9504]

@@mariannehelg4260 Nah. A PBass could never sound like this. Too scooped and too much of a crisp top end.

[@rickb1266]

I used my Alembic Spoiler bass and got very close to the recording. However, tried to reproduce with my Stingray, could not get it. Good headphones help to notice the difference. I favored the the bridge pickup, and dead or flatwound strings help.

[@jimdep6542]

Great job on this video ! Thank you.

[@michaeljacksonfan8692]

How cool !!! Unfortunately he's not here anymore

[@osirishitlist7958]

THANK YOU FOR THIS POST MY FIRST TIME HEARING IT

[@waynefoote3781]

WOW! This is a great shot man! that is a hard ass guitar part at the break!

[@drug.3797]

So nice, just what i was looking for!!!!

[@ronaldscott772]

He was my idol..you will be miss much..

[@TheGlass50]

Thanks Rick! This is definitely helping my bass playing.

[@tedongtr]

I always loved the way Louis played.

[@michaeldaniel6076]

Missyoulois

[@IvorThomas]

Just what I was looking for! Sweet!

[@billynichols9585]

RIP Louis...love you bass playing style...

[@Gadgetsjon]

What an utter MACHINE!

[@Bill_Bruford]

Pure awesomeness...

[@Alvin276]

It is indeed a refreshing pleasure to hear real musicians playing real instruments instead of computers. Louis Johnson is definitely the Bass Man. My favorite song on "Off the Wall" is Get on the Floor. When I played that tune back in the day, I use to love to crank my Bose 501 speakers to the max, almost bringing down the ceiling. There is an orgy of bass going on in that song! There are a few guys you can mention in the same breath, but no one plays the bass better than Louis Johnson.

[@thebionicbassplayer]

God bless the Johnson family! Heaven has a new bassist!

[@paulbassbrackens]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@getzata96]

One of the greatest

[@yvandutlase7768]

feeling very nice , big up Louis

[@zackagosto9005]

The Best! Gone too soon. RIP Louis.

[@SuperBass1964]

A true master of the bass! R.I.P LJ

[@daddymang9211]

Louis Thunder Thumbs Johnson, once in a lifetime, never ever again.

[@user-wz2qe2pv6r]

Oh man that low string slap tone kinda deep and empty sounding.... beautiful playing.... great song too.

[@yank3656]

thanks for sharing rick suchow

[@TuneStunnaMusic]

I LOVE this, you can hear all the tracks that didnt make the final mix, and I didnt even know they used those antiquated drum machines as a reference at the time. makes me love the song even more.

[@Eire_Go_Deo]

Thank you! This is amazing!

[@PatriciaKay-ob2fi]

So talented

[@ComicPower]

RIP. In my top 5 all time on the bass.

[@michaeloliver5640]

louis is a legend AkA thunder thumbs been listing to the Johnson brothers since the 70"s among others he was first who inspire

[@stephenfreeman2207]

RIP - I'll always remember the music

[@morrisman64]

This is great thanks for the post R.I.P Louis

[@diogoca]

tnks! for this awesome quality

[@Yodelinthegully-d7r]

Amazing!

[@mychalsimonz]

AAAAA-Fucking- Mazzing!!!! I was 17 yrs old when this record was released and what we would have given to hear LOUIS LIKE THIS BACK THEN>>>>

[@ipisking]

Thank you for this!!