From the Bottom: "Lucky" Scott and SUPER FLY (1972)

[@joedimaggio44]

Hands down... Superfly is the greatest soundtrack album out there. Every song is killer. Great lyrics, great instrumentation. Especially the bass lines. Thanks so much for (as Curtis might say) "breakin it down so that we may all understand". Really appreicate the fine work you do.

[@joedimaggio44]

And a request.... how about some Larry Graham? Keep it up.

[@GordonBeckles]

I was sooooo fortunate to be a tween/teen during this period in music. Emir Deodato, War('s releases), Jimmy Hendrix's "Cry Of Love" lp. Gary Wright's "Dreamweaver" lp, ...and an album that (since 13, 14 years old) is a major part of the soundtrack of my life. Maestro Curtis Mayfield's "SUPERFLY"! 👍🏾🙏🏾❤🔥👊🏾 This 64 year old is giving thanks for music as he glows with joy.😉

[@coreysmith4817]

Let's do it again Is another soundtrack that rivals that one in its own right..Check out the movie .It's bananas..

[@OriginalOldSkoolFunk]

I've been playing guitar for just shy of 50 years now and played with a lot of real cool bass players, but no one ever broke down anything like you do in these videos. The content on your channel is absolutely solid and addictive and that's coming from a guitar guy that likes to talk about you four string guys. I cant get enough of your analysis of the music and your presentation is to the point and very easy to follow. The Super Fly album is definitely one of the greatest R&B albums of all time. The writing and arrangements that Curtis came up with are just absolutely iconic and the band's performance is exceptional. As cold blooded as Lucky's playing was... I must give props to Curtis's signature stylings on the guitar. I never get tired of listening to this soundtrack five decades after it came out. Please keep up the very compelling content. I'm definitely out here soaking up everything that I can from these videos and I'm thankful for it.

[@JohnDengisYT]

This album is so good. Not only is it well written an orchestrated with some of the grooviest tracks that Curtis ever wrote, but behind it all is a powerful message running counter to the plot of the film. It adds this extra layer of depth to what is already a deep and powerful album.

[@drummersagainstitk]

Major at the time. MAJOR. Everyone knew it'd be spoken about in 55yrs. I was right there.

[@mojodanslabiblioteque]

Hand percussion- the composing is unreal! Amazing lp to cover. Thank you.

[@angelainyt]

Mr Curtis was a really great musician, pioneer of urban music, grand songwriter, had so much vision, cared about black people's struggles, and so, used music to inspire change -- Those bass notes painted memorable pictures

[@gvrpresentsbearwilliams]

Lucky Scott is the single reason that I have played bass guitar.as my main instrument for over forty years. I’m happy that you’ve given him his own feature video… He is just as much a Genius Bass Player as was James Jamestown in my opinion. Plus… He’s from CHICAGO like me!!! Bravo!!!👏 🎉

[@tobydrums1]

Lucky is from Chattanooga TN.

[@walterholland1251]

The bass line under the lyric "trying to get over" is as funky as it gets. Even to this day.

[@3kingkool]

Agreed

[@waltersassano4294]

That's a GEORGEOUS bass. Love the sound. I'm a big fan of flat wounds. Awesome video. Thanks.

[@SpookOneMusic]

Hell yeah! Lucky Scott was cold! That entire band was sick! I loved how Lucky would shake the string on a note. Very brooding

[@themaincat85]

Yes sir. Lucky Scott was an original and a beast on the bass. May he RIP.

[@jamesdenny4734]

One of the only albums I liked every song 🎵... I can still sing every word to each song 😁

[@RoninAliNowOn]

An elder friend of mine just mentioned Lucky in a conversation tonight! Then I ran into FREDDIE'S DEAD live on F.B.. Finally I had to look him up and I'm glad I landed here!

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

That Fender Jazz sounds crisp 👌🏿

[@markmaioli4]

Superfly is definitely one of my favorite movie soundtracks of all time!

[@313mph]

I'm grateful for your breakdown of these.. we can go DEEPER. I want a convo with you about this as it pertains to Black Culture, and Masculinity as it was in the 1970s.

[@s3hooligan]

I keep coming back to this review. Such a great album to practice my bass with.

[@frankflstf]

Sad that he had to pass so young RIP LUCKY SCOTT thanks for the funk

[@heavychevy4616]

god bless & thank u sir

[@CharlieBass5]

I have thought of late 60's when Larry Graham was added to the mix, music changed. James Brown had really become, funk was loose in the wild!!! Man you got me singing over here. Thank you!!!

[@ShudrodWatts]

that brother Lucky Scott was just to smooth and funky!!! I get high off the rhythm !!!

[@bellygunnermusic]

so good. each bass line uses space, and thereby stands out as a distinct, powerful, anchoring phrase. very very awesome stuff. thank you for taking this apart.

[@peterayolov]

We're so lucky to have "Lucky" Scott's music. 🧿

[@vvblues]

Great work and I'm not even a bassist.

[@jcxperience]

I'm from Chicago and grew up with Lucky Scott and the entire Scott family.

[@vincentwong2801]

I love Curtis Mayfield's

[@jonhillman871]

"if you don't have superfly, baby..." i wouldn't dream of not having superfly.

[@edennard1]

1st and foremost I thank you for this because I was playing these tunes in my dads Soul Quintet when I was a young jit.. Most of these cats played a P bass string with the Fender Flats with the action on the Bass would be set more on the high side , however listening to this just confirms to me that even a damn good 5 string Jazz Bass ( and I have a couple ) does not and cannot match the fatness and dirtiness of a 4 String 70’s Fender Jazz Bass strung with flats and no preamp..I have a 74 Jazz that has had the same strings on it since 2010 .. !

[@paulsteezo1772]

You Sir...ARE BIG PIMPIN'!!!

[@louierubio]

Man I’m excited to watch this

[@classicbasslines]

Nice stuff Paul. Lucky Scott is definitely underappreciated

[@jgsrhythm100]

Love Curtis and this album !!!!!!! Please check Sly & Family,Stone- " There's a Riot Going. On" Bassist Larry Graham literally invented slap bass and brilliantly employed it on this album. One of the funkiest brilliant albums period!!

[@InnerVisions68]

Timeless and badass lines

[@brucemoxley4300]

Hello Paul, I enjoy your videos and I was pleasantly surprised when I saw your video on Luck Scott, you did a great job of providing information on such a great person. I married his first cousin and met him while I was in college, Lucky came from a family of gifted singers and musicians . Thanks again for the great update..

[@sean_on_bass]

This is seriously great...please keep doing these!

[@pdbass]

I will try...if I can get past all of this blocking!

[@GordonBeckles]

​@@pdbassawesome, illuminating breakdowns in your deconstruction of this incredible album. I was 13, 14 years old when this album came out and it's a major part of the soundtrack of my life.😁👍🏾🙏🏾👊🏾 Thank You Maestro...

[@MathiasChanell-ki2wp]

Dear Paul, thank you very much for your spirit, your competence and the inspiration! Good vibes to you.

[@ramsesstafford4640]

This video should have more views and likes. The Superfly soundtrack is one of my top 10 albums of all time. Love Curtis 👌🏽

[@secretdaisy6484]

Super fly is one of my all time favorite albums and the masterpiece lives on my iPod! 👍☮️🌞🌟🎸🎶

[@cary3428]

Thank you Paul. For every video, but this album is where my soul resides.❤

[@sebuteo]

Wow!!! Great episode!! 'Dripping with Funk'. That's my bag, baby! I totally agree with you; Joseph 'Lucky' Scott is a hero of mine. I also really love his playing with LeRoy Hutson, whose music (Hutson's) is, I think, very undervalued. Like Mayfield's music Hutson's is very bassline driven. Do you know 'Love The Feeling'? The bass part is the hook/groove-propelling force of the song. Another bassist from the funky soul bag I'd love to see you cover is the guy from Pleasure (I can't recall his name offhand).

[@pdbass]

Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, Nate Phillips (Glide) is a bad dude! I think I'm going back to the 80s for the next episode, so please stay tuned.

[@bernardgross867]

Thank you for doing what you do. We are not just the bass player. Love you Brother 🎸

[@pdbass]

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@djbelc01]

Good stuff Paul. I really enjoyed the way you pointed out 1) when the bass lines for the denser songs were more straightforward and 2) how the bridges tended to be more free flowing and loose than the rest of the song. Those are examples of some important points that a lot of players don't consider: you always need to think about the arrangement of the song, and how to balance out what you're playing with the rest of the instruments and what your ear is being led to hear.

[@user-ow3dq1er4e]

Thank you for this. The first time I heard Freddie’s dead I wanted to play bass. This entire record means so much to me. Excellent video

[@insidejazzguitar8112]

His dedication to the music is fun and inspiring. And when he talks about the sound of NYC in the early 70s, he’s right- I was there😊

[@ronaldgrant1731]

One of my favorite albums Thank you for the in depth information, absolutely incredible!! Keep it up!!

[@jamesoconnell7443]

Unusual to have someone without artifice, funny, nice and passionate. I have to watch everything this guy does because he’s hearing all of the subtleties of which I lacked expression for. It’s like I’m hearing the Socrates of not just Bass but it’s idiom. Thanks again for this. You’re a commodity and yet I’m paying nothing-yet. I was just yesterday listening to Mayfield and Fishbone’s version of Freddie’s Dead.

[@ag052976]

Thanx for this this. Superfly, was such a iconic recording. The analysis of this music is outstanding…

[@izzybermudez1179]

I'm a keyboardist, but man, I'm learning sooo much from your channel. Thank you

[@peterknaust7424]

Paul I would love to hear your take on Flora Purim’s “Stories to Tell” from 1974. Miroslav Vitous and Ron Carter divided the base duties beautifully. After almost 50 years it’s still fresh and compelling!

[@pdbass]

I really don't know that one....I will check it out after the New Year for sure. Thanks!

[@Metro498]

The definitive intro bass line is Curtis Mayfield’s (Don’t Worry) “If there’s a hell below we all going to go”. From his self titled album. Incredible.

[@adamgibbons2103]

Love your videos, Paul. Love the combo of examining bass playing on an album (not just one song) along with the history and historical context you provide - this is my groove, man: talking about and listening to and learning from music and the historical context it lived in. Thank you for your musicianship and sharing your renditions of songs on the bass, too. Learning Yearnin' is what we do (to quote Maurice White)!

[@pdbass]

Thank you for watching, Adam!

[@marcusparnell2403]

Learning so much here. Thank you

[@richarda7346]

I listen all the time. Such a great soundtrack....and film . Remember buying the lp when I was about 16.

[@rtasvadumsaur]

Nice one-two punch with The Nightfly and now this! These really aren't your typical surface level KZbin topics, though of course they were massive hits in their own time. Great work 👍

[@jazzpunk]

Agree 100%! The Nightfly & Superfly! So much greatness to...borrow. :-O

[@jubaby1111]

SIMPLY AWESOME

[@sparedbygrace7490]

I love your insights. Ty sir

[@Toracube]

I can’t think of an album I’ve played to more. Another great breakdown.

[@a-funk1253]

Thank you, man, for that 11:00 visualization of note reading. These kind of examples help us lazy note readers. 👍❤️. Keep on going with these if you will. 💪

[@a-funk1253]

This is a real lesson by the way.

[@z98133]

I grew up in the NYC school system and was never afforded a single music class. Today as an adult, I feel that I was robbed. I am currently trying to learn to play the bass. I am mesmerized by the way you break it down.

[@pdbass]

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Anyone can do this!

[@spacesloth6496]

Very special. Channel. Thank you. For making these video. So much good info.and funk and groove and feeling. 🙏🦋❤️🔥❤️🦋🙏

[@glenwhatley4125]

i recall as a 18yr old white guy bass player who wasn't particularly interested in funk, walking everyday in NYC 1972 actually hearing black folks talking about Curtis Mayfield getting nominated for the Grammy but not winning. These folks were really pissed about it, too. I'm pretty certain rational tensions back then had a lot to do with this, too. i didn't realize till now that he apparently was disqualified because he actually couldn't 'write' music! Now how many musicians would that have counted out if that rule were allowed to continue. As i recall Glenn Campbell also couldn't 'write' music either yet...! Major Ripp-off. Wasn't till years later that my musical tasted matured that i broadened my musical scope and began to appreciate all genres for what they are.

[@tommiecarlton5760]

In 72 I was 8yrs old I seen Shaft and Superfly and love these soundtracks before vcrs. Soundtracks were like listening to movie 💖💖😎😎🔊🔊

[@froggyleggy]

Gonna have to shed some of these again

[@HermanSFlint]

I always wondered what happened To Lucky Scott , he was an unsung hero IMHO, he had his own style , thanks for putting him out there , I couldn't get this info on him anywhere else.

[@bassocanario]

Old enough to remember when this came out...Brilliant and entertaining analysis, thank you!👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@sergemartinez5843]

I was 12 when Super Fly came out,I went to see the Movie with a Couple of my buddies,and my Mom brought me a T-shirt with the picture of Superfly just like the Movie poster.Back the they'd let us in even if the Movie was rated R.We only paid 1.25 for two Movies,and I loved the Bass sounds in all of Curtis Mayfield songs.70's Bass lines were really Funky.

[@tobydrums1]

Thanks for this. Lucky was great. Not enough bassist’s I play with now pay enough attention to long and short note differences. I never played with Lucky. I played with his brother Porky(Lebron) with the Impressions. They have a sister that played the bass also. Lucky was one of the best ever.🎉

[@waltermal1]

donny hathaway « live » for episode 3 :) good job !

[@sebuteo]

Good call! I'm hoping he'll do some LeRoy Hutson, who 'Lucky' also played with...

[@johnc.griffinjr.4508]

Ah man, I've got to find that album! I believe the bassist name is/was Willie Weeks. Peace

[@pdbass]

That's definitely on my list, but I'm going back to the 80s next time. Stay tuned for some Willie Weeks! Thanks for watching.

[@emersonhendersonjr.2969]

Thank you for your covered of different generes of bass playing and the players!! AWESOME JOB SIR!!

[@martinheath5947]

Masterpiece! Not heard this in years, SO glad you did this breakdown Awesome!

[@pdbass]

Thanks for watching!

[@martinheath5947]

@@pdbass Thank you for the excellent homework!

[@jackdolphy8965]

This , and ‘Live’ were amongst my most played vinyl in the great music days of the early ‘70s. Thank you for bringing Lucky to center stage. Man you completely nailed it by highlighting Freddie’s Dead. Thank You for passing this music forward. Curtis’ music is as awesome and timely and relevant right now as ever, surely will be for the indefinite….! Here’s to minor 9 chords forever!! 😹

[@erich1308]

"GIMME YOUR LOVE" is my favorite song on the soundtrack.

[@BobbyFischerQc]

I discover you with this video, and after I watch 20 of your videos, I’ll get a bass tomorrow.

[@markknight6445]

You sir, are a class act. This Channel must succeed. Subbed. 🖖🏼 Sansamp D.I. , was a must have for me for the last 20 years too.

[@pdbass]

Much appreciated!

[@lckaren]

I can’t read music, but I’m loving Ur content -BIG🎉❤🔥🌞

[@squidito2534]

You are great man, love this video and look forward to watching more of this content style. I’m late to the party but wanted to express my thanks for what you’ve put together

[@thomasanderson3892]

I love your channel! The breakdown and the beauty of the bass guitar is an awesome sight. thank you brother!

[@teebumpas]

First of all thank you for giving recognition to very talented musicians who might otherwise be overlooked . I am for Chattanooga Tn. and I had the pleasure of playing gigs with Lucky as I was just coming out of high school . Even though I was a trumpet player I was totally blown away by Lucky's bass playing , so much that he taught me how to play some of his favorite licks on bass . Also he was just a Great guy and friend . Thanks again for the post ....

[@JayTaylorSirfishalot]

Wow, super dope lessons man! Subscribed.

[@marcryptic]

Pusherman is the first song I think of with this movie. Great bassline and vocals/lyrics.

[@brucearbuckle5496]

Absolutely love this Paul, learned a ton by watching your insight. Thank you!

[@pdbass]

Thanks, Bruce!

[@epat32]

One of my favorite movies of all TIME!!! Thank You for this! Can you do one for The Mack and/or Willie Hutch?

[@markusmuller2190]

And again thx for this great video. u r a great guy

[@eustacerobinson1773]

Mr Paul You are Da MAN no analysis comes close at dissecting Music into it Atoms 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🙌🏾🙌🏾💙💙💙

[@3rduncle]

really happy I found this channel. Great work!

[@pdbass]

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@cameronsteuart1197]

I've been playing with a jazz group that does a lot herbie hancock and i've realized I am wanting for funky bass-lines. This helps a lot. Especially the articulation stuff.

[@robertjeffery6100]

I watched the movie the coronet theater in Rochester NY Great everything in the movie

[@dickstryker]

Curtis Mayfield is a genius and his Sountrack for Superfly is one of the greatest suites of the 20th century. Jmho

[@cameronsteuart1197]

so cool, lots of fun lines to try!

[@mikebassy]

Love this . I have this cd the super fly and a few others like Roots by Curtis. And a live one . Time to get them out . Great that you are into Oscar pettiford and Soul from the 70s ! It’s the same stuff anyway but some snobs might tell us different. During the 70s I used to walk around London and pretend I was in America ha ha , I watched too much tv I suppose. I was a strange kid . Did you ever see the 1976 King Kong movie ,? There Is a cti Lalo lp towering toccata with Anthony Jackson on bass where they disco King Kong .

[@audiogrouch1]

one of my most treasured, original vinyls from my childhood

[@audiogrouch1]

(drummer here, a stowaway on your journey)

[@AllegoryofPatrick]

Man I love the sound top to bottom on this album. I got it on cd in my 20s. It's so cool to see the bass parts and hear them isolated. Thank you so much for sharing the pdfs too! I'll definitely be playing on the bass and piano

[@yetiwookie1]

I love the historical/musical vibe of your channel. Great playing, I'm becoming a better bass player because of efforts like yours. Thank you. cheers!

[@terrymiller111]

You are very thorough with your transcriptions also. It is appreciated to see that extra little bit.

[@trevorblair5552]

Great channel with awesome content. More of this please!!! 👍🏾🙏🏿

[@pdbass]

Thank you! Will do!

[@marioguarini]

great contents as always , thank you

[@tawanacaldwell2068]

I miss you Uncle ❤

[@chaunceynewsome7544]

thanks for such good information and context. good analysis and technique

[@heydreyes8369]

Watching this for the second time now (watched it pre-trim). Man you never fail to amaze with the way you keep people's attention and keep them interested. The way you talked about how the songs corresponded with the movie was super cool. These two breakdowns you've made are honestly some of my favorite videos on youtube, and the fact that you're the only person I see doing it is badass. I'm super proud to have you as my teacher man, much love.

[@Apemopo]

if you wanna be a junkie-wow! makes me want to get some flats.

[@JohnHorneGuitar]

Fantastic as always! I love the little details you point out like the differences in articulation between different sections of a song! Those can make an enormous difference!

[@pdbass]

Thanks, John!

[@matthewwilson3202]

Never gets any love , but a major influence on my playing. Ditto Melvin Dunlap, Bill Wither's sometime bassist