Session Man: The Piano Style of Nicky Hopkins

[@martinfinnpiano]

If you are looking to improve your piano playing you can download my Piano Finger Guides and Beginner’s Course at: stan.store/martinfinnmusic

[@esimms1889]

A 90 minute documentary on Nicky Hopkins entitled “The Session Man” will be released on Amazon Prime on November 5th. It will also be released for sale in DVD format later this year. I, for one, can’t wait to see it!

[@MrGuitarmikeg]

I have been calling out for this for years! Can’t wait!

[@martinfinnpiano]

No way! Can’t wait to see that one. :)

[@frankgerace5997]

Thanks for the heads-up..I’ll be watching, and possibly buying!!

[@AndyMangele]

Wow - that sounds interesting! 👍

[@로열위드치즈]

Nicky’s piano with rolling stones is untouchable

[@martinfinnpiano]

Unreal. Such a perfect contribution.

[@Scotlanz]

Having lived in Ireland for many years, I can confidently say that this gentleman is actually saying “thirds”, and not “turds”. 😂

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thanks! When CapCut was generating captions it said turds every time! I had to change a lot of text!!

[@melindastevens1643]

That was terribly funny to listen to! But it didn’t detract from the lesson. I love it, it’s humorous!

[@Deejaay83urj38]

The text said TOM, I was sayng Nooo, not TOM, he's saying THUMB. Ah that Irish accent. When the ugly sounds of today crowd in I'd like that to drown out the din

[@jordanwhisson5407]

Yeah had a chuckle

[@percussionboy4357]

Yeah, I was happily watching the video and eating my soup, then here come the parallel turds.

[@stewkirkwood8021]

So great to feature Nicky! An unsung hero that has been a major player in the soundtrack of our lives. Kudos to you. Keep on keeping on.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you. I had fun making it and learned lots about what it takes to be a good session person. Love Nicky to bits.

[@tjcint]

Martin, I have to say this. You are such a kind, giving, dear person. It is an absolute pleasure to be in your presence, be it listening to your videos or reading your comments. Thank you for giving me and evidently a great many others so much joy. You are a treasure. 🙏

[@martinfinnpiano]

Wow, thank you for all of the lovely comments. It is a pleasure to hear from you and I’m so glad you enjoy the content and the whole vibe. I really love what I do and I hope it shows. ❤️❤️

[@neophile523]

Keith Richards always referred to Nicky's playing as the "diamond tiaras" on the Stones' music. So appropriate!

[@martinfinnpiano]

Ha! I like it. Yes, or the sugar on the pancake.

[@3rdmm]

What did he say about Stu's playing?

[@mr.k905]

Nicky's playing is soooo good!! It gave depth and a certain atmosphere to so many great rock classics. Today, when we think of the sound of rock piano, we very often think of Hopkins. He helped to create a whole style of rock music.

[@martinfinnpiano]

That is so true. He created the blueprint in a lot of ways. Showed what could be done.

[@westfield90]

Wow that jealous guy and Oh Yoko piano parts you played had me mesmerized

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you! I'm delighted you liked those. They are such gems. :)

[@PatrickBaele]

Fantastic,all these songs, he was the discreet magic…!!!

[@martinfinnpiano]

Yes, he was just that. The secret weapon of any artist lucky enough to secure his services!!!

[@tommybotts]

Hopkins piano on She's A Rainbow is some of the most beautiful music ever written.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Really lovely, yes!

[@tjcint]

I totally agree with you.

[@newspapertaxis1]

Nicky and Chris Stainton are my faves......Just Great players!

[@martinfinnpiano]

I really have to look up CS!

[@AndyMangele]

Probably one of the best music-related videos here on KZbin! 👍

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you so much. I love making them!

[@Flare4roach]

Magnificent video. Nicky deserves so much more attention to what he brought to popular music. Would love to see you highlight more of what Nicky did on Exile on Main Street. Simply a brilliant musician.

[@artobindo]

thank you, nicky hopkins was ubiquitous in every important records of his time for a reason he made them gold

[@martinfinnpiano]

That’s for sure. I couldn’t believe how many great records he put sone sugar on until I started making this video!

[@Zafirios]

Thank you for this! I love his playing for the intro of "Monkey Man." It sets the mood of that song.

[@martinfinnpiano]

I have it on in the background here. It sounds like water. Amazing :)

[@ndlouder]

Beautiful tutorial on such a master musician. Probably my favorite is his playing on "Rocks Off" by the Stones.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you very much. Yeah. Great track!

[@lat1502]

I was familiar with the song but not one of my favorite Stones song and I hadn't listened to it in decades. After reading your comment, I played the song off KZbin. After listening to it, I would agree you made a good call. Another song that he was in that will cement his place in session player history.

[@haroldmessinger1]

Nice. His work on who’s next is critical to the sound

[@martinfinnpiano]

Agreed. Such talent!

[@wayne7177]

Nicky's piano and Keith playing the bass really drive Sympathy for the Devil. What a song!

[@martinfinnpiano]

You’re right. A great combo. :)

[@maxmmpower]

this vid nicely illustrates a key element of hopkins: he intuitively knew piano's role in rock-n-roll. he was never flashy or trying to lead, that's the electric guitar's duty; the keys were there to fill in the spaces with rhythm, lines, color. no one built mortar better.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Very, very well said. So true. He had the ability and ear but also the wide angle lens to see what each piece required.

[@tr5947]

I'm among those who consider The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame a joke, but since there is one, the fact Nicky Hopkins isn't in it is part of my thesis. I hope people understand the compliment when I say Nicky Hopkins is the Ringo Starr of keyboard players. With both of them, it was always about playing in service to the song. Thanks for this look into his greatness.

[@melindastevens1643]

You may wanna look up Billy Preston.

[@martinfinnpiano]

I get you and I think it is a great analogy. I like the phrase "in service to the song". They say great art is art concealed and I think this really applies to song arrangements!

[@melindastevens1643]

I agree with a comment that each of these tips could be a video on their own. This tutorial is worth gold as a rock pianist (I am from a classical background and perform with a few rock bands.). It is truly an excellent video and I will use it.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you. That’s very much appreciated. I think there is huge variety in NH’s playing having done the video. I’m glad you’ll get some use from it. :)

[@melindastevens1643]

Thank you, Martin. I am truly delighted to have become acquainted with Nicky Hopkins’ piano style and your tutorials.

[@melindastevens1643]

@@martinfinnpiano I’ve been putting to use with a couple of compliments, using 6ths. Thanks!

[@enriqueleal1253]

Great article on Nicky Hopkins the best, playing with all those major bands! You really know how to play your piano!!

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you very much. Yes, he was the man. Love all his contributions.

[@fabianmolyneux2308]

Martin thanks so much and boy what a brilliant presentation on the genius of Nicky Hopkins. Clearly, “it takes one to know one”, so take a bow yourself. I was talking with my music teacher about how dead music seems at present, due to AI and over production tricks. It’s well short of the skills and legacy of Nicky Hopkins and unlikely to ever surpass it. I’m not a piano player, but whatever you do next I look forward to it. You are clearly a great master talent in your own right.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you for all the positivity and support in your very kind message. That just about made my day. Everything you are saying is what I hoping people will receive. Yes, music today is a lot less interesting. I think the pallet is so limited. The main offence, apart from 8 writers per song is using the same chords for the chorus as well as the verse. This requires the song to get louder and denser for the chorus with the vocal going up an octave or some trick like that. It all starts to sound samey after a while. Good luck to you!!

[@greenatom]

I first became aware of Nicky Hopkins while listening to the Jamming With Edward album, with Ry Cooder and some Stones. (Highly recommended!) After becoming aware of him, I of course noticed that he was the magic ingredient, my favorite part of many favorite songs. Thank you for the overview!

[@martinfinnpiano]

Oh wow! "The magic ingredient" - I'm sorry now I didn't call the video that!! I'm listening to lovely blues piano on It Hurts Me Too right now. Lovely stuff.

[@soaringvulture]

Ah, yes. Edward the Mad Shirt Grinder.

[@martyjourard7172]

Brilliant insight and demonstration of Nicky's keyboard skills.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you so much. 🙏🙏

[@kencook4956]

Awesome video. Nike is my favorite piano player of all time.

[@AquitaineKing]

Thanks for that Martin. Learning guitar and love those Country Style "Slip Notes / Chords" For some reason I always find Piano Tutorials much better at explaining Music Theory 🤔😎.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Great. Good luck with it. Yes, I think that with the piano you have a bird's eye view of the notes sequentially and you can see them in relation to each other.

[@jamesmorris9816]

Big fan of Nicky, met him years ago at the Capitol Tower in LA, he was playing on a song I had co-written with French band King of Hearts. He was a real legend on piano.

[@martinfinnpiano]

No way! How lucky are you? What was the song called? I’ll look it up.

[@Jmorris4000]

@@martinfinnpiano The song was called Stay With Me. Long back story, Nicky was very sick the day of the session and then after the session his wife didn't show to pick him up, don't know what that was about, so I gave him a ride back to to house which was in N. Hollywood (if I remember correctly). All in all, a day that should have been great turned ended not so happily for all concerned. I had been in the French band Les Variations with both the guys in King of Hearts. Robert Fittousi , the vocalist, you might know better as FR David who did Words Don't Come Easy which was a big hit, Marco Tobaly, the guitarist, unfortunately died earlir this year. R.I.P. As a back note, the guys had asked me to join up with them but I was involved with another band at the time by the name of Trouble which was on United Artists, there are some videos on KZbin the best being one of the whole album. One note abou the record, the producer Richard Digby Smith had previously produced the last Free album Heartbreaker and I would say it's in that style which is much more me than the King of Hearts thing. As for me these days, I'm currently living in Rome, have a studio, different projects and bunch of things going on. Keep up the good work on your site. Oh, and as for me, I'm a Leon Russell fan. Cheers.

[@37BopCity]

Great video. I've been a big Nicky Hopkins fan since the '60s as a teenager when I first heard his piano playing and learned his name. HIs Wikipedia biography is amazing. He literally played with just about everybody in the business. He was what they call a "musician's musician", a total professional and the kind all the other big-name talents look up to with great admiration and respect, because of his supreme talent and creativity. He's right up there with Billy Preston, Leon Russell, and some other major keyboard players as one of the elite names in rock/pop musical history.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you for the lovely heartfelt and in-depth comment. Some great points here. A musician's musician he was for sure. He had a great combo of musical virtues - humility being one of the main ones!

[@jwebbw]

I can now see and hear why these various artists wanted Niki Hopkins to play on their songs. His sound played a big role and had a great influence on the music of that era. Thanks for making this video and making that clear.

[@martinfinnpiano]

My pleasure. Yes, he was the magical ingredient and everyone knew it!

[@bjornalthausen957]

I first recognized him as the piano player on John Cipollina's "Raven". Especially his solo-spot on "All worth the price" made his name stick to my mind. Talking bout "effortless"! It was years later that I started to realize he was the man for all those great musicians and bands.

[@martinfinnpiano]

You’ve given me a lot to discover there. He really got around, didn’t he? Thank you!

[@thomaspappalardo7589]

His playing on No Expectations is sublime

[@Deejaay83urj38]

So good. Love the piano on Shes a Rainbow. Treat to hear you do Jealous Guy again longer, oh that melody; and Oh Yoko.. . sublime as you'd agree. Especially you playing, and seeingvfrom above. Each one of these songs could have been a whole video in itsself, better than the average around. You do so much in each, give so much. Great for someone like me who grew up longing for piano, never the opportunity. I can listen without the rest of the song smothering it! Pure piano

[@sandmonjones8004]

I knew he played with individual Beatles however I did realized he played on Revolution. So many bands he was a wrecking crew upon himself. What a genius. Thanks for a great clip.

[@martinfinnpiano]

There you go! He was a one man wrecking crew for sure. Very well put. :)

[@outtathyme5679]

Rest his soul. Such beautiful music

[@martinfinnpiano]

Yes, a great man.

[@rfb14]

"The Girl From Mill Valley" with Jeff Beck was a pretty much Nicky Hopkins solo contribution. Always loved that tune, and one of my favorites on Beck Ola. Never felt like it had an ending or any traditional song sections, just kept on going into the fade.

[@michavandam]

I created a vocal for it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqS4enyHr7qfgLc

[@martinfinnpiano]

I’ve heard it and it was on the list but something had to give!

[@dianeo]

Well done!! So glad you did this piece on Nicky Hopkins. What an amazing artist that added the perfect accent to every song he contributed to.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you for that! Yes, he had that rare gift of making a song better with his contribution by playing an amazingly perfect part or simply not playing. :)

[@dukelawrence5830]

Many thanks Martin lovely playing Time spent and talent is what made this man great and is an inspiration for us mere mortals. Wonderful

[@martinfinnpiano]

My pleasure. Thank God for him. 🙏

[@psychedelic5290]

His work on War is Over was a perfect touch too

[@martinfinnpiano]

Lovely. :)

[@dchron8565]

I never knew Nicky played piano on "Revolution." Many thanks!

[@martinfinnpiano]

Neither did I til researching this video. 😅

[@randytrummer7825]

Outstanding post about Nicky. He's was absolutely the best, and you did a perfect overview. Thanks !!

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you so much. I’m delighted. :)

[@djdksf1]

Nicky's best asset wasn't his training or technique, but just his huge ears. Guy could find the perfect part for literally any song and, if he couldn't, I'm sure he just said "this doesn't need piano."

[@martinfinnpiano]

100% right. Knowing when not to play!

[@eric669]

Excellent work on this clip.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you!

[@familydogg1234]

How Nicky Hopkins plays Piano- one word-" Beautiful". Hit that Like button. Waiting for DVD of his documentary. RIP also to SHEL TALMY who used Hopkins alot. Not only did NH play on alot of important records- but with at the time Unknowns such as sessionmen - JOHN PAUL JONES, JIMMY PAGE, BIG JIM SULLIVAN - not known outside of London

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you for that! I must check out that documentary. I've only seen the trailers so far..

[@danthomas9624]

Thank you for your instruction on these amazing parts from Nicky. His part on “You Can’t Always Get what you want” by The Rolling Stones is also amazing, and really contributes to the song IMHO

[@martinfinnpiano]

My pleasure. Thank you. I’ll check it out.

[@Garbhan51]

Thanks, Martin, you've summarised exactly my thoughts/feelings about Nicky Hopkins' work. George Harrison's "Be Here Now" has been remixed recently and Nicky's contribution is so minimal and sensitive...

[@martinfinnpiano]

Is that where Oasis got that?! Thank you for the lovely comment.

[@ThomsenTower]

Great video, thank you very much. Led me to check out other videos of yours, discovering they are wonderful, educational but also enjoyable, and therefore to subscribe.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Welcome aboard! Yes, there is a fair amount of videos up there at this stage. Enjoy and if you have any questions, just ask. :)

[@wolfman909]

This is great sir. Thank you. Glad the algorithm found your channel. This is right up my street. Going to practice ‘Angie’ now.

[@martinfinnpiano]

My pleasure. I’m so glad you found me too! Keep up the playing and if you need help, I’m here.

[@coeurdecorbeaurecords9452]

Thank you! Outstanding!

[@martinfinnpiano]

Much appreciated!!

[@ismael.duenas]

So interesting video and nice tribute to the talent of Hopkings

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you for that. I love his playing. What a talent!

[@ByronWarfield]

Great content! Nicky was brilliant!

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you. Yes, amazing. :)

[@hugokenyon2961]

Well done overview of great compositional playing. His fusion of blues gospel classical and country was the secret sauce on many recordings

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you for that. Yes, it’s his fusion that makes him a titan for sure.

[@kevinmoore4237]

Just to highlight how great Hopkins was, before I watched this video I would have said that he's my favorite pianist and yet I didn't realize he'd played on any of the tracks shown (except Revolution & Sympathy for the Devil)! He's on almost every great track from that era!

[@martinfinnpiano]

I was the same as you before I started making this video. I added a little section of him playing Jealous Guy in my Beatles Piano video and 17 people asked for a NH video. I discovered so much - I never knew about his parts on Joe Cocker, The Kinks or some Rolling Stones songs like Angie. :)

[@soarornor]

Another great one. I love this series you are doing. Your playing is also superb as you explain the chords and passages. Excellent work!

[@martinfinnpiano]

Great to hear that. Made my day. I intend to keep it up for a while yet so stay tuned!

[@soarornor]

@@martinfinnpiano How about one on Mike Pinder of the Moody Blues and Rick Wright of the Pink Floyd? (Especially the early stuff, pre Dark Side of the Moon) That would be amazing. I’ve been listening to their work for ages. They were both incredibly influential to me and many players out there. Oh, yeah, and Ron Mael of Sparks. Incredible player. Keep up the great work!

[@AlHill]

Hopkin's playing on Steve Miller's "Baby's House" is beautiful. I have read that the solo section was improvised that day at the studio. Truly gorgeous.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Wow! It’s really beautiful. They really gave him the floor there! Everything drops out. :)

[@MH-1954]

Thanks great summary. Plenty of other memorable piano. Harry Nilsson’s Remember particularly the ending is one of my favourites.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you. Yes, some great moments there. I picked out the most accessible ones but there are so many more. Remember - lovely track. Listening to it here..

[@VladimirChe80]

He is truly the goat. I loved Jealous guy and Angie separately and I was suprised that it was the same guy (wiki)

[@martinfinnpiano]

I know! I had always heard those songs and thought to myself how gorgeous they were. I knew that the JG part was beyond John's ability. I thought it might be Phil Spector but no!!

[@Mark27472]

You can add "You are so Beautiful" by Joe Cocker as well. A pretty handy trilogy right there.

[@robsmith6087]

great clip mate ! LOVE your touch too

[@rsk496]

very nice that was fun again ...beautiful job man, lovely playing

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you. I really loved making this one. Spent a long long time planning!

[@craigmurray1953]

Always loved how he really got cookin’ on the outro of the Stones’s song “Salt of the Earth” on the album “Beggars Banquet”.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Listening to it right now. Rockin!!

[@SpacestationWilly]

Nicky was brilliant! I love his work with Jerry Garcia Band, such a sensible piano player. He could get real flashy during their jams but I would never call it overplaying

[@martinfinnpiano]

Sensible is a good word for him.

[@seymourglass7679]

love these tutorial and really useful

[@martinfinnpiano]

Really appreciate that!

[@nikolayevichmyshkin8515]

@@martinfinnpiano when you do the Leon Russel tutorial remember to go slow, some of us haven't started playing at age 6 and gone to the Royal Academy of Music,. Literally I was hmm sixths, oh yeah sixths, omg the Kinks. Thanks for posting

[@lumberpilot]

I like his piano part in "Citadel." What else would a piano player do with a song like that? He found the exact right addition.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you. I must check it out!

[@StandingStones1776]

he played on Lennon's solo including what was shown here TY I love his playing, "She is Like a Rainbow" does it every time for me~~

[@martinfinnpiano]

Yes. Thank you. Love that one too. :)

[@maurocoimbra9624]

What a great pianist you are!

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you so much! Made my day. :)

[@jordanwhisson5407]

So glad to find you after watching hundreds of piano vids over the years I learned more in this 11.41 than half the others

[@martinfinnpiano]

Hah! I love it. I believe in just giving people the knowledge. No long intros. No fluff. Give the people the knowledge!!

[@randydarklight]

Thank you Martin.

[@martinfinnpiano]

And thank you!

[@johnsullivan8426]

Nicky is amazing.....Two of my all time favorite Nicky pieces are Angie (which you covered) and George Harrison's The Light That Has Lighted The World. His playing on both songs really make them what they are. He was awesome!

[@martinfinnpiano]

Great tracks. Especially Angie I think.

[@bobmckenna5511]

A brilliant channel, so glad I discovered it. Most appreciative as a guitar playing music major back in the day.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Delighted you found the channel and are enjoying it. I try to make it accessible to those coming from different instruments too!

[@billcarsonalias]

Although I had heard his name before, I never realized his importance until I read his obituary in the early 90's in the newspaper. I remember thinking "Wow, this guy was incredible" as I read all the tracks he played on. Glad he's finally getting his due. His first solo album is great as well.

[@martinfinnpiano]

I know! I must admit I total ignorance of him and his work until I finally found who had played piano on possibly my favourite track of all time - Jealous Guy!

[@joycebrackbill-henderly8311]

I once purchased a Nicky Hopkins Album at a Campus record store . I knew he was a go to piano player for a lot of artists . He may have made some OK songs into something amazing . Some his playing I remember where I heard it and how I felt when I heard it . I was only aware of the tip of the ice burg , when came to his work , how ever still part of our landscape .

[@bglrj]

Saw him twice when he was a member of the Jerry Garcia Band. Such a beautiful combination of sounds.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Really, wow! Lucky you. 🙏🙏

[@lseger62]

Listen to the solo on revolution, he's playing a different meter in his left hand than on the solo. It's insane, at least for me as an intermediate keyboard player trying to match it.

[@martinfinnpiano]

You're right actually. I'll have to really take that apart sometime. :)

[@sbbinahee]

Beautiful man just ❤beautiful

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you for the lovely comment. Made my day. :)

[@sbbinahee]

@martinfinnpiano aw man...especially Lennon stuff for me. The breakdowns on Nicky Hopkins style were brilliant. There was minimal info on his input on those albums when I bought the vinyl...no credit given at all on the credits.Lennon couldn't play that stuff. I'd love to hear full instrumental versions.

[@martinfinnpiano]

You’re right. I can’t believe he didn’t get public credit for some divine tracks. Much appreciated.

[@nickpshelley6115]

That was fascinating Marty. And I love your touch. I'm going to your course right now.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Awesome, thank you! If you need any help with it let me know.

[@nodrog567]

What a great video!!!

[@martinfinnpiano]

thank you!

[@sameljota]

He was great at improv too. He was a member of Jerry Garcia Band for a while. If you don't know, listen to the live album "Let it Rock". His piano shines.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you! I'll have to check it out. So many great suggestions in the comments but Jerry Garcia probably most of all!

[@tommymandel]

Thanks!

[@martinfinnpiano]

Wow! Thank you so much, Tommy. If you need anything, let me know :)

[@MrGuitarmikeg]

Nicky was wonderful. There needs to be a documentary about him.

[@martinfinnpiano]

For sure. What a player. What a legend.

[@MrGuitarmikeg]

@@martinfinnpiano She’s a Rainbow has such a sublime piano part and I always cringe when I hear those horrible scratchy strings over it at 3min 30! Whoever thought of that was on some serious medication!

[@Hellosange]

@@MrGuitarmikeg I think John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin is responsible for the string parts !

[@MrGuitarmikeg]

@@Hellosange Most of the arrangement is really good. The jarring part sounds like a high Brian had a go! RIP

[@kevbob]

There is a documentary on Hopkins that is coming out November ‘24 called “The Session Man”

[@stevereich2940]

I enjoyed your post, and also all the mentions in the comments of songs and artists that feature Nicky Hopkins' piano. I'd like to add his piano on Wooden Ships w/Jefferson Airplane..

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you for that addition. Yes, I love reading the comments for this reason too!

[@thesonicdreambelievers]

Thank you for this video

[@martinfinnpiano]

Much appreciated!

[@peterh1353]

Thank you for this video. Way beyond my playing or musical knowledge but so well explained. And played may I add...

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you too! Well, it’s never too late to start learning but just as valid to simply enjoy it.

[@bharat5194]

Nicky Hopkins was the sideman for the stars! A true virtuoso 🎹

[@tommymandel]

Thank you Martin, that was great info, clearly stated and well played too.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you for that! That's what I'm going for.

[@themindasmusic]

Great video! I think it was Nicky Hopkins on The Who's, 'Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere'. He absolutely helps makes this track reach greatness. I can't imagine it without the piano.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Yes, great track. I was so close to including it but his work on other tracks covered that style a little more accessibly I thought.

[@zappator]

No wonder Ray Davies can find the right words, but this is exactly how I would define Nicky’s work myself. Turn an ordinary track into a gem.

[@martinfinnpiano]

I know. A beautiful line, isn’t it?

[@kingkandy]

I recommend checking out the 1967 BBC radio session version of Sunny Afternoon by the Kinks. The piano is far more prominent and slightly different with even more honky tonk trills. It actually sounds like he'd had more time to refine it 😊 It's interesting that they even used him for BBC sessions

[@martinfinnpiano]

Hey, thanks! I just heard it. There is no squeeze box and so you can really hear the piano prominently. It does sound a bit more worked out too. Also, interestingly there is no double chorus at the end. :)

[@fcastro04]

My favouite line from him is The Song Is Over from The Who.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Nice one. Thanks

[@aphillips1987]

And 5:15 is awesome too.

[@georgelincoln5041]

I saw Nicky several times at the small Keystone Berkeley venue in the early to mid seventies sitting in with several named headliners. He had a real talent taking a song to another level.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you. Lucky you! That would have been an experience.

[@rumtumbugger]

Really helpful video - I often use 3rd runs but this just showed me how to invert them for a new take on that.

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you! Yes, the 6ths are so bright and clean. Another good trick is to use them in combination ie. a 3rd with a 6th above it eg. CEC or a 6th with a 3rd above it eg. ECE.

[@rumtumbugger]

@@martinfinnpiano I shall try that! Completely separately, I just checked who played on Handbags and Gladrags - it wasn't Nicky - but have a listen, it's got his style all over it! Very similar to the slip note style in Angie. I'll make a point of trying to incorporate those ideas!

[@martinfinnpiano]

No problem. Re that track - you’re so right! Very like NH

[@jaguarsunburst1570]

Amazing Video, Thankyou.❤❤

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thanks so much

[@claymor8241]

Great demo getting to the essence of what he does

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thank you very much. This was the plan!

[@natem966]

You should do a video on Billy Preston’s piano. He did some great work in the Beatles’ Get Back and his own solo stuff

[@martinfinnpiano]

For absolute sure. He's high on the list.

[@adrianos198]

Did he play on Let it loose?

[@martinfinnpiano]

I don’t know!

[@colincrisp1592]

My friend Nicky he was a really nice guy In the best possible way The industry made him sick RIP my friend

[@martinfinnpiano]

No way. You are blessed to have called this man a friend. Thanks for sharing. 🙏❤️

[@pianoman4623]

Great compilation thanks. My favorite Nicky Hopkins track is Kow Kow on Steve Miller Band’s album Brave New World.

[@martinfinnpiano]

I have to check that one out. Thanks!

[@rodrigoramosbadillo4468]

He was awesome! Thanks for the video

[@martinfinnpiano]

My pleasure. It was a real trip to make. Learned a lot!

[@idan4848]

very interesting thanks!

[@martinfinnpiano]

Thanks!

[@aslinfirmin212]

This is probably Nicky hosting this you tube segment, speaking about himself in third person.

[@martinfinnpiano]

He could be channelling through me - I had a huge and sudden drive to make this video!!