He Saved the "Give Me The Night" Solo

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Did you enjoy this story about "Give Me The Night"? Make sure you're subscribed and stay tuned for the full interview dropping next week! Also, buy Lee's new record, "Brasil": bit.ly/3U87sdz

[@fleetfingers]

Gotta tell ya, Lee's voice was recorded wonderfully in this interview.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

@@fleetfingers Shotgun mics all day! Thank you Sennheiser!

[@geoffredrup9616]

Love this story as I was a 18 when this album came out. Was into Benson even younger through Weekend in LA & Breezin'. Also listened to Lee back then too, in his own right and loved how he was ghost playing the guitar when you played the isolated bars!

[@danaeverhart6487]

Lee is a badass guitarist! With Larry Carlton by his side , they are incredible!

[@CPaiva99]

They are all legends ! 🎉🎉

[@OGCAMG]

One thing that impresses me the most about all these legends is how humble they all are and how much they respect all their fellow practitioners!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes, indeed!

[@kentstallard6512]

True for the majority for sure. I'm a pro keyboardist in the Phoenix area and George lives here. Comes out to listen to local artists. As nice and humble as he can be. Everyone has a selfie with him.

[@tyler_]

I have to assume there were a couple of really nice dudes at the top who completely set the vibe. The atmosphere was highly competitive, but once you made it, everyone just seemed to love being around each other.

[@mrgood8378]

Humility is a shared trait of talented people.

[@mrchill3007]

Facts 💯💯..... A few are jerks...but most are really humble 👍👍

[@stickman55100]

Lee Ritenour is such an incredible player and a real legend.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes, indeed!

[@PaternoHernandez]

My idol guitarist,and of course who doesnt know 'Is it you'

[@MakeSomeNoisePlaylists]

Just listened to "Rio Funk" the other day....legendary

[@Kevinschart]

He just popped up on my Spotify. Great catalogue of music. Funny that I never heard of him before

[@josaczyn]

So underrated!

[@beneunson]

You're literally chronicling the history of recorded guitar!! Incredible work

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, thanks Ben!!!

[@hellofx]

I also heard that Quincy forced George to do something he didn't want to . . .

[@motorlibro]

too bad Rick Beato already has a good grip on this type of content.

[@kentstallard6512]

​@@motorlibroThis is different. I subscribed after the 2nd video. (Subscribed to Beato too.)

[@johnjohn-rj7gh]

HE'S NOT "LITERALLY" DOING ANYTHING. LEARN ENGLISH!

[@jmcdrummer]

Hi, Lee, this is Jim Currie (drummer)...we played many casual gigs together when you were about 18-19-20..I .also worked with Peter Woodford in those days. Good to see you doing this interview. Your old bass player, Mel, lived in my condo complex years ago and I knew his wife,who would fill me in on his latest gigs with you. Small world !!

[@djGreenALERT]

Hands up who after watching this video is going to listen to Give me the night in it's entirety again, paying special attention to the last few bars of the solo? That is a GREAT story from a great legend by the way. Thank you so much for uploading this!

[@RichDaDa]

I'm gonna listen the song right now as well... what an amazing story 👏🏽👏🏽 thanks guys

[@maha77]

As a teenager in the 80's, I think 'Give Me The Night' is my absolute favorite song of the 80's, and man I loved all those 80's songs, but this song makes my heart feel amazing

[@MusicMotivator]

Roxy Music, Hall and Oates..actual great songs not the hair metal that was to come

[@williamgallucci9913]

Mama it is my favorite song from the 80s

[@mrflynn01]

My fav GB song!!!

[@ebeyslough]

Lee Ritenour is incomparable. The best of the best.

[@charleswilson9654]

Underrated. But few can beat Lee. His fingers are on that fingerboard everyday.

[@JensLarsen]

What a great story! Thanks Mason (and Lee of course)

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks Jens! Keep up the great work!

[@PaternoHernandez]

Thanks too Mason

[@WilliamDaugherty]

Lee is a national treasure! Thanks for producing this delightful interview.

[@rodleaverton]

OMG! I’m so happy you got Lee on here. So excellent!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe so you get notified when the full interview releases!

[@michaelmcgannon5588]

Lee total pro. Incredible good humor! Incredible, deep player! A real role model and hero.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes, indeed!

[@BarneyRq1d]

Lee Legend.

[@Lyn-ky9vr]

I grew up listening to George Benson because of my dad! He used to ALWAYS listen to him back in the day when my dad had a Jerry Curl lol. peace!!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@kentstallard6512]

Great story. Lee seems like a really nice guy. I'm a pro keyboardist in the Phoenix area. George lives here and he drops in to music venues frequently. Everyone has a selfie with him. I did a show with a 4-piece band + vocals prior to the pandemic at a local club. George attended with (the late, sadly) Joni Sledge. We covered "LoveXLove." I handled the primary parts and included strings but didn't play it note-for-note like the original. Afterwards I was chatting with him and apologized for not duplicating the record. He laughed. "Hell, we don't do it like the record at our shows either!" Totally down to earth, humble guy. Mason...you are an excellent interviewer because you don't interrupt and your questions are the ones we all want to hear answered.

[@Donna-ff3ek]

Lucky you!! These legends are priceless and grateful for their music. Thanks 4 sharing.

[@kentstallard6512]

@@Donna-ff3ek Thanks. Glad you found it worthwhile. I agree. Very lucky to be able to be a musician and interact with talented people.

[@diegomaugeri4038]

Finally! someone interviewing the greatest guitar player of all time!!! In this age of top ten here and top 5 there, Lee Rit is always criminally overlooked.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Especially as a session ace!

[@ralphtoles8642]

You probably missed the interview a few years ago with Rit and Dave Grusin while they were on a jazz cruise. A great one as well!

[@percyvolnar8010]

@@VertexEffectsInc Session ace? Lee Rit? Nah. Don't get me wrong, I love lee, but cats like Larry Carlton, Bill Frisell and John Scofield spank him in this regard... xD

[@VlrGuitarWorld]

This channel has elevated to the stratosphere lately. Amazing content as always & influential to all guitar players.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, thanks so much!

[@Danny-fs1hk]

Ah, that would be 100% correct!

[@kentstallard6512]

I subscribed after watching 2 videos.

[@johanponin8680]

@@VertexEffectsInc you make real good shows, thanks

[@SEGREDOSPROIBIDOS1]

These interviews are incredible! Keep them coming!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe so you get notified when the full interview releases!

[@neilmisquitta4825]

Love the way he keeps noodling on the guitar through the interview. Great man, amazing player and super solid human being

[@WahyuWidodo-fh1fp]

Lee Ritenour & George Benson are both jazz geniuses. It is amazing to listen to Lee - how humble Lee Ritenour is - So honoured to watch him performing at Java Jazz in Jakarta in 2013

[@nanicattack]

Rit's such a down to earth humble giant.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

It's was great to hang out with him for a few hours!

[@kentstallard6512]

Benson is too.

[@desertstar223]

Rit? Rit? His name is Lee. Short and sweet. You gonna call George Benson 'Ben' now. Aaaaagh!

[@frankf.6639]

Lee Ritenour is such a nice person and great player…from the 80´s till now he’s one of my favorite.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

One of the best to ever do it!

[@elmolewis9123]

I always admired Lee and this was a terrific interview with a legend.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe so you get notified when the full interview releases!

[@basausi]

Lee's creativity, accuracy and cleanliness is second to none!

[@nicholasng319]

Lee was one of the few guitarist that I listen to from my teenage days. A superb artist. 👍

[@kamks6054]

A big thanks to you Mason, you invited a great guitarist. So funny about the George Benson story. I love Lee, and all these albums, he was a memorable session guitarist in the 70s/80s ( Lee and Larry Carlton are the 2 guitarists I will always go to see in concert.) I have seen Lee perform multiple times in Paris, ( and I will have the chance again to see him play in Concert this summer 2024, with Dave Grusin at the New-Morning/Paris jazz club.) The last time I saw him play was with his son, in 2023, and I spoke with him at the end of the concert, ( I also told him that I was being treated for cancer since 2019 and he kindly wished me to get well and get through this illness.) So now, according to my doctor, it's 100/100 perfect, and so I would be happy to see him play again, and also to thank him personally.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for sharing this. Glad you enjoyed this little clip of the longer interview. Hope you'll come back to see the rest when it releases!

[@kamks6054]

@@VertexEffectsInc It's a pleasure, and it's sure I will see the rest of the interview. Thank you for your work.

[@kentstallard6512]

Thanks for sharing. Hope your recovery is going well.

[@kamks6054]

@@kentstallard6512 Thanks.👍

[@aloysiussnailchaser272]

I love the way he occasionally kind of doodles on his guitar as he’s speaking. He clearly just loves playing.

[@BarneysBullit]

RIT!!! IS IT YOU?? love this dude.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

❤️

[@whatifschrodingersboxwasacofin]

Oh, man - one of my favourite albums of all time. Always loved anything with Lee Ritenour playing on it.

[@ian2lorimer]

Wow! Can't wait to see the full interview. Lee is another legend and personal favourite

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe so you get notified when the full interview releases!

[@tel5690]

So freaking awesome in getting Lee here discussing the old studio session with George. A massive fan of Lee's work (45 years worth of music) Saw him live twice. Love his stories

[@kennethbethany5078]

Never get tired of listening to LEE!!

[@landontesar3070]

what a wonderful conversation, thank you for bringing this out

[@glennhalila8279]

I got the opportunity to see/hear George Benson and Earl Kligh together in Cincinnati Ohio in Cincinnati Music Hall! The place was packed! What a Great Guitarist and Performer! George Benson is one of the best Guitarist's in the World and for Lee Ritnenour to duplicate George Benson's sound, is a Testament to how Great Lee Ritenour is as a Studio Musician, but who also had some of his own hits from what I can remember. I had a friend who worked in the Promotional Records Department for MCA Records in the late 70's - early 80's while I was working for CBS Records doing the same thing! Those days sure were "The Good Ole Days/Nights" Great music for Romance, Both George and Lee! Thank you!

[@stephendawg1]

Can’t wait for the full interview!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Me neither!

[@Bryanpjc]

This channel is guitar nerd heaven.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, thanks! I hope so!

[@kentstallard6512]

I'm a keyboardist and am really enjoying it.

[@rgordon2691]

EXACTLY! Lol Us Guitar Nerds Love all of These videos and Interviews..especially how you are specific when it comes to the Gear and effects used

[@RaphaelAshanti]

Awesome interview and story. Both, Lee Ritenour and George Benson are delightful parts of the soundtrack of my life.🎼🎵🎶

[@pallhe]

Love this story. I can see why Quincy liked to work with Ritenour. Lee has a tone, a pocket and chops to die for -- and is a great guy to boot.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

❤️

[@percyvolnar8010]

KZbin : "I can see why Quincy liked to work with Ritenour.." Steve Lukather : "Dude, hold my beer..."

[@andrewcolon2379]

This man is one of the all time great musicians. I literally bought everything he made. I wore out my Earth run, Rit CD'S HAD to buy them twice. I admire his talents and to my last day i will probably be listening to Lee Ritenour. Happy to see him alive and well. Bless him and thanks for this great clip.

[@CamiloVelandia]

Man!!! I'm a huge Benson fan and I didn't know any of this. Gold!!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Great story, right!?

[@DiegoNavaja]

Capo!!!

[@ibleebinU]

I was fortunate to have met Lee after a concert at Sculler's Jazz Club in Boston. He was very gracious, took time to converse and all smiles like he always does. Oh, and the concert was fantastic!

[@DigiAudioWorkstation]

Lee Ritenour one of the greats and one of my favourites, loved the "Srolen Moments" track a whole lot.

[@same.7939]

I love Lee’s tenure with Four Play! Incredible jazz band lineup !

[@rbnhd1144]

Me too I love Fourplay.

[@broskimedula5300]

Yessir. Fourplay was my introduction to Rit.

[@rbnhd1144]

@@broskimedula5300 Be sure to check out "Collection" from 1991, my first Lee Rit CD, its still as beautiful today.

[@MrPhinn1]

What a great story. I'll think of this every time I hear the song.

[@DonAlderOfficial]

Lee is one of the greats and an awesome supportive human as well.

[@davidnorman4923]

Must have been a treat seeing and hearing these great players in the studio making historic albums working out parts and making magic happen!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

It's a real honor to be interviewing them!

[@ShoggyPlayTv]

Nostalgic interview for me. I've been listening to Lee since the 70's and he, George Benson, Eric Gale, Carlos Santana and of course Jimi Hendrix were amongst those who influenced my guitar playing back then.

[@scotabot7826]

Love, LOVE Lee Ritenour, and all his playing. Such a super talented man!!

[@n0nyabznss]

Mason, you shoud get Landau, Lukather, Paul Jackson Jr. and Huff in the same room. I remember buying Lee's Overtime DVDs and watching them constanly. What a great concert that was!

[@jaycareaga9929]

Landau doesn’t do these.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

That would be amazing, however I think Rick Beato would be more likely to host something like that. I have a hard enough time interviewing one person, LOL!

[@crowfoot7355]

👏👏👏👏 Sago Lee Rittenour awesome artist working together with so much respect.

[@strollinwitu670]

Lee has such a beautiful smile . Timeless 🙏🏾

[@duncanbrode381]

SOOO great to hear Lee reflect! Thanks for sharing this segment with us!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Stay tuned for the full video releasing next week! Be sure to subscribe to get notified when it releases!

[@springertube]

Great story - Lee Ritenour and George Benson are two of the very best! I hope there is a longer interview that this is just a part of?!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

🙏🙏🙏 stay tuned for the full 1.5 hour interview releasing next week that this was clipped from. Be sure to subscribe so you’re notified!

[@springertube]

@@VertexEffectsInc 👍👍

[@pbenson56fran]

What a great story. I love Ritenour.

[@HarryBrown-n5g]

Love sound of lee ritenour 1st heard isn't she lovely version 80s absolute legend xx❤ from Edinburgh Scotland

[@MadokaOftheMoon-tt1fd]

The Wonderous(songers of summer) Lee Rentiour on one of the greatest jazz artists eve Marvelous

[@MattyK-USA]

Sitting here listening to Captain Fingers and this interview, it's just such a treat having legends like Lee recall their experiences. I was already a fan in 1977 when CF came out!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Be sure to stay tuned for the full video interview coming next week!

[@tamatitaihuka3975]

I was living in London, England, in '77-'80, shared a 'flat' with 3 guys, brought 4 albums with me, Captain Fingers, Jaco Pastorius, Al Jarreau Live and Earl Klugh.

[@MattyK-USA]

@@tamatitaihuka3975 Those were the days!!! What a great mix 🔥❤🫡 - I'd have added Sadao Watanabe as well

[@bellaireboy6782]

Seen Captain Fingers twice, what a great stage presence.

[@el.aye.bee.4477]

Lee Ritenour is such a cool, nice dude, man, and a very good storyteller. I smiled through this entire clip.

[@kamaboko1]

Great interview.

[@serpentinefire77]

Lee Ritenour, a guitar legend.

[@Kouros-t6d]

We are fortunate enough to be alive to be able to see and hear the creators of one of the most important period in Music history : the belle Epoque 60's 70's 80's . The music of that period (whatever the genre rock-disco-funk-soul-pop-new wave-jazz-fusion etc..)will still be here for centuries to come.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes!

[@Zepster77]

Exactly. So much of the music since has been heavily drawn from that period fo sho….

[@michaelgottlieb9083]

Great stroy....great track....excellent album....probably GB's best pop album of all time...luscious sound quality....kudos to Lee...Rod Temperton and Patti Austin too...

[@garynembhard7433]

Lee Rittenour also did the guitar solo on The Brothers Johnson's Strawberry Letter 23.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Watch the full interview this is clipped from, he talks about it

[@romainbertrand253]

Thanks for all the informations and secrets that we learn from your channel. Best from Paris.

[@bobboberson2024]

George is my favorite guitarist of all time. And I knew Lee was a vital part of the Give Me the Night album (and many others projects at that time). I LOVE music stories like this. They really give us a backstage pass to some of our greatest memories. The Vertex interviews are awesome content - music geeks unite! Also, you both have excellent teeth!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

🙏🙏🙏 hahaha - good genetics on the teeth I guess! Thanks for watching!

[@brigittelautwein2617]

Love the soundof you and George Benson

[@rayfuller1377]

Truly one of the Best! And your show is Amazing as well!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, thank you!

[@BadSneakers]

Rit and Larry Carlton do guitar on Steely Dan’s Deacon Blues. Crazy

[@VertexEffectsInc]

We spend quite a bit of time on Steely Dan in the full interview.

[@mauricehyde3516]

Great story! Two of my favorite guitar players!

[@MagnusPaul1976]

This track is always on my daily playlist ! 😊

[@VertexEffectsInc]

👍

[@rcastel2004]

Love the backstories behind these songs. One of my favorite songs and guitarists. I just looked up the musician line up on that song. Along with Lee, there were several legendary musicians, such as Herbie Hancock and George Duke, were involved in this timeless classic.

[@BretHunt]

Awesome! Have been waiting for Lee Ritenour👌🏼

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Be sure to subscribe so you're notified when the full video drops!

[@jackprice7828]

I so love 6 String Theory album with Lee and all the greats!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes!!! Great record!

[@djffe8597]

this is amazing back in the day we lived in, breathed on everything that came out of George Benson, Lee Ritenour and of course Larry Carlton, Kenny Loggins tune. We played Mr. Briefcase like a million times in the club in Houston. we did local recording sessions and the whole thing about slave tapes brought back memories. we did the exact same thing on a smaller scale. we all dreamed about one day doing a real session out in LA

[@sebastianwatson1558]

Lee is a phenomenal musician! His RIT album will always be a part of my early adult musical growth

[@artfartzy]

Both albums RIT 1 and RIT 2 is really great

[@ralphtoles8642]

Love this bit of tasty musical history. These were/are my favorite guitarist (and Paul Jackson). Thanks for sharing. Love it!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@richardcruz8311]

Love hearing great stories from legends.

[@36index]

He did the solo on Brother's Johnson "Strawberry Letter 23" as well

[@VertexEffectsInc]

We talk all about it in the full interview. Be sure to subscribe and stay tuned for the release next week!

[@SorayasFierceCookingShow]

Lovely!

[@johntaylor8829]

Great story and great artists. Two of my favorites!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Stay tuned for the full 1.5 hour interview releasing next week that this was clipped from. Be sure to subscribe so you’re notified!

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

George Benson's guitar on Freddie Hubbard's songs First Light and Red Clay are absolutely beautiful.

[@MATTHEWS_IXXI]

Oh man aaah Lee, wow remember watching Four Play on dvd, opening my mind to music forever

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Sooo good!

[@rickybahar9134]

Man this is so so cool.. Like many of us enjoying the back story on Give me the Night...I too grew up on this tune and the entire album... Which has awesome tunes. Thanks for the walk down memory lane...

[@drewhorley]

What a great story and so good to hear the isolated tracks

[@iam607]

Lee's album Wes Bound was my gateway into jazz. Dude cold!!!

[@teachertrx1204]

Lee is a total class act

[@doctorgarbonzo2525]

Rit's good friend & pier Steve Lukather {Toto} Wrote Turn your Love Around , Calif Gold! The Late great Carlos Vega Rit Drummer Graduated from Taft High W/ Lukather, The Pocaro Bros & Michael Landau from Van Nuys ,Ca

[@knifelyfe6565]

Bill Champlin, Jay Graydon and Luke wrote that tune.

[@chrismcknight5395]

David Paich of Toto wrote "Lady Love Me".

[@BadSneakers]

Great can’t wait for entire interview!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

🙏🙏🙏

[@PinkLady328]

Captain Fingers (Countdown) will always be my favorite Lee Ritenour cut. I also loved his tribute album to Wes Montgomery, Wesbound. Much love,

[@charlesowens5449]

Lee is one of the most versatile guitar players.....ever. Incredible musician.

[@DMG1723]

I remember buying a cassette that Lee recorded in Japan at the JVC studio in 1983 and I can't find a copy anywhere and the sound quality is amazing.

[@dugaldhutchings404]

Brilliant ! Been listening to that track for 40 years.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Heck yeah!

[@marvinmurakami8828]

I'll never forget the Ritenour concert at the Roxy in the early eighties. He did many of the songs from the Captain Fingers and Feel the Night cds. Excellent show. Alex Acuna's clear blue Tama drum set sounded so good. Ernie Watts on sax!

[@dmlevitt]

great session guitarist, the king of false humility, show biz.

[@WhizMitchell]

This is great historical information, most people didn’t know that this occurred. Thanks for sharing!

[@Muggfacepublishing]

This guy is one of the sweetest men that I know. I would see him at least once a wk. at Erewhon grocery store with his wife. I have since moved away from the area and haven't seen him in about 3yrs. he looks great. Is he back to riding his bicycle around town yet? I hope so.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

❤️

[@tonelok]

Lee is such a cool dude - what a session monster. Seems like he'd be an absolutely fantastic hang.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

It was a great day! Opportunity of a lifetime

[@messiahblackgod]

This is a wonderful interview

[@VertexEffectsInc]

🙏🙏🙏 stay tuned for the full 1.5 hour interview releasing next week that this was clipped from. Be sure to subscribe so you’re notified!

[@JimmyD718]

Awesome interview and story! Lee's fantastic 😀

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@markjjnstradling]

Lee Ritenour is one of my all time music heroes...but mainly for his solo jazz stuff. Never knew he was such a session guy though. Nice interview. Strange when these guitar legends are interviewed, as someone else said they never put the guitar down....