Louie Shelton Breaks Down His Biggest Songs

Today, we’re sitting down with session guitarist and living legend: Louie Shelton, to talk about his illustrious career, his most iconic guitar parts, guitar gear, and much more!
Louie is a member of the famed Wrecking Crew, a collective of musicians who played on countless Top-40 hits in the 1960s and 1970s. Louie can be heard on some of the biggest songs in modern music, from The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” to Lionel Richie’s biggest hit “Hello” and beyond!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
00:00 “I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5
01:02 The Story Behind “I Want You Back”
03:49 The Story Behind “ABC” by The Jackson 5
05:29 Sweetwater Gear Exchange
06:18 “ABC” by The Jackson 5
07:40 What was a Jackson 5 Session Like?
10:37 Louie’s Work with The Monkees
15:48 “Last Train to Clarksville” by The Monkees
16:32 “Valleri” by The Monkees
17:29 The Story Behind “Valleri”
20:06 Louie’s Work with Boz Scaggs
23:21 Louie Plays the Solo from “Lowdown” by Boz Scaggs
25:47 The Story Behind “Hello” by Lionel Richie
28:27 Louie Plays the Solo from “Hello”
29:08 Louie’s Experience Working with Lionel Richie
30:36 Recording on “Up Where We Belong” by Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes
32:36 Louie Plays “Up Where We Belong”
33:04 Guitarists that Influnced Louie’s Playing
35:50 Gear used on “Up Where We Belong”
37:29 Louie’s Work with Carpenters
40:09 Louie Plays “Close to You” by Carpenters
41:17 How Louie Became a “Pocket Player”
42:45 When Click Tracks entered the Music Scene
45:12 Louie’s Work with Seals & Crofts
47:01 Louie Plays “Diamond Girl” by Seals & Crofts
48:52 Louie’s work with Neil Diamond
51:48 Louie Plays “Play Me” by Neil Diamond
53:33 Showing Louie Photos from his Career
59:52 Huge Thanks to Louie for Talking with Us!
1:01:07 Thanks for Watching!
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CREDITS
Host/Producer: Mason Marangella (Oakland, California)
Producer: Lindsay Waddington, Reegan Waddington (Gold Coast, Australia)
Guest: Louie Shelton
Videographer: Nico Sotomayor (Oakland, California)
Videographer: Maddison Waddington (Gold Coast, Australia)
Video Editing: Mason Mejia
Co-Production/Design: Mason Mejia
Audio Editing: Hunter Harrison
#louieshelton #themonkees #TheJackson5 #bozscaggs

[@VertexEffectsInc]

TABLE OF CONTENTS 00:00 “I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5 01:02 The Story Behind “I Want You Back” 03:49 The Story Behind “ABC” by The Jackson 5 05:29 Sweetwater Gear Exchange 06:18 “ABC” by The Jackson 5 07:40 What was a Jackson 5 Session Like? 10:37 Louie’s Work with The Monkees 15:48 “Last Train to Clarksville” by The Monkees 16:32 “Valleri” by The Monkees 17:29 The Story Behind “Valleri” 20:06 Louie’s Work with Boz Scaggs 23:21 Louie Plays the Solo from “Lowdown” by Boz Scaggs 25:47 The Story Behind “Hello” by Lionel Richie 28:27 Louie Plays the Solo from “Hello” 29:08 Louie’s Experience Working with Lionel Richie 30:36 Recording on “Up Where We Belong” by Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes 32:36 Louie Plays “Up Where We Belong” 33:04 Guitarists that Influnced Louie’s Playing 35:50 Gear used on “Up Where We Belong” 37:29 Louie’s Work with Carpenters 40:09 Louie Plays “Close to You” by Carpenters 41:17 How Louie Became a “Pocket Player” 42:45 When Click Tracks entered the Music Scene 45:12 Louie’s Work with Seals & Crofts 47:01 Louie Plays “Diamond Girl” by Seals & Crofts 48:52 Louie’s work with Neil Diamond 51:48 Louie Plays “Play Me” by Neil Diamond 53:33 Showing Louie Photos from his Career 59:52 Huge Thanks to Louie for Talking with Us! 1:01:07 Thanks for Watching!

[@tmarielbs]

Thank you so much for this! This talented humble and sweet man is my uncle and I adore him so much!

[@bpabustan]

Mason, I think Diamond Girl was released in 1973. I have their Greatest Hits compilation released in 1975 and Diamond Girl is there.

[@LeeMcDaidDonegal]

One small request .. could you spell Louis correctly in the title, please -- thank you!

[@sidemann8593]

Wow! Thanks for this great post.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Where is that incorrect@@bpabustan? I'm looking at 47:03 fo reference.

[@firstboyonthemoon8876]

This Shelton clip is an absolute treasure. We are lucky to hear him talk about working with so many legendary artists and hear him demo all these hits.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@georged9615]

Absolutely. To hear the stories from a person whose music is so much a part of our lives is amazing. He's an incredible player.

[@markarevalo2707]

Amazing player we should all respect ! : )

[@skatarest77]

Words can't describe how this hits it out of the park!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, thanks!

[@randomlines21]

When you think that those chords/notes sound simple but when you see how it's actually played you will be amazed at how intricate each chord. Beautiful, just beautiful music.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yea, way easier said than done. Getting that feeling and pocket is no easy task.

[@kellysmith3628]

That's the first thing I noticed was how complicated the rhythm guitar was I always tuned to Eflat so when I was learning I want you back on the bass I learned it in A but it's in A flat it's a lot easier playing it in. AMajor.

[@jai.tennant]

Louie is one of the most humble guys I’ve ever met and super supportive for young musicians

[@VertexEffectsInc]

He’s a wonderful player! So glad he let us interview him!

[@billsmith2212]

When you meet an artist at his level , he has NOTHING to prove or prop up . He has done it . Any " star " with a big ego probably wouldn't last a day as a session musician . Serve the song with taste . It's not about YOU !

[@billsmith2212]

He also listens and plays in many styles . He learns from everyone .

[@scotabot7826]

This is just about as great as it gets!! One of the greatest guitarist of all time, Period!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

❤️

[@Siralantoon]

I have loved the playing of this man for more than 50 years without knowing anything about him. This is the music that filled my youthful dancing days and is still so powerful. Thank you so much for this.

[@MrBobcatsband]

This is golden view into a humble master's history.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thank so much for watching!

[@davidfung7902]

"I Want You Back" - sounds hard, looks like it might be easy when you see Louie do it. And then I try it, and it's even harder than i first thought it was...

[@NathanN527]

Awesome. I wasn't aware of how prolific Louie was. One thing I love is the fact that he can't recall the guitar he used on these songs..... It's just whatever he had. They didn't care about that stuff. They just played the soundtrack to our lives.

[@SweetPicklenation]

He must’ve been in a ton of sessions!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

If you're doing 3 sessions a day for 30+ years, I'm sure it blurs.

[@Bryan-ct2qm]

These interviews are a national treasure. Thank you!

[@chillbro2275]

It's really nice to get another glimpse into a couple of the songs that I love from that era.

[@jbsack]

His solos still get hummed 50-60 years later. Takes a master to come up with that stuff.

[@christopher.hallissy]

“Let me see if I remember it” -plays it perfectly lol

[@VertexEffectsInc]

😂

[@stuartcoyle1626]

I saw Louie play last year at the Brisbane Jazz Club. He's a really nice player and a nice guy. We are lucky to have him over here.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Nice, wish I could see him in person one day!

[@glennkaufman7228]

Such tasteful playing....less is more sensibility, with the melodic chops that clearly show his background in country, R&B, Rock and Jazz. One of the most classy, thoughtful, and versatile players ever. And, a humble gentleman as well. Louis is s treasure.

[@hankd18]

Louie says I'll try to play Valerie, hold my beer, nails it.... he's still got it...

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes!

[@oig40203]

In the late 60's I was about 8 when my older brother bought the Monkees album with "Valleri" on it. He would blast it from his room and I heard that guitar part a million times. Now to sit here and see THE GUY playing it is amazing.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes, Louie rocks!

[@bbbart77]

This is what KZbin was made for . Lots of memories for me of such great songs.

[@michaelgregory2231]

Thank you for this! Louie was one of my earliest guitar heroes. My hometown musician friend, the late Corey Fite, wound up marrying one of Louie's daughters and becoming family. ONe night I was doing a session at Corey's studio and he stops the recording and says "There's a phone call for you". I was puzzled because nobody knew I was there and nobody I knew would have the studio number. I answered the phone and it was Louie! We had a wonderful conversation and I was able to interact with him many times when we were both living in Nashville in the early 2000s.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks so much for watching and for the story. Louie was very accommodating of us for the interview. Doing long distance interviews is tricky! He was a breeze to work with.

[@Rixster53]

Being so coy about playing on the Valerie track! I was so much younger when I played that…proceeds to tear it up!😂🥰

[@scoutgirl7739]

This presentation was more entertaining than most box office movie hits. Louie Shelton was so inspiring to me when I began playing guitar at 8 years old. I figured out how to play, 'last train to clarksville' by dropping the needle on my record, and using my beginner nylon string. I wish I could shake louie's hand and thank him in person for inspiring to me to be a musician. God has blessed me through Louie Shelton ❤

[@buffdoc46]

So important to make sure the session players are recognized for their contributions. Absolutely love and remember all his tracks.

[@williamwalsh4013]

I really appreciate the gracious nature of this interviewer. Clear, humble, and gets the most out of the moment of the examples. We are really casual as a culture now, and it's nice for some situations. But it's great to see the knowledge and magic of previous generations showcased with genuine appreciation. Kudos. I had no idea "Lowdown" was Louie Shelton. I used to listen to the LP over and over when it came out. Fabulous playing.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@apostlepaul62]

THANK YOU Mason!! Louie is such an incredible player and so important to so many great songs!! He is a hero for sure!!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

One of the best to ever do it!

[@danielsalisbury245]

A titan of 20th century popular music. Thanks to Louie if he sees this, and thanks all at Vertex and beyond who made this video/channel possible.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

One of the best to ever do it! Thanks for watching!

[@kamks6054]

Louis Shelton is a Guitar Hero. I believe he is the guitarist who has played the most for the artists in recording sessions in the music industry. He really made a lot of songs more beautiful and timeless ( Cocker/Warnes ). And I have a regret because I'm in Paris, and I would have liked to see him, when he played in concert with Larry Carlton a few years ago in the USA.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Hopefully you get to see him in person!

[@StevenRoby]

Mason, what a great interview of a living legend. I would really love Rick Beato to also interview Louie - think of the exposure. I think the world needs to know about him, don't you? His solo on Hello was one of the first real solos that I ever learned. 40 years later, it's still one of the best - period.

[@LeadSurge3000]

*Yes, I would really love to hear what he could talk about with Rick Beato!* 🤘🏼

[@PaulPesco]

Louie Shelton is truly one of the greatest session guitarists. So versatile and creative in the moment. Something we all should emulate. Thank you for this interview, Mason!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Paul, we got to get you on soon!

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

Great interview. Louie wasn’t so dependent on his specific gear it seems. He could always get his tones right with a minimal setup. Guitar, amp, and maybe one or two basic pedals. He still has it at his age, a true classic player.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Back then, there were fewer options for sure, I'm sure that resulted in some of the abbreviated gear choices.

[@stratosexual1329]

It always amazes me how different a song sounds when it is the guy who played it verses someone covering it. When he played those Jackson 5 songs, just wow!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Louie is an amazing player! Such a great song!

[@Dan_Ranger]

Amazing! Old metal head here but I grew up on Motown and 70’s soul and funk. I just love these session guys and the stories. The groove, the feel and playing FOR the song. One of my other all time faves was Jerome Smith from Kc and Sunhine band. Underrated and sadly no longer here. Great interview. Really enjoyed that.

[@michaelfrost1310]

Great interview! I’m a 64 year old life long guitar player. Louie’s work inspired as a child and I’m only now learning who he is. I was all of 7 years old when I first jammed to “Last Train To Clarksville.” This would make him more than a decade older than me, and he looks to be holding up even better. Rock on, brother. What a treat!

[@LeeMcDaidDonegal]

This is why the internet is the greatest invention mankind has ever made! ... Fantastic historical record of the top musicians of the last century!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks again for watching!

[@tomfoolery2082]

Hes still got it . What a guy .

[@VertexEffectsInc]

yes, indeed

[@jferg999]

This is an excellent interview with one of the outstanding guitarists of this generation. Amazing!!!! Thanks for this.

[@user-pi9kd7lz5f]

Mr Shelton you are looking really good ! I got to meet you in the late 60s in California and again in the 70s when you came on a visit to Texas in your Winnabago and at your mothers in Arkansas, and knew your sister Shirley. Visited with Bobby in Louisiana several times. Your mother cooked the best cornbread I have ever had. I have always been your #1 fan, your family was very proud of you !

[@thomasconrad2630]

All of the guitar work that I heard in this video are instantly recognizable. A true testament to the gifted musician that is Louie Shelton...amazing talent! Thank you Louie for the treasures that you shared with us. I never knew until now that you were the guy responsible for so many great musical memories that I have enjoyed throughout my life. Your choice of notes tell beautiful memorable stories!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@oza8578]

YES!!! Thank you for this wonderful feature on this legendary musician, and such a sweet guy, Louie Shelton! 👏👏👏 Bravo to Mason and the Vertex Effects team on interviewing Louie the Great! Hope to see many more of these types of features on these living legends, and while they're still with us.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to check out other videos in our “The Guitarist Behind” series featuring many unsung session heros like Louie!

[@johnnieguitar5724]

INCREDIBLE video. Thank you SO much for recording Louie, and his memorable licks for these hit songs. When we were teens, we always thought that the Monkees played all those licks on the albums.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@mr.snicker-doodles7081]

Great interview! Holy Crap, this guy played on all the songs that were the soundtrack of my youth! haa...very cool and what a nice guy too!

[@augustabiehly7225]

I love your interviews. You let the guests tell their stories and you do not invite obvious choices. So cool to hear Louie, Tim May, Vernon Black, John Leventhal... people that are often flying under the radar.

[@dancher7640]

No one...but Louie Shelton. The man, the tone...a lyrical master. Were blessed to have him share his knowledge. Thanks!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Couldn't agree more!

[@gurianboy]

Can you please thank Louie for me, not only for reproducing those guitar parts but also for being the originator on those beautiful iconic parts. If you can, please let him know I'm the author of "Michael Bloomfield - If You Love These Blues" not that it means anything other than point of reference. What an amazing player and I'm so glad he was still with us. I'm not even sure that Louie's still alive but it'll be hard for you to pass along my appreciation if he's not. And thank you so much for conducting this wonderful interview. He mentioned Tommy Boyce...I met him in Hawaii when he brought some film into a store to be processed. Without looking up I said "THE Tommy Boyce?" He was so happy that I knew his name that he wrote me a letter and signed a 45 rpm of Not Your Stepping Stone. Of course he ended his life with a .38, sadly.

[@rickfrancismusic]

I remember first plugging into Louie back when I was working up my guitar parts in covers of Summer Breeze and Diamond Girl in my road band back in the 70s. I became an instant fan of his. So tasteful (and such a chilled-out fabulous person). Great interview. Thanks! Cheers & regards from Stratford, Ontario, Canada.

[@bass7842]

I've loved this guy's work for decades. I'm so glad that I finally know the guy. I stole so many licks from this man, and didn't even know who he was.

[@bass7842]

And that Hello solo was a masterpiece.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Louie is an icon, so glad he agreed to the interview!

[@juancabrera777]

Great that you interview these guys from the 60’s , 70’s and 80’s 👍👍👍👍

[@VertexEffectsInc]

More to come!

[@FilmCars]

The only thing just as great as listening to Louie’s recollections of one phenomenal career was how the interview was conducted. Mason, much respect for your being so genuinely plugged in and knowledgeable of every facet being discussed and for the warmth and affection for Louie and for the craft that came thru so beautifully from start to finish.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@FilmCars]

@@VertexEffectsInc 👍🏻😉!

[@GrumpleSenior]

This man is a legend. Young guitarists should be studying him if they want to become musicians and not just technical shredders. His pocket playing is so good you hardly notice it which is the mark of a musician who understands his work is meant to serve the song, his solo on Hello is a masterclass in melody, most solos are a distraction or rarely really add anything to the song, this solo enhances the song to the point where it just seems it wouldn’t work without it. He’s fiercely talented

[@alanschwartz4047]

I wasn't gonna comment, but...I'm a buddy of Larry's, & he told me Louie told him "You have to think like an arranger" He said hat helped him, & it helped me. (I play sessions in New York) What a great interview, Mason. Regards to Louie if he sees this.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching and for the comment!

[@IAM_Reedy]

This is a treasure. Thank you Mason for interviewing Louie… what an incredible individual and a gentle reminder less is more so when you step on the gas it hits hard. I stole his use of octaves to break up a solo. So very thankful you were able to capture this.

[@plantpotpeople]

Louie always puts a smile on my face.

[@tanukibrahma]

So cool to hear him re-create those solos. I had no idea about this guy before these interviews. Thanks for doing this.

[@romainbertrand253]

The intro is gold. It's very moving to see Louie Shelton playing the Jackson song for us. Thanks for all this great interviews. So much infos for the music lovers.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@the_fleeing_dutchman]

Simply amazing guitar player! Great to see him playing those tunes that we all know and love. Thank you!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

One of the best to have ever done it!

[@Rock4UNow]

😎👍Great Interview! Love your preparation and research leading to the questions you asked.

[@cliffgarrett]

Amazing!!! mad respect for Louie

[@VertexEffectsInc]

One of the best!

[@BillySBC]

Louie Shelton is an absolute legend among legendary players.

[@gegloff1]

Wow! What an amazing career. Hard to believe how many music history making moments he was a part of. Loved this interview.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@hankd18]

Thank you for being so respectful of such a great living legend...Very good interview

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@chrisnash8411]

Absolutely amazing! I love all of Louie Sheltons contributions to some of my favorite songs and favorite memories! Thank You both!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnnymossville]

Last train to Clarksville was great. He still has that superb session player Precision.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes indeed!

[@dennisburgos5435]

Thanks for the interview bringing back history Louie Shelton wow played on great songs

[@GuiitarBilly]

💯. I first heard of Louie when Larry Carlton mentioned him in a Guitar Player Magazine interview in the 1970s. Larry said Louie helped get him in the door as a session guitarist and his tasteful playing was a guide for Larry when he started out. Larry said the parts Louie played on sessions always seemed to wind up on the final records. Wonderful to hear Louie talk about his work as producer and lead guitarist for Seals and Crofts. The first time I saw them in concert in 1974, Louie was their bandleader and lead guitarist.

[@ald.3387]

This was great. We're losing so many legendary musicians and to hear them talk about past sessions is truly historic. Awesome!

[@marcbolan1818]

Louie is a living legend and no problem hitting the iconic Valleri intro and solo. Wow.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

He nailed it!

[@marcbolan1818]

@@VertexEffectsInc He was sandbagging his ability - no sweat

[@VertexEffectsInc]

hahaha, ya!@@marcbolan1818

[@donnythompson9233]

Louie’s Tele is like an extension of his body…he makes everything he plays appear to be so effortless, so natural, so beautifully melodic. He’s one seriously amazing cat. ❤️

[@thelantern9075]

Amazing player, what an ear and touch.

[@135jh]

I really appreciate it when you ask Louie and the other musicians about their gear. It leads to great insights!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

You bet!

[@ResponseAudio]

Great interview! THANKS!!!!!!!!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@strappaplank6017]

what a wonderful, humble human this man is, thank you

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Louie is the best!

[@edsterling5258]

Moment of appreciation for the unbelievable amounts of amazing studio gear in that room!

[@verysurvival]

What a privilege to listen to the legend

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@timstember8354]

Thanks for introducing me to a guitarist I should have known about who played on some of my favorite songs. He played with such great taste and skill. I loved his stories.

[@bigwillpreacher]

Thank you for putting the face to some of the most iconic guitar playing to the songs that inspired me to play. Louie Shelton has been my guitar hero & I never knew it.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@blueser100]

Incredible interview, thank you so much. These are all songs that were the backdrop of my childhood.

[@KereBuchanan]

Wonderful. If I can say, I worked with Louie in Sydney when we both were there. (I played drums on Georgy Porgy on his 'Guitar' record & he played on my record back in 2014). It's so great that he's being more exposed now as he's truly one of the greatest musicians around, period. Great stuff again Mason, K.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks so much for the comment and for watching!

[@jakesmith4506]

Thank you so much for this session with Louie Shelton. I had no idea how many songs I've loved that he played on. Of course, far more than can be covered in one video. Thank you to both of you!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@jg11x11]

Legendary episode, thanks to everyone involved in making this episode happen

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@thomasnodine4072]

Just a humble man - showing everyone how it’s done. Ty Louie. 👍🏻💯🇺🇸

[@dcool2u2]

I love how Louie does a mixture of notes AND chords in many of his solos. I noticed also that he'll sneak in some great chord inversions in those solos. Thank you for the terrific interview!

[@roberttavernitimusic]

The Lowdown solo is magic

[@VertexEffectsInc]

So great! Love the Fuzz tone!

[@PeteSklaroffGuitarist]

Just wonderful! Thanks so much for recording this....with a studio legend!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Louie is a legend indeed!

[@PeteSklaroffGuitarist]

@@VertexEffectsInc Without a doubt and thanks for a great interview as well!...Looking forward to the Dann Huff video if that's still in the works?

[@daveg5857]

Yeah, baby! Awesome! Absolute legend who still sounds fantastic.

[@derrickheidweiller9580]

The man behind the screens...absolute a legend! That's so beautiful about KZbin and channels like yours. Giving us all this info and putting these musicians in the spotlight. Priceless🙂

[@JohnSmith-pb4ri]

Wow. This is one of the best lead guitar player videos I've seen in a while. His phrasing just draws you into the song.

[@_alexsams]

Great interview; thanks for the upload!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@rodrigobortoloti2830]

Congratulations on the video. Wonderful. Louie is fantastic and will forever be in the musical history of the universe. Big hug from Brazil.

[@okolekahuna3862]

Love your videos. I appreciate the songs even more when hearing the session players stories and views of their experiences.

[@markbois1713]

What a player! Some of these younger players should take note. I only used a Fuzz and a Wah back then. When I hear people say I can't use the HX stomp because it only has 6 effect slots, it makes me smirk. What these guys did with basically an amp is amazing! When I first started gigging in the early 80s, I had my Randall Switchmaster 150 a Boss eq and a noisegate.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

They made what they had work.

[@stevehall3410]

What an awesome guy. I love videos about some of the unsung players who we’ve listened to for years without really knowing who they are. Thanks for the great video.

[@DavidHenderson01]

These are priceless Mason!! Thank you!!! Keep them coming!!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

More to come!

[@merlejagger6668]

Really enjoyed this video. Big thanks for the historic details on his studio session history. Big long time fan of Wrecking Crew and Mr Shelton. Speaking of the Monkees, I am the session guitarist on the 1987 Monkees "Pool It" record. First question I asked Mr. Dolenz was who played the amazing guitar on Last Train and Valerie? He smiled and said, the great Louie Shelton. That when I first heard of him. I played along with those records when I was a kid learning guitar and always wondered who the guitar players were. The Monkees however on the Pool It record wanted the 80s sound not the 60s. Oh well.

[@Datanditto]

With Lowdown Im transported back to middle school, the reluctant monday morning bus ride to school. Everyone quietly depressed while Boz cranks it out on the bus radio. Yeah man, great times.

[@user-tc3yg4ls3i]

The solo from Hello is one of the most beautiful solos ever recorded.

[@GuitarBard96]

amazing and captivating interview mason! thank you

[@gsprings43]

Always read the linear notes on albums,,,have seen Louie 's name a number times,,,really cool to see and hear from the artist,,,great for the memory banks

[@ancienttech4636]

Don't forget that Louie also played that great fingerpicking intro and background to Simon and Garfunkel's "The Boxer"!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thank you for watching!

[@ancienttech4636]

Correction. I might be wrong about The Boxer. That might have been played by Fred Carter. I'll have to look into that...

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Could have also been Hugh McCracken - I know they used him a lot @@ancienttech4636

[@stauffrt2]

Dude. This was incredible. Big thanks to you and Louie

[@gerardoconnor7148]

Great interview these iconic session players had unique melodic talent really gifted tuned in musicians surely this was the golden age of pop rock music

[@tulsatoolfool]

Our hats are off to this warm, super talented man!!

[@walterlindsay1895]

Thank Mason. Fantastic interview with the legendary guitarist .