Wah Wah Watson with Herbie Hancock 1976 (live video) - Hang Up Your Hang Ups

There doesn't seem to be much on video of Wah Wah Watson from the 1970's on YT .. So here he is with Herbie Hancock keyboards; Bennie Maupin - flute and reeds; Paul Jackson - bass; James Levi -drums .. TV program Denmark

[@djcoolcliff]

Melvin Ragin aka Wah Wah Watson is my uncle! Just celebrated his passing last week!! This video is so awesome and thanks for posting!!! Just seeing him with that Gibson L5 which was given to him by Ray Parker Jr. He played on a lot of hit records to include Let’s Get It On, Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Car Wash, I Will Survive, Maxwell’s first cd and so many other records!! Miss you Unc but I hear you almost everyday still on the radio!!!! RIP!!!!!!!!

[@stevemartin4249]

And quite a cool little Conga player you got there.

[@djcoolcliff]

@@stevemartin4249 Thanks Steve!!

[@stevemartin4249]

@@djcoolcliff Let us know when he goes pro! Cheers from Japan!

[@djcoolcliff]

@@stevemartin4249 Will do! Lol!!

[@stevemartin4249]

@@djcoolcliff 😄

[@dickstryker]

Science fact: listening to this jam instantly makes you at least 30% cooler.

[@scottonnob]

I have to disagree. As a white guy who absolutely, under any circumstances, no matter the penalty or prize, can not dance - listening to that, and watching physical effect it had on the musicians, made me, for at least a moment, 100% cooler.

[@evilswissy]

if you think you need anything to make you cool or look cool than you will always be lame bro... quit being a typical brainless mainstream media fed sheeple and be original... all of you zombies americans are just clones of each other and that's why you can be categorized... you will never have an intellect nor the ability to ever have any original thought

[@KingfisherLtd]

@@scottonnob I 100% second you. I have never feel so cool as I feel now listening these cats.

[@widaAcK]

Ə7 point thought it was juz me

[@kerryalfred6565]

Studies have shown🤣

[@TK-fk4po]

Wah Wah Watson is the best name ever for a guitar player

[@zorbanongreco]

Beats Joe Strummer anyway.

[@maxwellsilver3115]

​@@zorbanongreco 'Fingers Malone'? 😎

[@zorbanongreco]

@@maxwellsilver3115 Yes but..Who's he ? Is he as good as Twangy McTwang ?

[@kazbah1217]

Totes 😎

[@maxwellsilver3115]

@@zorbanongreco 🤣

[@timujin1000]

Whoever put an ad in the middle of this masterpiece is going to hell!!!

[@ryand141]

So f..g annoying.

[@masterofdoinit6697]

When jazz and funk get perfectly blend together... this monster is the result 😎

[@ondaride777]

Certainly with help of disco, rock-n-roll and certainly fusion.

[@marcustrice3876]

@@ondaride777 Disco means Dance Music,you can dance to anything

[@m.vonhollen6673]

@@marcustrice3876 So if I played some Jazz, some Blues, some Rock, or some Country, you’d say “that’s Disco music”?

[@mychannel3774]

@@m.vonhollen6673 I love disco, but you got a point… 🤷‍♂️

[@mychannel3774]

From another dimension, just look at Herbie channelling…

[@thequietrevolution3404]

One of the best things about attending concerts during the '70's and '80's was how much the musicians enjoyed experimenting with different sounds on standards and hit recordings. Rarely did they perform a song exactly as it was presented on the album. Concerts were for pushing the envelope and branching out to new horizons.

[@JJJJJVVVVVLLLLL]

lucky I caught the tail end of that era. By the mid 90s shows were much more scripted imo.

[@m.vonhollen6673]

@@JJJJJVVVVVLLLLL When digital recording and sequencing started to happen in the late 80’s, that gave musicians options for robot accompaniment. You could make music sound more perfect at the expense of its honesty. Soul-killing!

[@JJJJJVVVVVLLLLL]

@@m.vonhollen6673 yeah that’s very true

[@conradsullivan6910]

In other words, they were just like the bands that I go out to see today.

[@Canosa612]

did u attend one?

[@waewaepouwhare320]

These cats are each in their own world but are playing as one 😎

[@brucemorrison7023]

That shirt Paul Jackson is wearing is unstoppable alone

[@martinmind]

Oh shiet i just found gold.

[@fweddyfwintsone4491]

This is criminally funky. Insanely tight groove. Very nice.

[@donaldduring8419]

Damn right mate

[@nilib-j9472]

Originally ❤

[@daedae5442]

Lots of people think im weird for the music I dig but its all good it brings peace to my soul something they'll never understand.

[@JustDatBoi]

Nah, this is great music. I appreciate your taste in music.

[@daedae5442]

@@JustDatBoi thanks bro

[@rullisc7102]

I do understand you!

[@davidmundowyahoo7839]

Anyone who thinks you're weird for liking this, they're the weird ones 😂

[@timtime9167]

There's nothing this cool today.

[@timtime9167]

@SmithMrCorona it's my opinion. You can have yours, too.

[@thevillageshaman]

His bass groove is nasty AF 🔥💃☝️

[@richharris2864]

Ever mean to click on a video for a second, and next thing you know you’ve watched it 2-3 times? THIS.

[@jamesburton247]

The Saddest day in my life, when I left this Vinyl Masterpiece in the back window of my Buick 76 Duece n a Quarter after a Saturday Night party, woke up on a Bright Sunday afternoon with a Deathly Shudder remembering this was left in a Sealed Oven warped Oh the Agony when I pulled it out the Furnace 😢

[@Strimbles]

Wah Wah scratching records as early as '76!!

[@paulwolf3302]

Wow I listened to this because it has Herbie Hancock in it, but have to admit that around 8:30, the saxophone player stole the show and never gave it back.

[@leonardolagassi5462]

When your name is Wah Wah Watson, you already know your are a fantastic guitar player

[@jaiiskii2262]

An Ad in the middle of a funky groove like this should be a criminal offense

[@Mr.LloydMarksHoodoo45]

R.I.P to the great Mr. WATSON! And all the legendary men of the past that paved the way for a young black musician as my self to even get the opportunities I have now. ❤ Hope I can do the same.

[@jamescarter8699]

Many have no idea that this man is playing on the song" Cloud 9" by the Motown Temptations & that changed the sound of soul in the late 60's and early 70's. I played on the stage with him myself( as my mom and dad watched)along with the soon to be Drummer and song writer for the Jimmy Caster Bunch(Elwood Henderson). And on our break at a local club in his and our hometown of Richmond VA. He was with Motown and told us about 5 young cats from Gary Indiana he had done sessions with. Exactly 2 weeks later the Jackson 5's 1st hit came over the local Radio airwaves, "I WANT YOU BACK". And the rest was history.The bassist also with him went on to play with Bobby Taylor and the Van Cougars and then with Donny Hathaway his name was( bassie )Irvin Saunders and can be seen on the flip Wilson 70's show with Donnie Hathaway.Elwood and myself were kids of 16 years old at the time. The year was 1969.

[@misc3k]

Awesome... Thank for sharing that story. Yes when Motown hired Norman Whitfield to produce for them, Me!vin & Ray Parker were his go to guitar players. Mr Whitfield used Melvin on many many sessions that he produced. He was an amazing and funky guitarist.

[@v.valente]

legend.

[@Manup2day]

Niiiiice brother. Great story.

[@dplj4428]

That riff @03:00

[@TimPickering]

Beautiful story! I Grew up in Motown with the kids of Motown legends. I love every part of that musical experience. I played the drums and was the funky white boy!! Great times

[@teajaydc4484]

If you were one that read the back of album covers, you know Wah Wah worked plenty. In the ‘70s he was everywhere. As a guitarist myself, I loved his playing. I was a Headhunters fan too. This makes me want to perform again. Let’s see, where is my dashiki?

[@inglepropnoosegarm7801]

Go for it!

[@textbandit246]

Too bad Ray Parker Jr. is missing he was also on this cut.

[@brianpadilla3244]

Dust off that dashiki and play. Blessings to you.

[@danielwaters6654]

In the closet, next to your Super suit.

[@djcoolcliff]

Yeah Melvin Ragin aka Wah Wah Watson is my uncle and he had no shortage of work even thru all of the changes of music and the business!! Unc is my hero and he always told me work and develop your own sound! He said the people will call you for your sound! Unc truly had his sound down!!!!

[@aditkhati8934]

this tune make me realize we all are in same world but within it we are in different world created by yourself.....

[@AskthePoolman]

You know it , grew up in Torrance, “Straight Out of Compton!” B. 1963…….

[@pneumaticman5927]

There isn’t a single musician on this video that isn’t in a class by themselves. Amazing.

[@mistersmith3986]

That timing shoulder is everything!

[@davidlamb7524]

The musical communication here is on another level.

[@damianedwards8827]

People in the 70s were just cool

[@henrywasserman]

It really doesn't get any better than this.

[@sonykroket]

It really doesn´t.

[@TheMisterGriswold]

As my friend says, "Herbie ... doesn't suck". 🎹

[@MaxPower-if3yz]

It does Read the next post

[@samiam7342]

ESPECIALLY from 11:45 to the end.........herbie actually levitates to another planet when the song ends!!!!

[@funkmydelic]

First of all, Paul Jackson is probably the most underrated bassist. Funky is an understatement. Benny Maupin, Wah Wah, are killers. Miss this era of music. Of course, Herbie is the Man!!!

[@galenhubbard8784]

I agree my brother,Paul Jackson was a beast🙏🏽

[@freddycus5167]

U forgot to mention solid James Levi..

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

This is next level after miles - I sure hope people talk about herbie later - his audience hasn't even been born yet.

[@marchatesyou1]

dude straight cold on it with the golden camel necklace and the most beautiful vintage gibson jazz box ive ever seen

[@JustDatBoi]

That intro is sick! These guys would be a dream to jam with.

[@brighterhealthshop]

Wah Wah Watson was a GOAT. I've been playing guitar 49 years. He's the Truth. I grew up with professional musicians. My Uncle Don Myrick (EWF, Phil Collins, MJ)...comes to mind seeing him in the Pharaohs, rehearsing in the living room turned into a Woodwind/Sax Rehearsal studio, infused with African Incense, African Art. It brings you to time everything was real, not sampled. Instant creativity. I will be picking up some of Wah Wah's funky phrases...

[@williamshakespeare9815]

What an amazing environment thqt must have been to grow up in

[@bw1520]

Wow….these cats reminds us of true musicianship….playing from the soul and not the head…lol…lol

[@MG-fn9xw]

this is dumb as hwll

[@jesseacewest]

Man's playing with so many keys I thought he was gonna take his socks and shoes off to hit some more

[@busterhikney6936]

They need to bring back these camera effects and Herbie's shirt.

[@bobjuke4216]

Not sure about the camera effects, but I'd say a definite maybe on the shirt 🙂

[@slingerland63]

camera person did a great job in getting us as close as possible to allow us to feel each musician playing their part.

[@MsAppassionata]

Finally! A cameraman who knows how to photograph musicians.

[@philshoward9340]

💯

[@rickhapstley3866]

Especially on old recordings like that, a lot of jams and concerts were filmed like shit, like focusing on the wrong musician and zooming on their face. This particular one with the tasteful special effects and cool camera angles is awesome

[@cooldebt]

Those Danes clearly know how to appreciate great music - this was on TV! What brilliant programming plus a cameraman who really knew his stuff.

[@freddycus5167]

Not enuf bass and drums!

[@bigcrier]

211K? Bra this shit should have millions of viewssss

[@MrIrrepressible]

It's quality my friend, not quantity. The quantity perfer Taylor swift over this

[@docteuradical]

the piano & wah wah ad lib finale is incredible!

[@Polo22546]

Party people, this is called TALENT!!

[@tech1238]

Amazing thank you

[@nom5358]

may the algorithm bless this gem. 💎

[@tigerpayphone]

Obviously, the music is wildly great but I also just love the esthetic of 70's TV. The overlayed, bluescreen shots they use to feature 2 players at once, the way the sax reflects the studio lights and the camera just can't handle it so it produces that pink glow, muah! Chef's kiss!

[@HagbardCeline23]

Very trippy! 😊

[@Supervillainmc]

How Sweet It Is!

[@matthewotremba9230]

That camera work , back then was as ground breaking as the Band

[@lewismorrison4098]

Incredible music, wow. What these guys have left for humanity

[@beckydoesit9331]

I listend for over four minutes and I'm pregnant now.

[@mastertrey4683]

@@beckydoesit9331 stop NOW. pregenency is not GOOD

[@swordmonkey6635]

Stage Manager: "Mr. Hancock. How many keyboard do you need tonight?" Herbie Hancock: "Yes."

[@emiliacanet9960]

Christmas 2023 San Francisco listening. To Awesome

[@mrtwint1]

Bennie Maupin …adds another dimension to the headhunters…funk on!!!! 😊

[@jimbennett834]

From the Manchild album. My favorite Herbie Hancock album. Never gets old.

[@thomasfleischer83]

I'm a Metalhead for decades but I also love Funk. This song is groovy as hell.🇦🇹👋

[@librandy77]

Legend..mad cool🪕🪕🪕

[@jameslast3192]

Now that’s some funky brothers right there!

[@winterrosebeaumont6209]

Thanks KZbin algorithm for suggesting this gold, and cheers Bob for this amazing upload, absolutely banging!!!

[@VINZBROWN]

Me too!!

[@gradyh9871]

Yeah. .. they finally got it right.

[@lotsabuena1406]

You couldn’t be more diametrically opposed……algorithmic suggestion and human players. Or could you ? Musicians don’t always know the math they’re playing, yet they play it truthfully !!!

[@albertrefiti3353]

Bloody hell! Can there be any more funky complex layers than this?

[@stayrabey4173]

This is why I love KZbin 👊🏿

[@richardoliver1303]

Saw Herbie in Berlin Germany in early 2000's I could not believe the accoustics, or the funk which he produced. I thought I was inside a speaker cabinet during the whole show.

[@josephbest912]

To his nephew, I saw him with Herbie Hancock, Sheila E. ( before Prince). At Red Rocks.What was extraordinary was we got there early and they were setting up the stage. No musicians were out there except for him sitting on a folding chair playing, but it didn’t sound like any guitar sounds . No one was at the keyboard setup and it wasn’t until the show started that we realized it was him the whole time. By the way we are all musicians. One of the high points of my musical life 😢🎉❤

[@alexmarkowski3859]

I love how steady that L5 is on his lap and how his hands so freely move up and down gliding like they are floating on the neck of the guitar. It feels and sound so balanced and graceful.

[@VINZBROWN]

Abbbbsolutely

[@88pynogrl]

I never noticed that, but it is amazing to watch.

[@duster71]

Should seen him live like I did with Herbie.

[@mrness2203]

Think that's a super 400. Not an L5. Great sounding instrument regardless

[@minusstage3]

And those magnets

[@user-yg9gc7vw4w]

Jazzy, groovy, funky and i’m happy😎

[@allenanderson4911]

Every piece fits...and when you step back, listen to everyone as one-instrunent...the picture they paint is glorious!! And jazzy at it is...it's still approchable; it never leaves the audience behind and baffled. And nobody grandstands except the horn man. But they have too; its in their union rules. Just Sublime

[@Mark_J_on_guitar]

It is incredible it all fits. Each one pulling the fabric of time, then letting go. Like a spider hanging onto its web in a summer rain storm. Uniform and strong but so close to ripping.

[@cooldebt]

@@Mark_J_on_guitar I absolutely love your description!

[@KevinToine]

You don't see this anymore on tv. Programs where real musicians play live music.

[@j4nk3n]

I meannnn the funk on display here is nuts, love herbie, one of the greats

[@cherish9493]

Wen I was little I loved the music I grew up with in the '70's. What I loved the most is how these awesome musicians were just cool down to earth people. It was all about love, good vibes, oneness. These musicians put out genius stuff but always were humble and brought so much good energy to the people. It wasn't about being a star, or getting rich. Love supreme was the mindset and we need to just keep that going cuz it brings out the best in us all. 👍💕💕💕🦋🦋🦋

[@STOLHO]

exactly thanks for your words

[@ronaldhill7180]

Thank you youtube algorithm, your finally coming to your senses.

[@dolfanrob262]

This is dope.

[@stickmanmusic5840]

I got to see Wah Wah Watson once, where he was headlining at the Keystone in Berkeley, California.

[@thehumboldtjungle]

What a groove

[@DCronk-qc6sn]

It's been downhill from there.....spectacular music back in the day......

[@RonSafreed]

"WoW" I have known about Herbie for the longest time but Wah-Wah Watson, I never heard of before!! Just like the late Eva Cassidy after she died in 1996, the music industry realized her work & 'worldwide' she became popular & she was selling cd's out of the trunk of her car when she was playing, she died at age 33!!

[@AF117]

Magical.

[@Silverlining1111]

👍👍Wow, at that time, the artist name, music, fashion & tv visual all freaking cool. 👍👍

[@greigskyless334]

This is elite level funk music!

[@samiam7342]

Herbie is my favorite jazz musician of ALL time.....................

[@maccamundi]

Man, how I like this!!!

[@Buki0300]

Thank you

[@darkhorse10036]

Growing up as a kid I always wanted to be Herbie Hancock because he was so great at this.

[@Paulcvids]

Such a solid and inspired video broadcast, too.

[@raphlasne]

This is HEAVEN.

[@cheesesteak59]

Benny Maupin is cookin'!

[@moochincrawdad]

Damm that's FUNKY!

[@donavangreen27]

I’m amazed….the art of musicianship lives on. Bassist keeping a groove Drums tight in that pocket Wah Wah doing Wah Wah things Herbie is a genius Sax putting the icing on the cake

[@VINZBROWN]

PREEEACH!!!!

[@darkforest3333]

drums are almost always straight time, the bass is FUNKY big time.

[@minusstage3]

Love that nitrocellulose hiding blues over tones and primitive transistors! Now we know what they meant by dropping the gold standard! 😂😢😅

[@CharcoalChaos]

Wow wow wahwah weee!! What a jam!

[@Lyndanet]

Bob Juke uploading this is commendable

[@kati1017]

Just a cookin' and a boilin' ! Can't not move to the groove! 😋

[@paulwebb4771]

One of my first funk lps was Elementary by your uncle. I was 15. I'm now 52. This music is my life ❤

[@forourtroopssake7373]

Wah Wah was BRILLIANT! ❤️

[@Nahc365]

My ear’s really liked what they heard…but my eyes really loved what they seen!! Dig it!!!

[@clemtoe]

Great video production too.

[@jerryspearman]

This is great footage

[@unkolawdio]

This is Insane good,,,what I call real funk,,70s style,,,,

[@LetoTheThird]

herbie hancock is so damn cool

[@GraceKeyz]

Love it… saw them in Terre Haute, Indiana, fall of 1976 … we were wannabe musicians in HS. We stayed after and the band came back to tear down, etc. They talked… nicest, humblest guys… great memories.

[@GiantRock62]

1976 was the pinnacle of cool music and culture. ✌

[@tahupotikihaddon2967]

It doesn't get any better than this natural from the soul

[@NorthTexasEagle1989]

Omg, I haven't seen Herbie Hancock in this funk-phase, only the later period. Damn that dude has got some road children.

[@dare2win215]

this is criminally funky & brilliant

[@josephcopeland2343]

There is no one like this man and it's good to see Mr Hancock at a young age and the original Headhunters but man Mister wild wild Watson was one of a kind God bless him 🙏

[@elizabethlaundra6481]

I saw this line up at Eastern Michigan University "Pease Auditorium" they were awesome !!

[@adburger]

Wah Wah used to come in to the flower shop I worked in on Sunset Blvd. back in the early '80s, he was a friend of the owner. I enjoyed his visits, always upbeat and smiling, RIP.

[@joedenisco6033]

Growing up in my Italian American house, I was taught there were 2 legends that we’d never get tired of. Wahwah Watson and King Curtis. Still to this day this music kick starts some movement in my otherwise soulless body! I love this stuff. Thank you for sharing Joe D

[@cosmicman621]

Man...your parents had great ears,hearts and Souls...May God Bless them and You And Yours ✌️

[@oRuTRa45]

That's a beautiful thing, man. ❤️🎶

[@joedenisco6033]

@@cosmicman621 Thank You buddy. That was nice.

[@joedenisco6033]

@@oRuTRa45 Thank You buddy.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

King Curtis with Cornell Dupree on guitar is a thing of beauty.