In this segment from the documentary “Unsung Heroes of Soul”, various contributers weigh in on the contributions of Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Thom Bell to music by creating the Sound of Philadelphia. The musicians, arrangers and writers that worked with them recount their experiences with Gamble and Huff as they made musical magic.
Engineer and producer Andy Johns sits down with Lance Keltner and talks about his realization that the musicians he was working with didn’t know any more than he did. He upholds the basis that the sound of the source matters most, which supports the the theory that you should not only aim “fix it in the mix”.
Andy Johns, English engineer and producer shoots the breeze with Lance Keltner in Austin, Texas about The Rolling Stones, gear and old guitar roadies. Johns shares his anecdotes about working on the album Exile on Main Street, the Stones’ tenth studio album.
Sound of Philadelphia legends Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff explain the importance of owning your music. They urge artists to take control and know how every penny of every dollar is distributed. The recording industry has changed and it’s crucial to have a good team around you. They also touch on the role of radio stations and breaking new artists.
Kenneth Gamble answers questions from fans like “What was your most memorable song to work on?”, “At what point in your career did you realize that your dream would come true?” and “What did you use to keep your motivation strong?”. The Hall of Famer speaks on commitment to the craft, always having a back-up plan and keeping the pressure off of the dream.
Master Reggae Basist/Producer/Arranger, Aston “Family Man” Barrett of Bob Marley and The Wailers and Lee Perry’s The Upsetters fame talks about his favorite bass. Using the Fender Jazz Bass, with a brighter mid-range than the Precision Bass made for a distinct and more prominent bass line in the music. Coupled with an Acoustic Amplifier he was able to achieve a sound similar to the lowest pitched Upright Bass . He also touches on the importance of experimentation.
The Jackson Five covers Issac Hayes’ ‘Walk On By” and performs their own “The Love You Save” live. This medley was featured on their 1971 Goin Back to Indiana soundtrack album, featuring songwriting and production by The Corporation; Berry Gordy, Jr, Alphonso Mizell, Freddie Perren and Deke Richards.
Bernard “Pretty” Purdie gets into the groove with a little show and tell on his accidental discovery of 16th “ghost” notes and his hi hat groove. He displays his technique and we get a little glimpse of why he’s earned the title of The World’s Most Recorded Drummer.
Bernard “Pretty” Purdie , world renowned drummer who has worked with the likes of Aretha Franklin, The Beatles, James Brown and Miles Davis to name just a few shows off his signature groove. This video breaks down the wholes, halves, quarters, eighths, sixteenths, dotted and triplets that comprise the Purdie Shuffle. He explains how all the notes work together as long as you keep the groove.
Bernard “Pretty” Purdie showcase his distinct signature hi-hat lick pish-ship, pish-ship, pish-ship at a groove workshop. He crosses over from classic to Latin grooves with his eyes closed while attendees sit in awe.
Drumming innovator Bernard “Pretty” Purdie demonstrates one of his first solos, combining the raw elements with a groove. He starts out working the Toms and the Ride Cymbal, and then begins to incorporate the Snare, Hi Hat and Crash Cymbal. In the end he tells us it’s all about the melody.
The most recorded drummer in the world, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie talks about his first paying gig at 11 years old, and how he’s worked with over 2500 artists and played on over 4000 albums. Among them, Steely Dan, Aretha Franklin and James Brown. In 2009 he played in the revival of the Broadway musical Hair. It marks a reunion for Purdie, who also played in the original Broadway production in 1968.
Footage of trumpet master John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie and expert drummer Bernard “Pretty” Purdie performing “Manteca” live at the Beppu International Jazz Festival in Beppu Japan back in 1982. Pretty Purdie murders his drum solo while Dizzy and others in the band join in on the Congas.
Clyde Stubblefield tells the story of James Brown’s “The Funky Drummer”, which came about from jamming in the studio. “The Funky Drummer” was first released as a 45 single, and then later on the In the Jungle Groove compilation in 1986. Marley Mark of The Juice Crew interviews the drumming legend on his distinctive shuffle and the ghost note. The Funky Drummer is one of the most sampled beaks in hip hop.
This is a video interview with legendary producers/musicians Gamble and Huff of Sound Of Philadelphia Records. They talk mostly about the industry, and how important it is not hang onto publishing and your masters (don’t “give away” your own music.) Very informative for those who want to learn a little bit about industry pitfalls.
In this video, Amir of DreamStream.tv sits down with Kenneth Gamble, legendary record producer of Gamble & Huff fame and producer for the famous Philadelphia International Records label. They talk about Gamble’s favorite songs to produce, perfecting your craft, the business side of music, and more. Amazing interview.
King Curtis & The Kingpins – “Memphis Soul Stew” (Live)
Stevie Wonder does Superstition Live on Seasame Street… How the hell… did we get from this… to… Teletubbies?
The Godfather performs The Payback as well as some of his other classics. Only one man in the history of the world could rock clothes like that!
Here is a live performance with James Brown doing Sex Machine and Get On The Good Foot in 1976. Bootsy Collins on bass doing his thing, of course… and James Brown shooting funk out of his fingertips.
The legendary James Brown in the studio cutting a track! As far as I know this is the only video of JB doing his thing with studio musicians. Classic…
Gladys & the Pips (w/ an ill horn section) murder “On And On”… better than the studio version, which is an great track…
B.B. King And Gladys Knight! “The Thrill Is Gone” Live
Billy Preston Live On A Hammond B3… Peep the trick at the end of the video haha!
Larry Graham and his “Jet Phaser” pedal rocking the f’ out on the bass…
Bootsy Collins Formula For Funk… “The One”
The Birth Of Bass Pilot w/ Funk Brothers Bob Babbit, Eddie Willis & Motown Engineer Bob Ohlson
Given the fact that Motown had not been conducting “Live” sessions with the vocalists and instrumentalists recording at the same time since at least 1963, this “session” was clearly staged for the CBS News cameras that were doing a brief piece called “The Motown Sound”. Pictured in the studio are songwriters Lamont Dozier (Standing on the steps at the back of the studio), Brian Holland (The guy who cuts in on the band), Ivy Jo Hunter (Does the countdown), Russ [...]
Eric Burdon – “House of the Rising Sun” Live, 1976
Eric Burdon & The Animals “House Of The Rising Sun” Live 1964
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