Sometimes the songs are so doggone good that the doghouse plays itself.  Skip Ward works the pocket on upright in the service of urban / urbane Americana songstress Emily Duff who waxes oh-so-poetic over our collective human condition throughout Maybe in the Morning .

Cut at FAME Studios, you can feel the history of this iconic locale in the grooves and melodies as rendered by Duff, Ward, drummer Kenny Soule, guitarist Scott Aldrich and session legend Clayton Ivey.

Dig Ward’s rhythm & blues and jazz flavored motifs which afford the Duff ensemble a definitive swingin’ disposition.

And they’re even better on stage….

Dig Emily and Skip on the title track https://youtu.be/Zkquk5FhONQ

Dig the live version of “Picture Me Gone” https://youtu.be/jxVFT569tCM

Dig Skip’s groove on “Hypmotizing Chickenz” https://youtu.be/PWGRr9tUSSI

By Jeff Ganz 

 

In the category of “Bassists That Deserve More Recognition”, the first one that comes to mind is Bobby Lichtig.

 

Bobby is probably best known for his fine bass playing on Seals & Crofts’ biggest hits, but was also an accomplished woodwind player and songwriter. Bobby was also my first cousin, whom I admired my whole life, hoping to model my career after his.

 

Bobby’s bass sound, both live and on record, was the epitome of what a superb musician could do with a Fender Precision Bass. Later in his career, Bobby had one of the first and one of the best B.C. Rich basses I ever saw or heard, certainly in his hands. Bobby first came to the public eye as a member of The Last Ritual, recording an album for Capitol Records in 1969. He joined Seals & Crofts as their sole accompanist on bass and flute in time for their second album Year Of Sunday, released in 1971.

 

Bobby’s bass playing on “Summer Breeze” and “Diamond Girl” are textbook examples of how to be a distinctive and sensitive accompanist. In 1975, Bobby joined the L.A. based super group Bonaroo; they did one album for Warner Brothers Records. There are three particular moments I remember fondly with Bobby. The first one was in 1972 when he stopped by my parents’ house – on his way to play with Seals & Crofts at Carnegie Hall! The second was in 1991 at the Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa, California when he came to see me playing with Johnny Winter.

 

The third moment was in 2011, when I visited Bobby at his home in Woodland Hills, California after not seeing him for many years. It was a terrific reunion, complete with ice cream. Bobby passed away in 2012 of long-time complications from a traumatic head injury.

 

Bobby Lichtig Remembered by KYBP Readers:

 

Blake Lichtig: As his son, this made me so happy to read and thank you for writing this!!

 

Preston Bealle: I love Seals and Crofts to this day, and always noticed the tasty bass playing without being aware of who it was. I especially like the work on “Fiddle in the Sky”. Glad to find out he’s remembered here.

 

Karla: I knew Bobby waaaay back in the 60’s when he worked at the Coney Island Pub in NYC. He introduced me to Jimi Hendix first album. He was such a nice person.

 

Keith McGee: What a great discovery! I loved the bass on Seals & Crofts albums, and many years ago I discovered the name of this fine musician. So sorry for your loss, to hear of his passing. He left a great musical legacy.

 

Kenny Martel: It was late in 1963. We (“The Madisons”) had already been together for more than two years playing after school dances, Synagogue & Church dances and some local teenage night clubs. Our compliment was two guitars, drums and saxophone (no bass). Suddenly, “The Beatles” were EVERYWHERE and THEY had a bass player! So did our local competition: “The 3 Jacks!” It was obvious…one of us HAD to learn bass! Also “obvious”…neither “The Beatles,” or “The 3 Jacks” had an (obsolete) saxophone! Consequently, the necessary “assignment” fell upon our sax player……Bobby Lichtig!

 

Clark Garmen: In the mid-eighties and again in 2011, Bobby was our bass player in ‘In Transit’ with Arista and RCA Records. What a great band and bassist!

 

Rhonnie Bender: As Bobby’s sister, your article made me smile……

 

Bobby Lichtig Sound & Vision…

 

Seals & Crofts:

 

Midnight Special with Seals & Crofts “Summer Breeze” https://youtu.be/DTv0K2SUlCY

 

Live TV performance of “Diamond Girl” https://youtu.be/Vgl2sk391ds

 

Tonight Show with Johnny Carson “Hummingbird” https://youtu.be/XK_hffjACV0

 

“We May Never Pass This Way Again” https://youtu.be/8Dw8R6kIKyw

 

“Sudan Village” https://youtu.be/-0VDA6-xvG8

 

“Fiddle in the Sky” https://youtu.be/2STEkoTFm7k

 

“Year of Sunday” https://youtu.be/qYITQmUJ8eY 

 

Bonaroo:

 

“Melody Maker” https://youtu.be/rjllZ6Y-ivM

 

“Sally Ann” https://youtu.be/bV1atlfEltU

 

In Transit:

 

In Transit (1980) https://youtu.be/2oUhFLqnSHM

 

 

 

“What’s up beautiful people?”*

With all deference to Sammy Davis Jr. – he’s the hardest working cat in show business – ever! Akin to his former teacher Anthony Jackson, we refer to John Montagna as a “bass guitarist.” Yet, John is much, much more than that: his long list of credits include: composer, singer, recording artist, educator, historian, multi-instrumentalist, producer, band-leader, journalist, sideman (“Happy Together Tour,” Todd Rundgren, Micky Dolenz, The Turtles, Chuck Negron, Mark Farner, Mitch Ryder, Denny Laine, The Cowsills, Felix Cavalerie, to cite a very select few), band member (Alan Parsons Project, among others), Berklee alum, super-fan, pundit, prog prognosticator, broadcaster with bassist Jeff Ganz on “Breaking It Down,” host of a sensational seminal slab soliloquy aptly entitled “Ride Jams” rendered from his automobile to and fro gigs, and Radio418 podcaster – among other endeavors.

A multi-genre genome, a wizard a true star virtuoso of the instrument, ain’t no musical mountain too high for Montagna. “Listen to music, listen to music, listen to music…it’s good for ya!”

** * / ** John Montagna-isms

Dig John Montagna on Know Your Bass Player on Film Season Deux 2018, New York City, Euphoria Studios https://bit.ly/3b7J5FS

 

From the bright lights of Broadway, to the most renown music venues, recording studios, theaters, clubs, and stages large and small – Jeff Ganz is the among the top players in his profession. Though you wouldn’t know it based on his humility and subtle sense of humor as captured here in his KYBP profile, filmed in New York City. A gentle giant of the instrument – Jeff’s resume spans such diverse artists as Rita Moreno, Johnny Winter, Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad), Dr. John, Gerry Mulligan, Chuck Berry, and John Lee Hooker to cite very, very select few. The great ones always make it look so easy – that’s Jeff!

 

Dig Jeff Ganz in Know Your Bass Player On Film Season Deux! https://bit.ly/31OLuCv

 

Courtesy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Com

Singer, songwriter, collaborator, recording artist, guitarist, vocalist, session singer, percussionist, bandleader, band-member (Ronnie Spector, Band of Susans, Exit 99, Red Gretchen, Deni Bonet Band, Phil Gammage Quartet), University of Miami alum, entrepreneur, promoter…

 

As a bassist Anne Husick is a bona-fide song-player who works the pocket and brings harmonic finesse whenever the situations warrant.  

 

Anne Husick Sound & Vision…

 

Anne Husick “The Other Side” https://youtu.be/6_whit5HAVk

 

Red Gretchen “To Find Her” https://youtu.be/b57QZZB87G8

 

Phil Gammage at the Lancaster Roots & Blues Festival https://youtu.be/j53dCMDDzmc

 

He anchored the theme song for one of television’s most beloved sitcoms, and also appeared as a bassist in one of the show’s most memorable episodes….

 

Pocket player Kirby Johnson commenced his career with The Lincolns, a folk ensemble which waxed one platter in 1963 on the Kapp imprint, before they switched their moniker to The Wellingtons.

 

Migrating to Hollywood in pursuit of fame and fortune, the band inked a deal with Walt Disney’s record company, cutting the theme songs for The Wonderful World of Color, Savage Sam, Folk Heroes and Annette on Campus among others. The Wellingtons also backed Disney actors on promotional tours (Donald O’Connor) and shared the bill with The Supremes and Stevie Wonder on package jaunts, and appeared on such shows as Shindig and Hollywood A Go-Go.

 

However their legend as rock and roll gods was cemented by way of the hit sitcom Gilligan’s Island wherein they cut the initial version of famous theme song which appeared in the first season (the theme was recut by The Eligibles for seasons two and three) and appeared as the fictional band “The Mosquitos.”

 

The Wellingtons “Theme to Gilligan’s Island” https://youtu.be/cfR7qxtgCgY

 

The Mosquitos “Don’t Bug Me,” “He’s a Loser” https://bit.ly/2E0woKY

 

On the 1965 episode “Don’t Bug The Mosquitoes” the band was consequently upstaged by the Honeybees aka Ginger, Mrs. Howell, and my personal favorite, Maryann on “You Need Us.”

 

“You Need Us” https://bit.ly/2pObAB5

 

Following their appearance on Gilligan’s Island, The Wellingtons sank into obscurity, from which KYBP now rescues them….(pun intended).

 

Photo by Jenna Wilson

 

“So help me groove! My musical language is determined by my musical philosophies which in turn challenge me to develop in all areas of my life. So, for me it’s about body, mind and spirit – their mutual and cohesive health and development. I believe that musicians, like all people, are conduits for love, and love is the will to nurture one’s own or another’s growth…

 

So says Paul Ill, a groove master in the mold of his idols – which he lists as Duck Dunn, Jerry Jemmott, Berry Oakley, John Paul Jones, Sir Paul, and Will Lee, amid others.  A player, composer, sideman, and engaging stage presence – Ill’s illustrious resume is rather impressive: Michael Des Barres, Pink, Christina Aguilera, Hole, Celine Dion, Reeves Gabrels, Bill Ward, Juliette and the Licks, and Alicia Keys – to cite a select few.

 

Paul Ill Sound & Vision…

 

Julliette and the Licks “Shelter Yo’ Needs” https://youtu.be/MGjF0iS6EeE

 

Pink “Free” https://youtu.be/YDdaJmiJcgU

 

Alicia Keys “Sure Looks Good to Me” https://youtu.be/RsTLQ6JKedk

 

Michael Des Barres “Carnaby Street” https://youtu.be/-AuJBAE8RjM

 

Paul discussing his gear at Produce Like A Pro https://youtu.be/ocF6S8sMCVU

 

Paul’s claim that he brought back old school “curly chords” https://youtu.be/AhzwxK4_RmA