Walking on a rainy night on the street of NYC heading down to Greenwich Village passing a record shop I heard this heavenly voice on recording floating out it was Kenny Rankin. I stood there hypnotized….I asked the salesman and he said here it is for you. I bought it and became a fan forever. His album tucked under my jacket tight.
Kenny Rankin and his guitar was all my ears needed to be in ecstasy. Definitely the most fluid voice and such beautiful use of ascending and descending bass lines along with dreamy chords. Lell is incorrect about his illness, it was lung cancer. I met Oscar Castro Neves who was partially responsible for teaching Kenny about the brazilian jazz chords that added so much to his repertoire. George Carlin was responsible for Kenny getting back on drugs for a while after a stint at Phoenix House in Ny. Good old George. Kenny truly unique among vocalists and guitarist as it is rare to have a great voice with great flexibility and nuance but to play such great guitar while you sing like no other is incredibly rare. That was Kenny Rankin. Happy I got to see him in the village in the early days when I could sit right up against the stage and ask for songs.
I am totally addicted to Kenny's music. His voice is an amazing original. He just seemed like a kind individual and reminds me of James Taylor a bit, but Kenny is a true original.
"what matters most" would be my song to my wife when I am gone. we met Kenny 3 times, a gentleman each time. years ago we saw him in Manila. A few years later on at a bar I heard a Filipino singing Kenny's song, the only time I liked anyone singing his songs, and I didn't get his name, never saw him again. he was loved in the Philippines, still is. We still listen to Kenny.
Great album, Hiding in Myself. My wife and I saw K. R. at the Great American Music Hall in SF. Our wedding song off the album is ‘Keep the Candle Burning’.
This is how I discovered you, searching Kenny Rankin. Kenny Rankin was/is my favorite. 🎉Saw him a few times in the Bay Area and met him at Yoshi’s. My husband came out of the rest room with him and introduced himself to me, it was pretty funny because I blurted out “you were in the bathroom with Kenny Rankin?” he laughed and talked a few minutes. Lol
Wow what an amazing musician and singer, so nice to listen to the older jazz craftsmanship, just so talented, and such beautiful music to listen and relax. Those wickedly good key changes and harmonies. so cool. Thanks for the vid Lee love listening to your picks.
Lee! Thank you so much for putting this up man! This is Chris Trujillo. This was one of the first albums I ever worked on and for it to be with all of you cats, well forget about it! One of the greatest honors ever! Kenny was such a great giant and he gave me such a huge break along w Jeff Weber in putting me on these tracks! Also first time I got to play w Luke on “Trouble man”, pre-cursor to then playing w in Toto, wished I had done it also when you were fillin in for Mikey. A way enough rambling , thanks again man. Your rock!
I was Kenny's driver on some of his West Coast gigs in the 80's. He truly was a class act behind the scenes too. His speaking voice was a commanding baritone so it always surprised me how smooth and silky his falsetto was. You won't hear many singers who were as accurate as he was. He never slide into a note… he owned it!
One of my favorite Rankin story was when he thought he would sing a lullaby to his kids. So he relates that as their famous dad was starting to sing, from under the covers he hears, "Dad could you knock it off we are trying to sleep". I always felt there was a connection with the audience and Kenny because of his stories.
I got nostalgic for some real good music and searched the great Kenny Rankin, one of my all time favorites since Silver Morning in High School. What a lovely tribute. I didn’t have this album but what a treat to have the greatest vocalist along with my favorite bassist, and favorite guitarist on this album. I first heard about Robben Ford on a Ford Brothers album in a record store bin about the same time. Of course I was listening to JT and Lee but never imagined they would all meet up and play together. A real Dream Team. ❤
Kenny Rankin was truly atmospheric. Thought he was best when he sang ,while playing guitar. Kenny sang ,totaling on the air. Never using his throat. A vocal horn ,like no other .Thanku for this post. I wish u would consider ,being interviewed, by Rick Beato. Robyn Ford ,did an interview with him,and was quite enlightening. Ur Croz work is where I realise what a tonic statement you've been for so long. I played endless live gigs,and spent many hours in the studio. I can relate to a point ,but you've been there,with the finest preformers,and composers of our generation. So very sweet ,powerful with ethereal fluidity. Keep us informed, and never stop.. Mark / Rita.
That's a great analogy --- frets on his vocal cords --- and so true of Kenny. Saw him many times, mostly Jazz Alley in Seattle until his unexpected passing in June 2009. But not enough times, for sure. If I was rich, I probably would have followed him around the country like a superfan at times.
I first heard Kenny Rankin on the old Mike Douglas show. I was in about the 8th grade. I went out and bought an album of his right away. Loved his version of "Blackbird". Give it a listen, if you haven't heard it.
Lee, I just found this episode while searching for one of Kenny's videos; what a treat! Kenny has been my hands-down favorite male vocalist for almost 50 years; his album with Don Costa is an extra-sublime treasure. Kenny's impeccable tone, his exquisite phrasing, his wondrous range, and his down-to-the-bone soul, never fail to nourish and fill me with profound joy. When I moved from NYC to LA at the end of '77, three months after my father, guitarist George Barnes, had died, I was hired to run the Little David Records office on Sunset and Doheny, and got to spend a little time with Kenny and George and Flip Wilson, who co-founded the label with jazz producer Monte Kay. Back then, neither he nor I realized that he'd made his first records with my dad--including this one, from 1958: ruclips.net/video/Y5uwndLQrEM/видео.html
Saw Rankin and Gerardo play this together at The Other End in Greenwich Village. Almost lost it when Kenny invited his "friend" (Velez) on stage to play!! :))
Hi Leland. For a long time my all time favorite song was Kenny Rankin's "Hiding Inside Myself". Pleased to learn you did bass on the recording. Seems you are the link between all my favorite music. Thanks for all of it, cheers
Wow Kenny Rankin, how i loved his work.And i agree his voice was smooth as butter! I always liked his covers, he always did them justice.Back in the day just about when his album SLIVER MORNING came out he was playing in my home town at a restaurant/club and i was so amazed at his voice in concert.He played a few songs before talking to the audience.And then when he spoke i couldn't believe his speaking voice he had a deep baritone voice.His passing was a shock.I never knew how he passed away, until now.Thank you forr this post Leland very much appreciated.Be safe stay safe .Shalom.
I saw Kenny at a small, intimate venue in Arcata, CA in 1981. He was not at all what I expected, red plaid shirt, his guitar and a piano and a low, grumbling speaking voice. But he just filled that little place up. What a great talent.
The first time that I saw Kenny Rankin was on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in the early 70s. He performed the title cut from his album Like a Seed. Even as a very young teenager I who was a total rocker, I was completely captivated.I went to the local record store and pick purchased it. I became a fan and picked up every record that he released since then.
Kenny Rankin is so criminally underrated! One of the greatest singers ever. In this age of game show contestant singers his kind of taste and restraint is lost.
Privileged to have heard him 2x live. Just Kenny and his guitar/piano. He was a truly singular talent who was a master at making a song his own vehicle to launch his vocal prowess.
I love Kenny Rankin. His music was a part of my life from the 70's and onward. An amazing increible voice which he used as a musical instrument in a multitude of ways. Such a beautiful voice and a beautiful man taken too soon, sadly. I'm happy to know of ypur friendship and that you worked together. Thank you.
“She Moves, Eyes Follow” is so very special to me. I couldn’t pin down all the words so I wrote a note to Kenny and I was shocked when he sent back a picture with his hand written lyrics. That was shortly before he passed - so fast, so shocking. Thanks for doing this one, I’ll have to pull out Like A Seed vinyl. 😉✌️
Lifted my spirit to see the name “Kenny Rankin” in the caption of this episode... recently been revisiting the vinyl of my youth and those early Kenny Rankin albums are still a joy...what a talent...he took this older listener on a wonderful musical journey.
He was always my favorite vocalist, and thankfully, I was able to see him live three times. I first saw him sing in the 70s on the Dinah Shore show and his voice and the warmth of his guitar was just a gift. Rest in peace, Kenny!
Immensely grateful that you shared Kenny Rankin! There exists only two artists whom, upon listening in my car, forced a pull-over... "Hiding in Myself" was one. (To solve your possible curiosity....Nancy Wilson's "Forbiddin Lover"(title track). Jimmy Johnson, bass. love, Love, LOVE your presentations~~~
Thank you Leland for sharing this wonderful selection. Kenny had a very special voice. It is heartwarming to hear you speak so endearing of him. I just love the music, so smooth and easy. Have a great night and stay safe.🤗
I went to see Kenny around 2005 at a venue I think somewhere near the 10 in LA. Kenny was standing by the door as everyone exited the concert. He and I started talking and he asked me if I would like to meet him in Encino to go have sushi at a place he liked. He walked me to my car and on the way he asked if I would go with him that Sunday to see one of his idols, Gordon Lightfoot who was playing in Calabasas. He picked me up where I lived in Glendale and we went for a nice steak dinner and then to the concert. What a lovely evening. When I got home I had an email from him that said, "Thank you for Gracing my Evening." We went out a number to times then he went on the road and I didn't see him for a long time. Last time I saw him he was playing at a small venue on Beverly Glen. What an amazing singer and a very special man. So sad he passed so early.
I saw Kenny a bunch of times over the 80's and 90's. It was always a wonderful evening. He actually remembered me and stopped to chat after a few of the shows. He is sorely missed but we do have all the superb music to hang on to. Thanks, Lee.
Finding you is an exciting g gift. I was just looking to see if anyone had reacted to Kenny. He is my soul. Just remarkable. I just found do much more with you. Thank you. I've got to share this with my brother.
I discovered Kenny around 1978, my brother had "The Kenny Rankin Album", from 1975, right? I listened to that over and over and fell in love with that voice..Have listened to his other work off and on until now, and was so saddened when he passed, always dreamed off seeing him live...Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for this!!! We love Kenny Rankin and always put "Haven't We Met" in our set. Never got to see him live but used to wake up to "Silver Morning" evey day....
Ever hear a song once or twice and never find out the title or the singer? Most you can do is go to the record shop and hum it to the shop guy? (Which rarely ever worked). So now the song is lost forever? That happened to me on “ Strings” till about a week ago. Unfortunately i spent all those years deprived of this beautiful song but it was well worth the wait!
That song strings was one of about 4 on the. Album for which the lyrics were written by my beloved and best friend About our unusual. love affair/friendship Unusual, because I was in my 20s and he was in his 60s ( A very fit and handsome 60s.) Yes he was chasing young girls and I was looking for my absentee father probably But. Our relationship became about. Two people going through an intense phase of learning in their lives. When we met He had never heard of Kenny Rankin, Who was a favorite singer-songwriter of mine, beginning with that gorgeous song "silver morning". John , Known for driving a lovely old classic yellow truck, With a little poem attached to his rear view mirror that read " A moment of silence for my dead marigold " That was a sentiment I could respect. Our initial meeting was not exactly Promising. The coffee shop where we discovered each other. Was a very popular place for people to congregate and I had made some friends among the men there And John approached our little party of people talking and immediately started cursing and swearing at me and the group in order to stir things up.And because he was baffled that they would actually listen to a young girl. I responded in kind and gave him a taste of his own medicine which was not anticipated But I departed from the encounter with a very low opinion of him. I didn't see him again for about three months because I was living in san francisco and had only been in town. Briefly. When we met. again, I was sitting at the counter late in the evening writing. And not really noticing him. He approached me very carefully and asked with utmost courtesy.If he could please sit next to me and essentially apologize for his previous behavior. And that was when the conversation began. He developed a name for me, " the high priestess", Yes from the tarot, Whose archetypes and gorgeous artwork intrigued me In those days (the 70's). John was living with a lovely girl' young woman who I never met. He was obviously. Very free to live as he chose However in the case of his relationship with me from my side it Was romantic but not sexual And he had enough of that in all the other parts. Of his life that I was not involved in - I was free to pursue any comparable relationship that came my way... But as john says in the song "though I have strings on the lady, the lady has strings on me" Whatever his business was, which had something to do with. The race track, Games of sport for which he placed bets for people, He would call me at least every other day to invite me out for Very good pancakes, Or we would drive up to Mulholland Drive and listen to music ( Bonnie Raitt, Jackson brown, Kenny Rankin - of course. I had the incomparable experience of being totally appreciated by a person whose interest and respect were very important to me at that time in my life And he clearly enjoyed my company very much as well as we laughed and sang and disagreed.And made up new ideas together. Later there's a song "Down the backstairs of my life..." When I was living on a second story apartment in van nuys with the curving staircase that went to the parking lot, And john and I would talk, and embrace until we fell asleep And he would slip out quietly in the wee hours of the morning to return to his home. The song "Regrets", And the exquisite and tender song "to a wild rose" Among John's. Wide array of friends, Was the gentleman named don costa... who produced the album "after the roses". That is how little pictures of my extraordinary association with a very special person became songs by one of my very favorite singer songwriters ever. We did not have forever however What we shared is memorialized, In those beautiful songs , the lyrics of which were certainly co written entirely by my poet, Gentleman, Friend and beloved Johnny C...
Kenny Rankin is way at the top of the all-time great singers list....a singer's singer. Saw him perform in 1979. Love the way you casually dropped Streisand's name in the beginning:) 😎
I remember listening to “Lost up in Lovin You” (and really that whole albumn) SO many times for the phrasing and the just the clear beauty of his voice. Ah, those days :)
I had forgotten how much I liked Kenny and his music. That first song just took me to another place and I was really digging it!!Thanks for bringing us Mr. Rankin today Lee. Have a great day and a pleasant weekend my friend!
I usually think of Robben from a blues perspective, but when I hear him on songs like Keep the Candle Burning, I'm reminded of the times I saw him at Donte's with Larry Carlton and how strong he was in that situation. Sweet!
@@hanspeterlillese2225 I started with his Charles Ford Band album after hearing him with Jimmy Witherspoon back in the mid ‘70’s before seeing him with Larry Carlton at Donte’s. This was before Robben took Larry’s place in the LA Express. I’d been following Larry since the Crusaders and the melding of Crusaders/Witherspoon/Joni/ LA Express just seemed like rivers merging together.
@@hanspeterlillese2225 yeah, the difference between living with it through time and discovering it and going back. Like, I’ll never experience the impact of Coltrane or Miles when they hit the scene and changed things because I grew up with it as an “already existing”. Like growing up as recording went from left and right Chanel’s to 64 tracks and overdubs...in analog! Now - it’s a given.
Thank you for honoring and highlighting a criminally underappreciated artist! Only time I ever saw him on TV was on Bud Friedman's "A Night At The Improv", a standup comedy show and that was probably through his touring with George Carlin. The term 'brilliant' fully applied to Kenny.
I love Kenny Rankin, his voice, his way of singing, his music. A delight to listen to! Although over here (Portugal) he's almost unknown, I managed to get all his discography. Love him. What a shame that he left us so soon...
Hey y'all that's a super band! Some smooth yacht rock. Great voice. The Cuervo Gold, the fine Colombian, make tonight a wonderful thing. Ciao from NOLA.
I loved the textures of Muddy Creek. John Sebastion was sublime. Sometimes, like Rick Roberts "Jenny's Blues" the simplest accompaniment can be the most beautiful.
This brought me back to that time period. It was wonderful and so glad I grew up during a great time in music. I enjoyed the new single and can't wait for you guys to tour❤🙏🎸
You Keep The Candle Burnin' Lee. Thanks for covering the great Kenny Rankin. Little did I realize that I also was listening to your P-bass as I was chillin' to Kenny. I miss Kenny's vocal style. So unique. I'm fortunate that I got to see him live. By the way, it was at the Waikiki Shell. The same venue as JT and his band which featured the awesome bassist Lee Sklar. Thanks so much Lee.
Thank you Leland! I saw Kenny perform at the Blues Alley (Wash DC) right before "Hiding in myself" was released. I remember him doing a beautiful version of Jimmy Webb's beautiful song "She moves and eyes follow" as well other songs from the album. On the album that song is very orchestrated and beautiful but hearing Kenny do it that night with just that wonderful old Guild MK-lV classical guitar and that incredible voice I will never forget! Thank you so much for this lovely tribute to Kenny! ❤️Muddy Creek Road is so great! I love all Kenny's albums but I think "Hiding in myself" is a masterpiece yet relatively unknown..Great playing by all you guys!!
Helene here....I played the album Silver Morning allot back in the day......hadn’t heard these song before....Love it! I always connect Kenny Rankin in my mind with Michael Franks in style....Did you ever play with Franks?
Your sharing the art of making music from a studio musician’s eye is what really makes these daily posts priceless ... The actual bass playing is great but secondary to the first hand knowledge ...Also love the recording studio tours 👍
oh wow, Kenny Rankin . . gorgeous voice. first saw him in May 1973 as the warm up for George Carlin in Hoch Auditorium, Kansas University . . .when George was doing his 7 Dirty Words routine. I especially adore Kenny’s first two albums, Like a Seed and Silver Morning. thanks for sharing this, Lee!
The more I watch and listen the more I believe we were separated at birth. Thank you Lee. Great musicians all and I have always loved Kenny Rankin as well
Don't let those commercials get you upset Lee. They're but a mere minor interuption to a wonderful selection of some damn tasty music by Kenny and all the players performing in these sessions. I am so glad you thought of him today.
Haven't heard this album in quite a while, nice! Hey Lee, I'm pretty sure Kenny died of lung cancer, not liver cancer. Saw him at Jazz Allley in Seattle a few months before he died. There was no inkling whatsoever that he was sick and he performed superbly, so what a shock (for him, too, apparently) when he was diagnosed only 3 weeks prior to passing, according to Wikipedia. Really like what you said about Vinnie, too. My favorite cut on that album is "She Moves, Eyes Follow."
quite an honor for Kenny if Paul McCartney asks you to come do one of his songs - nice. Interesting on what you studio guys are called on to do. Have you cataloged in either a chronological order, or topical of all your experiences? Into one centralized format that is? It would be quite a project.
Walking on a rainy night on the street of NYC heading down to Greenwich Village passing a record shop I heard this heavenly voice on recording floating out it was Kenny Rankin. I stood there hypnotized….I asked the salesman and he said here it is for you. I bought it and became a fan forever. His album tucked under my jacket tight.
Kenny Rankin and his guitar was all my ears needed to be in ecstasy. Definitely the most fluid voice and such beautiful use of ascending and descending bass lines
along with dreamy chords. Lell is incorrect about his illness, it was lung cancer.
I met Oscar Castro Neves who was partially responsible for teaching Kenny about the brazilian jazz chords that added so much to his repertoire.
George Carlin was responsible for Kenny getting back on drugs for a while after a stint at Phoenix House in Ny. Good old George.
Kenny truly unique among vocalists and guitarist as it is rare to have a great voice with great flexibility and nuance but to play such great guitar while you sing
like no other is incredibly rare.
That was Kenny Rankin. Happy I got to see him in the village in the early days when I could sit right up against the stage and ask for songs.
I am totally addicted to Kenny's music. His voice is an amazing original. He just seemed like a kind individual and reminds me of James Taylor a bit, but Kenny is a true original.
"what matters most" would be my song to my wife when I am gone. we met Kenny 3 times, a gentleman each time. years ago we saw him in Manila. A few years later on at a bar I heard a Filipino singing Kenny's song, the only time I liked anyone singing his songs, and I didn't get his name, never saw him again. he was loved in the Philippines, still is. We still listen to Kenny.
Great album, Hiding in Myself. My wife and I saw K. R. at the Great American Music Hall in SF. Our wedding song off the album is ‘Keep the Candle Burning’.
This is how I discovered you, searching Kenny Rankin. Kenny Rankin was/is my favorite. 🎉Saw him a few times in the Bay Area and met him at Yoshi’s. My husband came out of the rest room with him and introduced himself to me, it was pretty funny because I blurted out “you were in the bathroom with Kenny Rankin?” he laughed and talked a few minutes. Lol
Wow what an amazing musician and singer, so nice to listen to the older jazz craftsmanship, just so talented, and such beautiful music to listen and relax. Those wickedly good key changes and harmonies. so cool. Thanks for the vid Lee love listening to your picks.
Lee! Thank you so much for putting this up man! This is Chris Trujillo. This was one of the first albums I ever worked on and for it to be with all of you cats, well forget about it! One of the greatest honors ever! Kenny was such a great giant and he gave me such a huge break along w Jeff Weber in putting me on these tracks! Also first time I got to play w Luke on “Trouble man”, pre-cursor to then playing w in Toto, wished I had done it also when you were fillin in for Mikey. A way enough rambling , thanks again man. Your rock!
I was Kenny's driver on some of his West Coast gigs in the 80's. He truly was a class act behind the scenes too. His speaking voice was a commanding baritone so it always surprised me how smooth and silky his falsetto was. You won't hear many singers who were as accurate as he was. He never slide into a note… he owned it!
Kenny Rankin 😎 he could transport you to heaven instantly 🎶 ❤️
One of my favorite Rankin story was when he thought he would sing a lullaby to his kids. So he relates that as their famous dad was starting to sing, from under the covers he hears, "Dad could you knock it off we are trying to sleep". I always felt there was a connection with the audience and Kenny because of his stories.
I got nostalgic for some real good music and searched the great Kenny Rankin, one of my all time favorites since Silver Morning in High School. What a lovely tribute. I didn’t have this album but what a treat to have the greatest vocalist along with my favorite bassist, and favorite guitarist on this album. I first heard about Robben Ford on a Ford Brothers album in a record store bin about the same time. Of course I was listening to JT and Lee but never imagined they would all meet up and play together. A real Dream Team. ❤
Love Kenny Rankin ❤
Kenny was and is my favorite Jazz vocalist. Thanks for covering him!
Kenny Rankin was truly atmospheric. Thought he was best when he sang ,while playing guitar. Kenny sang ,totaling on the air. Never using his throat. A vocal horn ,like no other .Thanku for this post. I wish u would consider ,being interviewed, by Rick Beato. Robyn Ford ,did an interview with him,and was quite enlightening. Ur Croz work is where I realise what a tonic statement you've been for so long. I played endless live gigs,and spent many hours in the studio. I can relate to a point ,but you've been there,with the finest preformers,and composers of our generation. So very sweet ,powerful with ethereal fluidity. Keep us informed, and never stop..
Mark / Rita.
K. Rankin had that rare "frets on his vocal cords" ability. He used his vibrato like a subtle Leslie speaker. One of the best.
What a cool way of expressing that thought! Never thought of it that way......but you’re right.
That's a great analogy --- frets on his vocal cords --- and so true of Kenny. Saw him many times, mostly Jazz Alley in Seattle until his unexpected passing in June 2009. But not enough times, for sure. If I was rich, I probably would have followed him around the country like a superfan at times.
I first heard Kenny Rankin on the old Mike Douglas show. I was in about the 8th grade. I went out and bought an album of his right away. Loved his version of "Blackbird". Give it a listen, if you haven't heard it.
His cover of Blackbird is wonderful 😊
OMG, I read the back of cereal boxes, too. Kenny Rankin is a gift. Thanks for sharing this episode with us.
Thank you for featuring Kenny Rankin today. I love his compositions, his guitar playing, and especially the purity of his voice. So beautiful!
I love what he did with Steve Wonder's "Creepin'.
Lee, I just found this episode while searching for one of Kenny's videos; what a treat! Kenny has been my hands-down favorite male vocalist for almost 50 years; his album with Don Costa is an extra-sublime treasure. Kenny's impeccable tone, his exquisite phrasing, his wondrous range, and his down-to-the-bone soul, never fail to nourish and fill me with profound joy. When I moved from NYC to LA at the end of '77, three months after my father, guitarist George Barnes, had died, I was hired to run the Little David Records office on Sunset and Doheny, and got to spend a little time with Kenny and George and Flip Wilson, who co-founded the label with jazz producer Monte Kay. Back then, neither he nor I realized that he'd made his first records with my dad--including this one, from 1958: ruclips.net/video/Y5uwndLQrEM/видео.html
Saw Rankin and Gerardo play this together at The Other End in Greenwich Village. Almost lost it when Kenny invited his "friend" (Velez) on stage to play!! :))
Hi Leland. For a long time my all time favorite song was Kenny Rankin's "Hiding Inside Myself". Pleased to learn you did bass on the recording. Seems you are the link between all my favorite music. Thanks for all of it, cheers
Silver Morning - imho one of Kenny's MOST beautiful songs. Thanks for talking about him
I’ve always admired Kenny’s vocal treatment of the standard Haven’t We Met: such a sweet, unforced timbre on the soaring tops of phrases.
I wore the vinyl thin on Silver Morning. He’s been gone so long but this was so very enjoyable...like time stopped. Buttah! Thank you.🤍
Man, just watching you groove to Kenny Rankin is worth the price of admission!
Wow Kenny Rankin, how i loved his work.And i agree his voice was smooth as butter! I always liked his covers, he always did them justice.Back in the day just about when his album SLIVER MORNING came out he was playing in my home town at a restaurant/club and i was so amazed at his voice in concert.He played a few songs before talking to the audience.And then when he spoke i couldn't believe his speaking voice he had a deep baritone voice.His passing was a shock.I never knew how he passed away, until now.Thank you forr this post Leland very much appreciated.Be safe stay safe .Shalom.
I saw Kenny at a small, intimate venue in Arcata, CA in 1981. He was not at all what I expected, red plaid shirt, his guitar and a piano and a low, grumbling speaking voice. But he just filled that little place up. What a great talent.
The first time that I saw Kenny Rankin was on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in the early 70s. He performed the title cut from his album Like a Seed. Even as a very young teenager I who was a total rocker, I was completely captivated.I went to the local record store and pick purchased it. I became a fan and picked up every record that he released since then.
Carson was a HUGE fan and had him on The Tonight Show as often as he could.
Kenny Rankin is so criminally underrated!
One of the greatest singers ever.
In this age of game show contestant singers his kind of taste and restraint is lost.
Voice like "butta" is the perfect description. Thanks Leland. Hi everyone 👋 Have a great day/afternoon/evening/Sunday where ever ya are 🙂
Thanks Linda. Have a great day yourself too. 👋🏼😁
@@Ian-Steele Hi Ian ✌
Morning Linda 🖐 hope you're having / had a great day 😎
Privileged to have heard him 2x live. Just Kenny and his guitar/piano. He was a truly singular talent who was a master at making a song his own vehicle to launch his vocal prowess.
Happy Sunday morning from NZ everyone. 😎
Happy Sunday, Mike! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Thank you for sharing Leland, I would've loved to see you jam with Eye of the Eagle
I love Kenny Rankin. His music was a part of my life from the 70's and onward. An amazing increible voice which he used as a musical instrument in a multitude of ways. Such a beautiful voice and a beautiful man taken too soon, sadly. I'm happy to know of ypur friendship and that you worked together. Thank you.
Thanks Lee for sharing such great music. Kenny certainly was a treasure. I'm glad that you were part of such a wonderful session.
You r mayb the most awesome bassist ever. I've seen Stanley Clarke 7 times. Your with Croz was a revelation.
Loved Kenny’s stuff. There was really no one else like him.🎶
❤️ YES Kenny Rankin, what a special special musical soul
“She Moves, Eyes Follow” is so very special to me. I couldn’t pin down all the words so I wrote a note to Kenny and I was shocked when he sent back a picture with his hand written lyrics. That was shortly before he passed - so fast, so shocking. Thanks for doing this one, I’ll have to pull out Like A Seed vinyl. 😉✌️
Happy to say that I own this recording. Hearing it here really transports me to a kinder time and place. Absolutely gorgeous.
Lifted my spirit to see the name “Kenny Rankin” in the caption of this episode... recently been revisiting the vinyl of my youth and those early Kenny Rankin albums are still a joy...what a talent...he took this older listener on a wonderful musical journey.
He was always my favorite vocalist, and thankfully, I was able to see him live three times. I first saw him sing in the 70s on the Dinah Shore show and his voice and the warmth of his guitar was just a gift. Rest in peace, Kenny!
Immensely grateful that you shared Kenny Rankin! There exists only two artists whom, upon listening in my car, forced a pull-over... "Hiding in Myself" was one. (To solve your possible curiosity....Nancy Wilson's "Forbiddin Lover"(title track). Jimmy Johnson, bass.
love, Love, LOVE your presentations~~~
Haven’t heard Kenny Rankin in years. Always loved his music. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. Loved it.
Kenny’s music....pure love. Thank you for your contribution to the sound Lee. You are one blessed man.
I am a major Kenny Rankin fan. Love “After The Roses.” Leland, you are great. Thanks for gracing the airwaves with your presence!😀
Kenny Rankin and George Carlin SUUUPER GUYS 🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤
Thank you Leland for sharing this wonderful selection. Kenny had a very special voice. It is heartwarming to hear you speak so endearing of him. I just love the music, so smooth and easy.
Have a great night and stay safe.🤗
I went to see Kenny around 2005 at a venue I think somewhere near the 10 in LA. Kenny was standing by the door as everyone exited the concert. He and I started talking and he asked me if I would like to meet him in Encino to go have sushi at a place he liked. He walked me to my car and on the way he asked if I would go with him that Sunday to see one of his idols, Gordon Lightfoot who was playing in Calabasas. He picked me up where I lived in Glendale and we went for a nice steak dinner and then to the concert. What a lovely evening. When I got home I had an email from him that said, "Thank you for Gracing my Evening." We went out a number to times then he went on the road and I didn't see him for a long time. Last time I saw him he was playing at a small venue on Beverly Glen. What an amazing singer and a very special man. So sad he passed so early.
Loved all of his music. Saw him perform at the Blues Alley in D.C. back in the 80’s. What a great musician! Thanks for sharing your memories of him.
I saw Kenny a bunch of times over the 80's and 90's. It was always a wonderful evening. He actually remembered me and stopped to chat after a few of the shows. He is sorely missed but we do have all the superb music to hang on to. Thanks, Lee.
Finding you is an exciting g gift. I was just looking to see if anyone had reacted to Kenny. He is my soul. Just remarkable. I just found do much more with you. Thank you. I've got to share this with my brother.
Kenny's voice was like a clear trumpet! No surprise McCartney would ask him to sing "Blackbird".
I love his version of Blackbird, that was on the Kenny Rankin Album cheers Rik
@@dmlevitt It was on Both. Silver Lining and the later Kenny Rankin Album (maybe for a single release after radio play made it popular.)
@@rikconverse8726 close, it's called Silver Morning. One of my favorite albums.
@@billpeck9489 Lol - I was typing fast...and apparently feeling optimistic! ;-)
One of the best vocalist's ...ever, nothing like it!!!
Lost Up In Loving You is my fav Kenny Rankin song.
Ahhh...Kenny..What a set of chops..Also great guitarist..
He gives me goosebumps EVERYTIME I hear him.
Love Kenny! Heard/saw him three different times. So sad his life and music were cut so short.
I discovered Kenny around 1978, my brother had "The Kenny Rankin Album", from 1975, right? I listened to that over and over and fell in love with that voice..Have listened to his other work off and on until now, and was so saddened when he passed, always dreamed off seeing him live...Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for this!!! We love Kenny Rankin and always put "Haven't We Met" in our set. Never got to see him live but used to wake up to "Silver Morning" evey day....
Amazing line-up, 80.s fusion players at their best! What a pure quality to Kenny's voice, rejuvenating...Thank you Leland!
Thanks for featuring Kenny. One of a kind 🙂
Thanks, Ol'uncle Lee. Yesterday we listened to the ridiculous, today the sublime. Kenny's voice took me back to my twenties.
Love Kenny Rankin all the way back to "Peaceful" but had never heard Valez before - -quite a band! Thanks for sharing these gems!
Ever hear a song once or twice and never find out the title or the singer? Most you can do is go to the record shop and hum it to the shop guy? (Which rarely ever worked). So now the song is lost forever? That happened to me on “ Strings” till about a week ago. Unfortunately i spent all those years deprived of this beautiful song but it was well worth the wait!
That song strings was one of about 4 on the. Album for which the lyrics were written by my beloved and best friend About our unusual.
love affair/friendship
Unusual, because I was in my 20s and he was in his 60s ( A very fit and handsome 60s.) Yes he was chasing young girls and I was looking for my absentee father probably But. Our relationship became about. Two people going through an intense phase of learning in their lives. When we met He had never heard of Kenny Rankin, Who was a favorite singer-songwriter of mine, beginning with that gorgeous song "silver morning". John , Known for driving a lovely old classic yellow truck, With a little poem attached to his rear view mirror that read " A moment of silence for my dead marigold
" That was a sentiment I could respect. Our initial meeting was not exactly Promising. The coffee shop where we discovered each other. Was a very popular place for people to congregate and I had made some friends among the men there And John approached our little party of people talking and immediately started cursing and swearing at me and the group in order to stir things up.And because he was baffled that they would actually listen to a young girl.
I responded in kind and gave him a taste of his own medicine which was not anticipated But I departed from the encounter with a very low opinion of him.
I didn't see him again for about three months because I was living in san francisco and had only been in town.
Briefly. When we met. again, I was sitting at the counter late in the evening writing.
And not really noticing him. He approached me very carefully and asked with utmost courtesy.If he could please sit next to me and essentially apologize for his previous behavior.
And that was when the conversation began.
He developed a name for me, " the high priestess", Yes from the tarot, Whose archetypes and gorgeous artwork intrigued me In those days (the 70's).
John was living with a lovely girl' young woman who I never met. He was obviously. Very free to live as he chose However in the case of his relationship with me from my side it Was romantic but not sexual And he had enough of that in all the other parts.
Of his life that I was not involved in - I was free to pursue any comparable relationship that came my way... But as john says in the song "though I have strings on the lady, the lady has strings on me"
Whatever his business was, which had something to do with. The race track, Games of sport for which he placed bets for people, He would call me at least every other day to invite me out for Very good pancakes, Or we would drive up to Mulholland Drive and listen to music ( Bonnie Raitt, Jackson brown, Kenny Rankin - of
course. I had the incomparable experience of being totally appreciated by a person whose interest and respect were very important to me at that time in my life And he clearly enjoyed my company very much as well as we laughed and sang and disagreed.And made up new ideas together.
Later there's a song "Down the backstairs of my life..." When I was living on a second story apartment in van nuys with the curving staircase that went to the parking lot, And john and I would talk, and embrace until we fell asleep And he would slip out quietly in the wee hours of the morning to return to his home. The song "Regrets", And the exquisite and tender song "to a wild rose"
Among John's. Wide array of friends, Was the gentleman named don costa... who produced the album "after the roses". That is how little pictures of my extraordinary association with a very special person became songs by one of my very favorite singer songwriters ever.
We did not have forever however What we shared is memorialized, In those beautiful songs , the lyrics of which were certainly co written entirely by my poet, Gentleman, Friend and beloved Johnny C...
Kenny Rankin is way at the top of the all-time great singers list....a singer's singer. Saw him perform in 1979. Love the way you casually dropped Streisand's name in the beginning:) 😎
Rankin - a “singer’s singer”. Spot on....what a great comment that is on your part.
If you haven’t watched Lee’s video of Streisand’s Evergreen, and you like Streisand, you might want to check it out.
Hi Lee ....what a wonderful album is Hiding in myself ....a truly gem ...I'm just planining to record a cover of Velez song ....Best Max
I remember listening to “Lost up in Lovin You” (and really that whole albumn) SO many times for the phrasing and the just the clear beauty of his voice. Ah, those days :)
IMO, Kenny is one of the greatest in my lifetime. Thanks for sharing your memories about him Lee.
Lovely music.
I did my first real gig since covid. A great time!!
It must be such a buzz when you're given a chord chart and ask the artist if they want anything in particular and they say "make it yours" .🎶 🎶 😊
More goodies I’ve never heard. The variety is spoiling us. Thanks again and always appreciated 🖕🖕🖕
I had forgotten how much I liked Kenny and his music. That first song just took me to another place and I was really digging it!!Thanks for bringing us Mr. Rankin today Lee. Have a great day and a pleasant weekend my friend!
I usually think of Robben from a blues perspective, but when I hear him on songs like Keep the Candle Burning, I'm reminded of the times I saw him at Donte's with Larry Carlton and how strong he was in that situation. Sweet!
@@hanspeterlillese2225 I started with his Charles Ford Band album after hearing him with Jimmy Witherspoon back in the mid ‘70’s before seeing him with Larry Carlton at Donte’s. This was before Robben took Larry’s place in the LA Express.
I’d been following Larry since the Crusaders and the melding of Crusaders/Witherspoon/Joni/ LA Express just seemed like rivers merging together.
@@hanspeterlillese2225 yeah, the difference between living with it through time and discovering it and going back. Like, I’ll never experience the impact of Coltrane or Miles when they hit the scene and changed things because I grew up with it as an “already existing”.
Like growing up as recording went from left and right Chanel’s to 64 tracks and overdubs...in analog!
Now - it’s a given.
Thank you for honoring and highlighting a criminally underappreciated artist! Only time I ever saw him on TV was on Bud Friedman's "A Night At The Improv", a standup comedy show and that was probably through his touring with George Carlin. The term 'brilliant' fully applied to Kenny.
I’m loving your commentary!
I love Kenny Rankin, his voice, his way of singing, his music. A delight to listen to! Although over here (Portugal) he's almost unknown, I managed to get all his discography. Love him. What a shame that he left us so soon...
Hey y'all that's a super band! Some smooth yacht rock. Great voice. The Cuervo Gold, the fine Colombian, make tonight a wonderful thing. Ciao from NOLA.
HEAVEN!Thanks for the beautiful stories and music.Respect and Love from the Philippines.
I loved the textures of Muddy Creek. John Sebastion was sublime. Sometimes, like Rick Roberts "Jenny's Blues" the simplest accompaniment can be the most beautiful.
Great show today!!!!!!!!
This brought me back to that time period. It was wonderful and so glad I grew up during a great time in music. I enjoyed the new single and can't wait for you guys to tour❤🙏🎸
You Keep The Candle Burnin' Lee. Thanks for covering the great Kenny Rankin. Little did I realize that I also was listening to your P-bass as I was chillin' to Kenny. I miss Kenny's vocal style. So unique. I'm fortunate that I got to see him live. By the way, it was at the Waikiki Shell. The same venue as JT and his band which featured the awesome bassist Lee Sklar. Thanks so much Lee.
Thank you Leland! I saw Kenny perform at the Blues Alley (Wash DC) right before "Hiding in myself" was released. I remember him doing a beautiful version of Jimmy Webb's beautiful song "She moves and eyes follow" as well other songs from the album. On the album that song is very orchestrated and beautiful but hearing Kenny do it that night with just that wonderful old Guild MK-lV classical guitar and that incredible voice I will never forget! Thank you so much for this lovely tribute to Kenny! ❤️Muddy Creek Road is so great! I love all Kenny's albums but I think "Hiding in myself" is a masterpiece yet relatively unknown..Great playing by all you guys!!
My favorite Kenny Rankin album is "Silver Morning". what a voice, it is like butter! then an ad for Ronco. thanks for this post Lee.
This guy is Goooood!! So sad we lost him... Thank you and take care!
Helene here....I played the album Silver Morning allot back in the day......hadn’t heard these song before....Love it! I always connect Kenny Rankin in my mind with Michael Franks in style....Did you ever play with Franks?
Your sharing the art of making music from a studio musician’s eye is what really makes these daily posts priceless ... The actual bass playing is great but secondary to the first hand knowledge ...Also love the recording studio tours 👍
Kenny!!❤️🎤🎸❤️!!🙏
oh wow, Kenny Rankin . . gorgeous voice. first saw him in May 1973 as the warm up for George Carlin in Hoch Auditorium, Kansas University . . .when George was doing his 7 Dirty Words routine. I especially adore Kenny’s first two albums, Like a Seed and Silver Morning. thanks for sharing this, Lee!
Leland, my favorite musician of all time, Kenny Rankin! His jazz takes on songs, wow!! That’s a rare album, not sure it’s still in print.
The more I watch and listen the more I believe we were separated at birth. Thank you Lee. Great musicians all and I have always loved Kenny Rankin as well
Growing up my next door neighbor was Robert Bentley. An animator of renown.
@@lelandsklar6363 I forgot to mention I was a Fender Precision player for nearly sixty years. Always loved your playing.
Don't let those commercials get you upset Lee. They're but a mere minor interuption to a wonderful selection of some damn tasty music by Kenny and all the players performing in these sessions. I am so glad you thought of him today.
Download adblocker. It works and is free - A great show with Kenny Ranking. Thanks -
Haven't heard this album in quite a while, nice! Hey Lee, I'm pretty sure Kenny died of lung cancer, not liver cancer. Saw him at Jazz Allley in Seattle a few months before he died. There was no inkling whatsoever that he was sick and he performed superbly, so what a shock (for him, too, apparently) when he was diagnosed only 3 weeks prior to passing, according to Wikipedia. Really like what you said about Vinnie, too. My favorite cut on that album is "She Moves, Eyes Follow."
quite an honor for Kenny if Paul McCartney asks you to come do one of his songs - nice. Interesting on what you studio guys are called on to do. Have you cataloged in either a chronological order, or topical of all your experiences? Into one centralized format that is? It would be quite a project.
He was the opener for some artist I can’t remember in 1988 in Minneapolis. I bought the Hiding inside Myself tape right there. Fan for life.
I miss Kenny a lot still. He was one of the coolest guys I knew in LA.
Such an amazing talent.