TABLE OF CONTENTS 00:00 Intro 03:17 Lee’s Work with The Brothers Johnson 08:44 Lee’s Strings of Choice 10:13 Revisiting “Strawberry Letter 23” 11:51 The Gear Lee Used for The Brothers Johnson Session 16:03 Lee’s Guitar Work on “Deacon Blues” by Steely Dan 19:07 Sweetwater Gear Exchange 20:09 Revisiting “Deacon Blues” 22:30 Lee’s work with the Beegees 26:39 Lee’s NEW record: Brasil 27:21 Revisiting “Saturday Night Fever 29:31 Lee’s First Hit Song 30:44 Lee Recording the “Give Me The Night” Solo 41:58 The Vertex Effects Ultraphonix Overdrive 43:09 Revisiting “Give Me The Night” 46:01 Lee’s work with Pink Floyd 52:17 Revisiting “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2 56:34 Revisiting “Comfortably Numb” 58:52 Strange Story from a Barbara Streisand Session 01:03:31 Lee’s Work with Barry White 01:08:03 Lee’s work with the Pointer Sisters 01:10:55 Revisiting “I’m So Excited” 01:13:00 The Gear Lee used During his Session Career 01:26:43 How Lee Ritenour Saved Steve Lukather’s Career 01:32:26 How Lee’s New Album “Brasil” Came to Be 01:36:13 Thanks for Watching!
You were geeking out Mason. 😁 I can't say I blame you, I would've been doing the same. Truly my guitar hero, but even I didn't have a clue just how present he was in my life of music. He was e-ver-y-where. Great interview!
Incredible interview! When I saw it was over an hour long I figured I would watch for 20-30 min. You did a great job with your prep work. I think Lee was having fun as well. I can’t tell you how enjoyable that Hour and a half was! Thank you! 😊
These interviews are absolutely legendary. The amount of preparation and attention to detail from Mason and the team is second to none. Brilliant work!
Lee Ritenour was The Man. My uncle had all the albums from the Jazz Fusion guys back in the 1970's, and he would let us listen to them all. That was where we started following them all, from their session work thru their guest-starring on each other's albums. There was a radio station in Berkeley, CA, named KRE-FM (when FM radio first started) that was a Jazz Fusion station where we would hear all this wonderful music. Lyrics weren't needed; those musicians could make their instruments tell stories. I saw Lee Ritenour live when he opened for Al Jarreau on the heels of both their best-selling albums: "Rit" and "Breaking Away"... ...it was at UC Berkeley's Greek Theater outdoor amphitheatre. I just want to say: on that starry night, halfway thru his opening set, Lee Ritenour had his band leave the stage to where it was only him under a single spotlight... ...and for the next 10 minutes Lee Ritenour went on to play **THE MOST AWESOME GUITAR SOLO EVER** And I mean that sincerely. The heavens opened up as he played it. People in the audience didn't even clap throughout because we were all just mesmerized. To the owner of this channel: please let Mr. Ritenour know that his guitar solo that night is a memory that I have treasured for 40 years. 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 Thank you for this interview. The "jazz guys" were everywhere, and we our lives are better because of it.
The best compliment I can think of for Lee Ritenour is that he is the type of human we should aspire to, not because he is a music legend or a successful individual but because his humanity and humility, God bless your soul Lee and thanks for the joy you have brought to the world .
Lee was one of the best known jazz-fusion guitar players in the 70's and 80's, and has maintained popularity to this day. He has headlined many jazz festivals all over the world, and is very popular in Asia like Japan, Korea and Indonesia. If you are comparing him with rock/pop stars like Eddie Van Halen or Clapton, of course he is less known, but that's a wrong comparison.
The great Captain Fingers! Lee can't stop noodling, even when he's not paying attention. And even then, he's playing better than us all. A true master! 🔥🙏🏻🔥🙏🏻🔥
Mason, I like the way you conduct your interviews in a professional and profound way. In your interviews, the guest gets to speak (which is not the case everywhere). What's so nice about the Internet is that I learn so much personal information in the videos from musicians whose LPs I listened to 40 and 50 years ago. Lee is definitely one of them. Big thanks to everyone who makes these videos possible. It's a cultural and historical legacy.
Lee's exposure as a teen moving to Brazil and learning that impeccable rhythm from Samba music and musicians from other countries has molded him into one of the greatest session and solo artists of all time. He is a national treasure.
As a young man, we all knew Lee Ritenour played that famous run on Strawberry Letter 23! Thanks, Lee! Great job documenting the "greatness" and contribution of these musicians. Never knew he played with Pink Floyd. A great gem.
This gent is a great interviewer. Down to earth, relates to Lee, talks enough to get the conversation flowing and then when Lee starts to talk, he quickly shifts to listening. Great interview
Guys, these stories are just so great. I hope people in many years still listen to them and get a glimpse of how these great records were done. Thank you so much for sharing all this.
Excellent interview. Just a note. The Bee Gees were born in the Isle of Man (UK) They lived in Chorlton. Manchester UK. Before moving to Australia. Great channel guys 😎
I really want to appreciate the editing here! It's so great when you (editor) put in photos of the things, they are talking about! It brings it so much more to life, if you have am image of the things from the conversation! Thanks!
Lee and I were with Duke Miller at the same time in the early sixties. Duke was an excellent teacher but it was different in those days and Duke demanded that students be able to read music. I stuck with it and he put me in a trio and got us our first gig at the Hollywood Teenage Fair in 1965. I'm not sure if Lee was in the trio 'cause my memory is kind of fuzzy. By the time Valley Arts started I was already studying with Ted Greene at Ernie Ball guitars in Tarzana. I have to hand it to my mother for finding the two best guitar teachers in the L.A. area for me: Duke Miller and Ted Greene. Guitar and music has been a life long journey and I'm still on that bus.
Great interview, I could do without the commercial though, but I guess it's part of the deal. I like that video because even if I know that Lee did it all as studio session player, I know him more because his amazing solo career, so it's great to revisit his life as session player. PS : as drummer I had the huge honour to work/tour with Lee, a real dream that to became reality.
Roger, that's the cost of doing business and producing these things. Because we're using the original music, we don't have any other way to recoup the thousands of dollars in expenses to fly to LA, hire a crew, and edit the video without the help of sponsors. I try to keep it appropriate to either gear that the player being interviewed uses, or that we manufacture ourselves. It could be worse, if money were the only objective in a sponsorship selection, you'd be hearing ads for erectile disfunction and online therapy.
I didn’t mind the commercial parts at all since they are woven in in a natural way and as an extension of what came up during the interview. More of an updated elaboration than hard selling. The YT adds normally p..ss me off but this is done tastefully. Excellent interviewing style that comes from deep knowledge and great passion. Well done!
Thank you for interviewing Lee, I’ve been enjoying his playing and reading every article I could find on him since I started playing back in 1976. He is an amazing musician!
This was such a pleasure to listen to a master. I have been following Mr Ritenour for decades. He is my age... But I had no idea he was such a humble soul. What a genius. Oh pity there was no talk on the synth period... He was ahead of his time. THANK YOU for this interview.
MUCH more interesting than I thought it would be. Not because Ritenour isn’t interesting enough as a player or solo artist, but a great storyteller, and of course the interviewer prep and vibe. Really great. Unexpectedly great. Thank you.
Mason, thank you so much for these interviews! I was able to meet Lee in the 80s when I was just 19, but he took the time to speak with me after a concert and answer my questions before hopping in the van and taking off. I’ve never forgotten that. Wonderful person. Thank you again, Mason, for all your work in putting these together!
Love hearing stories from session players. Theres always so much focus on the star players, but these guys (and girls) are super league level. Great interview 🙏🏼💜✨
Amazing! Loved hearing Lee's stories. I too had the privilege of studying with Duke Miller (way after Lee). He was an incredibly kind man. An amazing guitar teacher. Thanks!
Thanks for doing this great interview. It was amazing. I never realized Lee was such a big session player in his time. I only knew him from his solo albums. Great stuff! And yes, 3 days of the Condor was one of those films I used to watch all the time as a kid. Now I need to revisit it to hear Lee's great playing on it.
Greetings and Love from Norway I am a huge fan of RIT and had the utmost pleasure to "grow up" with him as the same age. Also been to several concerts. This interview was like a travel back in time and I cannot thank you enough but I will try. Thank you thank you thank you -
Just a amazing interview and discussion on all this amazing work Lee did I knew he did amazing session work.. Bee Gees work I didn't know. His work with Four play is masterpiece and all his Solo albums
Thank you for this interview! I discovered Lee Ritenour records when I was about 13 and was living in a small city in the middle of nowhere in Italy, and I keep playing and listening to his music now that I am 48! Such a knowledgeable guy and a great guitarist. Loved to hear him talking about his sessions. Grazie
I hope this content lives for the rest of time because it’s very important for people of the future to understand how an “anonymous” player could shape and contribute to so much crucial and influential music. Amazing interview; amazing musician!
Hey brother,,,,am 65 yr old bass player & I gotta say your guitar interviews are FANTASTIC,,, thank you & keep it up,,,,PS =please throw in some Bass Guys 🎸🤠 from Arkansas.
Thank you!! I so appreciate getting a chance hear about Lee's times. He's done SO much toward my musical enjoyment over time. And he's a great interview!
Lee you are such an important part of my life i as have almost every one of your solo albums and every four play album you played on. This was so incredible to learn that was you in Strawberry Letter 23. This is such weird timing finding this out the same week Quincy Jones passed away.. Thank so much for all of the great memories caused by your incredible guitar playing.
Such an awesome interview man. I love the way you chase down the information regarding Leigh‘s input into other successful artists’ solos. You never left a stone unturned- hats off to you bro.
Thank you, thank you! I'm not a guitar player but I'm a connoisseur of all styles especially the great guitars of my childhood in the 70's. I knew who Lee was & I've always loved his stuff especially his solo stuff from the late 80's. I'll keep watchin'!
Mason, I waited… and I was not disappointed. 🙂 You have a real gift for these types of interviews. Thank you so much! I’m 62 so these guys are a huge part of my soundtrack. In ‘81 there were 6 of us young guitarists taking private lessons with Jon Herington in college and all we talked about was Rit, Larry, Luke, Dann, Dean, Jay… you get the idea. Keep up the great work!
Have been listening to Ritenour since the early 80s but never thought of him as one of the real studio cats back in the days until now when I have listen to interviews with Jay, Lukather etc.. He really must be one of the most recorded guitarists ever. Amazing stories and what a great guy he is 😍.
The stuff I've wanted to hear for years!! What a talent. Only a small hand full of guys got to experience what these cats did!! LEGENDARY Cat here!!!!!
You all are really doing the lord's work. These legendary stories may otherwise be lost to history and so many legends of the last 100 years of music have already moved on. So lucky to be able to listen to the "tales from the tour bus".
I remember hearing a Steelly Dan interview they had alot of guitarist on Peg i have the cd i enjoyed looking at the credits my uncle played there music on vinyl in the late 70s i was hooked good stuff 🎸👍
I never knew how much a part of my life, from the 70s until now, Lee has been.. Quite the revelation, I didn't know any of these things you are covering in these videos.. Thanks for the hard work and great presentation! This is some of the finest material on RUclips...
Another epic interview, Mason. These artists were on all the vinyl I was buying back then. Your videos will last the test of time as so many of these greats won't be with us forever. Please, please, PLEASE, interview George Benson whilst he is still with us.
Saw Pat Martino and Lee play together in Tokyo just before Pat passed away. I never knew about Lee’s past as a session player, thankyou for the new insight and the interview.
Great interview. I knew Lee was a Jazz artist because I saw him with Fourplay back in the early 90’s. But I didn’t realize he had done sessions or Pop/Rock music until much later on. I actually discovered that when I saw his name as the co-writer of Olivia Newton-John’s sultry hit “Tied Up”. He even did his own version of it in 1982 and it’s also great. Anyway he’s an amazing guitarist with an incredible resume and he also seems like a really nice guy as well.
A very revealing interview with a living session guitar LEGEND and an incredible musician!!! Not to put down George Johnson, who was also a very good bassist, but I should have known that Lee played that intricate solo on Strawberry Letter 23! Great composition by Shoogie Otis! Aja is my favorite Steely Dan recording and one of my all-time top 10 regardless of the genre!
What a great interview. Thought I would pick and choose parts to watch but ended up watching the whole thing. Enjoyed every minute of it. Hearing all the stories about working with the other artists makes one realize how challenging it can be but also cherish the experiences. We saw Lee with Dave Grusin at Yoshi's in Oakland (CA) maybe about 7 years ago. First time to see the two greats playing together. Big thanks for all the interviews you share with us.
Man thanks for this. This was fantastic, and the whole interview I was thinking bout that Luke story in my mind, and the fact that you ended with that was the cherry on top!
Kudos Mason!! I got to see Rit with DG back in the 80s and it stands as one of my top 50 shows to date in the jazz catagory. Nice job, you did your homework!!
Dude, I love your professionalism and interviewing skills. I’m one of those guys who likes to geek out about the story of who played what parts on popular songs. It’s absolutely fascinating to hear these unbelievable musicians talk about the details. Thx for bringing it to people like me. I look forward to the next video.
![Chris Langan - The Interview THEY Didn't Want You To See - CTMU [Full Version; Timestamps]](/img/1.gif)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
00:00 Intro
03:17 Lee’s Work with The Brothers Johnson
08:44 Lee’s Strings of Choice
10:13 Revisiting “Strawberry Letter 23”
11:51 The Gear Lee Used for The Brothers Johnson Session
16:03 Lee’s Guitar Work on “Deacon Blues” by Steely Dan
19:07 Sweetwater Gear Exchange
20:09 Revisiting “Deacon Blues”
22:30 Lee’s work with the Beegees
26:39 Lee’s NEW record: Brasil
27:21 Revisiting “Saturday Night Fever
29:31 Lee’s First Hit Song
30:44 Lee Recording the “Give Me The Night” Solo
41:58 The Vertex Effects Ultraphonix Overdrive
43:09 Revisiting “Give Me The Night”
46:01 Lee’s work with Pink Floyd
52:17 Revisiting “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2
56:34 Revisiting “Comfortably Numb”
58:52 Strange Story from a Barbara Streisand Session
01:03:31 Lee’s Work with Barry White
01:08:03 Lee’s work with the Pointer Sisters
01:10:55 Revisiting “I’m So Excited”
01:13:00 The Gear Lee used During his Session Career
01:26:43 How Lee Ritenour Saved Steve Lukather’s Career
01:32:26 How Lee’s New Album “Brasil” Came to Be
01:36:13 Thanks for Watching!
Mason, you should've asked him if he's coming back to join FourPlay once more.
You were geeking out Mason. 😁 I can't say I blame you, I would've been doing the same. Truly my guitar hero, but even I didn't have a clue just how present he was in my life of music. He was e-ver-y-where.
Great interview!
Incredible interview! When I saw it was over an hour long I figured I would watch for 20-30 min. You did a great job with your prep work. I think Lee was having fun as well. I can’t tell you how enjoyable that Hour and a half was! Thank you! 😊
@@nuthinbutlove thanks for watching!
Captain Countdown is one of my favorites.🕺🏾💃🏾🕺🏾 🎶
These interviews are absolutely legendary. The amount of preparation and attention to detail from Mason and the team is second to none. Brilliant work!
Wow, thanks so much Ben! It's a labor of love for sure! I'm so glad you appreciate it!
Just discovered with these interviews
So good 👍🏽👍🏽
Lee Ritenour was The Man.
My uncle had all the albums from the Jazz Fusion guys back in the 1970's, and he would let us listen to them all. That was where we started following them all, from their session work thru their guest-starring on each other's albums.
There was a radio station in Berkeley, CA, named KRE-FM (when FM radio first started) that was a Jazz Fusion station where we would hear all this wonderful music. Lyrics weren't needed; those musicians could make their instruments tell stories.
I saw Lee Ritenour live when he opened for Al Jarreau on the heels of both their best-selling albums: "Rit" and "Breaking Away"...
...it was at UC Berkeley's Greek Theater outdoor amphitheatre.
I just want to say: on that starry night, halfway thru his opening set, Lee Ritenour had his band leave the stage to where it was only him under a single spotlight...
...and for the next 10 minutes Lee Ritenour went on to play **THE MOST AWESOME GUITAR SOLO EVER**
And I mean that sincerely. The heavens opened up as he played it. People in the audience didn't even clap throughout because we were all just mesmerized.
To the owner of this channel: please let Mr. Ritenour know that his guitar solo that night is a memory that I have treasured for 40 years. 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿
Thank you for this interview. The "jazz guys" were everywhere, and we our lives are better because of it.
The best compliment I can think of for Lee Ritenour is that he is the type of human we should aspire to, not because he is a music legend or a successful individual but because his humanity and humility, God bless your soul Lee and thanks for the joy you have brought to the world .
Well said!
This man is one of the most respected but least known guitarist of this age IMO ❤ He is clearly a musician’s musician ~
❤ thanks for watching!
I don't know about least known.
Lee was one of the best known jazz-fusion guitar players in the 70's and 80's, and has maintained popularity to this day. He has headlined many jazz festivals all over the world, and is very popular in Asia like Japan, Korea and Indonesia.
If you are comparing him with rock/pop stars like Eddie Van Halen or Clapton, of course he is less known, but that's a wrong comparison.
@@user-dz3ie5me2t exactly
He is well known by guitarist, especially people following jazz…
Outside of those circles, he hasn’t been given enough credit IMO.
The great Captain Fingers! Lee can't stop noodling, even when he's not paying attention. And even then, he's playing better than us all. A true master! 🔥🙏🏻🔥🙏🏻🔥
Absolutely. The guitar player's guitarist.
Mason, I like the way you conduct your interviews in a professional and profound way. In your interviews, the guest gets to speak (which is not the case everywhere).
What's so nice about the Internet is that I learn so much personal information in the videos from musicians whose LPs I listened to 40 and 50 years ago. Lee is definitely one of them. Big thanks to everyone who makes these videos possible. It's a cultural and historical legacy.
Glad you enjoy it!
Lee's exposure as a teen moving to Brazil and learning that impeccable rhythm from Samba music and musicians from other countries has molded him
into one of the greatest session and solo artists of all time.
He is a national treasure.
That's a great comment😊
Lee Ritenour is not only a great guitarist; he's a very fine human being.
exactly
❤️ Thanks for watching!
As a young man, we all knew Lee Ritenour played that famous run on Strawberry Letter 23! Thanks, Lee! Great job documenting the "greatness" and contribution of these musicians. Never knew he played with Pink Floyd. A great gem.
Shuggie Otis played all instruments, including that lead part on original version of Strawberry Letter 23
This gent is a great interviewer. Down to earth, relates to Lee, talks enough to get the conversation flowing and then when Lee starts to talk, he quickly shifts to listening. Great interview
Lee is my guy!!! Lee and my uncle Wah Wah Watson played on a lot records together!!! RIP!!!!
Lee is a total class act. Great interview. Thanks 👏🏾👏🏾
❤ thanks for watching!
As a fellow guitarist I’ve always had great respect for Lee’s great talent. Nice guy too.
Couldn't agree more!
Pure gold this interview!!!!!
❤️ Thanks for watching!
Lee “ Mighty Mouse ” Ritenour. Here I am to save the day! Pulling it off one after another. Love you, man
Guys, these stories are just so great. I hope people in many years still listen to them and get a glimpse of how these great records were done. Thank you so much for sharing all this.
God, I love this channel. Very rare that these kinds of interviews are done so well. Excellent guest choices too. Can't wait for more!
Glad you like them!
Excellent interview.
Just a note.
The Bee Gees were born in the Isle of Man (UK)
They lived in Chorlton. Manchester UK. Before moving to Australia.
Great channel guys 😎
Thanks for that!
I really want to appreciate the editing here! It's so great when you (editor) put in photos of the things, they are talking about! It brings it so much more to life, if you have am image of the things from the conversation! Thanks!
Thank you so much!!
Lee and I were with Duke Miller at the same time in the early sixties. Duke was an excellent teacher but it was different in those days and Duke demanded that students be able to read music. I stuck with it and he put me in a trio and got us our first gig at the Hollywood Teenage Fair in 1965. I'm not sure if Lee was in the trio 'cause my memory is kind of fuzzy. By the time Valley Arts started I was already studying with Ted Greene at Ernie Ball guitars in Tarzana. I have to hand it to my mother for finding the two best guitar teachers in the L.A. area for me: Duke Miller and Ted Greene. Guitar and music has been a life long journey and I'm still on that bus.
❤ thanks for watching and sharing this story!
I saw Djvan in LA in the late 80's and Lee Ritenour came on and played with him; great stuff!.
Great interview, I could do without the commercial though, but I guess it's part of the deal.
I like that video because even if I know that Lee did it all as studio session player, I know him more because his amazing solo career, so it's great to revisit his life as session player.
PS : as drummer I had the huge honour to work/tour with Lee, a real dream that to became reality.
Roger, that's the cost of doing business and producing these things. Because we're using the original music, we don't have any other way to recoup the thousands of dollars in expenses to fly to LA, hire a crew, and edit the video without the help of sponsors. I try to keep it appropriate to either gear that the player being interviewed uses, or that we manufacture ourselves. It could be worse, if money were the only objective in a sponsorship selection, you'd be hearing ads for erectile disfunction and online therapy.
I didn’t mind the commercial parts at all since they are woven in in a natural way and as an extension of what came up during the interview. More of an updated elaboration than hard selling. The YT adds normally p..ss me off but this is done tastefully. Excellent interviewing style that comes from deep knowledge and great passion. Well done!
@@VertexEffectsInc Yeah don't get me wrong, I totally understand the economic system of the whole stuff, great video nonetheless.
Thank you for interviewing Lee, I’ve been enjoying his playing and reading every article I could find on him since I started playing back in 1976. He is an amazing musician!
What a wonderful and interesting interview. It's one of the best I've ever seen... thank you for the inspiration.
Wow, thank you!
This interview is pure gold man, Lee the master of the good groove in session. Thanks for sharing Bro!
Glad you enjoyed it!
This was such a pleasure to listen to a master. I have been following Mr Ritenour for decades. He is my age... But I had no idea he was such a humble soul. What a genius. Oh pity there was no talk on the synth period... He was ahead of his time. THANK YOU for this interview.
MUCH more interesting than I thought it would be. Not because Ritenour isn’t interesting enough as a player or solo artist, but a great storyteller, and of course the interviewer prep and vibe.
Really great. Unexpectedly great. Thank you.
❤️ Thanks for watching!
Lee has been my favorite jazz guitarist for many years. This interview was fantastic, Mason. Thank you!
Mason, thank you so much for these interviews! I was able to meet Lee in the 80s when I was just 19, but he took the time to speak with me after a concert and answer my questions before hopping in the van and taking off. I’ve never forgotten that. Wonderful person. Thank you again, Mason, for all your work in putting these together!
My pleasure!
Legendary Lee! Still listen to instrumental cd’s (Larry and Lee instrumental) through audiophile headphones. Thanks for awesome playing Lee!
Love hearing stories from session players. Theres always so much focus on the star players, but these guys (and girls) are super league level.
Great interview 🙏🏼💜✨
❤️ Thanks for watching!
Amazing! Loved hearing Lee's stories. I too had the privilege of studying with Duke Miller (way after Lee). He was an incredibly kind man. An amazing guitar teacher. Thanks!
❤ thanks for watching!
Thanks for doing this great interview. It was amazing. I never realized Lee was such a big session player in his time. I only knew him from his solo albums. Great stuff! And yes, 3 days of the Condor was one of those films I used to watch all the time as a kid. Now I need to revisit it to hear Lee's great playing on it.
Lee what a amazing player ,listened to all his work through the years
❤ thanks for watching!
Seeing Lee live back n day one the millions of highlights of my life
❤ thanks for watching!
Greetings and Love from Norway I am a huge fan of RIT and had the utmost pleasure to "grow up" with him as the same age. Also been to several concerts. This interview was like a travel back in time and I cannot thank you enough but I will try. Thank you thank you thank you -
Been a Lee Ritenour fan for decades. This guy is an absolute beast.
One of the best to ever do it!
Just a amazing interview and discussion on all this amazing work Lee did
I knew he did amazing session work..
Bee Gees work I didn't know.
His work with Four play is masterpiece and all his Solo albums
❤ thanks for watching!
Thank you for this interview! I discovered Lee Ritenour records when I was about 13 and was living in a small city in the middle of nowhere in Italy, and I keep playing and listening to his music now that I am 48! Such a knowledgeable guy and a great guitarist. Loved to hear him talking about his sessions. Grazie
The best guitar interviews on YT. Didn’t know Lee before but what a modest musician and inspirational player.
❤️ Thanks for watching! Be sure to check out our other interviews with Session Guitar greats like Lee!
I hope this content lives for the rest of time because it’s very important for people of the future to understand how an “anonymous” player could shape and contribute to so much crucial and influential music. Amazing interview; amazing musician!
Thank you Mason for this lovely interview. Lee Ritenour has been there, seen it and done it. What a humble and great humoured guy! More please!
Hey brother,,,,am 65 yr old bass player & I gotta say your guitar interviews are FANTASTIC,,, thank you & keep it up,,,,PS =please throw in some Bass Guys 🎸🤠 from Arkansas.
❤ thanks for watching! Freddie Washington next week!
Finest you are Mr Lee Ritenour… in Spirit and that Embracing Music within .. Thank you Sir ☺️🙏🏽❤️
❤️ Thanks for watching!
I've been a Rit fan since the 80s, seen him live, and listened and listened, still do. No 1 guitarist forever!! Thank you so much!
❤️ Thanks for watching!
Amazing interview- thank you both!!! Lee is amazing- Earth Run changed my life.
❤ thanks for watching!
Lee has one of the most impressive musical resumes ever. Gotta love that wonderful smile, too!
Thank you!! I so appreciate getting a chance hear about Lee's times. He's done SO much toward my musical enjoyment over time. And he's a great interview!
Wow!! Lee Ritenour was a major influence on my playing. Excellent episode!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Lee you are such an important part of my life i as have almost every one of your solo albums and every four play album you played on. This was so incredible to learn that was you in Strawberry Letter 23. This is such weird timing finding this out the same week Quincy Jones passed away.. Thank so much for all of the great memories caused by your incredible guitar playing.
Great stuff! Rit is pure class. Looking forward to checking out the new album.
Rock on!
Big respect for Lee. So humble and positive and just good words for his colleagues.
❤️ Thanks for watching!
Such an awesome interview man. I love the way you chase down the information regarding Leigh‘s input into other successful artists’ solos. You never left a stone unturned- hats off to you bro.
Lee should be plugged in playing along live. Great interview Mason!👍
Not up to me unfortunately but glad you enjoyed the video nonetheless!
Thank you, thank you! I'm not a guitar player but I'm a connoisseur of all styles especially the great guitars of my childhood in the 70's. I knew who Lee was & I've always loved his stuff especially his solo stuff from the late 80's. I'll keep watchin'!
Mason, I waited… and I was not disappointed. 🙂 You have a real gift for these types of interviews. Thank you so much! I’m 62 so these guys are a huge part of my soundtrack. In ‘81 there were 6 of us young guitarists taking private lessons with Jon Herington in college and all we talked about was Rit, Larry, Luke, Dann, Dean, Jay… you get the idea. Keep up the great work!
Very cool. I enjoy Jon's content on Truefire. I haven't gotten to see him play with Stelly Dan yet but hopefully I can at some point.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Have been listening to Ritenour since the early 80s but never thought of him as one of the real studio cats back in the days until now when I have listen to interviews with Jay, Lukather etc.. He really must be one of the most recorded guitarists ever. Amazing stories and what a great guy he is 😍.
Check out Michael Thompson… he s got to be one of top 5 recorded guitarists
❤️ Thanks for watching!
The stuff I've wanted to hear for years!! What a talent. Only a small hand full of guys got to experience what these cats did!! LEGENDARY Cat here!!!!!
Thanks for watching!
I am amazed by the history behind Lee Ritenour. Loved this video.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this!!!!! I adore Lee and I was fan-girling the whole time!!!
Thank you for this treasure❤❤❤❤❤
True session player - cant stop playing during the interview
I like Strawberry letter 23 a lot and could never imagine that Lee Ritenour played that part. Another great story!
You all are really doing the lord's work. These legendary stories may otherwise be lost to history and so many legends of the last 100 years of music have already moved on. So lucky to be able to listen to the "tales from the tour bus".
Thanks for watching!
What a Great interview .. Loved it !!
Awesome awesome interview!!! You gotta love how Lee really liked being interviewed about his session years and his old rigs... just love it!!
Glad you enjoyed it
Best episode ever. I will probably rewatch this 100+ times. Named my son Robben in honor of my favorite guitarist.
🙏🙏🙏
Fantastic interview!
❤ thanks for watching!
Really great interviews on this channel.
Brilliant! Thank you gents for this very enjoyable watch! 😊
Lee and Dave Gruisin will be at the New Morning in Paris on Saturday July 13th. I'll be there 😀
❤️ Thanks for watching! Have fun at the show!
Great stuff. Love the Sadowsky. Nice instrument. Thanks Mason. I shared your Dann Huff one with my niece who is just coming up playing in high school.
Awesome! Thank you!
I remember hearing a Steelly Dan interview they had alot of guitarist on Peg i have the cd i enjoyed looking at the credits my uncle played there music on vinyl in the late 70s i was hooked good stuff 🎸👍
Rock on!
I never knew how much a part of my life, from the 70s until now, Lee has been.. Quite the revelation, I didn't know any of these things you are covering in these videos.. Thanks for the hard work and great presentation! This is some of the finest material on RUclips...
This interview is legendary and fantastic! Thank you for interviewing him! ❤🙂
❤️ Thanks for watching!
I grew up on his 1979 Rio Album.
He is a very talented and prolific musician. Thank you for sharing,
Another great interview with these studio legends. What a nice cool guy Lee is. Well done!
❤️ Thanks for watching!
I just love the way he starts playing he's guitar whilst talking through the interview even though it's not not plugged in, a true musician ❤
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Another epic interview, Mason. These artists were on all the vinyl I was buying back then. Your videos will last the test of time as so many of these greats won't be with us forever. Please, please, PLEASE, interview George Benson whilst he is still with us.
Thank you and Lee so much for this great interview! Cheers from Rio! 🎵🥁
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great guitar player and innovating too since the 70's, when I listened to for the first time in records of course.
❤️ Thanks for watching!
Saw Pat Martino and Lee play together in Tokyo just before Pat passed away. I never knew about Lee’s past as a session player, thankyou for the new insight and the interview.
❤️ Thanks for watching!
So glad I caught him live with Dave Grusin in London UK a few years ago. And it was sold out! Goes to show the respect he greatly deserves.
So glad to have discovered LR. His contribution to pop and jazz is legendary. ❤
❤️ Thanks for watching!
Great interview. I knew Lee was a Jazz artist because I saw him with Fourplay back in the early 90’s. But I didn’t realize he had done sessions or Pop/Rock music until much later on. I actually discovered that when I saw his name as the co-writer of Olivia Newton-John’s sultry hit “Tied Up”. He even did his own version of it in 1982 and it’s also great.
Anyway he’s an amazing guitarist with an incredible resume and he also seems like a really nice guy as well.
Great interview! Lee is amazing, what a career and what a talent. Thanks for doing this, keep 'em coming please.
More to come!
A very revealing interview with a living session guitar LEGEND and an incredible musician!!! Not to put down George Johnson, who was also a very good bassist, but I should have known that Lee played that intricate solo on Strawberry Letter 23! Great composition by Shoogie Otis! Aja is my favorite Steely Dan recording and one of my all-time top 10 regardless of the genre!
Lee Ritenour has been a huge influence in my 65 years life.
I seen him live many times.
Great to hear him talk about his experiences.
Thanks Mason!
❤ thanks for watching!
Thank you, great interview! ❤
Cool. Love Strawberry Letter 23....great tune from the Fall of '77. And the solo is the perfect length. Definitely not too long.
Thanks for listening
The outro sounds like Lee the plinkety plunk sound on Deacon Blues! Never knew Lee played on the Night fever track! So versatile!
❤️ Thanks for watching!
Great interview...Great host....pertinent questions
What a great interview. Thought I would pick and choose parts to watch but ended up watching the whole thing. Enjoyed every minute of it. Hearing all the stories about working with the other artists makes one realize how challenging it can be but also cherish the experiences. We saw Lee with Dave Grusin at Yoshi's in Oakland (CA) maybe about 7 years ago. First time to see the two greats playing together. Big thanks for all the interviews you share with us.
Oh man, so great! First time I heard it, it became my favorite-actually remember where I was.
❤️ Thanks for watching!
Thank for interview all my favourite players, you and Rick Beato should do a program together!!!
I'm sure I'm too below his stature for us to be together on something!
Another GREAT interview Mason !!! I wonder what"s next. Everything on your channel s great.Thank you !
Glad you enjoyed it!
Man thanks for this. This was fantastic, and the whole interview I was thinking bout that Luke story in my mind, and the fact that you ended with that was the cherry on top!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I think the Strawberry Letter solo is stunning, even at that length. I never get tired of it
Amazing player, and seems to be a great person as well, respect👊
❤ thanks for watching!
Kudos Mason!! I got to see Rit with DG back in the 80s and it stands as one of my top 50 shows to date in the jazz catagory. Nice job, you did your homework!!
Dude, I love your professionalism and interviewing skills. I’m one of those guys who likes to geek out about the story of who played what parts on popular songs. It’s absolutely fascinating to hear these unbelievable musicians talk about the details. Thx for bringing it to people like me. I look forward to the next video.