YES! Finally someone is saying it! Tiran Porter is one of the best bass players ever and rarely gets talked about. I also grew up on the Doobies. The Captain and Me, Takin’ It To The Streets and Minute By Minute all showcase Tiran’s brilliance. Funky and melodic and he knew when not to play. His playing very much did hold the Doobies music together and made it uniquely beautiful! Thank you for this video. It feels so good to know someone else shares my admiration of this amazingly overlooked musician!
Longtime Musician here. Tiran Porter's Bass lines were awesome. Long Train Running was one of the best songs of all time and Tiran's phrasing kept it all Together.
I just learned about Tiran Porter from this video (a 90's kid). What amazes me is the spaces: when NOT to play as well as when to play. I believe that's a very underlooked aspect in music. The silence brings anticipation and excitement, and exudes taste. Sometimes you don't want to hear an instrument all the time in a song; you want to miss it. Porter has a deep understanding of his instrument, as well as obvious talent. Will check him out right away 👏
Yes!!!!!!!! One of the most GREAT but underrated Bassist of All Time, "BRAVO" And 🎩 Hat's off to you Tiran Porter!!!!!!!, and my favorite bass line by him is Another Park Another Sunday!!!!!!!
The Doobie Brothers locked me in when I saw them on Don Kirchner's Rock Concert! A big part of that was because of their harmonies, but a bigger part was the presence of an amazingly talented bassist, Tiran Porter. I've seen them live a few times with and without Tiran. Without was awesome, but just not the same. I love the fact that he is so down to Earth and presents himself so professionally. My favorite Tiran Porter bass line? Easy..... any track he plays on!
I share in that sentiment. As an African American youth growing up in the 70’s Mr Porter gave me encouragement to like and embrace all kinds of music. As I listened to groups like the Doobies and Steely Dan, I was able to better understand the adage, “Music is the universal language.”
Tiran’s Bass work was a definite departure from the norm because of the rising popularity of slap Bass during the height of the Doobie’s ascension. He was well aware of what he was great at and he stayed true to it. That is a great life lesson in general, even more so for a musician. Kudos to the great Mr. Porter! Bravo to you for the wonderful tribute!
I felt the same way about Tiran Porter. He showed us that its okay to play pop music and still groove. My favorite is "It Keeps You Runnin'." His interplay with Michael McDonald is classic.
The solo bass line in the middle of Wheel of Fortune still blows me away….over 40 years later. Always thought Tiran was underrated and one of the best out there.
Always thought this guy was under-recognized. A solid, solid bassman. Favorite groove of his, for me, has to be on It Keeps You Runnin' (...Minute By Minute second fav.) It was very smart for the producer of those Doobie records to produce Tiran 'out front.' I think that's part of why most times when I'm humming a Doobie Brothers song, I find myself humming the bass line. Thanks for the video.
I've always loved Tiran's bass playing, especially awesome in "Listen to the music " his backing vocals are just as awesome! The Doobies were the greatest with him! To me he was never with those guy's, he was one of those guys!
I third this comment. I've always thought his bass playing was top notch and think he needs to be in the conversation of best, or at least most influential, bass players
Great call… I never noticed Tyran’s part because they all are so much a seamless but necessary part of every song. Got to relisten to all these favorites. Thank you ! Great analysis !
I taught myself bass by learning every song on "What Were Once Vices are now Habits" note for note. Huge influence on my playing. So happy to see I'm not the only Tiran Porter fan!
A great album to learn from too, it’s always been one of my fab favs, used to play Road Angel back in mid 1970’s along with the usual Long Train Running & China Grove, you had to know the later for any auditions back then lol
Awsome tribute to Tiran! You are absolutely correct without his personalized touch and unique bass lines… The Doobie Brothers would have lacked that secret spice that made them such joy to listen to. 👍
My favorite bass lines is from "For Someone Special". He sets the mood in the intro with syncopated patterns, driving the whole song from there to the end. To me is the most ingenious bass line of any rock song, rivaling Miles' intro in "So What".
Tiran was somebody that made me concentrate more on loving the bass and pushing myself harder instead of me just being cranky when I'd fuck up. I'd sit on the floor and listen to his bass lines and fall in love with the music I was playing along with him and the Doobies. He was like a hidden gem that we brushed the dust off and fell in love with. He made me a better player and a better man.
man this is amazing I am 16 years old, and I am learning to play the bass and the Doobie Brothers are my favorite band I appreciate this video, I love Tiran's way of playing so I really enjoyed the video
Thank you for pointing out the aggressive mix Templeman and The Doobies made with Porter's bass lines. They were no dummies.. Some of the songs puts his great grooves right out front. My favorite example is 'Echoes of Love.' Just listen to that aggressively beautiful bass line. It counterbalances the light, airy nature of the vocals and the lyrics. He provides the rock solid bottom. The song is a masterpiece in songwriting AND execution. When I was a semi-professional (made money - never enough to live on) bassist in the late '70's / early '80's, Tiran Porter was the bar upon which I measured my playing. Sadly, I never measured up. But I still loved his stuff.
My favorite Tiran Porter bass lines are in the song Another Park Another Sunday. Especially the bass parts near the end when he plays like a solo line over the chorus.
Saw them in 81' w Boston @ the Orange Bowl. Boston played for 30min & done. Doobie Brothers played a hitfest for waaaay longer! One of the best shows I ever went to ❤️
Minute by Minute and What fools believe are my favorites. Now after your dissertation, I will listen to the other songs more closely . Thank you for this video.
Tiran is so totally under rated. He is really one of the greats on the instrument in my mind, and a big influence. He's a real bass player, who obviously loves the color, function and timber of bass. Strong rhythms and a very melodic player as well.
Seeing 8th Avenue Shuffle get #1 makes absolute sense. That lick in the second verse is the epitome of smooth. Tiran deserves more attention than he gets as a bass player.
In 1981 I was just out of high school and working as a gofer sweeping floors, wiping things at an antique store in Los Gatos California. One day Tiran came into the shop. As a gigging guitar player at the time and Doobies fan (local heroes) you bet I knew who it was. He and his lady were buying something and I was sweeping the floor around them and sheepishly said “Um, are you Tiran Porter?” and he was very nice and said yes, that’s me. I was pretty star struck and didn’t say a whole lot but man, that made my day. I still remember it vividly. (Tho one of the shop ladies said “Oh Kevin do we have a celebrity here?” and I felt awful for that. She goes “Ooo I met Elvis’ drummer once!” and I just melted away at that comment. 😂
The first song I ever learned completely was Long Train Running. Later on I got to meet Pat S. and the band about 25 years ago. Very cool to meet them and even hang out with Pat for lunch. I learned a lot from Tiran's lines, but also picked up from Willie Weeks too.
Seeing Tiran playing bass with the Doobies was like seeing the black drummer for Three Dog Night, MIND BLOWING!!! I was in the first grade fall of 1960 in North Carolina. For me music was split by race. When The Righteous Brothers were singing and then The Young Rascals, I started looking at musician differently.
Tiran Porter -overlooked, underappreciated and under rated. Check out his work on Neals Fandango, Road Angel, Down In The Tracks, Rainy Day Crossroad Blues, Without You, just to name a few.
Wheels of Fortune, Eighth Avenue Shuffle, Rio, Taking It to the Street, Another Park Another Sunday, Listen to the Music, China Grove, Long Train Running, Ukiah, The Captain and Me….The list just goes on and on. Tiran is the man!
Another Park Another Sunday Jesus Is Just Alright It Keeps You Running Minute by Minute Wheels of Fortune My top 5. It’s really amazing how Tiran evolved as the members and and direction of the band changed. Bass Royalty
Thanks for sharing! I just want you to know that I've always loved the Doobie Bros. and Tiran Porter also! Great music unites humanity as one Family! We're so Blessed to be part of this Human Song!
Excellent synopsis on Tiran Porter. Also, the point about having the bass up front like vocals is spot on. I have always believed the bass should be right out there - not in the background. Tiran remains in my Top 5 bassists of all time for his nimble stylings and tone.
Jeff Skunk Baxter guitarist from the Doobie Bros mentioned how great a player Tiran was and how underated as a musician he was in an interview I listened to
Great series Dude. Thanks for acknowledging all the bassists you cover. They are just as much a part of music history as the folks who are commonly celebrated.
I think you're right. I'm not a bass player and I have to be honest - bass players and drummers are often the names I've noticed least when I look at band members. I didn't even know Tiran Porter's name. Shame on me! But PDBass's videos are really making me understand how much the bass has been at the essence of the music I've been listening to all my life. These videos are terrific.
Thanks for featuring one of the most underrated bass players of all time… He always struck me as playing very “guitar-like”, but never mind that… The stone-cold bass groove was always there!
Wow what an amazing job Paul!! Mr. Porter is one of my biggest inspirations ever. Right up there with Chuck Rainey, John Paul Jones, and Bernard Edwards. From the moment I saw them on the two episodes of What’s Happening. Also, in time that it was common the fact that he and the Doobies were breaking down rock racial barriers is dear to me as well. Thanks again as always for a fantastic tribute to someone that is a huge influence to all us bassist. And thanks for the shoutout
Love to see some recognition for such a great bassist. My favourite bassline of his is It Keeps You Runnin' (but Rio, Losin' End, and Carry Me Away sure come close).
FINALLY! Tiran Porter gets credit for the Doobie's sound! I've always been a big fan of his and really miss him in the Doobie's line up. Great video and really nice concept for a channel. I loved the fact that he was the black man in a white rock band. It created a very special anchor for the group and emphasized how we can all live together and make something great! Your description of yourself as a youngster seeing him in that band really resonated with me. I played bass in a Temptations-type group in Minneapolis in the early 1970's, the only white boy in the band. I learned so much and had so much fun.
Now I know the “science” behind my love for these songs….and Michael McDonald’s vocal & piano lead. I also recognized Tiran from appearances on TV with the Doobies. 👍🏽
My favourite Tiran Porter bass lines are from "For Someone Special" ( did he write that song for Tom Johnston when Tommy's health was not good and he had to take some time out from the band?), "Neal's Fandango" and "Wheel Of Fortune" ( first track, side one on "Takin' It To The Streets". The album credits drummer Richie Hayward (RIP) of Little Feat playing alongside Tiran on that track). Peace.
My favourite Tiran Porter bassline has to be It Keeps you Runnin. The rise and falls and the fill in’s and variations really keep the track cruising along with Michael McDonalds smooth vocal and the guitar fills. I’d love to see you cover this song in one of your videos.
Tiran is so inspiring! I totally agree re: the cuts off of the Minute by Minute LP, that whole album kicks ass His vocals were also a huge part of the Doobie Brothers sound.
Another great breakdown, I didn’t know Tiran by name before this but of course I knew a lot of these lines. Appreciate the lesson and the personal note as well. Cheers.
Long train running is still a classic I played with many bands over the last 40 years. And the chorus of Listen to the music is one of my favorite Doobie Brothers bass lines.
Another underrated Bass player was Lamar Williams, who replaced Berry Oakley in the Allman Brothers Band. He came in at a sad and bad time for the band ...I have a 2-CD from the ABB label, "Live at Nassau Coliseum 51/73" and he really shines! Highly recommend. Between him, Oakley, Jamie Jamerson and Paul McCartney, I was inspired to get my first Bass as a kid. Lamar Williams....
Great job, as always. My favorite Tiran Porter bassline is Long Train Runnin.' Ironically, I knew how to play three of your top 5 from him, because they are my top five. I am adding "What a Fool Believes to my learning list, as I didn't realize how great it was, as it was so in tune with Michael McDonald's left hand. I like you was so inspired as a kid seeing Trian up there with the group, as it helped solidify them as my favorite group of the 70's and very early 80's!
It's absolutely essential to acknowledge guys like Tiran Porter. He is a foundational player in a wonderful era of music. I was a young kid at that time figuring out the Doobs music in our garage bands. We were young Caucasian kids who looked them as amazing musicians. I never remember anyone commenting on any of their differences. Only how we marveled at the music they produced.
Thanks for the great video. When I first started playing the bass in 1972, I spent hours (and a few record needles) wood shedding Tiran’s bass parts. The man is a lesson on what and when not to play. I owe a great deal to him for showing me how to play tastefully. What a MASTER! Thanks
Superb bassist. Great feature. How can you not love his style and playing. Groove and locking rule the day. Pick and palm mute are awesome when executed with swing and timing.
YES! Finally someone is saying it! Tiran Porter is one of the best bass players ever and rarely gets talked about. I also grew up on the Doobies. The Captain and Me, Takin’ It To The Streets and Minute By Minute all showcase Tiran’s brilliance. Funky and melodic and he knew when not to play. His playing very much did hold the Doobies music together and made it uniquely beautiful! Thank you for this video. It feels so good to know someone else shares my admiration of this amazingly overlooked musician!
My ALL TIME favorite bassist...
For years I have felt that his parts were so incredibly underappreciated and that he really was the secret sauce in the Doobies' recipe.
Longtime Musician here. Tiran Porter's Bass lines were awesome. Long Train Running was one of the best songs of all time and Tiran's phrasing kept it all Together.
I just learned about Tiran Porter from this video (a 90's kid). What amazes me is the spaces: when NOT to play as well as when to play. I believe that's a very underlooked aspect in music. The silence brings anticipation and excitement, and exudes taste. Sometimes you don't want to hear an instrument all the time in a song; you want to miss it. Porter has a deep understanding of his instrument, as well as obvious talent. Will check him out right away 👏
He was very important to their sound..Miss him in the lineup.
Yes!!!!!!!! One of the most GREAT but underrated Bassist of All Time, "BRAVO" And 🎩 Hat's off to you Tiran Porter!!!!!!!, and my favorite bass line by him is Another Park Another Sunday!!!!!!!
Very very very under rated and never talked about bass player
The Doobie Brothers locked me in when I saw them on Don Kirchner's Rock Concert! A big part of that was because of their harmonies, but a bigger part was the presence of an amazingly talented bassist, Tiran Porter. I've seen them live a few times with and without Tiran. Without was awesome, but just not the same. I love the fact that he is so down to Earth and presents himself so professionally. My favorite Tiran Porter bass line? Easy..... any track he plays on!
I share in that sentiment. As an African American youth growing up in the 70’s Mr Porter gave me encouragement to like and embrace all kinds of music. As I listened to groups like the Doobies and Steely Dan, I was able to better understand the adage, “Music is the universal language.”
I remember an interview from years ago with Jeff Baxter where he said Tiran’s bass playing blew his mind
I saw that too. Made me glad that a great like Baxter thought what I was thinking.
Tiran, you’ll always have a place in our bass playing hearts. ✌️☺️
Thank you so much for giving Tiran Porter his due. Eyes of Silver is my favorite.
Tiran’s Bass work was a definite departure from the norm because of the rising popularity of slap Bass during the height of the Doobie’s ascension. He was well aware of what he was great at and he stayed true to it. That is a great life lesson in general, even more so for a musician. Kudos to the great Mr. Porter! Bravo to you for the wonderful tribute!
For Someone Special is my favorite but I Love all of his baselines. Great player and the key to their sound
100%
Most definitely. Usually play that tune several times. His voice, the music, beautiful
Tiran wrote that for Tom Johnson around the time he became unwell and left the Doobies, I never knew that until I watched a documentary few years ago
I felt the same way about Tiran Porter. He showed us that its okay to play pop music and still groove. My favorite is "It Keeps You Runnin'." His interplay with Michael McDonald is classic.
The solo bass line in the middle of Wheel of Fortune still blows me away….over 40 years later. Always thought Tiran was underrated and one of the best out there.
same here, one of my favorite basslines -- so damn funky
One of my favourite bass lines is For Someone Special, from Takin' it to the Streets, which I believe is also a Porter.composition
Always thought this guy was under-recognized. A solid, solid bassman. Favorite groove of his, for me, has to be on It Keeps You Runnin' (...Minute By Minute second fav.) It was very smart for the producer of those Doobie records to produce Tiran 'out front.' I think that's part of why most times when I'm humming a Doobie Brothers song, I find myself humming the bass line. Thanks for the video.
Nice to see Mr Porter getting some attention! Always loved his playing.
Your a beast. The bass Rick Beato!
I've always loved Tiran's bass playing, especially awesome in "Listen to the music " his backing vocals are just as awesome! The Doobies were the greatest with him! To me he was never with those guy's, he was one of those guys!
Yes. His vocals hold up their sound as well as his bass playing.
What a beautiful touch you've been gifted with. You bring out that Precision Bass as was meant!
He's a major talent! His solo album is amazing! It made me realize just how much of the Doobie Brothers sound was attributable to him.
Tiran is so under appreciated. Echoes Of Love.
Yes!!!!!
You do great service to bassdom by showing Tiran some much overdue love. Absolultely brilliant basswork!
Agreed! 100%👑😁
I third this comment. I've always thought his bass playing was top notch and think he needs to be in the conversation of best, or at least most influential, bass players
Yes, he always pulls out a gem from deep down inside the bag of bass goodness and does an amazing job of breaking them down.
Great call… I never noticed Tyran’s part because they all are so much a seamless but necessary part of every song. Got to relisten to all these favorites. Thank you ! Great analysis !
'For Someone Special' still remains one of my favorite Tiran songs while with the Doobie Brothers. ❤
I taught myself bass by learning every song on "What Were Once Vices are now Habits" note for note. Huge influence on my playing. So happy to see I'm not the only Tiran Porter fan!
Ha, me too! My mother had all the old Doobie albums and Vices was my favorite, I played along with those over and over.
That album is way to underrated! All the songs are great, but my favorite has to be Down In The Track.
A great album to learn from too, it’s always been one of my fab favs, used to play Road Angel back in mid 1970’s along with the usual Long Train Running & China Grove, you had to know the later for any auditions back then lol
I always love that the bass line from Black Water actually somehow sounds like a river.
Loved them on whats Happening........."what are you a half brother" Dee lol
Saw them live in the 70's one of the best live shows ever
Awsome tribute to Tiran! You are absolutely correct without his personalized touch and unique bass lines… The Doobie Brothers would have lacked that secret spice that made them such joy to listen to. 👍
He is one hell of a bass player but I don't see anyone mentioning the fact that his backing vocals was a great contribution to the doobies sound
My favorite Tiran Porter bassline is Neal’s Fandango!
My favorite bass lines is from "For Someone Special". He sets the mood in the intro with syncopated patterns, driving the whole song from there to the end. To me is the most ingenious bass line of any rock song, rivaling Miles' intro in "So What".
Tiran was somebody that made me concentrate more on loving the bass and pushing myself harder instead of me just being cranky when I'd fuck up. I'd sit on the floor and listen to his bass lines and fall in love with the music I was playing along with him and the Doobies. He was like a hidden gem that we brushed the dust off and fell in love with. He made me a better player and a better man.
He is a legend. I also loved the era when Skylark toured with the band... such energy!
man this is amazing
I am 16 years old, and I am learning to play the bass and the Doobie Brothers are my favorite band
I appreciate this video, I love Tiran's way of playing so I really enjoyed the video
Thanks for giving Tiran some love.
Thank you for pointing out the aggressive mix Templeman and The Doobies made with Porter's bass lines. They were no dummies.. Some of the songs puts his great grooves right out front. My favorite example is 'Echoes of Love.'
Just listen to that aggressively beautiful bass line. It counterbalances the light, airy nature of the vocals and the lyrics. He provides the rock solid bottom. The song is a masterpiece in songwriting AND execution.
When I was a semi-professional (made money - never enough to live on) bassist in the late '70's / early '80's, Tiran Porter was the bar upon which I measured my playing. Sadly, I never measured up. But I still loved his stuff.
My favorite Tiran Porter bass lines are in the song Another Park Another Sunday. Especially the bass parts near the end when he plays like a solo line over the chorus.
I Loved all the Doobie's music, and in my humble opinion, he was the best bass player they ever had.
The man is so underrated!! The man carries every song, but the fact that Wheels of Fortune isn't on this list hurts lol
“It Keeps You Running”. I love that groove.
Saw them in 81' w Boston @ the Orange Bowl. Boston played for 30min & done. Doobie Brothers played a hitfest for waaaay longer! One of the best shows I ever went to ❤️
Minute by Minute and What fools believe are my favorites. Now after your dissertation, I will listen to the other songs more closely . Thank you for this video.
A Doobie fan from the beginning, I re-discovered the insane bass work Tiran created. He is in the top three bassists of all time. Thank you Tiran.
Tiran is so totally under rated. He is really one of the greats on the instrument in my mind, and a big influence. He's a real bass player, who obviously loves the color, function and timber of bass. Strong rhythms and a very melodic player as well.
Seeing 8th Avenue Shuffle get #1 makes absolute sense. That lick in the second verse is the epitome of smooth. Tiran deserves more attention than he gets as a bass player.
Tirans bass playing is great but also..... his stage energy and vocals really put him up there. He plays great, looks great as well.
Funny how music brings people together and transcends race, color or creed. Magic.
I absolutely love his bass lines in “It keeps you running”. With that song I became a forever fan!
Absolutely agree! He is wonderful
In 1981 I was just out of high school and working as a gofer sweeping floors, wiping things at an antique store in Los Gatos California. One day Tiran came into the shop. As a gigging guitar player at the time and Doobies fan (local heroes) you bet I knew who it was. He and his lady were buying something and I was sweeping the floor around them and sheepishly said “Um, are you Tiran Porter?” and he was very nice and said yes, that’s me. I was pretty star struck and didn’t say a whole lot but man, that made my day. I still remember it vividly. (Tho one of the shop ladies said “Oh Kevin do we have a celebrity here?” and I felt awful for that. She goes “Ooo I met Elvis’ drummer once!” and I just melted away at that comment. 😂
👍Thanks for posting the outstanding bass work of Tiran, the recognition is long overdue🎼🎸
Tiran adds so much melodic color and rhythm to the Doobies! I love his ghost notes!
The first song I ever learned completely was Long Train Running. Later on I got to meet Pat S. and the band about 25 years ago. Very cool to meet them and even hang out with Pat for lunch. I learned a lot from Tiran's lines, but also picked up from Willie Weeks too.
Seeing Tiran playing bass with the Doobies was like seeing the black drummer for Three Dog Night, MIND BLOWING!!! I was in the first grade fall of 1960 in North Carolina. For me music was split by race. When The Righteous Brothers were singing and then The Young Rascals, I started looking at musician differently.
Tiran Porter -overlooked, underappreciated and under rated. Check out his work on Neals Fandango, Road Angel, Down In The Tracks, Rainy Day Crossroad Blues, Without You, just to name a few.
My favorite song of theirs, It Keeps You Runnin', has an awesome bassline. He is their unsung hero. Thanks for this.
Man, I struggled to learn Long Train Running for a while, it is deceptive, but it is such a great groove.
My favorite Tiran Porter bass guitar line is Takin it to the streets. 2022 still listening 🎶.
Such a great video. Thank you! Long Train Runnin'....definitely a sneaky tune. To play the line? Not to hard. To make it groove? You better focus.
I always loved his bass playing. Takin it to the streets is my favorite
Wheels of Fortune, Eighth Avenue Shuffle, Rio, Taking It to the Street, Another Park Another Sunday, Listen to the Music, China Grove, Long Train Running, Ukiah, The Captain and Me….The list just goes on and on. Tiran is the man!
As noted elsewhere, "For Someone Special" always gets me. Bass, vocals, and meaning.
Love The Doobie Brothers. And knew everything you played there. And there are so many more.
Another Park Another Sunday
Jesus Is Just Alright
It Keeps You Running
Minute by Minute
Wheels of Fortune
My top 5. It’s really amazing how Tiran evolved as the members and and direction of the band changed. Bass Royalty
"Another Park..." is one of my favorites. Hands down.
Tiran Porter’s bass solo on Wheels Of Fortune is the bomb. He really spanks it!
Thanks for sharing! I just want you to know that I've always loved the Doobie Bros. and Tiran Porter also! Great music unites humanity as one Family! We're so Blessed to be part of this Human Song!
Excellent synopsis on Tiran Porter. Also, the point about having the bass up front like vocals is spot on. I have always believed the bass should be right out there - not in the background. Tiran remains in my Top 5 bassists of all time for his nimble stylings and tone.
Jeff Skunk Baxter guitarist from the Doobie Bros mentioned how great a player Tiran was and how underated as a musician he was in an interview I listened to
Great series Dude. Thanks for acknowledging all the bassists you cover. They are just as much a part of music history as the folks who are commonly celebrated.
I think you're right. I'm not a bass player and I have to be honest - bass players and drummers are often the names I've noticed least when I look at band members. I didn't even know Tiran Porter's name. Shame on me! But PDBass's videos are really making me understand how much the bass has been at the essence of the music I've been listening to all my life. These videos are terrific.
This was awesome!!!!! Tiran Porter is an awesome individual and such an underrated talent
Thanks for featuring one of the most underrated bass players of all time… He always struck me as playing very “guitar-like”, but never mind that… The stone-cold bass groove was always there!
Wow what an amazing job Paul!! Mr. Porter is one of my biggest inspirations ever. Right up there with Chuck Rainey, John Paul Jones, and Bernard Edwards. From the moment I saw them on the two episodes of What’s Happening. Also, in time that it was common the fact that he and the Doobies were breaking down rock racial barriers is dear to me as well. Thanks again as always for a fantastic tribute to someone that is a huge influence to all us bassist. And thanks for the shoutout
Same influences for me. JPJ was "my" guy early on...then Ti Porter.
Rainey! Bernard, too.
Omg Rerun and the piracy episodes is also when I first noticed this brother.
Huge influence on me becoming a bass player! His groove is awesome!
Loved the Doobie Brothers! Thanks for the education on this one.
That man was my babysitter. Aweswome dude.
You could not have said it better. Tiran is still to this day an inspiration to me. Thank you so much for really laying down the groove.
My particular fav from Tiran is his playing on the cut "For Someone Special" off the "Takin' It To The Streets" album. Hypnotic!
Thank you so much for your contribution. I agree with all you said. My favorit bass line is on "you just cant stop it" take care
Love to see some recognition for such a great bassist. My favourite bassline of his is It Keeps You Runnin' (but Rio, Losin' End, and Carry Me Away sure come close).
...must admit: I didn't know but your explanations (including the more personal aspect) give me some pulse...!
One of my favorite bass players of all time! So many good lines.
I really appreciate your post here about Tiran.. I was lucky to see the
Doobbies. I have some of his transcriptions and love his lines. Thanks again.
Listen to the Music and Long Train Running are my favorite Tiran Porter bass masterpieces.
FINALLY! Tiran Porter gets credit for the Doobie's sound! I've always been a big fan of his and really miss him in the Doobie's line up. Great video and really nice concept for a channel. I loved the fact that he was the black man in a white rock band. It created a very special anchor for the group and emphasized how we can all live together and make something great! Your description of yourself as a youngster seeing him in that band really resonated with me. I played bass in a Temptations-type group in Minneapolis in the early 1970's, the only white boy in the band. I learned so much and had so much fun.
Now I know the “science” behind my love for these songs….and Michael McDonald’s vocal & piano lead. I also recognized Tiran from appearances on TV with the Doobies. 👍🏽
My favourite Tiran Porter bass lines are from "For Someone Special" ( did he write that song for Tom Johnston when Tommy's health was not good and he had to take some time out from the band?), "Neal's Fandango" and "Wheel Of Fortune" ( first track, side one on "Takin' It To The Streets". The album credits drummer Richie Hayward (RIP) of Little Feat playing alongside Tiran on that track). Peace.
My favourite Tiran Porter bassline has to be It Keeps you Runnin. The rise and falls and the fill in’s and variations really keep the track cruising along with Michael McDonalds smooth vocal and the guitar fills.
I’d love to see you cover this song in one of your videos.
Tiran is so inspiring! I totally agree re: the cuts off of the Minute by Minute LP, that whole album kicks ass His vocals were also a huge part of the Doobie Brothers sound.
Another great breakdown, I didn’t know Tiran by name before this but of course I knew a lot of these lines. Appreciate the lesson and the personal note as well. Cheers.
I have always liked his methods and creativity..
Tiran does a nice note on the second verse of the Doobies "Listen To The Music" on The Midnight Special. Thanks for highlighting Tiran Porter.
Long train running is still a classic I played with many bands over the last 40 years. And the chorus of Listen to the music is one of my favorite Doobie Brothers bass lines.
Another underrated Bass player was Lamar Williams, who replaced Berry Oakley in the Allman Brothers Band. He came in at a sad and bad time for the band ...I have a 2-CD from the ABB label, "Live at Nassau Coliseum 51/73" and he really shines! Highly recommend. Between him, Oakley, Jamie Jamerson and Paul McCartney, I was inspired to get my first Bass as a kid. Lamar Williams....
Check out more of Lamar in Sea Level.
So true. Agree. Lamar with ABB and later Sea Level. Love him.
I nicknamed all my guitars. I call my bass Lamar. He was quite a character!
Great job, as always. My favorite Tiran Porter bassline is Long Train Runnin.' Ironically, I knew how to play three of your top 5 from him, because they are my top five. I am adding "What a Fool Believes to my learning list, as I didn't realize how great it was, as it was so in tune with Michael McDonald's left hand. I like you was so inspired as a kid seeing Trian up there with the group, as it helped solidify them as my favorite group of the 70's and very early 80's!
It's absolutely essential to acknowledge guys like Tiran Porter. He is a foundational player in a wonderful era of music.
I was a young kid at that time figuring out the Doobs music in our garage bands. We were young Caucasian kids who looked them as amazing musicians. I never remember anyone commenting on any of their differences. Only how we marveled at the music they produced.
Thanks for the great video. When I first started playing the bass in 1972, I spent hours (and a few record needles) wood shedding Tiran’s bass parts. The man is a lesson on what and when not to play. I owe a great deal to him for showing me how to play tastefully. What a MASTER! Thanks
Superb bassist. Great feature. How can you not love his style and playing. Groove and locking rule the day. Pick and palm mute are awesome when executed with swing and timing.