The Reddings - The Awakening (1980)

[thegoonden]

Is it doubletracked in places?

Or maybe a Rickebacker stereo bass?

[Spugester26]

This is getting too funky on my ass, can't take it! 1:09-1:52 changed my life!!!

[brooklynstudio]

@depomb cover of half baked hahaha

[DushevnaSepsa]

Oh my, what fine music, thank you Les.

[cybershakey]

where's the reprise ! ? thanks for posting this

[Darkazar52]

Les Claypool's version i much better than this.

[RAMBR0]

no cover without an original!



[fefiss86]

After 10 years listening to Les Claypool's version i just found out it was originally from this band......

[MoNicholasLaird]

ENC0:00RE

[SuperElectricbass]

This is the real deal!I have the original 45 record on side A is "Remote Control"Also a killer tune.

[agamemnon1]

covered by flea, les claypool and various others

[SuperElectricbass]

@agamemnon1 They mangled the tune.

[RottenHamburger]

@SuperElectricbass They changed it to their preference, so that it wouldn't be a complete clone of this song

[Silverballer45ACP]

lol this sounds funkier =)

les version is awesome, but this is the shit too

[dannyflash78]

cooooll!! i kne wclaypool was covering this one but had no idea the orig was this good! lovin it all the way to the pool.

[EugeneRealtor]

anyone got tab? that would be appreciated ;-)

[Fry1077]

I really think this one is better than when Les does it, when he does it. it doesnt seem as soulful and funky

[08232433]

@Fry1077 exactly. I can feel the soul in this one. its more of a bounce with Les.

[hondansx1000]

this is probably the most funky and groovy song i've ever come across

[primusman34]

and marcus miller, not on my game today

[primusman34]

jesus i almost forgot BOOTSY!!

[primusman34]

awesome! as a bass player and having claypool, wooten, stanley clarke, flea, pnut, and now dexter redding to listen and learn from, simply awesome, thank you for posting this!!

[noeldaley1220]

for all the mother fuckas that think this is a les claypool imitation, dexter redding son of the legendary otis redding did this shit probably back in the early eighties. listen not tryin to be racist and I aint tryin to come that way. But why do white people think they created everything. I know you think Flea is the bomb, but watch a few victor wooten videos

[diseasedvirus]

@noeldaley1220 i think its peoples ignorance, but on another note. im white and i think flea flat out sucks the d on the daily.

[KuroiClown]

@noeldaley1220 I would find that as flat out racism, luckily though, "we white people doesnt always think we created everything". The pretty much only reason young people, born maybe a decade after this masterpiece was created, think this is Claypools song is thanks to Primus.

Les sure made a name through Primus, in the ninties.

See the connection?

If Lady Gaga covered old Madonna songs, people would assume Gaga wrote them.

And Flee vs Wooten is so old, two different genres, lay it to rest.

[kax61]

I heard some awfull Cles Laidpool imitation stuff. Pretty horrible.

[proverbs129]

sigh theres always an argument on every single video

[jazzpsalti]

ah man! I've been waiting for a day to hear the original! The verse is MAJOR!!!! Why didn't Les do it that way? That's so sick

[BalubianNation]

@OnlySoulMusicHere SHAWWWDUP!! why cant we be friends!? i hate you butt head

[snwman91]

love this version just as much as les claypools version, and 311's pnut's cover

[PocketTits]

Thank you Les for turning me on to the Reddings.

[marziman420]

@PocketTits same here, i literally just made the connection haha i love it.

[MkpoAnimation]

@PocketTits me too

[slunkified]

Don't argue bout les copying this. He plays it cuz he enjoys it.

[ThePsychoMike]

@slunkified It's not copying, it's remake. Les put his style into the song.

LIke how Nirvana did "The Man Who Sold the World".

[captainbrak]

doesnt matter if claypool is all you know, when it comes to bassists, or musicians, the style, the flair, the pesaz and power claypool has is extraordinary

[scla6986]

Lots of people leaving stupid comments. If Claypool copied this note for note exactly the same (which of course he can) what would be the point in listening to claypools version?

[sociopathix]

@bertinabertina Claypool DOES get the notes right. Fool. The difference is claypool slaps it.

[payko526]

@sociopathix Dexter slaps too, so it's not that. He just put his own style into the song instead of copying it note for note with a different tone.

[MTIVS]

Nothing beats the original. I prefer this sound and the quality is in top. Dexter is so cool! :)

[FeartheHamburgler]

i like the original version alot, but i find claypool's version more appealing to me.. just my opinion by the way

[OnlySoulMusicHere]

@FeartheHamburgler Fuck your opinion bitch this is the original one fucking idiot

[FeartheHamburgler]

@OnlySoulMusicHere i never said this wasnt the original one so shut the hell up and stop acting like ur cool cuz ur not, fucktard

[OnlySoulMusicHere]

@FeartheHamburgler Bitch like i said before nobody over here gives a fuck about your opinion i knew that you was a stupid ass white boy with your fucktard comment omfg what a fucking loser!!!

[FeartheHamburgler]

@OnlySoulMusicHere you never said that nobody here cares about my opinion before, and its kinda sad that the only way you can make fun of me is by name calling lmao

[snoogens5446]

@OnlySoulMusicHere dont be racistyo listen to Papa BAloo

[OnlySoulMusicHere]

@snoogens5446 Bitch shut the fuck up, you don't tell me what the fuck to listen to ok i will listen to any fucking body i want to fucking idiot!!!

[BalubianNation]

@OnlySoulMusicHere hahaha oh no here we go again.. another youtubin' hardass lolololol

[OnlySoulMusicHere]

@BalubianNation ...Look faggot I don't fuck with knowle cock suckers!!! you need to stay the fuck out of my reply comment box...Loser!!!

[Dnics23]

claypool is credible but u cant manufacture poor people funk we no the diff podna

[aevengelon]

@bertinabertina - Claypool ALWAYS gets the notes right, they're HIS NOTES! He doesn't copy, he interprets.

[mapexblack]

Les Claypool's version is always off the cuff at a gig. were as this is a perfect recording. can't really compare. Im sure if Les sat in a studio he could nail it but whats the point.Both version's are awesome

[sociopathix]

@mapexblack he DID sit in a studio and nail it. With Les Claypool and the Holy Mackeral.

[mapexblack]

@sociopathix great

[spynae]

For some reason, this seems a hell of a lot more impressive than Les's covers of it.

[juan3bond11]

P-Nut from 311 ROCKED a sick cover of this song at 311 Day 2010

[arkadarius]

This version is funkier than Claypool's, so it's kinda of a musical taste thing here.

I like them both, each shine in their own way.

[Bungle41582]

Just so people know, a lot of the snazzy solos that Claypool plays are covers. That being said, it doesn't take away from Claypool's playing, it's a tribute more or less.

[1988rlp]

fuck me, i've spent years and years trying to master the les claypool version, but i didn't realise it was a cover! now i'm gonna have to start from scratch trying to play this version.

[boomfield]

masterpiece, the sound is legendary. I remember when i tried to get the copy in the early eighties in Germany. Fascinating album. Milestone in funk.

[stondar42000]

or he just pushed the string down between the neck bridge and machine heads.

Thank you for shareing this awesome vid!

[crazyedd123]

man the sound quality of this track is great.

untouched by the loudness war. if only more songs nowadays had their sound volume like this

[nomealternativo]

thank you for posting it :)

[MSK2232]

Les's cover is better to me, but that's just my opinion...

[RHCPforsEvers]

Well, your opinion sucks

[GMSteelerz]

THIS is the s__t! The real deal! Not many know about these guys, but they are super talented. Dexter on the bass is off the chart !!!

[Dhimmidummkartoffel]

thats funkyguitar

whowhowhowbass

in the 70`i look the reddins live in hamburg 3x

thanks from a german ! this is my best english, sorry

[glasscitadel12]

i was in a band called Voyage in chicago 1982- 1985. we had a fire bass player and we use to rock the hell out of this piece.

[ERICMJ24]

Anyone know where i can buy this song Itunes don't seem to have this version only the one by les claypool.

[funkallyall]

You can buy it from me. If yall wanna know the inside scoop, i am the drummer on the song and co-writter. Mark Lockett, former lead singer, drummer,keyboardist. Need i say more. Song ain't shit without the drums. I'll never tell the secrets though.Not for free.

[robertorendorff]

wow for a long time i thought claypool wrote this, but should have known, it sounds very oldschool funky, also too simple for claypool, not in a bad way though love this

[Jindoo]

This music is very nice for Popping!

Thanks

[Pevets3]

From which year is this music ?

[FredDude27]

The Awakening is from round 1981.

[SouthernComfort901]

1982

[OttoJAJUKKA]

Groove!

[fritshits77]

and that 12inch lasts only as long as the single .... just pressed on a bigger piece of vinyl !!

[fritshits77]

if you like thiz > check out AZYMUTH - dear limmertz......and you`ll have the best 2 bass-based tunes EVER!!

THNX for posting this !! I still hold the original12 inch....

[robertlbryant]

Oops, accidentally commented with my sons' YT account (VeryMasterNinja) haha Anyway, time to favorite this. Thanks again.

[VeryMasterNinja]

Hey man, thanks for uploading this! I've been dying to hear the original version, and never could find it. Very cool.

[oozingswagger]

Are there 2 bass players and a drummer in this band? Or is this just a bass exclusive song?

[SouthernComfort901]

No. Dexter Redding, son of Otis Redding is one of the best that ever picked up a bass.

[otoxkage]

Ladies and gentlemen, would it be considered to blasphemous to more enjoy Mr. Claypool's version of this classic? I also prefer the way that Mr. Mantia and Mr. Alexander perform the drum track. Either way, a fantastic piece! Mr. Redding is one of my all time favourite bassists.

[KillerFridge]

Not really, I mean as good as Redding is, I'm not a fan of his bass sound. But thats just personal opinion

[Tajiey]

I know what you mean guy... I'm trying to get my licks back too.

[Tajiey]

That is correct.press down on the string just above the nut. It is very simple to bend harmonics from here.Big ups to Darryl Benson;another avant garde bassist.

[TreesGiveUsShade]

i love this

[ACDC666SatrianiVai]

at 2:02, he plays a natural harmonic, but then bends it, how?

[digglesMcgee]

He flexes the neck of the bass back.

[ACDC666SatrianiVai]

ah, so it would also have the same effect if u pressed down on the string near the tunin nuts?

[digglesMcgee]

Yeah pretty much.  It's pretty hard bending bass strings like that though, it's a lot easier on guitar.

[jonannlou]

yes, you bend the string from behind the nut, much easier with light guage strings (I do this alot). Its something Mark King does alot too....

[thtmusicloser]

or u can just bend the harmoic after u realease ur finger to let the harmoic quickly go back and bend it like a regual note just dont let the string touch the fretboard

[crazyedd123]

@ACDC666SatrianiVai

he proabably grabs the headstock and pulls it back while holding the body still.

[OifelOifel]

Man, I want this record so bad... original version is funky as hell

[arashi86]

even back in the day...this song go hard

[76alembic]

I thought it was a Claypool original ,thanks so much for this

[JuanezSanchez]

No way i always thought this was Primus!

Guess you should never take things at face value.

Les does play it awesome though, you gotta admit.

[aftermathfool]

thank you for this post! sound quality is really great

[MadBillyWhiz]

Awesome - but back when it was released it was a floor killer - not floor filler (not many punters shared my taste for exotica.. ) but I still occasionally played it! ah those were the dayz..

[HoDG3]

Les did an awesome job covering it. I have to praise Dexter for creating it though. Funky as hell!

[gardenofweeden]

Incredible! I heard Claypool play it first, but I love listening to the original version, too!

[alpenbum]

@gardenofweeden I love this. It's always good to hear the original version. It's great to hear where the "cover artist" gets their inspiration.

[gardenofweeden]

@alpenbum Definitely!

[Tajiey]

I started playing bass in 1976, and played mostly without a break in practice until 2000. I have to get my licks back. The sooner you can get a bass the better. Check Craig's list (but be careful) and the second hand guitar stores. You can usually get a good deal.

[ryuzakifreak14]

o.k thanks man, i'll check those

[Tajiey]

yeah...that's Jaco Pastorius. I shrank about 3 feet, fell down and said "Take my Bass please. Here was the greatest bass player in the world complementing me on how I slapped the bass. That was the best musical moment of my life.

[ryuzakifreak14]

the greatest story i've heard in my life mate how i wish i could've been you at that moment!

[Tajiey]

Yes, that moment kept me going for a long time. I always doubted my abilities until that moment. Everybody tells me that I should start playing the bass again, and I think that I will soon.

[ryuzakifreak14]

aw man how long have you played? i just started about two months ago but i dont have a bass, i have to play on a guitar till i get the money lol, i want one sooooo bad

[kelthanius]

@Tajiey

Holy shit that would be amazing.

[Tajiey]

Yeah, I met Jaco in We Buy, Sell and Trade Guitars on 47th Street in NYC. He was working at the Lone Star Cafe (this was in 1984 or 85. I had just purchased my sough after Music Man Bass and was checking out how the axe sounded when this guy with long hair comes in and tells me "you can really slap man, can I check out your bass?" Not knowing who it was I told him no. He then says "But I'm Jaco Pastorius, and I say sure you are pal. The he says "Guys; tell him who I am. The owner says

[juicysteak]

For an oft-overlooked funky bassist from that period, look up Ed "Funky Thumbs" Reddick. And has anyone mentioned Nathanial Phillips?

[MightyGoldenBoy]

This is awesome, love the bass sound its so fat, but stil chunky :)

[BluntedBeyondBelief]

PURE FONK

[raw7145]

Blah, blah , blah!! How about some props for a real BASSIST!

Mr. Victor Wooten ( Bela Fleck)

[raw7145]

I Listen to this in tribute to one of the BEST

God Bless you WAYMAN!!! We miss you!

[AHA119AHA]

I really love it, this is why i'm going to play bass guitar, to learn awesome shit like this xD

[rushrocks88]

This version definitely has more soul than les's

[Tajiey]

Since this is going in a good direction; please excuse me while I add some more to the soup. Charlie Mingus, Jeffrey White (recorded with many gospe artist such as Timothy Wright). Slave always had dynamite bass players, and threre are so many that I have to remember. In my travels I have met many outstanding basist that never got a chance.

[Tajiey]

I read where someone posted that this song was overdubbed, and someone else stated that there were no overdubs when this song was made. Both statements are wrong. If you listen closely most of Louis Johnson's bass lines were overdubbed. Listen to Strawberry letter 23. There are many bass players that can play this song note for note. This song is not overdubbed.

[Tajiey]

I like the way that this is going. It's like a who's who of the bass world. All of the names list I can agree with, and even add more. Bootsey goes without saying is avante garde, I just couldn't appreciate the work he did with the Mutron III; because of the technology of the time I really coudn't tell which parts were bass or another instrument. Bootsey was just that nasty.

[SouthernComfort901]

No mention of Bootsy anywhere. And Stevie Wonder gives them all a run for their money. Listen to Lovers and Friends w/ Minnie Ripperton. I still think that Dexter Redding and Mr. Lee are tops.

[Warchild281]

i like all the names people are giving, but Mark King and Marcus Miller are bein left out. u cant forget them... and flea is not the best by the way... and buckethead should be left off the list altogether. Hes fast, ill give him that, but is gotta be about feel. Also, dont leave out Gary Grainger.

[spicyMcHAGGIS9green]

Les Claypool

Justin Chancellor

Flea

Tim Commerford

Geddy Lee

(I'm basing this solely on creativity, not skill. Except for Les.)

[raymennoodle]

fuck that flea is definitley number two

[spicyMcHAGGIS9green]

I meant to put Mike Watt as Number two. Flea is overrated. I still love his playing though.

[Tajiey]

Wow, great comments.

Here's my all time greatest bass players list.

Jaco Pastorius..Met him he liked my playing, but I was too excited and forgot to hit him up for lessons.

Verdine White: Earth Wind and Fire

Larry Graham...Started thumbing and plucking the bass.

Flea as was mentioned before.

Louis Johnson (my all time favorite)

[samjabo]

Great list! what about Lequient "Duke" Jobe: Rose Royce?

[Tajiey]

Yeah! He's very cool too. How about James Jameson (I think that's the last name of the great motown bassist.

Bootsy Collins, Stanley Clarke. I have been playing the bass on and off for the past 30 years, and I suck royally lol.

[abhay108]

you met jaco??? WOW!

[Pixiez]

Nice video. I always listened to Les cover and loved it but yesterday after a jazz concert the music start playing and I heared this song and I tought ... "What a nice clean version of The Awakening" so a dig a bit and found this.

THanks

[buffalosoldier091]

i think the best bassist is flea from red hot chili peppers

[slurpeexyza17]

He's probably the only bassist you know.

[buffalosoldier091]

no:D

[EnergizerBunny804]

then you are a handicap, Flea's good, but not the best

[buffalosoldier091]

this is my opinion, not yours so lay off me dickhead

[EnergizerBunny804]

woah! someone's having their period! I'm just saying there are some things that just don't make sense to say, like Flea is the best bass player ever when there is so many clearly better bass players.

[ZwinnyAndrzej]

how do you measure it? it's like comparing picasso to salvador dali. flea can't play like - let's say - victor wooten. but on the other hand, wooten can't play like flea. different music, different styles, different musical sensibility.

[MesaXI]

@slurpeexyza17 why slurpee, your superior attitude is showing

[slurpeexyza17]

@MesaXI How the hell?

[Shanebassistcanfly]

this song proves that e natural is prolly the funkiest note ever

:D

[foowah7]

Man, you have to really search to find this...it's a great solo! Ever since hearing Claypool's version I've been wanting to hear the original. Thanks for posting.

[SouthernComfort901]

To solve who is the best, Listen to the live version of this by the Reddings. Then you will know.

[goopus]

If you want to hear Claypool's style look up Graham Central Station. and wooten he is a jazz player and knows his way around the bass more than anyone he can make sounds that are impossible come out of it but that means they are possible and there is the cycle. He is the chuck norris of bass.

[LoXXorZ]

Did not know this wasn't a Claypool song.

[Noyes654]

If someone told me this was by wooten i would believe them. First time hearing the original, i appreciate les' taste in music an di like the flavor he adds to them but wow..nothing beats the originals

[elchupirichups]

this sounds like marcus miller

[hailmetal16]

Funky funky funky. Go Dex.

[bakkiepleureneenkano]

I have listned to this original song long before I had ever heard of Claypool. Dexter Redding was only a boy at the time this album was recorded which makes it even more impressive.

[inf0dump]

I like seeing Claypool play his version, but nothing gets my ass moving like the original Reddings tune. F-U-N-K-Y

[Derfunkmeister]

I have to say after reading the comments, I didn't know who Les Claypoole was until now and I know most Bass guitar legends and without any doubt Les Claypoole is not one in my opinion. Dexter is not one but this piece is downright great. If U want to hear bass greats then look for Armand Sabel-Lecco, Victor Wooten etc. Now they are great.

[Kontorista]

Claypool not a legend? well, well, well... i agree with Armand and Victor beeing great, but saying Les is not among them legends is way out there... Maybe you should take some time and investigate on that :)

[cluclumaster]

Vic Wooten is too technical compared to claypool

[monstermitch58]

because hes more of a jazz player

[AussieBassist]

Just because Claypool isn't your personal preference, doesn't mean he is not a great. Claypool is a pioneer. He has a very technical setup... Just try and replicate his sound. Also, he is more than a bass player. He has an extremely original and quirky music style, often just singing about funny imaginary characters. Just because Claypool isn't the most technically accurate player, that does not make him any less original or legendary.

[jimineedles]

How one defines a 'bass legend' is a completely relative statement. I consider buckethead to be the best bassist ever - you don't agree? aaaaahhhaaahhh. Go check claypool's version of this - it utterly fresh geezer!

[ShadyPain]

buckethead is a guitarrist ..

[crashtasticdave]

buckethead is also a phenomenal bass player, as well as banjo player, any stringed instrument really lol.

[ShadyPain]

sorry, i didn't know .

[crashtasticdave]

Lol buckethead is just amazing at everything.

[EnergizerBunny804]

i hope that you don't acually think that Buckethead is the best bassist ever

[jimineedles]

He's certainly my favourite. I actually don't play bass, so you could say my opinion is very sound indeed. Him and claypool, and wooten.... they just push boundries each in a different way.

[EnergizerBunny804]

Prefer Les claypools version but this is good

[DeeJayRoyalT]

When I bought the 45 of Remote Control this song was on the flip side. Jammed the hell out of it too! 1981.

[wasret]

DAMNIT stop griping!!! thats the problem with this website. Anyone can say what they want in response to anything! it all ends up in huge arguments. Just listen to the fuckin song!

[sickdiggitydog]

Some people on YouTube are fucking downies.

Both versions are wicked!

[acdc11491]

im sorry but this original is (dare i say it?!) better than claypool's version, although they are both awesome, the original made me funk right outa my pants!

[spacec0wboy]

i agree

[petercriss45]

i dont think it is quite as dynamic as claypool version.

[12butt34]

bdfgdfgdfg