Essential Chuck Rainey

brianh · #1 04-01-2007, 11:29 PM

I'm sure that I actually know a ton of his lines, but I'm kind of ashamed to say I havent formally check out Chuck Rainey. What are some of the essential tracks? I know its a long list...but I'm just looking for some stuff to dig into.

thanks,
bh

Dr. Cheese · #2 04-01-2007, 11:45 PM

Get Asia and Gaucho by Steely Dan. I also love Dominoes, a single he did with Donald Byrd, it's a real good example of Rainey double stops. A cut that Bass Player mentioned a while back is the Aretha Franklin hit, Rock Steady.

DocBop · #3 04-02-2007, 01:05 AM

If you go to Chuck's website he has a list of artists he's worked with by no album names. My fave of his is the Aretha Franklin Young, Gifted, and Black. That is the one with Rock Steady and April Fools, Rainey tears it up on those tunes. He did some great work with Quincy Jones.

Rodriguez · #4 04-02-2007, 03:32 AM

Reverend Lee on Roberta Flack's "Chapter Two" album, CD or however you can find it.

bassicinstinct · #5 04-02-2007, 05:39 AM

You'll struggle to find Asia by Steely Dan.

It's called AJA.

burk48237 · #6 04-02-2007, 07:37 AM

With Steely Dan:
Aja
The Royal Scam (Kid Chalemagne)
Katie Lied

Aretha Franklin:
Rock Steady
Spanish Harlem

King Curtis:
Live at Smalls Paradise

all great stuff

Dr. Cheese · #7 04-02-2007, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassicinstinct

You'll struggle to find Asia by Steely Dan.

It's called AJA.

DUH!!!

Blake Bass · #8 04-02-2007, 11:58 AM

There is a transcription of Rock Steady in a relatively recent issue of Bass Player. I can't remember exactly which one, but it is definitely worth checking out. Chuck Rainey grooves hard.

bovinehost · #9 02-08-2008, 07:37 PM

I don't know who this is, but REVENGE IS MINE!

mwahahahah

etc

bovinehost · #10 02-08-2008, 08:11 PM

Nah, he would do the same for me. I emailed him and told him about this particular post, heh heh.

I mean, whoever that is.

fish slapper · #11 02-08-2008, 08:16 PM

Have to give another vote for Mr. Rainey's work on AJA. My favorite album of all time that came out when I was a dorm rat in college. I have the retrospective DVD where Chuck recalls that Fagen didn't want any of that high falluten popin' and slappin'. Chuck kept turning away from Fagen in the studio so he couldn't see him sneak some in.

For you guitar freaks, Larry Carlton was also prominent on that album.

Mike Shevlin · #12 02-08-2008, 08:22 PM

He also plays the opening theme of the TV show M*A*S*H - It's called 'Suicide Is Painless'.

LilRay · #13 02-08-2008, 08:30 PM

He also played the theme to Sanford and Son aka The Streetbeater for Quincy Jones. Very cool tune!

WarriorJoe7 · #14 02-08-2008, 08:49 PM

Probably one of there most well known songs from the 70s era... Peg... You definitley have heard this song but you probably won't recognize it by the name... Just an incredible bass line

NickyBass · #15 02-08-2008, 09:10 PM

Yeah, his work with Steely Dan is my favorite. He was the perfect choice of bassist for them.

I also really like his work with Rickie Lee Jones. Pirates is a great record.

Cap'n Video · #16 02-08-2008, 09:16 PM

+1 for Steely Dan. My personal fave is Chuck's line on "Kid Charlemagne". Very complex, jazzy and cool. Add Larry Carlton on guitar and Bernard Purdie on drums, and it's almost the perfect storm.

Rickett Customs · #17 02-08-2008, 09:23 PM

Yes sir, any Steely Dan track with Chuck was awesome.

Sneckumhaw · #18 02-08-2008, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Shevlin

He also plays the opening theme of the TV show M*A*S*H - It's called 'Suicide Is Painless'.

Ah, great bassline. I always wondered who it was, I thought maybe Joe Osborn or Carol Kaye. Surprised it was a player who didn't use a pick (as far as I know).

Mike Shevlin · #19 02-08-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sneckumhaw

Ah, great bassline. I always wondered who it was, I thought maybe Joe Osborn or Carol Kaye. Surprised it was a player who didn't use a pick (as far as I know).

I actually got 'assigned' this song in 1983 when I was in high school at age 15. My sight reading was not that great so I sat in front of the TV every day when M*A*S*H came on and played to the TV. It took me about a week to get it right. I remember thinking -'damn, this guy is good'. I didn't realize that it was Master Chuck until about a year ago.

John Wentzien · #20 05-29-2008, 05:43 PM

Chuck is "The Man" on --Streetbeat---(theme from Sanford & Son)
It don't groove any harder than that!
Especially on a Quincy Jones gig..
He just kills and pulls it out from where the sun don't shine!
Please copy him...(youngsters)