2016 Reader Favorites – #5: Leland Sklar

Editor’s Note: At the end of each year, we tally up all the article and video views on No Treble to come up with a list of top 10 most popular bassists. This is entirely based on readership, not on opinions, polls or anything else. Just having some fun.

Leland Sklar

What can you say about Leland Sklar that hasn’t already been said? The man just brings it in everything he does.

We featured some killer videos this year of Mr. Sklar from throughout his career, and once again, our “Stories Behind the Songs” and Groove episode from the archives continued to be huge hits.

James Taylor with Leland Sklar: Your Smiling Face, Live 1988

1. James Taylor with Leland Sklar: Your Smiling Face, Live 1988

I was going through my records this weekend and realized just how many of them feature the tasteful bass lines of Leland Sklar. Of course, that sent me into a Sklar phase on YouTube, which led me to this great version of James Taylor’s “Your Smiling Face” from 1988…

Phil Collins Taps Leland Sklar for New Tour

2. Phil Collins Taps Leland Sklar for New Tour

Phil Collins revealed he is coming out of retirement to perform in a tour he’s calling “Not Dead Yet Live!” next summer. The title, which is a play on concerns about his health, is also the title of his new autobiography that came out in 2016. Leland Sklar was announced for the tour…

Tom Barger and Leland Sklar: Jamaica Rendezvous

3. Tom Barger and Leland Sklar: Jamaica Rendezvous

Leland Sklar‘s birthday was on May 28th, and we celebrated with another great video. If ever you’re looking for a lesson in tone, taste, and time, just look up a video of Lee. (Even better, you should follow him on Facebook.) Here’s a duet he shared of “Jamaica Rendezvous” with the late singer/songwriter Tom Barger…

Stories Behind the Songs: Leland Sklar

4. Stories Behind the Songs: Leland Sklar

With over 2,500 albums under his belt, Leland Sklar is more than a seasoned pro. He’s a legend. A staple of L.A. studio scene, Sklar put his stamp on music of all genres for over four decades. We reached out to Sklar to get his take on his favorite tracks he’s played on as well as No Treble readers’ favorites…

Groove – Episode #3: Leland Sklar

5. Groove – Episode #3: Leland Sklar

“Who is that bass player with the long beard?” That was my initial reaction when I first saw the video for Phil Collins’ smash hit, “Sussudio”, in 1985. I did not know Leland Sklar’s pedigree as a bass player before that (and, what happened after is a journey of impressive artists and songs that continues to expand to this day and beyond)…

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