George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Daft Punk, and Paul McCartney are some of the subjects in the conclusion of this two part interview.
Link to Part 1 of the Interview
Introduction
Nathan East is a very prominent session and touring musician based in Southern California. In 2014 he finally decided to release his first solo album, and I was contacted by a PR agency about doing an interview. As a huge admirer of his musicianship and legacy, I jumped at the chance. He was in the middle of rehearsals for the Grammy Awards (see part 1 of this interview) so we only had about an half hour scheduled.A steemit exclusive -- this interview is appearing for the first time in print form, it was released in 2014 in audio form only.
I have come across so many extremely talented jazz musicians who are struggling to survive from their art. So it was wonderful speaking with Nathan and discovering that a genuinely nice person has managed, as he himself says, "to live the dream." Like pianist Chuck Leavell, who comes up in this interview, Nathan travels in the most exclusive circles of the music industry, and has enjoyed considerable material rewards. Although he and Chuck travel with rock stars, they enjoy a degree of anonymity and freedom which rock stars don't.
Nathan East possesses unmistakable poise and grace, a true gentlemen with a wealth of talent, charm, and good will.
Interview, Part Two of Two
Alan Bryson: You are all over the place in terms of music, of course I should mention you played on Daft Punk's huge hit “Get Lucky.” By the way, I have to ask, did your son perhaps show you the Stephen Colbert segment where they were supposed to appear on his show and canceled, and then he did a music video of “Get Lucky” with everybody from Jeff Bridges to Breaking Bad.
Nathan East: Everybody is in there, Henry Kissinger – unbelievable. I was just talking to the guys (Daft Punk) during rehearsals for the Grammys about that, and I was saying how powerful it was, by not showing up you get a viral video like that. I mean, that video was hysterical, and also brilliant the way they put that together.
Alan Bryson: I should mention too that your guitarist, Michael Thompson, came up with a really fun song for your album, and he gave it a very clever title, “Daft Funk”. He did a great job for you on the entire album with his playing, and what a great idea that was. Maybe you could share a bit about how far back you guys go, and his playing.
Nathan East: I was so happy that he could be there for the whole project and tracking sessions. We've done lots and lots of projects together – live and in the studio, with people like Baby Face, David Foster, and lots of records. He's my go-to-guy. If you can get him, he's just got a wealth of ideas. Whenever he's around there should just be a tape rolling, because he comes up with these great parts. He's a consummate musician and a scholar in my book. He's been talking to me about doing a record for years and years and years. So when I called him and said it was finally going to happen, he wrote that tune and sent it over. So we kept playing with it, and it turned into what you hear, and it's just really a lot of fun.
Alan Bryson: I would imagine that could be a good club single for you. Let's hear a bit of that audio.
From the album Nathan East, “Daft Funk”
Nathan East: You know, that's kind of what we were thinking. We're hoping some club picks that up and does something with it, you know it was kind of tongue-in-cheek using the name Daft Funk. It was in the spirit of what they've done, which for me was to enable musicians to play and just have fun and that's okay too.
It was an inspirational moment to play with those guys on the records, and I'm so happy for their success. It's been a lot of fun going around the world and hearing “Get Lucky” everywhere.
Alan Bryson: We have to keep it brief today, and I want to let folks know, you're right in the middle of rehearsing for the Grammy Awards Show, you've got a new album coming out, and you'll be going out on tour with Eric Clapton soon. But I must say, doing a brief interview with Nathan East is like going into a gourmet restaurant and ordering a cup of coffee and a doughnut. (Nathan laughing) I mean, you're the guy who worked with Michael Jackson and played the bass on “Bad,” and of course your work with Eric Clapton and George Harrison, your work with Fourplay and working with the philharmonic. Someday when you get some down time I hope you'll think about coming back and spending some more time with us, because talking with studio musicians is my favorite thing.
Nathan East: Oh wow fantastic Alan, I appreciate it. (Laughing) You might need to be my manager with those fact and details. It's humbling and I'm honored, and let's definitely take it further. The first number you called is my mobile number, and I'm inviting you to keep that in your book, and if you see that I'm ever anywhere near you in Germany, don't be afraid to call – I'll get you tickets or whatever. Also this is definitely to be continued, because I think we could probably end up talking for the next hour.
Alan Bryson: Did you ever happen to run into Louie Shelton (top session guitarists in LA in the 70s & 80s) back in the day?
Nathan East: Oh yes, I did.
Alan Bryson: It was amazing, Louie and I ended up talking for three hours. I'm sure you know Jerry Jemmott (top session bass guitarists and touring musician).
Nathan East: I bumped into Jerry not long ago, he's settled out here recently. He's amazing.
Alan Bryson: It's so much fun talking to you guys because you have such a unique take on music, everyday is a new interesting challenge and it's never the same, that's great.
Nathan East: Well I tell you what, you've picked up on some of my favorite music on my record, so it would be great.
Alan Bryson: Let's listen to a song which features you on vocals, this song was written by Steve Winwood. It's from his time with Eric Clapton then they were in the band Blind Faith and it's called, “I Can't Find My Way Home.”
Alan Bryson: That's a real treat. From listening I wasn't sure, were you able to get Eric Clapton on that?
Nathan East: You know what, you wouldn't have had it on your version (pre-release version) because I flew to London and we got him on last Friday. So he's on the records, and I'm honored to have him participate because we have a pretty solid history with that song. He invited me to sing it years ago when we were on tour, and it's one of my favorite songs anyway.
Alan Bryson: Is there a chance you'll be doing that on this tour.
Nathan East: You never know, I'm not sure what the set list will be, if it's blues based, or what it will be. But man that would be awesome!
Alan Bryson: Fingers crossed on that one!
Nathan East: (Laughs) Thank you!
Yes as you can see, he did it on the tour :-)
Alan Bryson: I don't want to spoil the surprise for listeners and share any audio, because this is different, but what a treat to hear Michael McDonald doing “Moon Dance.” He just gave an amazing performance for you, it's a very clever arrangement the way it builds and a very different take than Van Morrison's, which I also love. He released his inner Wilson Pickett on that, he tore it up
Nathan East: (Laughs) That's funny, exactly. He was in from the first ask, you know he's a dear friend, and I'm humbled that he would come in and perform for me like that. I love the way it came out.
Alan Bryson: I also want to mention another interesting track, this one you did with your young son. You guys covered “Yesterday” which is probably the most covered song of all time, so that's a real challenge. I was impressed and I'll tell you why, I thought you did two good things. Somehow you managed to capture the inherent beauty of the original version, and you also put your own mark on it, and that's not so easy to do.
Noah East and Nathan East
Nathan East: Thank you, the actual arrangement is by a gentleman named Steve Hill, and there was a Beatles book that they were playing from where my son takes piano lessons. That's actually the arrangement that was in the book, and credit to my producer Chris. Noah came by our pre-production one day in my studio.
So Chris asked him, “Where you been?” “Piano lessons.” “What did you learn?” So Noah sat down and played that, and Chris said that's got to go on the record. So that was it.
Alan Bryson: So your bass was pretty much improvised on that!
Nathan East: Yep, pretty much improvised.
Alan Bryson: Nathan, that's why you are who you are.
Nathan East: As you can hear, it's very heartfelt. It's not an academic re-harmonization, and it doesn't get lost in proving how hip it is, it's just a really heartfelt. And the fact that it's played by a 13 year old, who happens to be my son, that makes it just that much more special.
Alan Bryson: And unlike most people who have covered it, you might actually have a chance to let Paul McCartney know about it, and introduce him to your son if your lucky.
Nathan East: That would be amazing. We have a picture on my piano that we took with Paul McCartney and when my son was playing one day he looked at the photo and said, “That's amazing, there's the creator of that song.”
Alan Bryson: I wonder, do you still have to pinch yourself sometimes, having played so long with Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and people like Paul McCartney – does it still seem kind of surreal to you?
Nathan East: It absolutely does. I wake up each day and say, I'm livin' the dream. On a daily basis I feel like, wow, how did this happen? You couldn't dream this life up. Being friends with the guys who influenced you most, like George Harrison. I used to go and stay in his house, he'd send a car for me when I would arrive in London, and we would just hang out.
Alan Bryson: I interviewed Chuck Leavell and you guys were in Clapton's band together, and he said he would get beautiful handmade Christmas cards from George Harrison, and talked about walking around his gardens with him.
Nathan East: His wife said something that touched my heart. She said that after he passed she was in his little meditation room where he used to meditate everyday. And she said there were only a few things in there, and they were special to him. And one was a note I had written to him, just saying thank you for the tour in Japan and how much fun I had. It kinda of broke my heart, he was just a true true friend.
Alan Bryson: I was thinking about it, as this 2014 Clapton tour begins, you guys with Chris Stainton have been together so long. It must feel a bit like a family reunion doesn't it?
Nathan East: Absolutely, we've done so many things together, and you come and go into each others lives, so it will be a big love fest.
Alan Bryson: There's something I have to mention to you, with Clapton, you guys did a version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and I love that. So I was wondering, are there any standards that you would like to see him do on tour.
Nathan East: He covered “Autumn Leaves” that would be fun. We had so much fun doing “Over the Rainbow” – so that would be one I would love to do again. I've gotta say, anything he sings I love. You know people know Eric as a guitarist, but as a singer he's right up there. God blessed him with talent.
Alan Bryson: Well Nathan, thank you so very much, I want to wish you all the best on the new album, and on the upcoming tour.
Nathan East: Alan it's been a real pleasure taking to you, to be continued.
Photos are YouTube Screen Captures -- effects by @roused
