Henry Franklin's guest appearances

Henry Franklin

Music First with DJ Dave Swirsky

The Jake Feinberg Show

Steve Earle

Gordon Lightfoot

George Cables

Ramsey Lewis

Herb Alpert

Bill Conti

Ahmad Jamal

Charlie Hunter

Bela Fleck

Hugh Masekela

Bobby McFerrin

Roy Ayers

Don McLean

Eddie Palmieri

Joao Donato

OwlTail

Sonship "Woody Theus" His spirit superseded his own being. An individual steeped in scripture and creative energy. The two worked hand and hand. He would allow the light of his god to shine through him when he played. He was a audacious performer, what with the knee high boots, multi-colored drum kit and masked marvel eye wear. He was not shy about his outward appearance and felt it was a necessary part of his transcendent spirit. Sonship didn't party or chase woman like his cadre. He was apt to meditate and gain strength through self-reflection. This is the great spirit forging music with religion. The ability to ask his god objectively about the volume of his drums and whether he should turn them down because another great warrior told him to do that. "I'll have to prey on it and let you know," he would say. He was not one to feign ignorance or display passive aggressive tendencies. He played from his guts with a swing more roll than rock. He did not adjust the volume on his drums. Sonship came of age when the likes of Harold Land, Charles Lloyd, Woody Shaw and others who had made names for themselves and were trying to open up opportunities for a younger generation of musicians who would further push music forward. The problem occurred when the industry yielded to loud FM caliber music that forced jazz to get louder and play in less intimate settings. The new generation of Faddis, Theus and Nash did not have the leadership to bridge the gap. The record companies shrank as did people's attention spans. Mental music became obsolete and the quintet and quartet became more of a liability when you could hire one guy to spin records. Sonships true greatness for this journalist lies in the fact that his spirit is inside me. His unique personality and perspective has galvanized my own consciousness shift. Be yourself, be passionate about what you do, believe in your own god and live in the moment. Everyday I look at Finger Rock and thank Sonship for the journey that I am on. Not a journey he put me on but one that he continues to strike with the delicate balance of nature and nurture. He is now a cosmic dweller but his presence is inside myself. I hope that through this article it will help others galvanize their own passions and be unafraid to express them without any hang ups. Be yourself, be accountable and prey on it.

Sonship "Woody Theus" His spirit superseded his own being. An individual steeped in scripture and creative energy. The two worked hand and hand. He would allow the light of his god to shine through him when he played. He was a audacious performer, what with the knee high boots, multi-colored drum kit and masked marvel eye wear. He was not shy about his outward appearance and felt it was a necessary part of his transcendent spirit. Sonship didn't party or chase woman like his cadre. He was apt to meditate and gain strength through self-reflection. This is the great spirit forging music with religion. The ability to ask his god objectively about the volume of his drums and whether he should turn them down because another great warrior told him to do that. "I'll have to prey on it and let you know," he would say. He was not one to feign ignorance or display passive aggressive tendencies. He played from his guts with a swing more roll than rock. He did not adjust the volume on his drums. Sonship came of age when the likes of Harold Land, Charles Lloyd, Woody Shaw and others who had made names for themselves and were trying to open up opportunities for a younger generation of musicians who would further push music forward. The problem occurred when the industry yielded to loud FM caliber music that forced jazz to get louder and play in less intimate settings. The new generation of Faddis, Theus and Nash did not have the leadership to bridge the gap. The record companies shrank as did people's attention spans. Mental music became obsolete and the quintet and quartet became more of a liability when you could hire one guy to spin records. Sonships true greatness for this journalist lies in the fact that his spirit is inside me. His unique personality and perspective has galvanized my own consciousness shift. Be yourself, be passionate about what you do, believe in your own god and live in the moment. Everyday I look at Finger Rock and thank Sonship for the journey that I am on. Not a journey he put me on but one that he continues to strike with the delicate balance of nature and nurture. He is now a cosmic dweller but his presence is inside myself. I hope that through this article it will help others galvanize their own passions and be unafraid to express them without any hang ups. Be yourself, be accountable and prey on it.

A Tribute To Sonship From "The Skipper" Henry Franklin 

My wife and I just spent probably the most enjoyable weekends we've had at The Mission Inn in Riverside, California, for our 17th. The highlight was Henry Franklin on bass in the Presidential Lounge both Friday and Saturday night, with two different pianists: Jimmy Dykes and Gary Matsumoto. Both nights featured jazz standards and classics--and a few of their own compositions.  Skip's solos display originality and technique while staying within an arm's reach of the melody and original rhythm. I never have the feeling that he's just winging it or noodling around in the outback somewhere. His bass produced a whole lot of sustain when he wanted it, such that his stopped notes rang just like his open strings, which I do not notice in all bassists. And this was only his back-up bass since his primary bass was at the luthiers. (Both have his characteristic lion's head scroll, though.)

My wife and I just spent probably the most enjoyable weekends we've had at The Mission Inn in Riverside, California, for our 17th. The highlight was Henry Franklin on bass in the Presidential Lounge both Friday and Saturday night, with two different pianists: Jimmy Dykes and Gary Matsumoto. Both nights featured jazz standards and classics--and a few of their own compositions. Skip's solos display originality and technique while staying within an arm's reach of the melody and original rhythm. I never have the feeling that he's just winging it or noodling around in the outback somewhere. His bass produced a whole lot of sustain when he wanted it, such that his stopped notes rang just like his open strings, which I do not notice in all bassists. And this was only his back-up bass since his primary bass was at the luthiers. (Both have his characteristic lion's head scroll, though.)

The Henry Franklin Interview

Paul Simon

"People often called us perfectionists, but we were not looking for perfection. We were looking for some kind of magic in the music." - Paul Simon We have some of old and new favorites on this week's podcast and we can't wait to share them with you. Featuring music by Paul Simon, Henry Franklin, Led Zeppelin, Walk The Moon, Taylor Swift, B-3 Organ, Jo Hikk, John Lee Hooker and the O'Neill Brothers Group!!!SUBSCRIBE: iTunes TWITTER: @MusicFirstPcastFACEBOOK: Music First Podcast INSTAGRAM: MusicFirstPodcast EMAIL: MusicFirstPodcast@gmail.com

"People often called us perfectionists, but we were not looking for perfection. We were looking for some kind of magic in the music." - Paul Simon We have some of old and new favorites on this week's podcast and we can't wait to share them with you. Featuring music by Paul Simon, Henry Franklin, Led Zeppelin, Walk The Moon, Taylor Swift, B-3 Organ, Jo Hikk, John Lee Hooker and the O'Neill Brothers Group!!!SUBSCRIBE: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/music-first/id514748568" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MusicFirstPcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TWITTER: @MusicFirstPcas</a>t <a href="https://www.facebook.com/musicfirstpodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FACEBOOK: Music First Podcast</a> <a href="http://www.instagram.com/musicfirstpodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">INSTAGRAM: MusicFirstPodcast</a> <a href="mailto:musicfirstpodcast@gmail.com">EMAIL: MusicFirstPodcast@gmail.com</a>

Podcast Featuring Paul Simon, Henry Franklin, Led Zeppelin, Walk The Moon, Taylor Swift and More!