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What it takes to be a session legend with Gail Ann Dorsey

Scott's Bass Lessons

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So today you’re in for something suuuuper different from my usual Friday lesson releases…

But don’t panic… you’re going to LOVE this new video.

It features a VERY special guest… someone who’s played bass for the likes of David Bowie, Lenny Kravitz, Tears for Fears, The Indigo Girls, Gwen Stefani, Seal… I could go on and on…

Simply put, they’re a true session legend.

The AWESOME Gail Ann Dorsey.

And the cool news for you is she came down to the studio in NYC to hang out and let me quiz her about their musical journey, what gear she uses, what it was like to work with David Bowie (and how she got the call in the first place), rehearsing with Lenny Kravitz and what the schedule is like when rehearsing with big artists like that…

And yeah… I filmed the entire thing for you!

It’s ok, you can thank me later ;)

This is a super rare opportunity to learn from someone who’s done it all! Ready to jump in?

As always, see you in the shed…

Scott

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Video Breakdown:

00:00 - Introduction
00:25 - Special Guest: Gail Ann Dorsey
01:05 - Musical Journey
01:42 - Gear and Setup
02:20 - Working with David Bowie
03:10 - Rehearsing with Lenny Kravitz
03:50 - Life as a Session Musician
04:30 - Conclusion

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20 Comments

@blanklastname7628 7 years ago

"Get your shit out of the way. Serve the song." Amazing advice everyone needs to hear.

@jamesanthony5257 8 years ago

I now understand why Bowie added "Lovely" to her name.

@SarahFimm 8 years ago

Gail Ann Dorsey. She is simply as cool as it gets.

@Below-Average_Joe 8 years ago

It amazing how self-deprecating and humble Gail Ann Dorsey is. Although she is a side person, she has super star level talent.

@johngreenwood1972 8 years ago

Can you believe this lovely lady is 55? She could pass for 20.

@olymoon2008 8 years ago

She have a very beautiful voice.

@oooFEEDBACKooo 8 years ago

What a pleasure to listen to a person who has lived and continues to learn.
So humble and sweet!
Thank you Scott!

@MattCollisMusic 8 years ago

I like that she emphasizes 'serve the music' ....that's why she gets the big gigs. So many players are so obsessed with the intricacies of 'playing' their instrument they lose sight of the music itself....cats like this are awesome musicians as opposed to just awesome players...there's a big difference....

@jellyphish2112 8 years ago

I have a love for killer musicians who are humble, does something to the heart...

@wilsonchen2160 8 years ago

singing while playing bass is hard AF

@mikechafe419 4 years ago

Geddy Lee says “no one picks to play the bass…the bass picks you”. So true.

@ComaAlpha 2 years ago

"I just wanna learn how to play my instrument better"

She doesn't need to learn it better, she knows it pretty damn well. But the fact that she still wants to is awesome.

@845callaway 8 years ago

Gail is one of my favorite bass players, and have you ever heard her sing "Under Pressure", with Bowie?? Just Spectacular!!

@precioustraveler 3 years ago

I’m not a musician, but I enjoyed this conversation SO MUCH!
Gail is amazing.

@ermaelzy6644 1 year ago (edited)

Love discovering her. As a young adult in the 70’s I would have definitely listened to her music. Then after listening to her talk, I realized I’ve heard her bass, a lot. But discovering the person behind the music is great. Better late than never. She’s awesome.

@ThinWhiteAxe 7 years ago

'And so I just thought, "I'm going to have to play the bass."'
- My thought when I saw this woman rockin' out next to Bowie 😶

@backbedroombluesman 7 months ago

An interviewer who listens. Now that’s a first.

@marklowe7431 7 years ago (edited)

I heard from two different people who dont know each other saw her with bowie and couldn't stop ranting about how amazing a vocalist and bass player she is. Bowie knew talent.

@samlelowitch 8 years ago (edited)

What a terrific interview!

Gail Ann Dorsey is a killer musician and she's so articulate, knowledgeable, and funny. Scott Devine does a great job here, too. He's a pretty chatty guy but was smart enough to let Dorsey speak and not spend the whole time trying to interrupt her and talk over her (*ahem* I'm looking at yooooouuu, Chris Matthews!), so good on him for that. It's the mark of good interviewer.

I really, really enjoyed this immensely. Thank you so much for doing it! There are so many interviews out there in the media that frankly are rather dull. This wasn't one of them. I loved it. This is one of the very best SBL videos I've seen.