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The Brothers Johnson Appreciation thread 
Show Your Love for tha Brothas! Their professional journey began backing up artists like the Supremes and Bobby Womack, and later Billy Preston, George Duke, Bill Withers and Sergio Mendes... Louis Johnson has been acknowledged by many bassists as being one of the few players who developed his own thumping technique at the same time, but separately from Larry Graham's influential slap technique. When they finally met up with Quincy Jones, he was quite impressed with their sound(he nicknamed them, "Thunder Thumbs and Lightning Licks"[I know, tA, I know,  ] ), and subsequently they were featured on his albums "Mellow Madness"(1975) and "I Heard That!"(1976)[The Mellow madness album featured their tune, "Is It Love That We're Missin'."] .
 
When Quincy produced their debut solo album, Look Out For No#1(1976), It became an immediate smash, with Hit tunes like "I'll Be Good To You" and "Get The Funk Out Ma Face". 
The album featured what would become the Brothers' signature sound, a sophisticated mix of Pop, Funk, Jazz and dance music. (one of the album's instrumental pieces, "Tomorrow" would become a hit years later when Quincy Jones featured a vocal version, sung by Tevin Campbell on his album , Back On The Block.) The Look Out For #1 album also became the first of a string of Platinum albums for the BJ...   
Quick flashback to 1971. George Johnson was dating a girl who happened to be the cousin of Shuggie Otis, a 17- year old guitar prodigy who was recording his own brand of Blues, Funk, Pop Pyschedelia. Shuggie had just recorded an album for Columbia called "Freedom Flight" around that time, and his cousin gave George a copy of the album. He really liked the track ‘Strawberry Letter 23’, so much so that he arranged to have it played at his brother Louis's wedding. 
When the brothers got together again with Quincy to plan their next album , ‘Right On Time’(1977), Louis remembered his wedding music and suggested ‘Strawberry Letter 23’ as a possible track for it. 
The Famous "Strawberry" 12 -inch:  
Quincy and the brothers took the tune, and created a deep, hypnotic arrangement, highlighted by the now famous guitar solo by Lee Ritenour.(although this also brings up the question of why George was ever called "Lightning Licks", since Quincy always brought in Lee Ritenour to do any flashy guitar work on their albums...oh well....) The tune beacame another hit for the Brothers, and hepled propel their second album to Platinum status... The hits would continue through their third and fourth albums, "Blam"(1978), and "Light up the Night"(1980).  
Light Up The Night was the last of the Quincy-produced albums for the brothers and this one served up more of that hit formula, this time bringing hit songwriter and Heatwave keyboardist Rod Temperton fully into the mix. In addition to collaborating with the Brothers on the hit tune, "Stomp", he also contributed first-class ballads like "Treasure", and "All About The Heaven" to the mix.  
The Brothers Johnson had contributed the track "Get On The Floor" to Michael Jackson's "Off The Wall" album, and Michael returned the favor here, co-writing and adding background vocals to the song, "This Had To Be". In the meantime, Louis Johnson became one of the most in demand bassists in the country, performing for artists from Michael Jackson , Patti Austin and George Benson, to Aretha Franklin, Earl Klugh, Stanley Clarke, Herb Alpert and Paul McCartney, etc...     
For the brothers' fifth album, "Winners"(1981), they decided to produce themselves (Quincy's schedule had become quite full working with Michael Jackson), and they decided to enlist the talents of Toto musicians Steve Lukather, Jeff Porcaro, David Hungate and David Paich to help. The previous year, George Johnson had lent his vocals and arrangement to Keyboardist Jeff Lorber's album "Galaxian" (on the tune , "Think Back and Remember", and Jeff now returned the favor, adding keyboards to the Brothers' tune "Sunlight". The first single, "The Real Thing", became a #11 R&B hit, but although it was probably their most adventurous album since their debut, it was their first album not to make the Platinum Status. 
they were working on a follow-up album, tentatively titled "Funk it", but a number of tunes got rejected by the record company. They eventually ended up taking a few of those tracks and putting them on a Greatest hits package called "Blast"(1982). In addition to their past hits , it included the new tracks "Welcome to The Club", "I'm Giving You All Of My Love", and "Funk It (Funkadelia)". 
Leon Sylvers produced their mid-'80s return LP, "Out of Control"; it didn't equal their past success, but got them another R&B hit with "You Keep Me Coming Back" in 1984 (an instrumental piece, called "Tokyo" became a staple on some jazz stations). By the mid eighties, the musical landscape had changed, with static programmed beats and hip hop rhythms now coming to the forefront of the music scene. the slick sophistifunk/Pop sound the brothers had suceeded with had now fallen out of favor.They recorded a comeback album, "Kickin'" in 1988, but it sounded like a shaky attempt to catch up with the then current musical trends...   
anyway, What were your favorite Brothers Johnson Jams over the years? ... [Edited 1/19/06 11:49am] " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
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i always thought the BJ's song "i'll be good to you" must have been playing in Prince's head when he wrote 'if i was your GF'.
i loved their stuff back in the day. strawberry letter 23 was another of my favs | |
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So many...My favorite is their version of Strawberry Letter 23. Honorable mentions: Stomp, Get The Funk Outta My Face, Ain't We Funkin' Now, I'll Be Good To Ya. I could go on but I hate lists. | |
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paligap said:
Show Your Love for tha Brothas! Their Professional Journey began backing up artists like the Supremes and Bobby Womack, and later George Duke, Bill Withers and Sergio Mendes... Louis Johnson has been acknowledged by many bassists as being one of the few players who developed his own thumping technique at the same time, but separately from Larry Graham's influential slap technique. When they finally met up with Quincy Jones, he was quite impressed with their sound(he nicknamed them, "Thunder Thumbs and Lightning Licks"[I know, tA, I know, ] ), and subsequently they were featured on his albums "Mellow Madness"(1975) and "I Heard That!". When Quincy produced their debut solo album, Look Out For No#1(1976), It became an immediate smash, with Hit tunes like "I'll Be Good To You" and "Get The Funk Out Ma Face". The album featured what would become the Brothers' signature sound , a sophisticated mix of [b]Pop, Funk, Jazz and dance music. (one of the album's instrumental pieces, "Tomorrow" would become a hit years later when Quincy Jones featured a vocal version, sung by Tevin Campbell on his album , Back On The Block.)
The Look Out For #1 album also became the first of a string of Platinum albums for the BJ...
quick flashback to 1971. George Johnson was dating a girl who happened to be the cousin of Shuggie Otis, a 17- year old guitar prodigy who was recording his own brand of Blues, Funk, Pop Pyschedelia. Shuggie had just recorded an album for Columbia called "Freedonm Flight" around that time, and his cousin gave George a copy of the album. He really liked the track ‘Strawberry Letter 23’, so much so that he arranged to have it played at his brother Louis's wedding. When the brothers got together again with Quincy to plan their next album , ‘Right On Time’(1977), Louis remembered his wedding music and suggested ‘Strawberry Letter 23’ as a possible track for it. Quincy and the brothers took the tune and created a deep hypnotic arrangement, highlighted by the now famous guitar solo by Lee Ritenour.(although this also brings up the question of why George was ever called "Lightning Licks", since Quincy always brought in Lee Ritenour to do any flashy guitar work on their albums...oh well....)The tune beacame another hit for the Brothers and hepled propel their second album to Platinum status...the hits would continue through their third and fourth albums, "Blam"(1978), and "Light up the Night"(1980). In the meantime, Louis Johnson became one of the most in demand bassists in the country, performing for artists from Michael Jackson , Patti Austin and George Benson, to Aretha Franklin, Earl Klugh, Stanley Clarke, Herb Alpert and Paul McCartney, etc...
For the brothers' fifth album, "Winners"(1981), they decided to produce themselves (Quincy's schedule had become quite full working with Michael Jackson), and they decided to enlist the talents of Toto musicians Steve Lukather, Jeff Porcaro, David Hungate and David Paich to help. The previous year, George Johnson had lent his vocals and arrangement to Keyboardist Jeff Lorber's album "Galaxian" (on the tune , "Think Back and Remember", and Jeff now returned the favor, adding keyboards to the Brothers' tune 'Sunlight". The first single, "The Real Thing", beacame a #11 R&B hit, but although it was probably their most adventurous album since their debut, it was their first album not to make the Platinum Status. they were working on a new album, tentatively titled "Funk it", but a number of tunes got rejected by the record company. They eventually ended up taking a few of those tracks and putting them on a Gretest hits package called "Blast"(1982). In addition to their past hits , it included the new tracks "Welcome to The Club", "I'm Giving You All Of My Love", and "Funk It (Funkadelia)". Leon Sylvers produced their mid-'80s return LP Out of Control; it didn't equal their past success, but got them another R&B hit with "You Keep Me Coming Back" in 1984 (an instrumental piece, called "Tokyo" became a staple on some jazz stations). By the mid eighties, the musical landscape had changed, with static programmed beats and hip hop rhythms now coming to the forefront of the music scene. the slick sophisifunk/Pop sound the brothers had suceeded with had now fallen out of favor.They recorded acomeback attempt, "Kickin'" in 1988, but it sounded like a shaky attempt to catch up with the then current musical trends...
anyway, What were your favorite Brothers Johnson Jams over the years? ... [Edited 1/17/06 9:58am] First of all, bless you for this thread and the great pics. I got some footage of them on Soul Train in 1977. They were hot. My brother learned the bass playing along w/ the brothers (Louis Johnson) records. My favorite BJ songs are: I'll be good to you Land of Ladys Strawberry letter 23 "Q" Tomorrow I want you (from Winners) Stomp Ride - O- Rocket Is It Love that we're missing Actually Louis had formed the group "Passage" with his wife Valerie and his cousin when he became born again. My brother has the album....it's pretty good. | |
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BlaqueKnight said: So many...My favorite is their version of Strawberry Letter 23. Honorable mentions: Stomp, Get The Funk Outta My Face, Ain't We Funkin' Now, I'll Be Good To Ya. I could go on but I hate lists.
My sentiments exactly. I ADORE "Strawberry Letter 23". I have all of the Bros. Johnson's joints. Pali's threads are always so complete, I never have anything to add except for "Hey Pali? What it is and what it be like?!" SynthiaRose said "I'm in love with blackguitaristz. Especially when he talks about Hendrix."
nammie "What BGZ says I believe. I have the biggest crush on him." http://ccoshea19.googlepa...ssanctuary http://ccoshea19.googlepages.com | |
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paligap said: "Thunder Thumbs and Lightning Licks"[I know, tA, I know,
]  Still searching. 
 Great post 
tA  Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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theAudience said: paligap said: "Thunder Thumbs and Lightning Licks"[I know, tA, I know,
] Still searching.
... " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
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I've been taught and schooled, I am thankful to the org heavyweights for bringing the knowledge to the table. We're going to stomp all night, in the name of love cause it feels good! : thumbsup: Jeux Sans Frontiers | |
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I will echo everyone else's sentiments..I absolutely love the Bros. Johnson...I swear Paligap your threads are outstanding. So complete with visuals and commentary...I love it... | |
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...
Actually, DavidEye's thread earlier today probably provoked this...and awhile ago, I agreed that we were gonna discuss the Brothers in more detail at some point... ... " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
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...
BTW, one of the oddest things I've come across regarding the Brothers Johnson's music is their participation in the soundtrack of a now-forgotten film entitled, "All This, and World War II". The film itself was a strange mix of Beatles songs played against footage of World War II movie footage and Newsreels. The soundtrack featured various artists doing their take on Beatles tunes (this was also 2 years before the Ill-fated "Sgt Peppers" movie). The lineup included the following artists, along with the Beatles songs they covered: "Magical Mystery Tour" - Ambrosia "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" - Elton John "Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight" - The Bee Gees "I Am The Walrus" - Leo Sayer "She's Leaving Home" - Brian Ferry "Lovely Rita" - Roy Wood "When I'm Sixty-Four" - Keith Moon "Get Back" - Rod Stewart "Let It Be" - Leo Sayer "Yesterday" - David Essex "With A Little Help From My Friends/Nowhere Man" - Jeff Lynne "Because" - Lynsey De Paul "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window" - The Bee Gees "Michelle" - Richard Cocciante "We Can Work It Out" - The Four Seasons "The Fool On The Hill" - Helen Reddy "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" - Frankie Laine "Hey Jude" - The Brothers Johnson "Polythene Pam" - Roy Wood "Sun King" - The Bee Gees "Getting Better" - Status Quo "The Long And Winding Road" - Leo Sayer "Help!" - Henry Gross "Strawberry Fields Forever" Peter Gabriel "A Day In The Life" - Frankie Valli "Come Together" - Tina Turner "You Never Give Me Your Money" - Wil Malone & Lou Reizner "The End" - The London Symphony Orchestra I have no idea how the BJ became involved in this project...But this was around the same time that The Brothers also recorded their version of "Come Together" for the Look Out For #1 album. for more on the odd story of the film, check here: http://www.earcandymag.co...hisww2.htm I've heard the album. I gotta say, I don't think the BJ version of Hey Jude does justice to them or the Beatles... but to listen to a snippet, check here: http://thebrothersjohnson..._jude.html ... [Edited 1/17/06 14:00pm] " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
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...
my bad... [Edited 1/17/06 14:04pm] " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
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Of course the Q and (minorMJ) connection got me on board. Used to listen to my dads vinyl back in the day. Love these guys, would love to get some CD's in the UK but not easily obtainable (other than purchasing over the net)
What they up to these days? I'm pretty naive. |
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Pali..You are THE MAN!! Thanks for the thread..You hit the nail on the head. I remember waking up Xmas morning when I was a kid (I won't say the year) and seeing "Right On Time" under the Xmas tree. I played that joint all day over and over. And I used to stare for hours at the picture booklet with all of them jamming inside. Definetly inspired me to pick up the guitar and bass.. "BLAM!" was a great one too. | |
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Strawberry Letter is the JizAM
I only have "Right on Time" which rocks. Wut should I pick up next? I'll leave it alone babe...just be me | |
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paligap said:
The 12" is hip-hop.  | |
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Runnin' For Your Lovin' and Land of Ladies are my favs. 
And definately Tomorrow. | |
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Stymie said: Tomorrow
 !! | |
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CinisterCee said: Stymie said: Tomorrow
!! Yeah, Tomorrow is my Shit, too!!   
... " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
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LOVE Strawberry Letter....Oh what a Great song. | |
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Wow! I didn't know these things about the Brothers Johnson! What an awesome thread! 
I've always liked "Strawberry Letter 23," but after I heard it used in a magnificent "passing over" scene in one of the last episodes of HBO's SIX FEET UNDER last year, I now absolutely LOVE it! That breakdown, played really loud, is so exalting that it makes me want to cry sometimes! Ὅσον ζῇς φαίνου
μηδὲν ὅλως σὺ λυποῦ πρὸς ὀλίγον ἐστὶ τὸ ζῆν τὸ τέλος ὁ χρόνος ἀπαιτεῖ.” | |
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badujunkie said: Strawberry Letter is the JizAM
I only have "Right on Time" which rocks. Wut should I pick up next? Grab their first album, Look Out for #1!! ... " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
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In addition to the jams everyone has mentioned I like: "This Had To Be" the tune they wrote with MJ.
"I Want You" and "Hot Mama" from "Winners" Great Steve Lukather guitar solos. And the song "Treasure." I don't know what their difficulties were but I hope they stay performing together. George had some very deep things to say about the industry in the Live DVD. [Edited 1/17/06 21:28pm] "The first time I saw the cover of Dirty Mind in the early 80s I thought, 'Is this some drag queen ripping on Freddie Prinze?'" - Some guy on The Gear Page | |
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PRESENT FROM POOK STRAW BERRY LETTER TWENTY TWO! P o o |/, P o o |\ | |
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Bros. Johnson kick ass. | |
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GREAT THREAD!!!! I saw The Brothers Johnson in concert a few years ago and I got to meet them after the show.Really,really cool,down-to-earth guys.I've been listening to them ever since their debut album in 1976.I have all of their albums.My favorite songs by them:
"I'll Be Good To You" (1976) "Get The Funk Out Ma Face" (1976) "Land Of Ladies" (1976) "Free and Single" (1976) "Strawberry Letter 23" (1977) "Runnin' For Your Lovin" (1977) "Ain't We Funkin Now" (1978) "Stomp" (1980) "Light Up The Night" (1980) "Treasure" (1980) "All About The Heavens" (1980) "Celebrations" (1980) "The Real Thing" (1981) "Dancin' Free" (1981) "I Want You" (1981) "Welcome To The Club" (1982) "Funk It (Funkadelia)" (1982) "You Keep Me Coming Back" (1984) "Tokyo" (1984) "It's All Over Now" (1984) "Kick It To The Curb" (1988) "I Fresh" (1988)  | |
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paligap said: badujunkie said: Strawberry Letter is the JizAM
I only have "Right on Time" which rocks. Wut should I pick up next? Grab their first album, Look Out for #1!! ... Exactly! Then pick up their 1978 album 'Blam!' and their 1980 album 'Light Up The Night'.These albums were all remastered in the 90s. | |
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paligap said: badujunkie said: Strawberry Letter is the JizAM
I only have "Right on Time" which rocks. Wut should I pick up next? Grab their first album, Look Out for #1!! ... yup... | |
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My favorite tunes are:
Is It Love That We're Missin' (with Quincy Jones) I'll Be Good To You Tomorrow Strawberry Letter 23 Land of Ladies "Q" Runnin' For Your Lovin' Come Together Streetwave In The Way Get Tha Funk Out Ma Face Treasure Get Closer All About The Heavens Celebratons Dancin' Free I Want You Sunlight Love Is Smilin' On Ya Do It For Love Blam Ain't We Funkin' Now Tokyo Still In Love Caught Up ... [Edited 1/18/06 6:45am] " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
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the LONG extended version of "Get The Funk Out Ma Face" is a must-have.The album version is too brief.
... [Edited 1/18/06 6:33am] | |
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