(May 22, 2019) The late, great Louis “Thunderthumbs” Johnson is a bassist that generations of players like Eric “EQ” Young grew up admiring and wood shedding to as they refined their art. Johnson along with his lead guitar playing brother, George “Lightenin’ Licks” Johnson were much in demand musicians before achieving fame as The Brothers Johnson. The duo not only backed up legends such as Bobby Womack, The Supremes and Billy Preston, they wrote songs as well and that led to the pair linking up with Quincy Jones and having a solid career as a funk act in the late 1970s and early 80s.
(May 22, 2019) The late, great Louis “Thunderthumbs” Johnson is a bassist that generations of players like Eric “EQ” Young grew up admiring and wood shedding to as they refined their art. Johnson along with his lead guitar playing brother, George “Lightenin’ Licks” Johnson were much in demand musicians before achieving fame as The Brothers Johnson. The duo not only backed up legends such as Bobby Womack, The Supremes and Billy Preston, they wrote songs as well and that led to the pair linking up with Quincy Jones and having a solid career as a funk act in the late 1970s and early 80s.
Young has followed a similar path. He worked as a side man for Bay Area acts before catching the attention of ConFunkShun’s front man Michael Cooper and becoming the bassist for that funk band. Young eventually decided to become a leader in his own right, and showed what he learned from his time with ConFunkShun on the ballad “Never Stop Loving” from his album Just 4 U.
Now, Young returns with a remake of “Stomp,” the hit single from The Brothers Johnson’s 1980 album Light Up the Night. “Stomp,” was a percolating dance number that absolutely shimmered from the Quincy Jones’ production efforts, including added jazz and classical elements, such as Afro-Latin percussion, and sweeping strings to the funk that Louis, George and company brought to the party. And it is a song that is a test for any bassist.
The big test on this remake comes around the three-minute mark and it cannot be avoided. Anyone who has heard the original version pulled out their air bass and slapped their thumbs against their thighs when Louis went to work. And Young proves that he is up to the challenge as he puts his brand of stank on “Stomp” as he plucks and thumps through that solo. Check out Eric “EQ” Young’s cover of “Stomp” here.
By Howard Dukes
Eric EQ Young and Jaee Logan - "Stomp"