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Bernie Worrell:
Bernie Worrell
In many circles, Bernie Worrell needs no introduction. From his work as a founding member and Musical Director of Parliament-Funkadelic to his contributions to the Talking Heads, Worrell has been twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Indeed, songs such as "Burning Down the House" and "Flashlight" wouldn't have been the same without him, and Worrell's keyboard prowess has only grown since those classic recordings. As one of the most sampled musicians in history, Worrell's funky licks have graced hit songs by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, Ice Cube, En Vogue and more, and most often, it is the mighty Minimoog that makes it all happen. Worrell's original Minimoog has served him well, and he's enthusiastic about the new Voyager. "One generation needs to segue to the next generation. So now I work with the sons and daughters, and we coincide."
Many rap and hip hop producers cite Worrell's Moog riffs as the inspiration for using one themselves. Producers and artists alike went from sampling Moog riffs to making up their own, and it's rare to see a hip-hop studio without an original Minimoog or a Minimoog Voyager. Worrell is excited about the transition to the new school: "It's a new era, a new generation, and I like it - it's got the funk!" says Worrell, and you know he means it.
Worrell's early years were spent studying at the New England Conservatory of Music and the Julliard School of Music, giving him a structural foundation on which to base his stratospheric playing. He cites his classical training as a big reason why Parliament-Funkadelic sounded so different from other funk bands of the day. When asked about influences, Worrell lists musical giants such as Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Smith, Oscar Peterson, and Thelonious Monk as making a strong impression on him as a budding performer. And now it is Worrell who is cited as an influence by many of today's generation of players.
Worrell is in high demand as a performer with acts such as Bootsy's New Rubber Band, Jack Bruce & The Cuicoland Express (featuring Vernon Reid) and rapper Mos Def's rock band Black Jack Johnson. He's collaborated in the past with seminal artists such as The Rolling Stones, Bill Laswell, The Pretenders, Soul Asylum, and Jody Watley, and has also been involved in scoring a few movies, most notably Ice Cube's "Friday."
Currently, Worrell is on the road with his own supergroup Bernie Worrell & The WOO Warriors, touring between the recording and production schedules of a new WOO Warriors CD. He's also been working with Les Claypool (Primus) recently, and is playing Jazzfest in New Orleans as part of Col. Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains, featuring Claypool and Guns & Roses guitarist Buckethead, a strange match up of unique talents if ever there was one.
When asked about the state of music today, Worrell laments record companies that have lost their artist development in exchange for accountants and lawyers. Worrell also misses true songs and players, and doesn't like all the machines involved in newer music. "Music is versatile, hands on, nurturing, touching. It can't be all about the dollar." When it comes to Bernie Worrell, you can be sure it's all about the music, and Moog will be right there with him.
Robbie Gennet 2003
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