Re Roxy54’s comment:
I think Charlie Watts was a fine R&R drummer and probably the perfect drummer for The Rolling Stones. Solid time keeper with just enough looseness to give the band their distinctive rhythmic vibe. As has been pointed out a musician’s important strengths are not defined by speed and technical virtuosity, but by the ability to contribute to the whole of the ensemble in that ensemble’s style. He did that very well.
Having said all that, while much is sometimes made of Watts having been a Jazz drummer, a good Jazz drummer he was not. He may have been inspired or influenced by Jazz drummers, but he was not at home in that genre nearly to the degree that he was in R&R. I heard his touring Jazz tentet in NYC on two occasions several years ago featuring some really good Jazz players including the great Peter King on saxophone and it was clear that Watts was the weak link in the ensemble. In that context, rather monotonous playing without the required split second reaction to what the soloists were doing. Hard to do it all.
RIP
I think Charlie Watts was a fine R&R drummer and probably the perfect drummer for The Rolling Stones. Solid time keeper with just enough looseness to give the band their distinctive rhythmic vibe. As has been pointed out a musician’s important strengths are not defined by speed and technical virtuosity, but by the ability to contribute to the whole of the ensemble in that ensemble’s style. He did that very well.
Having said all that, while much is sometimes made of Watts having been a Jazz drummer, a good Jazz drummer he was not. He may have been inspired or influenced by Jazz drummers, but he was not at home in that genre nearly to the degree that he was in R&R. I heard his touring Jazz tentet in NYC on two occasions several years ago featuring some really good Jazz players including the great Peter King on saxophone and it was clear that Watts was the weak link in the ensemble. In that context, rather monotonous playing without the required split second reaction to what the soloists were doing. Hard to do it all.
RIP