There probably should of been another category for jazz/rock & roll. IMO the Grammys are long overdue for change. They actually need a separate category just for Rock. I hated the Pop/Rock category because you'd get an artist like Whitney Houston (nothing against her) beating out every Rock band. Country has their own category.
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Just reading through this list, and some truly amazing talents have been mentioned. More than a few! It gives one pause, as someone who has been a player (and will be returning to the passion soon, as retirement is affording me). But I do need to mention a few more: Louie Bellson (introduced using double bass drums) Gavin Harrison (truly astonishing talent) Steve Gadd (one of the most acclaimed studio drummers, nay musicians ever) Just out of curiosity, how many posters to this thread are, or have been, drummers? Listen well and enjoy it all.
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I started drum lessons at 5 years old in 1967. My parents bought me a set in 1968. I played up through college then gave it up. I liked Jazz more than Rock. My influences were Philly Jo Jones, Art Taylor, Paul Motian and lately Joey Baron. I should clarify, transcribing Joey Baron recordings while playing with Masada, |
In Rock, to me the most musical, melodically that there was is Ringo Starr. he didn't need to be an army marching in on a thunderous, deafening attack. he was just the right drummer for the Beatles. He made it all look simple. I saw the likes of Karl Palmer, Keith Moon, Charlie Watts, Nick Mason, Stewart Copeland, etc., but I still prefer Ringo. |
Ringo’s drumming on Rubber Soul is fantastic! So is his drum sound. For whatever reason his playing on Revolver---as well as the sound of his drums---changed dramatically on that album. But then the sound of the whole group had changed too. Another very musical drummer rarely mentioned is Kenny Buttrey, the Nashville studio drummer heard on Dylan’s John Wesley Harding and Neil Young’s Harvest, amongst many others (Blonde On Blonde, Self Portrait, Ringo’s Beaucoup Of Blues. Ringo loves Kenny’s playing). He is also real good at getting a great sound, his 1960’s Sonors sounding fantastic on Harvest. Currently there is Harry Stinson, playing drums and singing harmony in Marty Stuart’s band The Fabulous Superlatives. You can also hear Harry on multitudes of albums recorded in Nashville over the past few decades. He too gets a great sound out of his 1960’s Rogers drums. He is also a studio harmony singer for hire, apart from his drumming. One of the best drummers I’ve heard live is a guy named Jim Christie. I didn’t see him when he was in Dwight Yoakam’s band, but rather with Lucinda Williams. Fantastic! A Jazz drummer out of NYC, he uses his formidable chops in a musical fashion, in service to the song. In the circle I travel in, THAT’S what makes a drummer great. |
@goofyfoot WHO ARE YOU? No I mean how could not include 1978 "Who Are You" Just the album cover alone. I'm still deeply disturbed even after all these years (Keith Moon's chair reads "Not to be taken away") |
@danager I know Who fans are sensitive about not praising 'Who Are You' but for me, that album was a departure from what The Who did prior. Keith Moon knew he was dying, so a depressing cloud hung over the entire band. Disco was pumping steady and to me, that album reflected the Disco age. Even the Dead went Disco with 'Shakedown Street' and that bothered me deeply. I love 'Quadrophenia' and Criterion did a great job remastering the movie. 'Who Are you' seemed like a sell out by comparison, no pun intended. |
@goofyfoot - Most of what the Who did was a departure from what they did earlier. 'Tommy' was a departure from 'My Generation', for example. Bands that never depart from a formula will eventually bore their audience as well as themselves. I actually enjoyed 'Who Are You' more than 'Quadrophenia', especially the title track and John Entwistle's numbers. But I always like Entwistle songs! 👍 |
@larsman I don't agree with you about other Who records being as drastically different from one another as 'Who Are You' was to The Who's earlier efforts. Anyway, if you like 'Who Are You' that much, then to each his own. |
I never paid much attention to him before, but I developed a newfound appreciation for Simon Phillips. Incredible musical ability, versatility and technique up the kazoo. I hate to compare, but for my money, for guys that play a big kit, I much prefer his playing to Peart’s. Not really fair because I hate Rush’s music. |
@chayro - I assume you're a fan of his playing on Phil Manzanera's '801 Live' album? That's what turned me on to how great Simon Phillips was.... |
