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Drum Blog

Frank Zappa Pops Up and Says Hello

I went through a period in my mid-twenties where the music I most loved became bland and two dimensional. I was listening to mostly be-bop and Western classical music of the Romantic period. Then one day, the groovy noodlings of Messr’s Parker and Gillespie lost their allure and the pomp of Beethoven and Mahler just seemed childish. I was in India at the time and I guess the change of context affected my response to music. And it wasn’t a… Read More »Frank Zappa Pops Up and Says Hello

Ain’t In It For My Health – Levon Helm Documentary

I just spotted this on Youtube. I can’t wait to see this movie. From the website, levonhelmfilm.com: Director Jacob Hatley’s intimate documentary finds Mr. Helm at home in Woodstock, NY, in the midst of creating his first studio album in 25 years. Shot during the course of two-plus years, this highly anticipated film focuses in on the four-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member after his 2007 comeback album, Dirt Farmer, brought him back to the… Read More »Ain’t In It For My Health – Levon Helm Documentary

Great Lesson on The Famous Drum Part For 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover

I’ve just discovered Terry Keating, a guy with unlimited energy when it comes to giving drum lessons or talking about drums and cymbals. His Youtube channel, www.youtube.com/user/bonzoleum, with Led Zeppelin related lessons is an amazing resource for people wanting to learn about John Bonham’s drumming. In addition to the Zep stuff, there are several brilliant videos discussing drums, cymbals and even an introduction to drumming for beginners. Infact, if you wanted to find out if you are a true, died-in-the-wool… Read More »Great Lesson on The Famous Drum Part For 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover

What I?m Listening To This Week

I’m never far away from a bit of Lowell George, one of the greatest singers and songwriters in the universe. Here is a fantastic track from his only solo album, Thanks I’ll Eat It Here which is a mixed bag, something typical of the great man’s recorded output. The album has an incredible line up of the who’s who of 70’s session cats. The drummers include Jims Keltner & Gordon, Richie Hayward, Floyd Sneed and Jeff Porcaro who is laying… Read More »What I?m Listening To This Week

What I’m Listening To This Week

Ooh, this stuff is home, the old stuff, the best stuff. Right? I needed to remind myself what a proper shuffle feels like. Something you hear and don’t hear unless you’ve been listening for a very long time. These are some of the songs on which I suckled, the origins of my relationship with music courtesy of my dad’s singles collection which disappeared in the mists of time or during a move, perhaps. A lot of this old stuff is… Read More »What I’m Listening To This Week

What I’m Listening To This Week

Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley is a Robert Palmer record released in 1974. I was introduced to the record by legendary sound engineer Phill Brown who recorded it. The title track is one of the funkiest things ever committed to tape. It’s something I get my students to play along to as an introduction to funk drumming. This is a beautiful recording which reminds us what a phenomenal time for music the Seventies was (Let’s face it, by the end… Read More »What I’m Listening To This Week

Plug for Brighton Guitar Workshop

I just finished work on the website for Brighton Guitar Workshop. If you need any guitar repairs, setups or servicing done in the Brighton area, get in touch with them.They produce Bowler Custom Guitars and do fine work on electric and acoustic guitars and basses. They also sell spares like guitar strings & picks and have a selection other useful new and used bit’s and bobs, whatever it is you guitarist chaps need. www.brightonguitarworkshop.com?

What I’m Listening To This Week

What with getting into Afrobeat and, obviously, the fantastic drumming that comes with it, I have had some Fela Kuti in my earplugs this week. Tony Allen is playing some very busy stuff, variating in every bar and at the same time driving the groove without any bumps. Once I’ve soaked this stuff up some more, I am going to write down my thoughts on learning to play in this style. There doesn’t seem to be too much material in… Read More »What I’m Listening To This Week

How To Be A Disciplined Musician – Dante Roberson

Here’s a great talk about being a disciplined musician by drummer Dante Roberson. The meaning of discipline here is keeping time and playing for the song, not the other kinds of discipline many musicians have trouble with. Practicing playing to a click track is one of the most important things you can do as a drummer, if you don’t play impeccable time, what use are you? People like to moan about how using a metronome in practice or performance makes… Read More »How To Be A Disciplined Musician – Dante Roberson

Interview With Billy Ward

Not So Modern Drummer offers this interview with Billy Ward, a great drummer, a brilliant teacher and an all ’round cool cat. Billy’s energy and enthusiasm are quite infectious and his generosity and good nature are second to none. I’ve had the privilege of seeing him in the flesh a couple of times and his DVD Big Time and book Inside Out are a couple of the best things in the world to do with playing the drum kit. Click… Read More »Interview With Billy Ward

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