By Patrick (68.74.13.188) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 06:16 pm:| By Patrick (68.74.13.188) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 06:16 pm: |
My favorite session drummers are Hal Blaine or Jeff Porcaro. As a drummer, I think that Hal Blaine had so much melody in his playing. He knew when to play and when not to play.
| By Patrick (68.74.13.188) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 06:16 pm: |
Or Steve Gadd......
| By PhillyGroove (152.163.206.198) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 06:26 pm: |
Has to be Earl Young. See ormer threads for details.
| By 1wicked (64.32.154.94) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 06:52 pm: |
Earl Young, "Pistol", Bennie Benjamin, "Badd" Gadd, John Robinson, Charles Collins, Chris Parker (w/ Gadd in the "Stuff" tandem set-up), Harvey Mason......all bring somethin' special to the table !
| By STUBASS (205.188.209.38) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 07:01 pm: |
SINCE WE HAVEN'T SEEN "HORSE" AROUND FOR A FEW DAYS...I'LL THROW IN "BIG" AL JACKSON ON HORSES BEHALF!!!...AND A SACK OF OATS!!!...STU
| By DF (24.168.8.162) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 08:10 pm: |
1) Earl Young (Philly Sound)
2) Ed Greene (Barry White)
3) Tony Thompson (Chic)
4) Steve Gadd (favorite drumming w/G. Washington)
5) John Sussewell (Ashford & Simpson)
6) late Yogi Horton (Luther Vandross)
7) John Robinson (Quincy Jones)
8) Steve Ferrone (Avg White Band, Chaka Kahn)
9) Bernard Purdie (Aretha Franklin, King Curtis)
10) late Jeff Pocaro (Boz Scaggs, Toto)
11) Wardell Potts (Solar Records)
| By mhc (172.170.198.24) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 08:22 pm: |
Any theories as to who played drums on "The Boy From New York City" by The Ad-Libs? Whoever that is gets my vote..
| By Son of Thunder (65.59.97.96) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 08:24 pm: |
Andrew Smith
| By Eli (151.197.37.212) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 08:29 pm: |
Sounds a lot like Purdie!! 99% sure.
Speaking of which, on the sessions that I have been on with him he used to have multi colored signs on music stands saying things like "for your next session hire Bernard"Pretty" Purdie"
and he would pass out cards as well.
He is quite colorful inded!!
| By dvdmike (12.84.106.120) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 08:33 pm: |
In no particular order:
Benny Benjamin
Roger Hawkins
Jeff Porcaro
Earl Young
Keith Benson
Maurice White
Hal Blaine
Richard "Pistol" Allen
Allan Schwartzburg
Al Duncan
Charles Collins
Earl Palmer
Bernard Purdie
James Gadson
| By Eli (151.197.37.212) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 08:35 pm: |
1.Earl Young
2.Chester Thompson
3.Ed Greene
4.Al Jackson
5.Charles Collins
| By patrick (67.38.30.170) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 08:35 pm: |
well said!!
| By thecount (65.60.201.174) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 09:04 pm: |
DANIEL SERPINTINE,C.T.A.
RONNIE TUTT
BENNY B.
PISTOL A.
| By mhc (172.167.13.122) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 09:39 pm: |
Bobby, I suspected that it was him; I'll definitely take your word for it.
Let me also be the second one to mention Earl Palmer, because he's an amazing figure and I've always dug his sound and feel. First, he more or less invented Rock and Roll on records by Fats Domino, Lloyd Price, Little Richard, and pretty much every classic R&B record out of New Orleans from 1947 to 1957. Then he moved out to LA and played on every Ritchie Valens record, most of Eddie Cochran's records, "Buzz Buzz Buzz" by The Hollywood Flames, nearly every Sam Cooke record (including "Twistin' the Night Away", and "Shake"), not to mention about 1,000 other great ones. He even played on the theme from "The Flinstones", and if I'm not mistaken, "That's Life" by Sinatra. Finally, he's on all those beautiful, funky David Axelrod records from the late '60s-early '70s that I just found out about a couple years ago, and recommend to any and all (thanks MOJO magazine..). Anyway, I admire a lot of drummers, but to me it seems like he's the King.
| By thecount (65.60.201.174) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 09:51 pm: |
URIEL JONES
JACK ASHFORD
"COUNT"
| By Bradburger (172.181.9.44) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 12:35 am: |
In no particular order:
Benny Benjamin
Roger Hawkins
Al Jackson
Uriel Jones
Pistol Allen
Andrew Smith
Earl Palmer
Maurice White
Bernard Purdie
George McGregor
Cheers
Paul
| By PhilH (203.220.96.91) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 01:18 am: |
"Amen" to those who said Roger Hawkins, now sadly retired due to tinnitus. And how about Gene Chrisman with the American Studio crew? Check out Elvis' "Long Black Limousine" for starters.
Phil
| By Bradburger (172.179.153.65) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 06:07 am: |
Roger Hawkins has been forced to retire because of tinnitus!
Thats sad news indeed Phil. I've always been a big fan of his. Like Benny, he had a unique sense of feel and beat. If had to put these in some order on my list then he'd be joint first with Benny. 
I forgot about Gene Chisman.
Played on many a great session.
Cheers
Paul
| By Horse (159.53.32.41) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 09:02 am: |
There are a lot of GREAT session drummers listed here and some have recorded some serious timeless classics.
STUBASS, Your correct when mentioning AL Jackson. He is ONE of my favorites.
However, my choice hands down #1 is J.R. Robinson followed by Jeff Porcaro. J.R. is a session machine in himself...Hence his track record. I could share some inside stories about the J.R. from a drummer aspect that would blow your mind, but then, that might blow my cover.
As for Jeff, as highly regarded as he was in the industry from the session aspect, I really feel he was a musical gem not nearly celebrated as much as the enormous amount of talent and spirit he shared with all of us. One of our greatest loses when he left us.
There are drummers listed he that were definitely great influences on both J.R. & Jeff and I'm sure J.R. & Jeff would be the first to give praise and honor to them. These guys have raised the bar for drummers everywhere.
| By DF (24.168.8.162) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 11:00 am: |
Let's give current props to Amir Thompson (Brotha ?love) from the Roots. Normally, if any hip hop soul producer wants live drums, he/she will call on Amir (Roots, D'Angelo, Erikah Badu, Common). Best timekeeper in the business right now.
| By 1wicked (64.32.154.94) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 12:49 pm: |
Horse, I saw J.R.Robinson doing a demo in a little plexiglass "box" at a NAMM show a few years ago.....and he was amazing ! We're talking 20 pounds of funk in a 5 pound bag ! J.R. delivers....and there's no doubt as to why he's 1st call !
| By STUBASS (152.163.195.198) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 02:06 pm: |
GIVING THE DRUMMER'S SOME...ALTHOUGH NOT FROM THE "STUDIO" R&B ERA...THREE GUYS THAT I BELIEVE COULD HAVE CROSSED OVER FROM THE JAZZ GENRE...AND WOULD HAVE HAD INTERESTING INTREPRETATIONS ON THE MUSIC WE TALK ABOUT HERE ARE...SHELLY MANN...GRADY TATE...AND OF COURSE...THE IMMORTAL BUDDY RICH!!!...ALSO...CHET FORREST DID SOME NICE WORK FOR MOTOWN ("WHATS GOING ON")!!!...CHET WAS PART OF MY BROTHERS ROAD GROUP WITH PAUL ANKA THAT ALSO INCLUDED ROBERT WHITE AND EARL VAN DYKE!!!...STU
| By Horse (159.53.238.243) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 03:09 pm: |
1wicked,
J.R. is approx. 6'.5" and 230+ lbs. with a size 13-14 foot. That boy is bound to cause some serious damage, especially at the rate that he grooves. I'm sure you must have noticed the intensity of his focus when he's playing. I've known J.R. since long before he was (so to speak "discovered")and the first time I witnessed his playing I said "He's Gone As Soon As The Right Person Hears Him". Shortly after that he landed his first major gig. He's not one to open up regarding his inner secrets/demons, but once you become aware of them, you come to a clearer understanding regarding his awesome playing. I've sat in the drum booth with him during major recordings and witness first hand why he has been at the session fore-front for over 25 years. For producers, he is a dollar well spent. For the artist, he the a guarantee of a solid foundation for which to build if necessary at a later session. I've seen him lay it down within the first take on numerous occassions. For years he was booked for triple sessions within a day. Maybe the best place for him is the box, if you know what I mean.
| By Horse (159.53.238.243) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 03:40 pm: |
STU:
Those are some excellent choices you have stated. It must be that "BASS" in "STUBASS" that brings out your drum knowledge.
| By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 04:44 pm: |
HEY HORSE: BASSISTS AND DRUMMERS ARE "BROTHERS" IN RHYTHM...AND I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE GOOD "STICK WORK"...MADE MY JOB A LOT EASIER!!!...HOWEVER...I ONCE DID CLASH WITH A DRUMMER WHILE PERFORMING THE JAZZ TUNE..."CUTE"...SEEMED WE BOTH WANTED TO PLAY THE SOLO "FILLS" AT THE SAME TIME...I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE FEATURED PLAYER...BUT THE DRUMMER JUST COULDN'T RESIST!!!...STU
| By 1wicked (64.32.154.94) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 05:48 pm: |
Horse, J.R.'s intensity was the FIRST thing I noticed ! He was locked in to whatever was being played thru his headphones...sweating up a good case of dehydration and totally oblivious to the assembled masses marveling at seamless flow he was putting down. (This demo session was at least 20-30 or more minutes long too !!)
Hey...hit me off-line so we can discuss this further.
| By Son of Thunder (65.59.105.119) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 06:01 pm: |
Ed Greene
| By PhillyGroove (152.163.206.203) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 06:20 pm: |
Can somebody list some of J.R.'s credits? Sorry to sound naive, but I don't know him by name ... and based on the thread, sounds like one to know! Thanks.
| By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 08:05 pm: |
Philly,
The list is just too long to list. It goes on and on. He is on more hit records than just about anybody. Look him up on the web. Try Zildjian.com or Yamaha.com
| By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 08:16 pm: |
Stu:
Spoken like a true Bottom end guy...! As far as that drummer you mentioned...Obviously he didn't have a clue that "Space Is The Place"...!
| By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 08:18 pm: |
1wicked,
Check your email.
Horse
| By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 08:21 pm: |
Philly,
After reading my response to you, I thought it sounded a little like a blow off. Please don't read it as that. I suggest looking under J.R. Robinson or John Robinson.
Horse
| By PhillyGroove (205.188.209.38) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 09:40 pm: |
Horse,
No prob. Thanks for the tip and I'll do the search.
Philly
| By 1wicked (64.32.154.94) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 10:43 pm: |
Yo Philly...J.R. was with the group Rufus at one time and is the drummer of choice for almost all of Quincy Delight Jones stuff of recent years + tons & tons of other studio work...
| By DF (24.168.8.162) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 04:06 am: |
John Robinson's most notable drum track (of all of the 25 years he's been in the business) has to be Michael Jackson's "Rock With You" (check the drum intro. Peace.
| By PhillyGroove (152.163.213.192) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 07:53 am: |
Thanks for the leads on J.R. Robinson. After reading about him on a few other sites, I can see why he's high on your list. My question should have been, "Who HASN'T he backed?"
| By Horse (159.53.32.41) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 08:23 am: |
Philly,
I was going to say that but didn't want to sound over the edge.
DF,
J.R. seemed to have a signature drum intro on a lot of songs through the 80's. Stevie Winwoods' High Love, Rufus' Ain't Nobody were some definite classic examples. He used to create licks by using intricate sticking around the groove and come up with intros which were pretty indentifyable. One time I played (what I thought to be) one of his intros for him only to be amazed when he showed me the actual correct sticking he used. It really seperated the lick and created a much funkier dynamic to it. He even enlightened me on a few Porcaro stickings. It made all the deferrence in the world to the groove.
Horse
| By Horse (159.53.32.41) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 08:25 am: |
Hey Philly,
After viewing your last post time, What's a drummer doing up so early in the a.m...?
| By stephanie (199.183.163.167) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 08:46 am: |
I like Nino Tempo and Stewart Copeland of the Police and remember Diamond of the Ohio Players..
Stephanie
| By Horse (159.53.32.41) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 08:54 am: |
Stephanie,
Stewart's style opened up a whole new avenue for pop/rock drummers that played using tradition grip and on top side of the beat. He had a very aggressive style of drumming and took a lot of drummers outside of the basic 2&4 groove in the pop/rock market. He also aided in the concept of bringing back the TRUE smaller/tighter snare drum with resonance/ring sound instead of the "Put Another Pillow On That Snare Drum Syndrom". He definitely had a unique style.
| By Horse (159.53.32.41) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 08:59 am: |
Stephanie,
Just another note. One might also notice that Sting went on to later use the aggressive drumming style of Vinny Coliuta. It's a Bass player/drummer combo that makes for an interesting groove. Do I hear an AMEN Stu..?
| By Lynn Bruce (65.60.200.153) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 09:59 am: |
Horse,this isn,t early in the morning for drummers,it's late in the evening. lol
I,ve always likes a non-muffled sound on my snare and my toms especially.A boom instead of a thump. Sometimes in small venues you can't get away with it as well as you can in an arena or big club,I think it comes from my love of of the drums of Tahiti and Africa.Just sitting in a circle and doing fours and generally kicking out the jams with fellow drummers. There's just something about those tom-toms that gets your blood moving.
As you can see I miss those monday night jamborees we used to have at WestFort Tavern,Roses and the Dixie-Belle, where Marcus Terry, Bo Savich, Johnny Echo,myself,and any drummer that was in the house would have round robin drum solos.It was fun and educational as we would share how we did certain riffs with each other with no jealousy. Ah the good old days!!!
| By Horse (159.53.238.243) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 10:56 am: |
Lynn,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I always heard some great things about Marcus Terry but never got the chance to meet him. I'm a little younger than his crew but did get the chance to hear him once in the 70's with the band Sticks & Stones at Your Mustache Lounge on Ford Rd. in Dearborn. The entire band sounded great. I've seen Bobby Lewis around town in the late 90's-2000. He's just like the eveready bunny...He just keeps on going. I heard a lot about Roses From the likes of Nabeyh, George and Guy. I look forward to meeting you. Maybe sometime at the Clawson. I would love to hear you play. That is one thing for sure regarding drummers sharing their chops. I've known it to be very common during my time in the Boston/Berkeley scene. That's always a cool thing. As far as drum sounds I agree. Each drum has it's own character and is meant to sing. As far as the good old days...I think they're always here in spirit but don't always have the venue or opportunity to be expressed. I guess we'll keep working on it.
| By STUBASS (152.163.207.202) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 11:28 am: |
AMEN HORSE...SO LONG AS THE DRUMMER DOESN'T STEP ON MY LINE...HAA HAA!!!...WHO REMEMBERS POPULAR LOCAL DETROIT DRUMMER J.C. HEARD...AND IS HE STILL WITH US???...STU
| By Horse (159.53.32.41) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 11:30 am: |
Stu,
I remember J.C. but don't know if he still with us. If anyone can comment please.
| By Horse (159.53.32.41) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 11:35 am: |
I hope us drummers aren't hogging up the forum..But when you get to beat on shit AND get paid for it..It can't be all that bad..! Is this a great country or what..? Whoever started this thread may have created a monster.
| By Jim G (12.47.224.13) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 11:54 am: |
J.C. Heard, one of the most versatile drummers in the history of jazz, died in 1987 (or maybe 1988).
He left Detroit with Teddy Wilson's band in 1939.
He was a superb jazz drummer who was very familiar with Cuban drumming. J was also a talk show host in Japan in the 1950s and starred in some Samurai films.
| By Horse (159.53.32.41) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 11:58 am: |
Great info Jim. In what capacity did J star in the films?
| By Jim G (12.47.224.13) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 12:02 pm: |
He played a warrior. He didn't recall the names of the films, but can't you see him running around with a weapon? I mean, J had so much energy.
| By Horse (159.53.32.41) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 12:08 pm: |
That's just too much..!
| By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 01:03 pm: |
THANKS FOR THAT INFO JIM: JC WAS LEGENDARY IN AND AROUND THE DETROIT JAZZ SCENE!!!...JUST THINKING HORSE..."I DON'T WANNA WORK...JUST BANG ON MY DRUM ALL DAY"!!!...STU
| By BCNYC (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 09:57 am: |
Steve Ferrone on "Whatcha Gonna Do For Me"
Sly Dunbar on "Private Life" and "Greetings"
Keith Forsey on "Love to Love You Baby" and if you don't agree, by all means try that slow hand for seventeen minutes.
| By Horse (159.53.238.243) on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 10:23 am: |
Stu,
It's Tribal...!
| By BankHouseDave (195.93.50.9) on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 04:53 pm: |
My favourite drummers outside of Motown are Al Jackson Jr (so clean), the brilliant Pretty Purdie - did anyone notice the drum part on the Jimi Hendrix Hey Joe was lifted from Bernard's work on the Tim Rose version? - and Michael Giles - another jazz into rock man who played with King Crimson in the 60s and is now with the 21st Century Schizoid Band. This is a great drummer.
| By calvinewr (170.121.15.5) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 02:59 pm: |
Best timekeeper - crisp, powerful, with a lot of syncopation was AL Jackson Jr. of Memphis Hi Label - and other southern soul artists. Listen to Al Green's stuff - that is Al.
| By Horse (159.53.238.243) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 03:09 pm: |
Omar Hakim is an excellent solid agressive groover with chops when needed. He's got that east coast aggressive style while in the pocket.
Horse
| By Jay (24.55.210.61) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 04:32 pm: |
Good read gang!
One missing name?
David Garibaldi ... Tower of Power.
If you like burnin funk....
I was at a concert years ago at the Masonic Temple in Detroit.
The Quincy Jones band/group/singer/ThunderThumbsJohnson etc were the headliners.
Tower of Power was the opening act.
Let me just say that it was extremely anti-climatic for Q to have to follow the burning grooves of TOP.
Later they all played together.
Oh and David Garibaldi smoked!
Jay