By PhillyGroove (152.163.188.68) on Sunday, March 02, 2003 - 11:35 am:

Loved the whole show last night on PBS, although I wish The Spinners had been featured more prominently. Anyway, I thought Aretha's drummer had a good groove. Any idea who he is?

By drums (63.242.208.176) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 09:32 am:

Hi Philly Groove!! It looks like James Gadson was up there laying down that groove brother. Bernard Purdie did a lot of the studio stuff, but Gadsens been backing her for a while now. They only showed him for a second though , so I may be mistaken!!


Daren Metz

By BankHouseDave (195.93.50.9) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 12:59 pm:

James Gadson's been backing EVERYONE for a while now.

By PhillyGroove (205.188.209.38) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 01:09 pm:

I'm always trying to learn from other drummers. It's great to put a face -- especially a live performance -- with a name.

Thanks!

By Fashion Ploice (63.88.160.101) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 04:34 pm:

he should have beaten her dress instead of the drums

By drums (63.242.208.176) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 04:41 pm:

LOL!! That isnt nice talking about Aretha's Lion Print dress (trying to hold back the laughs!!)

Or was it a Zebra??

Daren Metz

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 04:57 pm:

I know Aretha is tough on her band, as they have to be exactly right to her ears.

Aretha's dress is similar to the one she wore on the Grammy Awards. I don't understand her taste in clothes, but she has always been my girl. As soon as her LP's hit the shops, I was there buying it, even though I had not heard the songs. I knew it was a winner. (I haven't purchased one in years however) She is still going strong, and still has a beautiful voice.

But you know those young female artist today, (there are so many I just don't know their names) the way they dress is vulgar, very indecent, tempting the lacks of R. Kelly.

By Lynn Bruce (65.60.202.214) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 05:04 pm:

I do wish she'd get (or take)some better advice on what to wear.
No dis-respect as I think she's one of the greatest singers of all time.
It's just I can't stop looking at those HUGE overdone outfits she wears.
Then again maybe she's like Freda Payne and wears dresses for the effect they have on people,good or bad,it gets people saying your name.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 05:09 pm:

Aretha has never been in the good graces of the wardrobes. :o)

By Lynn Bruce (65.60.202.214) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 05:18 pm:

Sis, she used to dress nice in the 60s,before she gained all of her weight.
IF YA GOT IT FLAUNT IT,is her motto now!

By kelly (205.188.209.38) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 05:22 pm:

i'm sorry but aretha in that dress looked
like a thankgiving float

By kelly (205.188.209.38) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 05:22 pm:

i'm sorry but aretha in that dress looked
like a thankgiving float

By kelly (205.188.209.38) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 05:25 pm:

another thing freda payne could have used a bra

By Beebopman (68.73.20.33) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 05:51 pm:

The PBS show was fantastic. So much awesome talent. Does anyone know who the rythum guitar player was on Edwinn's performance. It looked like Charlie who used to play with the New Birth. Anyone confirm this for me?

Beebopman

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.188.68) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 06:09 pm:

Hi everyone. I don't think that was James Gadson with Aretha. I did sessions with him in LA and don't think it was him. HB Barnum is her conductor. I had a nice chat with him. I hadn't seen him in many years. Edwin brought his horn player and guitar player with him from the UK. I think the guitar player is related to him.

By PhillyGroove (152.163.188.68) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 06:27 pm:

Mr. Coffey,

Thanks for a great show! Was certainly a treat watching you and the great licks. Thanks, too, for clarifying about James Gadson. Sorry to say I wouldn't know him if I saw him. Any way to find out who the drummer was for the show? Thanks for the info on HB Barnum. It was fun watching him conduct during Aretha's numbers.

PhillyGroove

By 1wicked (64.32.154.94) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 09:06 pm:

PhillyGroove....Gadson was the drummer for the Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band and sang lead on "Loveland" before becoming one of the top session drummers.

By Scratcher (65.133.219.126) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 09:29 pm:

Aretha's drummer name is Nathaniel "Nate" Neblett(sic); I may have spelled the last name wrong. Edwin Starr's guitar player is his youngest brother Angelo who also plays bass.

By PhillyGroove (64.12.97.7) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 10:04 pm:

1Wicked,

How've you been? I LOVE "Loveland" by Charles Wright and the 103rd Street RB! Was one of my first 45's, man. Thanks for the heads up on James Gadson's playing, but I had no clue he sang, too.

By the way, I thought Blue Magic did a great job on the PBS special. I was a real treat to see them perform live. Thanks for your referral to them several months ago.

P.G.

By PhillyGroove (64.12.97.7) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 10:05 pm:

Scratcher,

Thanks! I'll try to find so info on Nate.

By David Meikle (213.122.124.7) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 04:02 am:

Dennis

Thanks for mentioning HB Barnum.

A top notch music guy.

David

By BankHouseDave (195.93.50.9) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 06:40 am:

Anyone else here remember an album called 'Everyone Loves HB' where he {sort of} sang over his own brilliant arrangements on 'Round Midnight', 'Save them bones for Henry Jones' and some other stuff? I think it was on RCA - way before he started arranging at Motown.