[Dixielandjazz] Time

[Larry Walton Entertainment - St. Louis]

There seems to be three things that make a top drummer.  Keeping good time, 
knowing styles and playing with taste.

As you pointed out Steve, steady time is probably the hardest to master but 
that's not the only reason we have drummers and that's where taste comes in. 
Unfortunately  "playing" the drums is almost a lost art.  When I first got 
into the AF band there was a drummer named Glen Kimmel in the band.  Glen 
has been dead for several years but I remember him as the first drummer that 
had all three of the things I mentioned.  I especially remember his 
wonderful musical taste.  He wasn't just a time keeper but a player.  He had 
a hundred years of styles at his finger tips.  I think he may have "spoiled" 
me because I still look in vain for that in all drummers.
Larry
STL
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "eupher dude" <eupher61 at hotmail.com>
To: "Larry Walton" <larrys.bands at charter.net>
Cc: "Dixieland Jazz Mailing List" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 8:24 PM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Time


>
> I will never claim to be the world's most accurate tempo keeper, but I'm 
> amazed at some of the things I hear on recordings.  (Including one I'm on, 
> but I have little ability to do anything with that group...)
>
> A Scoby/Clancy Hayes recording of "Down in Jungle Town", it's pretty 
> doggone fast to start with, then the drummer takes a solo chorus--and the 
> tempo kicks up noticeably, I'd guess 15 bpm or so.  Minimally.
>
> I've heard similar things on so many recordings...frankly it seems like 
> banjo and drum solos are the most frequent instances where tempo just 
> takes off.  Sorry, guys, that's just the way it is.  (ducks)
>
> It's also interesting to notice tempo differences within the same band, or 
> at least same players or influences.  I have versions of " Friendless 
> Blues" by Watters (with Turk), 2 by Turk, and one by Bob Schulz' band, 
> obviously with lots of Turk overtones.  The Schulz version is the slowest, 
> the Watters next, then the older Turk, and the later Turk is the fastest 
> of the 4.  I have a couple of alternate recordings by the Salty Dogs too, 
> and there really isn't as much difference in them.
>
> I do notice that most pickup bands tend to do things a lot faster than 
> those bands that are together more, too.  There are obvious exceptions.
>
> Just an excuse to post...
>
> steve
>
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