Buddy Rich in Paris

[Crowbob]

This was in 1964 or so. Buddy does a solo. He nails it. Perhaps the greatest drum solo of all time. Budy Rich has inspired, literally, generations of drummers.

The technical aspect, in my opinion, is unmatched.

The speed. When I first encountered his greatness, I was convinced the recording was dubbed or two audio tracks were overlaid or some such audio wizardry fraud. Then I saw the video.

[Crowbob]

Ooops!

1971.

[Bob Kontak]

Is this it?

[Crowbob]

Yep.

[rattlsnak]

And think how much better he would have been if he held his left hand straight instead of sideways like a drum line / single drum position..

[svandamme]

the 99 downvotes on that video is Lars ulrich with his ghost accounts hating on a real drummer.

[DanielDudley]

He is very, very good, but I always felt he cared more about his solo than any particular song he played, or how it fit in.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by DanielDudley

He is very, very good, but I always felt he cared more about his solo than any particular song he played, or how it fit in.

I agree. I think he had an insufferable ego. I can’t stand to listen to his solos, they bore me to death. I made it through three minutes of that one and saw how long it appeared to be and that was that.

He had technical proficiency but lacked musicality. I think the band should’ve walked off in search of a beer and come back when they were needed.

[Chocaholic]

Not a drummer but a life long music lover (and far below average guitar and trumpet player), but I’ve always felt Buddy was among the best ever and the video only reinforced my opinion. Not sure why his ego is relevant...most extreme talent comes with matching ego.

Technique and musicality is a tough balance and although I’m not a drummer or qualified drum snob, he walked that line with amazing skill and prowess. And on a kit that is barely a child’s toy compared to modern setups.

Plenty of Buddy Rich vinyl on our shelf...may give them a spin as a result of this thread.

[flatbutt]

the man who made it a solo instrument

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by DanielDudley

He is very, very good, but I always felt he cared more about his solo than any particular song he played, or how it fit in.

Easy trap to fall into. I did.

Drummers like Buddy, Krupa, whoever, aren't able to fully express themselves or demonstrate their skills within the confines of musical arrangements, i.e., songs. Their stupendous control and discipline, their power, innovation and 'musicalness' can only come out when they with their instruments are unleashed and untethered to anyone else.

Buddy was exceptionally arrogant with his performances as he had every right to be. Even now, his techniques are being scrutinized via blurry, old technology, super-slowmotion video.

[Crowbob]

Joe Morello's live solos while in (and even when out of) Brubeck's group, most notably 'Take Five' back in the 60's, is mesmerizing.

It is to me, anyway. His seemingly effortless physicality is tremendous let alone the lyricism.

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

Easy trap to fall into. I did.

Drummers like Buddy, Krupa, whoever, aren't able to fully express themselves or demonstrate their skills within the confines of musical arrangements, i.e., songs. Their stupendous control and discipline, their power, innovation and 'musicalness' can only come out when they with their instruments are unleashed and untethered to anyone else.

Basically the opposite of Lars Ulrich who needs the rest of the band to make sure the rythm is there and to cover up his redundant fills.

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

And think how much better he would have been if he held his left hand straight instead of sideways like a drum line / single drum position..

Sometimes he does.

[flipper35]

Neil Peart does a good job putting his expertise into the song itself.

[beepbeep]

Oldie but goldie:
(Fun starts after 3-minutes mark.)

[javadog]

Originally Posted by beepbeep

Oldie but goldie:
(Fun starts after 4-minutes mark.)

Man, that’s awful. (In my humble opinion, of course.) What the hell kind of guitar is he playing anyway? Seven strings?

[derek murray]

loved Buddy Rich.... here's one of my favourites

[Tobra]

It is not so much that Mr Rich was arrogant or conceited, he was convinced.




He was also right.


There are some old Johnny Carson clips with awe inspiring talents doing their thing. I saw one with Pete Fountain that turned my monkey ass into a slack jawed yokel, that old guy could really make that licorice stick sing

[javadog]

I think there are many drummers today that are far more talented than Buddy Rich. He had a lot of technical proficiency with his hands but I didn’t find his work all that interesting. He was a product of his era and his style is incredibly dated. Any drum solos that he executed were very poorly integrated into the songs. The band played for a while, then everybody quit to let him do his thing, then they played the second half of the song. I think that pretty much ruins any song. And I’m no bigger fan of it today than I was then.

I am far more impressed by drummers whose technical proficiency extends beyond the use of their hands to include far more use of the feet. I would also much rather hear them play in such a way that their contributions to the song don’t wreck the entire composition.