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DRUM!

Date:  February/March 2001

Classic Drum Battes & Drum Solos

All right, with all the mushy, feel good talk that’s been circulating among drummers for the last several years about “tastefulness,” “maintaining the groove” and “playing for the song,” it’s time to go back to selfishness. Competitiveness. Serious soloing. If you’re tired of these wimpy metal and pop drummers who shun the spotlight, “Classic Drum Solos and Drum Battles” (Hudson Music) is the perfect pick-me-up.

Featuring 15 legendary drummers playing either by themselves or with each other, there’s a wide spread of styles for your ears and eyes to focus on. The fluid snare work of Sonny Payne, who made his mark with Count Basie, sets up the markedly different approach of Sam Woodward’s 1962 solo, where he digs into his set with the snares off while creating some pretty amazing effects playing off the rim. Art Blakey’s relaxed demeanor is worth noting as he starts off his clip, which ends up working quite nicely with the music that comes in later. Later Louie Bellson’s sharp, tight approach goes into a solo of several minutes that’s all about percussion and long-term strategy. Be sure to check out the drum “battle” between Buddy Rich and Jerry Lewis, as the latter explores comedic possibilities you had no idea existed with the drums, and doesn’t do a half-bad job of turning his own physical gifts towards the skins. Later, the clear camaraderie between Cozy Cole and Gene Krupa in their ’57 square-off explains why the music they made was so memorable.

Watching this tape shows not only the contrasts between all of these great drummers, but also their similarities. Most notable is their utter mastery of the snare drum. Take away the rest of the kit, and all these guys could make the sound of thunder and rain with just the one drum. It also brings up an interesting question: Why is the most recent performance from 1979? Have no leaders in big band/jazz arisen to replace that generation, or is this an art form that already saw its zenith?

DRUM!

Uncut solo performances from Sonny Payne, Louie Bellson, Art Blakey, and Joe Morello simply smoke, and for those unaware that big band solos can get crazy, check out Sam Woodyard’s nearly drum-toppling 1962 solo on his gold-sparkle double-bass Premier kit. Drum battle footage features Gene Krupa and Cozy Cole; Buddy Rich and Ed Shaughnessy; and Elvin Jones, Sunny Murray, and Art Blakey. Commentary from Peter Erskine and the original theatrical trailer from 1958’s “Gene Krupa Story” round out the package.

Date:  October 2005

Classic Drum Battes & Drum Solos

Composed of performance films from 1957 to 1978, this hour-long DVD not only showcases 15 mid-20th century jazz drumming legends, it’s proof positive that the drumming world simply – and sadly – just ain’t the same anymore. Buddy Rich’s humorous drum “battle” with comedian Jerry Lewis reveals a time in America when drumming superstars were recognized by their immense talents, not from their proximities to supermodels or from MTV reality shows. (Sorry, I digress.)

Modern Drummer

Date:  March 2001

Classic Drum Battes & Drum Solos

Should I be a lofty critic and suggest that drum solo clips removed from musical context could be seen as shallow showboating?  Naaahh! This is drummers going really, really fast, and it’s a blast. The sixty-minute video features clips, mostly from the ‘50s and ‘60s, of jazz power soloing with an emphasis on greats from the big band school, such as Sonny Payne, Rufus Jones, Buddy Rich, and a staggering chops workout from Louie Bellson. Also eye-popping are bits from Art Blakey and a smartly built “Take Five” solo from Joe Morello. The thunder increases with several drum battles teaming Gene Krupa and Cozy Cole; Lionel Hampton, Krupa, and Chico Hamilton; Elvis Jones, Sonny Murray, and Art Blakey; and a humorous bout between Buddy Rich and Jerry Lewis! It’s scholarly jazz history that’s also plenty rowdy. (Hudson Music)

Jeff Potter

Modern Drummer

Date:  February 2003

Classic Drum Battes & Drum Solos Volume 2

Classic Drum Solos Volume 2 is filled with fun and inspiration for any drummer. There are some great moments here, like when Gene Krupa’s band is “practicing” in a boiler room, only to have him solo on the pipes around the room. The “Papa” Jo Jones piece from 1964 is simply beautiful to watch, as he uses his fingers, hands, and sticks in a sensitive, dynamic, and technically amazing solo. And speaking of technique, there are Buddy Rich solos from 1970 and 1986. Elvin Jones, Shelly Manne, Louie Bellson, and others are featured in clips that make this a nice collection for any fan.

Martin Patmos

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