SKF NOTE: Revisiting the transcript of my early 1980’s interview with Joe Morello. Joe Morello said things about Buddy Rich which were new to me. Joe’s remarks were instructive and/or funny. I am posting the remarks separately, by subject. Here Joe talks about Buddy and two drummer albums.

Joe sat through our entire interview with a pair of drumsticks, sitting near a coffee table on which he had a practice pad. The coffee table was in front of the sofa seen in the photo of Joe accompanying this post. I was seated on that sofa during the interview.

In this post, where Morello demonstrates points about Buddy Rich’s playing, he did so playing on his practice pad.

Joe Morello on Buddy Rich Part 1  — Joe Morello on Buddy Rich Part 2 

Joe Morello: …Louie [Bellson] did an album with Buddy, and Buddy did one with Gene [Krupa], and Louie did one with Gene, but nobody wants to do one with me. I don’t know why. (Smiles).

But these records like Louie vs Buddy – they get so monotonous after awhile. If you don’t mine me saying that.

As much as I respect what they’re doing, just to listen to it…. I don’t even have that album. I’ve got one of them done years ago with Max [Roach] and Buddy. And Max played very well on a couple of them and then Buddy drew him into the trap. [Joe Morello plays a fast single stroke pattern]. And, of course, Max is not equipped for that. He doesn’t play that way!

It makes drums out to be a contest. It lacks musicality. Too much of that stuff. I mean, it’s nice to have two drummers that can play together. Y’know, you express yourself, but then it gets to be The Circus. You know?

Listen, I enjoy listening to it sometimes. I would be happy to do something like that with Louie or Buddy. Technically? It wouldn’t bother me at all.

–end–