John McLaughlin: Miles Had No Paper Bags, No Chords

Posted on January 25, 2015 by Scott K Fish

John McLaughlin on Miles Davis, Mahavishnu and More
by Dean Budnick on January 23, 2015

Miles Davis & John McLaughlinJohn McLaughlin: Normally, when Miles would come into the studio, he’d be carrying a coffee in a brown paper bag and, in the taxi, he had taken the paper bag and scribbled some chords. We’d play around those chords and that’s how the session got going. Only with Jack Johnson, he didn’t even have any paper bags; he didn’t have anything.

….Miles was in the cabin with [producer] Teo Macero and after 20 minutes of sitting in the studio, I just said, “I’m gonna play; I’m bored.” So I started playing this thing that subsequently became “The Noonward Race”—that piece for the Mahavishnu Orchestra—but I played it in an R&B way. I had spent so many years playing rhythm and blues in the ‘60s.

So I just started jamming. Billy [Cobham] picked it up, Michael Henderson picked it up and we had a groove going. Then, Miles ran into the studio with the red light on and he played the most unbelievable trumpet for 15 minutes straight.

I think one of the reasons he really liked that record was because it didn’t come from his direction—it just came about.

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REMO: Using Rhythm to Make Lives Better

Posted on January 24, 2015 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: With so many drums-in-the-news stories about death, substance abuse, and loudness – this story is a nice change. Kudos to Remo, Inc for focusing their creativity on designing drums for disabled people.

NAMM 2015: Remo develops drums tuned to those with disabilities
by RANDY LEWIS

At the 2015 National Assn. Of Music Merchants show…Remo drum booth on opening day…referred to a new line of drums designed to be more user-friendly — and potentially healing — for people with autism, Alzheimer’s and other disabilities.

Remo hosted a demonstration of its new Comfort Sound Technology percussion instruments….

Remo developed a drum head and frame for various size drums that eliminate overtones common to conventional drums–sounds that can severely affect those susceptible to sensory overload.

The goal isn’t finding the next Chad Smith or Buddy Rich.

“We just want to help people to use rhythm? to make their lives better,” she said.

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Dylan: Rock ‘n’ Roll is Country, Blues, and Swing Band Music

Posted on January 24, 2015 by Scott K Fish

Surprisingly candid Bob Dylan, AARP magazine cover boy
By GUSTAVO TURNER

On whatever happened to the rock ‘n’ roll revolution of the 1950s: “There must have been some elitist power that had to get rid of all these guys, to strike down rock ’n’ roll for what it was and what it represented — not least of all it being a black-and-white thing. […] That was extremely threatening for the city fathers, I would think. When they finally recognized what it was, they had to dismantle it, which they did…. The black element was turned into soul music, and the white element was turned into English pop. They separated it. I think of rock ’n’ roll as a combination of country blues and swing band music, not Chicago blues, and modern pop. Real rock ’n’ roll hasn’t existed since when? 1961, 1962?”

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Shariq Tucker Wins Guitar Center’s 26th Drum Off!

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Scott K Fish

WATCH IT: Bronx drummer pounds his way to the top
Bronxite Shariq Tucker beat out 5,000 other rhythm keepers to be named the winner of Guitar Center’s 26th annual Drum Off! contest on Saturday.
BY DENIS SLATTERY

Bronx drumming phenomenon Shariq Tucker topped 5,000 other rhythm keepers to be named the winner of Guitar Center’s 26th annual Drum Off! contest….

The talented 22-year-old, who has been banging on the skins since he was 3, reigned supreme at the national competition held in Los Angeles.

He came home…with a $25,000 cash prize, a ton of drum gear and an endorsement deal.

“It’s been one of my major goals,” [Mr. Tucker] added. “Winning this competition means the world to me.”

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Playing a Gig with No Drums?

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: Amazing technology. I don’t know how much I would enjoy a full gig not having a surface on which to tap drumsticks. Still, I can think of many musical situations where Aerodrums could be a lot of fun.

Video: Aerodrums bring your air drumming to life
By Loz Blain – January 22, 2015

Aerodrums is more or less a drumset without the drums. You sit down with special reflective panels on your shoes and a pair of sticks with reflective mallet-like tips, and proceed to rock out on the air drums.

A camera and high-powered lamp captures your foot and stick movements, and translates them with dazzling accuracy into midi drum inputs to give a surprisingly accurate soundtrack to your silent performance.

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