Tony Williams – Modern Drummer Cover 1978

Posted on April 13, 2022 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE – A great way for Modern Drummer to kick off it’s second year of publication, with a Tony Williams cover story.

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Neil Peart’s Bubba’s Bar ‘n’ Grill Photo

Posted on April 12, 2022 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: Neil Peart’s sense of humor. This photo is from the back cover of Neil’s “Bubba’s Bar ‘n’ Grill Presents The FAR AND NEAR Calendar for 2014.” Always brings a smile.

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Drumming Misses and Stumbles

Posted on April 2, 2022 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: Driving, listening, minutes ago to a live trio album. The musicians, all famous jazz musicians, shall remain nameless.

The 1968 performance includes one of my very favorite drummers. But, as often happens, there are moments on this album when the drummer doesn’t quite pull off what he had in mind.

In fairness, unless I ask the drummer, I can only surmise what he meant to play. Based on my experience as a listener and a player, there are times the drummer misses the mark. Sometimes it seems to be a lack of technique. Other times it’s a physical glitch. Maybe the drummer misses a drum, or snags the tip of his stick on a drum rim while attempting to move between drums.

Both examples offer drummers an opportunity to improve. We can practice moving between drums. And we can figure out and master the technique necessary to execute the idea we flubbed.

More often than not when I hear a drummer stumble on an idea, it tells me the drummer is taking chances. For me, that’s much more rewarding and fun than listening to a drummer who never takes chances.

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Keep Time in Your Heart, Head

Posted on March 6, 2022 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: Driving about an hour ago, listening for the first time to Charles Mingus’s Jazz in Detroit – Strata Concert Gallery – 46 Selden album. This is a live album. Mingus’s band is Roy Brooks (drums), John Stubblefield (tenor sax), Joe Gardner (trumpet), Don Pulled (piano), and Mingus himself on bass.

The opening track is Mingus’s Pithecanthropus Erectus. A familiar tune from listens to many other Mingus albums and concert performances. But on this drive I’m hearing this version, and this Mingus quintet, for the first time.

My right hand is tapping time on my steering wheel. But then there is a moment, a few seconds, when the band enters the controlled chaos (my term) section of Pithecanthropus Erectus. I’m still keeping time. Or am I? No one in the band is keeping strict time. I fight off the self-doubt of, “Maybe you’ve dropped the time! When the chaos ends and the band is back to normal swing time – you’re going to be lost. The time you’re keeping on your stupid steering wheel won’t be anywhere near the real time.”

There were times – many times – I had the same doubts on a bandstand. But, lo and behold, when Mingus’s band moves into swing time I’m right there with them. Phew!

That’s a good lesson, a good drumming skill. Always know in your heart and head where the time is. That way, when you and/or the rest of the band is in free form, you will remain centered.

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Barry Keane – 46 Years with Gordon Lightfoot

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: After first interviewing Barry Keane in 1981 for Modern Drummer magazine, I had no idea we would do it again in 2022. We’ve stayed in touch over the years. When I asked Barry if I could interview him again he said yes.

This time, I wanted to interview Barry from his perspective as a working drummer for 46 years with one of the world’s great singer/songwriters, Gordon Lightfoot. That’s a dream job for almost any drummer. Hopefully Barry’s story will help smooth the way for any drummer who wants to follow a similar career path.

We talk here about Barry’s schedule, the recording studio, rehearsals, staying fresh, his interaction with his fellow band members, and, of course, with Gordon Lightfoot.

Barry’s not a gear head. If his drums, cymbals, and percussion instruments sound good – that’s the essential point. Manufacturers, weights – all that stuff is secondary.

This interview took place by phone on two days in January 2022. Barry was home in Canada. I was home in Maine.

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