Listening Material

Another question off of Facebook...

"I was wondering if you could give me some really good listening material. I know there is so much stuff out there, but I remember you making some comments about some drummers/groups in your clinic."

Yes, but this is by NO MEANS a complete list, just off the top of my head...

I mentioned a couple of drummers and groups in the clinic, and they'll be included in the list. This is by no means a comprehensive list, just an appetizer to get your appetite wet in several genres. This list could be a thousand times as long as it is...but I'll spare ya...

Jazz

Miles Davis (anything w/ Tony Williams, but here's a few starter albums)
-The Birth of the Cool
-Love Songs
-Miles Smiles
sidenote: "Bitches Brew" is an overrated album in my opinion...yes one of the first "fusion" albums, but it's just not great in my mind, obviously others disagree...I made the mistake of spending money on it when I should have bought a couple of his other albums I would have benefited from more.

John Coltrane (Anything w/ Elvin Jones and McCoy Tyner is killer)
-A Love Supreme (This one is a MUST)

Big Band
Anything by Count Basie

Funk

James Brown
-Sex Machine (The most sampled drum beat in the world...this groove is where rap found its roots and eventually it was sped up and morphed into what is now known as drum and bass or jungle music)
-His greatest hits will give you a good start...actually, anything by him is good to start with.

Parliament
-Killer grooves (Dennis Chambers played with them for a while)

The Funky Meters (Zigaboo Modeliste)
Tower of Power (David Garibaldi)

Motown
-A greatest hits will get you started.
Stevie Wonder
-Check out ALL of his stuff...fyi, he played drums on alot of it.

Rock/Pop
Led Zeppelin (John Bonham)
-Houses of the Holy
The Police (Stewart Copeland)
-Synchronicity
The Who (Keith Moon)
Toto (Jeff Porcaro)
-Their greatest hits will also give you a great overview of the music and Jeffs PHENOMENAL playing...also, the track "Mushanga" is absolutely killer
Steely Dan
-Aja (but I remember you saying you had just gotten this one)


Progressive Jazz
The Bad Plus
-These guys are a personal fav...I love everything they do actually.
Frank Zappa (To many great drummers to mention)
-Joes Garage is the album to get to start with.
Happy Apple
Snarky Puppy

Other noteable drummers to check out
Bill Stewart
Jeff "Tain" Watts
Ari Hoenig
Brian Blade
Ginger Baker
Keith Carlock

This should get you started...if you need more in other genres, just let me know.

Hope these help man!

-Stephen T.