"He was so solid, and calculated. He does his thing, but he's not too complicated. He's aware of the arrangement. He's a great drummer from that point of view. Forget that he can play amazing solos, I'm talking about working inside the songs. He's one of the few drummers who can make a trio work. He's confident, so it makes you confident, he keeps such steady meter. He works with what you're doing. A lot of drummers, you can't hold 'em back."
Denny Laine
band2
I agree! I was fortunate to have met and spend some time with Ginger several years ago. Not only is he talented, I found him to be quite humble despite his successes. When I mentioned to him how influential he had been for me and so many other drummers through the years, he just looked at me with disbelief.
When I told him to watch over THAT ride cymbal with rivets of his or I'd steal it, he believed me for a moment. There's a great story behind that ride cymbal.
"He was so solid, and calculated. He does his thing, but he's not too complicated. He's aware of the arrangement. He's a great drummer from that point of view. Forget that he can play amazing solos, I'm talking about working inside the songs. He's one of the few drummers who can make a trio work. He's confident, so it makes you confident, he keeps such steady meter. He works with what you're doing. A lot of drummers, you can't hold 'em back."Denny Laineband2
What your saying right there is true of baker, and all great drummers. It's something we all should be able to do.
I would like to add an interesting point. Where has this attitude come from that a drummer is nothing unless he can outmanoeuvre Bruce Lee on a drum kit? The most important thing is that a drummer (like Baker et al)can read the game. that's what get a drummer hired, and us up dancing.
I agree! I was fortunate to have met and spend some time with Ginger several years ago. Not only is he talented, I found him to be quite humble despite his successes. When I mentioned to him how influential he had been for me and so many other drummers through the years, he just looked at me with disbelief. When I told him to watch over THAT ride cymbal with rivets of his or I'd steal it, he believed me for a moment. There's a great story behind that ride cymbal.
OK...so ...spill the beans,what's the story.That Zildjian is from the 60's,and on every Cream recording....and 100's of others as well.I read a story ,told by Charlie Watts about Charlie sitting behind Gingers kit(would love have seen a photo of that),and Charlie taking them for a test drive,and Ginger giving him a play by play on his aray of cymbals.When discribing "that" ride,after Charlie broke a stick on it,he said "that one's for playing on".:D
Steve B
I sat about 15 feet away from that cymbal when Ginger's Jazz Confusion played Yoshi's last year. All those big copper rivets tend to limit the wash while providing lots of sizzle. Very evident stick attack despite his 7A stick size. Along with the ride I understand his hi-hats are the originals he purchased at the same time.
Ging plays 7a's?>>Me too!..I would rather play those..then 5 a's....even though I tend to break them......5a's feel like tree trunks in my hands....
Love Ginger....huge inspiration for me.....band2
OK...so ...spill the beans,what's the story.That Zildjian is from the 60's,and on every Cream recording....and 100's of others as well.I read a story ,told by Charlie Watts about Charlie sitting behind Gingers kit(would love have seen a photo of that),and Charlie taking them for a test drive,and Ginger giving him a play by play on his aray of cymbals.When discribing "that" ride,after Charlie broke a stick on it,he said "that one's for playing on".:DSteve B
Ok. When touring in the US way back in the late 60's, they had a date in the Boston area. Zildjian sent a limo round to fetch Ginger to the factory to select cymbals.
He selected a few for himself and headed to sound check. After playing the ride for a little while, he decided it didn't have enough wash and sustain, so he decided to add rivets. While there on stage before the show, he borrowed a drill from a member of the crew and proceeded to drill holes.
He proceeded to drill through the underside of the cymbal.......and found he drilled holes into the "beautiful" hardwood floor on the stage. I thought this to be very amusing when he told me.
By the way, there are several skip marks on the underside where the drill bit danced around before gaining a purchase on the metal. Anyway, I've admired the sound of that cymbal ever since I first heard Blind Faith's album in 1969.
