> Oh God, John, I feel like such a schmuck for having you type all that out!
No worries, mate!
Don't ever feel that way with me bro. You're a good egg and I like you. Don't mind sharing with you at all. It's why I come here... to talk drums with my drummer friends.
John
Just goes to show; age doesn't matter! From Gene's 'grey hair' period. 1972
Enjoy...
http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/genekrupadingdongdaddy.html
Some rehearsal footage with another one of my favorite drummers, Cozy Cole:
http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/genekrupacozy57.html
John
That Gene Krupa, Cozy Cole clip knocks me out.
I"d half forgotten about this clip...Gene Krupa as a Russian:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYTKshETjcw
x-mas3
Richie, He plays the entire first section using that stick click thing we were talking about, he literally one-hands it for the entire section. For a guy that played his sticks so high above the drum head, Gene squeezed every once of juice out of the dynamics. It's hard to get good differentiation between accents and notes when you're playing the sticks way up like he does. Unless you have real good control of the wood, it all comes out at the same volume, all accents. Gene and Buddy both would exaggerate their motions for 'showmanship,' but I have a ton of respect for their chops for being able to play way off the head like that and still keep a good distance between the volume of notes and the accents. Not easy to do.
A lot of Genes stuff is heavy on the right hand accents. He uses the left hand to 'fill in' the in-between notes. Once you cop the pattern he's playing with the right hand, the rest is filling in the missing notes with the left. (not always easy) I love copping licks from Gene, it's never 'too hard' to figure out, and it all sounds so musical and great.
Never saw the Russian clip... thanks for posting.
John
Billy - Moonweasel - Man, it makes me feel so good to turn you on to Gene. He was really something wasn't he? So many Greats, Buddy, Gene, Papa Jo Jones, the list is long and deep in talent. Study these guys. Take what you can from them. As time and your ability on the drums increases, you'll be able to decipher and steal more and more from them. With each new lick or trick that you cop from the masters, you'll become a better drummer with a broader data base of runs and fills you can use whenever and wherever you can use them.Ahhh, very satisfying for me to hear that I helped introduce you to *our (*drummers) much admired and beloved Mr. Krupa.Re: The Metropole Cafe'- The doors to the Metropole were always open, it was how they attracted people to come inside. The music coming from the Big Band orchestra poured out onto the street. The stage was narrow, and it was higher than the bar in front of it. The stage was directly behind the bar. Even standing out front on the sidewalk, we were never further than about 30' from the stage! I used to watch the drummers like a hungry hawk. Taking in as much as I could, how they held the sticks, how they moved their arms and their body, I copped all kinds of rhythms just watching. As soon as I got home, I'd grab my practice pad, or hop behind the drums and try to reproduce what I'd just seen and heard the pro's playing. That's why I said we considered it "Free-lessons"! It was much more than that, it was like getting free Master classes. I learned a ton just standing in front of the Metropole with my eyes and ears wide open and my brain recording it all.Check out the people hanging out on the sidewalk soaking up all the great music.[IMG]http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n632/PurdieShuffle/metro.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n632/PurdieShuffle/MetropoleCafe2.jpg[/IMG]John
Hey John,
No I was saying that I was the convert, it was our "other brother" memeber who seemed to be converted or at least enlightened.
Which is the great thing about VDF.
I've always held Gene in the highest regard that he deserves and deserved.
Every drummer that out there and that has been out there owes Gene homage to what he's done for the craft and music. I think I'm paraphrasing Buddy, but it's so true!!
Great pictures BTW !!
BGT
A buddy of mine found this one. He used to listen this back in the day over and over. Incredible!!
Ed
BigE - Hadn't ever seen/heard that one! Thank you for posting the link. Both of those guys were the best drummers to ever pick up a set of sticks. The photo in the video shows the affection between them. I'm sure those two guys had big love and respect for each other.
John
My son Justin bought me this for Christmas. 2 discs and over 2 hours of music. There's a few great cuts with Gene and his band. Roy Eldridge on trumpet and a great clarinet player. Not sure who it was but smokin. Gene of course the master on drums. Great collection of music. The pic on the cover is interesting as it shows Gene seated behind what looks to be a 2 up 5pc kit with concert toms.
EDIT* was mistaken on the cuts I heard it wasn't BG but Gene's own band. My bad and a correction added. LOL
What a cool gift! Right-on, Justin! Tell him he's always welcome to come and live with me around X-mas time! lol
Now I have to have one... going by your high praise, I'd really like to hear it.
Melly-Grootens amigo...
John
