Best drumming EVER?

[Timeblue]

I love this single by Blondie even though I'm not a particularly big fan of theirs. Even though they are playing to a recorded track, Clem is giving it everything and just looks awesome.

[fourlittlediamonds]

Ahem......! 

[Chippa]

[Helmut83]

OK, I'm impressed by the crazy speed and technical ability the two guys from the solos showed. But what is being a good drummer (or any kind of instrument player or singer) about? The ability of doing the almost impossible or the tact to blend in a band in such a way that you always do what's better for the song, independantly of how difficult or basic that is? In my opinion it's the second, no doubt. I've seen too many technical virtuosos that don't do a favour to the songs they are playing because they abuse of trying to show how good they are and they do difficult things when the song calls for something much simpler.

For me these solos are the equivalent of doing keepy-uppies, while playing in a band is like playing a football game. Doing keepy-uppies say as much about a player's quality as playing these solos says about a drummer's quality. Of course it's better to have the technical ability than to not have it, but that alone says nothing about how good or bad you are at playing in a team (or in a band). Someone who is technically more limited could have better tempo, better taste for the volumes, the intensities, keep it simple when it's needed, blend better in a band, etc... and so be a better drummer.

[Timeblue]

It's just that (for me anyway) the intensity that Clem puts into the performance that makes me think this. Although he is drumming over a pre recorded track,he is exactly in time to what he should hit and when.

[Horacewimp]

Is that Mike Score from AFOS sitting behind Clem in the video, it looks like his hair!!

Debbie is a bit sweaty in the video, I think I need a rub down with a damp Radio Times

[fourlittlediamonds]

Aug 29, 2017 5:16:09 GMT Helmut83 said:

OK, I'm impressed by the crazy speed and technical ability the two guys from the solos showed. But what is being a good drummer (or any kind of instrument player or singer) about? The ability of doing the almost impossible or the tact to blend in a band in such a way that you always do what's better for the song, independantly of how difficult or basic that is? In my opinion it's the second, no doubt. I've seen too many technical virtuosos that don't do a favour to the songs they are playing because they abuse of trying to show how good they are and they do difficult things when the song calls for something much simpler.

For me these solos are the equivalent of doing keepy-uppies, while playing in a band is like playing a football game. Doing keepy-uppies say as much about a player's quality as playing these solos says about a drummer's quality. Of course it's better to have the technical ability than to not have it, but that alone says nothing about how good or bad you are at playing in a team (or in a band). Someone who is technically more limited could have better tempo, better taste for the volumes, the intensities, keep it simple when it's needed, blend better in a band, etc... and so be a better drummer.

Indeed, tell it to Pete Townsend. Keith Moon used to drive him to distraction with all the racket he insisted on making and refusal to use hi-hats: "not loud enough" he commented. Townsend admitted he never really rated Moon as a drummer and preferred Kenny Jones who replaced Moon, because he did what  Townsend wanted and kept a steady rhythm which is what he had wanted all along.

[Helmut83]

Totally, fourlittlediamonds. If the singer doesn't feel comfortable with you and you are distracting him, then you aren't a good drummer, no matter how much of a technical virtuoso you are. To be a good band musician you've got to know how to be a good team player.

[Chippa]

Buddy Rich, again.