DRUM SOLOS

Doesburger wrote: Drum soli CAN be exciting in a live environment. But to listen to on cd's... hmmmm The only interesting one I can listen to is Christian Vander. Imagine this : 2 cd's worth of drum soli!!!

You are probably refering to Vander's 'Korusz', long drum solos (the shorter is 11 mn) recorded during various concerts.

Max Roach released in 1979 a record under the name M'Boom (King Crimson's B'Boom title being probably a wink to M'Boom, Max Roach being a great influence on Bruford's drumming) with seven percussionnists. The result is rather pleasant to listen to, the compositions blending various instruments ranging from marimba, vibes, chimes to xylophone, leaning more towards african ethnic rhythms than jazz.

In 1984, Max Roach released an album entitled 'Survivors' that features a 21 mn plus drum solo : believe me, this is the most enjoyable piece of improvisation I have ever heard.

But in general, I am not keen on drum solos and in the case of Jethro Tull's 'Thick as a brick' I think it is out of place.

M. B. Zapelini wrote: Mr. Heath, I would really like to listen to Hiseman's CD - at least to satisfy my curiosity!

A websearch proved fairly positive, the album being  mentioned here:

http://www.temple-music.com/temple_music/html/biogs/jon_bio. html

QUOTE: Jon is famous for his drum solos and 60 concerts were digitally recorded during Paraphernalia and United Jazz & Rock Ensemble tours in 1985. This resulted in the album 'About Time Too!' being released in the Autumn of 1986. This is a drum solo album and has just been re-released on CD. It's a great album for parties when you want people to leave!UNQUOTE

I kept searching and there is hope of finding a copy of the CD:

http://www.schott-music.com/shop/3/1000122/1660509/show,9295 3.html

where there are samples to download!!! It turns out the LP was released in the 80's and the CD issued some time between 96 and 98.

Doesburger wrote: Imagine this : 2 cd's worth of drum soli!!!

Suggests purgatory!

Jon Hiseman released a CD in the late 80's/early 90's of drum solos recorded whilst touring with his wife Barbara Thompson's Paraphenalia.

Just keep it interesting...

I'm also a drummer but also believe drums solos aren't really necessary, I love some of them, but I rather listen a keyboard and drums playing together (Like Wakeman often does with the incredible Tony Fernandez) or a rhytm section semi solo, drums and bass playin alone sound excellent.

About the solos I like:

1. O Baterista: Neil Peart on Rush in Rio.
2. Bruford and Collins. Cinema Show Closing Section in Seconds Out.
3. Almost any solo by Carl Palmer: Has such a powerful bass drum that always impresses me.

Iván

It can get a little boring....

I tihnk the best drum solos are the ones where the music is still going on....I dont understand why that isnt done more. The band doesnt stop for a guitar solo...why should they stop for a drum solo?
mike portnoy does a lot of solo's while the music is going on. And its awesome

Depends whether or not they change tempo and are engaging enough...the first drum-solo that really captured me was that of the Corrs on their Unplugged album- Toss the Feathers- that I got for christmas when I was 14. (Dammit- whats her name?? I remember Andrea, Caroline and Jim but I can't remember the drummer!!) Even more impressive was the fact it was on a tradtional irish drum. (yep- theres a name for it but I don't know what it is.)

Favourite drum-solo now would have to be Court of the Crimson King- after the piping-version of the melody, before it goes back to the mellotron-ed chorus.  (God- I love that song.)

Manunkind wrote: Drum solos aren't fundamentally from any other solos. It all depends how long the soloist's imagination can last.

Excellent point!