John JR Robinson

[TonyAKA]

I've been really digging John's groove lately!

Particularly his work on Off The Wall, Give Me The Night and Shadows (David Benoit).

It would be really good to hear your favourite albums / tracks!

[Paul Quin]

I am amazed that there isn't a thread devoted to JR. He is quite simply one of the best session players ever. His grooves are tight and his chops are immense. He is so far in the pocket that he is covered with lint! My favorite JR track is "Ain't Nobody" by Chaka Khan, but I love all of his work with Rufus.

Paul

[slingerland755]

From Barbara Streisand to Stanley Clarke, David Lee Roth, Kenny Rogers etc...this guys discography reads like a book. In my opinion he is one of the best session players around. Awesome groove!

[Alexdrum75]

I've been really digging John's groove lately!

Particularly his work on Off The Wall, Give Me The Night and Shadows (David Benoit).

It would be really good to hear your favourite albums / tracks!

"Satisfaction" - Bill Champlin, Runaway

[TonyAKA]

"Satisfaction" - Bill Champlin, Runaway

Good call!

Is JR credited for this track? I can't seem to find anything to confirm, but it definitely has his sound.

Awesome intro!! Listen out for the hats!

[KzSgDrummer]

"Something's Happening" from Clapton's Behind The Sun is a great mid-tempo cooker. JR is so tight, and I love his crash sound.

[gretschgal1]

ROBINSON (http://insidemusicast.com/current/) recently did an interview with a couple buddies of mine.

Checkit out!
T

[TonyAKA]

Gretschgal1,

That's a really interesting and informative interview. Thanks for posting!

[thiscocks]

AMAZING drummer! Probably my level favourite with Jeff porcaro. If you want to hear his best work (my opinion, and quite a few other musicians) listen to 'The Dude' album by Quincy Jones which he played on all tracks. It was recorded soon after 'Off the wall' and many of the musicians from that album were on 'The Dude' too, and it does sound similar. My favorite track is 'the Dude' with some cool vocals and v nice disco style drumming. One fill he does going into the second verse from the bridge is quality-a single handed triplet. Also the Hi-hat on 'Betcha wouldn't hurt me' is quite reminicent of Jeff I think. Kind of half open and closed 'slinky' feel. Listen to the opening and closing of it towards the end, it does sound really thin!

Love his other stuff with david Benoit too, particularly 'This Side Up', and Linus&Lucy.

Yes, that interview is really interesting, he sounds like a cool bloke too.

Tim

P.S. Also recommend his solo 'Funkshui' Nice stuff.

[drumbum24]

JR!!!

What a monster! He was recently inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame(2005, I believe), and to top it off, he then played with some old cronies that he grew up with.

Check out Steven Curtis Chapman's "Heaven in the Real World", Manhattan Transfer "Brazil", Quincy Jones "Jook Joint", "Back on the Block", Steve Winwood "High Life". Just a few but some great grooves and energy from the man!

Born in Creston, Iowa! Keep Groovin', JR!

Tim

[TonyAKA]

"The Dude"

Hmmm, what can I say?!

I think this album is quite possibly one of the best albums ever produced. After watching a two part documentary of Quincy Jones, I started to dig a bit deeper into his productions. I bought this album, and when I read the credits, man, I was blown away. All of those phenomenal musicians on one CD! How sexy is Patti Austin's voice??

For me, I agree with Tim. It's JR's hi-hat control that stands out. If you listen to "Rock With You", "I Can't Help It, "Betcha Wouldn't Hurt Me", these are typical examples of that "not quite' opening of the hats he does.

Plus, I just love that raw sound of the snare on all the tunes on Off The Wall