The legendary Steve Gadd.

[Skitch]

And that's why I think the whole "feel/technique" battle is so silly. They are two totally different things.

And yet so inter-related.....and thing about Vinnie is that he really knows the context he's in...take the Tom Scott CD "Flashpoint" - Get a Grip is a smoking fusion 3/4 tune and the rest of the disc is fairly straight ahead 2 & 4. And this can be said of Gadd as well....just because you have the chops doesn't mean you play a drum solo everytime you sit down to play a song!




Mike

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[Rascul]

Still, there's also the matter of what technique means to you. Being quicker, knowing more rudiments? I don't know about you guys, but having Gadd's dynamics within your rolls is pretty amazing technique to me. I have yet to find the drummer able to play this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTiyLuZOs1A&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5--Sje98jI&feature=related

[Jeff Gordon #24]

Uhh...Rascul?


Yea, umm...there's an error with that "50 Ways" YouTube video. Just to let you know. It won't play.

[Rascul]

Hmm... Works fine for me, but I've edited it

[Spreggy]

CHECK OUT THIS INTERVIEW (http://www.thediametrixletter.com/AJ,%20on%20Steve.mp3) with Anthony Jackson to get a feel for why Steve Gadd is on another level, apart from Vinnie or Dave or Jo Jo or whomever else you want to parade out. All great drummers, but as has been the case for as long as I can remember there are chops, and there are musical voices. And if you think Steve doesn't have chops, show me how your roll sounds nearly as good as his. It sounds like slowly tearing a sheet of paper.

I get it, I'm from Rochester, you can get Gadded out. You can say dang Steve enough drop fills, enough with the paradiddle hat snare fill, enough Crazy Army. Don't let that blind you to the fact that the man is brilliant.

[Jeff Gordon #24]

Hmm... Works fine for me, but I've edited it

Ahh...now THAT'S better! Thanks Rascul.


It's a shame though, that Gadd isn't shown much. what...5 seconds at the start, and about 12 seconds at the end.

[ANIMALBEATS]

Some people say that he is like ringo, a grandfather of drumming and I can accept that, and if he was an inovator then even more so.

But I would argue that his desighn has'nt withstood the test of time.

[Papajo]

Chick Corea once referred to Steve Gadd as "The finest musician I've ever played with."
.
Well...Maybe Miles, Elvin, Roy, Jack, and Tony might be a tad higher on the flagpole hmm??...Chick might have been a little high....

[Spreggy]

Some people say that he is like ringo, a grandfather of drumming and I can accept that, and if he was an inovator then even more so.

But I would argue that his desighn has'nt withstood the test of time.

No way brother Animal. His playing is way past foundational. You guys really need to listen to him some more, you're missing one of the greatest voices on the instrument.

Keep in mind that whatever gig he is playing on any given day, it's likely the best damn gig available that day.

[bobdadruma]

I first noticed Gadd's playing on a Steely Dan album. I was trying to play along with the tune and I wasn't getting it! I can't remember which Dan tune that it was now. I said to myself, "Who's that drummer!" After that I always listened to anything that Gadd played on that I could find!
He never had a bad hair day!

[bigd]

I love how armchair quarterbacks sit around and critique the greats. Gadd has made a living every day of his life by playing the drums. How many of you can say that? He's played with the greatest musicians known. How many of you can say that? He attended two of the finest music university's in the world. How many of you can say that? The man is a total professional. How many of you can say that?

[Swiss Matthias]

Keep in mind that whatever gig he is playing on any given day, it's likely the best damn gig available that day.

I love how armchair quarterbacks sit around and critique the greats. Gadd has made a living every day of his life by playing the drums. How many of you can say that? He's played with the greatest musicians known. How many of you can say that? He attended two of the finest music university's in the world. How many of you can say that? The man is a total professional. How many of you can say that?

Please guys...! I understand the importance and also the musical genius of Steve Gadd, and I don't want to take away from him, but I think the points in this thread are already made, and in comments like this from you Spreggy there is clearly a fan of Gadd's speaking, which not everybody necessarily is at the same amount. I mean how can you say the venue Gadd is playing at will be the best gig available that day??

And bigd, please let's not start another you-only-are-allowed-to-critique-someone-if-you-play-as-well argument! That's totally annoying, and irrelevant to a certain degree.

[Pollyanna]

Please guys...! I understand the importance and also the musical genius of Steve Gadd, and I don't want to take away from him, but I think the points in this thread are already made, and in comments like this from you Spreggy there is clearly a fan of Gadd's speaking, which not everybody necessarily is at the same amount. I mean how can you say the venue Gadd is playing at will be the best gig available that day??

And bigd, please let's not start another you-only-are-allowed-to-critique-someone-if-you-play-as-well argument! That's totally annoying, and irrelevant to a certain degree.

+1

must type 20 or more

[aydee]

+1

must type 20 or more

+2
wonder why that is, Pol.. must ask Bernard..

[MisterMixelpix]

In that video of the drum battle, it seemed to me that Gadd annihilated the other two. Admittedly I don't know a lot about the kind of thing they're doing, but I could actually hear a "groove" to his, as opposed to just showing how quickly he can hit the various toms and cymbals.

It's sorta like the difference between a guitar solo that's all huge sweeping arpeggios and one that has a solid melody you can feel. The thing with haphazard showing off of chops is that it's non-specific. As impressive as it is, it's cut-and-paste. I'd argue it takes a lot more deep feeling of music to construct the kind of thing Gadd does.

[Swiss Matthias]

I agree, the solos Dave and Vinnie deliver at this performance were not necessarily their most inspired work :).

[nickg]

drummers don't have to be playing blazing speed double kicks or having kits that circle and spin in the air or twirl sticks all night long to be good.

ever listen to "Aja"??

[Pollyanna]

I agree, the solos Dave and Vinnie deliver at this performance were not necessarily their most inspired work :).

True, nor did they mean it to be.

The event had a circuslike quality to it and from what I could tell the guys were just having fun providing some acrobatic razzatmatazz to give the audience thrills and spills and oohs and ahhs. They succeeded in this brilliantly and it was great entertainment. I'm sure they had a ball with the opportunity to stretch out and go crazy - to see how deep the rabbit hole goes.

Once finished with the show no doubt they went went on their merry ways playing music again.

[Nodiggie]

What amazes me the most is how tight these old school recordings were in a analog world. Now that's true skill. Steve will always be a legend, I am fortunate to have lived and learned in his era.

[jjmason777]

Here's my vote for Gadd in that particular video. His playing was much more musical to my ears than Vinnie and Dave.

[Skitch]

I wanted to come back and revisit this topic because, like you at one time, the only real drummer in the world was Neil Peart. I remember being in jazz band in High school and my band director put on an Al Jarreau album(!) with the song Spain. I didn't know that it was Steve Gadd at the time. Later in life I began to explore music a little more and found an article on Steve Gadd's Spain in DownBeat magazine. As a challenge to myself, i learned to play the transcription in that article. Just the verse grooves alone are obvious but creative - typical of Steve. He plays the most obvious ideas and makes them sound incredible! He was outside the box before there was a box to be outside of!


What I would doif I were you, is to try to step outside of the boundaries you have set up with the "only Neil Peart/Danny Carey/Dennis Chambers/'insert name of your favorite drummer here' can play" thinking. It will change your playing in ways you can only imagine and take you further. I'm not saying these guys aren't great players. I am saying tke what you can from them and then go on, because Danny Carey is going to be playing the Tool gig for a long time.


Mike

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[thtst]

2) Steve is a groove master who has played on thousands of records, not by flashing chops, but playing music, the song.

x10000000

If i may add: Touch, feel, subtle timing/tonal/texture/volume control.... Steve Gadd plays what is necessary and no more or less. Reminds me of the drumming equivalent of Miles Davis during his Prestige years recordings.


4) Steve is a WONDERFUL, beautiful human being. VERY humble, and down to earth for someone who has achieved SO MUCH....'nuff said on that one!

The world is a far better place with Steve in it.


I suggest you listen to recordings of Steve with Chick Corea in the '70's. Listen to Aja by Steely Dan, just to start out.

x10000 Chick is a very interesting as a musical inventor/creator.

Steve Gadd just has that something that completes the music and does not compete with it. Hope that makes sense.

-----------
Ok, perhaps cliché yet...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5--Sje98jI
My goodness, look how young Simon is, gawd i feel old!

And of course

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZZLLYEzKE8

A thing of beauty!

[toddy]

i can't believe someone actually made this thread. i mean really? :-/

[Terminator7t]

i can't believe someone actually made this thread. i mean really? :-/

Well i'm sorry but i'm relatively inexperienced and was just asking a question. After all, that's allowed right?

I now realise why he is so great, and I know how it may piss people off that I asked the question in the first place, but thanks to the comments posted on this thread I have to come to realise why he is so respected.

Anyway, thanks to all who have posted as it has allowed me to explore his playing which I should of done in the first place rather than just watch one video and ask questions.

[Davo-London]

In that video of the drum battle, it seemed to me that Gadd annihilated the other two. Admittedly I don't know a lot about the kind of thing they're doing, but I could actually hear a "groove" to his, as opposed to just showing how quickly he can hit the various toms and cymbals.

It's sorta like the difference between a guitar solo that's all huge sweeping arpeggios and one that has a solid melody you can feel. The thing with haphazard showing off of chops is that it's non-specific. As impressive as it is, it's cut-and-paste. I'd argue it takes a lot more deep feeling of music to construct the kind of thing Gadd does.

Totally agree. I generally dislike drum solos because they are usually pointless, chops-galore ego-fests. I was instantly drawn to Gadd's playing, tasteful, intense, dynamic and fit-for-purpose.

Davo

[thiscocks]

Mr Chattr, with all due respect, I'm with Matthias in that I could practice 24 hours a day for another 30 years and not be able to play what Dave and Vinnie did in the drum duel clip. Those guys are freaks IMO. And so is Steve, but in a different way, although as has been said he has major chops.



...listen to 'Master Plan' on Weckls album Master Plan to hear steve play in a more weckl-type style!

[shrink]

well im a huge fan of Gadd myself, theres a subtlety to his playing that is lost of many apparently more "technical" players.

In fact im furtunate that i'll meet him next week. He's doing a signing and drum clinic in Edinburgh as part of his "mission from gadd" tour and my tickets are in hand.

Taking along a mint copy of Aja for him to sign, that sucker will be getting framed and going up next to my drum kit.

[Jeff Gordon #24]

well im a huge fan of Gadd myself, theres a subtlety to his playing that is lost of many apparently more "technical" players.

In fact im furtunate that i'll meet him next week. He's doing a signing and drum clinic in Edinburgh as part of his "mission from gadd" tour and my tickets are in hand.

Taking along a mint copy of Aja for him to sign, that sucker will be getting framed and going up next to my drum kit.

Wow! Sounds great, shrink. I'd be looking VERY much forward to that myself. Could you take some pics at the Gadd clinic and post 'em here? That'd be awesome, Thanks!

Have a wonderful time. I know you will!

[shrink]

im not sure what the protocol is for taking pics at these clinics. WIll try to find out, as sadly the only camera I have is a full blown SLR with pretty huge lenses. Don't want them thinking im taking the piss :)

[tomgadd]

some pics from me:

http://www.tom-fein.de/gadd_karlsruhe01.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gadd_karlsruhe02.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gadd_karlsruhe04.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gadd_karlsruhe15.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gadd_karlsruhe16.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gadd_karlsruhe33.jpg

[Frost]

I play Vic Firth Steve Gadd signature brushes, I love them!

[shrink]

sadly the edinburgh steve gadd clinic was cancelled... waiting to hear when it will be rescheduled for :(

[tomgadd]

the clinic in karlsruhe was fantastic. gadd played so much new stuff...

[HelenaHell]

http://zildjian.com/EN-US/products/configurator/default.ad2?artistID=1138

Guys!
Gadd is using 20 med thin crash now?

[thiscocks]

sorry if someone has already mentioned it but I just heard "Ludwig" by Bob James (from "Foxy") and it is probably the most technical I have heard Gadd. Absolutely awsome sight playing... Check it out.

[Morgenthaler]

Hi all!

I am so happy to pass this link on here on drummerworld.
You can download the Steve Gadd Book for free here:

http://www.hansfagt.dk/the-steve-gadd-book/

The book, written in 1985, holds a great collection of
transcriptions of Gadd's greatest grooves and licks.

Enjoy, and have a great summer all of you!

[Swiss Matthias]

Also, a new interview with Steve here:
http://www.drumdepartment.de/content/public/dd-tv_video.php?id=14

[BeatlesFan]

A conversation with a drumming icon

Joe Bosso, Mon 5 Jul 2010, 7:00 pm BST

Your discography is so vast, there's no way to list even half of the artists you've worked with. However, I do want to ask you about playing with Paul McCartney, who's no slouch on the drums himself.

"In one way or another, the job is always the same: you try to come up with parts that are supportive of the music. When I worked with Paul, he didn't give me a lot of direction per se. There were a few times, I think, when I wasn't playing as big and loud or as energetic as he wanted, so I made whatever adjustments were necessary.

"Again, I try to listen to the song. If you can listen to the song and really visualize in your head what it needs to be, you can figure out the dynamics and the backbeat and everything else.

"I remember there was a lot of emotion in the air the first time I recorded with Paul. It was not too long after John Lennon had been shot, so as you can imagine, things were…it was heavy. The emotions that everybody was feeling, coupled with the beauty of our surroundings [the island of Montserrat, where George Martin operated AIR Studios], it all came out in the music. Oh, and Ringo Starr was there, too. I had played with him on one of his solo records, so we were old friends. It was great being around him; he's so inspiring."

What kind of musical dialogue do you have with somebody like Ringo? Even though he's one of the greatest drummers in rock 'n' roll history, he's very unlike you in that he doesn't read or write music, never studied theory…

"Yeah, I know what you mean. We had a great time together. See, Ringo comes from a different kind of school, and I find that totally exciting and challenging. How he does what he does…it's so different from what other drummers do. If somebody approaches music or their instrument in a way that's unique, I want to be around that person. To me, there's something to learn there."

Full Interview: http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/steve-gadd-on-playing-with-clapton-mccartney-and-his-new-band-259506/5

[Crazy8s]

Me and Steve Gadd. :) 2009

[Swiss Matthias]

Wow look, it's Benny Greb's father! lol

[Crazy8s]

Wow look, it's Benny Greb's father! lol

Eek! I'd have been 8 if I fathered Benny... I'd be mighty proud though! Like father like son... :)

[Derek]

SwissMatthias & BeatlesFan, thanks for posting those links! I really enjoyed both interviews.

[tomgadd]

...some more...the clinic:

http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy10.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy11.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy12.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy13.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy14.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy15.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy16.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy17.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy18.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy19.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy20.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy21.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy6.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy7.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy8.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy9.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy22.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy23.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy25.jpg
http://www.tom-fein.de/gaddy26.jpg

[Bernhard]

Great stuff - thank you so much Tom!!

and the Steve Gadd Video Interview is now also on Drummerworld:

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/stevegadddrumdepartment.html

Bernhard

[shrink]

Steve finally made it to Edinburgh last night. Great Gig

65, and he has more chops, more speed and more energy that i'll ever have behind a drum kit. Also such a nice, laid back and pleasant guy. All round great bloke. Was glad to have had the chance to see him perform.

[SantiBanks]

x10000 Chick is a very interesting as a musical inventor/creator.


Chick Corea's "Three Quartets" (with Eddie Gomez and Michael Brecker) and "The Ultimate Adventure" (though not the dvd) are the nice works with Gadd. Highly recommended!

[Hercules]

Hey TomGadd - thanks very much for the photos - I hope that Steve will bring this clinic to Oz so we can get to meet him.

[tomgadd]

Great stuff - thank you so much Tom!!

and the Steve Gadd Video Interview is now also on Drummerworld:

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/stevegadddrumdepartment.html

Bernhard

Hi bernhard, good to see you like the fotos. to you,
thanks for your wonderful contribution to the "drummerworld".

tom

[tomgadd]

Hey TomGadd - thanks very much for the photos - I hope that Steve will bring this clinic to Oz so we can get to meet him.

fantastic, thanks for your words. gadd was on fire in this clinic.
i will never forget this amazing night.

[tomgadd]

some more....:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zFhQ2OAeaR4/TITWN6vDVyI/AAAAAAAAAB4/ztUQQR8e0jU/s1600/gadd3.jpg
thats me holding the cd from L'image and Gadd....
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zFhQ2OAeaR4/TITWFWwDHZI/AAAAAAAAABw/As217ba7Dvs/s1600/gadd5.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zFhQ2OAeaR4/TITV7EF64QI/AAAAAAAAABo/RnyHHZEse7Y/s1600/gadd6.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zFhQ2OAeaR4/TITWhmjQkKI/AAAAAAAAACI/BbdKp9nRw3Y/s1600/gadd8.jpg

[jamest]

Cool pic! Steve is the man! I remember watching his DVD's over and over again taking in his technique and style. He always looks so natural and relaxed when he's playing, and his grooves sound that exact same way too.
__________________

"When the going gets tough, the tough get going!"

http://www.excellent-offers.com/gravy1.jpg

[wsabol]

Listen to "Nite Sprite" in the Leprechaun album of Chick Corea. Vinnie played it in the ADAA Tribute to Gadd DVD as well, but Gadd was the original.


I think you forgot to mention that Vinnie's version was also HORRIBLE. I love Vinnie, but seriously, the is only one Gadd and only one Chick Corea. You can have 1000 drummers play the same groove Steve Gadd's been playing for the past 40 years, and 10 times out of 10 you'll prefer to Gadd's version. More than his technique and creativity, he has a feel that no other drummer has.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_m8mLCY7a0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EekpcK32qQk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr-PerIbEpY

These three videos are the grooviest things I've ever heard. And I think they summarize what everyone has been saying here. Its the little things only Gadd does that make him unique: using the back of the sticks for a fatter sound, LISTENING to the other players, and the unbelievably creative/original applications of the simplest ideas.

He is also one of the most recorded drummers in history. Go to his website and see is discography.. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kire]

Don't know if this has been posted?

Steve Gadd's drum setup: legendary session drummer's kit in pictures
Steve and his tech talk session drumming, technique and gear
http://www.musicradar.com/news/drums/steve-gadds-drum-setup-legendary-session-drummers-kit-in-pictures-370053

[kire]

Also
http://www.drummagazine.com/lessons/post/drum-masterclass-on-a-mission-from-gadd/

[paistemage]

The comments about him not being up front are true. It's the nuances in Gadds playing that kill me. Perfect little ruff. Sick grooves.

He is one of my all time favorite drummers. Adaption is his fifth appendage. Can play various styles with a breeze.

He supports the band so much. I learn a lot from him.

Plus he has played with so many greats, there is a lot of material to learn from.

[Frank]

I'll go so far as to say that - any drummer that can't hear the special sauce in Steve Gadd's playing - has a lot to learn.

Steve is The Man on the kit.

[larryz]

My thought is Gadd is/was the first drummer who can really "make" a song.

No Steely Dan with Gadd's "Aja"?

"50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" was as much as Gadd hit as it was for Paul Simon. Jeez, I hope Steve got some royalties over the years for that one.

[Skitch]

The comments about him not being up front are true. It's the nuances in Gadds playing that kill me. Perfect little ruff. Sick grooves.

He is one of my all time favorite drummers. Adaption is his fifth appendage. Can play various styles with a breeze.

He supports the band so much. I learn a lot from him.

Plus he has played with so many greats, there is a lot of material to learn from.

I hear you on this! It seems Steve grabs for the most obvious yet forgotten idea which brings everything together. Right now his playing on Spain (Al Jarreau) come to mind. Who would have thought of that groove in the verses?

Mike

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[?uesto]

No one knows if Gadd is on tour with Paul Simon, do they? My dad has two tickets for Simon next week, and he wants to take his wife, but if Gadd is playing, I will go...

[Lex]

No, I don't think Gadd is touring with Paul this year. At least when I saw Paul Simon earlier this year, it was a young guy who played with him (and did a great job I must say). But I say: go anyway. If you get any chance to see the great Paul Simon, GO!