Just jamming around a bit

[Big_Philly]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3es47BmWJA

A clip of me just grooving. There's a little screwup at about 0:40. I am open for criticism
(I predict criticism on the lack of dynamics - I need to work on that. Luckily I am more dynamic in a band situation)

[Pollyanna]

BP, you know there were sloppy bits, but you were obviously just hanging loose. No need for dynamics, you can always do it next time. When you played the hats the way you locked into mid-tempo groove reminded of Bernard Purdie at times. I enjoyed your sound, feel and groove.

[aydee]

Ok, so you are officially the 3 badass Dutch drummer I know. And I know only three!

1. Sebastien Cornelissen ( plays with bassist Gary Willis when he gigs in Holland. Killer player. )
2. Joost Libaart ( jazz player, mind-blowing, plays with saxophonist Yuri Honing )

3. yourself.

You've got a great groove period. The reason it sounds a little straight in a few places is because there is nothing playing against it ( like a bass or a guitar/keys vamp or something..) and the recording gear you used absorbs the ride cymbal overtones like the desert absorbs the rain....and kills everything else.Sucks.

Absolutely nothing to say except that "you've got groove!"

.....

[keep it simple]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3es47BmWJA

A clip of me just grooving. There's a little screwup at about 0:40. I am open for criticism
(I predict criticism on the lack of dynamics - I need to work on that. Luckily I am more dynamic in a band situation)

Hahaha BP. Typical Dutch guy. Are you over 2 Metres? I have many Dutch friends and they're all over 2 Metres. You could play a 26" kick kit and it would still look fine on a jazz stage!

Love the outdoors thing. Really open sound on the kit. Sometimes I like that, sometimes I don't. This time I did. Great snare sound. I get what Aydee was saying about the recording but it just enhanced the relaxed feel of the solo gig for me. I like your groove and the chilled presentation. Would be good to hear you play on the top of a hill, but I forgot, you don't have any!!! (sorry, couldn't resist that). You can come over & play on the top of my hill anytime (800 Metres) but you're already your own personal mountain!

Respect & keep on having fun. Oh, and you kept it simple. How good is that!

[larryace]

Hey BP, I liked your touch, your feel, your time feel, and your balance of volume (snare backbeats popped, they weren't limp handed, confident kick, hi hat volume matched well w/ the other limbs) Your "mistake" at 40 was covered for well, it really didn't affect the groove. Since you asked for criticism, the only thing I guess I was wanting, was to see you expand a little more idea-wise on the groove you were playing (it was ripe for more tom work) but I'm grasping for straws. Great feel, and that's always #1 before anything.

[aydee]

Would be good to hear you play on the top of a hill, but I forgot, you don't have any!!! (sorry, couldn't resist that).

Ooo, that was below sea-level ; 0

[keep it simple]

Ooo, that was below sea-level ; 0

Wohooo!! Love it. Why do you think our Dutch comrades are so tall, it's an evolutionary preservation feature! Sorry BP, I have this sort of banter with my Dutch friends all the time. For the record, The Netherlands is one of my very favourite places in the world and the Dutch are my favourite people. Much more chilled than our own island monkeys. You have just the best festivals and the most appreciative rock audiences anywhere.

[Big_Philly]

Hey everyone, thanks for taking the time to watch the video and giving your opinion and criticisms :) It's great to be in someone's top 3 of Dutch drummers and to be compared to Bernard Purdie!

Keep it simple: I am just about two metres. I can fit under a door if I don't wear shoes. And yes, I have contemplated the use of a 26" kick for proportionality issues :) And yes, I am generally all about keeping things rather simple, though I do like a technical challenge.
I disagree with your comment about dutch rock audiences though... other people described the dutch as being a rather boring audience; if they're still there when you're finished you did a pretty good job. I am one of those audience members that doesn't cheer for you until you did something cheerworthy ;) But our festivals are great indeed.

[Pollyanna]

BP, normally I don't like hearing one guy play. You get all this technically impressive stuff that doesn't sound very pleasant and after a short time I'm bored.

What struck me was that your little session was enjoyable. You simply have nice touch and time that sounds good (can you bottle some of it and send it to me here in Sydney?). It would be good to hear you playing with a band.

PS. Check out some of Bernard Purdie's solo playing on YouTube - you'll find it inspiring. He's pretty well doing the same thing as you, playing around with a groove, messing with different things - and it's all right on the knocker!

[Big_Philly]

Yeah, I've seen some of Bernard Purdie's work. He's awesome! So being compared to him is a compliment! Good to hear that my grooving is enjoyable :)

[Pollyanna]

Yeah, you play the way I'd like to play. I love just locking into a groove and milking it for all it's worth. Bernard P is on his own planet when it comes to that.

[Big_Philly]

...your little session was enjoyable

I was just struck by the irony of the term "little session", considering my username and Keep It simple's comments. :)

[keep it simple]

I was just struck by the irony of the term "little session", considering my username and Keep It simple's comments. :)

Hahaha. Nice observation BP.

[aydee]

You kids have to check out Dave DiCenso. The New Purdie. I'd say. Youtube the lad and be happy.

[Pollyanna]

You kids have to check out Dave DiCenso. The New Purdie. I'd say. Youtube the lad and be happy.

Not wanting to hijack BP's thread, Abe, but I see Dave DC as more Gaddish than Purdie-ish. And like Big Steve, he has consummate control and feel. I've not heard of him and he's not even in Wikipedia yet! Is he making waves in the studio scene?

Bernard P is less sophisticated, more obviously on the beat and just makes it feel really good. That's more where "Little Philly's" stuff is headed IMO.

Dr Polly recommends you take this dose of Bernard P each day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9jXALaMy4o for inspiration :)

[aydee]

Not wanting to hijack BP's thread, Abe, but I see Dave DC as more Gaddish than Purdie-ish. And like Big Steve, he has consummate control and feel. I've not heard of him and he's not even in Wikipedia yet! Is he making waves in the studio scene?

Bernard P is less sophisticated, more obviously on the beat and just makes it feel really good. That's more where "Little Philly's" stuff is headed IMO.

Dr Polly recommends you take this dose of Bernard P each day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9jXALaMy4o for inspiration :)

He teaches at Berklee and his students swear by him. He played for an now defunct but about to be reborn band 2 Ton Shoe ( www.twotonshoe.com ). He is a drummer's son and has been playing since he could stand up.

And he is a drummer who has come full circle from being the chop monster of the Boston area to rediscovering the power and potential of the groove. His groove like Steve Jordans, Gadd, Purdie's... is magical.. in that they'll play what you or I might but when they play it its like oooooo..


...

[Terry Branam]

He teaches at Berklee and his students swear by him. He played for an now defunct but about to be reborn band 2 Ton Shoe ( www.twotonshoe.com ). He is a drummer's son and has been playing since he could stand up.

And he is a drummer who has come full circle from being the chop monster of the Boston area to rediscovering the power and potential of the groove. His groove like Steve Jordans, Gadd, Purdie's... is magical.. in that they'll play what you or I might but when they play it its like oooooo..


...

Yeah aydee,

Dave is possibly the scariest drummer I've ever seen. I would love to get a lesson from him.

[aydee]

Yeah aydee,

Dave is possibly the scariest drummer I've ever seen. I would love to get a lesson from him.

Totally agree, Terry..what people dont know about him is that he is also incredibly articulate, and very motivating and passionate about teaching. Lucky guys, his students...

...

[Big_Philly]

I'll look him up. I think I recall seeing some of his stuff on the Vic Firth website...

[keep it simple]

Totally agree, Terry..what people dont know about him is that he is also incredibly articulate, and very motivating and passionate about teaching. Lucky guys, his students...

...

Just listened to some of his stuff from the link you posted. Incredible left hand groove skills. Even though he's playing straight funk, you could almost transpose to heavy boogie rock it's so forceful! Sorry for the hijack BP.

[Big_Philly]

Wow, Dave DC is incredible indeed! Not the same guy I saw on the VF website that I mentioned earlier.
Anyway, I think this whole discussion about Dave DC should be taken elsewhere. Not that I mind much, though...

[aydee]

Apologies, Philip... though, its all about your groove being as good as..: )

Would love to hear you with a band as someone said earlier..

[Pollyanna]

That's what I mean. DC is Gaddlike in his command of the instrument. Bernard P is a lot more limited, but he has that reliability thing like Jim Keltner, usually nothing to scare the Gadds, Collaiutas, Weckls and Cobhams of this world, but you know that every note he plays is going to be in a good place.

I never appreciated that kind of skill when I was young, being seduced by the spectacular - Ian Paice's speed, Bonzo's deady triplets, Bill Bruford's gorgeous sounds etc. I pretty well took groove consistency as a given.

Over the years I've increasingly come to really admire the ability to keep on smacking those beats *right on the button* and to keep the groove sounding and feeling great.

[kindbeats]

Hey Big_Philly, really nice feel! I love the sound of your hi-hats. Also, nice garden! lol

[Rodaquino]

Great man i like that open sound on the forest,tell me do you like carter beauford?,nice & relaxed drumming.
Peace.
Rod.
http://www.myspace.com/rodrigoaquino

http://www.youtube.com/TheRodrigoaquino

[Pollyanna]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oJ4vi5dCkA

could this have been big philly when he was first starting out? :)

[yesdog]

Nice job Great feel and groove very tasty!!!

[Big_Philly]

Great man i like that open sound on the forest,tell me do you like carter beauford?,nice & relaxed drumming.
Peace.
Rod.


Thanks Rod! I am not a particular fan of Carter Beauford, but he's certainly an awesome drummer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oJ4vi5dCkA

could this have been big philly when he was first starting out? :)

It doesn't ring any bells. But I must have been at that level at one point in time.

Nice job Great feel and groove very tasty!!!

Thanks man! I liked your solo too.