Simon Phillips

Do you guys really feel that this is fair, putting up the most amazing stuff by one of my all-time idols, so I can't get anything else done? It's just so heartless. When I grow up, I hope I can achieve just a small degree of "beautiful, free, and flawless". And thanks to Simon for teaching us that through his playing.
 
Re: Simon Phillips B-Sides - The Rarities

Hi Chaps

Today's post's mood is rock groove by powerhouse's Simon Phillips

Here's couple of tracks for you to enjoy...

"What Would You Rather Bee Or A Wasp" by Gary Moore (R.I.P.) from the album Back On The Streets (1978) a rock/fusion piece with amazing drumming.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2Lba-lxh-g

"We're Not In Kansas" by Big Country from the album The Buffalo Skinners (1993) This is an interesting track, it's the only BC album without original drummer Mark Brzezicki who at the time went off to the world of session drumming, he's replaced here by Simon who's laying a really powerful groove that suit the song perfectly. The other interesting story of that song is that it's already been recorded by Brzezicki's on the album "No Place Like Home" (1991) and the difference between the two versions is amazing, not just from a drumming point of view, the whole vibes of the song is different.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Btm9EGN6u94 (Simon Phillips)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2vduLlsG3g (Mark Brzezicki)
 
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Re: Simon Phillips B-Sides - The Rarities

Hello again DrummerFriends

The saga continues with today's couple tracks...

"Free" by Asia from the album Aura (2001), Simon's in "Prog Rock" mode, groovy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MvQm1IEGg8&feature=related

"Jane" by John Wetton (Asia, King Crimson, Uriah Heep) from the album Battle Lines (1994), co-written by Simon Phillips and featuring Steve Lukather from Toto, a goog catchy song with a double bass drums pattern in the chorus...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-DsG__S5t4

Enjoy!
 
Re: Simon Phillips B-Sides - The Rarities

Really loving this stuff coming out of the woodwork! Again, some fantastic Simon playing examples. The two versions of the Big Country track were an eye opener. I'm especially liking the John Wetton track, just wonderful.
 
I appreciate it, I found a video with Simon meeting the Father of Double Bass Drumming Mr. Louis Belison. That was really fun to watch and you can see respect and admiration in their eyes. Mr. Pillips had a grin ear to ear you could see how he enjoyed performing with Louie. Louie was considered one of the kindest musicians ever and would go out of his way to help any musician. Imagine the music in his house hold while he was married to Ella Fitzgerald????? That house was filled with great music for sure. Doc

Really? Imagine if Pearl Bailey walked in on them ;-)....

-John
 
Re: Simon Phillips B-Sides - The Rarities

Really loving this stuff coming out of the woodwork! Again, some fantastic Simon playing examples. The two versions of the Big Country track were an eye opener. I'm especially liking the John Wetton track, just wonderful.

Thanks Andy, I'm glad you're enjoying the thread...

Here's today's post...

"Gift Of Faith" by Toto from the album Tambu (1995) First Toto studio album with Simon as legitimate new drummer replacement for the so much missed Jeff Porcaro, this is the first track of the album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QMX5t4La2c&feature=related

"Blood Of Emeralds" by Gary Moore from the album After The War (1989) A 12/8 rock groove with power and energy, and as for the outro double bass patterns is concerned... well I rest my case.

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

Enjoy!
 
Re: Simon Phillips B-Sides - The Rarities

"Gift Of Faith" by Toto from the album Tambu (1995) First Toto studio album with Simon as legitimate new drummer replacement for the so much missed Jeff Porcaro, this is the first track of the album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QMX5t4La2c&feature=related
Ah, now this one I do know, & know well. One of my favourite rock groove tracks, from one of my favourite albums. Yes, we all miss Jeff, but oh boy, did Simon stamp his mark on Toto with this album!
 
Re: Simon Phillips B-Sides - The Rarities

Hi Simon's Fans

Today's posts are live clips from the past...

"Sunshine Of Your Love" by the Jack Bruce Trio, live in Polland in 1992. Simon's partnership with Jack Bruce goes back to 1977 with the album "How's Trick". I saw this trio live in London in '92, the advert for the gig said "doors open 7:30 pm", so I was there at that time, and the hall was empty, about 3 people!!!, I was able to choose my spot in front of the stage and contemplating Simon's drums for one and a alf hour, ha ha ...No opening act! But I had a GOOD view of the man...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY2QVAcmWew&feature=related

9 songs live from Toyah's Warrior Tour in 1982, it's the following tour from the album "The Changeling" (1982) featuring Simon Phillips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvVO1I76KGQ (warning: it's over 43 minutes)

Enjoy!
 
Re: Simon Phillips B-Sides - The Rarities

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY2QVAcmWew&feature=related

9 songs live from Toyah's Warrior Tour in 1982, it's the following tour from the album "The Changeling" (1982) featuring Simon Phillips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvVO1I76KGQ (warning: it's over 43 minutes)

Enjoy!
Good story about the early gig arrival.

Man, were that German Toyah audience on Mogadon? Can't help notice that Simon's kit has remained virtually unchanged for 30 years. That's got to be unusual for a guy with a big set.
 
Re: Simon Phillips B-Sides - The Rarities

Can't help notice that Simon's kit has remained virtually unchanged for 30 years. That's got to be unusual for a guy with a big set.

Since I've been following Simon's work for the last 30 years or so, I've never seen any other configurations than the one we know. I know he had an "hybrid" kit with ludwig bass drums and Staccato toms and that he played some Ludwig setups in the mid 70's, but I never found pictures of these kits. Simon also added a third floor tom to his kit last year or the year before, but except that it's always been pretty much the same. It's a good thing for those who want to have copycat drum setup of Simon, they don't have to change it and buy moore drums, ha ha
 
Re: Simon Phillips B-Sides - The Rarities

Hi chaps

Today's posts is a couple of track funk/rock/fusion by Simon on Rocks, Pebbles and Sand, the album by Stanley Clarke (1980)

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoHkVlPUzzU&feature=related (the end of this song is something...)

Enjoy!
Yes, Simon sure opens the taps at the end of that number. I'd completely forgotten about Rocks, pebbles & sand. Great album.

Here's a classic piece of Simon playing. Yes, he's into his trademark boogie, but this is pretty much a jam situation, & displays Simons listening skills superbly. Hear how he immediately tunes into the vibe of each players solo spot on the fly. A few egos on that stage too, so not an easy task politically :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEaTWe0h0u8
 
Re: Simon Phillips B-Sides - The Rarities

Hello again

Yes Andy, Superboogie, Superphillips, Superguitars....

Well, for once, we're not gonna just listen to Simon playing wonderfull drumming pieces, we are going to listen to the man himself.

Just a little insight of the world of Simon Phillips during the Falling In Between tour with Toto.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pyTyaTvy9U

The Hoshino (Tama/Ibanez) 90th anniversary concert in 1997 with Andy Timmons and Simon Phillips, fusion rock! ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_FRI6ekHBw&feature=related

Enjoy!
 
Re: Simon Phillips B-Sides - The Rarities

Simon Phillips - Dancing Men / Buddy Rich Burning For Buddy.

Check: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlnS-ViVte0&feature=related

Hi Ian

You remember putting this link?

I found this on Simon's Website yesterday, I thought you'll be interested... it's from the misc question pages...

Question:
Hi Simon, I recently watched back the video tape called "The Making of Burning For Buddy". And you performed a song call Dancing men. Your performance on that song is really amazing. I have some questions on the song and hope you can still remember it.
1. You're wearing the headphones, was it use to monitor the whole band or use it for click track monitoring.
2. You played a vamp solo during the middle of the song, after 2/3 of your solo, you had a unison with the bass player, was the unison comes spontaneously or it was already written on the chart?
3. Before the cut, how many times you'd spend to rehearse with the band
4. Was it one take for the song or you'd tried few times?
Best regards,
Stiv Yau (Hong Kong)
Simon:
Ha ha - that's going to take some remembering!
1. Well - the headphones were to hear everyone in the studio - there was no click track.
2. It was all spontaneous - no plans!!
3. I think we ran it down a couple of times before taking it.
4. I believe it was done in one take - in other words no drop ins. Probably take 2 or 3.
It was so much fun playing with that band - I wished I had had more time to prepare for it though.


Wow!
 
Re: Simon Phillips B-Sides - The Rarities

Hi MAD, brother!

I really appreciate you brought this one up! In fact a very interesting interview.

The questions asked were good but the answers were natural, plain and down-to-earth by Simon...The man has a real vision! I highlighted the ones that caught my attention.

Hi Ian

You remember putting this link?

I found this on Simon's Website yesterday, I thought you'll be interested... it's from the misc question pages...

Question:
Hi Simon, I recently watched back the video tape called "The Making of Burning For Buddy". And you performed a song call Dancing men. Your performance on that song is really amazing. I have some questions on the song and hope you can still remember it.
1. You're wearing the headphones, was it use to monitor the whole band or use it for click track monitoring.
2. You played a vamp solo during the middle of the song, after 2/3 of your solo, you had a unison with the bass player, was the unison comes spontaneously or it was already written on the chart?
3. Before the cut, how many times you'd spend to rehearse with the band
4. Was it one take for the song or you'd tried few times?
Best regards,
Stiv Yau (Hong Kong)
Simon:
Ha ha - that's going to take some remembering!
1. Well - the headphones were to hear everyone in the studio - there was no click track.
2. It was all spontaneous - no plans!!
3. I think we ran it down a couple of times before taking it.
4. I believe it was done in one take - in other words no drop ins. Probably take 2 or 3.
It was so much fun playing with that band - I wished I had had more time to prepare for it though.


Wow!
 
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