Mr. Brownstone
Senior Member
Although Billy is certainly worthy of two threads, here's the one you're looking for:
http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4127
http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4127
Billy Cobham
- Thread starter jbc6
- Start date
Totally agree. Its interesting for me to trace the evolution of drummers, and I think Billy is the link between a Tony Williams and say, Vinnie Colauita.
Billy was one of the founding fathers of the jazz infused back beat that had the power of rock, and the intricacy of jazz, which in the late 70s, created this whole new genre of music we now insipidly call jazz rock.
His album Spectrum, is also a seminal work of not just of great drumming ,but also of great writing.
Billy was one of the founding fathers of the jazz infused back beat that had the power of rock, and the intricacy of jazz, which in the late 70s, created this whole new genre of music we now insipidly call jazz rock.
His album Spectrum, is also a seminal work of not just of great drumming ,but also of great writing.
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Deltadrummer
Platinum Member
I was looking for the Cobham thread and couldn't find it either. So I went to youtube and watched this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2VYKgFBH3A
He's one of the more creative drummers out there with a host of solo albums and great compositions. I know in the latter seventies people used to say Billy couldn't groove, that was when those fusion guys were looked down upon.
That's what happens when people don't 'listen.'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2VYKgFBH3A
He's one of the more creative drummers out there with a host of solo albums and great compositions. I know in the latter seventies people used to say Billy couldn't groove, that was when those fusion guys were looked down upon.
That's what happens when people don't 'listen.'
Ben Tormey
Senior Member
I missed a chance to see Billy Cobham playing in my area recently, the event was hardly publicised and I was quite annoyed that the event organisers hadn't done more.
He's one of a small number of players who really inspire me to get on the kit and do something different. The bass drum shuffle on Quadrant 4 was a revelation to me when I first heard it.
He's one of a small number of players who really inspire me to get on the kit and do something different. The bass drum shuffle on Quadrant 4 was a revelation to me when I first heard it.
A Billy story:
This has nothing to do with how great Billy is or is'nt, but back in '81, I had gone to hear Billy at a little music club in Greenwich Village, New York, called THE BOTTOM LINE.
Billy was to go on at 9pm, but I'd gotten to the club a little early.
Strains of loud music were emerging through the doors of the club, as I walked up to the counter clerk.
" Who's opening for him ?" I asked him.
" Oh, some band called Police or something.. from the UK" he replied in a sleepy voice.
" what kind of music? " I continued, trying to decide if they were worth a listen
..... "Some punk BS" he said.
I decided to kill a half hour walking around the neighborhood, and returned to the club after a chilidog & diet coke, to the closing strains of Roxanne.
A few months later, you could hear nothing else on the radio.
Oh, and by the way, Billy blew my mind wide open that night, and I still have'nt fully recovered.
This has nothing to do with how great Billy is or is'nt, but back in '81, I had gone to hear Billy at a little music club in Greenwich Village, New York, called THE BOTTOM LINE.
Billy was to go on at 9pm, but I'd gotten to the club a little early.
Strains of loud music were emerging through the doors of the club, as I walked up to the counter clerk.
" Who's opening for him ?" I asked him.
" Oh, some band called Police or something.. from the UK" he replied in a sleepy voice.
" what kind of music? " I continued, trying to decide if they were worth a listen
..... "Some punk BS" he said.
I decided to kill a half hour walking around the neighborhood, and returned to the club after a chilidog & diet coke, to the closing strains of Roxanne.
A few months later, you could hear nothing else on the radio.
Oh, and by the way, Billy blew my mind wide open that night, and I still have'nt fully recovered.
Citizen Insane
Senior Member
Billy Cobham is one of the best drummers who ever lived. He has it all, blazing chops, deep pocket, creativity, you name it. aswell as a great drummer, he is a great song writer.
And has wrote some brilliant music with his band.
And has wrote some brilliant music with his band.
Deltadrummer
Platinum Member
Where does one go now to find information about BC: concerts, clinics? His website has been down for the longest time.
tomhollywood
Member
Brilliant story that!! Bet you were gutted mate
I saw billy cobham a few years back playin a clinic in Swansea was absolutley brilliant. Maybe i was biased though because he plays opened handed like me
I just saw Billy Cobham live about two weeks ago. I had heard that he might've lost a step or two with age based on a previous tour, but not on this tour. He hasn't lost a step. Billy nailed everything. Never got off once on his crazy fills which I heard happened a tiny bit back in 2003/2004 on his Spectrum reunion tour.
He's in the process of recording a 3 or 4 volume set (don't remember which) of new stuff with his New York band. He played a lot of stuff off of the first volume when I saw him and it sounds amazing. I think he's in the process of recording the second volume now.
Then he played Quadrant 4 off of Spectrum. One of the craziest grooves I've heard. He plays a blisteringly fast double bass shuffle with a ridiculous ride pattern overlaid. I mean, I know it sounds great on the album, but hearing live was really something remarkable.
Anyone: if he's coming to town, get out and see Billy Cobham. It's an incredible experience. Being a left hand/right foot lead drummer like he is, I do naturally take a lot from his setup and technique. but I think that everyone can learn so much from just one night of hearing this guy live. I know I was inspired.
He's in the process of recording a 3 or 4 volume set (don't remember which) of new stuff with his New York band. He played a lot of stuff off of the first volume when I saw him and it sounds amazing. I think he's in the process of recording the second volume now.
Then he played Quadrant 4 off of Spectrum. One of the craziest grooves I've heard. He plays a blisteringly fast double bass shuffle with a ridiculous ride pattern overlaid. I mean, I know it sounds great on the album, but hearing live was really something remarkable.
Anyone: if he's coming to town, get out and see Billy Cobham. It's an incredible experience. Being a left hand/right foot lead drummer like he is, I do naturally take a lot from his setup and technique. but I think that everyone can learn so much from just one night of hearing this guy live. I know I was inspired.
Pavlos
Senior Member
Funny this thread should pop up. I was just listening to Jack Johnson yesterday. Love BC's work on that one. And love this from wikipedia. They all just show up and look what happens.
"The first major recording session for the album, which took place on April 7, 1970, was almost accidental: John McLaughlin, awaiting Miles's arrival, began improvising riffs on his guitar, and was shortly joined by Michael Henderson and Billy Cobham. Meanwhile, the producers brought in Herbie Hancock, who had been passing through the building on unrelated business, to play the Farfisa organ. Miles arrived at last and began his solo at about 2:19 on the first track."
Looks like it's back up. Billy is one of the all time greats. One of my faves is Mahavishnu's Between Nothingness and Eternity which is a live album from the early 70s. Poor sound quality but great playing.
"The first major recording session for the album, which took place on April 7, 1970, was almost accidental: John McLaughlin, awaiting Miles's arrival, began improvising riffs on his guitar, and was shortly joined by Michael Henderson and Billy Cobham. Meanwhile, the producers brought in Herbie Hancock, who had been passing through the building on unrelated business, to play the Farfisa organ. Miles arrived at last and began his solo at about 2:19 on the first track."
http://www.billycobham.com/html/index.php
Looks like it's back up. Billy is one of the all time greats. One of my faves is Mahavishnu's Between Nothingness and Eternity which is a live album from the early 70s. Poor sound quality but great playing.
Pollyanna
Platinum Member
Thanks Mr B. Loved the interview. I've always been fan of Billy's drumming - it seems he has a great attitude too.
supermac
Senior Member
Billy, in my opinion, is one of the greatest ever drummers.
I was totally blown away when I first heard him as a kid.
Yet, he seems strangely under-rated and doesn't get too many namechecks in drum magazines and forums etc
After trying for years, recently managed to nail the monstrous double-bass drum shuffle he does on the song Quadrant 4. Great fun to play...
I was totally blown away when I first heard him as a kid.
Yet, he seems strangely under-rated and doesn't get too many namechecks in drum magazines and forums etc
After trying for years, recently managed to nail the monstrous double-bass drum shuffle he does on the song Quadrant 4. Great fun to play...
doctor_benway91
Member
The most consistent drummer in my cd collection. Topping at 7 albums. 3 Miles, 4 Mahavishnu. Great stuff!!
Bo Eder
Platinum Member
I beg to differ about the underrated part. I think Billy has reached that echelon where it is just assumed he is one of the greatest. Like Buddy Rich, even if he's never mentioned, he's still there as one of the bars to reach for. It's like saying Tony Williams, or Max Roach, or Papa Joe Jones....
DrumEatDrum
Platinum Member
Flip through Modern Drummers of the late 70's and early 80's and he's pretty much on every page.
In the 90's, he switched endorsements several times, which may have killed of some enthusiasm for putting him in ads.
But as Bo said, saying Billy is underrated is like trying to say Tony is under rated.