John JR Robinson

remoAKA

Member
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!
 
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
 
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!
 
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
 
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.
 
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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
 
"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
 
Maybe I am mistaken, but I did not find a thread for the legendary JR.

Although the man has achieved a lot throughout his career, which is still going strong, I always felt that he did not get the same level of respect that Steve Gadd, Jeff Porcaro or Vinnie Colaiuta are getting.

I put that down to the fact that he did not record as many jazz / fusion albums where he could show off his skills. JR, although he did some great big band stuff with Quincy, always concentrated on playing for the songs. Maybe he is - wrongly in my opinion - cast as a "pop / R&B" drummer.

To me JR is pure brilliance. He can do it all, and does it perfectly. Check out the DVD for Quincy's 75th birthday recorded in Montreux. If you want to hear him rocking out a la John Bonham, don't go further than the excellent TRW album with Michael Thompson and Mark Williamson.

Despite his amazing career, I do not seem to see him pop up on the "who's influcenced you" lists as often as Gadd or Vinnie (both of whom I dearly admire). I really wonder why? JR to me is fabulous - and dare I say better than Vinnie in a big band setting IMHO - and can add magic to the simplest songs. His groove is so deep. His timing is perfect. JR can turn an average song into a great song.
 
To me JR and bassist Neil Stubenhaus are the best rhythm section ever. Check them out on Bill LaBounty's "The Right Direction".

His solo album "Funkshui" is great. I haven't bought "Platinum" yet, but will do soon.

I personally love JR's snare drum sound. I had the chance to meet him though my friend Neil Stubenhaus, and he is a cool guy indeed.

I like his work on Michael O'Neill's "True Love" too.

JR's pocket is unbelievable. He's got the chops but he makes everything sound "simple", and more importantly tasteful and musical.
 
This clip came up on the feed today and I thought it is newsworthy.
He has a new book out and they discuss this in the interview.

 
“Day of Reckoning” and “Shake This Town” from the Robbie Robertson record “Storyville” are two top notch JR tracks.
 
I have watched a few clips of John Robinson before, and in one of the close up clips it appeared to me that he was using a French grip.
Does he play in French grip or is it an American grip turned more upright than usual?
 
I have watched a few clips of John Robinson before, and in one of the close up clips it appeared to me that he was using a French grip.
Does he play in French grip or is it an American grip turned more upright than usual?

Some good observations strike.

One of the elements of his playing that stands out for me is his grip.

In fact, it's the one single thing I noticed the first time I was watching him on his instructional video many years ago.

At that point in time, I felt he has the most extreme french grip I've ever seen. No cat sported a grip like that.

It's almost as if his wrists/hands rotate further OUT if anything. Looks really uncomfortable but it works for him...... million dollar recording drummer that he is.
 
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