There's the forum, then there's real life.
Posted by: Mike Dudley on 20 February 2010
Went "up west" last night to Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club (in itself, a first) and sat a mere 20 feet away from "Billy Cobham, The Greatest Drummer In The Known Universe" whilst he plied his awesome trade...
INTENSE just doesn't cover it.
Briefly met the Great Man afterwards, to get my CD signed.
Woke up this morning, smiling.
Kinda puts all the other microscopic nonsense into proper perspective, know what I mean, forumites?
INTENSE just doesn't cover it.
Briefly met the Great Man afterwards, to get my CD signed.
Woke up this morning, smiling.
Kinda puts all the other microscopic nonsense into proper perspective, know what I mean, forumites?
Monster drummer and musician. I am jealous. Probably the best in the Universe, known or unknown, except perhaps the 10 armed beat-bods from Galjifrax 
Saw a drum clinic of his once - He wasa doing paradiddles and drumming in 13/7 time or something equally bonkers
Saw a drum clinic of his once - He wasa doing paradiddles and drumming in 13/7 time or something equally bonkers
Mike - music is more interesting than bickering so Im glad the thread turn in to one about music - I sense you are too. I, shamefully, don't know the drummer of whom you post, but I've become curious to hear the greatest drummer in the known universe
quote:Originally posted by ROTF:
Mike - music is more interesting than bickering so Im glad the thread turn in to one about music - I sense you are too. I, shamefully, don't know the drummer of whom you post, but I've become curious to hear the greatest drummer in the known universe
ROTF,
Do you remember this...
From a point at sea, to the circles of your mind, This is the new Radio Caroline
It's the opening bars to 'Stratus' from Spectrum by Billy Cobham in 1973.
quote:Originally posted by Mike Dudley:
Went "up west" last night to Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club (in itself, a first) and sat a mere 20 feet away from "Billy Cobham, The Greatest Drummer In The Known Universe" whilst he plied his awesome trade...
INTENSE just doesn't cover it.
Briefly met the Great Man afterwards, to get my CD signed.
Woke up this morning, smiling.
Kinda puts all the other microscopic nonsense into proper perspective, know what I mean, forumites?
Jammy
I was told yesterday in the pub that he was doing a few nights at Scotts so looked today.Looks as if all nights sold out ages ago.I looked on Youtube and see he has re-recorded some of his great early 70's numbers and the new albium looks very good.I see it is also available as a download.
Mahavishnu was the first band I ever saw live but by 1974 the "new" band was put together for the Apocalypse tour and Micheal Walden was the drummer .Very good too and front row ,but I would love to see Cobham,especially in a snug venue like Scott's.He is still built like a tank and has so much precise power and timing.A unique style.
Saw Jeff Beck in London last week and he is a great admirer of Cobham and often play's covers .I was supised as Walden was on drums and was introduced as "my new drummer" so maybe Vinnie Coliuata has moved on to new pastures..
As you said seeing great musicians live does put life into perspective.
Regards
Colin Macey
WYSAH Beaconsfield.
Don't really remember the clip, but Denis, it sounds pretty good as do the samples on Amazon from Spectrum: thank you - I'll definitely give it go. ATB Rotfquote:Originally posted by DenisA:quote:Originally posted by ROTF:
Mike - music is more interesting than bickering so Im glad the thread turn in to one about music - I sense you are too. I, shamefully, don't know the drummer of whom you post, but I've become curious to hear the greatest drummer in the known universe
ROTF,
Do you remember this...
From a point at sea, to the circles of your mind, This is the new Radio Caroline
It's the opening bars to 'Stratus' from Spectrum by Billy Cobham in 1973.
"Spectrum" is indeed a classic and the samples on that Amazon page certainly reveal the fresh and lively quality he bought to the (virtually self-invented) new "fusion" genre, or "Jazz-rock" as it was called back in the day.
It's interesting to compare his current style to the early stuff. He's lost none of the precision and groove, but now his playing has a huge amount of real "weight" and sheer power behind it. At Ronnie's I found it almost overwhelming and the "Palindromes" CD conveys the power and sheer basement foundation of his playing effectively. With the volume turned up, natch!
It's interesting to compare his current style to the early stuff. He's lost none of the precision and groove, but now his playing has a huge amount of real "weight" and sheer power behind it. At Ronnie's I found it almost overwhelming and the "Palindromes" CD conveys the power and sheer basement foundation of his playing effectively. With the volume turned up, natch!
Denis,
Thats very kind of you sir see you next week.
Dave
Thats very kind of you sir
see you next week.Dave
Funny how we have different routes to the same destination. As a teen in the early 80s Tommy Vance played a track on his Friday Rock Show by The James Gang called Standing in the Rain which is a pretty straightforward piece of 70s rock but with an outstanding guitar outro who Tommy V explained was Tommy Bolin. I got a bit hooked on this track and investigated some more.
Of course it was more difficult in those days without the internet and being in a remote (as far as US rock goes) town in Scotland. However Kerrang magazine came to my rescue with an article on Tommy Bolin cataloguing his work with his early bands including the The James Gang, a 1 album and tour stint for Deep Purple and his 2 solo albums. Also mentioned was the fact that he played on an album that supposedly influenced Jeff Beck to move into the jazz-rock fusion that would become Blow by Blow which I had heard of.
This was of course Spectrum by Billy Cobham and as soon as I could locate a copy of it I grabbed it and was introduced not only to some amazing guitar playing but also to a phenomenally powerful drummer. When I got a DVD-Audio player 20 or so years later I discovered I could get Spectrum in this format and that's how I still listen to it now. Would have been great to see him in a small venue.
When I visited my Mum over Christmas I brought all of my LPs away with me - the first time they have left the house since being purchased in the late 70s to mid 80s. Included in that lot is Spectrum in mint condition. Just need to get a turntable (& everything else required to connect it to my system) now
Cheers
Scott
Of course it was more difficult in those days without the internet and being in a remote (as far as US rock goes) town in Scotland. However Kerrang magazine came to my rescue with an article on Tommy Bolin cataloguing his work with his early bands including the The James Gang, a 1 album and tour stint for Deep Purple and his 2 solo albums. Also mentioned was the fact that he played on an album that supposedly influenced Jeff Beck to move into the jazz-rock fusion that would become Blow by Blow which I had heard of.
This was of course Spectrum by Billy Cobham and as soon as I could locate a copy of it I grabbed it and was introduced not only to some amazing guitar playing but also to a phenomenally powerful drummer. When I got a DVD-Audio player 20 or so years later I discovered I could get Spectrum in this format and that's how I still listen to it now. Would have been great to see him in a small venue.
When I visited my Mum over Christmas I brought all of my LPs away with me - the first time they have left the house since being purchased in the late 70s to mid 80s. Included in that lot is Spectrum in mint condition. Just need to get a turntable (& everything else required to connect it to my system) now
Cheers
Scott
It was my first time (belatedly) at Ronnie's. Observations:
The 250-seat size of the room with a low ceiling height made it feel very intimate. The only way to get closer to the band would have been to walk onto the stage.
I didn't have the food, but the cocktail list was interesting - I had a "Horse Thief" at £8. Pricey, but I let myself be tempted. There's proper single malt available, too.
They let you run a tab, but take your card. I don't know if this is standard, I was a bit uncomfortable with this but it worked out allright.
It was the first time I've been guided to my seat by an attractive female cocktail waitress. How decadent!
The sound system was very good - loud but clear, unlike the amateur-hour noise you get at most "rock" concerts. What a dream job for the house technician!
Walls covered with framed photos of all the famous acts that have played there over the years lent a real "heritage" feel to the place.
Verdict: I'll definitely go again.
The 250-seat size of the room with a low ceiling height made it feel very intimate. The only way to get closer to the band would have been to walk onto the stage.
I didn't have the food, but the cocktail list was interesting - I had a "Horse Thief" at £8. Pricey, but I let myself be tempted. There's proper single malt available, too.
They let you run a tab, but take your card. I don't know if this is standard, I was a bit uncomfortable with this but it worked out allright.
It was the first time I've been guided to my seat by an attractive female cocktail waitress. How decadent!
The sound system was very good - loud but clear, unlike the amateur-hour noise you get at most "rock" concerts. What a dream job for the house technician!
Walls covered with framed photos of all the famous acts that have played there over the years lent a real "heritage" feel to the place.
Verdict: I'll definitely go again.
Sounds like a good night out Mike - I may even go myself soon.