Posts Tagged Drumming
Archive
March 12, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
R.I.P. Hal Blaine
Hal Blaine has died. The session drumming legend was 90. What a life. What a legacy. If he wasn’t the most prolific sessioneer skinsman he was certainly the most successful of the busy-schedule players. A part of one of the greatest groups of all time – The Wrecking Crew (not a band as such, a collective […]Archive
March 10, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Nate Smith: Pocket Change
Nate Smith Pocket Change Ropeadope LLC Nate Smith, master drummer – as a composer and musician he is both bandleader and session-sideman. He’s racking up the credits – in the last week or so I’ve reviewed his James Gadson-aping star-support turn on the Jose James album of Bill Withers covers and his furious funk attack as a cameo-star with The Fearless Flyers. […]Archive
March 7, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast: Episode 158 – Caroline Easther
Welcome to episode 158 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and La Petite Chocolat. Now – as you probably know, as well as the usual platforms (this site, soundcloud, iTunes/Apple) you can now get to Sweetman Podcast on Spotify – follow it there and have it saved in your Spotify library. This week I have a chat with […]Archive
March 5, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
RNZ Music Feature: Ringo Starr’s Greatest Hits
I’m usually on RNZ once a month to have a chat about some new albums. But now and then I present features on the show too. Last year I had nearly an hour to explore the music of George Harrison. So I was keen, straight away, to talk Ringo Starr. Now Ringo’s legacy stays entirely with the band. He […]Archive
January 26, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 340
Grady Tate, By Special Request (1974) Grady Tate – simply one of my all-time favourite drummers, and I got to write a bit about that and a bit about him in memorial. Sad that so often we mark these moments only after a person has gone. And shortly before Tate died I got rather hooked on his crooner albums from the […]Archive
January 10, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast # 150: Delia Shanly
Welcome to episode 150 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and La Petite Chocolat. Did I think I’d make it to 150 when I started this podcast? I had no number in mind. So we continue… Thanks for listening if and when you do. Now – as you probably know, as well as […]Archive
January 5, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: Giving The Drummer Some
I met Steve Gadd. He had played on many of the greatest songs ever. And just in case he’d forgotten I reminded him. I got him to sign my records. He was embarrassed – And told me he liked the fact that I was wearing shorts. It takes all sorts. And I was the only […]Archive
December 26, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 347
Ringo Starr, Sentimental Journey (1970) Poor old Ringo Starr. I say “Poor old Ringo Starr”, when there’s nothing poor about him. Nice life, great drummer, in the best band in the world, lucky timing on that too, etc. And it really hasn’t mattered what he did after. I mean he’s as well-known – actually probably […]Archive
October 17, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
RNZ Music Feature: Steve Gadd
I’m usually on RNZ once a month to have a chat about some new albums. But the other day I got the call up to present a Music Feature for the Afternoons show. Well, actually, I was on-air talking about some albums in my regular review slot and I was promoting the back that legendary drummer Steve […]Archive
March 20, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Mechanical Ballet (March 17, Wgtn)
Mechanical Ballet: Stroma w/ Sarah Watkins & Stephen De Pledge, Directed by Michael Norris Hannah Playhouse Friday March 16/Saturday March 17 The Mechanical Ballet refers to the dance between human musical abilities – both in a playing and composing sense – and the “mechatronics” of pre-programmed devices; machines that strike, thud, bow, pluck and rasp. […]Archive
March 13, 2018 by Simon Sweetman