Proof positive that Jim Gordon was one of the most melodic rock drummers of his generation. It wasn't every studio musician that got asked to play on Beatles' records. His style is so distinctive. His fills are flat-out creative. Talent on loan from God.
Jim Gordon’s attorney said his case was the saddest he ever handed. Lots off tragic endings in the world of music and this one has to be one of the worst. The man deserved a better fate. Bless you Mr Gordon and thank you for the beautiful music you created.
When your mental illness disorder is misdiagnosed multiple times and that leads to the tragic death of his mom yes I’d say he was a victim also. Voices in his head told him to kill her.Hell he didn’t even know he killed her, thought she was still alive at his first parole hearing.
On Different Drum - 1967 Stone Poneys, going out of the bridge into the chorus Jim holds the beat back just a bit, which gives the chorus lift. Tempo stays the same. The drums created some magic there.
Love how he keeps a constant rhythm on the snare drum at sections of this track without using the hi hat. Definitely was one of the best session drummers up there with Hal Blaine, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Gadd, and Bernard Perdie.
Been a fan since the '70s, then listening recently to Traffic's "Low Spark...", on the title track he plays quadruple fills on 4 toms in a row and it's perfection! He's a big reason why that was their best album.
Jim Gordon was not a super technical drummer but he had the most perfect time. He never dragged or rushed and he was always very solid and percussive. His work on Low Spark by Traffic is as good as it gets. He usually played single headed toms where they could be moved up high in the mix without overtones drowning out the other instruments which really made the music pop. He was a big man that towered over his drum set but he played with a musical finesse that was unmatched. Also his live playing with Derek And The Dominos was amazing. He had a right hand that could keep these sixteenth notes going forever without getting tired.
Great "in the pocket" playing that Jim was famous for . Those professionals in the know recognise what a top and musical player Jim was. Thanks for posting.
This is some really impressive drumming. He does all kinds of things but never steps on the song. Another great performance of his was on B W Stevenson's My Maria.
We did not know much about schizophrenia at the time Jim was diagnosed with it and he self-medicated thinking it was keeping "the voices at bay." Unfortunately, we did not have the medications we have today in the 70s. Also, most of the musicians he was around were experimenting with drugs and did not notice anything out of the ordinary. Sad all the way around, but he left us some great music to enjoy.
Para mim,um dos melhores bateristas do mundo!Ele é demais,sou muito fã do seu estilo de tocar,cheio de notas fantasmas,e muita melodia,amo essa música,e nunca tinha ouvido com a batera na frente ,obrigado pela postagem,BOSCO(ALTA TENSÃO,O BANDO DO VELHO JACK, MADE IN BRAZIL).
Amazing. Every song I was crazy about, seems Jim Gordon was always the drummer. Sometimes I think the fans should have been writing "Jim Gordon is God" on the walls alongside Eric Clapton's name.
I don't mean to spam the thread here, but I keep thinking this over, and there is more I want to say. I was born in 61 and grew up loving the music of the 60s and 70s. The music of later decades never grabbed me the way the earlier music had. I learned of Jim Gordon's tragic tale a few weeks ago. When I saw his discography, I realized every song I loved so much had his creative genius and impeccable groove on it. I didn't love the later music because it didn't have Jim Gordon's drumming - I really think it's that simple, for me. I was almost afraid to listen to the isolated drum track, because I thought, what if the magic was in Harrison's guitar playing and voice, and not in Jim Gordon's work? I needn't have worried. Listening to this track was so intensely enjoyable, it was almost painful. I have a physical response to Jim Gordon's playing and no other drummer or musician can elicit that response from me. Like everyone else, I'm heartsick at his situation today and fervently wish for better, for this brilliant musician who gave his all to the world for so many years. Thank you for the music, Jim Gordon.
@@mike220_8 Same here I wouid love to watch this guy in action, Not much live video back then it seems. espesically with him playing with Derck & the Dominos !
THANK YOU FOR POSTING.....NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE WANT ANY THING TO DO WITH JIM AT ALL. THEY FORGET ABOUT WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR MUSIC..WHEN I WAS VISITING HAL BLAINE , I ASKED HAL IF WE MIGHT POSSIBLY GO AND VISIT JIM...THE CLEARANCE WOULD TAKE FOREVER HAL SAID....I HAVE YET TO SPEAK WITH JIM...AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR POSTING
The more i listen to thks cats tracks the more im blown awayby how good his time feels and his feel.. i see why Jeff Porcaro was so into his work and was influenced by him
It's insightful to hear the isolated drum track in determining how Jim G approached the song. This doesn't sound like the track that ended up on the recording. For a drum cover of this tune check out the one I did.
Pretty sure this is an alternate take from the one used on the final release. On that version, Jim is playing fours on the snare during the versus. It's also a little little less "boogaloo-y". But always a great feel and a killer drum sound from this guy. It tears me up about what's happened to him. I heard in an interview that Andy Newmark somehow got in touch with him where he's incarcerated.
Oh damn, I didn't know the drum part was like this. One of the guitars sounds way more country that it does on the stereo track too. And the keys sound dreamier too. Wtf. I have a feeling Spector's "wall of sound" is a scam, all the good parts are hidden
Some rock drummers augment the melody line with a style of drumming that seems as much a gift as a talent. At the moment only Jim Gordan, Jeff Pocaro, and Hal Blaine come to mind, all with a knack for catching the beat to a melody line and thusly making a a song unforgettable.
NOT COOL. MAN..,,,!! He was constantly misdiagnosed and constantly treated by doctors for alcohol abuse instead instead of treating his mental illness and of course his drug use back in the day while touring certaintly didn't help his condition at all...but that was out of line dude, mental illness and Schizophrenia are real illnesses and can be treated. Now man up and Apologize to this awesome drummer.
He got credit for writing the piano part to Layla - as he showed it to Clapton and they fused it to Layla- but Rita Coolidge (gf at one times ) claims he nicked it - the rolling stone article from the eighties when he was imprisoned is the definitive piece of journalism on him.
yes, Gordon was schizophrenic and used a lot of drugs -- bad combination. He ended up murdering his mother, and is currently institutionalized. Still, he was one of the pre-eminent drummers of the 70's. Why bring his personal life up?? My point was he is a fine musician -- why not just leave it at that??
If Jim would would’ve had the proper diagnosis and the right doctors at that time, the horrible tragedy with his mother and himself would never have happened. He was a gentle, talented soul who was trapped in another world who needed help.
well could you please list all the great recordings you have played on and we can compare to Jim Gordons drum credits. not going to happen is it you mug.
@@slimjimphantom6294 so Mr slim you’ve been drumming for 40 years but you still don’t know that the true fundamentals of drumming are time and feel, very basic is the insult you use to attack one of the most recorded drummers of all time, like I said let’s hear about the recording sessions you have played on and let’s compare them to Jim’s. One of his drum beats, the Apache beat has been on hundreds of hip hop songs.very basic, that’s why he’s on two Beatles solo albums,did any of the Beatles give you a call when they wanted what you call Basic drums? Put that list up of your drum recordings and I might change my basic mind.
Proof positive that Jim Gordon was one of the most melodic rock drummers of his generation. It wasn't every studio musician that got asked to play on Beatles' records. His style is so distinctive. His fills are flat-out creative. Talent on loan from God.
Just ask his mother
@@leftystevenson2436 is that supposed to be funny
@@leftystevenson2436 👺
@@littlesumpin457Hilarious
Jim Gordon’s attorney said his case was the saddest he ever handed. Lots off tragic endings in the world of music and this one has to be one of the worst. The man deserved a better fate. Bless you Mr Gordon and thank you for the beautiful music you created.
Nelson Holt Amen.
Nelson Holt
2 months ago I agree with you totally. verbatem .
He’d be a free man now, but he refuses to take medication and that’s why they won’t release him.
He killed his own mother. And to you he's a victim
When your mental illness disorder is misdiagnosed multiple times and that leads to the tragic death of his mom yes I’d say he was a victim also. Voices in his head told him to kill her.Hell he didn’t even know he killed her, thought she was still alive at his first parole hearing.
On Different Drum - 1967 Stone Poneys, going out of the bridge into the chorus Jim holds the beat back just a bit, which gives the chorus lift. Tempo stays the same. The drums created some magic there.
This guy’s timing is impeccable. He plays beautifully to the song and his films are perfect. But that timing...wow
They said he was like a human metronome.
I would love to see some of his videos. are they on UA-cam??
Yep, clockwork in action.
@@lorrainecostanzo8925 ua-cam.com/video/y4DbsNsK3jY/v-deo.html
There's a couple of drum breaks - 12:47 & 18:22 - but the whole video is gold.
Love how he keeps a constant rhythm on the snare drum at sections of this track without using the hi hat. Definitely was one of the best session drummers up there with Hal Blaine, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Gadd, and Bernard Perdie.
Damn. RIP Jim... one of our finest drummers. Sad story - but now your hands are no longer silenced.
Been a fan since the '70s, then listening recently to Traffic's "Low Spark...", on the title track he plays quadruple fills on 4 toms in a row and it's perfection! He's a big reason why that was their best album.
Jim Gordon was not a super technical drummer but he had the most perfect time. He never dragged or rushed and he was always very solid and percussive. His work on Low Spark by Traffic is as good as it gets. He usually played single headed toms where they could be moved up high in the mix without overtones drowning out the other instruments which really made the music pop. He was a big man that towered over his drum set but he played with a musical finesse that was unmatched. Also his live playing with Derek And The Dominos was amazing. He had a right hand that could keep these sixteenth notes going forever without getting tired.
The man was just born with a god-given, natural time meter. Thank heavens most of his work is captured on tape. Tremendous talent.
Great "in the pocket" playing that Jim was famous for . Those professionals in the know recognise what a top and musical player Jim was. Thanks for posting.
And Jim Gordon is the guy who gave the world the much used Apache drum break from the Incredible Bongo Band album. Great drummer.
Jim tearing it up as usual...amazing.
Jim and Hal. Hal and Jim. They played on everything you’ve ever loved.
RIP to them both.
This is some really impressive drumming. He does all kinds of things but never steps on the song. Another great performance of his was on B W Stevenson's My Maria.
thank you, didn´t know that one
He tried quite a few times to get help. Sad
I think I had read that it was about a dozen times, he tried to get help.
We did not know much about schizophrenia at the time Jim was diagnosed with it and he self-medicated thinking it was keeping "the voices at bay." Unfortunately, we did not have the medications we have today in the 70s. Also, most of the musicians he was around were experimenting with drugs and did not notice anything out of the ordinary. Sad all the way around, but he left us some great music to enjoy.
great!!!!! thanks for sharing, He was a giant, I can understand why he was Jeff Porcaro's favorite drummer
He also played on The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds and Smile Sessions.
Para mim,um dos melhores bateristas do mundo!Ele é demais,sou muito fã do seu estilo de tocar,cheio de notas fantasmas,e muita melodia,amo essa música,e nunca tinha ouvido com a batera na frente ,obrigado pela postagem,BOSCO(ALTA TENSÃO,O BANDO DO VELHO JACK, MADE IN BRAZIL).
"the best drummer in the world"
(cit. Jeff Porcaro)
Amazing. Every song I was crazy about, seems Jim Gordon was always the drummer. Sometimes I think the fans should have been writing "Jim Gordon is God" on the walls alongside Eric Clapton's name.
I don't mean to spam the thread here, but I keep thinking this over, and there is more I want to say.
I was born in 61 and grew up loving the music of the 60s and 70s. The music of later decades never grabbed me the way the earlier music had.
I learned of Jim Gordon's tragic tale a few weeks ago. When I saw his discography, I realized every song I loved so much had his creative genius and impeccable groove on it. I didn't love the later music because it didn't have Jim Gordon's drumming - I really think it's that simple, for me.
I was almost afraid to listen to the isolated drum track, because I thought, what if the magic was in Harrison's guitar playing and voice, and not in Jim Gordon's work? I needn't have worried.
Listening to this track was so intensely enjoyable, it was almost painful. I have a physical response to Jim Gordon's playing and no other drummer or musician can elicit that response from me.
Like everyone else, I'm heartsick at his situation today and fervently wish for better, for this brilliant musician who gave his all to the world for so many years. Thank you for the music, Jim Gordon.
+Leora LaGraffe
Now that you mention it...you're exactly right!
+Leora LaGraffe He is an amazing drummer.
@@LeoraLaGraffe I share your feelings exactly regarding this amazing drummer..verbatem !!
Jeff Porcaros favorite drummer!
He had the dopest drum on Apache by incredible bongo band
It's always fun to hear an early rendition of a song to see how they got to the final version. Pretty cool.
There's some early live footage of Jim Gordon with Andre Crouch on youtube. I loved his drumming and we'll just leave it at that, enough said.
Brookie Storer - would love to see that - do you have a link or the name of video footage? Thanks!!
You are confusing Jim Gordon with Bill Maxwell, who drummed for Andrae Crouch while part of Andrae Crouch and the Disciples.
@@mike220_8 Same here I wouid love to watch this guy in action, Not much live video back then it seems. espesically with him playing with Derck & the Dominos !
Brookie Storer
1 year ago Thank you so much for posting this. can't wait to see this !!
@@ezktime7 Nope...Jim Gordon also ghosted the album Keep on Singing as well.
oh man that is solid in the pocket percussion there.
RIP Jim.
Listen to live version of “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad.”
THANK YOU FOR POSTING.....NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE WANT ANY THING TO DO WITH JIM AT ALL. THEY FORGET ABOUT WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR MUSIC..WHEN I WAS VISITING HAL BLAINE , I ASKED HAL IF WE MIGHT POSSIBLY GO AND VISIT JIM...THE CLEARANCE WOULD TAKE FOREVER HAL SAID....I HAVE YET TO SPEAK WITH JIM...AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR POSTING
The more i listen to thks cats tracks the more im blown awayby how good his time feels and his feel.. i see why Jeff Porcaro was so into his work and was influenced by him
It's insightful to hear the isolated drum track in determining how Jim G approached the song. This doesn't sound like the track that ended up on the recording. For a drum cover of this tune check out the one I did.
Tom Floor Check out this drum cover of the released version:
ua-cam.com/video/rc_d5hmkvSY/v-deo.html
Pretty sure this is an alternate take from the one used on the final release. On that version, Jim is playing fours on the snare during the versus. It's also a little little less "boogaloo-y". But always a great feel and a killer drum sound from this guy. It tears me up about what's happened to him. I heard in an interview that Andy Newmark somehow got in touch with him where he's incarcerated.
Yeah, Andy Newmark sat in on "You're So Vain" while Jim did 40 takes, said he changed his whole drumming approach after watching him.
Oh damn, I didn't know the drum part was like this. One of the guitars sounds way more country that it does on the stereo track too.
And the keys sound dreamier too. Wtf. I have a feeling Spector's "wall of sound" is a scam, all the good parts are hidden
Some rock drummers augment the melody line with a style of drumming that seems as much a gift as a talent. At the moment only Jim Gordan, Jeff Pocaro, and Hal Blaine come to mind, all with a knack for catching the beat to a melody line and thusly making a
a song unforgettable.
Perfect to practice on guitar
1:58 magic
4:26 more magic
still love it!!
heavy ! and very cool the other stuff is bleeding through. full dynamics
NORMALIZATION OF IGNORANCE
2 months ago Now your cool !! Thank you !!
Jim Gordon. The GOAT.
@kenz3737 You are so right. I'm sorry he was gifted at birth and cursed with a terrible disease. Thanks for the kind words.
This may be Jim Gordon but this is definitely not the released final drum track
there may have been some edits.. did you listen to both ? it was mixed prettty low but I agree a few minor flubs they would have rectified
He had a way of riding his cymbal and adding fills
Wow thats some good stuff
He just sounded better than every else.
what a superb drummer, yet another tortured soul. couldn't defeat the demons and killed his mother. too sad.
Is there a good documentary or book about that? Maybe his mother was a momster 💀
NOT COOL. MAN..,,,!! He was constantly misdiagnosed and constantly treated by doctors for alcohol abuse instead instead of treating his mental illness and of course his drug use back in the day while touring certaintly didn't help his condition at all...but that was out of line dude, mental illness and Schizophrenia are real illnesses and can be treated. Now man up and Apologize to this awesome drummer.
Youngest member of L.A.'s famous "Wrecking Crew"...allegedly.
Wow.
Are you telling me that Jim Gordon plays on three songs featured in Goodfellas?
great
Cooooool! Thanks!
QEPD Jim Gordon
I think he actually wrote the music for the piano coda from Layla.
neal davis Rita Coolidge wrote that.
Jim actually stole the piano coda for Layla from his girlfriend Rita Coolidge. She was the one who wrote it.
+Malcolm Ramsey I think they wrote it together - Jim could play piano.
jim gordon kicks butt on this song, schizophrenia is a horrible condition
He got credit for writing the piano part to Layla - as he showed it to Clapton and they fused it to Layla- but Rita Coolidge (gf at one times ) claims he nicked it - the rolling stone article from the eighties when he was imprisoned is the definitive piece of journalism on him.
Beat the shit out of Rita Coolidge on a regular basis.
Interesting.
the importance of playing live takes with the whole band. While results could be imperfect the flow and energy more than made up for that.
This is not Jim Gordon playing
yes, Gordon was schizophrenic and used a lot of drugs -- bad combination. He ended up murdering his mother, and is currently institutionalized. Still, he was one of the pre-eminent drummers of the 70's. Why bring his personal life up?? My point was he is a fine musician -- why not just leave it at that??
If Jim would would’ve had the proper diagnosis and the right doctors at that time, the horrible tragedy with his mother and himself would never have happened.
He was a gentle, talented soul who was trapped in another world who needed help.
It is what it is.
Skippy was the best. Ever
its not J G. Its Lord Basil playing drums. And not particularly impressive.
Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?
this is fake. go onto the original recording and you can hear hi hats during the verses.
They probably did 30 or 50 takes of this song, this was one.
Sounds more like Jim Keltner to me!
ua-cam.com/video/0lWCA3a8c7M/v-deo.html
Can I recommend these.
@@teetomthomas Thanks for your recommendation, unfortunately they're not big enough to play the drums with!
@@wheelwells148 Hahah! Nice one!
Nothing special about this guys drumming, very basic if anything
It's a shame that you can't hear it.
well could you please list all the great recordings you have played on and we can compare to Jim Gordons drum credits. not going to happen is it you mug.
@@tupelotwin666 goin out on a limb here, I’m sure you’re not a drummer, I’ve been playing almost 40 years, how about you pal
@@slimjimphantom6294 so Mr slim you’ve been drumming for 40 years but you still don’t know that the true fundamentals of drumming are time and feel, very basic is the insult you use to attack one of the most recorded drummers of all time, like I said let’s hear about the recording sessions you have played on and let’s compare them to Jim’s. One of his drum beats, the Apache beat has been on hundreds of hip hop songs.very basic, that’s why he’s on two Beatles solo albums,did any of the Beatles give you a call when they wanted what you call Basic drums? Put that list up of your drum recordings and I might change my basic mind.
@@tupelotwin666 like I said Mr Twin, to a drummer such as myself , it’s pretty basic, apparently you don’t get it or understand drums