My father was rock and roll drummer Sib Hashian, he would take me to New York city for boys trips every year growing up as we lived in a Boston suburb. One time, we were walking by the blue note and he saw Steve Gadd was playing that night. I had not heard of Steve yet but my dad was thrilled and we impromptu bought tickets for the show. He said Steve was one of his favorite drummers ever, hell, he even named my oldest sister Aja. Steve put on an amazing show, but at one point his cymbal lost tightness and fell way out of position. Afterwards my dad said that he regretted not jumping up there to fix it for him mid song, as he would have wanted a drum tech to do it for him if that had happened. Later on in life, I would fix my father’s drums and cymbals whenever necessary, mid song or mid set, as his roadie and drum tech. I never forgot what he said! RIP Sib and long live Steve Gadd!!
Ahash31: I'm a keyboardist and loved your father's playing. He was in my all-time favorite band, Boston. Thank you for sharing that story at the Blue Note. His time was too short, but his legend lives on, and I know you miss him. I trust and hope that he (and you) knew/know the Lord...for time is short as you know.
I saw Sib with Boston when they played Anaheim Stadium in 1979. Sammy Hagar opened, and he'd been opening for Boston on Boston's Don't Look Back tour. Van Halen hit the stage next after jumping out of an airplane and landing in the field that used to be across the freeway from the stadium. (It's now a parking lot for the Honda Center, which for a minute was the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.) Black Sabbath was the co-headliner, and they'd been getting blown off the stage every night by Van Halen. Then Boston hit the stage, and the entire back wall was church pipes for the church pipe organ they rolled out for Tom Scholz to solo on/open the song "Smokin'" if memory serves. There was an extended pipe organ solo on the song that sounded a bit Hammond B-3 or C-3 ish on first listen. But it was rather something to see the whole pipe organ thing going on there. And Sib was just wailing away on his kit. I was so shocked when I learned he'd died of a heart attack. While he was playing drums with his latest non-Boston band. He went out doing what he loved, though. Not too many of us can say that. R.I.P. Sib. And my deepest condolences for your loss. Thanks for sharing a cool story about Sib and Steve. Two cool guys. Two cool drummers.
I've recorded Steve in the studio before and the thing I was most impressed by was how musical he is and what a great listener he is. The guitar player on the session was Dean Parks and I remember Dean was coming up with a rhythm part and almost immediately Steve responded with the coolest groove using brushes on the snare. Steve has completely mastered his instrument by putting in all the hard work. He is foundational. He started by learning all the rudiments. When he needed to swing he learned how to swing. When he needed to be able to keep solid time he mastered that. The guy is a human metronome when he wants to be. I've never heard a drummer that has better time. It's his discipline that has given him the freedom to create such incredible music. Total down to earth human being as well.
This is cool to read. I just saw another YT video on Dean Parks. He played in my brother's high school stage band back in the 60s and I remember watching him play sax. (My brother says he played guitar then, too, but I don't remember that. I was like 5, 6, and 7 years old..!) Anyway, how fortunate to get to record those two musical giants of the last 50 years.
Pocket is a combination of knowing how the miniscule shifts in timing and dynamics give the deepest possible sense of groove. Literally a couple of miliseconds late or early on various hits, and very slight shifts in how hard you strike have incredible effect on the listener. In order to get there, you first have to be precise enough not to constantly be making errors in hit placement. After that, it’s 100% about feel. It’s in your soul, heart and head after you get to that level of skill.
I keep thinking about that. I have drums, but I do not consider myself a drummer. I have not put in the hours and hours necessary. But I really like drumming and fascinated by drumming, especially jazz drumming. I noticed when I try to play that what’s missing is that mechanical ability to play as cleanly as I feel the pulse. I just haven’t done enough work to synchronize my internal clock with my hands. And because we were talking about milliseconds, it’s entirely possible that those impulses and “decisions“ happen at a very, very deeply subconscious level. Although, I suppose you could say that’s true playing almost any instrument.
When I was in high school our teacher said the most important aspect of drumming is time. The high hat should never stop playing 2 and 4. You must listen to the bass player and get that groove. He used to make us play just with the bass until we got that groove going. Never heard of "the pocket" to describe a groove before. My idol was Shelly Mann as he was a time machine. He could play time with a groove and never slow or rush the beat. For many tracks, you can start the record get the groove, and then go to the end of the song and the time was exactly the same. In between there were out-of-time solos etc. but time was always respected as the most important thing. Also playing solos that were musical and not just a bunch of flashy technic. Steve thinks the way I always did and that is to be part of the equation and not be a soloist during the whole tune. The most amazing feeling is to be in that groove...it makes everything you want to do easier.
I had a teacher in high school, band director. One day during jazz band he got up, left the room, and came back with a tv cart and a couple tapes. A “Stuff” performance, the legendary Buddy Rich tribute with Dave Weckl and Vinnie Colaiuta, and he also pointed out how many classic tunes Gadd played on. He was basically like, "you all need to watch this and learn something." And we did 😂 Steve Gadd is a groove monster. The Aja drum solo outro is one of the most epic things in the history of recorded music as well
I've played for 50 years, groove drummer, rock drummer, and while Keith Moon is my hero drummers like Steve gadd are in a class by themselves. Steve Gadd is just phenomenal on steely Dan's Aka. Just an incredible drummer!
It's just so natural when you hear world class groove. It's like we all know how right it feels, but we need the best time keepers in humanity to remind us 😂
Very good sample of Dr. Gadd's 4 or 8 bar phrasing at the end of the video. I always had issues when soloing until I learned this concept. I use it now . Thank you for posting and thank Dr. Steve Kendal Gadd for being my Virtual Drum Sifu.
Steve Gadd is the drummers drummer. He can play anything, for anyone, anywhere. Stuff was an awesome group and Steve Gadd took them several levels higher.
I always loved Steve's playing A LOT and I mean A LOT... I remember when I was 15 I first heard him on the Paul Simon's live album an he blew me away! It was the end of the album for me and I had to know where else did this guy play! Then loving jazz... wasn't too difficult to find him. As a pianist, Steve is the dream drummer to have by your side! Unique, really....
Exceptional analysis. Been trying to figure out exactly what it was that I loved so much about Gadd's drumming for years. This is a good start. Good work.
I can't forget the day I was able to shake his hand, congratulating him on his fantastic performance with Chick Corea's Leprechaun band at the Blue Note in New York. He's my idol.
Steve Gadd was on the "One More Car One More Rider" tour with Eric Clapton. Eric had some outstanding musicians on that tour. including Billy Preston, Steve Gadd, Andy Fairweather Low, Dave Sanchez, and Nathan East. in that performance he is playing the largest set of drums that I've ever seen, it was very impressive.
Go see a Terry Bozzio show. He's in there, somewhere, I swear! We met him after the show, and got a peek...he has like 20 cable operated pedals controlling numerous things. Shouts out DW, "LOL you think I can afford this set? No, so, thanks DW!"
I remember when i bought "winelight" by groover washington. By listening,i thought, man this grooving like hell. Then i opened the booklet and saw, drums: steve gadd, bass: marcus miller. There were no questions left. That man is a freaking legend. An amazing drummer.
I've been a drummer for more than 50 years...this does not mean that I have been playing a drumkit for all that time, but drumming became a part of me...whether I play a drumkit, on a tabletop, or on my stomach - I'm a drummer... Good drummers learn that "mental metronome" - playing a groove with higher consistency/precision that is ingrained...with recorded music, sometimes the drummer momentarily (and mistakenly) plays slightly "behind the groove"...my guess is that most non-musicians do not detect it...but musicians may be more sensitive to those micro-mistakes…other examples include hearing a slightly out-of-tune piano or guitar, etc. - to a musician, it may stand out like a clanging noise…an exception for me is Richard Harris’s version of "McArthur Park" - for some reason I enjoy (what I perceive to be) the slightly dissonant guitar sound in the instrumental section... Then there is "sloppy 60s drumming" - which I may not mind (it was a part of that music era)...and then sometimes micro-mistakes may help - the "behind the groove" drumming in the CSN song, "Ohio" gives the effect of greater "depth" (although I cannot tell whether this effect had been intended or unintended for that song)... I appreciate Steve Gadd’s contributions to drumming…and his work (particularly in the middle instrumental section and outro) on the Steely Dan song, “Aja” could make many a drummer drool…very high precision, wonderfully creative - it’s iconic…Gadd has made contributions on many, many other songs and with many, many artists…his discography page lists 700 items (but there is even more!)...busy, busy man... With this stated, and as good as Gadd is/was, - based upon my own viewing experience - I would not have placed him better than (e.g.) Dave Weckl or Vinnie Colaiuta even as far back as the 80s…perhaps from Gadd’s army days playing in an army field band (~1968-71), his playing has seemed more centered on groove (still good and important)...I wonder if the late John Marshall could have given Gadd “a run for his money”...Gadd is quite skilled - but compared to the slew of upper echelon drummers, I think that Gadd has been overrated…to add, as Gadd has aged (he’ll turn 79 in April ‘24), his ability to move/play has seemed (understandably) diminished…I honor him as a drummer, but perhaps not as much as others may do…
He's excellent on that album. However, have you heard him on Chick Corea's album, My Spanish Heart, in particular the track, Spanish Fantast Pt 2, or Steely Dan's album, Aja?
Not a drum connoisseur or anything remotely similar. I only know the name steve gadd because he played heaps on Janis ian records. There were tracks there where the drums by him (again this is from someone who doesn't know a whit about drumming) made the songs or certain strains of the song more effective and in some cases very poignant. Which is, to me, less about technical mastery (which he obviously has in spades) and more about getting the very essence of the song that no quantification can define. (He obviously has loads of this too). Never knew drums could do that. So when I saw this suggested video with the name steve gadd on it, I immediately clicked. Just to give props to this outstanding musician. Great job to the uploader. Thanks for the time and the effort and the analysis that went into this piece. Very much appreciated.
Deep pockets!!! I was introduced to Steve Gadd when I heard him on Bob James’s ‘One mint Julep’. I was blown away by the drumming and quickly checked the album cover for the identity of the drummer! The rest as they say is history… I have followed him since although I’d like to think I’m a bassist.Thanks Steve!
Revolver magazine just interviewed a drummer on his best albums for metal favs, and I made the comment about how my favorite drum performance ever was Josh Freese on A Perfect Circle album thirteenth step, where I highly encouraged young drummers to listen to at least the first three songs on that album. He was perfectly in sync with the music, and he wasn't doing anything overly flashy or unnecessary. It came across like instead of showing off his own chops, he was trying to maximize the sound of each song. I never realized that what I was referring to was groove. Very cool. The fact that this came across my feed means UA-cam's algorithm is getting really advanced, or it's just a happy coincidence.
Fist time i got introduced to Gadd was when I heard “samba song” by chick Corea. My drum teacher showed it to me and I was just captivated every second of it. Excellent drummer!! Great video!
The first time I heard SG live was during a concert with Chick Cirea and friends. To me it was a breathtaking experience. For every musician such a great experience since his presence on stage is a true miracle. SG is still with us and I hope the best for him to give his outstanding musicianship to this crazy world. ❤
A video on Bernard Purdie would be awesome! This was so good! Especially the part at the end where you add the visual count of his 4-8 bar approach to soloing, that just made it all so clear. Great video! Looking forward to seeing more like it!
Steve Gadd is my favorite drummer. I really like that you put a lot of songs in here that he played on. There were lots that I have never heard. Thanks!
There's a great Gadd playlist on Spotify with tons of tracks that he drums on.... that opened my eyes to a lot of the pop stuff I wasn't aware he'd played on!
the reason Gadd grooves so much is because he plays deep in the pocket, behind the beat. he also tunes his snare down to give it a full, deep, old school marching feel. Its as if hes combining a second line, rudimental, parade drum line with a funk drummer.
@@ultimatedriversofmachinery The beat is not what the drummer plays. The beat is in everyone's mind. The drummer might play on the beat, or behind it, or ahead of it.
Mick Taylor of SWEET was another great example of how the game of drumming is a learning curve, watching and listening to others ply their own techniques to create their “groove”. 👍🇨🇦
A contemporary equivalent (that is to say, of a younger generation) that comes to mind is Nate Smith. The man has chops for days but plays _the_ simplest grooves most of the time, and does so with an insane feel that few contemporary drummers can match.
Back in the 70's, 'Aja' made me know his name, ..'We belong together', from Rickie Lee Jones' album, 'Pirates' proved it wasn't a one-off! Damn, this man is good!
Excellent description of SG and his approach to drumming and music in general. Ought to be shared and watched by anyone studying drumming or could do with a new approach to drumming. Thanks so much for putting this video together.
One of the grooviest and greatest, amazing musician. But don't forget Bernard Purdie, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Jordan, Omar Hakim, Dennis Chambers, James Gadson, James Brown's funky drummers, David Garibaldi, Zig Modelliste... thankfully the art of groove has many masters and even more students.
Originally heard Roof Garden by Al Jarreau when I was two and three yrs old in the early days of cassettes. The paradiddle fill during the verse knocked me out. I was hooked. It seemed to my young ear a recurring drummer appeared in a bunch of my parents music collection through the yrs. One day around ten yrs old I noticed the names of the musicians in the liner notes of records. This man's name was everywhere just as I suspected. I knew he was a Christ right there. Gadd, Frank Zappa, Michael, Beatles, TOOL, Prince and Stevie Wonder have been my biggest musical inspirations. Steve would just be a sideman with these artists but he's up there with the greatest of the great musical artists in my humble opinion. Oh my Gadd!
I used to watch the drum shed between the three GOATs religiously and as a kid always thought the Gadd sections were underwhelming... Now that I'm older, his solo phrases in that video are so much more satisfying and amazing to listen to. Incredibly refined and tasteful
With the trading solos with Colaiuta and Weckl, it's important to remember that both of those guys can also play in a way that suits the song and aren't just chop-fests. Colaiuta's work with Sting especially shows that he can play things that fit a song and aren't all the notes all the time, despite his prodigious technical skill.
Very true. In Colaiuta's case with Sting, apparently Vinnie's tendency to get too expressive meant the former Police man had to keep him under control, which is something that apparently led to some tense moments (I heard punches were thrown...like Sting and Stewart Copeland all over again). A friend worked a Sting w/Vinnie tour and said the band would be absolutely ripping during soundcheck, playing Miles, Hendrix etc. But for the actual gig the drums were kept simple and to the point. If Vinnie got too fancy, Sting would turn back and shout 'Vincent!' Knowing this, when I saw a clip of them doing 'Roxanne' in Montreux and Sting did a very deliberate headturn and stared back at Vinnie, I recognised what was happening. Vinnie (and Mike Landau) also had to be reined in every couple nights by Larry Klein when touring with Joni Mitchell. Joni said the lads needed reminding that they weren't in Led Zeppelin. Still, for me that band was the most exciting Mitchell ever had. Jeff Beck also seemed to struggle at times, one minute smiling in amazement, the next going, literally, WTF in a non-positive manner. But Vinnie always brings the magic. As for Gadd's drum part in '50 Ways to Leave Your Lover'. That was Paul Simon's idea after hearing Gadd working on an independence exercise in the studio. A conversation that probably went 'Hey, that's cool. Why don't you try that in the song?' Sometimes serendipity is at the root of the greatest creativity. Still, its nice to have someone of Gadd's, Colaiuta's or Weckl's calibre to make it happen.
His point about simplicity is so crucial. Ringo Star is a case in point. Drums need to fit the song. It's a feel when the drums compliment the song rather than become the song itself.
Agree. I challenge any drummer to sit and play a Beatles tune minus Ringo and see how tasty they aren't compared to his choices. His choices were always dead perfect for the tune. And his sometimes 'laconic' feel was just too cool.
This became glaringly obvious to me a few years back. Watched a youtuber do a medley drum cover of Beatles tracks, and seeing his other videos, he was way more technical than Ringo, but in this medley it just didn't feel right. That's when I realised its more about the feel that Ringo was adding than being technically "good".
Style, substance and precision: Steve Gadd. Thanks for sharing some of his body of work. Learned about some songs I didn’t realize Steve contributed to. Dynamic, creative and imaginative drummer. Steve has marked an epoch in drumming history. One of the best creators of drumming originality. Thanks Steve!
All grate drummers have a signature groove, style that everybody can pick out, it's their soul feeling and interpreting the music translating into a beat, rhythm, a groove that moves your spirit
I always thought he was such a fantastic drummer until I learned to play left handed being a right handed rock, country and jazz drummer, then I could play some of his music, he always played so very tasteful in the 60's and in to the 70's, WOW.
I’ll never forget when I met him at about 13 years old and he told me he wanted to hear me play on stage one day. He must be a nice guy to many kids, I’m sure.
Seems to conform with his drum philosophy, he wants ppl to enjoy his music more than he wants ppl to be impressed by it. Which is a nice life lesson imho, it seems many ppl mistakenly think that if they can impress ppl then they will be admired and liked, while I think it is much more effective if you can make ppl enjoy and feel good about themselves. I've definitely fallen into that erroneous way of thinking on more than one occasion I'm afraid. Though it is a bit of a simplification, there is of course more to it than that.
Steve Gadd, Simon Phillips and others are a small group of drummers with humility and sincerity mean what they say and encourage other drummers no matter their skill level to do more and be creative, unlike a few I've met who are condescending pricks.
Gadd once appeared on the Mickey Mouse Club as a child playing drums and tap danced. In the Army he was the Field Band (probably in the Concert Band or the Jazz Ambassadors).
Thanks for this intro on him. I just recently took up drumming and my teacher had the Vic Firth sticks and I loved the feel of it, but I realized there was no number on the sticks and now this makes sense❤ thanks
In the Weckl, Colaiuta, Gadd solo, Gadd is absolutely my favorite. His part is creative, skillful, and it creates an emotional response in me when I listen.
Great video, in depth, content, target, and spotlight - like Gadd himself. Always loved the pocket feel of PS "50 ways" that expression is exquisite. I enjoy your technical explanation and research you put into your spotlight. If I could suggest a drummer that might be outside of the studio gods like Weckl and Colaiuta, Thomas Haake of Meshuggah. I would love to hear your perspective, Thanks.
Great video. Steve Gadd's simplicity is genius!! If you can, please cover Ash Soan. He seems to have a similar philosophy of keeping it simple, but there is that subtle richness to his playing...nice grooves and that awesome swing to his playing.
Steve is my favorite drummer of all time. I totally enjoyed this video and I appreciate it. And I saw Steve when he was on tour with Clapton. He had David Sancious and Billy Preston on keyboards. I had some 10 power Leica binoculars and pretty much never took my eyes off of Steve. 👍🏻
Gadd fans - check out The Rest of my Life by Yutaka Yokokura, insane tasteful classic Gadd, an absolute masterpiece. He really was everywhere doing everything
I was lucky enough along with many fellow Chicago musicians to see Chick Corea, Michael Brecker, Eddie Gomez and Steve at the Park West. Probably the best concert ever and Steve stole the show. It was the Three Quartets and Friends band. Incredible concert.
I loved the report on Steve Gadd, he’s phenomenal, but could you please cover the technical aspects of Dennis Chambers, he’s a G O A T in his own respect just as Gadd is on another Plato🥁💯👍🏾🎼‼️
I entered SEMO as a percussion major in 1992. In my audition the instructor only asked me to play one song, 50 ways. Fortunately, my two other classmates tipped me off and I practiced the groove enough to play it well enough to get in.
@@guynoir5968 he got tipped off and practiced. Not the same as faking it. Faking it would've been spending the time ahead of the audition making a recording to ghost play to at the try out.
Both that Birthday show with the Weckl and Calouita and the PAS clinic with Alex Acuna were my BIBLES growing up and playing - I played out that birthday show drum solo on my VHS so good.
You keep using the past tense in regards to Stevo.. he’s still alive and working. Busier than ever. Mostly session and education, but to say he “was” anything makes it sound like he’s not still growing and improving. Just saw him last week. He was working in another studio in a multi that I was recording in. He’s as good as ever, if not better. Otherwise, this is a great video. Thanks for taking the time to make it. He’s also an amazing humanitarian. Will help anyone he can and continues to use public transportation pretty much everywhere. He’s a simple dude with a huge musical catalogue. A true multigenerational talent.
He's from Rochester NY, where I live and my son and I, had the pleasure of meeting him at a concert at a high school of all places, featuring the great bassist John Pattituchi..forgive me if I butchered his last name lol. Steve was just there to support his friendJohn. Just chilling with the rest of the audience...he's a very down to earth person..very cool 😎
I first encountered Steve's work on Aja as a budding bass player in the mid 70's, was in awe. He was my #1 drummer until I heard Vinnie Colaiuta on Sting's Seven Days track...they've been tied for first ever since🤙
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My father was rock and roll drummer Sib Hashian, he would take me to New York city for boys trips every year growing up as we lived in a Boston suburb. One time, we were walking by the blue note and he saw Steve Gadd was playing that night. I had not heard of Steve yet but my dad was thrilled and we impromptu bought tickets for the show. He said Steve was one of his favorite drummers ever, hell, he even named my oldest sister Aja. Steve put on an amazing show, but at one point his cymbal lost tightness and fell way out of position. Afterwards my dad said that he regretted not jumping up there to fix it for him mid song, as he would have wanted a drum tech to do it for him if that had happened. Later on in life, I would fix my father’s drums and cymbals whenever necessary, mid song or mid set, as his roadie and drum tech. I never forgot what he said! RIP Sib and long live Steve Gadd!!
I saw your father play back in Dec. 1976. RIP to him.
The first "Boston"-Album is legacy. Thank you for sharing your story
Ahash31: I'm a keyboardist and loved your father's playing. He was in my all-time favorite band, Boston. Thank you for sharing that story at the Blue Note. His time was too short, but his legend lives on, and I know you miss him. I trust and hope that he (and you) knew/know the Lord...for time is short as you know.
I saw Sib with Boston when they played Anaheim Stadium in 1979.
Sammy Hagar opened, and he'd been opening for Boston on Boston's Don't Look Back tour.
Van Halen hit the stage next after jumping out of an airplane and landing in the field that used to be across the freeway from the stadium.
(It's now a parking lot for the Honda Center, which for a minute was the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.)
Black Sabbath was the co-headliner, and they'd been getting blown off the stage every night by Van Halen.
Then Boston hit the stage, and the entire back wall was church pipes for the church pipe organ they rolled out for Tom Scholz to solo on/open the song "Smokin'" if memory serves.
There was an extended pipe organ solo on the song that sounded a bit Hammond B-3 or C-3 ish on first listen.
But it was rather something to see the whole pipe organ thing going on there.
And Sib was just wailing away on his kit.
I was so shocked when I learned he'd died of a heart attack.
While he was playing drums with his latest non-Boston band.
He went out doing what he loved, though.
Not too many of us can say that.
R.I.P. Sib.
And my deepest condolences for your loss.
Thanks for sharing a cool story about Sib and Steve.
Two cool guys.
Two cool drummers.
@@toddvandell85: Gosh, I could only wish I was at that concert. Did Boston sound good live then?
I've recorded Steve in the studio before and the thing I was most impressed by was how musical he is and what a great listener he is.
The guitar player on the session was Dean Parks and I remember Dean was coming up with a rhythm part and almost immediately Steve responded with the coolest groove using brushes on the snare.
Steve has completely mastered his instrument by putting in all the hard work. He is foundational. He started by learning all the rudiments. When he needed to swing he learned how to swing. When he needed to be able to keep solid time he mastered that. The guy is a human metronome when he wants to be. I've never heard a drummer that has better time.
It's his discipline that has given him the freedom to create such incredible music.
Total down to earth human being as well.
nice to honor a great drummer who was an honor to the position
This is cool to read. I just saw another YT video on Dean Parks. He played in my brother's high school stage band back in the 60s and I remember watching him play sax. (My brother says he played guitar then, too, but I don't remember that. I was like 5, 6, and 7 years old..!) Anyway, how fortunate to get to record those two musical giants of the last 50 years.
@@DanielBarberMusic
Definitely one of the coolest sessions I've had the privilege to be a part of.
A video on Jeff Porcaro would be dope!
Agreed!!
Jeff Porcaro and Steve Gadd were 2 of the best ever.
Yesssss!!!
@@remoevans7847 and how many people have no idea who they are!? They weren’t flashy, just solid and great. That’s why they worked so much!
@@meachster4316 Exactly
Pocket is a combination of knowing how the miniscule shifts in timing and dynamics give the deepest possible sense of groove. Literally a couple of miliseconds late or early on various hits, and very slight shifts in how hard you strike have incredible effect on the listener. In order to get there, you first have to be precise enough not to constantly be making errors in hit placement. After that, it’s 100% about feel. It’s in your soul, heart and head after you get to that level of skill.
I keep thinking about that. I have drums, but I do not consider myself a drummer. I have not put in the hours and hours necessary. But I really like drumming and fascinated by drumming, especially jazz drumming. I noticed when I try to play that what’s missing is that mechanical ability to play as cleanly as I feel the pulse. I just haven’t done enough work to synchronize my internal clock with my hands. And because we were talking about milliseconds, it’s entirely possible that those impulses and “decisions“ happen at a very, very deeply subconscious level. Although, I suppose you could say that’s true playing almost any instrument.
Great explanation, and so accurate, thanks.
@@JohnnyArtPavlou Yep. The conscious mind cannot play trap drums. It can do simpler instruments.
When I was in high school our teacher said the most important aspect of drumming is time. The high hat should never stop playing 2 and 4. You must listen to the bass player and get that groove. He used to make us play just with the bass until we got that groove going. Never heard of "the pocket" to describe a groove before. My idol was Shelly Mann as he was a time machine. He could play time with a groove and never slow or rush the beat. For many tracks, you can start the record get the groove, and then go to the end of the song and the time was exactly the same. In between there were out-of-time solos etc. but time was always respected as the most important thing. Also playing solos that were musical and not just a bunch of flashy technic. Steve thinks the way I always did and that is to be part of the equation and not be a soloist during the whole tune. The most amazing feeling is to be in that groove...it makes everything you want to do easier.
I had a teacher in high school, band director. One day during jazz band he got up, left the room, and came back with a tv cart and a couple tapes. A “Stuff” performance, the legendary Buddy Rich tribute with Dave Weckl and Vinnie Colaiuta, and he also pointed out how many classic tunes Gadd played on. He was basically like, "you all need to watch this and learn something." And we did 😂 Steve Gadd is a groove monster. The Aja drum solo outro is one of the most epic things in the history of recorded music as well
You're revealing your age. You're definitely younger than me. 😂 Yes. That footage broke the internet when it hit. We are all still learning from it.
@@Tyrell_Corp2019 just turned 30 last year! Still a young man I guess 😅
I’m still a bit baffled that Fagen and Becker did not mention Gadd in their Aja documentary.
I much prefer Weckl today. He was super young in the Rich tribute video.
You were LUCKY to have such an intelligent and caring teacher!
I've played for 50 years, groove drummer, rock drummer, and while Keith Moon is my hero drummers like Steve gadd are in a class by themselves. Steve Gadd is just phenomenal on steely Dan's Aka. Just an incredible drummer!
Gadd is the absolute definition of ' the pocket "... I have always loved his playing..
Steve Gadd is a genius. I reserve that word for very few musicians throughout history; Gadd has demonstrated genius in his craft over and over.
Yup...Gadd and Beck....pure Geniuses!
His career accolades and accomplishments are staggering almost intimidating
It's just so natural when you hear world class groove. It's like we all know how right it feels, but we need the best time keepers in humanity to remind us 😂
Very good sample of Dr. Gadd's 4 or 8 bar phrasing at the end of the video.
I always had issues when soloing until I learned this concept.
I use it now . Thank you for posting and thank Dr. Steve Kendal Gadd for being my Virtual Drum Sifu.
Glad for Gadd. Great rhythmic drummer. Enhanced so many artists work. Love the groove.
Steve Gadd is the drummers drummer. He can play anything, for anyone, anywhere. Stuff was an awesome group and Steve Gadd took them several levels higher.
Never heard him on a metal, punk, or hardcore album.
I always loved Steve's playing A LOT and I mean A LOT... I remember when I was 15 I first heard him on the Paul Simon's live album an he blew me away! It was the end of the album for me and I had to know where else did this guy play! Then loving jazz... wasn't too difficult to find him. As a pianist, Steve is the dream drummer to have by your side! Unique, really....
my favorite drummer of all time, dude is a wizard on the drum kit 🙏🏼
what about simon philips. You like gadd more than phillips?
i sure do. In Gadd I Trust.
His drumming on Aja is heaven
Exceptional analysis. Been trying to figure out exactly what it was that I loved so much about Gadd's drumming for years. This is a good start. Good work.
I love it when I find interesting videos about someone I never heard of who was extremely important to the music industry. Very cool!!! 👍👍👍
The stuff he did with Steely Dan is unbelievably good.
He played on One song. On Aja. And maybe 1 on Gaucho, l forget.
The stuff he did with stuff the band is legendary!
@@ninjavigilante5311 He also played drums on Paul Simons 50 Ways.
I can't forget the day I was able to shake his hand, congratulating him on his fantastic performance with Chick Corea's Leprechaun band at the Blue Note in New York. He's my idol.
I wore that album out in college, still love every tune on it. That must've been amazing to hear that music live....
Steve Gadd was on the "One More Car One More Rider" tour with Eric Clapton. Eric had some outstanding musicians on that tour. including Billy Preston, Steve Gadd, Andy Fairweather Low, Dave Sanchez, and Nathan East. in that performance he is playing the largest set of drums that I've ever seen, it was very impressive.
Go see a Terry Bozzio show.
He's in there, somewhere, I swear! We met him after the show, and got a peek...he has like 20 cable operated pedals controlling numerous things.
Shouts out DW, "LOL you think I can afford this set? No, so, thanks DW!"
I remember when i bought "winelight" by groover washington. By listening,i thought, man this grooving like hell. Then i opened the booklet and saw, drums: steve gadd, bass: marcus miller. There were no questions left. That man is a freaking legend. An amazing drummer.
I've been a drummer for more than 50 years...this does not mean that I have been playing a drumkit for all that time, but drumming became a part of me...whether I play a drumkit, on a tabletop, or on my stomach - I'm a drummer...
Good drummers learn that "mental metronome" - playing a groove with higher consistency/precision that is ingrained...with recorded music, sometimes the drummer momentarily (and mistakenly) plays slightly "behind the groove"...my guess is that most non-musicians do not detect it...but musicians may be more sensitive to those micro-mistakes…other examples include hearing a slightly out-of-tune piano or guitar, etc. - to a musician, it may stand out like a clanging noise…an exception for me is Richard Harris’s version of "McArthur Park" - for some reason I enjoy (what I perceive to be) the slightly dissonant guitar sound in the instrumental section...
Then there is "sloppy 60s drumming" - which I may not mind (it was a part of that music era)...and then sometimes micro-mistakes may help - the "behind the groove" drumming in the CSN song, "Ohio" gives the effect of greater "depth" (although I cannot tell whether this effect had been intended or unintended for that song)...
I appreciate Steve Gadd’s contributions to drumming…and his work (particularly in the middle instrumental section and outro) on the Steely Dan song, “Aja” could make many a drummer drool…very high precision, wonderfully creative - it’s iconic…Gadd has made contributions on many, many other songs and with many, many artists…his discography page lists 700 items (but there is even more!)...busy, busy man...
With this stated, and as good as Gadd is/was, - based upon my own viewing experience - I would not have placed him better than (e.g.) Dave Weckl or Vinnie Colaiuta even as far back as the 80s…perhaps from Gadd’s army days playing in an army field band (~1968-71), his playing has seemed more centered on groove (still good and important)...I wonder if the late John Marshall could have given Gadd “a run for his money”...Gadd is quite skilled - but compared to the slew of upper echelon drummers, I think that Gadd has been overrated…to add, as Gadd has aged (he’ll turn 79 in April ‘24), his ability to move/play has seemed (understandably) diminished…I honor him as a drummer, but perhaps not as much as others may do…
his take on Simon’s “50 Ways” is his best work, imo; perfection
I love 'late in the evening'
He's excellent on that album. However, have you heard him on Chick Corea's album, My Spanish Heart, in particular the track, Spanish Fantast Pt 2, or Steely Dan's album, Aja?
the song of simon is so horrible. the drum part gadd wrote so genial. unfortunately for the wrong song.
Not a drum connoisseur or anything remotely similar. I only know the name steve gadd because he played heaps on Janis ian records. There were tracks there where the drums by him (again this is from someone who doesn't know a whit about drumming) made the songs or certain strains of the song more effective and in some cases very poignant. Which is, to me, less about technical mastery (which he obviously has in spades) and more about getting the very essence of the song that no quantification can define. (He obviously has loads of this too).
Never knew drums could do that. So when I saw this suggested video with the name steve gadd on it, I immediately clicked. Just to give props to this outstanding musician. Great job to the uploader. Thanks for the time and the effort and the analysis that went into this piece. Very much appreciated.
Deep pockets!!! I was introduced to Steve Gadd when I heard him on Bob James’s ‘One mint Julep’. I was blown away by the drumming and quickly checked the album cover for the identity of the drummer! The rest as they say is history… I have followed him since although I’d like to think I’m a bassist.Thanks Steve!
That was Andy Newmark. Not Gadd.
Revolver magazine just interviewed a drummer on his best albums for metal favs, and I made the comment about how my favorite drum performance ever was Josh Freese on A Perfect Circle album thirteenth step, where I highly encouraged young drummers to listen to at least the first three songs on that album. He was perfectly in sync with the music, and he wasn't doing anything overly flashy or unnecessary. It came across like instead of showing off his own chops, he was trying to maximize the sound of each song. I never realized that what I was referring to was groove. Very cool. The fact that this came across my feed means UA-cam's algorithm is getting really advanced, or it's just a happy coincidence.
Fist time i got introduced to Gadd was when I heard “samba song” by chick Corea. My drum teacher showed it to me and I was just captivated every second of it. Excellent drummer!! Great video!
The first time I heard SG live was during a concert with Chick Cirea and friends.
To me it was a breathtaking experience. For every musician such a great experience since his presence on stage is a true miracle. SG is still with us and I hope the best for him to give his outstanding musicianship to this crazy world. ❤
A video on Bernard Purdie would be awesome!
This was so good! Especially the part at the end where you add the visual count of his 4-8 bar approach to soloing, that just made it all so clear. Great video! Looking forward to seeing more like it!
Great video. Thank you. Steve Gadd is a living legend. Love his work.
Steve Gadd is my favorite drummer. I really like that you put a lot of songs in here that he played on. There were lots that I have never heard. Thanks!
There's a great Gadd playlist on Spotify with tons of tracks that he drums on.... that opened my eyes to a lot of the pop stuff I wasn't aware he'd played on!
Steve Gadd is from another planet. Best on this one.
During his solo, look at the accuracy of the stick marks on his heads! I don’t know if I’ve ever seen someone so accurate.
Gavin Harrison has wear marks the size of quarters on his drum heads
Steve Gadd is just awesome. His pocket is on another level. Big boss .
the reason Gadd grooves so much is because he plays deep in the pocket, behind the beat. he also tunes his snare down to give it a full, deep, old school marching feel. Its as if hes combining a second line, rudimental, parade drum line with a funk drummer.
Quit acting like you know, the pocket isn’t behind the beat the pocket is the beat
@@ultimatedriversofmachinery call it what you want, he plays behind the beat
@@ultimatedriversofmachinery The beat is not what the drummer plays. The beat is in everyone's mind. The drummer might play on the beat, or behind it, or ahead of it.
Steve Gadd's drumming makes the listener feel good!
One of the greats… plus a wonderful human being.
Mick Taylor of SWEET was another great example of how the game of drumming is a learning curve, watching and listening to others ply their own techniques to create their “groove”. 👍🇨🇦
Drumming is like oxygen.
Have always LOVED Gadd's drumming!
A contemporary equivalent (that is to say, of a younger generation) that comes to mind is Nate Smith. The man has chops for days but plays _the_ simplest grooves most of the time, and does so with an insane feel that few contemporary drummers can match.
agree!
And Nate typically plays only with a snare, high hat and bass drum. That’s it! He’s truly brilliant
I could not agree more. About 1 minute in I thought about Nate as a modern “recipient” of the descriptors this narrator was expressing.
Definitely a unique, creative, and highly-skilled drumming legend!
Back in the 70's, 'Aja' made me know his name, ..'We belong together', from Rickie Lee Jones' album, 'Pirates' proved it wasn't a one-off! Damn, this man is good!
solid as a rock but unpredictable. Gadd is an out of the box groove establish drummer. In MYHO he's a major BEAST!
Excellent description of SG and his approach to drumming and music in general. Ought to be shared and watched by anyone studying drumming or could do with a new approach to drumming. Thanks so much for putting this video together.
One of the grooviest and greatest, amazing musician. But don't forget Bernard Purdie, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Jordan, Omar Hakim, Dennis Chambers, James Gadson, James Brown's funky drummers, David Garibaldi, Zig Modelliste... thankfully the art of groove has many masters and even more students.
Always loved his playing on Stanley Clarke's "Quiet Afternoon".
My number one favourite from him is song called 'Sicily' from Friends album, with Chick, E. Gomez and Farrell. That solo is impossible...
Great article lad, been a fan of Steve since 75, it was all a mystery in Ireland because of no net or even pictures of stephen.well done.
I’ve been trying to understand song structure, and hearing how Steve goes about 4 and 8 bar phrasing has made this a lot easier to think about!
Originally heard Roof Garden by Al Jarreau when I was two and three yrs old in the early days of cassettes. The paradiddle fill during the verse knocked me out. I was hooked. It seemed to my young ear a recurring drummer appeared in a bunch of my parents music collection through the yrs. One day around ten yrs old I noticed the names of the musicians in the liner notes of records. This man's name was everywhere just as I suspected. I knew he was a Christ right there. Gadd, Frank Zappa, Michael, Beatles, TOOL, Prince and Stevie Wonder have been my biggest musical inspirations. Steve would just be a sideman with these artists but he's up there with the greatest of the great musical artists in my humble opinion. Oh my Gadd!
Great video, thank you 🥁
I used to watch the drum shed between the three GOATs religiously and as a kid always thought the Gadd sections were underwhelming... Now that I'm older, his solo phrases in that video are so much more satisfying and amazing to listen to. Incredibly refined and tasteful
With the trading solos with Colaiuta and Weckl, it's important to remember that both of those guys can also play in a way that suits the song and aren't just chop-fests. Colaiuta's work with Sting especially shows that he can play things that fit a song and aren't all the notes all the time, despite his prodigious technical skill.
Very true. In Colaiuta's case with Sting, apparently Vinnie's tendency to get too expressive meant the former Police man had to keep him under control, which is something that apparently led to some tense moments (I heard punches were thrown...like Sting and Stewart Copeland all over again).
A friend worked a Sting w/Vinnie tour and said the band would be absolutely ripping during soundcheck, playing Miles, Hendrix etc. But for the actual gig the drums were kept simple and to the point. If Vinnie got too fancy, Sting would turn back and shout 'Vincent!' Knowing this, when I saw a clip of them doing 'Roxanne' in Montreux and Sting did a very deliberate headturn and stared back at Vinnie, I recognised what was happening.
Vinnie (and Mike Landau) also had to be reined in every couple nights by Larry Klein when touring with Joni Mitchell. Joni said the lads needed reminding that they weren't in Led Zeppelin. Still, for me that band was the most exciting Mitchell ever had. Jeff Beck also seemed to struggle at times, one minute smiling in amazement, the next going, literally, WTF in a non-positive manner. But Vinnie always brings the magic.
As for Gadd's drum part in '50 Ways to Leave Your Lover'. That was Paul Simon's idea after hearing Gadd working on an independence exercise in the studio. A conversation that probably went 'Hey, that's cool. Why don't you try that in the song?' Sometimes serendipity is at the root of the greatest creativity. Still, its nice to have someone of Gadd's, Colaiuta's or Weckl's calibre to make it happen.
His point about simplicity is so crucial. Ringo Star is a case in point. Drums need to fit the song. It's a feel when the drums compliment the song rather than become the song itself.
Indeed. Ash Soan exemplifies this so well. Benny Greb as well, and he’s just bonkers with the technique and skill. What an art form drumming is!
Agree. I challenge any drummer to sit and play a Beatles tune minus Ringo and see how tasty they aren't compared to his choices. His choices were always dead perfect for the tune. And his sometimes 'laconic' feel was just too cool.
This became glaringly obvious to me a few years back. Watched a youtuber do a medley drum cover of Beatles tracks, and seeing his other videos, he was way more technical than Ringo, but in this medley it just didn't feel right. That's when I realised its more about the feel that Ringo was adding than being technically "good".
I spent years studying everything he ever played on and my personal favorite is the Leprechaun album by Chick Corea....Night Sprite, especially...
Easily one of the top 10 best and more influential drummers in history. And a true musical talent.
Style, substance and precision: Steve Gadd. Thanks for sharing some of his body of work. Learned about some songs I didn’t realize Steve contributed to. Dynamic, creative and imaginative drummer. Steve has marked an epoch in drumming history. One of the best creators of drumming originality. Thanks Steve!
All grate drummers have a signature groove, style that everybody can pick out, it's their soul feeling and interpreting the music translating into a beat, rhythm, a groove that moves your spirit
This man has been a hall of fame drummer for forty years.40 YEARS!!!
Eddie Bayers, John Robinson, Shannon Forrest, Paul Leim, Chad Cromwell, Greg Morrow.
Steve Gadd's drumming is God like. Glad I seen him live with the Steve Gadd Band!
I always thought he was such a fantastic drummer until I learned to play left handed being a right handed rock, country and jazz drummer, then I could play some of his music, he always played so very tasteful in the 60's and in to the 70's, WOW.
I’ll never forget when I met him at about 13 years old and he told me he wanted to hear me play on stage one day. He must be a nice guy to many kids, I’m sure.
Seems to conform with his drum philosophy, he wants ppl to enjoy his music more than he wants ppl to be impressed by it.
Which is a nice life lesson imho, it seems many ppl mistakenly think that if they can impress ppl then they will be admired and liked, while I think it is much more effective if you can make ppl enjoy and feel good about themselves. I've definitely fallen into that erroneous way of thinking on more than one occasion I'm afraid. Though it is a bit of a simplification, there is of course more to it than that.
Steve Gadd, Simon Phillips and others are a small group of drummers with humility and sincerity mean what they say and encourage other drummers no matter their skill level to do more and be creative, unlike a few I've met who are condescending pricks.
Gadd once appeared on the Mickey Mouse Club as a child playing drums and tap danced. In the Army he was the Field Band (probably in the Concert Band or the Jazz Ambassadors).
What a freaking excellent video. I mean, everything from the topic to the production is just delightful 🙂
Thanks a lot! Listen to Gadd on Schooldays with Stanley Clarke.
Thanks for mentioning Stuff, that band needs more attention!
Thanks for this intro on him. I just recently took up drumming and my teacher had the Vic Firth sticks and I loved the feel of it, but I realized there was no number on the sticks and now this makes sense❤ thanks
In the Weckl, Colaiuta, Gadd solo, Gadd is absolutely my favorite. His part is creative, skillful, and it creates an emotional response in me when I listen.
I had the honour of meeting Steve a few years back and he was one of the most gentlemanly and genuine people I've had the pleasure to meet.
Yeah man, very well done of putting that compilation of Gadd greatness together.
I saw Steve live in concert with James Taylor in Nov. 2022 in Germany. What the hell!? He is ONE_KICK_ASS drummer! I loved it!
+1 for Porcaro. Thank you for this!
This video is soooo good! Detailed and a great snapshot of what makes him the drummer he is. Thank you.
Great video, in depth, content, target, and spotlight - like Gadd himself. Always loved the pocket feel of PS "50 ways" that expression is exquisite. I enjoy your technical explanation and research you put into your spotlight. If I could suggest a drummer that might be outside of the studio gods like Weckl and Colaiuta, Thomas Haake of Meshuggah. I would love to hear your perspective, Thanks.
Great video. Steve Gadd's simplicity is genius!! If you can, please cover Ash Soan. He seems to have a similar philosophy of keeping it simple, but there is that subtle richness to his playing...nice grooves and that awesome swing to his playing.
Great doc video. Very well presented and compiled. Excellent watch
His performance on "Feel The Night" by Lee Ritenour is masterful.
Yes!!!
That whole album is drumming bible. So many great grooves and moments
Super interesting. Great content!
Really appreciated, thanks for watching!
Steve is my favorite drummer of all time. I totally enjoyed this video and I appreciate it. And I saw Steve when he was on tour with Clapton. He had David Sancious and Billy Preston on keyboards. I had some 10 power Leica binoculars and pretty much never took my eyes off of Steve. 👍🏻
Amazing video! I would consider Danny Carey's works worthy of being reviewed, too. Would love to see that
Gadd fans - check out The Rest of my Life by Yutaka Yokokura, insane tasteful classic Gadd, an absolute masterpiece. He really was everywhere doing everything
Bass player here who loves drums...great video! How about Jeff Porcaro or Tony Royster Jr?
Different categories entirely. I can’t think of one track Tony Royster is on…not one. Porcaro is on 1000 albums.
I was lucky enough along with many fellow Chicago musicians to see Chick Corea, Michael Brecker, Eddie Gomez and Steve at the Park West. Probably the best concert ever and Steve stole the show. It was the Three Quartets and Friends band. Incredible concert.
On Point! Yes! Steve Gadd Harvey Mason Ringo Starr. My Three Favorites growing up as a drummer. Thanks for the video!😄
Tony Williams, so influential yet unknown to most outside of jazz
I loved the report on Steve Gadd, he’s phenomenal, but could you please cover the technical aspects of Dennis Chambers, he’s a G O A T in his own respect just as Gadd is on another Plato🥁💯👍🏾🎼‼️
I entered SEMO as a percussion major in 1992. In my audition the instructor only asked me to play one song, 50 ways. Fortunately, my two other classmates tipped me off and I practiced the groove enough to play it well enough to get in.
So you faked your way in
"What's SEM0?"
@@guynoir5968 he got tipped off and practiced. Not the same as faking it. Faking it would've been spending the time ahead of the audition making a recording to ghost play to at the try out.
Both that Birthday show with the Weckl and Calouita and the PAS clinic with Alex Acuna were my BIBLES growing up and playing - I played out that birthday show drum solo on my VHS so good.
You keep using the past tense in regards to Stevo.. he’s still alive and working. Busier than ever. Mostly session and education, but to say he “was” anything makes it sound like he’s not still growing and improving. Just saw him last week. He was working in another studio in a multi that I was recording in. He’s as good as ever, if not better. Otherwise, this is a great video. Thanks for taking the time to make it. He’s also an amazing humanitarian. Will help anyone he can and continues to use public transportation pretty much everywhere. He’s a simple dude with a huge musical catalogue. A true multigenerational talent.
What an awesome video summary of the great Gadd
this is content i have been so starved of, thank you sir for the amazing video!
He's from Rochester NY, where I live and my son and I, had the pleasure of meeting him at a concert at a high school of all places, featuring the great bassist John Pattituchi..forgive me if I butchered his last name lol. Steve was just there to support his friendJohn. Just chilling with the rest of the audience...he's a very down to earth person..very cool 😎
I first encountered Steve's work on Aja as a budding bass player in the mid 70's, was in awe. He was my #1 drummer until I heard Vinnie Colaiuta on Sting's Seven Days track...they've been tied for first ever since🤙
That was an awesome review of Steve Gadd. Thanks for sharing this. 👍
Steve Gadd + Ron Carter is my favorite rhythm lineup. Specifically the sessions with Paul Desmond and Chet Baker.
In the Beginning Hubert Laws, The Goodbye Milt Jackson both on CTI are some of my favorites.
Yeah Man , Great video in SO MANY WAYS!!! THANKS
So many kids/people in todays age of “social media drumming” needs this - this is profound essence! 🙏🏻🤩
Dude don't worry about what kids listen to. Plenty of young drummers know and listen to Gadd. You sound like an old fart.
Mike Clark is the one who has the deepest pocket in the game and has been underrated since the 70's.