Author Topic: A great study of a master drummer  (Read 1522 times)

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Offline MrBoom_shack-a-lack

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A great study of a master drummer
« on: November 12, 2017, 03:21:05 AM »
My favourite clip of Vinnie Colaiuta in his prime is the kind of legendary footage of him playing with Abe Laboriel, Greg Mathieson and Michael Landau at The Baked Potato in 2000.

Vinnie Colaiuta live at The Baked Potato

I just love how he comes in what it seems a bit late, he says he had a smoke outside. He's wearing what it looks like sweatpants  :lol because why not? He sits down in his comfort zone and just starts playing at first a bit slowly and about 12 mins later he has ploughed through a lifetime of drumming knowledge.

So I found this guy that transcribed the whole video which in itself is impressive and time consuming. It's really interesting to follow along and kind of see into Vinnies mind and what he plays.

Vinnie Colaiuta Baked Potato Live - FULL DRUM TRANSCRIPTION

It's so impressive how he bends the time signature several times and then comes back. I found it to be a bit easier to follow by subdividing 14/16 to 4+3+3+4 or 4+4+3+3 which I think follows the main groove starting at 0:44.

Anyway I thought it could be interesting to share for those that haven't seen it yet.



« Last Edit: November 14, 2017, 06:13:44 AM by MrBoom_shack-a-lack »
"I said to Nigel Tufnel, 'The door is open if you want to do anything on this record,' but it turns out Nigel has a phobia about doors." /Derek Smalls

Offline Sycsa

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Re: A great study of a master drummer
« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2017, 11:40:05 AM »
Wow, that's so much fun to watch. If the part at 9 minutes doesn't make you want to pick up the sticks, nothing will. Thanks for sharing. :tup


Sycsa is perhaps the most brilliant and insightful man I have ever encountered.

Offline MrBoom_shack-a-lack

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Re: A great study of a master drummer
« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2017, 01:50:14 PM »
Wow, that's so much fun to watch. If the part at 9 minutes doesn't make you want to pick up the sticks, nothing will. Thanks for sharing. :tup
Yea that's a fun part, I think my favourite solo section is 11:26 to the end. It's so out there and it amazes me that they still end together.

I'm impressed that the other musicians can keep the time whenever Vinnie goes bezerk, I think that as a drummer I sometimes struggle more to keep the pulse because I always try to analyse what the drummer do in relation to the pulse so my brain get's overloaded instead of just focusing on the beat.  :lol

"I said to Nigel Tufnel, 'The door is open if you want to do anything on this record,' but it turns out Nigel has a phobia about doors." /Derek Smalls

Offline Sycsa

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Re: A great study of a master drummer
« Reply #3 on: November 16, 2017, 02:00:51 PM »
Intense stuff! I like his double bass, too. Does this guy have any studio albums with a comparable performance?


Sycsa is perhaps the most brilliant and insightful man I have ever encountered.

Offline MrBoom_shack-a-lack

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Re: A great study of a master drummer
« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2017, 02:40:53 PM »
The first thing that pops up in my head is the stuff he did with Frank Zappa but he's played with soo many artists so i'm sure there's lots of stuff i've not heard. I think my favourite album he's been apart of is Randy Waldmans Unreel which is big band and not so "crazy" but I really love his playing on that album, he makes it sound so easy and effortless.

 :lol found this gem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKpERTw8DsE
« Last Edit: November 16, 2017, 03:10:52 PM by MrBoom_shack-a-lack »
"I said to Nigel Tufnel, 'The door is open if you want to do anything on this record,' but it turns out Nigel has a phobia about doors." /Derek Smalls

Offline Bertielee

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Re: A great study of a master drummer
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2017, 05:44:24 AM »
I've heard that Vinnie Colaiuta is one of the best sight-readers out there. I don't know if t's true but there was a story circulating that went as follows : Franck Zappa tried to compose the most difficult drums score to find if VC was as good at sight-reading as was said. He gave it to him and not only did VC played it with no mistakes, but he also took the time to take bites of the sandwich he was eating while playing. I find it hilarious, even if not true. Yeah, this guy is a legend.

B.Lee
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Offline MrBoom_shack-a-lack

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Re: A great study of a master drummer
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2017, 08:24:57 AM »
 :lol Probably a bit spiced up but he's definitely a great sight reader and I remember hearing about Frank testing him throughly as he did with Terry Bozzio and all the other drummers.
"I said to Nigel Tufnel, 'The door is open if you want to do anything on this record,' but it turns out Nigel has a phobia about doors." /Derek Smalls