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Wow! Buddy Rich is Awesome!
Post By: Alan
So, the other day my friend Pandora radio played a song called “Time Check” from a drummer named Buddy Rich. I had never heard of him before, but I was immediately blown away. This was fast, loud, in your face swing. I had never heard swing with such a flair and such energy. I immediately bookmarked the song, and did a little research online…
So, it turns out that Buddy Rich was a child prodigy on drums, and apparently was able to hold a perfect rhythm before his 2nd birthday. Fortunately, he chose a career in music, and was able to produce a huge body of work during his career and play with many of the greats, including Tommy Dorsey and Frank Sinatra.
I’ll admit that I am still pretty new to this guy. I picked up his 1973 album “The Roar of ’74”, which included the song “Time Check”, and I already love it. I’ve been playing it all day. I just need to burn a copy to play in the car. This album is from the 70’s and has a lot of rock/soul/funk influence. You’ve got electric guitars with wah, electric bass, some rhodes piano work, and Rich’s amazing drumming keeping the big band on their toes. You might hear this kind of music in a blaxploitation movie, but I assure you, this music is the real deal. In addition to the grandiose big band sound on some songs like Time Check and Nuttville, there are a few mellow songs on the album like “Kilimanjaro Cookout” and “Waltz of the Mushroom Hunters”. It has a solid 5-star rating on iTunes, and 4-stars on Amazon.
This is jazz with the intensity of rock, without being too trippy and harsh like many of the fusion people. I plan to explore this artist more, but for now, the Roar of ’74 is a winner!
For some straight-up drum insanity, check out this clip from the Tonight Show!
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Topics: jazz | 1 Comment »
October 22nd, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Thanks for this post about Buddy. I discovered Buddy Rich in my father’s vinyl collection about 1972 or 1973 and have been an addict since. This man was unparalleled behind the drum kit and no one has become his equal since. Buddy Rich’s greatest performance IMHO was on “Channel One Suite” on the “Mercy, Mercy” album (he’s congenial in a black Nehru jacket on the cover). Your jaw will go through the floor before that track is over, guaranteed. All hail Traps The Wonder Kid. It’s the 21st century and no drummer before or since him has yet bested the guy. Thanks again for the wonderful post of “Time Check”.