Manu Katche is one of those guys that I’ve never really checked out, and I don’t honestly know why. I’ve been watching videos of him on YouTube the past couple days and I can definitely see why he is so in-demand as a player. He has a very distinctive style, perhaps reminiscent of Stewart Copeland? He definitely doesn’t come across as an overtly technical player, which I really enjoy; his technique seems pretty average but his sound and his ideas are incredible. That being said, I’ve watched some solo videos of Manu as well, and he can definitely bust out the licks.
This is an awesome video my friend Jeff Randall posted awhile back. It’s a fantastic cover of “Roulette Dares” by The Mars Volta. Check out how masterfully he approaches dynamics within the song; he really emphasizes the exciting way that Jon Theodore recorded the original drum track.
Not to be a self-promoting whore, but this is a drum cover of Fiona Apple’s “Criminal” that I recorded earlier this afternoon. It’s a transcription until about 4:30 then I’m just jamming along. I haven’t made a YouTube video in ages, so it feels great to be back on the web again. Check it out, let me know what you think, and feel free to repost!
Vinnie Colaiuta with Jeff Beck. I know Tal Wilkenfeld is on bass, not sure who has the keys; maybe someone can help me out with that?
Margis Miles plays a demo for Soultone Cymbals. This guy has a really distinctive style — similar to the Chris Dave/Spanky McCurdy sound, and yet something all his own.
Jeff Porcaro explains the “Rosana” shuffle. I’m sure you all have seen this before — but if you haven’t, listen up.
Keith Carlock plays with Tom Hemby, Dave Santos, and Mike Whittaker — not really players that I have heard of, either. Apparently (and if you can’t tell already by watching this video) they’re all big-time Nashville session cats. I had no idea this that kind of music was going on in Nashville, and it makes me reconsider my understanding of that scene altogether.
1991. Vinnie Colaiuta plays behind Sting on Saturday Night Live, performing Jimi Hendrix’s classic “Purple Haze.” I love that double-bass fill transitioning the sections…
Nir Z KILLING it on an electric kit for a Toontrack Demo. I wasn’t really expecting this level of all-out technical facility from the guy who recorded John Mayer’s debut Room for Squares; it just goes to show how tasteful most studio players are with regard to their overall “headroom” in terms of chops and technique. It’s also very exciting to see how electronic drums are approaching a more musical reproduction of natural drum sounds — kind of makes ya want to buy an electronic kit, doesn’t it? Or, at the very least, check out some of the new software that Toontrack is offering.
