Search - Dave Weckl :: Hard Wired

Great Fusion

liss-nirr | 09/26/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Hard Wired is definitely an improvement over Dave's previous solo album "Heads Up," especially in the aspect of songwriting. It might still be somewhat of a drummer's album, but after all it IS a drummer's album! Dave plays some great grooves with some crazy beat displacement/syncopation on the more latin-fusion flavored tracks, as well as some straighter pocket playing. Just an interesting side note- the "guitar" solo on track 5 that is mentioned in other reviews is actually Jay Oliver using a unique sound on the keyboard, and using the pitch bend! This is a must have for drummers, but also a good album for anyone who appreciates jazz oriented, instrumental music."

NOT For Drummers Only

W. G. Jones | The Heart of Georgia | 06/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When you read other reviews (and mine!) just remember the profound musing ... opinions are like [anatomical descriptor here]: everyone's got one. Now for my second disclaimer: I am a drummer. That said, I enjoy this CD as much for the stellar non-percussion composition and performances as much as I do for the stellar percussion composition and performances.



This CD sizzles. It has some songs on it that could be said to have been written with "pop"y hooks in them, yes. It also has a masterful latin piece ("Dis' Place This") with some wild rhythms in it (love that piano part!), whimsical tunes ("Afrique" and "Just an Illusion"), moody songs ("In Flight" and "Where's Tom?"), jazzy urban grooves ("Crazy Horse" (amazing keyboard work) and "In the Pocket"), and a soulful, somber finish ("Tribute") with a wonderfully rich piano part (it takes getting through about a minute of muted key tones played to a ride cymbal to get to it) that the sax picks up and follows along with. The entire horn section is well-written and well-played throughout the album.



Weckl definitely gets his time in the spotlight, and NO ONE can do it quite like him. Some of the songs did take a few listens to get into, I admit, but this is now one of my favorite CDs of all time. If you think the samples on Amazon are interesting AT ALL, then BUY IT. I don't think you'll feel you wasted any money after only a few plays."

A perfect CD for any listener

W. G. Jones | 11/20/1998

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This CD contains various music. On the opening song (Hard Wired) Dave goes wild on the kit and the song is quite easy to remember I think it is one of the best on the album. My next favourite is "Crazy Horse". It has a great tune and it's one of thoose songs that makes you hurry home from work just tolisten to the song. "In The Pocket" is also a favourite of mine where Oliver does a remarkable solo on the keyboard with a sound that sounds like a distorded guitar. My only advice is: buy it!"