Search - Various Artists :: Burning For Buddy: A Tribute To The Music Of Buddy Rich

For Drummers and Others

Duncan MacLeod | Kingston, NH | 08/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You can come at this album from a number of possible directions: as a drummer wanting to sample the styles of some of the best in the business; as a rock or pop fan curious about big-band jazz; as a jazz fan curious as to how well rock drummers handle jazz arrangements; as a Buddy Rich fan, to see whether there's any drummer in either jazz or rock that is a threat to his exhalted position in the pantheon.



I don't know of any 2-CD set that will give you a more diverse sampling of who's who in both jazz and rock drumming. Most other samplers are of either rock or jazz drummers, and seldom is there any overlap. One thing you find, especially if you read the interviews, is that many rock drummers have been aware of jazz drumming, and of Buddy Rich in particular. His appeal transcends genre when drummers have been open-minded enough to look past the fact that he came from jazz.



For the rock fan unaware of big-band jazz, or who thought it was only nostalgic "wrinkle music," this album, put together by Rush drummer Neal Peart, will have to be a surprise. Granted, the kind of "edge" in the music of a dozen or so horns is different from the "edge" of loud electronic effects; but there is definitely all the edge you could want in the Buddy Rich band. Nor do the arrangements sound archaic or out of date.



The jazz lover who thought there was little real talent among rock drummers will be pleasantly surprised and enlightened also. Many of the arrangements in the Rich book were pretty demanding, but none of the rock drummers on this tribute seem to struggle at all. Some even show some real chops, and all are enjoyable to hear.



Now for the Buddy Rich fan. Of these, there is more than one kind. There are those who, while they love Rich's work, also love that of a number of other great drummers; and there are those who simply think no one can touch him in any aspect of drumming. It really depends what you look for in big-band drumming. Some truly great drummers do best with a smaller group or with a more sedate type of band. They simply do not provide the DRIVE that a hot jazz big band needs.



In this one aspect of drumming at least, Rich was without peer. Anyone who doubts this should take this two-volume set, and find the originals of the same tunes done by the band with Rich himself on drums. Play the cut (for example, "Dancing Man") from this tribute CD, then play the orginal with Rich on drums. Do this with each of the cuts on both, and see which you find more exciting to listen to.



Notice the little ways Rich adds to and embellishes what the band is doing. While most of the tribute drummers are very good, you hear things like where a tribute drummer may do a couple of rimshots for a signal kick, Rich will do a crisp, quick little roll INTO a rimshot. Either is acceptable, but the things Rich does are often less cliched and more technically demanding.



The Rich fanatic will find himself reassured that no one threatens Buddy's place in the pantheon. But the open-minded listener will also be introduced to some fine drumming talent he may not have been aware of, from both jazz and rock. The CD is a must, not only for drummers, but for anyone who enjoys good drumming and/or good contemporary big-band music."

The Definite MODERN Big Band Sound! MUST HAVE for Drummers

Rene Gonzalez | Amherst, MA United States | 02/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are a drummer and you want to get wiff of what cutting-edge big-band and jazz music should sound like, pick up this CD and its companion Volume 2. 18 songs with Kenny Aronoff, Bill Bruford, Billy Cobham, Steve Ferrone, Steve Gadd, Omar Hakim, Manu Katche & Mino Cinelu, Joe Morello, Rod Morgenstein, Neil Peart, Simon Phillips, Max Roach, Ed Shaughnessy, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Steve Smith, Matt Sorum, and Dave Weckl.If the drummer list alone doesn't do it for you, then the music will. Top notch, powerful, moving, THIS IS JAZZ!"