Roy! Roy! Roy! [img]wink.gif[/img]
Check out early-mid 60's recordings w/Roy Haynes like John Coltrane "Dear Old Stockholm" or his recordings as a leader. Roy is one of the first innovators in breaking up the time and using the hi-hat on different parts of the beat. Tony has often said that Roy is one of his biggest influences.
And relating to Gary's post on the mid-60's Miles stuff, I've read that at some point in that band that Miles told Herbie Hancock to not comp with his left hand so much because Miles felt that it was too restricting of a sound and that it would free up the phrasing of his right hand. Remember that at that time Miles was going for this more open sound in his music in terms of structure, harmony etc. So it could possibly be that Tony's playing at that point was heavily influenced by the direction of Miles and him reacting to this freer and open music. And Roy [img]wink.gif[/img]
Roy, oh yeah,
I always felt I heard a strong correlation between "Four & More" and "Now He Sings Now He Sobs". That clean, tight, intense and crisp articulation. I never really checked which record came before which. Didn't really care. Both incredible performances.
As much as I revere Vinnie, Bonzo, Weckl, Bozzio, Simon, Gadd, Mitch Mitchell and a certain Husband cat who played on an album called IOU (to mention just a few) I must say that I think Tone was, to quote Miles verbatim: "the baddest motherfucker to EVER sit down at a drumset."
Let me augment that by saying Tony Williams was the hippest most adventurous envelope-shredding rhythmatist who ever picked up a stick. I regret my collection of Tony Williams disks is so small, only 37 records and CDs.
I feel pressed to say, in light of the posts here and with the utmost respect to everyone involved, that I have read the quote in more than one source (credited to either Wayne or Herbie or Ron) that: If Tony was pissed off about something he wouldn't play anything but that ride cymbal all night long.
37 is much better than 3! haha
Does anyone know of where I can find any tony williams interviews on the internet? Or does anyone own an old magazine with a tony williams interview they could kindly scan in for me?
I feel it would be a great insight into his concept. Thanks in advance
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I don't. But I'll tell you my Tony story.Originally posted by elpatricio:
Does anyone know of where I can find any tony williams interviews on the internet? Or does anyone own an old magazine with a tony williams interview they could kindly scan in for me?
I feel it would be a great insight into his concept. Thanks in advance
Back in college, me and my bro were broke. It was summer and we kept noticing that the Tony Williams Quintet was playing at WolfTrap--a beautiful outdoor theater in ViennaVA.
We decided to go and hang out at the gate, because it was outdoors and we could listen to the music for free. All of a sudden a massive roll was being played, we were freaking out. Then they slammed into a song from Civilization(this was that tour and also one of my favorite albums)
I was so excited hearing Tony play!
Then some guy came out of the gate and asked of we wanted to buy some tickets. We said we were at the gate because we were broke and just listening.
He gave us a sympathetic look and handed us two tickets----10th row center. Killer.
Tony Williams' sound was very identifiable---his wash of the hihat cymbals sounds the same on the albums as it does live. His cymbals were no cymbals, they were explosives. Tony proceeded to play the most powerful drums I've ever witnessed. And I might add he was heaviest hitter as well---very LOUD---incredible!
Man, I love Tony's hihat sound!
Courtesy from the biggest, baddest Texan since Hank Hill...HOD's own FIVE EIGHT
Caption: You know you're in trouble when you get to the gig and these guys are your opening act. The Tony Williams Lifetime with Jack Bruce was the last band in which Tony played a four-piece Gretsch.
Thanks for the technical assist, Pocket. [img]cool.gif[/img]
elpatricio, when Tony died in the recovery room after a routine gall bladder operation, MD did a fantastic tribute issue which reprinted a lot of his old interviews, pictures and charts. Should be available as a 1997 back issue.
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ October 14, 2005 09:33 AM: Message edited by: Five Eight ]</font>
I have the Talking Drums Tony tribute. I want to scan it and make PDFs, just haven't had the time.
Keep an eye out, I have a bunch of those mags, that was a great magazine.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I saw him at Manchester's Craftsman's Guild in PGH and that frickin 15" crash he has right in front of him was taking some SERIOUS abuse. He was just nailing the shit out of that thing.And I might add he was heaviest hitter as well---very LOUD---incredible!
Most incredible drumming performance I have ever seen. I think he was in a mood that night.
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