New Stevie Wonder record

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Originally posted by Oddtime:
My goa/dreaml is to play for someone like janet, Christina, Pink or Justin. But that's pretty hard to get calls for gigs like that, because they are all one big family and it's hard to get in there, especially when you're white. I know it sounds dumb, but unfortunately it's true.
Oh oh, what did I do...another post with a controversal statement... :-)

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Man, I totally agree, I love jazz but my dream gig would also be something like that. What you saying may sound controversial, but yeah unfortunately it is true. Most of these guys grow up in the church, and know all the right guys, its not just about them being black I guess, but just about the neighborhoods and churches that they grew up in, are plugged into this sort of work. I think its great and inspiring to see where these guys have got as musicians anyway considering a lot of them grew up in really rough neighborhoods and overcame all that. I am an atheist but I think what the church has done for this music is so important.

Another guy with great groove and loop-playing is Matt Chamberlain. Did you guys check out his new website?
He also has his CD out now, I think. He is really one of my favorite drummers.

Even though I agree that there is a little too much programming for my personal taste, still there are some great drumming moments on the new Wonder record. Teddy Campbell, Narada Michael Walden(!!) and Ricky Lawson all deliver top notch work!
And Wonder sings like noone else.
Man that voice -even after all these years...
Incredible!

Agreed Jeppe. Have you heard the track "from the bottom of my heart"? That has programmed drums and it sounds fine. Amazing track...That's what Stevie is all about for me.

Yup, great track.
Stevie is awesome.

MATT CHAMBERLAIN ROCKS! He played with Edie Brickel (if this is the same guy from SNL and Pearl Jam). He also did the Wallflowers record. The simple playing he did on One Headlight killed me. How can you resist hitting one friggin' crash?

Sorry..I know I'm new and all....just kind of got excited on that one.....

P.S. it's just too bad he plays DW.....

This was the big problem with Curtis Mayfield's last album, too, IMHO. Some great ideas, but the gosh darned cheesy drum machines. Why bother getting Aretha Franklin if you aren't gonn get Bernard Purdie? -Its not like these guys can't afford a top notch drummer. Even a loop of a live drummer is better.

Everyone thinks that drumming is so easy! Even a straight rock beat is so easy to play, but so hard to master. Even a looped pattern has a lt more going on han meets the eye (or ear) Dynamics, timing, tension/release ... its possible to do with a machine, but WHY? just get a good drummer who can do it - far easier.

One thing I liked about Stevie's own drumming groove was his loose feel - virtually unobtainable by modern electronics (and due, no doubt, in no small part to his unusual grip)