Printable View
HA! Roy - how could I forget to mention you won that killer cymbal at the clinic!
Congrats! [I'm jealous...] [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]redface.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]cool.gif[/img]
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 22, 2004 03:33 AM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>
Roy,
I won a Sabian Saturation crash at Virgil's site!
Congrats too!
[img]cool.gif[/img]
moonbabies = pocket
I was at the same clinic as Fuse and we were able to talk some shite before and after the show. Good review my man!
I first saw Virgil about 10 years ago and can remember being utterly blown away. His feet were just as silly back then but his control, endurance and speed are really incredible these days. This is what he does and he does it very well, to the point that nobody else can do it. He said at the clinic that he does pop sessions etc in Australia but judging from his manner when he answered I would say it doesn't interest him as much as writing challenging shit for himself and his friends to play.
Anyway, check him out if you haven't done so already. It was a great clinic, especially the part where I won a Sabian cymbal in the raffle and got Virgil to sign it!
[img]graemlins/present.gif[/img]
What a great review Fuse!
This really makes me want to see him live.
I must confess that what I?ve seen/heard of him up to now didn?t move me much emotionnally, although I fully respect his dedication, accomplishments and rythmitic virtuosity.
I guess, like some of you said, that you have to experience him live to get the measure of his talent. So I?m more than open and wish he?ll stop by here someday.
I will need to get past the double kick flurries though. I don?t know why, but too much DB agresses my ear whether it?s played by Virgil with extreme dexterity and complexity or by the average Portnoys. Maybe a question of frequencies?or too up front?I don?t know. I tend to prefer a left foot on another surface.
Wow,
I never realise I didn't make it that clear! I'm totally sorry. I don't know exactly what "trashing" means in America, but I am under the assumption that it means dissing or being disrespectful/speaking ill of someone.
Nowhere have I done this. I have never said Virgil was bad or uneventful.What I have said is that his drumming doesn't appeal to me. I even said that Virgil's exploration and pushing of boundries is to be applauded!
I don't deny that Virgil is pushing the boundries as I clearly said. You are also very wrong to assume that I believe there is only credibility when people play on pop records that sell millions. That is no measure of sucess at all and the drummers on those albums would be the first to admit that!
Digital Man, I am not a member of the "jazz police" or in the "rock watchdog", nor am I a "pop know it all". I am not blasting anyone because what they do doesn't appeal to me or because I cannot do it (no shit Sherlock Holmes, I'm no Virgil Donati!!!).
What I stated was my opinion. What in the Lord's name is this board for if not for that?!?!?! I was very careful not to slam Virgil, as I clearly stated (AGAIN!!!) he's pushing boundries and should be applauded for that. I have no idea who judges drumming greatness by how many pop albums you play on but whoever made that 'rule' as you put it ought to be strung up from the nearest tree!!!
"Yeah, it's like straight ahead jazz snobs or prog geeks...it's just that ONE approach and everything else sucks. You're limiting yourself big time."
Well said my man, lucky I too don't limit my listening to any genre either. What I am saying, (and I did prepare myself for this) is that I am not a fan of Virgil's playing. This is my opinion and all the monikers and stereotypes thrown at me because of my OPINION will not change my views.
Thanks for listening guys...
I do not think I directed my statements at you
Groove, and there was a post or 2 by someone who made some real sarcastic comments and it was not you, a hint [img]wink.gif[/img] unless you are the only one who posted. Obviously my comments about album sales
and playing in the so called pocket, and Virg can join the circus etc, among other things was AT THE person who made those statements, please do not jump to conclusions that it was at you unless you made the comments which obviously you did not. Your statments were understood and were not cutting, you just voiced an opinion which I totally disagree with and that is cool.
Peace Dig
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 22, 2004 09:01 PM: Message edited by: Digital Man ]</font>
Here is a little Virgil story:
A few years ago, an excellent bass player friend of mine called me very exited because he was going to do a session in L.A., and Vinnie was going to be the drummer!!. At the end Vinnie couldn't make it. When he came back he asked me if I knew Virgil Donati... at that time I haven't heard him, and he told me that he did the record and that some people consider him the "new Vinnie". He showed me one track and it was a VERY simple rhythm, played with a VERY deep pocket. It sounded like it was John Robinson or J. Porcaro!. He told me that he did everything in the first takes and that probably was a big studio drummer.
For one or two years I thought that Virgil was a good sesion drummer, I didn't have a clue of the "other side"... so for those who think that Virgil can't groove, or play simple, belive me, HE CAN, and with out any trouble.... I mean, my friend did a whole CD with him and didn't knew that he could play a double pedal!!!.
I think that if he isn't playing in gold records and earning big $$$, it's because he choose not to, but I'm sure he could do it better than a lot of the guys that are doing that right now.
He's trying to push himself to the limits and we should respect and learn from him. [img]graemlins/beer.gif[/img]
Good story Pedro and you are exactly right. I know a couple of those stories also where he SHOCKED people with his Groove and tasteful simplicity, not that it matters whether he can or cannot but YES he can lay it down that way.
I think that is why when people ask him(if he can or has done it) it does not move him or impress him at all, he knows what he can do and let's the uninformed make the comments to their own loss.
Dig
Let the PocketMan bring this together here in the HOD chill zone.
I enjoy these barks about music verses drumming, verses?
It must be agreed upon that one?s opinion reflects their internal paradigm, which is largely spiritual, understood or not. That said, FUSE?s review reflects a man of deep passion?one who took in a clinic and absorbed deeply the impact it had on himself. One has to be alive inside to reflect the impact the soul of another has on him. Thanks for the review FUSE!
Many have made true points here. Virgil is a man. He has an extremely deep passion for the drums. This controls his time and energy. He has dedicated himself to the instrument and allowed that commitment to run free.
STOP right here.
Now we shift outside drumming to life itself. How many individuals do you know that have been so passionate about anything (something) that they have dedicated their entire lives to it and have made great advancements towards their specific interest? Answer: NOT MANY?maybe nobody really.
OK?back to Virg.
One can never limit the spiritual journey and calling of another. If Virgil Donati wants to explore drums in a way I can?t relate to, COOL. If there is truth in what he does, I must stand outside of myself and appreciate the many contributions he has made as an individual, and the many character traits needed to accomplish such achievements (discipline, perseverance, dedication, courage, consistency over time, hard work, honestly, self-evaluation?). Don?t diminish these character traits?they are who we are, really.
Groove Vs. Pioneer
Yes, the groove player will work more in today?s music culture. JR said his ?money beat? was 1 & 3 on the BD and 2 & 4 on the SD. How many can play that? Yet, those who can play it best are on the chart toppers list.
In every profession?there are less-known pioneers. My uncle was one of those men. He was one of the world?s first to design the jet propelled turbine engine. He was known as a genius in his field and died relatively poor while guys like H. Hughes made a fortune because of his intelligence. My uncle loved what he did and was a gentle man who impacted my life greatly even though I met him only but a few times in my young life.
Whether a pioneer or chart topper?live your life! I am always amazed when I meet the VERY well known drummer who has to put down another drummer that doesn?t fit into his narrow box. Sad really. Like it was said, freedom is popping in some TOTO, them Miles, then Coltrane, then B-52?s, then Nugent, then Mozart, then?
God Bless the lands that allow for freedom!!! It is only when freedom is taken away that we begin to wish for? We are a blessed nation indeed.
After seeing Virgil many times here in LA, I?ve got to know him and have a little insight into his personal life. He is a gentleman all they way around. He treats people with respect and dignity. This says more than any complex rhythm he can play.
I encourage some to read the following;
Creating Minds by Howard Gardner
The Myth of Certainty by Daniel Taylor (hard to find)
The Four Way of Knowing