DONATI CLINIC...Ho Lee She Heist

[FuseU1]

...[That's because you & Roy deserve it, being the cool cats that you guys are]... [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]cool.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/rainbow.gif[/img]

[FuseU1]

[img]graemlins/thinking.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/wonder.gif[/img] Darn drive-by shooters! [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/rainbow.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 28, 2004 04:40 PM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>

[peter c]

Putting it in the pocket!!!

[img]cool.gif[/img]

[FuseU1]

[What happened to "Pete & the Vman?!"] [img]graemlins/thinking.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/wonder.gif[/img]

Wait, don't tell me. V got disgusted & bolted, & took Pete with him! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 23, 2004 09:05 PM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>

[beat Hit]

Fuse, GREAT review and thank you for that. As Pocketplayer wrote somewhere, great Attorney-like writting skills as well... [img]wink.gif[/img]

[img]eek.gif[/img] What can I add here... I mean, we've been on the Donati topic many times over on this Board...

Ok... Discremination... We ALL do it and we MUST do it whenever we listen to whatever and whomever. We discreminate between what we like and dislike according to our taste, preconceived notions, socio-cultural background, etc. Some are comfortable within a specific musical territory, and it's fine. Some dislike their ears being challenged, 'cause it transcends their understanding at the time, it takes them outside their comfort zones, and that's FINE too. Some take these challenges as stepping stone torwards new directions. Anyone is free to take ANY directions they want to, that's what FREEDOM is all about, yes even the freedom of being sincere, even running the risk of being sincerly wrong.

I love BALANCE in everything. Like everyone else, I myself can be guilty of tactless discremination from time-to-time, and I have to admit that I have been guilty of that in the case of Virgil Donati. Thanks to HODers like Digital amongst others, especially when your Donati material to judge from is minimal. Isn't Digital THE Virgil Advocate or what [img]wink.gif[/img] He's doin a great job doing it.

Soooo, although I am not the type of drummer with a pyro-technical approach, I appreciate what he's contributed to drumming so far. Virgil's got a voice and he's making a statement behind the kit as he chooses. So what if he gathers the Drumming Community around him at various Drum Festivals??? More power to him, and I find it awesome to see Drummers getting together at Clinics and stuff (I love the drummer-hang).

Sure, the only aspect that some immature youngsters may go back home with after a Virgil performance, is his pyro-technic, taken out of a musical context. Let's not be surprised at that though, immaturity is a reality when you're a kid.

Not that I am saying that Virgil's phrasings aren't musical, FAR from that. But as we grew up we've all walked down that road before (well... I am speaking as one in his 30's). I marvel at young teenagers just simply going at it for the love of banging the drums. That's where you've gotta start. Should they remain at that stage too long, yeah I'd agree, they won't get much further making a living playing drums. It's up the the Teachers supervising them to emphasise that drum lessons are done to achieve the final goal: MAKING MUSIC, playing with others. BALANCE IN EVERYTHING that's the key IMO.

It's unfortunate, as I see it, when someone from an older age group starts reasoning like a child. So let's refrain from saying "What I don't LIKE is NOT GOOD", but let's rather stick to something like: "I don't like, but appreciate the contributions" or whateva else can be said in that train of thought, it's more contructive. So what if such and such a drummer is MORE FAMOUS than Virgil or whomever else!!?? That's totally irrelevant...

So Drumming comes with MANY ANGLES, some you'll dislike and some you'll religiously go after, it's up to you. But don't point finger in condescension at Cats like Virgil and others as they chose to walk down a different path than yours.

As I am getting older, I rest in the recognition that I know that I don't know much. More and more, I am surprised in my appreciaton of musical territories I never thought I'd appreciate before.

Oh and yeah... When I hear that Virgil is an accomplished piano player or when I read Posts like Pedro's in this current Topic, I know that Virgil's got something significant to say musically in ways that will fit what I subscribe to personally. With an open mind approach, I just can't wait to listen to more and more of his unkown materials.

Thank God for the Vinnies, the Erskines, the Gadds, the Marottas, the Porcaros, the Brufords and the Donatis. All different, yet, all unique!!

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 24, 2004 02:51 PM: Message edited by: beat Hit ]</font>

[beat Hit]

Pocketplayer,

Forgot to mention... As always, GREAT insights in your above Post... [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img] In the way you reason out your thoughts, The Teacher in you can't hide, it comes through soon or later... [img]biggrin.gif[/img] [img]wink.gif[/img]

[FuseU1]

Ditto on Pocket, beat[*] ...
...apologies, i wrote that post in reactionary admonishment [& amazement [img]eek.gif[/img] [img]confused.gif[/img] ]...but now I've had some time to chill since...[*] - I think that I remember a time when I used to be somewhat like that in here... [img]redface.gif[/img] [img]wink.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 26, 2004 05:09 PM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>

[peter c]

"Come on baby, light my fire..."

How many drummers come along and do that
like Virgil has done recently?

I have to tell you that he is the biggest
reason behind my improvements, over the
last year.

I just don't care what anyone says. It
only matters what I think about what is
inspiring me and why. I have seen and I
believe! I believe!

[img]biggrin.gif[/img]

[DrumFan1985]

I agree. Let V be himself. I'm sure if he wanted to make big bucks playing on records, he would have worked on that. Some people are moved by the pocket others are not. Soloing is an art form too!
A friend of mine toured with V in OZ. It was rock R+B band, with some famous musicians. The drummer got sick and they called Virgil. He said it was the worst wiggly up and down groove any of them ever heard. That could be why he doesn't get the session calls. But hey, he can play some amazing stuff and inspires us on a different level. That's important.

[McKenzie]

Hey I am interested who this mystery friend is that toured with Virg and when. I have a load of Virgil's work from his Aussie days, Southern Sons
Loose Change, some Jon Stevens, Tina Arena and Virgil's groove and feel is fantastic. I mean Jon Stevens is pop/r&bish rock and Virg was on 3 albums that I remember. I have the tunes before me. Just curious who the mystery person is. Was it after his move to the states or before. I have been listening to Virg for going on ten years so I am curious.

Dig