Virg at the Spud

[XNavyDrummer]

Virgil will be at the Baked Potato in Hollywood this Thursday, June 3rd at 9PM and 11PM.

Jeff Kollman on guitar,
J.K. Kleutgens on bass,
Virgil Donati on drums and
Hans Zermuehlen on keys.

For more information go to www.j2krecords.com and click on ?Shows?

[McKenzie]

Well that is a different line-up for sure. Would be very cool to check that out. Give us a review
Andy if you go, would be nice.

The New Planet X line-up is going to be at the Potato soon also featuring T.J. Helmerich and the New and Permanent bass player Rufus Philpot. Do not know much about Rufus other than he teaches at Bass Collective, has played with some killer musicians the likes of which are Randy Brecker, Al Dimeola, Adam Nussbaum, Gary Husband, Jeol Rosenblatt etc. Jimmy Haslip and Matt Garrison sing his praises. Cannot wait for the new Planet X sound to be in full force.

Dig

[McKenzie]

Did anyone catch this gig? If so please a review.
Did you go Andy? Hope you got to.

Dig

[XNavyDrummer]

Yes I did go and man, what a great gig!

This is actually my first exposure to Virgil, I haven't heard his CDs or sat through a video. After hearing so much about him on this site, I had to check him out.

Donati played a real nice set of Pearls with Sabian HHX and his signature crashes. The heads on the toms and kick were all clear Remo's. His sound on the toms and kick were a nice mixture of great attack (which allowed him to execute those amazing rapid fire 32nds) and fullness.

I was expecting a lot of chops and was not disappointed. But I also saw great finesse on the instrument and some tasty musicality. I was really intrigued by his bass drum work. He would play ghost notes with his right foot, it was definitely busy but in a musical way. He had such a huge arsenal of bass drum techniques, from the doubles to the singles, heel up, heel down and from barely audible to real powerful.

JK (on bass) and the band sounded amazing. JK has worked with Vinnie, Dave, Marco and now Virgil.

So, I have a question, what Virgil videos and CDs would you guys recommend?

Andy

[five eight]

Haven't heard Moon Babies but Serious Young Insects (OTV) is definitely smoking. I like it better than Universe by Planet X because Derek Sherinian plays a painfully predictable keyboard wash on almost every song. It makes my teeth itch.

[FuseU1]

_Virg's 2nd solo disc 'Stretch' "ain't no slouch, either."
_Also, Planet X 'Live from Oz' is a must listen. _There's also some CAB band stuff out there [with Tony MacAlpine & Bunny Brunel], both studio & live boots, apparently.

Agreed; PX 'Moonbabies' & 'On the Virg - Serious Young Insects' are MUST HAVES.
The musical style on OTV-SYI is more on the heavy-metal/rock side, with crunchy/chunky guitar & all, so be prepared, but it smokes nonetheless. The drumming is often over the top, but it NEVER "sucks," & HEY, that's "what it IS;" & few can do it "better"...

IMHO, he is definitley at the forefront of drumming evolution; clearly up there with the Vinnies & Weckls, et al; clearly another "modern day Tony/Elvin/Gadd/Billy," if you get my meaning.

Hey Andy, the big question around here is, how was his time?..."Did he GROOVE?!" [img]wink.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ June 04, 2004 02:37 PM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>

[peter c]

Andy,

Glad you could see him.

OTV - 'Serious Young Insects' is
essential, along with Planet X's
'Moonbabies' and you might as well
throw in Universe'.

Honestly, the ideas on these will
keep you working for a long, long
time. Well, maybe not you.

[img]wink.gif[/img]

You're onto him, Andy.

Build routines that incorporate the
'ghosting' that you talked about.

Randy is right about the Power-
Drumming video.

Joel Hoekstra's 'The Moon is Falling'
is also worthy, along with 'Stretch'.

There's also an older video from the
1980's, I think. I have it somewhere...

Anyway, you have a start.

[img]cool.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ June 04, 2004 03:55 PM: Message edited by: peter c ]</font>

[McKenzie]

Keep your eyes open Andy for a soon to be released album featuring Virg, Frank Gambale on guitar and Ricc Fierabracci on bass called "Live At The Evelyn". Also the new Ring OF Fire disc will be out soon, I know what some might think it was a neo-classical, prog thing to begin with, But TRUST me the band has went 180 degrees(thank's to Virg) and will be wonderful to hear Virg, Tony Mac(guitar) and Steve Weingart on key's(Dave Weckl band) in the same band, I expect it to be more in the Very progressive-fusion vein with some great contributions from Steve on key's.

A remastered album from a very popular Australian fusion band "Loose Change" featuring Virg from the late 80's early 90's era, is soon to be out on Vorticity records. I believe it will be titled "Live At The Grain Store." There has been talk for quite some time on a Live CAB disc with Virg doing drum duties, hope that comes to fruition. And the NEW Planet X line-up with T.J. Helmerich on guitar and Rufus Philpot on bass(Al Dimeola,Adam Nussbaum) is working on the Next Planet X effort, look forward to that one Big-Time!

Dig

[Derek DeFields]

Digital, what's up with that DVD with Gambale that gets mentioned on Virg's board every once in awhile?

[McKenzie]

Hey Derek, what is interesting that even before there was talk of a live album, the talk was of a DVD from the Evelyn gig. Then it turned into an album. BUT the DVD idea from what I know was not thrown out at all, and there has still been strong mention of a DVD coming out also. All who are fans of Virg and Gambale and Fierabracci(talk about one BURNING! trio), let us hope for it and even a little prodding Virgil's way could help. I know Virg keep's an open ear to those who take his work serious.

Regards Dig

Dig