The Funky Blackwell

I hope that some of you got the opportunity to catch Prince on the Leno show last night. It was the Funky Blackwell at his best. This man is so........FONKY!!! Then add in all of the stick twirling this man is a monster. For those of you not familiar with him his dvd is a MUST HAVE!! He was really rippin some groovilicious potion last night. Rhonda the bass player was just kickn! They are going out on the road so if they come to your town you owe it to yourselves to go check this show out, this is Prince at his very best. This also, may be the last opportunity for you to catch him live. He mentioned last night that this might be the last time he goes out live for quite some time. "Keep It In The Pocket". PT.

He's definately fun to watch. I still go to drummerworld.com to check out his clips...probaby should get his dvd. I've been working a lot on his alternating right hand right foot...left hand, left foot lick....interesting once you gain speed and can move around the set

Personally, I don't enjoy the sound he pulls from the instrument. Too muscular. The groove (or lack thereof) leaves much to be desired.

Nikk, what specifically are you saying?

i agree with nikk....while hes fun to watch and can understand why prince hires him, i dont enjoy his playing or sound. on his dvd, he overplays during the MD performance so much and just repeats himself. and hits way too hard ALL the time. all most hard to watch.

I'm with pockettime, just from the clips I've seen of him. In fact, it's the MD festival clip that makes me wanna buy the DVD, and at the end of that clip, the groove sounds great to me. I don't think he's much of a swing player though, just judging from the clip with him and a bass player.

I had the opportunity to grow up watching John Blackwell in my hometown of Columbia, SC. He was playing in a fusion group and I would sit in from time to time. He would talk with me about albums to listen to(George Duke and Billy Cobham live was his favorite). He was a HUGE EGO! I had a gig at the same place he played frequently and he showed up this one time. John HAD to play no matter who the band was or what the band was playing. He asked me if he could sit in and I didn't have a problem. I heard before hand that he dents your drum heads when he twirls and hits very hard. I couldn't say no, at the time he was with Patti Labelle and was about to sign with Prince...I wasn't going to turn him down! So he sat in and he tore my drum heads up. The next time he wanted to sit in, I kept avoiding him b/c I couldn't afford to keep replacing my drums heads and he didn't like that too much. He went off with Prince, and I was teaching at a local music store before I left for Berklee. The owner was a close friend of John's and he introduced me not knowing we hung out a couple of times. John acted like we never met and introduced himself...I watched his DVD and feel the same about his overplaying and repeating himself...he doesn't explain anything on the DVD well. He is a fun player to watch. Most people listen with their eyes.

I do agree that John plays very hard. I used to jam with him on Sunday nights in a little club in Columbia SC where he is from. He is very heavy handed at times. He did some very tasty stuff when he was with Patti LaBelle. Check him out on the "One Night Only" dvd and disc. Some of his ballad work is exceptional. As far as the MD performance in retrospect I do get your point about overplaying. I still find him a great groove man and over all very talented. "Keep It In The Pocket". PT.

Drum6282 was that at "Decisions" by chance? I know the few times I saw him jam there I loaned him a pair of my sticks and he shredded them and never replaced them. I can only imagine what the heads on the kit must have looked like when he got finished. I also saw him at a little club in five points with some local guys and he was playing a four peice Sonor kit and he was so loud I could'nt even sit in the same room, I had to go sit in the adjacent room and then I could'nt hear the rest of the band. I don't think the locals were diggn it after the first set was over. I left because my ears felt like they were going to start bleeding. "Keep It In The Pocket". PT.

Doesn't surprise me that he got the prince gig. I saw Michael Bland with prince, and he was LOUD! Speaking of which, check out this track called 'Thinker' with george benson (2nd sample on track listing). The intro and the fill( wtf does he play there?) leading into the tune that bland plays is really great. Great drumming on the whole album actually, worth getting for any benson lovers, one of his better albums for sure.

http://ubl.artistdirect.com/store/ar...403242,00.html

Sounds like flamadiddles between bass snare and toms. Sounds very cool!

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Originally posted by Nikk:
Personally, I don't enjoy the sound he pulls from the instrument. Too muscular. The groove (or lack thereof) leaves much to be desired.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I agree. He doesn't do much for me. I saw him at NAMM2003 playing a kit, and he sounded very sloppy, very unprofessional. I also saw him at the Florida drum expo in the 90's and he didn't do much then either. I talked a bit with him and he seemed nice------he was one of the judges at a solo contest I was in---

---of course Tony Medeiros won------he was and is a monster, the solo on the MD2000 DVD was nothing like what he did back then. He ripped it up.

Blackwell's not a BAD drummer, but he gets the job done. And he twirls his sticks----good for Prince.

Pocketime - On Sunday's, a group called Brainstorm would host a jam. The club has since closed and I now play for Brainstorm at a couple of clubs in the Columbia area when I'm home from Berklee. The guitarist (Brandon Mann) and I grew up together and we started a fusion group that played at Monterrey Jack's (it's changed names twice since then) and John played at Monterrey Jack's with the Robert Newton Group. I actually have a copy of a bootleg cd that John is playing on with their regular drummer. He hated playing with John b/c of how loud he would play. Cool fusion stuff - Tutu by Miles Davis, Actual Proof - by Herbie Hancock, Teen Town, and one other song I don't remember.

Yes he really does play loud. I remember MJ's. I think that was the place that I saw him. I'd love to hear some of that disc. Post some of it if that is possible. PT.

For those that missed the Grammy's, and Prince/Beyonce's opening duet/medley slot, Blackwell was also there on the skins and even got a couple of "candid shots".(you can search for the performance on Emule, someone uploaded it there, it's about 254 MB, great quality)

As for the man himself, I've heard very little of him besides the DVD and I would agree he does seem to come off as quite "arrogant" which is never to good. I'm trying to quote that remark Randy Jones recently made in Modern Drummer(the one with Barker on the cover). It's great and applies to the drum community in general. [img]graemlins/shhh.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ February 28, 2004 10:24 PM: Message edited by: Bozzio ]</font>

I saw some of his DVD, I'm not into him really but I think it's cool he's playing with Prince.

Though Blackwell is undoubtedly entertaining to watch (though only a few times since you know exactly what you'll get each time) and most definitely has a pocket, he really had no business making an instructional DVD set. Being totally objective, he has NOTHING to offer from a teaching aspect, and there's nothing at all wrong with that......just don't make a video for it. What gets me a little angry about players like John is that if you set him up next to guys like Vinnie or Weckl, a general music audience (or otherwise) watching will think John whips the other two (99.9% of the time) because of the flashiness he conveys, and though he's a very good player, he's NOT great. I am personally not a fan of the "brute force/poor technique" way of playing, which is the way John plays, and though it can be VERY effective at times, it kind of lessens the art in my opinion. I think someone on here wrote one time that John was at a drum event somewhere signing autographs and mingling with some drummers, and when Weckl walked by, they all flocked to DW. I think that's WONDERFUL to read.....those drummers obviously knew their art. Anyway, that's my brief rant. Yes, I have the Blackwell DVD's, and they're collecting dust in my closet. The MD performance has some very good moments, yes, but as a previous post said, it gets repetitive, and he's a one trick pony, though a very good player. In summation, he's a showman and a very good pocket player to be entertained by..........not a player to learn from. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I cant beleive the things im reading here, i think that Blackwell is an outstanding player. His groove playing i say would come close to that of dennis chambers. He has very tight clean chops and the MD performance he gave i enjoyed very much. Ill agree that hes a fairly hard hitter, but that does not get in the way of his technique, all im saying is cut the guy some slack, hes come a long way. [img]eek.gif[/img]

Blackwell's playing on the Leno show was fine - altho his hand technq looks a little uncomfortable to me.
However, MIKE BLAND's playing on that Benson album is a DEF "2 [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img] 's up"
Thanx again to Rudy 4 turning me on to that! [img]cool.gif[/img]

We had him in for a clinic and I enjoyed his showmanship, but that was about all. His time wasn't great - he rushes, so I really didn't enjoy him all that much.

I too can't believe my eyes at what I'm reading here....

"Though Blackwell is undoubtedly entertaining to watch (though only a few times since you know exactly what you'll get each time) and most definitely has a pocket, he really had no business making an instructional DVD set."

Who in the name of the Lord are you to say that!!! Who are you to judge who is "allowed" to make a DVD? Personally I, (and doubtlessly tonnes of others) gained something from the DVD that I could find nowhere else, and that was showmanship. That in itself warrants the making of the discs. I don't know exactly what Buddy would have made of some of the frankly emotionless technicians around today (although he'd no doubt be impressed by how far their limbs went) but I'll bet he'd applaud someone for trying to keep the glitz and glamour of SHOWBUSINESS alive.

If I want lessons I'll buy a different DVD or better still, go for lessons, but to say he's got nothing to offer is just plain silly. I've got to say, I can't agree with his attitude of not replacing sticks and heads (if that was the case), and I've never met John so can't comment.

To be honest, who cares how he plays in clinic, he's playing with Prince, one of the grooviest men who ever lived. That Leno performance just SMOKED!!! He's played with Prince and Patti LaBelle, none of us have... he must be doing something right.

Drummers care about clinic performances and DVD's the rest of the living care about music, and everytime I've seen him play with musicians, (the MD festival was again, a clinic to show off technique so doesn't really count for me) he has done his job, very well...

MP

What a lively debate this particular thread has been. I did not realize that their would be so many strong responses Blackwell. It is this kind of spirited communication that really adds to what this forum is all about. Learning, growing and exchanging of ideas. Fuse I believe said it well, that many times we put other drummers up against the Vinnies, Weckls and so on. There are so many talented drummers out here, all with something to contribute. Blake, Steve, Pete,Rudy and so many others.

To be honest, i miss Michael Bland playing with Prince. He just had an amazing feeling for the groove. Listen to Prince pop song "Gold" the 2's and 4's are just perfect ( IMHO ).

Blackwell is a exellent drummer, i like his Disco groove on The Everlasting Now Track etc. But he's not one of my favorite drummers.

Word, Michael B was indeed the cat to be playing with Prince.

Like i said b4; nothing at all wrong with his perf on Leno, it grooved hard...& if he's playing w Prince [or "The Artist Formerly Known As-" [img]wink.gif[/img] ], he must be doing something right...

No off should be taken, as we all, once again, are simply expressing our opinions...while i am not particularly impressed by his level of chops, i will not say he can't groove when he wants to, otherwise, why would he get the call for such huge gigs?

You are right, GM, after all, it IS ultimately about the groove/pocket & musicality, & NOT "chops"...

[...& unwittingly, i think what we here end up doing [even if subconciously], is inadvertently & ultimately comparing everyone to Vinnie/Virg/Weck/Den/Novak [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img] ]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ March 03, 2004 01:05 AM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>

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Originally posted by Groovemeister:
I too can't believe my eyes at what I'm reading here....

"Though Blackwell is undoubtedly entertaining to watch (though only a few times since you know exactly what you'll get each time) and most definitely has a pocket, he really had no business making an instructional DVD set."

Who in the name of the Lord are you to say that!!! Who are you to judge who is "allowed" to make a DVD? Personally I, (and doubtlessly tonnes of others) gained something from the DVD that I could find nowhere else, and that was showmanship. That in itself warrants the making of the discs. I don't know exactly what Buddy would have made of some of the frankly emotionless technicians around today (although he'd no doubt be impressed by how far their limbs went) but I'll bet he'd applaud someone for trying to keep the glitz and glamour of SHOWBUSINESS alive.

If I want lessons I'll buy a different DVD or better still, go for lessons, but to say he's got nothing to offer is just plain silly. I've got to say, I can't agree with his attitude of not replacing sticks and heads (if that was the case), and I've never met John so can't comment.

To be honest, who cares how he plays in clinic, he's playing with Prince, one of the grooviest men who ever lived. That Leno performance just SMOKED!!! He's played with Prince and Patti LaBelle, none of us have... he must be doing something right.

Drummers care about clinic performances and DVD's the rest of the living care about music, and everytime I've seen him play with musicians, (the MD festival was again, a clinic to show off technique so doesn't really count for me) he has done his job, very well...

MP

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Who am I to judge an instructional DVD that in my opinion should not have been made??? A PERSON WHO BOUGHT IT AND GOT NOTHING OUT OF IT....that's who I am. Do you think I bought it with the intention of saying all that I have about JB?? I think not. I bought it expecting him to really give insight into his 2/4 backbeat, and came away with nothing. (admittedly, maybe I was expecting the wrong thing) That isn't to say that someone else won't get something out of it, but when a musician buys an "instructional" piece of material, they expect to get something out of it, do we not?? John IMO is strictly a performing drummer, and a very good one at that (as I CLEARLY stated in my earlier post), but he is NOT an instructor, and had no business (once again, IMO) making an "instructional" video. I have watched the whole thing three times all the way through, and objectively came away with nothing except an enjoyance of the MD2000 performance, which was not worth shelling out the cash for the set. John talks about how he tries to stay "humble", and yet repeatedly toots his own horn in subversive ways. If you want a SMOOTH and flowing backbeat playing monster (IMO) with good technique, go with Omar. I personally would MUCH rather learn from him than JB. (I'm sorry to sound a little childish comparing guys, but I'm letting my thoughts flow (so to speak)) [img]wink.gif[/img] AGAIN, John is an entertaining and very good drummer to watch, but I hold true to my judgement about the DVD set.

this argument sounds like the arguments that occurred when Neil put his video out.

Again, Plaid, I have to respectfully disagree.

You said, he had no business putting out an instructional DVD. I say he did. I learnt from it. To say you didn't learn from it is fine, but to throw judgement that JB had no right to make the DVD as he's got nothing to impart, (which is in effect, exactly what you are saying) is wrong.

MP

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Originally posted by Groovemeister:
Again, Plaid, I have to respectfully disagree.

You said, he had no business putting out an instructional DVD. I say he did. I learnt from it. To say you didn't learn from it is fine, but to throw judgement that JB had no right to make the DVD as he's got nothing to impart, (which is in effect, exactly what you are saying) is wrong.

MP

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Not wrong, my friend.....just an opinion like yours. [img]wink.gif[/img]

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this argument sounds like the arguments that occurred when Neil put his video out.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I don't remember this particular topic, but...
NP had no business putting out an instructional DVD either [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Just a li'l j/k there[?], boys]....

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ March 06, 2004 05:10 PM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>