Scott K Fish
Silver Member
SKF Blog: Interviewing Advice from Buddy Rich http://bit.ly/TGYX8N
Nor in Spinning Wheel! I always wondered if that was part of a big put-on by Buddy?there is no 4 bar drum break in that tune
That was my thought when I first read Buddy say that about Spinning Wheel, but the Shadow Wilson break isn't four bars, either. And not only Buddy, but Freddie Gruber, described it as such. I think it was a put-on, personally. Buddy didn't read music, but he could count.Spinning Wheel certainly does have a drum break but it's only 1 bar, at around 1:30. No 4 bar break there. Maybe Buddy was just citing a favorite break, regardless of the length.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi9sLkyhhlE
If you withheld the name, told the above story and asked us to guess which drummer said that, I think we'd all know it was Bruford. His personality is just indefensible.Cool blog, I've had a few interview moments of my own:
Sitting in a hotel room with Bill Bruford in DC 1998 and at the end he asks for directions to National Cathedral. I don't know, since I am from the suburbs. He waves his hand and says "you're all ignorant, aren't you?"( I still don't know whether he meant Americans, journalists or drummers.) To his credit, he was extremely nice to me the rest of the time, even at his gig the next night. That comment took me aback though. My hero just called me ignorant to my face.
Spinning Wheel certainly does have a drum break but it's only 1 bar, at around 1:30. No 4 bar break there. Maybe Buddy was just citing a favorite break, regardless of the length.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi9sLkyhhlE
Really? I've never met the man face to face, but every video I've seen with him has not led me to that conclusion. The only personal contact I've had with him is a few emails from a couple years ago. Nothing involved but he certainly seemed personable and professional enough.
Not that any of that matters as I still enjoy his work, whether or not he's a peach or a pit.
I'm assuming you've read his autobio then. I found it a great read and Mr. Bruford clearly has a talent with words. The funny thing is, when I watch old videos of his band, Bruford, he seems to be rather shy. It's like he's uncomfortable being the leader or voice of the band when he's addressing the audience. In later years, say post 2000, he seems to be much more relaxed in front of the crowd.
I confess I expected to hear something pretty startling but, without an explanation from Buddy I have no idea why the Shadow Wilson performance effected him dramatically enough to claim it was the best.