Drumming News :
Article By: Phil Hood
Summer’s in full swing. Hopefully, there’s a little vacation on your schedule, in between gigs and practice. If not, you must have some idle hours, whether napping at home, playing video games, or staring at backstage walls waiting to play. Why not fill them with some of the great drummer bios and books from the past few years.?
My recommendations follow:
The Complete Guide To Syncopation (Concepts for the Development of Melody, Motion, and Independence) – By Bruce Becker
Need a lesson book this summer? Progressive Steps to Syncopation by Ted Reed, first published in 1958, has been a bible for drummers for nearly seventy years. But if playing its exercises hasn’t yet translated into real artistry take a look at The Complete Guide To Syncopation by teacher Bruce Becker. Becker, who has worked with many top stars who are teachers themselves, including David Garibaldi and Daniel Glass shows you how to use those classic exercises to develop the relaxed movement and phrasing that will make time flow through you. Hours of great practice material included.
Book: HERE
It’s About Time: Jeff Porcaro – By Robyn Flans
Jeff Porcaro was on thousands of sessions starting as a teen in 1970s and then later as a founding member of Toto, where grooves like those on “Rosanna” and “Africa” added to his legend. The ultimate studio rat, Porcaro lived to play, and musicians who worked with him felt elevated by his presence. Journalist Robyn Flans interviewed the artists he worked with, as well as drum techs, producers, and songwriters to let them tell their stories of Jeff’s spirit and artistry. A good read.
Book: HERE
The Female Musicians Guide – Shauney Recke
Shauney Recke grew up in a musical family and became the female drummer in Washington go-go band Pleasure in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Stints and performances with Hillary Duff, Robin Thicke and Keenan Ivory Wayan’s TV show in the late ‘90s followed. Her experiences as a female musician in a male-dominated business helped lead her to this book, which is a guide to empowerment for aspiring female musicians. It is meant to to show women how to protect themselves both in terms of personal safety and also in safeguarding one’s creativity, rights, and finances in what can be a very tough business. It’s a quick read for musicians seeking to elevate their awareness and careers.
The Drums – Mike Joyce
The Smiths story has been endlessly told. They came from Manchester to conquer the world in the mid’80s and Mike Joyce was the young drummer who experienced the ride to the top with guitarist Johnny Marr and singer Morrisey. His bio really takes you inside what it felt to be drumming, recording, performing during the band’s years of fame and turbulence. The writing can be pithy and insightful. Of Morrissey’s lyrics Joyce says, “Yes, there was darkness, yes it was sardonic at times, yes, there was even cruelty. But Morrissey’s Tonge was rammed firmly in his cheek.” Indeed!
Link: www.mikejoyce.com /. Book: HERE
King of the Groove – JR Robinson
JR’s right foot is God, or so he says in the book. And, who am I to dispute that? As one of Quincy Jones elite studio cats, with bassist Louis Johnson and keyboardist Greg Phillinganes, JR wrote the groove on more than 50 Grammy winning tunes. His sound drove ballads and uptempo hits for artists from Michael Jackson to Madonna to Daft Punk, Chaka Khan to Clapton. His straight-ahead bio pulls no punches about his personal life or the world of recording, and takes you from his days as Iowa school band member to the top of the charts. Along the way, he dispenses great advice about practicing, playing the studio, and being a pro.
Link: www.johnjrrobinson.com / Book: HERE
Maria’s Scarf – Zoro (Danny Donnelly)
Zoro was a great writer and teacher before he wrote this bio, which has been called a multi-generational love story to his immigrant family. His The Commandments of Early Rhythm And Blues Drumming and The Commandments of R&B Drumming (and workbook) are vital educational analyses of the drummers who paved the way for all rock & roll and should music. If you get either of those books, and play through the exercises and listen to the records you’ll be doing drummer’s brain a lifelong favor.
“Maria’s Scarf is his moving tribute to his mother, immigrant family, and his own struggle to succeed. It’s a beautiful story of determination, one that will encourage you to set your own high goals and meet them.
Link: www.zorothedrummer.com / Book: HERE
Brothers – Alex Van Halen
This is not a drummer’s book as much as a story of Alex’s love for and experiences with his brother Eddie. It is filled with emotion and memories of their youth. In particular, you learn a lot about his father and the influence he had on the boys’ musical development. Alex gently corrects some of the misconceptions about the band that have appeared in other stories and books, giving you insight into the real dynamics of recording and playing in a band during rock’s heyday. If you’re a Van Halen fan, and you should be, I’d recommend the audio version—Alex’s emotion informs every word.
Link: HERE
Phil Hood has been a music journalist since 1984 and was the co-founder (with Andy Doerschuk) and publisher of DRUM! Magazine from 1992 to 2017, and Traps Magazine from 2004-2007. He began his career in music journalism in 1984 as the editor of Frets Magazine and later was publisher of the recording magazine EQ and Drums & Drumming magazine (1989-91). His favorite drummer might be the one he saw last night.
philhoodmusic@gmail.com
