Those Top 10 Lists...

This was a toughie…

With all the music and film “challenges” being tossed our way to pass time in quarantine, I happened upon a category I hadn’t considered.

Name your Top 10 drummer albums...

Sounded easy at first. I love dozens of drummers. Killer drumming on hundreds of albums too. This should be easy… or impossible. Too many! Oh crap! Sorry to the rest…

Rush – Exit Stage Left – Neil Peart

Allan Holdsworth – Secrets – Vinnie Colaiuta

The Police – Ghost in the Machine – Stewart Copland

Mahavishnu Orchestra – Birds of Fire – Billy Cobham

Dixie Dregs – What if – Rod Morganstein

Led Zeppelin – Zeppelin IV – John Bonham

UK – Danger Money – Terry Bozzio

John McLaughlin and the Free Spirits – Tokyo Live – Dennis Chambers

King Crimson – Discipline – Bill Bruford (painful choice between this, Thrak or Yes, Closer to the Edge)

Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit – (self-titled) – Jeff Sipe

Wait… I screwed up.

It was supposed to be much more difficult. Then it hit me…
What about a Top 10 albums by drummers. Solo drummer albums, not necessarily drum solos.

Shit.

I had the TOUGHEST time coming up with ten, let alone ten that I deeply loved. I had completely forgotten about couple listed below, so this was a nice return trip. Without further ado, here they are:

1) Billy Cobham – Spectrum

When I really started getting into drumming, this was one of the first albums I found. Didn’t know anything about Billy Cobham or Mahavishnu… or much about progressive music, for that matter. What an eye-opener. Speed, power…command! Double-bass shufflin’ with the ghost strokes (duplicated by so many later). And then something familiar and Peanutty. Aha moment. I had been unwittingly listening to Billy as a wee lad via Charles Schultz’s animateds. Who knew? Spectrum remains the penultimate TDF (that’s Tour De Force).

2) Tony Williams – Believe It

The entire record is an absolute wrecking ball of raw intentions. “Fred”, in particular, is the standout collaboration with Allan Holdsworth, ushering his form of prog-fusion later sticked by Gary Husband and several others. Such a tremendous feel and sense that Tony never held back. Definitely one of his better recorded performances. 

3) Buddy Rich – The Best of Buddy Rich: The Pacific Jazz Years

No drum list complete without Buddy. His discography covers five decades, so picking one was impossible. He gave astounding performances night after night after night right up until he passed. Everyone pretty much considers him to be the best that ever played. Subjective to genre, of course, but his facility, fluidity and vocabulary remain at the top of most drummer's lists. Many cite Big Swing Face if they had to pick one piece of work. I’m cheating somewhat by tendering a greatest hits record. Live with it. 

4) Bill Bruford – One of a Kind

This is where selecting drummer albums becomes more difficult. Many will say these aren’t necessarily the drummer's best performances, nor certainly the best music on which they played. Bruford managed to cobble together a solid set of guest performers, throwing down some unique and cutting-edge prog worthy of note. “Five G” is a monumental track, but all of the works on this record have a hook or two. 

5) Trilok Gurtu – Living Magic

Seems like Trilok came and went during the ‘90s — lightning in the bottle, riding on John McLaughlin’s train ‘o thunder. Nobody was conspicuously absurd in multi-percussion talent at the time. Hybrid acoustic/e-kit, plus all those outrageous percussion bits that combined to elicit a tranced, inescapable eastern vision. We eagerly swallow his pill and relax for the effects. Hmm…. Maybe too euphoric? Never. Wanna get away? Here's your ticket.

6) Chad Wackerman – Forty Reasons

Chad came along about the time I was fully immersed in jazz-fusion… early ‘90s. Another Zappa henchman, Wackerman (perfect drum name, yadda yadda) had been running with Allan Holdsworth for a few hitches and caught my attention. When 40 Reasons came out, featuring a Holdsworth and several other heavies, it was a no-brainer. Similar in scope to Bruford’s One of a Kind, the entire album has some rather decent music ahead of all the great chops. Cassettes were still in play at the time and I wore this one out. 

 

7) Simon Phillips – Force Majeure

Oddly, Simon was always orbiting my sphere of attention but he never landed. His contributions were always erudite and subtle, perfectly executed, but never the jaw-dropper. He’s on so many records (like Gadd) that I simply lost his voice – his personality on kit – behind the louder noise of the band’s front line. It wasn’t until the last 15 or so years that I noticed Simon’s gigs were ascending in difficulty, and his playing had vastly improved to meet the challenges. When he took on Hiromi, that was it! I listen to him today as a true outlier among so many drummers who shined for several years towards the front and mid of their careers, but never sought fresh confrontation that forced them to grow. Truly better with age! Now, having spilled my ignorance, I return to one of his solo works “Force Majeure” to discover that I simply wasn’t listening with a mature ear. The record doesn’t quite capture all the tasty bits displayed on the video. So smooth. And, what a great record to boot. 

8) Vinnie Colaiuta – (self-titled)

Hmmm… this one was an automatic add because, well, it’s Vinnie. I’m not going to lie, the music is a bit tedious. Not everyone’s cuppa. Of course, Vinnie’s blowing chops all over the polyrhythmic landscape, and if you’re a drummer looking for nifty licks for your own library, this is a great book. Still, it felt a tad directionless and doesn’t earn regular rotation in my monitors. Heck, maybe once every ten years or so it comes up… and it doesn’t get too far beyond the Attack of the Skipping Pizza, but I love me some Vinnie! Try skipping down to "Slink" for classic Colaiuta tastiness. Lovely solo. 

9) Dave Weckyl – Master Plan

Similarly to Vinnie, Weckl’s Master Plan is largely a forgettable (don't tell Dave, K?) volume of well-executed jazz-fusion featuring an incredible player -- the Shooter McGavin of Drums. It’s certainly not Weckyl’s best work, but whose solo drum record ever made a Top 40?.. or top anything? (besides a top drum album list). Great player list, though.. Chick!

10)   Phil Collins – Face Value

I know, I know… This is NOT really a "drumming album". Well, you’re right. It is, however, a fantastic album by a fantastic drummer, and it has probably the most air-drummed fill ever played on it. Everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY knows In the Air Tonight’s big moment.
HELLLL YEAHHHH!
So, yes, I’m including it. Why? I love Phil Collins… GREAT drummer. Piss off!

Neil

Still absorbing the passing of Neil Peart.

After reading countless eulogies from those in his inner circle, as well as the colleagues that personally knew him, there’s not much I can add. His contributions to the art and influence will echo for eternity. 

On the surface, I drum, I write, and I now ride motorcycles. None of this is attributable to Mr. Peart (more on the BIO) and many would find difficulty believing that, but I do feel that there was a kindred connection because of it. Rush was indeed a huge influence on my music career, always in background, always accessible. As well, Neil Peart’s work was and remains available for reference and entertainment — the benchmark for what’s possible if you put your head down and properly toil.

All I can say is “Thank You, Neil”.

Thanks for it all…