STEWART COPELAND

I think I've indicated that I'm new at this. I don't play with other live musicians yet, just with CDs and on my own. Thought we could share recommendations for some tunes that are fun to ride along with.

I'm enjoying this CD lately. Galactic Funk: Coolin Off -- particularly track nine, "Doo Rag"

http://galactic.shop.musictoday.com/Pro ... &pc=GTCD01

Drummer is Stanton Moore. I saw these guys back in December/January and they were so cool. If you have a chance to catch them on tour, I recommend it.

http://www.galacticfunk.com/NEW2007/ban ... php?skin=5

For me, usually when I go to my iPod to play along with tunes I go for straight simple pocket/backbeat stuff to get the blood flowing all warmed up, and for my money nothing beats some good ol' Steely Dan... usually anything off Gaucho or Aja, but there's also a bunch of great stuff off many of their other albums to cruise along with...

Laz

I play along with James Brown.

And I suck at it.

But for my money, all rock drumming begins and ends with the James Brown rhythm section. Duh, James was the first to 'Give the Drummer Some'.

Which is why I love this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Funkmasters-Great ... 211&sr=8-1

All the key grooves are right there and you can check out how they are woven in with the guitars and bass. This is essential rock knowledge, IMHO.

If you don't have "Star Time" which really should be mandatory for any drummer, you should at least have a hits compilation.

Star Time:

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Time-4CD-Jam ... 397&sr=8-1

Hits comp:
http://www.amazon.com/James-Brown-All-T ... 397&sr=8-3

My all time fave JB comp, the CD of JB:

http://www.amazon.com/CD-JB-James-Brown ... 454&sr=8-4

It's available used for as little as a PENNY!!!
That, right there, is my .02

Thanks Pluto! I'm bumping this for more opinions. Come on fellow drummers, spill it! Even if you are secretly playing Rush.

[quote="Chatchka"]Thanks Pluto! I'm bumping this for more opinions. Come on fellow drummers, spill it! Even if you are secretly playing Rush. [/quote]

Geeeeees......some folks might even be into giving ole Tom Sawyer a shot!


I've been playing my Best of Styx cd and just banging around here and there. Blue Collar Man has lots of ride and, of course, I sing along and the cat runs out of the room howling. I'll have to dig out my Steely Dan. Thanks for the idea, Laz.

I'm breaking out some old stuff I haven't played to in ages- Janes Addiction, PJ Harvey, Fugazi, Pearl Jam. I also always throw a little 311, RUSH, Led Zeppelin and The Police in there, and lately have been learning/playing to some more DMB.

if i'm going to play along with anything, I'll use the track as a guide and improv off of it- especially when you get into the more proggy side of things. it's great to have a musical metronome AND have it in odd time!

Mike, HAH! The improv that happens when I play is NEVER intentional. Either that, or my playing is all improv. (I guess it depends on your ear.)