The First Time I Heard Stewart...and what happened...

[wrenhour]

I hope Stewart reads this as I've always wanted to meet him and tell this story.

In '82 (I was 12) my Dad bought a benefit album for WOMAD (World Of Music And Dance) called Music & Rhythm where Stewart played drums on a song by Peter Gabriel called 'Across The River'. For those of you who haven't heard this (and for all I know I'm an idiot and every Stewart fan has) it is an absolute MUST!!!! I have never had words to describe how I felt after hearing that song, all I know is that it changed my life. I had bongos in my bedroom since I was born but after hearing that song I wanted to play the kit more than anything and needed to know who the hell was on the drums on that song and I've forever been in love with Stew and his uncanny style and intensity. The Police are my favorite band and I'm flying all the way from Hilo (Big Island of Hawaii) to go to the Honda Center (OC) show on 6/21. I'm so excited as I missed Synchronicity Tour and never believed this would happen.

Stewart is the best pop/rock drummer I've ever heard. I understand the Peart fans and the Bonham fans and the others but nobody is so unmistakable and so intense. Aloha Stewart and all others who love and appreciate this truly unique talent. Any comments are welcomed and appreciated. Would love to hear peoples opinions on 'Across The River.'

Jack Renauer

[cpriddims]

Damn! Never heard it. Is it on youtube? Anyone? Gotta find it QUICK!

[Three over Four]

Yeah, I've never heard it either but I'd love to if anyone can point the way....I listened to nothing but Gabriel's 'Up' back when it came out. That guy sure loves great drummers....Manu Katche, Ged Lynch (whom I'd never heard of before this album), and even Steve Gadd guests on a track.

Perhaps this is it?

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Music-Rhythm ... B000KSAMHS

....or this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/MUSIC-RHYTHM-2LP-SE ... dZViewItem

[wrenhour]

The Amazon link is to the Best of CD which has the cut on it, worth buying. Unfortunately they never released the double album on CD, only Vinyl.

[wrenhour]

Oh, I didn't see the 2nd link, yeah that's the vinyl which is worth $15 if anyone has a turntable, the Holger Czukay cut is one of the most beautiful songs ever!!! What an influential album in my life!! Really bummed it was never released on CD.

[georgygirl]

Hi wrenhour, sure, Stewart Copeland/Klark Kent is so intense in his works, also very prolific in many ways; maybe for this, some of us here (specially ladys;) use to call him Super Music Man, but by the way, never heared 'Across the river song, but I think I already read don´t remember where, that Stewart had been playing with Gabriel...

[Hannaha]

I stumbled across the video to this on youtube once. Let me see if I can track it down again...

[Hannaha]

Damn, really can't find it again now. poo.

[BongoBoy]

as I listened over and over to The Rhythmatist CD I got yesterday I got to thinking last night about Stewarts "world" style drumming, Africa etc. I thought of how I might start a thread suggesting that Stewart tell us a "Dinner Tale" of his recollections of recording "across the River" which has the most amazing jungle drum beat ever!

I log in today and here it is...Across the River!

It really influenced me. Now I realize how much that song and The Rhythmatist gave me the foundation to work on my own tunes way back in the 80's.

I really want that Rhythm and Dance CD. Damn !

Cheers.

[tonydrums]

First time I heard Stewart.......

In 1978 I heard Roxanne on an radio show in New York called "things from England" where they would debut new music from across the pond. After hearing this, I was out of my mind for the music and as a drummer, the person playing drums on the track. Shortly thereafter, I purchased the album then soon after that, purchased Reggatta. First thing I did was tighten the shit out of my snare drum head and purchased a splash cymbal. At the time, my young ears never heard a drummer like that and all these years later, still haven't.

[wrenhour]

I'd heard The Police prior to hearing 'Across The River' however I didn't know who Stewart was and even though I liked what I heard it wasn't until 'Across The River' that I became a fan. Regarding Hannah's video find, whatever it was, it was Gabriel performing it live which is not the original cut with Stewart and Shankar on Violin.

Jack

[georgygirl]

Maybe sometime I can hear it...

[wrenhour]

Did anyone see Stew on this tour?? He was on kit with a bunch of crazy percussionists. It was unreal. The only time I've seen him live. State Theater in Detroit.

[georgygirl]

lucky one!

[DirtyMartini]

Love "Across the River."

Aloha, Jack, and thanks for the story!