Had the pleasure of watching Ginger perform in Glasgow in 2017. Was an absolute honour to witness one of the greatest drummers of all time, even if it was a short set, he still played like he was in his prime. Will never forget it.
I think this is so wonderful! Ginger Baker was most at home and in his element when he was on the drums. I have so much respect for his musicianship and his virtuosity! Rest In Peace Ginger! You always will be among the best of all time no doubt about that! Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Art Blakey and Phil Seamen, all his mentors were looking down on him when he made this incredible solo we all know as "Toad"!
At the very end of Toad on Wheels of Fire he's being doing that triplet thing with the kicks and toms, sounds like a huge freight train coming toward you...and then he stops...and the fill to bring in the band is a totally light handed fill around the toms that starts with an upbeat (I think 32nd note) hit...it just shows the total control, humor, and taste of the guy. "Fantastico" indeed!
I love that part of the Toad solo on WOF! I'm glad you brought it up (and articulated it better than I could) The control is superb, going to from this raging locomotive sound to the gentle touch is just Baker all over. He was a monster on the drums in his time, but could also show unbelievable restraint and know when to just sit in the pocket. My favourite drummer of all time.
This was not a "drum solo", this was the masterwork of an incredible musician. There were times when he had four different beats and he had more limbs, they'd be doing something different, too.
Listen to Ginger Baker & Jack Bruce Toads place New Haven CT. 1990. Blues Saracino/guitar: This is Ginger at his BEST! Far superior to this performance.
Watch the video/bio of Phil Seaman who was Ginger Baker's idol. Seaman does several solos in this. It's awesome. ruclips.net/video/fyrIVwLbpYA/видео.html
One of the most "musical" drum solos of all time. I think Eric Clapton hit the nail on the head when he referred to Ginger as a complete musician. His drum solo was very melodic and really told a story... just like a great piece of music or a classic novel.
I'm not a drummer but I have loved Ginger Baker as my all time favorite drummer cause I feel like his drums speak to me like a voice, not just an amassed bit of technical talents.
Philly Joe Jones, the great jazz drummer, paid Baker the same compliment when Jones heard Baker years before Cream formed. Baker has always been noticed by other drummers who actually listen to him play.
I could see that you really got into this solo. When I was a kid I started out on drums. Then, I saw Ginger and Buddy Rich do a drum duel on a live tv show. Afterwards, Buddy said Ginger was one of the best drummers he had ever met. Then later on I watched The Cream do Toad on the Ed Sullivan show, live. I wanted to be like Ginger Baker, but fate sent me down a different path. Still stayed in music for many years, just a different instrument (trumpet and French Horn). Thank you from my heart for presenting this video, really had my toe tapping and head nodding.
That primal beat he carries the solo with is powerful. He's got great finesse here considering his age and health problems. Very nice review by you also.
He did break his nose, but according to Jay, his nose was already broken from years of boxing. When he went to the doctor, he discovered that Ginger had fixed his nose, as he called it. Punched it back into place with his cane. Wot?!?
Ginger was at his best around late 80's early 90's. He was fit, clean and really back into making new music and developing his playing. Check out the album Sunrise on the Sufferbus by the Masters of Reality.
I grew up listening to Ginger and Cream when they burst on to the scene in the 60s. I just love his melodic style and Toad on that first Fresh Cream album, was a masterclass with transitions from one polyrhythm to the next. I learnt a lot from him in my learning to play. R.I.P. Ginger/Peter Baker.
@Tom Cass I am not a musician but I LOVE music. I have heard all these musicians indifferent bands over many years. In my “opinion” for what it’s worth - I love Jack Bruce, he’s got a wonderful voice and I was almost a “groupie” in the 60’s doing anything to be where he was playing. Ginger is the greatest drummer of all time - he has never said that but it’s what I think. Drummers are the driving force of many bands and you have to listen to what they say. God, Ginger is a king among drummers - I’ve never heard a drummer play so many rhythms simultaneously. When he was drumming for Graham (Bond) they used to stick a long ciggie in his mouth because he was so smacked out of his brains that he was almost in a trance induced by what he was laying. The cigarette burning his mouth would hurt him awake!!!!! I have always preferred Jeff Beck to Clapton. Humble, amazing, generous guitarist .
Haha! Maybe they didn’t want to tell Eric (and give it a name) but with Eric’s talent? He knew it wasn’t your typical rock drummer being self-indulgent. 😎
Meeting Ginger was a highlight of my drumming life! Massive influence. When I heard "Fresh Cream" (way long ago)...everything changed. One of the all-time greats. RIP Mr. Baker.
Amen. I'm 53 and played drums when I was younger. Seeing all of this and hearing it is inspiring me to want to start playing again. How awesome. I want to be like him when I grow up.
It's cool how he seems to be taking us on a rhythmic journey, a walk through some of the history of drumming from all over the map. Very deliberate, intelligent and elegant mastery from a great musician. His sophisticated efforts are probably lost on most of the people at the concert who just want some speed and flash.
I watched this video about a year ago, and then thought of it again while watching some of Ginger's jazz material. Ginger left a lot of space in the sound which served to add dynamic accents to what he did play. For all the fame he received as a drum soloist, he never concerned himself with speed or playing 16ths or 32nds when he felt that even a whole note could express his idea with a pattern. I don't think it's fair to define him as either rock or jazz, he was proof that fantastic rhythms could be applied to any genre with 100% success. His preference for keeping his toms horizontal with the floor is confusing, but it obviously worked for him...just seems like a lot of extra work...but who am I to second guess such a excellent musician.
there's a Baker solo on youtube called 'the best Ginger Baker drum solo" or something like that and it is amazing. Ginger in his prime. Double bass drums really going strong and he does some really interesting rhythmic things. well worth seeing. Ginger was a powerhouse
Sir I enjoyed your analysis of Mr. Bakers solo as I've always said great DRUMMER! and to see a great drum teacher enjoy it so much does my heart good Thank you.
Great analysis. The thick flams, the call & response, were picked up on as well as the tribal cuban jazz rhythms that underpin Gingers playing and give him a personality that reflects nature globally. This is the difference between an artist and the more clinical tight drummers that came after and haven't left yet
In "Beware of Mister Baker" he had been described as being "At the forefront of a complete revolution of Rock playing." But Ginger himself saw that different: he was a JAZZ drummer!
Six days before my 18th birthday I saw these three Great Ones play at the Akron Civic Theatre on May 11th, 1968. Ginger went into an equally long Toad and Clapton and Baker walked off the stage to let him have the solo. When the boys returned to pick up where they had left off in the set Clapton was smokin a cig and he spiked it on a handy string wire sticking out at the tuner knobs and he and Bruce slammed right back into it. Perfect timing just like in the video shown here !!! Thanks for the 55 year old flashback.
What seems to be forgotten is that Ginger was an old man, riddled with arthritis, here. Nevertheless, this is an amazing performance. Can you imagine what he was like in his prime? A difficult man but the best drummer.
My partner saw Blind Faith back in the day. Ginger was big into speed at the time and midway through the show Ginger collapsed & fell off the throne. Couple of roadies picked him up, gave him a shot, and Ginger woke up and continued where he left off. My favorite drummer EVER. Cheers!
I'm a die hard Neil Peart fan,and always will be!! But after watching Ginger Baker,im going to go back and watch more of his older albums!!! I sure can understand why i always see,his name on every top 10 best drummer's!!
I saw Zeppelin, Stones many times, The Who, Return to Forever, Weather Report, but one of the best drumming gigs I ever saw was Ginger playing with Hawkwind at a tiny little bar/club in 1980. Life-changing !!!!
Loved Cream in the 60’s! Awesome musicians! Marching band at The University of Iowa in 1972 under Dr. Tom had the greatest drum section ever! He was a jazz xylophone player! If you couldn’t play drums, you couldn’t be in his band! They were awesome!
@@kippsguitar6539 agree. Click on any YT drum solo and you'll find the same comments- "this drummer's the best, most musical, most technically proficient" etc...
Ginger has always been the one for me. Love your expertise and admiration. The Beat Club's YT channel just recently posted some old footage of Ginger's Airforce that is definitely worth a watch for a fan.
As a non-musician, I have enjoyed watching your videos. I have learned some things centered on percussion that I was unaware of. Fantastic stuff. Thanks.
I was lucky enough to see Blind Faith at the Phoenix Veteran's Memorial Coliseum. I was a young rock drummer aspirant at the time. Don't recall the opening act. Went down on the floor between sets (it was open floor seating/standing) and made it to the edge of the stage. Baker's drum tech came out with one and then the second base drum. Then pulled a hammer from from his waist, put a bunch of nails in his mouth and then set about nailing the rims of the base drums into the stage floor! Later, during the show, Blind Faith played, of course, "Do what you like" which features solos by each artist in the band. Baker's solo was dazzling. I almost had it memorized from listening to the album over and over, trying (and failing miserably) to learn the solo. The start of the solo was familiar, but then he soon diverted, playing pieces of other solos and material I had never heard. He was doing quite a bit of footwork on the double bass drums and people crowd went pretty wild when he would do a roll on them. Then he raised his arms over his head and proceeded to play, with the bass drums only, the drum solo for the surfer classic, "Wipeout." Sweat was pouring down his face and his eyes were closed, then open when the audience realized what he was playing, but unfocused. Amazing drumming Mr. Baker.
I'd encourage any musician to pick up the Blu-ray disc of this concert. The quality of the recording -- especially of the drums -- makes it an exhilarating listen on a good system.
Clive Bindley Well, I guess I’d suggest also picking up a Blu-ray player at the same time. ;-) The thing is, the Blu-ray has high-resolution lossless multichannel audio. As far as I know, that audio is only available on the Blu-ray Disc. There’s no way to match that with streaming right now, so if you want to hear the full quality, that’s what it takes.
It was mastered by Bob Ludwig who is an absolute master of the craft/art. I first heard this at an electronics store and was amazed by the how 'you are there' it sounded.
@Martin Mcdonald I sure can see why Ginger Bakers would influence any Drummer!! I grew up in the era,when KIZZ was a very Influential Band to alot of musicians back in that time era.. Although as i grew older, and after years of playing drums in school,and being thought by my after school teacher,of strictly playing first as many did!! The boring ass black pad!! Lol!!Which I'm very grateful that i did!! The better i got,the more i learned that Peter Criss,wasn't really that much of an Influential Drummer at all!! That's when i learned,"from my Drum teacher's advise. To listen to Neil Peart. And BOOM!! I wanted nothing more,than to practice,practice and practice!! I wanted to learn every single thing that i could,from Neil Peart!! And over time,my brother's would joke with me about how much better John Bonham was.. But i was only around 7 are 8,and at that age,all i could think about. Was how huge Neils set of drums were compared to John Bonham's.. Lol,But now I've learned,to appreciate many many different Drummer's!! And after listening to this one,from a Drum Teacher's View!! Ginger Baker is definitely a drummer that ill be watching more of!! 🤙🤘🤙🤘!! P.S. Now a days, all my Bandmates and I talk about now,"is how we'd gave anything, if we could have RUclips back in are days!! Thank for the WONDERFUL VIDEO,From (i think) Drummer's Artisticly?? Ill have to check the name on this website most definitely!!!! Anyway!! Who evers website this is?? I THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!! VERY GREAT VIDEO!!!
In an interview someone once mentioned Cream as a Rock n Roll band and Ginger corrected them by saying “we’re two jazz musicians and a blues guitarist”. Good to see someone who knows what they’re talking about doing one of these reaction videos. I’m not a drummer, I play guitar, but I hate it when the reactions are just “ooooh”, “oh, wow”, “my gosh” etc But I loved it that everyone could see how much you were really enjoying it, or were you just carrying on the tradition of all drummers being completely mad!
Good video Garey and well explained, now I'm a little more clued up as to the finer complexities & technicalities. I was very honoured to have been Ginger Bakers drum roadie for Baker & Band (Karl Hill: Bass/Vocals & Dough Brokie: Guitar/Vocals) 1982 European tour March-April concerts in Italy, Austria, Germany, Switzerland. Toad is an excellent composition and my all time favourite solo. Superbly seamless infusions, wonderful tribal polyrhythms and a cultural education in itself. A very technically and musically gifted man that has left his mark in the hall of fame and was best summed up by Eric Claptons comment "He's in a league of his own".... RIP Ginger, from Woody.
@@deanbeckworth1053 In a word "No". I got on with him ok. Definitely a guy who would not accept second best, so it's true to say that a portion of the strops were only due to him being such a perfectionist. A very technically gifted musician that had the wrath of Kahn. (LOL)
My favorite drummers are Buddy Rich, Tony Williams, Art Blakey, Max Roach, Shelly Manne, Gene Krupa, Mitch MItchel, Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Pete LaRoca, Dave Weckl, and of course Ginger Baker. All are great but different. The first time I heard Toad from "Wheels of Fire" I was simply amazed. That solo is so musical and sounds so simple (until you try to play it). He is my favorite "rock" drummer. I have a band and we play some Cream songs. Ginger has had a great influence on my playing. I want my band to play like Cream (live of course). What made Cream so great was the way they played together live which no band has ever even come close to. Part of that was Ginger's awesome playing.
Have you seen the documentary on him on Netflix, never knew much about him but after watching that I had respect for him, crazy good, crazy life and a crazy bastard.
Sir, I've watched several of your videos, all bc I was watching Zep vids and saw your "reacts to Bonham" drum solo. Thank you so much for being a positive reviewer. I know nothing about drums technically, but I really appreciate your reviews. I'll be watching more of your reviews. Thank you!
Ginger could play jazz, swing, blues, rock, or sound like he grew up in West Africa, where he did live for a time. He was a complete master of imposing one drum beat over another, inclusive of many polyrhythms and always knowing exactly where he was. I also happen to have watched him kick the ass of a few of the 'greats' of jazz in drum battles who didn't realize that he had mastered their genre as well.
I made a comment 6 days ago and I'm not sure what happened to it it's not here but I was telling about seeing Ginger and his son Kofi play a duet of Toad. it was an incredible experience getting to see Kofi and his dad trading one fill for another. They were unbelievable. I was so fortunate to have been there it was a birthday party held for Kofi and I would say probably 25 or 30 people were there. this was probably 25 years ago in Denver Colorado I also had the pleasure of going to Ginger's house when he lived in Parker Colorado and spending the night partying with him for his 60th birthday he was complaining about bone spurs in his shoulders at that time and said that he was in no hurry to get an operation on them. He feared that if they operated on his bone spurs that it would end his drumming forever. He just endured the pain forever after that. His son Kofi is an incredible drummer he plays note for Note everything Ginger ever played because Ginger taught him. Ginger was very hard for coffee to please. No matter how hard he tried to show his dad that he could play perfectly his dad was never satisfied and drove him to be better. Then in the last few days of his life he smiled at Kofi and nodded with an approval that he had mastered everything that he ever taught him. Kofi said that he had finally gotten his dad's approval. If you've never heard Kofi play, )out on RUclips or look him up on Kofi Baker.com ...he will be touring soon...
"Drum solo!" I used to live for that when I went to rock shows and concerts. The rest of the members of the band would look back, nod to the drummer and and walk off the stage just as Clapton and Bruce did for Baker. Seeing that makes me feel like a kid again.
Yep, those who don't know drums don't understand what went into this solo. "How come he didn't play fast,?" Timing and the changes are more important. There is more here than meets the eye. Jazz ride is great. What a player. Unfortunately, he was a putz.
Mr Congeniality he wasnt .. But like wow... I dig the explanatotries, yet still cant really get how one pair of hands and feet can DO that?? If you check his face, its like hes in another dimension - might not belive in anything cosmic, maybe THIS was his ONE kind of meditition? Goodbye Jack you ol' B..... you :)
Years ago I used to hate listening to the standard drum solo at just about every bands concert, but as I get older I must admit I still feel the same way..
Ginger’s style was very much influenced by African rhythms in particular Burundi, which was imprinted on his conscious when he was a teen, yes he was an eccentric temperamental guy, but always interesting.
Wow you acknowledged the pant leg being rolled up! I do this all the time so the beater doesn’t get stuck in my pant leg which it always does but everyone is always confused when they see my pant leg rolled up on breaks and drummers say they have never had that problem so you validated my problem and let me know others have done it which is news to me. Maybe my playing flat footed has something to do with it.
Very rare will you see such a long drum solo so melodic. Baker was a pioneer and will rightly go down as one of the best ever. He seemed to create a path of destruction in his personal life, but as a musician, not many could match him. RIP Ginger. #notafuckingrockdrummer
I have the Cream DVD but tended to skip this track, having heard it numerous times as a kid on 'Fresh Cream'. But your reaction - pointing out some notable specifics - really piqued my interest, so I will go back to that DVD with fresh ears. And yes, Jack and Ginger both came from jazz, first pairing up in the Graham Bond Organisation, which in its earliest days also included guitarist John McLaughlin (yes, later of Mahavishnu Orchestra) and sax man Dick Heckstall-Smith and drummer Jon Hiseman, both of whom went on to John Mayall's Bluesbreakers (Clapton and Bruce also spent time with Mayall), appearing on the album 'Bare Wires'. Ginger's mentor was Phil Seaman, a jazzer deep into African tribal drumming. That is what we hear with Baker's playing. As for 'Toad', Ginger had prepped for that when with Bond, doing a tune titled 'Camels and Elephants', which can be heard via this link. ruclips.net/video/tUuQQsBYqvY/видео.html
Great react. I have this album and DVD as well as the farewell tour. Definitely my favorite drummer but he was a mad man lol if you haven’t had the pleasure of watching Beware of Mr Baker it’s incredible (and on RUclips) The guy has the craziest most interesting life story I’ve ever heard in my life.. like taking off to Africa and playing in some African band for two years lol He also explains his background and as a kid meeting his favorite drummer (which was a jazz drummer) it’s amazing.
I am not a musician but I've always loved the sound of drums and watching drummers perform. Solos are fun to watch, but when a lot of drummers play, I lose the beat and am left in the dust. All I can do is applaud at the end without understanding what the musician was trying to tell me. I very much appreciated that Ginger Baker kept the same beat with the high hat throughout so I could see and hear where he was placing his beats. And, with your commentary I could better appreciate what he was doing. It felt like a conversation.
He has great tones in this clip. Thanks. Good solo. Not doing tornado fills. Def can pick 6/8. Ginger set a bar for rock n roll. More impact on my drumming than the late Bonzo. Also sample your chest rolls lol.
Great review and very enthusiastic. I only wish I understood your terminology---my bad, I haven't a clue about drumming. I'm sure the pedegogy you provide for your students is very informative and inspiring.
There was a segment on U-Tube about Ginger Baker. He had a special relationship with the blacks who lived on "his", property. Around the town he was considered an "eccentric" shall we say. He attributed much of his sound recently was due to the African influence on him.
Congratulations ! Great video ! Very much interesting to listen to your comments for a profane like me ! And you present the all thing in a most sympathetic way ! Keep up the great work ! Oh and, thank you ! : o ))
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Those drums are tuned so beautifully! Love me some Ginger...he'll never be repeated!
Yeah! His drums sound amazing!!
Ginger Baker was on another level. He was one of the greats.
Had the pleasure of watching Ginger perform in Glasgow in 2017. Was an absolute honour to witness one of the greatest drummers of all time, even if it was a short set, he still played like he was in his prime. Will never forget it.
I think this is so wonderful! Ginger Baker was most at home and in his element when he was on the drums. I have so much respect for his musicianship and his virtuosity! Rest In Peace Ginger! You always will be among the best of all time no doubt about that! Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Art Blakey and Phil Seamen, all his mentors were looking down on him when he made this incredible solo we all know as "Toad"!
At the very end of Toad on Wheels of Fire he's being doing that triplet thing with the kicks and toms, sounds like a huge freight train coming toward you...and then he stops...and the fill to bring in the band is a totally light handed fill around the toms that starts with an upbeat (I think 32nd note) hit...it just shows the total control, humor, and taste of the guy. "Fantastico" indeed!
I love that part of the Toad solo on WOF! I'm glad you brought it up (and articulated it better than I could) The control is superb, going to from this raging locomotive sound to the gentle touch is just Baker all over. He was a monster on the drums in his time, but could also show unbelievable restraint and know when to just sit in the pocket. My favourite drummer of all time.
This was not a "drum solo", this was the masterwork of an incredible musician. There were times when he had four different beats and he had more limbs, they'd be doing something different, too.
Exactly. Not just technical porn and speed.
Couldn't agree more with you!
Average solo by San average drummer
Listen to Ginger Baker & Jack Bruce Toads place New Haven CT. 1990. Blues Saracino/guitar: This is Ginger at his BEST! Far superior to this performance.
Watch the video/bio of Phil Seaman who was Ginger Baker's idol. Seaman does several solos in this. It's awesome. ruclips.net/video/fyrIVwLbpYA/видео.html
This drum solo is the most melodious drum solo i've ever heard
You need to get out more
Its sick! you can hear the melody all through
One of the most "musical" drum solos of all time. I think Eric Clapton hit the nail on the head when he referred to Ginger as a complete musician. His drum solo was very melodic and really told a story... just like a great piece of music or a classic novel.
I'm not a drummer but I have loved Ginger Baker as my all time favorite drummer cause I feel like his drums speak to me like a voice, not just an amassed bit of technical talents.
Philly Joe Jones, the great jazz drummer, paid Baker the same compliment when Jones heard Baker years before Cream formed. Baker has always been noticed by other drummers who actually listen to him play.
You can tell he prepared this solo thoroughly for the reunion. This is the best recorded solo I've heard from Baker.
I could see that you really got into this solo. When I was a kid I started out on drums. Then, I saw Ginger and Buddy Rich do a drum duel on a live tv show. Afterwards, Buddy said Ginger was one of the best drummers he had ever met. Then later on I watched The Cream do Toad on the Ed Sullivan show, live. I wanted to be like Ginger Baker, but fate sent me down a different path. Still stayed in music for many years, just a different instrument (trumpet and French Horn). Thank you from my heart for presenting this video, really had my toe tapping and head nodding.
That primal beat he carries the solo with is powerful. He's got great finesse here considering his age and health problems. Very nice review by you also.
Consider his age here. I can't imagine what he was like live in his prime. His reputation is well earned.
Go and check Ginger out ,he is not a legend for nothing .
The left foot is totally unique in feel. He is monster.
ruclips.net/video/dTEu7VVkTLw/видео.html
Try "N.S.U." on Live Cream Volume 1.
Ginger was one of the meanest people on the planet.
But man , what a drummer!
Beware of Mr. Baker.
Tom Cass didn’t he break his nose too?
He did break his nose, but according to Jay, his nose was already broken from years of boxing. When he went to the doctor, he discovered that Ginger had fixed his nose, as he called it. Punched it back into place with his cane.
Wot?!?
@Tom Cass Yeah its in the doq recorded he broke his nose with a cane
Guy was an asshole but undoubtedly one of the greats
As a Bass player, one of my favourite drummers. So many great rhythmic themes, perfect for the long jams Cream were rightly famous for.
Thanks for featuring Ginger Baker! The acoustics of the Royal Albert Hall in London are immense so all adds to the result
GB was reason I got interested in drumming some 30 years ago. Shame he’s gone but he certainly lived and leaves us such amazing music. Good video
Ginger spent a lot of time in Africa. He absorbed various rhythms which was evident in his playing.
Ginger was at his best around late 80's early 90's. He was fit, clean and really back into making new music and developing his playing. Check out the album Sunrise on the Sufferbus by the Masters of Reality.
I love the way Ginger can be really complex and technical -and - sound really primal and gutsy at the same time. Amazing.
Your reactions and comments were priceless. It's fun to watch someone get excited when seeing the greats do their thing.
“Beware of Mr Baker” - a must see documentary on RUclips.
Cool. Thanks Bro.
yes, that rockumentary was entertaining
To me, Ginger Baker was one of the best ever. This clip was their reunion concert in 2005. Great band as well.
To me he was the most overrated
@@kippsguitar6539 you’ve been busy in here..
I grew up listening to Ginger and Cream when they burst on to the scene in the 60s. I just love his melodic style and Toad on that first Fresh Cream album, was a masterclass with transitions from one polyrhythm to the next. I learnt a lot from him in my learning to play. R.I.P. Ginger/Peter Baker.
As Jack Bruce said CREAM were a jazz trio they just didn't tell Eric
HA! true.....but I think Eric knew.
@Kieran Weston Eric is a 'god' and knows all.
@Tom Cass I am not a musician but I LOVE music. I have heard all these musicians indifferent bands over many years. In my “opinion” for what it’s worth - I love Jack Bruce, he’s got a wonderful voice and I was almost a “groupie” in the 60’s doing anything to be where he was playing. Ginger is the greatest drummer of all time - he has never said that but it’s what I think. Drummers are the driving force of many bands and you have to listen to what they say. God, Ginger is a king among drummers - I’ve never heard a drummer play so many rhythms simultaneously. When he was drumming for Graham (Bond) they used to stick a long ciggie in his mouth because he was so smacked out of his brains that he was almost in a trance induced by what he was laying. The cigarette burning his mouth would hurt him awake!!!!! I have always preferred Jeff Beck to Clapton. Humble, amazing, generous guitarist .
@Leandro Oakley well his comment was more interesting than yours
Haha! Maybe they didn’t want to tell Eric (and give it a name) but with Eric’s talent? He knew it wasn’t your typical rock drummer being self-indulgent. 😎
Meeting Ginger was a highlight of my drumming life! Massive influence. When I heard "Fresh Cream" (way long ago)...everything changed. One of the all-time greats. RIP Mr. Baker.
Amen. I'm 53 and played drums when I was younger. Seeing all of this and hearing it is inspiring me to want to start playing again. How awesome. I want to be like him when I grow up.
It's cool how he seems to be taking us on a rhythmic journey, a walk through some of the history of drumming from all over the map. Very deliberate, intelligent and elegant mastery from a great musician. His sophisticated efforts are probably lost on most of the people at the concert who just want some speed and flash.
You caught this too. Yes, exactly.
@@Bassman2353 7
This is it... this is EXACTLY it!
Beautifully described, and stated with absolute truthfulness.
I watched this video about a year ago, and then thought of it again while watching some of Ginger's jazz material. Ginger left a lot of space in the sound which served to add dynamic accents to what he did play. For all the fame he received as a drum soloist, he never concerned himself with speed or playing 16ths or 32nds when he felt that even a whole note could express his idea with a pattern. I don't think it's fair to define him as either rock or jazz, he was proof that fantastic rhythms could be applied to any genre with 100% success. His preference for keeping his toms horizontal with the floor is confusing, but it obviously worked for him...just seems like a lot of extra work...but who am I to second guess such a excellent musician.
there's a Baker solo on youtube called 'the best Ginger Baker drum solo" or something like that and it is amazing. Ginger in his prime. Double bass drums really
going strong and he does some really interesting rhythmic things. well worth seeing. Ginger was a powerhouse
Sir I enjoyed your analysis of Mr. Bakers solo as I've always said great DRUMMER! and to see a great drum teacher enjoy it so much does my heart good Thank you.
I always respected him for his pure Jazz drum offs, Art Blakey influence and how he studied in Africa
RIP Ginger
❣️
Great analysis. The thick flams, the call & response, were picked up on as well as the tribal cuban jazz rhythms that underpin Gingers playing and give him a personality that reflects nature globally. This is the difference between an artist and the more clinical tight drummers that came after and haven't left yet
Ginger was 12/8 African groove master
Ginger was an absolute artist!!!
I’m not a drummer, but I’ve always admired the all time greats, and I really enjoy your reaction/analysis videos! Thank you!
In "Beware of Mister Baker" he had been described as being "At the forefront of a complete revolution of Rock playing." But Ginger himself saw that different: he was a JAZZ drummer!
Six days before my 18th birthday I saw these three Great Ones play at the Akron Civic Theatre on May 11th, 1968.
Ginger went into an equally long Toad and Clapton and Baker walked off the stage to let him have the solo.
When the boys returned to pick up where they had left off in the set Clapton was smokin a cig and he spiked it on a
handy string wire sticking out at the tuner knobs and he and Bruce slammed right back into it. Perfect timing just like in
the video shown here !!! Thanks for the 55 year old flashback.
What seems to be forgotten is that Ginger was an old man, riddled with arthritis, here. Nevertheless, this is an amazing performance. Can you imagine what he was like in his prime? A difficult man but the best drummer.
My partner saw Blind Faith back in the day. Ginger was big into speed at the time and midway through the show Ginger collapsed & fell off the throne. Couple of roadies picked him up, gave him a shot, and Ginger woke up and continued where he left off. My favorite drummer EVER. Cheers!
He was like what, in his 70s here? If this is him past his prime, I can't imagine what he must have been like in the 60s.
@@zosxavius Truly, it's worth seeing Ginger during the 60's.
Zos Xavius he was 65 here.
Zos Xavius I was at the show in New York City.
I'm a die hard Neil Peart fan,and always will be!! But after watching Ginger Baker,im going to go back and watch more of his older albums!!! I sure can understand why i always see,his name on every top 10 best drummer's!!
I love this solo. Much more listenable than Moby Dick. His drum sound is fantastic.
THANK you .
I love ginger baker at any age. Older, he was methodical and precise but younger he was just vicious.
I saw Zeppelin, Stones many times, The Who, Return to Forever, Weather Report, but one of the best drumming gigs I ever saw was Ginger playing with Hawkwind at a tiny little bar/club in 1980. Life-changing !!!!
Loved Cream in the 60’s! Awesome musicians! Marching band at The University of Iowa in 1972 under Dr. Tom had the greatest drum section ever! He was a jazz xylophone player! If you couldn’t play drums, you couldn’t be in his band! They were awesome!
Ginger Baker was the most "musical" drummers of that era or of any. Drum on bro.
Ridiculous statements
@@kippsguitar6539 Jealous? Ginger Baker is heads & tails ABOVE ANY drummer. tHIS PERFORMANCE IS not an indicator, they were over the hill here.
@@kippsguitar6539 agree. Click on any YT drum solo and you'll find the same comments- "this drummer's the best, most musical, most technically proficient" etc...
I saw Cream in 67 and 68. They always ended (before potential encore) on Toad. Seeing somebody respond to Our Mad Beast is a delight.
I didn't get to see Cream, but did see Blind Faith.
I would give 2, maybe 3 of my nine lives to relive it.😍
Ohhhh Ginger, loved your review... Ginger was a Jazzdrummer, he hated Rock.. he had the Swing that Moon & Bonham never had
His style of drumming was
unique.
TOTALLY AWESOME DRUMMER, THE BEST !
I believe that he will always be considered one of the all-time best drummers in Rock History.
I love that primal ,tribal ,heavy feel and sound .
Ginger has always been the one for me. Love your expertise and admiration. The Beat Club's YT channel just recently posted some old footage of Ginger's Airforce that is definitely worth a watch for a fan.
As a non-musician, I have enjoyed watching your videos. I have learned some things centered on percussion that I was unaware of. Fantastic stuff. Thanks.
Thanks for doing this. I enjoyed the analysis. I like what I hear, but it is really good to hear an explanation.
Excellent analysis. Love the enthusiasm
The late great Mr.Baker!! His rhythmic dynamics, technique, swing and jazz groove and limb independence were just exceptional!
I was lucky enough to see Blind Faith at the Phoenix Veteran's Memorial Coliseum. I was a young rock drummer aspirant at the time. Don't recall the opening act. Went down on the floor between sets (it was open floor seating/standing) and made it to the edge of the stage. Baker's drum tech came out with one and then the second base drum. Then pulled a hammer from from his waist, put a bunch of nails in his mouth and then set about nailing the rims of the base drums into the stage floor!
Later, during the show, Blind Faith played, of course, "Do what you like" which features solos by each artist in the band. Baker's solo was dazzling. I almost had it memorized from listening to the album over and over, trying (and failing miserably) to learn the solo. The start of the solo was familiar, but then he soon diverted, playing pieces of other solos and material I had never heard. He was doing quite a bit of footwork on the double bass drums and people crowd went pretty wild when he would do a roll on them.
Then he raised his arms over his head and proceeded to play, with the bass drums only, the drum solo for the surfer classic, "Wipeout." Sweat was pouring down his face and his eyes were closed, then open when the audience realized what he was playing, but unfocused.
Amazing drumming Mr. Baker.
I'd encourage any musician to pick up the Blu-ray disc of this concert. The quality of the recording -- especially of the drums -- makes it an exhilarating listen on a good system.
But what if you don't have Blu-Ray player?
Clive Bindley Well, I guess I’d suggest also picking up a Blu-ray player at the same time. ;-) The thing is, the Blu-ray has high-resolution lossless multichannel audio. As far as I know, that audio is only available on the Blu-ray Disc. There’s no way to match that with streaming right now, so if you want to hear the full quality, that’s what it takes.
It was mastered by Bob Ludwig who is an absolute master of the craft/art.
I first heard this at an electronics store and was amazed by the how 'you are there' it sounded.
@@YouzTube99 Ahhhhhh, well spotted. That explains a lot. Kudos to him and to the engineers.
@@MikeKobb true! though im not a fan of the "flop" sound of the drums...but might be a tuning thing.
Ginger baker was one of the reasons I started playing drums an a amazing drummer!!!
@Martin Mcdonald I sure can see why Ginger Bakers would influence any Drummer!! I grew up in the era,when KIZZ was a very Influential Band to alot of musicians back in that time era.. Although as i grew older, and after years of playing drums in school,and being thought by my after school teacher,of strictly playing first as many did!! The boring ass black pad!! Lol!!Which I'm very grateful that i did!! The better i got,the more i learned that Peter Criss,wasn't really that much of an Influential Drummer at all!! That's when i learned,"from my Drum teacher's advise. To listen to Neil Peart. And BOOM!! I wanted nothing more,than to practice,practice and practice!! I wanted to learn every single thing that i could,from Neil Peart!! And over time,my brother's would joke with me about how much better John Bonham was.. But i was only around 7 are 8,and at that age,all i could think about. Was how huge Neils set of drums were compared to John Bonham's.. Lol,But now I've learned,to appreciate many many different Drummer's!! And after listening to this one,from a Drum Teacher's View!! Ginger Baker is definitely a drummer that ill be watching more of!! 🤙🤘🤙🤘!! P.S. Now a days, all my Bandmates and I talk about now,"is how we'd gave anything, if we could have RUclips back in are days!! Thank for the WONDERFUL VIDEO,From (i think) Drummer's Artisticly?? Ill have to check the name on this website most definitely!!!! Anyway!! Who evers website this is?? I THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!! VERY GREAT VIDEO!!!
From time around 11:50 was frigging AWESOME!!!!
Albert Hall was the best performance for Baker! Like the one dudes sign said... FANTASTIC! I think Baker was the only devil welcomed in Heaven!
In an interview someone once mentioned Cream as a Rock n Roll band and Ginger corrected them by saying “we’re two jazz musicians and a blues guitarist”.
Good to see someone who knows what they’re talking about doing one of these reaction videos. I’m not a drummer, I play guitar, but I hate it when the reactions are just “ooooh”, “oh, wow”, “my gosh” etc
But I loved it that everyone could see how much you were really enjoying it, or were you just carrying on the tradition of all drummers being completely mad!
Probably both :-) I love hearing drummers and enjoy trying to understand and explain what they are doing. It's always interesting! Thanks for sharing!
I'm a Ginger Baker fan from way way back, so thanks for this. Well done.
another treat.
one of my fav drummers
Love his jazz albums with guys like bill frisell,Charlie Haden, Ron miles,.....with Fela.....more than a great drummer. Complete musician
In an interview ginger did, he stated that was his original riveted ride cymbal from even before Cream.
Heck yeah. This was the one I came to your page looking for 👏🏻 can’t wait to watch
Good video Garey and well explained, now I'm a little more clued up as to the finer complexities & technicalities.
I was very honoured to have been Ginger Bakers drum roadie for Baker & Band (Karl Hill: Bass/Vocals & Dough Brokie: Guitar/Vocals) 1982 European tour March-April concerts in Italy, Austria, Germany, Switzerland. Toad is an excellent composition and my all time favourite solo. Superbly seamless infusions, wonderful tribal polyrhythms and a cultural education in itself. A very technically and musically gifted man that has left his mark in the hall of fame and was best summed up by Eric Claptons comment "He's in a league of his own".... RIP Ginger, from Woody.
Ian Wood was he a nightmare to work with?
@@deanbeckworth1053 In a word "No". I got on with him ok. Definitely a guy who would not accept second best, so it's true to say that a portion of the strops were only due to him being such a perfectionist. A very technically gifted musician that had the wrath of Kahn. (LOL)
Awesome footage Gary, I loved this and the Ian Paice vid you did recently.
My favorite drummers are Buddy Rich, Tony Williams, Art Blakey, Max Roach, Shelly Manne, Gene Krupa, Mitch MItchel, Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Pete LaRoca, Dave Weckl, and of course Ginger Baker. All are great but different.
The first time I heard Toad from "Wheels of Fire" I was simply amazed. That solo is so musical and sounds so simple (until you try to play it). He is my favorite "rock" drummer. I have a band and we play some Cream songs. Ginger has had a great influence on my playing. I want my band to play like Cream (live of course). What made Cream so great was the way they played together live which no band has ever even come close to. Part of that was Ginger's awesome playing.
Have you seen the documentary on him on Netflix, never knew much about him but after watching that I had respect for him, crazy good, crazy life and a crazy bastard.
Love this.i learn something
.try some of the indian tabla players for inventions.ginger telling a story with his playing here.glad to be here.
Both Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce had said in the last years of their lives, they considered Cream to be a Jazz band.
Sir, I've watched several of your videos, all bc I was watching Zep vids and saw your "reacts to Bonham" drum solo.
Thank you so much for being a positive reviewer.
I know nothing about drums technically, but I really appreciate your reviews.
I'll be watching more of your reviews.
Thank you!
I love the genuine joy you get from watching other drummers...i feel the same...im hooked now, keep up the great content
ginger didnt let his health stop him from doing what he loved, and he loved letting loose
Ginger could play jazz, swing, blues, rock, or sound like he grew up in West Africa, where he did live for a time. He was a complete master of imposing one drum beat over another, inclusive of many polyrhythms and always knowing exactly where he was. I also happen to have watched him kick the ass of a few of the 'greats' of jazz in drum battles who didn't realize that he had mastered their genre as well.
I made a comment 6 days ago and I'm not sure what happened to it it's not here but I was telling about seeing Ginger and his son Kofi play a duet of Toad. it was an incredible experience getting to see Kofi and his dad trading one fill for another. They were unbelievable. I was so fortunate to have been there it was a birthday party held for Kofi and I would say probably 25 or 30 people were there. this was probably 25 years ago in Denver Colorado I also had the pleasure of going to Ginger's house when he lived in Parker Colorado and spending the night partying with him for his 60th birthday he was complaining about bone spurs in his shoulders at that time and said that he was in no hurry to get an operation on them. He feared that if they operated on his bone spurs that it would end his drumming forever. He just endured the pain forever after that. His son Kofi is an incredible drummer he plays note for Note everything Ginger ever played because Ginger taught him. Ginger was very hard for coffee to please. No matter how hard he tried to show his dad that he could play perfectly his dad was never satisfied and drove him to be better. Then in the last few days of his life he smiled at Kofi and nodded with an approval that he had mastered everything that he ever taught him. Kofi said that he had finally gotten his dad's approval.
If you've never heard Kofi play, )out on RUclips or look him up on Kofi Baker.com ...he will be touring soon...
Need to do analysis on steve smith or Vinnie Colaiuta. Would like to see that!
"Drum solo!" I used to live for that when I went to rock shows and concerts. The rest of the members of the band would look back, nod to the drummer and and walk off the stage just as Clapton and Bruce did for Baker. Seeing that makes me feel like a kid again.
Yep, those who don't know drums don't understand what went into this solo. "How come he didn't play fast,?" Timing and the changes are more important. There is more here than meets the eye. Jazz ride is great. What a player. Unfortunately, he was a putz.
Mr Congeniality he wasnt .. But like wow... I dig the explanatotries, yet still cant really get how one pair of hands and feet can DO that??
If you check his face, its like hes in another dimension - might not belive in anything cosmic, maybe THIS was his ONE kind of meditition?
Goodbye Jack you ol' B..... you :)
Definitely one of my favorite drum solos.
A suggestion: do a reaction video to Baker's drumming from that concert.
Years ago I used to hate listening to the standard drum solo at just about every bands concert, but as I get older I must admit I still feel the same way..
Great solo and great reaction. Thank you.
Thanks sensei Garey
Ginger’s style was very much influenced by African rhythms in particular Burundi, which was imprinted on his conscious when he was a teen, yes he was an eccentric temperamental guy, but always interesting.
Wow you acknowledged the pant leg being rolled up! I do this all the time so the beater doesn’t get stuck in my pant leg which it always does but everyone is always confused when they see my pant leg rolled up on breaks and drummers say they have never had that problem so you validated my problem and let me know others have done it which is news to me. Maybe my playing flat footed has something to do with it.
Check his drumming out whilst he was with Hawkwind on the live track levitation, astounding stuff.
Very rare will you see such a long drum solo so melodic. Baker was a pioneer and will rightly go down as one of the best ever. He seemed to create a path of destruction in his personal life, but as a musician, not many could match him. RIP Ginger. #notafuckingrockdrummer
Ginger Baker was one of the Greatest Drummer on Planet !
I have the Cream DVD but tended to skip this track, having heard it numerous times as a kid on 'Fresh Cream'. But your reaction - pointing out some notable specifics - really piqued my interest, so I will go back to that DVD with fresh ears.
And yes, Jack and Ginger both came from jazz, first pairing up in the Graham Bond Organisation, which in its earliest days also included guitarist John McLaughlin (yes, later of Mahavishnu Orchestra) and sax man Dick Heckstall-Smith and drummer Jon Hiseman, both of whom went on to John Mayall's Bluesbreakers (Clapton and Bruce also spent time with Mayall), appearing on the album 'Bare Wires'. Ginger's mentor was Phil Seaman, a jazzer deep into African tribal drumming. That is what we hear with Baker's playing.
As for 'Toad', Ginger had prepped for that when with Bond, doing a tune titled 'Camels and Elephants', which can be heard via this link. ruclips.net/video/tUuQQsBYqvY/видео.html
Great react. I have this album and DVD as well as the farewell tour. Definitely my favorite drummer but he was a mad man lol if you haven’t had the pleasure of watching Beware of Mr Baker it’s incredible (and on RUclips) The guy has the craziest most interesting life story I’ve ever heard in my life.. like taking off to Africa and playing in some African band for two years lol He also explains his background and as a kid meeting his favorite drummer (which was a jazz drummer) it’s amazing.
I am not a musician but I've always loved the sound of drums and watching drummers perform. Solos are fun to watch, but when a lot of drummers play, I lose the beat and am left in the dust. All I can do is applaud at the end without understanding what the musician was trying to tell me. I very much appreciated that Ginger Baker kept the same beat with the high hat throughout so I could see and hear where he was placing his beats. And, with your commentary I could better appreciate what he was doing. It felt like a conversation.
Check out his ' farewell concert extended ' performance of Toad
He has great tones in this clip. Thanks. Good solo. Not doing tornado fills. Def can pick 6/8. Ginger set a bar for rock n roll. More impact on my drumming than the late Bonzo. Also sample your chest rolls lol.
Great review and very enthusiastic. I only wish I understood your terminology---my bad, I haven't a clue about drumming. I'm sure the pedegogy you provide for your students is very informative and inspiring.
There was a segment on U-Tube about Ginger Baker. He had a special relationship with the blacks who lived on "his", property. Around the town he was considered an "eccentric" shall we say. He attributed much of his sound recently was due to the African influence on him.
Congratulations ! Great video ! Very much interesting to listen to your comments for a profane like me ! And you present the all thing in a most sympathetic way ! Keep up the great work ! Oh and, thank you ! : o ))
The best all time
Very sad that two of these three are no longer with us. God bless Bruce and Baker.
Is that the great Bill Bruford in the background?