I saw James Gadson with Maceo Parker. It was litterally impossible to sit down. The most incredibly funky drumming I ever heard. Played 16 notes on the hihat all night. Maceo Parker was staring on him the whole concert with a huge grin on his face.
@@drumtwo4seven Exactly,it is all there is (by ear)...just listen while turning the tension rods and when it gets to where you want it you are good. So unless there is a nother method by waving a magic wand over the drum...tuning by ear is the only way. Even if someone uses a drum dial they still hit the drum and listen,to see if it reached the desired sound when using the dial.
Usually you would tap the head close to each of the tension rods. Some spots would create a lower pitch than others, and you would turn those lugs up until it sounds even all around. then it’s in tune. But he’s just hitting it in the same spot and (randomly?) turning the lugs. That seems like a less consistent technique. But to an extent tuning drums is forgiving.
@@drumtwo4seven it's not about him tuning by ear, it's about how he almost randomly hits the drum turning his rods and gets exactly the sound he's refering to.
I hope I’m able to play music even 1% as well as this man when I’m 84! His sense of groove and timing is still borderline superhuman all these years later
To think at this mans age, how fluid yet powerful his playing still is, and how sharp his mind is to remember what he plaid 50 years ago...GEEEEEEEEEZ.
One of the true legends. Not a bad thing to say about this guy. This cat has played on countless hit records a lot more then some of these young bucks up and coming that only have you tube videos which is a good thing but the videos most consist of how many licks you can do and how fast with no groove. There are a few exceptions though. James Gadson lets put some respect of the name. and again thank you Darrell for another in-depth important series.
He's a TOTAL legend. No bull, all groove. Just listen to that: no showboating or techturbation, all 101% musically usable, and solid as a clock carved in granite. Lovely video, valuable well beyond the product placement. 💯👍🏼
He is a great Man and drummer! He spent time talking to me about a drumming question I had that was very important to me. I knew he REALLY CARED. He listened and spent time answering me.I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT!!!! THANK YOU, JAMES GADSON AND GOD BLESS YOU!!!
That's how ppl should be. He's blessed to have played with some of the greats. So from that fortune be happy of your own success and spread that to others right? I'm so glad he's a good dude. So many great musicians and artists are often ppl I wouldn't want to know so when they are good ppl and I love their playing it's a pleasure. Cheers
I met this guy playin at BB Kings here in Citywalk Los Angeles many years ago without having any idea of who he was, but he was always so cordial and polite. I sat in one night and played the Hammond and sang Stormy Monday and his manager came over and said James loves your playing and your voice and would love to do some work with you...and I'm thinking it was some typical Hollywood BS and never made a move on it. A few months later my friend who is the road manager for The Four Tops saw some pictures I took with James and he asked how did I know the famous James Gadson??? I said who?, and he gave me the rundown on James and after I did some research and saw who I had been talking and playing with, I kicked myself in the a#$ and never 2nd guessed anybody else!!lololol Incredible man and solid drummer!
In addition to the million amazing things in this video one that sticks out is that when he is playing the disco beat hit snare/kick double stops are grid tight. You can tell that man has played 1,000,000 disco beats. What a legend!
Guys, those Aluminum alloy shells have the PERFECT blend of stick sound & resonance when you tune them correctly. The 6.5” Supra was tuned too low IMO. Again I say, Great kick sound here!
Awesome video. Love seeing these little nuggets of his preferred tuning for different styles. He's a fantastic drummer. I've watched the live videos of him with Bill Withers an unhealthy amount of times!
Amazing dude....in all his glorious funkiness. Maceo Parker called him "easy chair comfortable".....makes everybody, even casual listeners, musically better.
great shuffle example, this man should be recognized, I liked a lot that he uses his left stick the other way around, like a metal drummer..... kick ass this Sir
I got the tune up a lug trick from Mitch Mitchell a few years ago. It's SO good!! I only use vintage ambassador. There is a thin loose film of mylar that tighten up as you tight up a lug and get more harmonics on one side while keeping that fat tone!
One of the nicest human beings you’ll ever meet a friend laythel 1978 in college at usc took me over to James house a-shame I never went back though invited one of my biggest life regrets soml love you me funk groove master
One of the GOATs. James Gadson was one of Jeff Porcaro's heroes.
This man doesn’t get enough credit! Thank you for including him on this series!!!!
PERIODTTT
I really like his drumming, the groove on the songs are amaxing
Could not agree more, bro.
❤
💯
I saw James Gadson with Maceo Parker. It was litterally impossible to sit down. The most incredibly funky drumming I ever heard. Played 16 notes on the hihat all night. Maceo Parker was staring on him the whole concert with a huge grin on his face.
This is killer. Sounds amazing. So natural.
Him tuning his snare by ear and absolutely nailing the sound is just awesome.
how else would you tune ?
@@drumtwo4seven with a chicken and a wombat. Tuning by ear is best though
@@drumtwo4seven Exactly,it is all there is (by ear)...just listen while turning the tension rods and when it gets to where you want it you are good. So unless there is a nother method by waving a magic wand over the drum...tuning by ear is the only way. Even if someone uses a drum dial they still hit the drum and listen,to see if it reached the desired sound when using the dial.
Usually you would tap the head close to each of the tension rods. Some spots would create a lower pitch than others, and you would turn those lugs up until it sounds even all around. then it’s in tune. But he’s just hitting it in the same spot and (randomly?) turning the lugs. That seems like a less consistent technique. But to an extent tuning drums is forgiving.
@@drumtwo4seven it's not about him tuning by ear, it's about how he almost randomly hits the drum turning his rods and gets exactly the sound he's refering to.
'Let em ring" my man!
He started playing at 21 yrs of age.....21.....not one person has played "Use Me" the way Mr. Gadson did....No One......one of the greats....
or his half-swung "Kissing my love" it's uncopyable
how so late, his father was a pro musician/Drummer!
@@Catinthehackmatrix how did you know mr.gadson father was pro drummer?
@@Catinthehackmatrix you right 21 is late to start learn musics and it was too late for sports
I hope I’m able to play music even 1% as well as this man when I’m 84! His sense of groove and timing is still borderline superhuman all these years later
Love how he plays the hats on all he's recordings. So underlooked but what a legend. Damn
The ACTUAL goat! Kissing my love is the nastiest groove of all time!
I've heard a lot of non-drummers say that no one can capture the vibe of a song the way that he can.
To think at this mans age, how fluid yet powerful his playing still is, and how sharp his mind is to remember what he plaid 50 years ago...GEEEEEEEEEZ.
The Hallowed Acrolite. Have a supraphonic too but the Acro rocks my world.
Whoever edited this piece did a fantastic job. Made it really fun to watch
The fact he was a "do-woo" kid is the give away. His phrasing and groove comes because he "hears" the song. Love the acrolite.
One of the true legends. Not a bad thing to say about this guy. This cat has played on countless hit records a lot more then some of these young bucks up and coming that only have you tube videos which is a good thing but the videos most consist of how many licks you can do and how fast with no groove. There are a few exceptions though. James Gadson lets put some respect of the name. and again thank you Darrell for another in-depth important series.
He's a TOTAL legend.
No bull, all groove.
Just listen to that: no showboating or techturbation, all 101% musically usable, and solid as a clock carved in granite.
Lovely video, valuable well beyond the product placement.
💯👍🏼
love love love
Love the sound of LA mics, so Krisp.
Legendary drummer.
Love this so much!
He is a great Man and drummer! He spent time talking to me about a drumming question I had that was very important to me. I knew he REALLY CARED. He listened and spent time answering me.I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT!!!! THANK YOU, JAMES GADSON AND GOD BLESS YOU!!!
That's how ppl should be. He's blessed to have played with some of the greats. So from that fortune be happy of your own success and spread that to others right? I'm so glad he's a good dude. So many great musicians and artists are often ppl I wouldn't want to know so when they are good ppl and I love their playing it's a pleasure. Cheers
@@matthewguzda4075 Me Too
what was the question?
@@666bebun Talked about the Pocket.He's a Great Guy!!!
AMAZING - AGAIN
Ty. Favorite drummer.
84 years old!
Just listened to Marvin Gaye - I Want You. Gadson killin them drums!
That Groove is still deep. this is a True Legend!!!!!!
Damn .. as soon as they said ‘Morning Phase’ .. the whole album hit me all at once! lol.
Bless him! I love watching him play on USE ME.
The original drum machine. Y'all need to release those sessions for sampling!!!
A pocket master!!! My played uncle Wah Wah Watson played on sessions with James!!!!
These videos are becoming the documentaries of our legends.
Please.keep.it up.
🙏🥰
Modern rock/pop/funk stands on the shoulders of giants such as this.
Love that Acrolite especially but they all sound great with James behind the kit
God i love this guy. First bar, instantly him. What a feel
Ones of my favourites mr James Gadson !
I met this guy playin at BB Kings here in Citywalk Los Angeles many years ago without having any idea of who he was, but he was always so cordial and polite. I sat in one night and played the Hammond and sang Stormy Monday and his manager came over and said James loves your playing and your voice and would love to do some work with you...and I'm thinking it was some typical Hollywood BS and never made a move on it. A few months later my friend who is the road manager for The Four Tops saw some pictures I took with James and he asked how did I know the famous James Gadson??? I said who?, and he gave me the rundown on James and after I did some research and saw who I had been talking and playing with, I kicked myself in the a#$ and never 2nd guessed anybody else!!lololol Incredible man and solid drummer!
That is some nice 16th note moeller action on the high hat.
In addition to the million amazing things in this video one that sticks out is that when he is playing the disco beat hit snare/kick double stops are grid tight. You can tell that man has played 1,000,000 disco beats. What a legend!
Guys, those Aluminum alloy shells have the PERFECT blend of stick sound & resonance when you tune them correctly. The 6.5” Supra was tuned too low IMO. Again I say, Great kick sound here!
Tuning a 6.5 that low is sacrilege to my ears. 😂
@@macadoo2530 I mean, he did it for Science 🤣
Legend. I think we way over think things. You've either got it, or not. This cat, certainly has it!
Awesome video. Love seeing these little nuggets of his preferred tuning for different styles. He's a fantastic drummer. I've watched the live videos of him with Bill Withers an unhealthy amount of times!
Love this guy❤
Love his playing and his toupee
Amazing! Hearing James play Paper Tiger give me chills 🤯
What a beautiful man ❤🎶
the drums sounded best with just the room talking mic. Perfect
His ear tuning is incredible 🫡🫡🫡
I agree. Let it ring!!
Had a Ludwig Acrolite. Best snare ever.
Met Mr Gadson at Mt Sac. Mr Steve Wilkerson brought him to play with the Jazz Band. Incredible to see him play and hear his sound. Great experience.
Slickest wrists in the biz !!
i've never been first, James is a treasure.
Shazam Quick-Draw, they used to call him!
Men were afraid of him and women were just disappointed.
@@Svm777 lmao what
Amazing dude....in all his glorious funkiness. Maceo Parker called him "easy chair comfortable".....makes everybody, even casual listeners, musically better.
terrific, just terrific
Yeah man- Gadson is one of my all time fav’s! Such a pocket, and always an amazing sound! “1- 2- a-you-know-what-to-do” 🥁 🥁 🥁
great shuffle example, this man should be recognized, I liked a lot that he uses his left stick the other way around, like a metal drummer..... kick ass this Sir
James Gadson Great Drummer perfect Play
Man how he´s in his 80´s and looks so energy
Guys these drums sound absolutely phenomenal…. 😮😮😮
@@grantdenniston2839 which platinum selling artists do you play drums for?
I’ve always loved James playing I can listen to him play all day
legend my favourite all time drummer!!
LEGEND ❤
This is the greatest drumming video in history
If I have half the groove this man has at his age I will be an extremely happy man!
James is the best! Fortunate to have had some lessons with him as a kid! What a guy!
N. I. C. E. !!!!!
Great video. I love to hear James play live. So understated and so funky at the same time. A real legend!
OG!!
Check out James Gadson's work with Vulfpeck with all the cloths on his drums . Wicked R&B vibe
Once again, thank you for doing these ❤️
Glad you like them!
What a badass
3:20 that is amazing. Hahaha
Beautiful! Thank you!
7:30 and beyond is just magic
Great video, thanks for sharing! One of the most important variables in drum sounds is the player 😉👍🏼
One of the greatest to ever do it 🖤 love this man
one of my drum heros
James, wow, great drumming! What a cool dude.
Serious grooves by one of the greats!
11:02 "I really wasn't into those drums, but the drummer of my brothers' band didn't want to play drums anymore, so I learned it." :)
Gadson the exceptional drummer man !
I got the tune up a lug trick from Mitch Mitchell a few years ago. It's SO good!! I only use vintage ambassador. There is a thin loose film of mylar that tighten up as you tight up a lug and get more harmonics on one side while keeping that fat tone!
Could you elaborate on that? You tune the snare as normal and then extra tighten one lug?
Great video! What a treasure Thank you 🙏🏾 Thank you 🙏🏾 Thank you 🙏🏾
You are so welcome😃
Phenomenal, so so good❤😊
Legend now respect they set the space we all in now we more creative live musician
love it
This is a Great Show you are doing. Hope It keeps going forever. Been following for about a month. Really awesome 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
We are so glad you enjoy it!
Loved that :)
Killer video!
Génial
One of the nicest human beings you’ll ever meet a friend laythel 1978 in college at usc took me over to James house a-shame I never went back though invited one of my biggest life regrets soml love you me funk groove master
Really cool!! You have to get Steve Gadd on next. Along with Nate Smith, Ash Soan, Carter Mclean and Keith Carlock. Love their tunings.
Most impeccable 16th notes on the planet
Loved this so much!
Beautiful.
I LOVE THIS GUY LOL
James Gadson is a true leyend, a real master goove drummer!
Awesome. Cheers
Was that cool?
Yup 😁
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥