B R Sound Clips and Transcriptions
by Roger Berg
First of all, you need RealPlayer from RealAudio to hear most
of these
files. Get the latest RealPlayer for Windows/Linux/Mac here:
Besides, this page is not here to substitute for buying the
real thing, so if you like anything here go out and buy the CD. I may,
eventually, provide
information/links about the clips so it shouldn't be too difficult to find this stuff.
El Rancho Grande, November 3, 1939 Café Rouge Hotel PA
I'd like to start out with a favorite of mine from Buddy's
first big time job with Artie Shaw. Some of you may agree that's where it all
took off. Let's not forget for instance Marsala and Berigan though. It took me a
long time of wondering what really happened during a couple of two bar periods
in this clip until I boosted the bass a little bit to discover that
Buddy's playing bass drum fills! Now, this may not seem like a big deal
today with all double bass drum pedals around, but this was 1939! The song is
"(Alla En) El Rancho Grande"
for the drum fills and ending alone. Length 00.47
if you want to hear the whole song. There are as always
with Shaw's band great section playing and great solos. Buddy really swings and
plays around a lot with bass drum figures! Length 3.34.
The transcription will come soon.
Have you heard Buddy's incredible left hand feature fill in Yah Gotta Try
from the CD "BR and his Orchestra Europe 77"? It knocked me off my feet first
time I heard it. ...still does...
Length 1.10
The transcription will come here, I just have to find it and scan it.
I suppose we're all familiar with Bugle Call Rag from the Big Swing Face
record. By the way, if you only have the LP, go out and get the CD! It includes
nine good bonus tracks. The solo transcription was given to me by a good friend
some time ago. I don't know where it comes from, so if anyone think it shouldn't
be here on this site, let me know. The transcription misses a lot of Buddy's
typical playing, such as rim shots, but nevertheless, it takes a lot of effort
to play it the way it is written! It's in four pages/jpgs, so I would suggest
you print all four pages and then listen to the solo.
Length 3.16
Transcription
Page1
Page 2
Page3
Page 4
Diga, Diga Doo
John Watson wrote the following in
the guest book a little while ago: "It's great to find a site devoted to
my idol, mentor and the best drummer ever bar non. You should check out the
breaks in Shaw's broadcast versions of 'Diga Diga Do' and 'At Sundown' No one
but Rich could have thought of these let alone played them. Keep up the great
work your doing. Young drummers MUST be made aware of Buddy."
...I couldn't say it better myself! So I looked in my files and, at least to
start with, came up with four takes with Artie Shaw's band and Buddy playing
Diga Diga Doo. Buddy joined Artie December 24, 1938. If we can rely on the
record companies liner notes, the last session Artie did with George Wettling on
drums was a broadcast from the Blue Room of the Hotel Lincoln, New York on
December 23. The first recording I have with Buddy on drums is from December
25...
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Length 2.04 |
Download |
The first take of Diga Diga Doo is from January 8, 1939. |
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Length 2.03 |
Download |
The second take is from February 19, 1939 |
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Length 2.22 |
Download |
The third take is from May 7, 1939. Now the arrangement
features an extended drums solo. UNFORTUNATELY, there are two cuts in the
tape the record company has used. They do not come from my record!! If
someone has access to an uncut version... LET ME KNOW!! |
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Length 2.43 |
Download |
The fourth take is from November 11, 1939. The tempo is
slower, but it sure proves that it's not a fast tempo that makes it swing! |
Sugarfoot Stomp-Krupa/At Sundown-Rich
John mentioned "At Sundown" too. Here's what you should listen to. Mel Tormé
mention talking to Buddy about playing other drummer's fills... Buy the book - I
have a few copies. E-mail me. For now, check this out.
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Download |
Listen to this first drum fill played by Gene Krupa September 6, 1937. |
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Download |
Then listen to what Buddy played October 25, 1939... |
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Download |
Here's the whole Goodman/Krupa thing: Sugarfoot Stomp |
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Download |
Here's the whole Shaw/Rich thing: At Sundown |
Well, Git It!
I found a CD with the soundtrack from the picture "Du Barry Was a Lady". It
features Tommy Dorsey's band with Buddy on drums. The video's been available for
purchase and I got a copy, probably the last one. I believe it's no longer
available. We have all heard the traditional take of Well, Git It! but this take
has extended solos and swings like mad!
Length 3,36
Drum Solo Played by the Great "Big Sid" Catlett
I heard this solo on a Swedish radio show. I mentioned in my flaming
speech to Joel on the index page in the end of November '98 that drumming
started a lot earlier than in the sixties. This is a great example of that. It's
also an example of one of Buddy's inspirations. I just love the way Big Sid plays.
Hot Spots:
- When he changes to drumsticks at 2.45.
- Note that during the 8 bars starting at 2,47 he only plays one
syncopated beat in the 8th bar. What I'm saying is: We're overdoing it
these days, guys!! Simple is better!
- The playfulness at 3,00 (have we heard Buddy play something similar during
some of his long solos...?)
- The powerhouse kicking in at 3,35
- He's not crashing any cymbals at all (except for some hi hats earlier)
until 4,07 when he plays them. The crash first comes at the
very last beat of the solo!!
Length 5,28
Sing Sing Sing, album Rich vs. Roach
BigEd at the
Buddy
Rich Study Niche (page from web archive) sent this clip to me on January 4, 2000. The clip is only
15 seconds long, but it sure took a while to transcribe!
Here's my
transcription of what Buddy plays!
The
Grendals Lair files!
... more to come!! Eventually...
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guestbook! There are entries from many famous people! Dates from
April 1997 to September 1999. |
