How come in all the back and forths about great rock drummers - great drummers PERIOD - is Charlie Watts' name rarely mentioned? Do I need to spell it out? C-H-A-R....
Sorry.
Not only was he one of the pioneers of modern rock drumming (as opposed to 50's style rock drumming, which was more of a bridge between jazz and rock), his time, feel and taste are impeccable.
Many drummers have tried to copy the ubiquitous "Charlie Watts groove" (not playing the high hat when playing the snare) but have failed to capture the subtleties involved. When Charlie does it, the back beat is emphasized and the feel moves smoothly along. In the wrong hands however, this can be a groove buster. (Remember: always hire a professional!)
Charlie's love of music is evident by what he does away from the Stones. His boogie woogie projects, the stuff he did with Jim Keltner and, most notably, his large contribution to turning non-jazz people on to Charlie Parker. In addition to The Charlie Watts Quintet and The Charlie Watts Orchestra, his book & record "Ode to a High Flying Bird" (had the box set, lost it in the fire) was the coolest not-just-for-kid's thing ever made.
And if that weren't enough, he plays Gretsch (round badge) drums and has for most of his life.
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Maybe you're in the wrong country! Charlie Watts was featured last September in the Jools Holland show. Couldn't find a clip of the interview, but playing boogie woogie on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dic_cd4sJL8
I am in the wrong country.
Remember a couple of years ago when Dick Cheney accused all boogie woogie musicians of being unpatriotic?
Thanks for the really cool clip!
owen was having problems posting this so i'm doing it for him.
"essentially, after your request, i was listening to exile on main street. so i'm walking down the street in london listening to 'rocks off'. and all of a sudden i got it. i got charlie. you have to forgive non drummers for taking so long but.............there's no fills! he hits the drum about 4 times in the entire song. it's fucking amazing. you can listen to the song and think in your mind where the "ba-ba-dadum-dadumda-dumdum should go and it's not there. there's plenty of time for him to play in but he just doesn't. because he doesn't need to. but he still drives the song. i listened about 4 times in a row to make sure i was right. it may take me thirty years but i get there."
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