Not So Modern Drummer celebrates the life and music of Legendary Drummer Tony Williams in our new ongoing series. Chapter Five presents the personal commentary and recollections of Skip Hadden, author of four drumming books and Professor of Percussion at Berklee College of Music.
“Tony Williams did the best Tony Williams I ever heard.”
In the early days of the 60’s hearing him play was like…“What was that???” Before Tony Williams I had been listening to much more straight ahead players such as Philly Joe Jones, Jimmy Cobb, Louis Hayes. Tony’s playing was so open and so deep at the same time…Mental explosion!!! His playing with Miles Davis in a much more contemporary style such as on the song, “Felon Brun” on the recording “Filles De Kilimanjaro,” September 24,1968 caught my ear. See attached transcription of the intro by my friend and excellent musician, Fabio Pirozzalo and the music here…
I was again floored with his playing on recordings with his own band “Lifetime” on “Emergency’ and “Turn It Over.” See attached transcription by Fabio Pirozzalo and the music here…“To Whom It May Concern, Them” from the recording, “Turn It Over”
Several years later I had the opportunity to work at the same club as the Tony Williams Lifetime when they were touring and playing the music that was on the “The OLD Bum’s Rush,” recording. He already had the big yellow Gretsch kit by this time with the 24” bass drum and multiple toms. Each night over the course of the week the band gelled better and on the final night it was truly amazing. The entire night was smoking; one tune would have been worth waiting the week to hear, let alone the whole night.
During the time I observed him I remember several small incidents that he played played different hand grips and different heights of snare and hi-hat. In fact some of the time he used an ala 1930’s style similar to what Buddy Rich used with the right hand on the hi-hat under and below the left hand on the snare.
Something I must confess to is that on several nights after Tony Williams had left and the club was closed I sat down and played those amazing BIG Yellow Gretsch Drums. Guess what? They never sounded like him…Hmmm…
But it was really inspirational to sit behind that kit…
It was not too long after that I did the Weather Report “Mysterious Traveler” recording. -- Thanks Tony…
“Tony Williams did the best Tony Williams I ever heard.”