Sunday, February 19, 2017

REALLY. GIVE THE DRUMMER SOME.

Clyde Stubblefield passed away today. His name may not be immediately recognizable to a lot of people, but chances are most people have heard his playing. He's best known as James Brown's drummer from the period that produced Brown's funkiest sides. No small feat there, considering Brown's pioneering funk, his predilection for extraordinarily tight backing bands, and the fact that the rhythm section is essential to making that spit shined funk happen. Stubblefield was the man.

But you've heard him on other stuff as well. Check James Brown's "Funky Drummer". Stubblefield was that funky drummer. Listen. Heard any of those beats before? Check the end of it, just after 8:50, the breaks on the fade out. You know those. The drums on "Funky Drummer" are widely thought to be the most sampled in history, but really, though the drums on the song are badass and sample worthy, the fact that it's been sampled a zillion times just means there's a whole lot of copycats. And one funky drummer.

~ NOTE: ALL MEDIA IS HOSTED BY THE BLOGS & SITES NAMED BELOW ~
Listen:
James Brown - Funky Drummer mp3 at Isoamerica (?)
James Brown - Sex Machine mp3 at Drummer World
James Brown - Cold Sweat mp3 at Drummer World With John Jabo Syarks also on drums.
Visit:
Clyde Stubblefield page at Drummer World Several videos and short bio
Clyde Stubblefield, the ‘Funky Drummer’ for James Brown, Dies at 73 at New York Times
Songs that sampled Funky Drummer at Who Sampled

No comments: