Fusion 45

By popular demand, I’ve dropped the ZIP’s and added MP3s for the Jim Keltner post I did a few months back.

My set of tunes featuring Steve Gadd was so well received I thought I’d dive into a series of posts featuring great session drummers. Here’s a (short) dozen from Jim Keltner.

Steely Dan – Josie (Aja, MCA, 1977)

This should probably be the finale in this set, not the opener. Notoriously finicky, Becker and Fagen put Keltner to the test on this one and he scored an “A”. Block out everything and listen to the high hat work – he mixes eighths and sixteenths from measure to measure with the grace of a Jack DeJohnette.

Leon Russell – Lay Right Here In Heaven (Will O’ The Wisp, Shelter, 1975)

This copy is a little too dirty to hear the nuances but it’s still a great groove: “Sometimes I feel like bitin’ your toes, heaven knows, anything goes”. Keltner actually shares the drum credit with two others on this tune.

Jackson Browne – Red Neck Friend (For Everyman, Elektra, 1975)

Eight bars of guitar and then it’s straight rock and roll right to the last drum beat. Decidedly un-Jackson Browne, in my book, and no doubt covered by a few million bar bands since the 1970’s. Great piano, too.

James Taylor – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) (Gorilla, Warner Brothers, 1975)

The credits say Keltner shared the drum duties with Jim Gordon but it’s hard to hear exactly how that happens. Maybe there’s one of them on tambourine? Even so, it’s a tasty shuffle with Carly doing background vocals and Sanborn on sax. Reminds me of summertime…

Carly Simon and James Taylor – Mockingbird (Hotcakes, Elektra, 1974)

A case of the remake beating the original with Carly and James reversing roles on this one (it appears on Carly’s album with James credited as the background singer). Just like Steve Gadd’s four-on-the-floor in “Danny’s All-Star Joint,” this proves that a funky drummer doesn’t have to show off…just a clean funky beat, cowbell in hand, thank you.

Seals and Crofts – Yellow Dirt (Summer Breeze, Warner Brothers, 1971)

Seals and Crofts have been much-maligned for being too soft to be called rock and roll but, in fact, they could get a little funky. The drums and pianos work together nicely here as Keltner lays down a slow groove. I love the group picture of all the happy hippies on the inside cover of the album.

John Lennon – I Don’t Want To Be A Soldier (Imagine, Apple, 1971)

Most bios of Keltner immediately refer to his work with three of the four Beatles (sans McCartney) and it’s true. He was a favorite of that gang (and their accessories like Harry Nilsson) for his diversity and ability to adapt to any style. Dirty groove is the best way to describe this one.

George Harrison – Give Me Love (Living In The Material World, Apple, 1973)

Having heard this song a billion times, I’ve never once paid attention to the drum part until today. And, truth be told, it’s one of the more complicated and tasty in Keltner’s repertoire. Funky but delicate and light of touch, this really is a masterpiece. (And there’s a “Jim Keltner Fan Club” logo on the back!)

Nilsson – Daylight Has Caught Me (That’s The Way It Is, RCA, 1976

This is another deceptively intricate drum part that doesn’t stand out against the vocals and piano. But, give this a listen with your ears focused on the drumming and you’ll him changes styles a couple of times during the song: from straight funk to reggae to rock and roll and back again. Once more, great hi-hat work.

Elliman – Sally Go ‘Round The Roses (Night Flight, RSO, 1978)

OK, this one’s a little off the beaten path. Who’d have thought Keltner would be in the company of a pop star like Yvonne Elliman? But, then again, she’s not so far afield. She sang with Clapton and hung with Delaney and Bonnie, all part of Keltner’s circle. But, stylistically, it’s definitely a stretch.

Joe Cocker – The Letter (Mad Dogs and Englishmen, A and M, 1970)

I freely admit this is a guess: Jim Gordon and Jim Keltner are credited equally for drumming on this record without pointing to specific songs. But this sounds an awful like Keltner’s style…if not, does it really matter?

All these cuts come from my well-worn record collection. Want cleaner copies? Buy the CD’s or download the tracks at Amazon.

What about the idea of putting kids on a separate plane?

A poll on Air Fare Watch Dog says 85 percent of flying public wants to see children in a separate section of plane. According to their press release, when asked “Should airlines have a section of the plane reserved for parents with babies and smaller children?” 10,170 or 58 percent of respondents answered, “Yes, they should have done this long ago,” while 27 percent answered, “Yes, but they never will and it’ll never work.” Only 15 percent answered, “No, this is a bad idea.”

The Box Tops - Trains And Boats And Planes

They should’ve used Air Supply.

From his public relations agency: renowned songwriter and liberal political activist Jackson Browne has filed a lawsuit against Senator John McCain and the Republican National Committee in the United States District Court in Los Angeles, California. The lawsuit stems from a recent television commercial for Senator McCain’s presidential bid that incorporates the song Running On Empty, a song written by and famously associated with Mr. Browne. The suit alleges that Senator McCain and the Republican Party failed to obtain a license for the use of Mr. Browne’s song in the television commercial. In the commercial, Senator McCain and the Republicans mock Democratic candidate for President Barack Obama for suggesting that the country conserve gas through proper tire inflation.

Jackson Browne - Runnin’ On Empty

Whereas our last subject, Russ Kunkel, could be found in the drummer’s chair for just about every southern California rock record of the 1970’s, Jeff Porcaro was more of a moving target. Arguably more a stylistic chameleon than Keltner or Kunkel (or even Gadd), Jeff Porcaro played for a hugely diverse set of musicians. He laid down straight-ahead dance grooves for the likes of Madonna and Bonnie Pointer, played fusion with Steve Lukather and Larry Carlton and supported pop players like Alan O’Day and Leo Sayer. Here are a dozen tracks from my vinyl collection showing him at play.

Al Stewart - Valentina Way (Time Passages, Arista, 1978)

In many cases, Porcaro would play on just a tune or two per album. This is the only Porcaro-driven cut in this set from one of Stewart’s late 70’s records. It has his signature tight snare sound, high-hat swing and triplets around the tom that show up through much of his work.

Steely Dan - Dr. Wu (Katy Lied, MCA, 1975)

Some hard-core Dan-heads say this was the last true Steely Dan record. Save for one cut, Porcaro’s all over it. This is my favorite from that set. Listen to how the China ride cuts through starting with the first chorus, underscoring The Dan’s much-loved Asian vibe.

Seals and Crofts - Baby Blue (Get Closer, Warner Brothers, 1976)

I staunchly stand behind my POV that Seals and Crofts are the most underrated of all the 1970’s singer/songwriter duos: great harmonies, great songwriting and a cool spiritual message. Their stuff was challenging for drummers: it required imagination, a light touch and a sensitivity to the texture of their songwriting. Porcaro nails it on this one.

Rickie Lee Jones - Youngblood (Rickie Lee Jones, Warner Brothers, 1979)

It took some extra research to confirm but it’s accurate: Porcaro’s the guy behind this funky reggae-pop riff. Even if it weren’t documented, the high-hat work gives it away.

England Dan and John Ford Coley - Hollywood Heckle and Jive (Dr. Heckle and Mr. Jive, Big Tree, 1979)

OK, this isn’t Porcaro’s best work but it shows his diversity and has some pretty pointed drum production. Someone got a “wall of sound” instruction book for Christmas, it sounds.

Crosby, Stills and Nash - Since I Met You (Daylight Again, Atlantic, 1982)

This is the only cut featuring Porcaro on this album. I had to listen a few times before I decided to include it; it didn’t strike me as too interesting at first. But, the fact is, without Porcaro driving the train on this one, it would have been even less interesting.

Paul Simon - Train In The Distance (Hearts and Bones, Warner Brothers, 1984)

Back before Paul aged into a shorter version of Mel Brooks, he grabbed Porcaro for his “Hearts and Bones” album. (Gadd must’ve been in rehab.) There’s nothing spectacular about this cut; it just swings along nicely supporting a great Paul Simon story. Nice echo on the snare drum in the chorus.

Joe Cocker - Don’t Forget Me (I Can Stand A Little Rain, A and M, 1973)

Anyone who’s ever picked up a pair of sticks and played for more than 20 minutes knows what it means to play “behind the beat”. They also know how hard it is. Porcaro lays behind the beat just enough to give this tune it’s blues vibe (though Clydie King singing back-up doesn’t hurt). A great tune (witten by Harry Nilsson, I might add.)

Eric Clapton - Forever Man (Behind The Sun, Warner Brothers, 1985)

Disco rock ain’t easy, is it? Porcaro makes it work here on one of the two cuts he supports on this album. It will forever be Clapton’s dark period in my book (even more than his current “archive the blues” kick). But, in the end, I do dig this tune ‘cuz it’s got…rhythm and melody!

Jackson Browne - The Only Child (The Pretender, Elektra, 1972)

Even though I wouldn’t qualify myself as a J. Browne fan, many of his songs are at the heart of what I love..straight-ahead, well-written acoustic rock with a great melody and a great arrangement. This just works right.

Boz Scaggs - Lowdown (Silk Degrees, Columbia, 1978)

I try to avoid the songs you can regularly hear on just about any radio station but there’s no getting around this one. Second only to ‘Rosanna,’ this is a defining groove and it speaks for itself.

Toto - Rosanna ( IV, Columbia, 1982)

Transcribed, analyzed, scrupulously studied and poorly played by 1000’s of drummers from LA to Lhasa, this is his signature groove. ‘Nuff said.

ZIP (69MB): Download

Many thanks to our new friend over at Walkn’ Tha’ Bass for the kind words and the great link. Please check out his site…he has some very cool stuff goin’ on!

It’s hard to find an acoustic rock record made in the 1970’s (especially those from Elektra and Asylum) that didn’t include Russ Kunkel. From his inauspicious launch in 1969 on the much-touted Barbara Keith debut album to his 2008 appearance on James Taylor’s X2 record, Kunkel could possibly be the most recorded session drummer of all time.

Here are a dozen that feature Kunkel laying down the groove.

Jackson Browne - Nothing But Time (Running On Empty, Elektra, 1977)

I always liked the fact this tune was recorded on a cross-country tour bus. Our tour bus never had that much stability. Actually, neither did our band.

Harry Chapin - Burning Herself (Sniper and Other Love Songs, Elektra, 1972)

Crosby, Stills and Nash - Shadow Captain (Crosby, Stills and Nash, Atlantic, 1977)

Dan Fogelberg - Nexus (The Innocent Age, Epic, 1981)

This is a pretty standard groove but it has that Kunkellian flavor that’s unmistakable.

Andrew Gold - Lonely Boy (What’s Wrong With This Picture, Elektra, 1976)

I’m not a big fan of Andrew Gold but this song does bring back some memories. A tough beat to make work but Russ knocks it out here.

Carole King - Where You Lead (Tapestry, Ode, 1971)

Nobody did laid-back California better than Kunkel did on this one (for my money, a better tune than the ones you always hear on the radio).

Joni Mitchell - Casey (Blue, Reprise, 1971)

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Prodigal’s Return (Uncle Charlie and His Dog Teddy, Liberty, 1970)

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Dudes rockin’ out!

Linda Ronstadt - Sail Away (Don’t Cry Now, Elektra, 1973)

Nothing too exciting drum-wise but a beautiful interpretation of Randy Newman. Reminds me why I resent her for bailing out on rock and roll.

John Stewart - Big Joe (Willard, Capital, 1970)

Kunkel is credited with playing “knees” on this tune

Stephen Stills - Shuffle Just As Bad (Stills, Columbia, 1975)

Warren Zevon - Excitable Boy (Excitable Boy, Elektra, 1978)

MP3: Download The Mix

ZIP: Download The Files

My set of tunes featuring Steve Gadd was so well received I thought I’d dive into a series of posts featuring great session drummers. Here’s a (short) dozen from Jim Keltner.

Steely Dan – Josie (Aja, MCA, 1977)

This should probably be the finale in this set, not the opener. Notoriously finicky, Becker and Fagen put Keltner to the test on this one and he scored an “A”. Block out everything and listen to the high hat work – he mixes eighths and sixteenths from measure to measure with the grace of a Jack DeJohnette.

Leon Russell – Lay Right Here In Heaven (Will O’ The Wisp, Shelter, 1975)

This copy is a little too dirty to hear the nuances but it’s still a great groove: “Sometimes I feel like bitin’ your toes, heaven knows, anything goes”. Keltner actually shares the drum credit with two others on this tune.

Jackson Browne – Red Neck Friend (For Everyman, Elektra, 1975)

Eight bars of guitar and then it’s straight rock and roll right to the last drum beat. Decidedly un-Jackson Browne, in my book, and no doubt covered by a few million bar bands since the 1970’s. Great piano, too.

James Taylor – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) (Gorilla, Warner Brothers, 1975)

The credits say Keltner shared the drum duties with Jim Gordon but it’s hard to hear exactly how that happens. Maybe there’s one of them on tambourine? Even so, it’s a tasty shuffle with Carly doing background vocals and Sanborn on sax. Reminds me of summertime…

Carly Simon and James Taylor – Mockingbird (Hotcakes, Elektra, 1974)

A case of the remake beating the original with Carly and James reversing roles on this one (it appears on Carly’s album with James credited as the background singer). Just like Steve Gadd’s four-on-the-floor in “Danny’s All-Star Joint,” this proves that a funky drummer doesn’t have to show off…just a clean funky beat, cowbell in hand, thank you.

Seals and Crofts – Yellow Dirt (Summer Breeze, Warner Brothers, 1971)

Seals and Crofts have been much-maligned for being too soft to be called rock and roll but, in fact, they could get a little funky. The drums and pianos work together nicely here as Keltner lays down a slow groove. I love the group picture of all the happy hippies on the inside cover of the album.

John Lennon – I Don’t Want To Be A Soldier (Imagine, Apple, 1971)

Most bios of Keltner immediately refer to his work with three of the four Beatles (sans McCartney) and it’s true. He was a favorite of that gang (and their accessories like Harry Nilsson) for his diversity and ability to adapt to any style. Dirty groove is the best way to describe this one.

George Harrison – Give Me Love (Living In The Material World, Apple, 1973)

Having heard this song a billion times, I’ve never once paid attention to the drum part until today. And, truth be told, it’s one of the more complicated and tasty in Keltner’s repertoire. Funky but delicate and light of touch, this really is a masterpiece. (And there’s a “Jim Keltner Fan Club” logo on the back!)

Nilsson – Daylight Has Caught Me (That’s The Way It Is, RCA, 1976

This is another deceptively intricate drum part that doesn’t stand out against the vocals and piano. But, give this a listen with your ears focused on the drumming and you’ll him changes styles a couple of times during the song: from straight funk to reggae to rock and roll and back again. Once more, great hi-hat work.

Elliman – Sally Go ‘Round The Roses (Night Flight, RSO, 1978)

OK, this one’s a little off the beaten path. Who’d have thought Keltner would be in the company of a pop star like Yvonne Elliman? But, then again, she’s not so far afield. She sang with Clapton and hung with Delaney and Bonnie, all part of Keltner’s circle. But, stylistically, it’s definitely a stretch.

Joe Cocker – The Letter (Mad Dogs and Englishmen, A and M, 1970)

I freely admit this is a guess: Jim Gordon and Jim Keltner are credited equally for drumming on this record without pointing to specific songs. But this sounds an awful like Keltner’s style…if not, does it really matter?

All these cuts come from my well-worn record collection. Want cleaner copies? Buy the CD’s or download the tracks at Amazon.

Recorded Thursday, September 13, 2007

Elvin Bishop - Yes Sir (Capricorn)
Rolling Stones - Short and Curlies (RS)
Doobie Brothers - Slippery St. Paul (WB)
Jackson Browne - Take It Easy (Elektra)
Los Lobos - The Breakdown (Slash)
Santana - Written In The Sand (CBS)
Three Dog Night - Out In The Country (ABC/Dunhill)
Eric Clapton - Tell Me That You Love ME (RSO)
Steve Earle - Copperhead Road (UNI)
Sea Level - Shake A Leg (Capricorn)
Steve Forbert - The Sweet Love That You Give (Sure Goes A Long Way) (Nemperor)
Leon Russell - Stay Away From Sad Songs (Shelter)
Jesse Colin Young - You Gotta Fix It (Capitol)
John Stewart - Missouri Birds (Capitol)
Paul Simon - Peace Like A River (CBS)
Looking Glass - Don’t It Make You Feel Good (Epic)
Boz Scaggs - We Were Always Sweethearts (CBS)
Richie Havens - Roll ‘Em Daddy (Douglas)

<a href=”http://www.fusion45.com/wp-content/uploads/audio/2007/Fusion45.048-2007.09.13.mp3″> Radio In Heaven</a>