Most Wanted #7

As regular readers of this blog will know, I do a series about drummers that are floating my boat at the time of writing, entitled “Most wanted”.

For the last couple of months fans of my blog in Iraq and Iran keep going back to these classic posts, especially most wanted #1, #2 and #3.

I would like to thank all my fans in the Middle East for their continued support of my blog. A blog about drumming and me. It means a lot.

Review; Yamaha Pocket Club tour.

Ash Soan and Neal Wilkinson, Yamaha Pocket club tour, Bonnners Eastbourne.

Ash Soan and Neal Wilkinson's tour promoting Yamaha's brand new line of Pocket Club drums, hasn't exactly come out of nowhere. Very deservedly (and refreshingly) they have been garnering alot of positive press in the run up to the shows and it definitely paid off for a packed out night at Bonners in Eastbourne.

Together Ash and Neal's CV reads like a who's who of modern music. They both have had an incredible career so far, playing with artists such as; Robbie Williams, Van Morrison, Adele, Olly Murs, Cee Lo Green, James Morrison and Duffy.

The evening began with Ash playing along to a track showing his trade mark solid groove and loose Motown chops. (Motown chops, not gospel chops) Afterwards, after introducing the evening and fellow clinician Neal, they both launched into a funky beat driven duet, displaying each others personalities and infectious groove.

Neal then went on to explain his latest gig with James Morrison and previewed tracks from his upcoming album. With everything played that evening, it displayed a sensitivity and excitement rarely seen in a "clinic" environment. It was also heart warming to hear of Neal's account of how he got the Morrison gig and his heart on his sleeve mentality was really inspiring.

The evening carried on with more tracks from both artists, drum duets and my personal highlight; a running Q and A. With advice ranging from tuning techniques, mic placement and practise solutions to working with celebrities, Kenny Clare's snare and actually getting work.

I've been to alot of clinics, some in my opinion good and some not so. But my major bug bear with the majority is the product placement and talk. The fact that Ash and Neal didn't go on to sell the drums was a revelation, the drums themselves did that. With that in mind, I myself wanted to find out about their 100% Kapur 6 ply shells with hand painted finish inspired by classic vintage wraps and Steve Jordan... They sound and look amazing.

The entire evening was a success and Bonners music store were a fantastic venue and host. Drummers across the UK couldn't have asked for a more informative clinic. Though the word "clinic" doesn't really suit these two very humble, knowledgeable and amiable musicians.

The best; ...

After watching the Mercury awards you have to wonder how the judges decide the "best" album. Why should one artist be more deserving over an other? How can anyone have the right to decide who is the best?

There was an interesting post in the Mike Dolbear forum about what makes a good teacher which is in a similar vein. Can you judge a teacher on his or hers own achievements? Or do you judge a teacher on their students progress? Teaching is more black and white as you're a good teacher if your students are learning and progressing. But then again who decides what is the right thing to learn? I would place more emphasis on playing music straight away and getting a feel for songs as opposed to rudiments and an importance on note values. But then I could be wrong...

That being said, how do you judge an album? By it's "hits", sales figures, mainstream crossover success or clever musicality? Personally I will be surprised if anyone in 20 years is still talking about these "classic" albums, making the harshest judge of all, time.

So how does anyone judge who is the best? Personally you can't, the best simply doesn't exist.

***Everything Everything should of won...***