Show notes
This week’s guest is Billy Martin ... a world-renowned drummer, educator, visual artist, producer, and author. He has collaborated with some of the best, including (but certainly not limited to) John Scofield, John Zorn, Iggy Pop, Natalie Merchant, Flea and many more. Still, many people know him best for his work with Medeski, Martin & Wood, alongside John Medeski and Chris Wood. If you enjoy this episode, please go check out Billy’s interview with Mike Dawson on the Drum Candy podcast titled “Improvising and Cultivating a Creative Mindset”.
I recently re-watched his anti-instructional film, Life on Drums, and I can’t recommend it enough. It's essentially a series of conversations between Martin and his first drum teacher, Allen Herman. These discussions delve into topics such as soloing, time, tone, phrasing, free playing, and so much more. Interspersed throughout are some pretty rad solo and duet performances…all filmed with a cinematic aesthetic. So check that out if that interests you.
Right off the bat, we dive into the topic of soloing — something Billy encourages all drummers to do first thing when they sit behind the kit (even if just for five minutes), before jumping into the records that shaped him into the remarkable musician he is today.
BILLY'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Artist - Peter Tosh
Album - Legalize It
Release Year - 1976
Key Track - "Legalize it"
Drummer - Carlton "Santa" Davis, Carlton Barrett
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Artist - Stevie Wonder
Album - Talking Book
Release Year - 1972
Key Track - "Superstition"
Drummer - Stevie Wonder
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Artist - Dr. John
Album - Gris Gris
Release Year - 1968
Key Track - "Mama Roux"
Drummer - John Boudreaux
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Artist - John Coltrane
Album - Interstellar Space
Release Year - 1974
Key Track - "Jupiter Variation"
Drummer - Rashied Ali
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Artist - Charles Mingus
Album - Mingus Ah Um
Release Year - 1959
Key Track - "Better Git It In Your Soul"
Drummer - Dannie Richmond
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Artist - Lil' Kim
Album - Hard Core
Release Year - 1996
Key Track - "Queen Bitch"
Artist - Wu-Tang Clan
Album - Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Release Year - 1993
Key Track - "Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber - Part II - Conclusion"
Drummer - RZA (producer / beat maker)
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Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.
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