| Here's the line up and what
instruments are featured.
1. Big Bob & The Shaman Drum
(with overtone singing) - starts with the "wooo" Sound on the
Shaman drum and features that drum until "Bob the Big Drum"
comes in with his characteristic low end thunder.
2. Rhumba* - One
of my all time favorite rhythms. Presented here the way Kazi Oliver
taught it to me. In a live performance this rhythm (like all the rhythms
on this CD) can go on much longer and you don't even notice. (featured
drums: Djembes, Djun-Djun, Cowbells)
3. Joey* - This is a 6/8
piece that was actually the first official rhythm I learned. This rhythm
is deceptively simple. Listen to all the subtleties of the drums.
Warning! Be careful operating heavy equipment while listening to this
one. It is somewhat trance inducing. (Featured drums: Djembe,
Congas, Djun-Djun, Clave)
4. Riq - This is a drum that
looks a lot like a tambourine except it's head is made out of fish skin.
This particular drum has lots of cool inlay on it's frame. At the
moment (April 2001) this is the drum I'm playing the most off
stage.
5. Funga Alafia* -
call this piece the "Kumbaya" of the 21st century because so
many school children know it. It is a Western African welcoming song.
(Djembes, Djun-djun, Cowbells, Congas, vocals)
6. The Train* - This is just
an awesome piece. Usually it starts slow and gradually speeds up and
then gradually slows down. To symbolize a spiritual movement
forward, I had it fade out as it reached top speed. That train is
probably still going somewhere out under a prarie sky...(Djembe,
Djun-Djun, Congas, Bell)
7. Funky Wildebeest #2 - This is a
rhythm that was created by the phrase "Funky Wildebeest and the
Celtic Samba. As a singer/songwriter for years my main job was to find
the inherent rhythm in words and phrases and unify them into a
song. In drumming it is the primary way I remember the patterns.
(Djembe, Djun-Djun, Talking Drum, Agogo Bells, Cowbell, vocals)
8. Celtic Samba - I couldn't
have the previous rhythm without giving you a sample of what the Celtic
Samba is. Simply it's the Samba (one of a million versions) played
on the Irish Bodhran.
9. Khanjira Doodle Dandy - this is a small lizard
skin drum that at first glance looks like a frame drum but in actuality
is carved out of a single piece of wood. The left hand alters the
tension on the head to create notes. I laid down an improvisation of
Yankee Doodle to celebrate the interconnectedness of cultures through
music.
10. Congo Square* - Of all
the rhythms I learned from Kazi Oliver this is the one that seems to
bring the most joy to people. The pattern is easy to learn using this
phrase:
Break: "I want to see the man
who's in charge
I want to see the man who's in charge
I want to see the man who's in charge
So that I can take him to lunch!
Rhythm: " We'll have Burgers and
we'll have fries
We'll have burgers and we'll have fries"
(for vegetarians it can be: "We'll have tofu & we'll have
rice")
(Djembes, Djun-djun, Cowbell)
11. Cathedral Overtones: Joe
Mennonna my friend and recording engineer (the guy is a genius!) set me
up with a Cathedral reverb setting and I laid down a vocal improvisation
with overtones and a bit of throat whistling and the "monster
breath".
* Rhythms taught to me by Master drummer,
Kazi Oliver who by the way is my hero! |