I'm going to see/hear Ginger Baker's Jazz Confusion this Saturday at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA. I've been going back and forth on this, sort of hoping I could talk myself out of it and that he would put out a CD instead. Turns out my wife decided for me and bought tickets and Ginger has put out a CD of this group and it's music!
D' Drummer
I hope you catch a good performance. You never know when it'll be the last go-round for some of these old rockers. Ginger has to be 70 or near to it. I don't know where those old cats find the stamina to tour and go on the road, but bless them for being able to do it at such an advanced age.
Enjoy the show and have a happy fathers day (if it applies.)
John
I hope you catch a good performance. You never know when it'll be the last go-round for some of these old rockers. Ginger has to be 70 or near to it. I don't know where those old cats find the stamina to tour and go on the road, but bless them for being able to do it at such an advanced age. Enjoy the show and have a happy fathers day (if it applies.)John
74 actually... and he'll be 75 in August! Good guess John!
Tommyp
75!!! He must be getting lamb placenta injections in Sweden! I don't know how he does it at his age. I have to stop and take a short break after 20 minutes of simple practicing. How Ginger can do one-nighters with travel in between at 75 is way beyond my ken. I have a ton of respect for the man, he's out there working and playing and damn the torpedoes. It has to take a toll on him physically. It's a demanding schedule for any younger man.
Support *R.E.S.P.E.C.T.! *Older Motown musicians fighting for lost royalties! Look it up.
http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/207639-conyers-demands-respect-for-motown-musicians
John
According to his tour schedule he'll be performing in Birmingham, England tonight(Friday 6/13) then two shows at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA Saturday the 14th!
He has degenerative spinal arthritis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Takes prescribed morphine for his back but still smokes.
Keep on Pl
Given his recreational habits in the 60's, he's fortunate just to have made it this far.
Hope you enjoy this rare opportunity to hear a living legend. Report back to us.
Mike
> Takes prescribed morphine for his back but still smokes.
'Morphine and cigarettes'... it's a sad state to be in, but it's a great title for a tune!
Enjoy the show...
John
Well, it was a lifetime highlight! Our seats were at the edge of the stage and literally 12 feet from his bass drums. Alec Dankworth is a fantastic bass player, melodic when need be and an extremely interesting soloist. Pee Wee Russell's varied tones and obvious lifetime of experience brought real meaning to his playing, from be-bop to African tinged to blues to Middle Eastern. Abass Dodoo locked in with Ginger and added a subtle texture of hand drum and cymbal playing that complimented the drum set without ever getting in the way or over powering. As for Ginger Baker, outrageous! Despite his lack of stamina he literally sucked it up and played like the drum master he is. It was fantastic to see how he over laid his unique style on such a varied choice of musical styles.
The videos on line cannot do justice to how great this group is in person, see them if you get the chance!
Picked up his new CD "Why?" at the gig, a good representation of what they do on stage.
Clapping Happy2
I saw them back in January. Yeah Dankworth is a great Bass player. Pee Wee was great too. There were some great moments in the first set but it wained in the second really. All in all had a good time.
