No, the Beatles weren't rubbish
Discussion
Just been listening to CD's 1 and 2 of Bol 2 of The Beatles at the BBC. Recorded live and mostly straight to air. Not a bum note or rough vocal to be heard. Exquisite harmonies, swoopingl Macca bass, Ringo's perfect beat, George's versatile solo'ing, John's rhythm playing. And all to the most perfectly-constructed pop songs years before the REALLY ground-breaking stuff
Christ they were good in their day.
Christ they were good in their day.
audidoody said:
Just been listening to CD's 1 and 2 of Bol 2 of The Beatles at the BBC. Recorded live and mostly straight to air. Not a bum note or rough vocal to be heard. Exquisite harmonies, swoopingl Macca bass, Ringo's perfect beat, George's versatile solo'ing, John's rhythm playing. And all to the most perfectly-constructed pop songs years before the REALLY ground-breaking stuff
Christ they were good in their day.
I was with you until that point.Christ they were good in their day.
Justin Cyder said:
George Harrison was no great shakes as a musician either. Him & Ringo would have been entirely interchangeable with no detriment to their legacy. Unless you're a really, really big fan of here comes the sun.
Were any of them particularly proficient on their chosen instruments? People rarely put any of the Fab Four in the "10 Greatest Guitarist/Bassist/Drummer" lists. But that's fine by me.Edited by Justin Cyder on Monday 18th November 11:18
Justin Cyder said:
George Harrison was no great shakes as a musician either. Him & Ringo would have been entirely interchangeable with no detriment to their legacy. Unless you're a really, really big fan of here comes the sun.
He managed quite a few other songs, for instance "If I Needed Someone" is the outstanding track on Rubber Soul, and "Something" has done quite well too.Edited by Justin Cyder on Monday 18th November 11:18
Asterix said:
Interviewer - "Is Ringo the best drummer in the world?"
Lennon - "Eh? He's not even the best drummer in The Beatles!"
Not necessarily aimed at you, but why do some people take what was obviously a joke by Lennon as some kind of condemnation of Ringo's ability. It was just a typical throw away comment.Lennon - "Eh? He's not even the best drummer in The Beatles!"
Bluequay said:
Asterix said:
Interviewer - "Is Ringo the best drummer in the world?"
Lennon - "Eh? He's not even the best drummer in The Beatles!"
Not necessarily aimed at you, but why do some people take what was obviously a joke by Lennon as some kind of condemnation of Ringo's ability. It was just a typical throw away comment.Lennon - "Eh? He's not even the best drummer in The Beatles!"
t. Same as a certain singer in a well known Irish band.This something else Lennon said about Ringo
"Ringo was a star in his own right in Liverpool before we even met. Ringo was a professional drummer who sang and performed and was in one of the top groups in Britain, but especially in Liverpool. So Ringo's talent would have come out one way or the other ... whatever that spark is in Ringo, we all know it but can't put our finger on it. Whether it's acting, drumming, or singing, I don't know. There's something in him that is projectable and he would have surfaced as an individual ... Ringo is a damn good drummer"
Phil Collins rates him too. As does Jim Keltner.
"Ringo was a star in his own right in Liverpool before we even met. Ringo was a professional drummer who sang and performed and was in one of the top groups in Britain, but especially in Liverpool. So Ringo's talent would have come out one way or the other ... whatever that spark is in Ringo, we all know it but can't put our finger on it. Whether it's acting, drumming, or singing, I don't know. There's something in him that is projectable and he would have surfaced as an individual ... Ringo is a damn good drummer"
Phil Collins rates him too. As does Jim Keltner.
selym said:
Its lucky we are all musicians and songwriters of high regard as well as powerfully built company directors to be able to cast such aspersions.
But then again, that's what PH is all about isn't it?
And how long exactly have you been a premier league manager?But then again, that's what PH is all about isn't it?
Opinions are permitted, it's how it works.
singlecoil said:
This something else Lennon said about Ringo
"Ringo was a star in his own right in Liverpool before we even met. Ringo was a professional drummer who sang and performed and was in one of the top groups in Britain, but especially in Liverpool. So Ringo's talent would have come out one way or the other ... whatever that spark is in Ringo, we all know it but can't put our finger on it. Whether it's acting, drumming, or singing, I don't know. There's something in him that is projectable and he would have surfaced as an individual ... Ringo is a damn good drummer"
Phil Collins rates him too. As does Jim Keltner.
George Martin however was more equivocal:"Ringo was a star in his own right in Liverpool before we even met. Ringo was a professional drummer who sang and performed and was in one of the top groups in Britain, but especially in Liverpool. So Ringo's talent would have come out one way or the other ... whatever that spark is in Ringo, we all know it but can't put our finger on it. Whether it's acting, drumming, or singing, I don't know. There's something in him that is projectable and he would have surfaced as an individual ... Ringo is a damn good drummer"
Phil Collins rates him too. As does Jim Keltner.
George Martin said:
Ringo hit good and hard and used the tom-tom well, even though he couldn't do a roll to save his life
It’s often difficult explaining this, particularly to non-drummers, who often think a drummers “greatness” is based upon his ability to drum as fast as he can at all opportunities.
There is nothing particularly impressive about Ringos’ drumming except for maybe a few things.
1. His parts, whilst mostly being simple, work perfectly in the context of the songs,
2. His drums always sounded great and their sounds vary in different songs. He played a small kit, and as such was always playing with a sense of “economy”.
3. If you listen to The Beatles whole catalog it’s all there, odd signatures, tricky rudiments, inventiveness, all kinds of stuff. Unlike some drummers, he obviously felt he didn’t need to use them all the time, and out of context. If something seems flashy then it probably isn’t right in the context of the song.
Ringo drummed economically, and in most circumstances made the song a better one for it. That is the sign of a truly great drummer.
He was the drummer in The Beatles, not Chick Coreas band, or The Mahavishnu Orchestra. Can you imagine how crap The Beatles would have been with Dave Weckl or Billy Cobham on the tubs?
Ringo WAS the best drummer in The Beatles, and changed modern rock drumming by bringing matched grip to the fore. As a consequence, he is one of the most important drummers in musical history. It’s as simple as that.
There is nothing particularly impressive about Ringos’ drumming except for maybe a few things.
1. His parts, whilst mostly being simple, work perfectly in the context of the songs,
2. His drums always sounded great and their sounds vary in different songs. He played a small kit, and as such was always playing with a sense of “economy”.
3. If you listen to The Beatles whole catalog it’s all there, odd signatures, tricky rudiments, inventiveness, all kinds of stuff. Unlike some drummers, he obviously felt he didn’t need to use them all the time, and out of context. If something seems flashy then it probably isn’t right in the context of the song.
Ringo drummed economically, and in most circumstances made the song a better one for it. That is the sign of a truly great drummer.
He was the drummer in The Beatles, not Chick Coreas band, or The Mahavishnu Orchestra. Can you imagine how crap The Beatles would have been with Dave Weckl or Billy Cobham on the tubs?
Ringo WAS the best drummer in The Beatles, and changed modern rock drumming by bringing matched grip to the fore. As a consequence, he is one of the most important drummers in musical history. It’s as simple as that.
Justin Cyder said:
singlecoil said:
This something else Lennon said about Ringo
"Ringo was a star in his own right in Liverpool before we even met. Ringo was a professional drummer who sang and performed and was in one of the top groups in Britain, but especially in Liverpool. So Ringo's talent would have come out one way or the other ... whatever that spark is in Ringo, we all know it but can't put our finger on it. Whether it's acting, drumming, or singing, I don't know. There's something in him that is projectable and he would have surfaced as an individual ... Ringo is a damn good drummer"
Phil Collins rates him too. As does Jim Keltner.
George Martin however was more equivocal:"Ringo was a star in his own right in Liverpool before we even met. Ringo was a professional drummer who sang and performed and was in one of the top groups in Britain, but especially in Liverpool. So Ringo's talent would have come out one way or the other ... whatever that spark is in Ringo, we all know it but can't put our finger on it. Whether it's acting, drumming, or singing, I don't know. There's something in him that is projectable and he would have surfaced as an individual ... Ringo is a damn good drummer"
Phil Collins rates him too. As does Jim Keltner.
George Martin said:
Ringo hit good and hard and used the tom-tom well, even though he couldn't do a roll to save his life
Not that music is a competition in any case. There's plenty of drummers who are technically better than Ringo, but that really doesn't matter. He played what was needed when it was needed.
singlecoil said:
Justin Cyder said:
George Harrison was no great shakes as a musician either. Him & Ringo would have been entirely interchangeable with no detriment to their legacy. Unless you're a really, really big fan of here comes the sun.
He managed quite a few other songs, for instance "If I Needed Someone" is the outstanding track on Rubber Soul, and "Something" has done quite well too.Edited by Justin Cyder on Monday 18th November 11:18
Try Strawberry Fields Forever too. Absolutely perfect drumming, or Come Together, such great feel for the song. GM also stated that Ringo had a "super steady beat, and a great sound".
…and a lesson in studio work…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA_CTCYr4IE
…and a lesson in studio work…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA_CTCYr4IE
Edited by ratbane on Monday 18th November 17:11
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