Mitch Mitchell, Drumming In Heaven.

[dribbler 6]

Meant to mention this yesterday;

Drumming legend Mitch Mitchell dies, 62

Mitch Mitchell, the pioneering drummer best known for his work with the Jimi Hendrix Experience, has died. Mitchell, who was 62, was found dead in his hotel room in Portland, Oregon. Reuters reports that a coroner's spokesman said it appeared he died of natural causes, but a formal finding had not yet been issued. Mitchell had been in the city on the last show of an 18-date tour with Experience Hendrix, a concert tribute series to the late guitar legend. Hendrix's sister, Janie Hendrix, said in a statement: "We're all devastated to hear of Mitch's passing. He was a wonderful man, a brilliant musician and a true friend.

"His role in shaping the sound of the Jimi Hendrix Experience cannot be underestimated. Over the course of the recent tour, he seemed delighted with the interchange with the other musicians and the audiences. There is no question that he was doing what he loved."

The Jimi Hendrix Experience bassist Noel Redding died in 2003; Hendrix died in 1970.

Really enjoyed Mitch's drumming. He held the unit together whilst Jimi did his thing. This is one of my favourite recorded performances of The Experience, warts and all. Jimi's guitar is out of tune, to my ear and he ignores protocol. Marvellous.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jE80W5xYbTI

Points of interest on this clip are Jimi's hasty re-tune at the start of 'Hey Joe' and his inclusion of the riff from 'I Feel Fine' by The Beatles, and of course his totally un-rehearsed 'Sunshine Of Your Love' which neither Lulu or the BBC were expecting.

[monza gorilla 1]

Yeah, read it yesterday and thought it was a bit early for him to shuffle off. Like Rick Wright. Good clip, thanks for linky. Caused a bit of a kerfuffle if I recall.

[Oli 1]

Since this forum's getting too friendly by far, I think it's time for an argument, so here goes:

I think Jimi Hendrix is the most overrated guitarist in the history of guitar playing (with the possible exception of Eric Clapton).

Bad taste in a memorial thread? Perhaps. My decisions will one day be vindicated though when all you grief athletes start to realise I was right all along.

[dribbler 6]

Since this forum's getting too friendly by far, I think it's time for an argument, so here goes:

I think Jimi Hendrix is the most overrated guitarist in the history of guitar playing (with the possible exception of Eric Clapton).

Bad taste in a memorial thread? Perhaps. My decisions will one day be vindicated though when all you grief athletes start to realise I was right all along.

Well, let us not forget that this thread is about Mitch Mitchell. He wasn't the best drummer in the world either. Many people get obsessed with the notion that Hendrix was and still is the best. From a technical stand point, that just isn't true and I think you could probably prove that scientifically by doing speed and proficiency tests. Many Spanish guitarist such as Paco De Lucia have probably got him beaten there. To me it's a question of historical significance, aswell as ability. In that respect, Jimi was huge. He was also misunderstood. Shy and retiring, he only came alive when playing. He had an incredibly sensitive personality and beautifully vivid imagination. In my opinion though, he was a great guitarist because he could play the blues on an acoustic twelve string and make it sound as special as playing an electric with overdrive. When playing a guitar like that, there's nowhere to hide. I think this clip demonstrates that quite nicely;

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wCQBbgb_Lvo

Some people think Jimi was overrated, some people think he was the best. Personally, I see no need to take either standpoint. He's still being talked about, a lot. And not just by kids who become the next generation to discover him, only to dip out when someone else becomes cool. He has a hardcore of famous followers who know a bit about music. He'll still be talked about for a long while yet. Musically, historically and culturally, I think that's a good thing. As long as you have perspective.

[SIDEPOD 0]

Points of interest on this clip are Jimi's hasty re-tune at the start of 'Hey Joe' and his inclusion of the riff from 'I Feel Fine' by The Beatles, and of course his totally un-rehearsed 'Sunshine Of Your Love' which neither Lulu or the BBC were expecting.

Yeah but Mitch was something... a great drummer and musician.

Just on a side note...Jimi had a wicked sense of humor. The initial plan for the gig was to have lulu do a piece with Jimi on stage. While on stage, Jimi played an unexpected 'Sunshine of your love' and kept Lulu totally out of the picture....

They say... when a musician is no good with any instrument they give him 2 sticks and make him a drummer...if the musician is no good at that either...they throw away one stick and make him a music conductor!

BTW, I am a drummer so all you drummers who got p**sed off with my earlier line back off!! True drummers have a sense of humor!

[BradSpeedMan 6]

Well, let us not forget that this thread is about Mitch Mitchell. He wasn't the best drummer in the world either. Many people get obsessed with the notion that Hendrix was and still is the best. From a technical stand point, that just isn't true and I think you could probably prove that scientifically by doing speed and proficiency tests. Many Spanish guitarist such as Paco De Lucia have probably got him beaten there. To me it's a question of historical significance, aswell as ability. In that respect, Jimi was huge. He was also misunderstood. Shy and retiring, he only came alive when playing. He had an incredibly sensitive personality and beautifully vivid imagination. In my opinion though, he was a great guitarist because he could play the blues on an acoustic twelve string and make it sound as special as playing an electric with overdrive. When playing a guitar like that, there's nowhere to hide. I think this clip demonstrates that quite nicely;

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wCQBbgb_Lvo

lovely stuff Dribs, enjoyed the clip

[dribbler 6]

I am a drummer

Excellent. Who, in your opinion whacks the skins better than anyone else?

[Jez 0]

As a drummer, I'd have to list Danny Carey, Bonham and Virgal Donati as some of my favourites. But they're just personal favourites. Dave Lombardo, Tim Alexander, they're on my list too. Oh and of course one of my top favourites, Stewart Copeland.

Sorry, I know that question wasn't directed at me, but I couldn't help myself.

[Oli 1]

I'd have to go for Joe Morello, Steve Gadd, Andrus Vaht (don't ask), Rick Marotta, Pierre van der Linden and "Philthy Animal" Taylor.

Oh, and I'd second Stewart Copeland as well.

[Oli 1]

Some people think Jimi was overrated, some people think he was the best. Personally, I see no need to take either standpoint. He's still being talked about, a lot. And not just by kids who become the next generation to discover him, only to dip out when someone else becomes cool. He has a hardcore of famous followers who know a bit about music. He'll still be talked about for a long while yet. Musically, historically and culturally, I think that's a good thing. As long as you have perspective.

You're far too levelheaded for your own good.

Have some whisky and PCP and come back to me.........

[dribbler 6]

As a drummer, I'd have to list Danny Carey, Bonham and Virgal Donati as some of my favourites. But they're just personal favourites. Dave Lombardo, Tim Alexander, they're on my list too. Oh and of course one of my top favourites, Stewart Copeland.

Sorry, I know that question wasn't directed at me, but I couldn't help myself.

Not atall. I want the opinion of the muso's here!

You're far too levelheaded for your own good.

Have some whisky and PCP and come back to me.........

[pumpdoc 2]

I think people miss the point, it's all about what musician brings to the craft in his carrear, may not be the "best" but brought something new or different.

[dribbler 6]

I think people miss the point, it's all about what musician brings to the craft in his carrear, may not be the "best" but brought something new or different.

Presumably that's your philosophy as a moderator?

[Ash1 0]

I'm a jazz guitarist. I love Jimmy and appreciate all jazz guitarists. But the one guy that is above the rest IMO, is George Benson.

* Dribbler, not all dogs go to heaven ... only the ones without rabies

[dribbler 6]

But the one guy that is above the rest IMO, is George Benson.

I have never been comfortable with someone who rejoices in matching his voice with his guitar. The fact that it is called 'scat' is even worse.

[Ash1 0]

O K, I w a s t a l k i n g a b o u t j a z z g u i t a r i s t s.

When you sit down and try working out their music, only then do you realise their level of genius. Obviously, everyone of them have their own unique style but Benson is in a league of his own. As for Eric, I like his guitar style... and his melodies but, truthfully, he is the least of them all.

[dribbler 6]

Benson is in a league of his own.

In what respect?

[Ash1 0]

In what respect?

Humbly, I cannot do all the things he does on a guitar. Maybe one day I will. The other guys aren't as difficult or as intricately beautiful.

[dribbler 6]

Humbly, I cannot do all the things he does on a guitar. Maybe one day I will. The other guys aren't as difficult or as intricately beautiful.

Well, I can't do what Benson does either. Does that make him mighty or me average? What 'other guys' are you referring to? There are a plethora of jazz guitarists who play as intrcately as Benson, if not more so (this is my subjective opinion, as is yours. I'm merely pointing out the respective competence of others). Two that spring to mind are John Goodsall and John McLaughlin. Watch the latter at work;

Oh, this is a drumming thread disguised as a guitar thread. Check out Billy Cobham's drumming in this clip too. It's er....none too shabby. What say you Jez and Sidepod?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=E4xJXNdNKOk

[dribbler 6]

Sorry, forgive me. I'm on a roll. It's a friday night. Check this out too....... http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kf8TM4CIk5g

Funny and clever. STINKFOOT!!!

[Ash1 0]

Well, I can't do what Benson does either. Does that make him mighty or me average? What 'other guys' are you referring to? There are a plethora of jazz guitarists who play as intrcately as Benson, if not more so (this is my subjective opinion, as is yours. I'm merely pointing out the respective competence of others). Two that spring to mind are John Goodsall and John McLaughlin. Watch the latter at work;

Oh, this is a drumming thread disguised as a guitar thread. Check out Billy Cobham's drumming in this clip too. It's er....none too shabby. What say you Jez and Sidepod?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=E4xJXNdNKOk

I respect your subjective opinion, but I feel mine is truer.

[Medilloni 6]

I think Bruce is right, and Mitch Mitchell fit the bill........

I think people miss the point, it's all about what musician brings to the craft in his carrear, may not be the "best" but brought something new or different.

If we're to get too technical about this, there's possibly unsung heroes in the world's orchestra's that we've forgotten or never heard of.

I'll go with keith Moon as one of the best, one of the most memorable and one of those that changed people's perceptions about the guys at the back - The Who did remarkable stuff for that time imo.

And as a young dyslexic, they inspired me to name my frest bend (my god, a black lab) 'Sirob'.

[Oli 1]

Well as he said himself, he was the best Keith Moon-style drummer in the world.

[Medilloni 6]

Well as he said himself, he was the best Keith Moon-style drummer in the world.

True.