[.ca] Buddy Rich at the Top

From Amazon.com:
The bravura drumming of the indomitable Buddy Rich may not be the only thing to recommend about this video, but it's certainly the main attraction. Taped in February 1973 at a nightclub in Rochester, New York, the 65-minute performance reveals a virtuoso who was still at the top of his game at age 55. Rich's power, dynamics, and sheer musicianship leave little doubt that he was the leader of his big band in much more than name only. But while his young, mostly little-known musicians are all strong players (notwithstanding those horrible '70s haircuts), the arrangements are less than stellar. Their attempts to turn the likes of the Beatles' "Norwegian Wood" and Paul McCartney's "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" into swinging jazz outings are downright cheesy. Better to skip to the end, when Rich plays two superb solos on a West Side Story medley. --Sam Graham

Buddy Rich: At The Top:
Having seen the original video in 1973, I can say I was very excited to see this again. Especially watching and listening to Pat Labarbera's cooking solo on Don Menza's "Time Check". Although one of the reviewers stated that the video showed more of the band than Buddy, a drummer would've heard everything Buddy played during the concert and not worried if it didn't show more of him on tape. I'm very sure that this tape was not edited from its original broadcast in 1973, as these images have been indelibly marked in my mind since then. It's funny to see the hair styles of the band members compared to the ones in the 1986 PBS video taped here in San Francisco. Ahh, the more things change, the more they....well, you know. But the music, as always was first class. Don't miss the solos of Greg Hopkins on flugelhorn. And especially Labarbera on tenor and Don Englert on flute in "Basically Blues". Brian Grivna gives a great alto performance on "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?". And Ray Ricker gives a credible solo shot in "Love For Sale". Labarbera cooks again on "Uncle Albert" Sorry, I'm a reedman, and am partial to all the sax section solos. Closing out the set with West Side Story Medley was in true Buddy Rich fashion, showing off his monstrous skills on the drums. Much as he did on the other much requested "Channel 1 Suite". I remember many a jazz drummer trying to emulate that single stroke roll, of which I knew of only one who could do it. That is one of the most amazing feats of drumming I've ever witnessed (I also play drums, too). If any of you remember seeing this video on PBS back in 1973, you won't be surprised at your memorizing each and every solo verbatim, from back then, like I did. A must for all Buddy Rich fans.

A piece of history:
Simply put, this video gets you inside one of the most powerful big bands in history in a live performance in a relatively small room, which is the best place to see jazz. I saw this when I was about 7 years old and it remained a huge force on my playing throughout the next 30 years. The camera angles are not perfect, no, but to complain about camera angles at the expense of an absolutely unbeliveable performance by Buddy and his screaming band is missing the point. Great charts, great playing, a classic Buddy solo on West Side Story. The drive, determination and exceptance of nothing less than perfection that is signature Buddy is in full display. The snare drum comping work alone is a wonder. This is a piece of history that will be viewed over and over again. And don't get me started on Buddy's left hand... it's nuclear powered to be sure. I just can't find where he hides the reactor.

OK but.....:
If you are a Buddy Rich fan you may be disappointed in that the camera angles do not show Buddy enough, mostly his great band. Buddy shows how he is the fastest drummer EVER but he does not come close to Gene Krupa, Philly Joe Jones or many other drummers as far as making the drums 'sing'. He's all technical... not musical. If you like Buddy Rich listen to Ringo Star play any Beatles song. He plays exactly what the song calls for, nothing more. Rich would destory the music. Rich could drum circles around Ringo on the set BUT Ringo plays music like Gene Krupa who was a genius in making the drums 'sing'. The video shows how fast Buddy is, really nobody comes close today.

Buddy is and always will be "AT THE TOP":
This video has the perfect title.(RICH AT THE TOP) Buddy Rich is without question the greatest drum technician the world has ever known ! I have seen this video hundreds of times, and every time I'm more amazed what a geniuses this man is. The West Side story solo is totally amazing. What singles, what style, what a left hand. If there is anyone out there that thinks that he could actually play(after watching this) should check himself into a psychiatric hospital. As for that reviewer who thinks that Philly Joe Jones and many other drummers could make the drums seeing better than Buddy Rich ? All I have to say is,You obviously don't play the drums and you never Understood the genius of Buddy Rich ! Guy.

This DVD has lousy audio!:
I think this is one of Buddy's finest concerts but the audio quality on the DVD is crap. I hope the VHS version is better.