| BradJarre 09.05.2008 17:30 |
i think that the best drumming roger ever did was from 82-86. his worst is the 2005-2006 tour. On i want it all from sheffield you can hear that he droppes a beat every now and then. listen to the drummer from the stones(charlie watts or something) he never loses a beat and he is 4 or 5 years older). |
| HugoWanKenobi 09.05.2008 19:23 |
Obviously you know nothing about drums if you compare Roger Taylor vs Charlie Watts... |
| Serry... 10.05.2008 02:04 |
innuendo1990 wrote: he is 4 or 5 years older).He's kinda 50 years older if you'd look at him. But actually he's 8 years older. |
| dbruce 10.05.2008 02:53 |
Charlie Watts has to be one of the worst rock drummers I've ever heard. His drumming on A Bigger Bang sounded like he was struggling to keep up, and was what spoiled that album for me. Roger's drumming on the QPR tour was one thing that amazed me - that at his age he still had that power. Just listen to FBG or Love With My Car. |
| Darren1977 10.05.2008 03:47 |
Charlie Watts and Larry Mullen from U2 are rubbish |
| Major Tom 10.05.2008 04:59 |
DARREN1977 wrote: Charlie Watts and Larry Mullen from U2 are rubbishLarry Mullen? Come on! |
| olly1988 10.05.2008 06:33 |
Roger was very impressive on the Q+PR tour in my opinion. He still has a feel that not many people have, and him and Brian still make an incredible 'Queen' Sound. He may not look as comfortable behind a kit as he did and may not have as much attack, but he's older now and carrying a bit more weight. I think he's fantastic with all them considerations aside. He was allways about feel, and he still has tonnes of it! Charlie watts my arse!! Bag of steaming shit! |
| Adam Baboolal 10.05.2008 06:38 |
My brother and I were talking about Roger's drumming and even when he kicks out the most basic 4/4 beat, it still sounds great! Roger has that ability that many don't, i.e. make it interesting, no matter what. Adam. |
| Queen Sweden 1986 10.05.2008 07:01 |
It was extremely bad sound from Roger Taylor's drums during "the works tour." Something better was that in "the magic tour." By contrast, the drumming sounds great during the Queen + PR years 2005-2006. |
| martinusx 10.05.2008 08:07 |
I think Roger's drumming peaked around '77. I have the Houston and Earl's Court shows and I think there he has great versatillity and great feel. The '81-'82 shows are great too. Then he went more basic in '84 en '85, and the sound of his kitt was truely horrible in both these tours. If you listen to the sound of wembley and compare it with the sound of Montreal of Milton Keynes, I cannot understand why he switched equipment. |
| pittrek 10.05.2008 09:05 |
Roger currently sound much better. Hid didn't sound so good since the early 70s. Sheffield is a very bad concert, try to listen to some audience recordings from some good concerts |
| Mr Mercury 10.05.2008 11:31 |
innuendo1990 wrote: i think that the best drumming roger ever did was from 82-86. his worst is the 2005-2006 tour. On i want it all from sheffield you can hear that he droppes a beat every now and then. listen to the drummer from the stones(charlie watts or something) he never loses a beat and he is 4 or 5 years older).Having watched the dvd, I cant see where you are coming from on I want it all. And besides, sometimes Roger plays with the emphasis on the backbeat. As for Charlie Watts being better than Rog..... give me break... Ringo Starr was better than him. |
| una999 10.05.2008 12:08 |
innuendo1990 wrote: i think that the best drumming roger ever did was from 82-86. his worst is the 2005-2006 tour. On i want it all from sheffield you can hear that he droppes a beat every now and then. listen to the drummer from the stones(charlie watts or something) he never loses a beat and he is 4 or 5 years older).You're not the best judge. I was recently (like yesterday) wacthing Roger on the Queen cam from Wembley. Fuck wacth now I'm here at the end, it's class Roger rocks - he hits the hi-hat twice then hits the snare around 6 times fast, and smashes into the cymbals he just looks the image of a rock star and you know he's enjoying it - FANTASTIC. Also on One Vision Queen Cam on Roger - the solo, roger does the same fill aroun 20 times, looks at Brian for the break then hits the snare and back into the beat, just class. How can you say that Roger doing Let There Be Drums sounds crap? Only prob I have with his dums on that tour is that they could be 10% crispier. He drops a beat every now and again...WTF are you some sort of musical genius? |
| Darren1977 10.05.2008 15:09 |
Una, Innuendo 1990 is obsessed with Freddie and AIDS.He is a morbid bastard |
| una999 10.05.2008 15:14 |
DARREN1977 wrote: Una, Innuendo 1990 is obsessed with Freddie and AIDS.He is a morbid bastardI know absolutely. Obsessed with the period 1988-1991, the Miracle and Innuendo. Maybe it's a phase thing I don't know |
| Kingswife 18.05.2008 11:55 |
you cannot compare charlie watts and roger taylor - concerning her style and techniwque, they are completely different. IMHO Watts is a superb drummer. watch him playing in the movie shine a light and you will know what i mean. taylor on the other hand now uses an "amplified" drum-kit, so that he doesn't have to play as hard as normal. that says a lot, doesn't it? |
| cmsdrums 22.05.2008 16:24 |
I have to agree that Roger was at his peak live between about 77 and 81. Just check out his solo in Keep Yourself Alive on Earls Court, or the solidity, power and tastefulness on Montreal 81 (Somebody To Love, I'm In Love With My Car). I was at Brixton for the first 2005 QPR show an was actually amazed at the vigour and attack he put into his playing on that show. As with all musicians, his style has changed over the years, and we won't see 3 minute tom and snare fills and rolls etc.. in the middle of songs like Flick of The Wrist or Great King Rat simply because the songs they now play don't call for it. I think you must really also consider that Roger really hadn't played seriously for nearly 20 years by the time of the 2005 shows, and now he was also playing with a virtually new band. Taking into account the effect this gap would have on his 'chops', and also the fact that he's nearly sixty, I think he's doing exceptionally well. I won't slag Charlie Watts off, but will say that he is not in any list of favourite drummers of mine, but give him his dues to keep going. There are lots of drummers in big name bands of Roger's age that have been playing consistently over the years (Tico Torres n Bon Jovi, Joey Kramer in Aerosmith etc..), and I just think it's a real shame that we've missed out on 20 years of seeing and hearing Roger do what he does best. Sound wise - love the 70's kits, and the Montreal Ludwig kit sounds very individual and nice. the Works tour sound is not great, and Magic Tour is a completely different sound with the Yamaha, but quite nice. I'm so glad he's back to the nice ambient sounding classic rock type kits which Trip Khalaf makes sound great at the gigs, but Justin Shirley-Smith completely ruins on record. By the way - why the hell hasn't Roger had a signature snare drum made by anyone? He has the most distinctive snare sound of any of the 'big name' drummers and this would sell like hotcakes! |
| Micrówave 22.05.2008 16:49 |
Kingswife wrote: taylor on the other hand now uses an "amplified" drum-kit, so that he doesn't have to play as hard as normal. that says a lot, doesn't it?Yes, duh, I've always wondered why they put SM57s on snare drums. It's so you don't have to hit the drums as hard, eh? What exactly is an "amplified" drum-kit anyway? Who makes this unique item? I'm actually looking for a "timed" drum-kit, cause my timing is shit. Perhaps a "pocket" drum-kit for those who can't keep up with their bass players? |
| Negative Creep 22.05.2008 17:49 |
Roger was at his best from 74 through to about 81/82. I personally prefer the 74/75 era as the band played slower, allowing Roger to play with more of a feel. There was a major drop in ability and stamina for the Works/Magic tours. The drumming on the Q+PR tour was laughable - which is understanable when you consider he hasn't regularly played for about 2 decades. |
| cmsdrums 23.05.2008 13:14 |
Micrówave wrote:Hee hee!! :)Kingswife wrote: taylor on the other hand now uses an "amplified" drum-kit, so that he doesn't have to play as hard as normal. that says a lot, doesn't it?Yes, duh, I've always wondered why they put SM57s on snare drums. It's so you don't have to hit the drums as hard, eh? What exactly is an "amplified" drum-kit anyway? Who makes this unique item? I'm actually looking for a "timed" drum-kit, cause my timing is shit. Perhaps a "pocket" drum-kit for those who can't keep up with their bass players? |
| Negative Creep 27.05.2008 16:45 |
I would assume they're referring to Roger being a very weak drummer now, and to cover this the drums are processed a lot and compressed to sound more powerful that they actually are - no clarity to the sound. Hilarious to read Brian and Q+PR fans saying he's playing better than ever!! He's never played worse. |
| kaesetyp 29.05.2008 08:11 |
ok folks, here you can see, what the so called "amplified drum sound" is about. link it's about the use of "triggers", nothing to do with a microphone (sm58). compare the way roger hits his drumkit (especially the cimbals!!) now and back in the old days and you will notice the difference! |
| Negative Creep 29.05.2008 09:46 |
I'm fairly certain he wasn't using triggers on the Q+PR tour. They were definitely used all over Innuendo, The Miracle, Made In Heaven & Happiness? though. |
| kaesetyp 29.05.2008 10:03 |
why do you think that he wasn't using them on that tour? Remember: Triggers are different to electronic drum-kits - they, instead, modify the natural drum-sound of your "analog"-kit to improve the output (it worked well sound-wise on that tour). |
| Drummer imense! 29.05.2008 13:25 |
All drum kits are 'Amplified' at gigs, otherwise they would be drowned out. You would be refering to the trigger pads and other sound changing things. |
| cmsdrums 29.05.2008 15:15 |
Roger definitely doesn't use drum triggers live. The closest he's had to that is the Octopad on the Magic Tour, and the trigger tube/bar for finger clicks and a couple of effects at the FM Tribute gig in 92. He woldn't use triggers on an acoustic kit in the studio either. The kits he plays and recording gear at his disposal would produce an acoustic sound far better than anything produced by a drum module, and if effects or non-acoustic sounds are needed he would actually play an electronic kit, or more preferably program the parts. |
| Micrówave 29.05.2008 15:55 |
kaesetyp wrote: why they, instead, modify the natural drum-sound of your "analog"-kit to improve the outputNo, they don't. Ok, now there's an "Analog" drum set too??? Drum sets available: Amplified Drum Set Pocket Drum Set Timed Drum Set and the new super cool Analog Drum Set. Perhaps Roger uses a "flavored" drum set. It's a fact that Cherries are much louder than Strawberries, but a nice Cucumber-Melon produces a very warm tone. ALSO They're called "Cymbals". Maybe we should put some triggers on those, too? |
| Negative Creep 29.05.2008 17:22 |
cmsdrums wrote: He woldn't use triggers on an acoustic kit in the studio either.I'm fairly sure he did. I'd swear there was even an article on it in a drum magazine around 1994. Listen to something like Innuendo (the track itself) or I Want It All- neither a natural drum sound, nor programmed. The drum sound on those albums is awful. |
| Mercury 90 30.05.2008 16:14 |
Negative Creep wrote:Those sounds can be made with an acoustic kit too... just listen to phil collins oder genesis drum sounds they are all made with an acoustic drumkt with a high compression on it..... only live phil collins triggered those sounds from the multitrack tapes because it isn't possible to get this effect live on stage very well!cmsdrums wrote: He woldn't use triggers on an acoustic kit in the studio either.I'm fairly sure he did. I'd swear there was even an article on it in a drum magazine around 1994. Listen to something like Innuendo (the track itself) or I Want It All- neither a natural drum sound, nor programmed. The drum sound on those albums is awful. |
| Yara 30.05.2008 16:33 |
Not a 100 % rule, but when Roger drummed really well and pushed the guys to do their best, Freddie usually delivered his best performances. Live Aid is an excellent example because Freddie had been very unstable, but the guys really went for that gig and Roger's drumming is almost beyond criticism, in my modest humble opinion, and that's partially why Freddie gives such a distinct and extraordinary performance there - Hammer to Fall is given probably its best live performance, as well as Radio Ga-Ga, and even staples like We Are The Champions and the Intro of Bohemian are given stunning, unusually good performances taking Freddie's condition at the time, which was not that good, even though I still think he was a genius throughout, but fans are fans. lol So why is that? People, I have sad news. Remember the phrase? "There are still judges in Berlin"? It was intended to convey that there were still good people fighting the Nazi regime from inside. Now, I rephrase that: "There are no more drummers in Berlin". People. I'm worried about the lack of good drummers. I really am. And I'm not talking on the professional level of the big guys, I'm talking about the music schools, and the youngsters in general, and new groups. People. I drum. I suck drumming, but I had to learn it. I study Music, studying music sucks, makes you boring, idiot, gives you all sort of troubles, well, it ruins your life. But let's go on. What I do best - which doesn't mean that I do well, of course - and what I'm paid for, is playing the piano and singing. People. I need them drummers. Because if there are no good drummers in Berlin, I'm in trouble. Singers rely, or should rely, it's been an ever-fading out tradition, on their drummers to perform - it's the most reasonable and secure reference to the singer who's not doing a capella, for sure! It's hard to use the sound in your own mind and the sound you yourself as a singer produce to use as reference a reference to everything from toys and guns to flash color Christs that glow in the dark (!?). Almost, not every, but almost every single aspect of singing can, and should be refered to other sounds produced by other singers or instruments. Drummers have been usually the most reliable. That ended. Singers are having a hard time singing using only their own perception of their own sound as a reference. It's not wise. If the drummer sucks, you go to the guitar player, but the guitar player MUST suck if you want to use him as a reference, because if it's a sophisticated and resourceful guitar player as Brian May, you're damned. Really damned. Unless you are, well, Freddie Mercury, you're damned - because Freddie interacted with Brian really fine, so fine that it's really unusual to see in other band's live performances. So, I love Roger's drumming in Live Aid and in the Works and Magic Tours generally, which doesn't mean he didn't have other great moments. He was the key to the power of Queen's sound back in the 1981 and 1982 because he was the main responsible for translating the funky like beats into full rock and roll pieces. So, LOVE YOU ROGER! |
| HugoWanKenobi 30.05.2008 18:40 |
AMEN! Roger is, by far, the most important influence in my drumming style. Half I know from playing drums, I've learned it by studying this man's work behind the drumkit. Roger! If you ever read this, be proud, you have a huge disciple in me. |
| Woodie 30.05.2008 18:45 |
I love Charlie Watts. He is the bestest. True story. |
| s.m. 30.05.2008 23:41 |
Woodie wrote: I love Charlie Watts. He is the bestest. True story.dont be silly zlad is the bestest |
| Negative Creep 31.05.2008 11:45 |
Mercury 90 wrote:It's nothing to do with compression - all drums go through some level of compression.Negative Creep wrote:Those sounds can be made with an acoustic kit too... just listen to phil collins oder genesis drum sounds they are all made with an acoustic drumkt with a high compression on it..... only live phil collins triggered those sounds from the multitrack tapes because it isn't possible to get this effect live on stage very well!cmsdrums wrote: He woldn't use triggers on an acoustic kit in the studio either.I'm fairly sure he did. I'd swear there was even an article on it in a drum magazine around 1994. Listen to something like Innuendo (the track itself) or I Want It All- neither a natural drum sound, nor programmed. The drum sound on those albums is awful. The drum sounds on those albums are not natural - and you're suggesting they somehow mixed the drums to sound so horrendous?! At the end of the day - they made some bizarre choices. |
| macewitte 21.08.2008 23:36 |
if you want to see excellent drumming watch this link Roger isn'T as fit as in the past, was my first thought when I listened to the Q+PR stuff, but i gotta analyze that mor detailed one time |
| Togg 22.08.2008 04:36 |
innuendo1990 wrote: i think that the best drumming roger ever did was from 82-86. his worst is the 2005-2006 tour. On i want it all from sheffield you can hear that he droppes a beat every now and then. listen to the drummer from the stones(charlie watts or something) he never loses a beat and he is 4 or 5 years older).'Loses a beat'??? Speaking as a drummer of thirty plus years I can say that you known not of what you speak... The last tour was amasing, sure the first couple of gigs were a little dodgy in places, every band has that, and Queen is and always has been no exception. This time they played the songs at the correct speed, so technically he played them better than they used to, because when they used to play, they would alway vary the timming enormously. Now the trigger issue from later on in this topic... yes he has used a trigger here and there, I think the bass drumm has been triggered and others as well at times. You don't often do it in the studio, there is really no need, however sometimes to get the sound you are looking for it works well, it's a great way to get closer to the recorded sound, think of the snare sound on Radio Ga Ga for instance, to get that he might use a trigger live. I have seen shots of his kit on the last tour with triggers on the bass drum to help re-enforce the sound, he has a very deep bass drum and it can get lost in a big arena sometimes, so to help on certain songs it will be triggering another sound as well. As for Roger vs Charlie Watts... well considering Honky Tonk Woman famously varies in speed by a signifiacnt amount on the origial recording I would say right from the off Charlie is just as fallible as the rest of us. He has a very different style to Roger and frankly if you knew anything about drumming you would realise to compare them was pointless. |
| StoneColdClassicQueen 22.08.2008 17:25 |
Roger Taylor is an AWESOME DRUMMER NO MATTER WHAT! I mean, considering the fact that he now kinda looks like this guy according to my sisters after watching him play at the 46664 concert: link roger: link i don't think so.... but still, an old geezer like him can play! |
| new one 22.08.2008 18:08 |
What are these triggers you are all talking about? what do they do exactly? Forgive my ignorance!! I personally think Roger sounds great for an old, over weight poser |
| Mr Mercury 22.08.2008 18:40 |
new one wrote: What are these triggers you are all talking about? what do they do exactly? Forgive my ignorance!! I personally think Roger sounds great for an old, over weight poserTriggers are usually small pads that sit under the skin of the snare, toms or bass drum. These are linked up to an effects rack or, in the case of Neil Peart from Rush, linked directly to a keyboard. Heres an example of Neil using triggers link |
| Hugowan 22.08.2008 19:18 |
To be more precise, a trigger it's a device that sends an electrical signal to a drum module or a sampler when the drumhead is hit. Technically, an acoustic drum with a trigger attached becomes the same as an electronic drumpad. If the drum has acoustic heads, you still get the sound and it's possible to mix it with the sound generated by the module or sampler. Today's Pro electronic drum kits like Roland Vdrums are very similar to acoustic drums, except that they use mesh heads to minimize the noise produced when hit. By the way, the secret behind the top tech of drum triggering is a little piece called "piezo transducer", wich has a retail price of... 1 dollar at your favourite electronics store. Guess the price of a single Roland Vdrums pad. That is the reason why I, like many people, have a DIY electronic drumkit. |
| kagezan1313 23.08.2008 05:20 |
Roger is a good solid drummer - a real class act, who has stood the test of time. Charlie Watts and Larry Mullen (Jr., if anyone gives a shit), I agree have had a free ride...Lucked out, so to speak, on the shirt-tails of their singer/guitarists. |
