Publication: Modern Drummer
Date: August, 1997
Transcribed by
Mike Feld (berkana@idt.net)
Mike Feld (berkana@idt.net)
page: 96 title: Tony Remembered author: Robin Flans, Rick Mattingly, Ken Micallen, Robin Tolleson... Note: This was compiled by Robin Flans, Rick Mattingly, Ken Micallen, Robin Tolleson and T. Bruce Wittet. It's an article written in rememberence of the drumming legend Tony Williams. It consists of various drummers telling what they remember of him. This is the section where Danny Carey gives his say on how Tony has effected his drumming: "I think I descovered Tony Williams' gif in a different way than most. It was actually due to Bill Bruford's praise in a Modern Drummer cover story that I bought a Tony Williams Lifetime record [Believe It]. Up until then my drumming world was pretty much ruled by prog-rock influences, and I was bound and determined to find out what made these guys 'tick'. After I purchased that Tony record I felt that I not only found the 'what' that makes them tick but also the 'why,' the reason to 'tick' in the first place. "I listened to that record over and over until I literally wore it out. This playing was like nothing I had ever heard before. Not only was Tony's command of time 'omnipotent,' but it was all so musical and so beautiful. I was truly inspired. (Little did I know at the time that this was a tiny tip of an iceburg of inspiration I could chip on for all my playing years.) "I went out and bought every record I could find with Tony's playing and recieved such an education from it. Tony brough the whole jazz scene alive for me because he 'rocked'. He was my link that connected deeper into traditional jazz than most of the other fusion players, so he opened my eyes to a whole other world (Miles [Davis], Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, etc.). Over the years I'v realized how much Tony I hear in so many of my favorite players, like Terry Bozzio, Bill Bruford, and Vinnie Colaiuta. It's amazing how saturated the drumming community is with his influence. His sound will echo for ages through all of us. "The last time I saw Tony play was at a drum clinic and it was truly a heartwarming event. Even though he was fielding very simple and very technical questions, he was still filling the room with so much love for music and respect for the drumset it was inescapable. I left that room with more desire to play than ever before. "I thank Mr. Bruford for the kindly advise twenty years ago, and I thank Tony Williams for expanding the horizons of love, music, and the drumset." -Danny Carey Note to Kabir: I know this article isn't ABOUT Tool, but I thought it gave some good insight on Danny Carey and was very interesting. I hope you can use this. -Mike Feld (berkana@idt.net)
Posted to t.d.n: 06/19/97 17:00:12