Discussion:
Steve Gadd's "mistake" at Aja 4:57`
(too old to reply)
Scott Hammond
2021-03-02 11:19:17 UTC
Permalink
It was a mistake. He admitted it in a drum clinic in Dublin.
Still sounds good though.
studiowizard
2021-03-02 22:35:56 UTC
Permalink
Post by Scott Hammond
It was a mistake. He admitted it in a drum clinic in Dublin.
Still sounds good though.
Even his mistakes sound musical!
The old geezer
2021-03-14 16:02:39 UTC
Permalink
Post by studiowizard
Post by Scott Hammond
It was a mistake. He admitted it in a drum clinic in Dublin.
Still sounds good though.
Even his mistakes sound musical!
Man! You guys have WAY too much time on your hands!!

TOG
Mark Mathias
2022-04-04 12:40:45 UTC
Permalink
Post by studiowizard
Post by Scott Hammond
It was a mistake. He admitted it in a drum clinic in Dublin.
Still sounds good though.
Even his mistakes sound musical!
Man! You guys have WAY too much time on your hands!!
TOG
Gadd fan here. Here's a link to an interview with Steely Dan producer Gary Katz, who was THERE when "Aja" was recorded.

16-page chart. One take. Spread the word.

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/gary-katz-steely-dan-aja-interview-2022/

You're welcome.
studiowizard
2022-04-05 17:39:11 UTC
Permalink
Yeah, even his "mistakes" are musical. haha
Post by Mark Mathias
Post by studiowizard
Post by Scott Hammond
It was a mistake. He admitted it in a drum clinic in Dublin.
Still sounds good though.
Even his mistakes sound musical!
Man! You guys have WAY too much time on your hands!!
TOG
Gadd fan here. Here's a link to an interview with Steely Dan producer Gary Katz, who was THERE when "Aja" was recorded.
16-page chart. One take. Spread the word.
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/gary-katz-steely-dan-aja-interview-2022/
You're welcome.
studiowizard
2022-04-05 17:40:06 UTC
Permalink
That's a great article - I've read it before, but it's good to read it again. Thanks for sending it!!

As a studio owner, engineer/producer and session drummer, I can say that something has been lost in making records today vs the way they were made in the 70's mostly, but the 80's as well. I'm referring to the way producers direct musicians to play. These days, there's so much control placed over the musicians by telling them what to play, then editing the hell out of their tracks to create something that only resembles what was played, but loses the essence. That is just one of the ingredients that made Aja such a good record. Hiring the right voices to do what they do to bring the compositions to life. Today, session players are hired more like delivery people who "deliver" a sound and somewhat of a concept that then is hammered, manipulated and forged into something completely different. That's not to say that there isn't some great music out there.... there is, and the latter mentioned technique is a valid technique, even if it moves more toward the heartless approach. But, in my opinion, it doesn't come close to the beauty and soul of songs that are created when musicians are allowed to do what they do. The onus then is on the writers/producers to bring in the "right" team to achieve that goal.

Just my .02!
Post by Mark Mathias
Post by studiowizard
Post by Scott Hammond
It was a mistake. He admitted it in a drum clinic in Dublin.
Still sounds good though.
Even his mistakes sound musical!
Man! You guys have WAY too much time on your hands!!
TOG
Gadd fan here. Here's a link to an interview with Steely Dan producer Gary Katz, who was THERE when "Aja" was recorded.
16-page chart. One take. Spread the word.
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/gary-katz-steely-dan-aja-interview-2022/
You're welcome.
Klaus & Rooster
2022-04-06 03:12:09 UTC
Permalink
I'm a professional keyboardist, not a drummer, but well-schooled in the
tradition of the great drummers.
I cannot imagine how anyone thinks the drumstick-click at 4:57 on "Aja" is a
mistake. It's called art, improvisation, and it's exciting because it is
unexpected. It doesn't interrupt time, it fills in a space that may have been
given a half-rest.
The only thing I miss on the new Dan album is adventurous drumming, but I also
know that this wasn't the album for that (just as it doesn't need Larry
Carlton, Steve Khan or Rick Derringer---all fantastic guitarists). In many
ways, it's a return to a simpler way of presenting material, and the material
is outstanding.
Now if I want to hear a great piano solo, I go to "Sign in Stranger"...a great
guitar solo "Third World Man"...etc.
I am glad the album is not over-arranged.
P.S.: I LOVE Walter's guitar work!
David
Hi David,

recently, there was a discussion on Twitter about Steve Gadd's famous drumstick-click. Among the participants was a person, who claimed to be a personal friend of Steve Gadd. He told us that Steve Gadd confided him that the click was actually a mistake, which the production decided to keep, as it fits so nicely into the groove.

best Regards
Klaus (Rooster still sleeping)
studiowizard
2022-04-06 04:02:51 UTC
Permalink
I'm very familiar with Gadd's drumming on multiple albums and he's such a fluent player, but NOT a robot. haha He's made quite a few "mistakes" on many tracks, yet always musical ones. I've heard him stop the beat momentarily because the phrase was not going where he intended, or he hit a roadblock and simply stopped for a moment. I'm sure he spent a lot of time practicing how to get out of tough spots like that. There's an instructional video where he stops momentarily and the video interviewer asked him about "that spot". It was funny. But it was the same thing... super musical and questionable as to whether it would be perceived as a mistake.

There are lots of examples of great tracks that have little drumming mistakes on. I grew up listening intently to my favorite drummers and was fascinated when I would hear something starting to go awry then I'd hear the genius way they slipped out of it.

So, Gadd's drumstick click is in time, it's musical, but it missed the mark of whatever he was aiming for. I'd be so lucky to have my mistakes hotly debated as being intentional or not. Truly a master musician Gadd is.
Loading...