Okay - Kinda of new here, but this question should be no less entertaining.

What is your opinion of P's drum playing. For the technical musical types, provide specific examples. Also, what songs highlight his drum playing the best? Specifically, is he playing all the drums on The Time's first two albums. Is Iressitable Bitch him on drums? Is this really his instrument or one that he needs the most assistance and expertise?

HE is a bad ass drummer.... and his sound engineers confirm this... he plays it funky and emotionally. Tambourine, Sexual suicide, I'm pretty sure "Glass Cutter"

Yeah, he's a great drummer. Darling Nikki is one of my favorites. I think he played all the instruments (including drums) on the first 2 Time albums.

I'm pretty sure he plays drums on Irresistible Bitch... maybe someone else can confirm.
[Edited 9/19/05 23:53pm]

Im Yours shows his drummin' skills the most i think. And didnt he play them on Dance On? If so then thats another great one.
[Edited 9/20/05 2:55am]

That HAS to be Blackwell on drums on Glasscutter. If it's Prince, then DAMN!!

doeineffect said:

Prince played all instruments on glasscutter!

other notable mentions:

1)the snare break on the extended version of america.

2)in sign of the times.

3)the parade warm-up show first avenue 1986.

4)the america video(this was shot on a off day from filming under the cherry moon)

5)rave un2 the year 2000.

Also check out the Madhouse '8' album. Incredible drumming.

doeineffect said:

True dat! There are certain albums that show off Prince at his best on whatever instrument/musical style etc.

If I want to make a point about his ability on drums then Madhouse "8" is the LP to do it with. "Seven" is a particular favourite of mine from that album!

How good is he on drums? Some great examples here and just to further the adulation, Susan Rogers even said that he doesn't even use a click track or metronome - nothing! Uncommon enough, but that's usually for drummers who have the benefit of a band to play along with - Prince has to do it on his own!! (and drums and bass are usually the first things that are recorded!)

Actually, I'd love to know Prince's methodology here - do you think he has a basic, or even detailed, idea of how the track is gonna go, lays down bass amd drums, a few keys and vocals and then goes back and re-records fills etc to fit in or syncopate with the rest of the instruments? I wonder.....

Mindflux said:

That is something I have thought about too. It seems almost impossible that you could lay down the entire drum track knowing that everything else will fit. But then again, P may just have the entire thing in his head already and he is just playing along with his imagination..... Only one person can answer that really!

Thank you all so much -- I am learning! According to Bobby Z in a Uptown article, Prince hears the song in his head, lays the tracks with drums followed by bass as mentioned earlier and completes filler. To be honest, I really like the drumming on both Time albums, especially the second one (What Time is It). I also enjoy Controversy for its simple, yet effective use of drums. Prince - For You - man, that's a young person holding his own on all the instruments, but again, his drum work stood out. I am going to purchase the Madhouse CDs again - I had them as a teenager - and critique with a new educated view. If there are other great examples let me know. Otherwise, thanks again.

prince definately plays everything on glasscutter, re: just playing drums with nothing else - i heard he laid down the drum tracks for the first four songs off Parade in one take and that was that! if thats true i do love that story.