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Rob Silverman: Drumology Volume 3

By Jim Worsley
November 17, 2022
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The beat goes on. Yes, that was a big hit for Sonny & Cher back in 1967. However, here it references the third volume of drummer

Rob Silverman

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Rob Silverman's Drumology series. The formula seems to be working, so why not keep pounding them out? Again all proceeds go to the

Neil Peart

b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Neil Peart Fund for brain cancer research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. And the core band stays intact, with Silverman being joined by brother

Michael Silverman

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Silverman on piano and keyboards, bassist

Larry Kornfeld

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Kornfeld, keyboardist/producer

Jay Oliver

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Jay Oliver and a different drummer on every song. As with the first two volumes, there is also a bevy of guest stars.

In the past, among others, drumming legends

Billy Cobham

drums
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Cobham,

Dave Weckl

drums
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Weckl,

Steve Smith

drums
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Smith,

Carmine Appice

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Carmine Appice, and

Simon Phillips

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Simon Phillips have contributed. This time, among others,

Steve Gadd

drums
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Gadd joins the party and Weckl is back for seconds. Fusion drummer

Gergo Borlai

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Gergo Borlai and prog rock drummer

Gavin Harrison

drums
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Gavin Harrison bring their sounds to the mix as well. The Drumology series is broader than a drum workshop, as attested by the presence of bassist

John Patitucci

bass
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">John Patitucci and saxophonist

Eric Marienthal

saxophone
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Marienthal. Both artists have played on all three records. This time around guitarist

Frank Gambale

guitar
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Gambale, bassist

Victor Wooten

bass
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Victor Wooten, and percussionist

Gumbi Ortiz

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Gumbi Ortiz join the cast. If that wasn't enough, the great

" data-original-title="" title="">Bela Fleck performs as well.

The record explodes from the beginning with triplets in triplicate. Gadd, Weckl, and Silverman playing in unison throughout the opener. "The Alchemist" is a blistering, nearly nine minutes, tour de force.There is a feel of them being in the moment enjoying themselves and embracing each other's artistry, not that of some sort of competition or drum-off. In watching the video of the song they make it look easy. to improvise off of their fills and rhythmic patterns. Drumology is, of course, heavily drum influenced, but on the whole it is about musicians working together in service of the tunes. No better example of that then Patitucci, Gambale and Marienthal all adding elements to "The Alchemist" that connected and drove it to a crescendo. And yes, in case you missed it, with

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea bandmates Weckl, Patitucci, Gambale, and Marienthal this is indeed a tribute to Corea composed by Jay Oliver.

With "Jaco's Dream" the intent wasn't to emulate

Jaco Pastorius

bass, electric
1951 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Jaco Pastorius. Good luck with that. Instead it is more about feel and emotion. With his high-end approach and

Vinnie Colaiuta

drums
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Vinnie Colaiutaish style, Gergo Borlai takes the spotlight. A third different direction is attained in as many songs with Bela Fleck now at center stage, joined by two of his Flecktones, bassist Victor Wooten, and drummer Roy Wooten. "Fibonacci Pie" has the multi-talented and diversified Fleck beautifully delivering the purest jazz tune in the set.

In truth, the record leans more towards rock. The first Drumology was jazz fusion. The second edged more to the rock side of fusion. That directional pull now even more evident with prog rock entering the picture. Deep into that world is the riveting sound of Porcupine Tree and their inventive drummer Gavin Harrison, also of

King Crimson

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">King Crimson fame. Here he takes his intricate rhythms in a deliciously funky spiral. In "Sevenish" you hear some of his trademark licks, and many more, in a uniquely original manner. They rocked on with

Alice Cooper

" data-original-title="" title="">Alice Cooper drummer

Glen Sobel

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Glen Sobel making his second Drumology appearance. Sobel anchored the big arena rock sound of "Talk of The Town," along with former

Michael Jackson

vocals
1958 - 2009

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Jackson guitarist

Jennifer Batten

guitar, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">Jennifer Batten. An amped up Marienthal smoked through his solo.

The record takes a little tumble on the final tune. "Sailing" features a poppish vocal and is bogged down with the catchy hook concept. While redundant, "Sailing" does have the silver lining of Gumbi Ortiz and his fine percussion work. The real takeaway is that overall this is a very enjoyable new record and was done for an important cause.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

The Alchemist; Jaco's Dream; Fibonacci's Pie; Falcon Nine; Sevenish; Talk of the Town; Sailing.

Personnel

Rob Silverman

drums

Jay Oliver

keyboards

Larry Kornfeld

bass

Michael Silverman

keyboards

Eric Marienthal

saxophone

John Patitucci

bass

Dave Weckl

drums

Steve Gadd

drums

Victor Wooten

bass

Roy Futureman Wooten

drums

Bela Fleck

banjo

Glen Sobel

drums

Frank Gambale

guitar

Gavin Harrison

drums

Gumbi Ortiz

percussion

Gergo Borlai

drums

Album information

Title: Drumology Volume 3 | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Autumn Hill

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