I am in awe

[Doodoobubbachuck]

This is really more of a drummer's thread but all musicians can appreciate it! I just did a session for a friend the other night. I recorded 2 tracks and she also had another guest drummer doing 2 other tracks for her upcoming CD. His name is Joey Heredia..........JEEEEEEEEEEEEESUS!!!! (Yes, that Joey Heredia) Aja has done some recording with this guy so she can attest to his astonishing abilities. Just breathtaking. This guy is f**king AMAZING! To witness someone at this level of playing just pulling the stuff he did out of his ass after hearing a song only once and then going in and laying down the most groovy awesome tracks ever was just soooo inspiring and jaw-dropping. It was like he knew the songs for years. Unbelievable!!!!! Did I mention it made me feel like giving up? LOL!!! Actually it didn't, it just made me feel something deep inside that I can't even explain. I had a really inspiring session, even tho I had to play AFTER he did his tracks. It's like a bass player having to do tracks after Steve Harris was just there recording. Oh well. It was soooo humbling and enlightening and motivating and ......... I am at a loss for words.............errrr. maybe not...I seem to be rambling! It's just such a priviledge and pleasure to watch these masters of any given instrument in their element. Babbling session complete. Thanks for listening.

 

[Lord of Delusions]

I have been in that situation before. But its weird though, because you may go to see a concert and not have any issues because everyone playing is better than you, but as soon as you are put in the same room wiht one of those people it totally changes. You may think your doing pretty good untill someone blows you away, and it is both motivating and humbling at the same time. Last time that happened to me, I did quit playing for a while! It humbled all the motivation out of me for a few months.

 

[Air Raid Siren]

This is really more of a drummer's thread but all musicians can appreciate it! I just did a session for a friend the other night. I recorded 2 tracks and she also had another guest drummer doing 2 other tracks for her upcoming CD. His name is Joey Heredia..........JEEEEEEEEEEEEESUS!!!! (Yes, that Joey Heredia) Aja has done some recording with this guy so she can attest to his astonishing abilities. Just breathtaking. This guy is f**king AMAZING! To witness someone at this level of playing just pulling the stuff he did out of his ass after hearing a song only once and then going in and laying down the most groovy awesome tracks ever was just soooo inspiring and jaw-dropping. It was like he knew the songs for years. Unbelievable!!!!! Did I mention it made me feel like giving up? LOL!!! Actually it didn't, it just made me feel something deep inside that I can't even explain. I had a really inspiring session, even tho I had to play AFTER he did his tracks. It's like a bass player having to do tracks after Steve Harris was just there recording. Oh well. It was soooo humbling and enlightening and motivating and ......... I am at a loss for words.............errrr. maybe not...I seem to be rambling! It's just such a priviledge and pleasure to watch these masters of any given instrument in their element. Babbling session complete. Thanks for listening.

This is what I so love about you, girl! It's the mark of a great musician - when you hear someone who's a badass and it inspires you to dig deeper and bring out the best in YOU! It's what it's all about, ya?

Yea, that Joey- love him - he's an amazing drummer and such a character! I'm a big fan of his cymbal work in addition to the way he lays down a groove that just won't quit. You were in excellent company on that record!!

 

[Metallicat180]

That's an awesome story!!! I get that alot from watching live videos - I just want to go and play forever after seeing my favourite bands playing!!

 

[97reb]

I tried picking up the bass in the early nineties after having played guitar for about 10 years. My roommates ex bass player moved back into town and jammed on my bass one night. He had given up playing bass professionally or semi-professionally. What he did amazed me, so I traded my bass rig for another six string and stuck with that for a few more years. Now, I know I am not the best bass player in the world or even locally, maybe, but I am still willing to say I can go to a tryout and at least attempt to gig as a bass player. It can be awe inspiring and intimidating both to play with or after somebody that smokes hard. I know you are a great drummer, so hopefully, this experience will continue to inspire you.

 

[nlukes]

It's all relative. For sure there are tons of drummers out there saying that "Wow, that Linda McDonald is incredible". .. Music is so vast and it is impossible to be great at all the different styles.

 

[Metallicat180]

It's all relative. For sure there are tons of drummers out there saying that "Wow, that Linda McDonald is incredible". .. .

Well, my guitar teacher was one of the people that has said that to me!!!

 

[alanbirdsell]

Reminds me of that scene in the old making of the Hear-N-Aid video when the Spinal Tap fellers are introduced to the guitar stylings of Yngwie J. Malmsteen. They decided they were going to give up playing guitar and have their's made into coffee tables With the quote, "Why bother..." referring to tryingto play after watching him.

 

[RoboCaster]

When I see that kind of thing I say to myself "thanks for showing that to me, now I will use it too, or as much as I got from it.”. Reminds me of the Legend in up here Zane Olson. A Native American guy, but he could really play and I always looked up to his ability to shred. I ran into his nephew last winter and he told me that Zane comes over and plays at his house sometimes and that we played it the same way, and I was like wow. I knew the kids older brother, but didn’t tell him that though, but anyway I got the families attention, yea he was coming around for a few weeks.

 

[Air Raid Siren]

I tried picking up the bass in the early nineties after having played guitar for about 10 years. My roommates ex bass player moved back into town and jammed on my bass one night. He had given up playing bass professionally or semi-professionally. What he did amazed me, so I traded my bass rig for another six string and stuck with that for a few more years. Now, I know I am not the best bass player in the world or even locally, maybe, but I am still willing to say I can go to a tryout and at least attempt to gig as a bass player. It can be awe inspiring and intimidating both to play with or after somebody that smokes hard. I know you are a great drummer, so hopefully, this experience will continue to inspire you.

Good for you! As a wise person once told me, there will always be someone better at what you do and someone who isn't. And it's constantly changing all the time. After all, how can you improve if you don't keep working at it?

 

[WillyKing]

Robo, I've known Zane for a long time, and have jammed many times with him on stage. He's a great guitar player, his version of Eruption still gets a rise from people. He has his own cover band called "Z-Rex and the Ninjas", who play over at JA Michaels every Friday. They even opened for Hell's Belles 1¼ months ago.

As for the "Blow Me Away" thing, that's what you girls did to me! Seeing the Maidens kick ass gave me the incentive to start singing again. I'm still a little out of practice, hope it doesn't take to long to get back in! This whole "American Idol" thing kinda filled me with "piss and vinegar" too! I maybe a shade over 40, but somebody's gotta kick this place in the ass, huh? Might as well be me!

Here's something for you, Aja. A singer friend of mine talked about "hearing yourself properly". She said if you can't it'll make you strain your vocal cords. I've never been able to afford lessons, so I'm guessing it has to do with ear training or monitors. Am I close? Any other tips you could give me? All the best from your friends up here in Pt. Orchard! Later, Willy

 

[alanbirdsell]

There are environmental laws and peace treaties that prohibit me from singing

 

[momadave]

Linda, sounds like you had a killer experience... Those moments are unforgetable. I saw a Dave Weckl clinic out here in Sacto and my mind was blown out of the water after seeing that. I know how you must have felt.
If you want to hear a Kick ass, groove hard, solid drummer, give Phish a listening to. You can stream some high quality live soundboards at www.livephish.com They're the JAM of all Jambands and four of the finest musicians you could put together. Fishman, their drummer, is my all time favorite drummer! He has mastered rock, groove, funk, jazz, salsa... you name it and his single bass drum work is right up there with Nicko's. Listen to this boys chops... I know you would appreciate it.

David

 

[Doodoobubbachuck]

Dave Weckl is amazing too! Nothing like a good kick in the ass (not literally!!!!!) to get you back into study mode! Woohooooo!!!!!!! I just got this Marco Minneman "Extreme Interdependence" book and it's making my brain hurt. LOL!

I remember another story........way back in '89 I was doing my first real album and we were in pre-production at the studio when Steve Smith walked in to see what we were doing. He was recording in the next room with Ritchie Kotzen and Stu Hamm (SP?). I looked up and almost dropped my sticks when I saw him, I was so nervous! He just smiled. In turn, I got the priviledge of being allowed to sit at the sound board and watch him and Stu record! WOWIEKAZOWIE!!!!!! They were in the room together and just whipping out stuff you wouldn't believe. And when the engineer said it sounded great, they said, "Nah, we can do it better!" AND THEY DID!!!!!!! Ah, the priceless moments in time!

I will definitely have to check out the Phish link! Thanks!

 

[Air Raid Siren]

Here's something for you, Aja. A singer friend of mine talked about "hearing yourself properly". She said if you can't it'll make you strain your vocal cords. I've never been able to afford lessons, so I'm guessing it has to do with ear training or monitors. Am I close? Any other tips you could give me? All the best from your friends up here in Pt. Orchard! Later, Willy

Hey there Willy!
Yea, hearing yourself properly is important. Monitors are key (though I'm one of those who likes to hear the house, too). Basic vocal technique is helpful. I studied voice for about a year and it was invaluable. But at the end of the day, singing really comes from your heart. Just do it! Send a shout out to everyone in Pt. Orchard!!

 

[RoboCaster]

WillyKing - Zane should be able to play Eruption standing on his head by now, man he's been playing it for 25 years...It’s all in the rhythm. Anyway guys like Zane have caused me to have high standards, and I am just prejudice about my musical expectations. I used to know his bass player Tim, a guy I was in school with and I used to love to watch him play Rush; he was fast and had a good handle on it.

Hey Willy at the Maidens show in Pt. Orchard, were you the dude sitting at the Swag desk?

 

[Doodoobubbachuck]

Hey Willy! Definitely do take advice from Aja! She's definitely in the know of the do's and don'ts of singing. Damn, she survived 8 shows in 9 days............

 

[WillyKing]

Robo, would that be Tim Glitch? I used to be good buds with him back when he was in Essex 7 with another friend, Lori Lowenstein. Would love to hook up with the dude sometime. And yep, that was me! Wanted to talk w/ Linda, since she's the only Maiden who has a "name". Is that what they call merch these days? Sorry, not up on the lingo! BTW, when you post in colors, I can barely read it. Later, Willy

 

[RoboCaster]

Robo, would that be Tim Glitch? I used to be good buds with him back when he was in Essex 7 with another friend, Lori Lowenstein. Would love to hook up with the dude sometime. And yep, that was me! Wanted to talk w/ Linda, since she's the only Maiden who has a "name". Is that what they call merch these days? Sorry, not up on the lingo! BTW, when you post in colors, I can barely read it. Later, Willy

Yeap! That would be Tim Glitch, I used have the privilege of watching him play for hours, he would play with this other dude that was pretty good, and at the time I couldn’t play anything at all, but he tried to show me something. His name was Mike; we were buds in First grade.

I thought it was you or the other dude right next to me jumping up and down head banging. I was the dude in black, I gave you a box. Yeap Swag is the word.

 

[Air Raid Siren]

Hey Willy! Definitely do take advice from Aja! She's definitely in the know of the do's and don'ts of singing. Damn, she survived 8 shows in 9 days............

We all came through on that marathon run better known as the great PAC/NW 2005 tour. Amazing what you can do when you have absolutely no choice!(and even less sleep!!)
But I attribute it all to my Korean heritage which gave me leather vocal cords!