Keith Carlock

[username986563]

he is one of the best "timeless" drummers 

[SterlingRe]

While Keith does have a chunky style all his own, when he decides to turn it up he displays some real chops. His left hand with that traditional grip is awesome and he has very deceptive hand speed. Yes his solos all sound about the same, but he's a hell of a drummer.

[mar0367]

sorry guys every time i have seen kieth he has played the same thing include live

come on m8 show me something els

[bentecho]

@mar0367 i wondred if anyone else noticed that, so do a lot of players really, drums is freakin hard man and you cant play everything. Hes got a great sound and it deserves repeating, and he seems to be doing ok for himself en it

[tcslick420]

what i like about him is not his chops or his groove. he doesnt even really have good chops. what i like is that hes created a sound for himself. when you hear him, you know its keith and no one else, you can tell just by listening. That's what every drummer should strive for. you can put any drummer on the same kit to play the same sticking, and you'll never get the same sound.

[LedZeppelinisgod100]

He is a very bad, bad man.

[GeneralMillss]

Man I don't think I could deal with all those toms angled like that.

[JustusFriedolin]

you guys have to listen to his album with tim lefebve and wayne krantz, i listened to it so often now.

[chungiemunchin]

Coming back to this video these many months later, I've got to wonder if he played different things around the drums in practice, WITH A METRONOME. His groove is so deep even when he's playing those 32nd notes around the drums.

[sonofnothing]

2:44 - 3:05 wowowow

[schwheels]

Keith is the bomb!



[kusanophone]

screw his manager, carlock is the shit....i wish there was more of him on youtube. BEATS=FAT

[Laight4work]

would rather listen to this dude that Weckl any day. // great shit.

[drummrguy]

depends on the day

[jp3design]

kinda of a stu copeland vibe as well - nice playin bruva!

[chungiemunchin]

Actually, instead of making you stop, he should have hired you as Keith's personal filmographer and have you film him like a biographer would, catching him at his best moments because from where I sit, it looks like certain of us (including me) can't get enough of this guy. I would DEFINITELY buy a Steely Dan DVD of their live stuff with Keith. In a heart beat. Good work!

[hfxreddoh]

I agree, Keith if your out there please hire me. Will work for food, water and on occasion beer.

[chungiemunchin]

Since my last post on this video a month ago, I've finally discovered for myself, that whole concept of double strokes played like they were single strokes (Keith talks about that on his DVD). I've begun to experiment with the idea and a whole new world has opened up for me. Thanks to Keith Carlock.

[Slipstream0001]

I'm totally gonna buy this guys dvd. I only just discovered him on youtube.

[bea5ToloG]

gotta love the floor toms angled AWAY from him

[mooseyhole]

goddamn. buddy rich is rolling around in his grave at this

[chessdude67]

That was very serious! I agree. I was 100% in the moment with this guy. I've heard a lot of drummers over 30 years, but this guy just blew me away!

Thanks for uploading it. It made my day. I will get to know this guy and his music.

[chungiemunchin]

According to his website, Keith plays a DW 9000 single pedal on his regular setup.

I pay close attention because this cat has one of the baddest right foots in the biz.

[WalleOnDrums]

damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is serious!

[drug606]

@ omgdiddles. What peddle did he use?

[omgdiddles]

Yamaha Flying Dragon. Sexy pedal.

[mateolopez54]

couldn't get a feel for it =I

[Steeleydankid]

Without a doubt, this cat is the new Gadd...unbelieveable!

[opendrum]

bellissimo solo!!!!!

[omgdiddles]

I went up to him after this show and he gave me the sticks he used in this vid, and he signed them.

Then a week or two later I went to my local music store (accross the street from where this was filmed) and I ended up buying the exact pedal that was used in this vid!!! It's a GREAT pedal.

[ratsalad83]

super man. does he do any dvd lessons?

[bdrums777]

he actually has a dvd thats by hudson music that should be coming out soon...

[amoergosum3]

His right hand finger technique is sensational.

[NEntv58]

Is he now our greatest living drummer??

[hfxreddoh]

I'd say he definately ranks up there.

[drivervw]

Maybe in your world - Check out Brian Blade and 100 others before this guy... JEEZ... He's groovin, but no way is he what you claim.

[kage1974]

I'll take musicality and groove over notes and chops any day of the week!!!

[StringTheoryMusic409]

Man Carlock definitely ranks as one of the best alive today any one who disagrees is misinformed so if you think you can name 100 guys better than Carlock be my guest.

[Jon00Wesley00Harding]

You should listen to him play with Wayne Krantz... This guy is a nut, even if this video may not make that painfully clear

[culpritto]

or Rudder

[hihats]

no.

[Rumpleproofskin]

matchless

[randylikesdrums]

Man, Keith tears up the frickin' set. Unbelievable.

[madsike]

more than amazing !!!!. So so inspiring to lissin´ to ...... never get tired of that sound and feel ..

[sufosr]

the way he uses his right hand to drive the beat is awesome,and he has one of the "fattest "sounds i have ever heard

[drivervw]

You mean his midsection has a sound??

[chrisburkhardt]

some of the best drummin I heard in years

[ArvaF]

This is amazing...

[bRadicalmagic1]

I LOVE his floor toms, they are sweet!

boom,boom, boom

[bRadicalmagic1]

NICE! Finally a drummer that is actually communicating something. Awesome, Thanks!!!

[hfxreddoh]

Agreed bRad...The story he tells through his groove is phenomenal. Hail Keith!

[paradiddle1]

Yeah, that's what we're all looking for in good musicians...efficiency.  Carlock needs efficiency like Beethoven needed a zanex.

[hammerinhankster]

Never heard of this guy until now. What's the all the hoopla about? He's a very inefficient drummer for sure, with all the wailing of the arms and wasted energy. Check out Vinnie and Dennis for some true inspiration.

[funkdrum5]

While it is noble to make an effort to be an "efficient" drummer, it is style as demonstrated here which is just as equal a musical virtue. While Vinnie and Dennis have style, Keith is just on another level in that regard. But thats just my opinion.

[philateliceun]

lol it doesn't really matter how good your technique is if you can make good sounding music. I mean, you can have the worlds best technique but that doesn't mean you can make music. Also, you can have the poorest technique in the world but are able to make music. If you are a biologist or a drum freak I can understand that you prefer technique but most of us just want to hear music and KC is fucking amazing in making music with his drum kit.

[hfxreddoh]

Well said...he's got an amazing ear for groovin'.

[larkydozer]

Well said.

[NEntv58]

Amen to that. Been following drummers for 35 years as a very discriminating layman enthusiast. When I stumbled across this guy it stopped me in my tracks.

[chochemerlyn]

Not to mention that he's got amazing technique to go along with the swamp he creates all around him.

[jarra12345]

@philateliceun

I love how you can hear a real strong sound of his previous drum line training coming through. His layering is brilliant, and he make the kit sound like so mnay different drums, yet still the one instrument, and to do that well is amazing. Watch drum line then this, and you'll hear it!

[kirk7524875248]

Solid!

[steevidrums]

This is one of the better examples of drummers sounding musical! There's one on here with Dave DiCenso playing like this. I think it's called "love" all rhythm based but very very good!

[swooshboosh]

Steely Dan always get the funkiest mofos on the drums

[grunnfunk]

That's not a drummer, that's a great musician who plays the drums! Tony Williams also!!

[maatteexx]

yes! he is so unmusical!! i wanna 32th linear frases over the tom and double bass pedal ofc!! loool!

He his amazing...ultra groove! new orleans funky school! yeah!

[arawakmagno]

is it an oak custom?

[hfxreddoh]

Yes im pretty sure he mentioned it was at the clinic. They sound amazing.

[youwish007]

that snare sucks. but he pretty good. Great is even more fitting.

[Serevende]

The snare sucks, huh? "He" pretty good, huh?

WTF, huh?

[thad99]

how about phenomenal? amazing? original? or just plain ol-butt kickin'?

[snorhyveln]

Correct spell to comment bellow ... "As one mentioned" not "a steve Gadd" I mean a modern Steve Gadd offcourse.

[snorhyveln]

Why even compare T Lang with Keith? As on ementioned, blue vs pink!! Keith should be compared with Benny Greb and a Steve Gadd, off course in his own downmix.. He is cool not laying any unnessecary strokes here and there as many drummers are today, like T.Lang and Marco Minneman Virgil D etc..

[Mistadrums]

Oh Man! That's soooo unmusical! He doesn't even play one super-mega-fast one handed roll or a mega-fucking-killer-fast linear phrasing lick over seven toms!!! Noooooo, just joking! Keith is AMAZING!!! The way he melts grooving and soloing together is unbelievable. And he's got some chops man!!! But he uses them in such a musical way!

[balddanny72]

What's intriguing is that he studied with Ed Soph who has a reputation of being very exacting and teaching a very specific way, but Keith is a true original. I can't compare him with anybody, he's in a class by himself-you would think he was self-taught.

[iamstu1442]

i happen to be a student of ed's and could not disagree with you more. Ed always encourages us to explore what we want and is very open to our opinions.

[petealk12]

why the hell is keith being compared to thomas lang... 2 DIFFERENT DRUMMERS morons..its like comparing the colors blue and pink..2 great drummmer and lets leave it at that.. dummies on youtube.. my God..

[mirak63]

it's hard to believe this video doesn't have more views ...

[dakotablack2003]

You truly are a farm boy, Lang is tense and one dimensional. Keith will kill Lang in chops , groove....whatever

[kebass]

he is soloing you stupid stupid people... instead of being dumb go practice... that is where I will be

later

[aidydrum]

I HEAR YOU. This man is a DEAMON not a drummer. Anyone who plays ANY percussion well will recognise Keith Carlock. Practising to be like him, you'll find me.

'One trick pony' me arse!!!

[paradiddle1]

i read in an interview...his "one trick pony" is quite intentional...he simply finds it more interesting to groove as opposed to an aimless and rythmically rambling "show" of chops...I would highly agree w/ him...who needs another Lang? I don't; he's very boring.

[farmboy504]

okay, lang fucking owns this dude.

[persini]

Keith rocks

[blaster1985]

While there's no denying this guys huge talent, I am looking for some new solo material. Bear in mind, I am not putting myself out there as a professional drummer, but, this I've seen this routine of his a number of times. Almost a one trick pony, as far as solo's go; brilliant nonetheless.

[mgperc]

He may not have a huge bag of licks, but he can put phrases together like almost no other. And the groove he lays down gives you a reason to pay attention! In the Youtube age, the demands on the drummer as a soloist are ludicrous. That expectation needs to change IMO. Drummers don't get hired for soloing. They get hired to support a band. In that realm guys like Keith, Josh Freese and Abe Laboriel Jr. are king, while Thomas Lang and the solo artists get to rule Yourube. I'll take the former.

[andreghouse]

I agree 100%. Soloing on youtube is one thing, but you can't groove to a song if it is full of stuuf that puts your neck out whil trying to bop to it. The grooviest drummer ever is Jeff Porcaro, sadly no longer with us, but you want to hear him lay down a simple groove or a right out there track, check him out. There is so much that he is done that will just blow your mind away.

[mgperc]

We must have similar tastes or something. I am a HUGE Jeff Porcaro fan as well. I've seen his 'Star Licks' video probably 30 times. I love his work w/Toto, Boz Scaggs, and MJ. What a player. A buddy of mine was his drum tech on the last couple Toto tours. Said he was a real gentlemen onstage and off. Too bad he's no longer w/us. What an unbelievable pocket he had.

[lyricsP]

Check him out on "Circus Money". Amazing precision.

[renttuk]

Yes! And to all of those who want to hear him playing weird stuff, check out bass prodigy Tal Wilkenfelds debut record "Transformation" and try to understand what's going on there. Phenomenal phrasing, cutting precision and tasteful playing - musicianship at its best. There are many drummers out there who are great but Keith is quite rightly outstanding.

[Palves]

I second that!!

[Palves]

Actually, can you name me some more other Keith's projects similar in drumming style to Transformation?

[luvmusic1414]

whats funny is my last name is carlock.lol

[Saxyman14]

yes. that is funny... and here I thought there was only one Carlock in existence. Silly me.

[luvmusic1414]

kewl man!

[Saxyman14]

No, see, I....... nevermind.

[uzielis]

Never heard of this guy until someone here on youtube pointed him out. Not bad!

[philateliceun]

The Bernard Purdie of the white man

[rj178997]

keith, danny carey and jojo mayer. worlds two evolutionary drummers. bar none

[zep136]

two three, who's counting

[martinvfphoto]

i'll take this dude over weckl any day . . he is about the drums . . he is not about himself . . but he ain't in gadd territory . . . c'mon . .

[hfxreddoh]

wow 11954 plays n counting..who would have thought. I'm glad you all dig the vid and i am able to share it with you.

[cyberboy419]

Saw him last night in Long Island.Awesome feel

[burroughs334]

Keith Carlock, Tim Lefavre and Wayne Krantz are the funkiest trio ever - Keith's drumming is so organic.

[utubeworms]

My absolute favorite drummer!

[zakfontaine]

But did you ever see him with Dallas Brass and Electric?

[krisdrepko]

Unique in so many ways. Keith is a prime example of amazing technique and prime example of what kind of freedom good technique can do to your playing. And not to mention his amazing sense of groove..

[drummermylo]

He chokes up so high on the stick.

[theslantedpad]

this guys style is bringing a new level that all other drummers are being compared by because he doesn't drum like any one else. This guys is fucking incredible, he shounds like NO other drummer out there which in its self is the the most difficult aspect of being a professional drummer. All hail the carlock

[guerillaresponse]

Indeed. Talk about sounding like you are always holding back the best and strongest drum sound, only to unleash later on. That is Carlock and no one has really stepped up to it yet.

[bourgeoisbrats]

I disagree. I think Keith is an evolution of both Steven Gadd and Vinnie. He's got all the technique/precision of someone like Dave Weckyl, but he is much more "tribal", if you know what I mean :-) Dennis Chambers is the only other drummer I can think of, who is more abstract in the way they hear "grooves".

[andreghouse]

I would have to agree, about Keith being almost a hybrid if you will, of Gadd and Colauita. His technique is awesome, but the way he brings his grooves together makes you want to bop along. I like a drummer who plays what he is feeling, but also plays in a way that the listener can feel a part of what is going on, and not just the musically literate, but the average listener as well.

[bourgeoisbrats]

Right. He's got that Tony Williams "spladoo" thing going on, along with the "super funky" metronome feeling thing, right? The combination of the precision rolls and Tony-style cymbal rides/kick patterns, is friggin' awesome. And like you said, everyone in the audience "gets it", regardless of whether they're a "jazz cat", or not :-)

[drummrguy]

i wouldnt dare compare any of thoes drummers they all have uunique style

[diffusiventity]

I really agree.

It makes me want to go and improvise over the top.

Or just sit down and learn what he is playing.

[drummrguy]

i disagree i think keith is an evolution of HIMSELF he doesent sound like ANYONE

[bourgeoisbrats]

Evolution of himself? Doesn't sound like anyone else? I agree that he doesn't "play like anyone else", but dude, u can definitely hear his influences in his playing. How he plays is "a style" (his own and/or someone elses). I and others have heard another drummer play "what he just played", because like u, we're drummers. Doesn't mean he copied them :-) Also, saying a drummer played something that sounded like something another drummer played, is not comparing them. It's just mental recall :-)

[juanbarros88]

Weird Technique and way of moving, but he's good though

[philateliceun]

I LOVE HIST STYLE!!! the only bad thing I can say about it is that his solo are all almost the same. But not that that makes any different, I can listen to him all day long for the rest of my life

[erstwhiler]

Carlock's solos are next to none. I saw him live in Colorado w/ Steely Dan soloing to Aja...amazing.

[andreghouse]

I saw him at the Steely Dan concert. Like watching Gadd meets Colaiuta. UNreal. Easily on of the top 5 drummers in the world!!

[utubeworms]

Kick butt drummer! The mixing of jazz and funk to a massive groove pile. This is the true progression of American drumming!

[guerillaresponse]

Definitely. When Carlock gets big, which he already is by being enlisted by Steely Dan, James Taylor, Sting, etc., he will change American drumming and drumming in general. He brings us back to challenging grooves.

[1hiphapa]

I love his ultra-relaxed right hand grip!

[redstar299]

one word - EARGASM

[remmurds]

Terrible left hand 16th ghost note!!!

[SamLambert]

What the hell are you on about :I They sound great. Dave Weckl wouldn't be going to see him play if he wasn't a bad ass.

[SaxJazz19]

You are truly a RETARD!!!!!! Truly. THink before you speak

[redstar299]

MODERN DAY STEVE GADD

[fearthechin]

So true.

[hfxreddoh]

I'm a little ashamed to admit i only discovered him back in 2005. I bought the Modern Drummer DVD and he was in it. I was a fan ever since. Chk it out if you havn't already. Ton of talent on that DVD.

[utubeworms]

Can someone please tell 95% of all the other drummers to play more like Kieth. It would make the world a better place.

[utubeworms]

I love this guys playing!!!  It's and eargasm if ever I have heard one.

[hfxreddoh]

U nailed it uptrainz. It blew my mind seeing him live.

[upztrainz]

One of the only drummers whose solo that has an actual groove and not just wailing away on the kit.

[guerillaresponse]

So true. The supposedly awesome videos of Thomas Pridgen (new Volta drummer)playing solo are just him doing second grade rolls. Look them up, it's so sad. Carlock grooves AND experiments.

[krisdrepko]

I just looked up this Thomas Pridgen. Uhmm, sorry to say, but those AREN'T second grade rolls. In fact they're very clean double strokes and triplets..

Not trying to be a jerk here or anything. But that guys got some serious skills. Not the best of all time or anything...

[pastor1us]

he wasn't the youngest person to ever win a berklee scholarship because he could play "second grade rolls." He's a great drummer. However, carlock is just as talented as him, but with much more experience and musical context, making him more enjoyable to listen to and watch. pridgen will be a fantastic drummer when he's keith's age too. In the end, however, music isn't a competition. They both make beautiful art... who cares who's "better."

[guerillaresponse]

No doubt, but c'mon, if you know which Prigden vid I am talking about (the one with no beats through out the whole thing...) is not a good example of his drumming at all. I don't know why it was posted as such. Could you refer me to some vid titles so I can see some particularly good examples of Prigden's drumming?

[pastor1us]

grab the new mars volta album, there's some pretty crazy stuff goin on there.

The Mars Volta - Wax Simulacra - Letterman

search that on here, he goes nuts.

[bourgeoisbrats]

I've met and talked to Keith several times, and I can honestly say that he's a "black dude" trapped in a "white boy's" body :-) His technique is always secondary to the groove, just like SG (Steve Gadd and Benard Purdie). BTW, SG will always say that Bernard Purdie is the greatest drummer in the world, even though SG (and Keith) have taken what BP has done to a new level. Keith's left-hand, snare ghosting, is just "sick", and the funky rim shot/stick stuff is even "sicker" :-)

[brettwoods]

Good God! This is so good I don't even understand it. It's like listening to someone speak Mandarin Chinese. This makes me want to go home and shoot my drumset with a shotgun, then kick the dog even though I don't have a drumset or a dog. But still. . .

[Snaussy]

Keith=God of Groove

[guerillaresponse]

Finally a new KC vid! Aww, now I can wallow in my Carlock fix....Thanks hfxreddoh!

[ludwigvontri]

A great show @ the 55BAR NYC. Sean Wayland. Thanks for the autograph Keith !!

[hinchman12]

my fav drummer! thanks for posting! what kind of ride is he using in this?

[hfxreddoh]

Good ear perv you almost nailed it. I think it was Keiths assistant or promoter...but hey got 6min worth thats pretty tight.

[perv5150]

THE most important drummer of today... and probably tomorrow. Krantz's equivalent in the drum world. Worthy of all superlatives- nobody does it better.

However, the best part of this video is the security guard coming over at the end: "Is that a picture or a video?"

Silly Canuck.

[Larrsa]

(y)

[doncabb]

Keith is no doubt the shit. He fit in perfect with Steely Dan, which is also the fing shit!

[fearthechin]

My favorite drummer. I love his style. What a big sound.

[hfxreddoh]

Glad to share with those who appreciate his talent.

[freshnyc]

keith's the nicest dude and a really pleasure to watch. i'm very happy he's alive and thanks for filming this video!

[naccibobacci]

Left on desert island for many years with only a drum kit. A complete original. No doubt Keith will inspire many. Can't wait to see where he is in 20 years.

[hfxreddoh]

He is def one of a kind and i'm glad to have had the pleasure to see him live.

[ocdrumboy1]

Keith!

[theslantedpad]

No one touches his style, he literally sounds like no other drummer