Coffee At Johnny's: Stanton Moore and Johnny Vidacovich

[rpflanagan]

I'm from NY and now live in New Orleans. I work with several New Orleans drummers. I can say that the influence of the Congo Square beats is deep with these guys. They hold it near and dear. I think of them as curators of these early American/African beats.

[yeaheverday]

mr Johnny, my uncle and my pops grew up Playin on street corners and cuttin up as youngsta's. let me tell u, he's such a cool motha fucka. he's all heart. peace mr j God Bless

[TheSinoatrialnode]

god, johnny is so weird.

[TBIGNATIUS]

3:53 Johnny says 'tree' and 'domestic dog'. On hearing these words, the dog suddenly remembers he needs to go spray.

[funkifyyourlife]

Appalachian music? You mean, with banjos that were brought into the region by African-American slaves, most of whome came through New Orleans?

[boogaloubeatz]

@funkifyyourlife African influences ≠ New Orleans. You're grabbing at straws man.

Also Blues music itself was being created in Southern Texas, Mississippi and all around the Deep South (and New Orleans, or course). We all know the influence of Blues in American music, jazz, rock and roll and beyond. But don't kid yourself that it started in New Orleans.

Your deep bias has blinded you to the most basic history. Read up on the history of Blues music.

[funkifyyourlife]

@boogaloubeatz My so-called "deep bias" is from going to NOLA, visiting the museums, and reading the history. "The Blues were born in the North Mississippi Delta following the Civil War. Influenced by African roots, field hollers, ballads, church music and rhythmic dance tunes called jump-ups evolved into a music for a singer who would engage in call-and-response with his guitar." How do you think the Africans got to the North Mississippi Delta? By airplane?

[boogaloubeatz]

@funkifyyourlife The earliest traces of what we call blues were also simultaneously found in Southern Texas at the turn of the century. I suppose that means that all blues and therefore American music is from New Orleans? The fact that you are trying to equate the Delta with New Orleans shows to me how far off your logic is. My whole point and problem with this video is it exactly illustrates a common attitude among NOLA cats, which is that the city is THE source of the roots of American music.

[boogaloubeatz]

btw, I have a deep admiration for New Orleans music lest you think I have some weird beef with the city - Shine Robinson, Lee Dorsey, Toussaint, you name it I love em. I just believe there is a little too much "buying into their own BS" by many of the players I have seen, met and heard from NOLA, which I believe is exemplified quite clearly in the above video. The history of American music is deeply intertwined with NOLA, but there is also MUCH more to the story if you are willing to see it.

[funkifyyourlife]

@boogaloubeatz Like it or not, the African influence came through New Orleans first. You couldn't get to Mississippi without going through New Orleans. Texas blues came to be once their cities became populated. New Orleans is also where the creole, carribean, Spanish, and cajun influences came together.

[boogaloubeatz]

@funkifyyourlife Like it or not, the European settle in the East and moved westward and southward. They also brought pianos, accordians, wind and reed instruments. Should we all bow down to the original 13 colonies for their role in shaping American blues, jazz and other forms? This line of thinking is absurd. THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS A MELTING POT, NOT JUST NEW ORLEANS. Get a grip.

[funkifyyourlife]

@boogaloubeatz Yeah, whatever dude. Crack a book sometime.

[MrNewjack56]

I study with Vidoc in the 70's and 80"s. I still use things he taught me then. An amazing player, and an amazing dude.

[davis111davis111]

Johnny V is a awesome dude!

[andrewbebop]

you don't be runnin' when you struttin'!!!

yeayourite!

[mikeleza]

LOL... I love these guys!

[drPeabody]

Johnny V is wired for rhythm. What a gift to music... I love listening to the Jazz prophet.

[Tony7840]

Should have concluded by saying that "Johnny is STILL one of the finest drummers...EVER!!!

[Tony7840]

This is NOT the Johnny that was the ULTIMATE drummer. Had the absolute pleasure of Jonny accompanying me at "The Bistro," as well as the "Frontier Hotel," Las Vegas. The last time that I saw Johnny was at the San Antonio, JazzFest" 1990, when he was Al Hirt's drummer. Johhny, what has happened to you?......Tony Page

[thelinearpractiseday]

that dog knows somethin"!

[boogaloubeatz]

Man I love Johnny's drumming first and foremost - This point of view about New Orleans being "where it all comes from" kind of line of thinking is straight BS in my book. It's a profound source of American rhythm but not "the" source. All the American traditions of music have roots to Europe (that being 4/4 time), and African roots as well (clave, etc). The idea that New Orleans is the epicenter and the be all end gives short shrift to so many other influential cats and places. Don't be fooled.

[morgankara]

Don't you be fooled. Mr. Vidacovich is fully aware that all concepts are on this side of the truth. However futile as it may be one must still make the gesture to express; whether it be art or philosophy. Silence in its profundity is the only alternative. Keep in mind that the most important things cannot be expressed in words, the second most important things stand the risk of being misinterpreted as mere historical reference. The third is just gossip. Yet we must still make the gesture.

[boogaloubeatz]

"Don't you be fooled. Mr. Vidacovich is fully aware that all concepts are on this side of the truth" - are you saying he's aware that he may be full of it to some degree? I mean, why characterize him that way? Rather than get into an existential debate, I will just say that I much enjoy Johnny's work, he's a master no doubt. What I don't particularly care for is the cavalier attitude I see in many of the prominent New Orleans cats in regards to the ownership of some really universal shit. Dig?

[trickbagband]

@boogaloubeatz What you're not understanding is that New Orleans is the source of the melting pot of music. It's the epitome of the American concept, with roots from European music, African music, the French coming in from Canada, Spanish, etc. New Orleans is absolutely the source of American music and rhythms, mixing up a lot of different influences. Many of the rhythms and styles were melted together and new mixtures came from New Orleans and Congo Square, the birthplace of American music.

[boogaloubeatz]

@trickbagband "the source of the melting pot of music"? Are you serious? New Orleans is huge in American music but my point is the musicians from there tend to hold claim to more than is justified. It is not the only, ultimate, or supreme source if American music tradition. There is not one. Many of these musics were being simultaneously developed and cross-pollination from city to city can not be underestimated.

[funkifyyourlife]

@boogaloubeatz Okay, that's a lot of unprovable slop. Find me one place in the U.S. with a richer history of musical roots. All of the blues-based music that comes through Memphis, all Delta blues, country music, etc. came through New Orleans. With most imports and merchandise from other countries and cultures coming through the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans, there was never much better choice for culture to come through there. Try reading a book, particularly on Congo Square.

[boogaloubeatz]

@funkifyyourlife Richer? That is purely subjective and I think shows your bias - try Appalachian music with started in the 18th century and spawned most of what we call folk music and protest music, two of our great American idioms. There are more example but I am not going to try to convince guys with handles named after Meters songs that New Orleans is not the ONLY and GREATEST source of our American musical tradition. Open your mind

[TheWizardofRandR]

Havent seen this old friend since The Wizard ran into him at Jazz Fest in NO in the early 80's ...one of greatest drummers I ever heard !!!!!

[nycinnola]

I love it, the DNA, the molecular structure. Lessons with

Johnny are amazing, he breaks it down to the atomic level, he's got an amazing mind and is a wonderful lovely man.

[miketalbot4]

This is some good stuff but damn let that dog out so he can pee!

[wholelottaled231]

i could sit and listen to johnny babble all day

[Basshead51]

"Trad, dixieland music" lol

[HumpaLumpa2009]

"All the drummers play from the neck down." Beautiful

[Basshead51]

He told me that

[sirmarkthomas]

Man this should be a whole series. I would buy it

[lavender880]

Johnny, I think your domestic dog needs to go out and relieve himself! LOL :) You rock Johnny V.!

[ronoman88]

They are "BEYOND AMAZING"! Glad to know from ya.

[ronoman88]

I'm excited. I'll look into it. If you're right, I'll praise Stanton and you to all comers. If its lame I'm coming back.

[ronoman88]

Corrosion on drums? amazing (a must listen) Also if he's playing with Morello it is praiseworthy. Thanks.

[ubi14]

That corrosion album is badass also stanton moore and tom morello have a trio called Street Sweeper if you google that you can get info on it.I can see why some people would get tired of the new orleans stuff but i have not seen too many drummers get hired by or play with people like C.O.C, dirty dozen brass band, tom morello and Dr.lonnie smith all in one year.

[ronoman88]

In Pespective and context they're playing to the style for sure. In a wider context outside their style, the complexities are not THAT intricate as to bestow upon them sainthood. It is a style that can be emulated to a possible lesser degree.

But these two outside their safe harbor in NOrleans are very limited. Id say the same about a ton of speed metal drummers too. But the technical side is more difficult to champion. Brian Blade is a very good Jazz drummer. I agree.

[ubi14]

I understand what your saying but johnny has played with everyone from scofield to joe sample and prof. lomghair. Stanton also besides his new orleans stuff just did the last corrosion of conformity album and in the last issue of drum magazine he talks about how tom morello from rage against the machine chose him for his new project:)

[ronoman88]

What's the difference? I've heard them both here on youtube. Is there something technically I'm missing btw the two for me to be inaccurate in my summation?

[ronoman88]

These two vanguards of New Orleans drumming are extremely overrated. They're both technical simpletons. Hipsters yes. Nice guys yes. Killer players NO.

[jpsmith89]

I have honestly never heard Johnny play. Likewise, I'll assume that YOU have never heard Stanton play.

[ubi14]

Just wondering why you say they are not killer players? Listen to johnny with the astral project he is literally playing the melody on the drums and stanton plays some simple stuff but it grooves harder than some of the championed drummers out there.Plus johnny is the guy that brian blade(the best jazz drummer on earth)sites as his mentor:)

[bish789123]

Stanton may not be the most technically perfect player, but the groove is inside of him, he just has it and is one of the best.

[311Chica]

I've actually had the honor of sitting in Tips Uptown and seen Johnny V play with George Porter Jr. and he is beyond amazing. He is also a very nice man. Stanton is insane on the drums as well. Maybe you should leave your den and go see them outside of youtube before you make such judgements. You should do your homework on Johnny!

[DrShrinker]

I don't know who's cooler! It must have been -50 degrees in that room.

[BetterOffEd]

VIDOC. FTW.

[scootilybootily]

I recently took a lesson with Mr. vidacovich, and I suggest that any drummer interested in improving take a lesson with him, it is beyond worth it.

[healessence]

I think KillMeNow1990 has gained the wrong impression of Johnny V. He's a "character," a raconteur, who has a well-thought out approach to drum history and playing, even if he stutters a bit in expressing it.

Incidentally, he's one of the greatest drummers of our times. Check out his work with Astral Project, the greatest modern-jazz group in New Orleans (which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year).

[KillMeNow1990]

What an insane old man. Talented, but absolutely insane. I like how Stanton stays cool through the whole thing.

[robbie52953]

Johnny is also the drummer on, in my opinion, the very best recordings of Johnny Adams, John Mooney, and Anders Osbourne.

[lpsling]

Johnny is the drummer on Prf Longhair's classic recordings, James Booker and he played with John Scofield too. One of the most spontaneously creative jazz drummers on earth. He is the reigning master for a whole generation of younger NOLA drummers like Stanton, Kevin Oday, Brian Blade..all keepers of the flame. Yeh, New Orleans drummers!

[liebtheheeb]

Johnny was my teacher in New Orleans. Stanton's younger and more together, but I like listening to/watching Johnny much more overall.

[quzieskywalker]

I've seen Johnny and Stanton live. They're both great although Johnny V. is a little off his rocker.

[fesstarou]

よーしゃべるなあーvich、どもりながら。けどドラムもこんな­んやね。lovely vidoちゃん！

[patton303]

I love Vidocovitch...

haha "my tree is a cool tree"...

[dwdrummerboi]

i think it's vidacovich, not vidocavich

[samnadel]

Interesting stuff...especially about the struttin'.

Play it like you're actually doing it

[violinbloke]

Correction....Johnny Vidocavich talks AT Stanton Moore. Stanton is a great feelgood drummer. I love to watch him when he dances his drumkit.