Nice job for an 18 yr old kid! Any 18 yr old has balls of steel to even attempt Steve Gadd, Rod Morgenstein & Bill Bruford..too bad eunuch's like limp98 & wangtwanger dont understand that. Toby Ralph rips!
Hey WettyPants, take a pill, I am commenting on this video, good for him if he has learned to listen and play to music now. If You ask him to comment himself on this now, I'm sure he will say my drumming was shit back then. Do you think if he recorded this now, he would sound like this? Post a video of his drumming now, and I'm sure my comment will be different. Ha ha WettyPants.
@laup98 - He's my husband. I will defend him. He wouldn't say his drumming was s--- back then. He'd say that he overplayed at this concert. Given the time that's elasped since the video was shot (he was 18yrs old), he's evolved into a much different and mature player. There are many videos on youtube that show his talent, watch them and then feel free to comment accordingly. Despite his stature, he's remained a kind, humble person with never a bad word for anyone. Can you say the same? Be nice.
@laup98 - Seriously? Garbage? Where can we watch your expertise and perfect playing? This was 20 YEARS AGO when Tobias (Toby) Ralph was in college. This was their interpretation of the tune. I hardly think that if he were "garbage" that he would be out on the road with Adrian Belew right now. Maybe you should check out some of his recent videos and then make a decision? Like him or not, he's here to stay and has the creds to prove it. Have a nice day!
I read a few comments and some think the drummer should lay back. The drum is the song and every other instument is fill. This is easyly the top 50 greastest live performance. The instrumental put it under 50.You drummer bashers go somewhere else...
I read a few comments and some think the drummer should lay back. The drum is the song and every other instument is fill. This is easyly the top 50 greastest live performance. The instrumental put it under 50.You drummer bashers go somewhere else...
In defense of the drummer, the camera is at least partially responsible for the symbal work being so obnoxious.
But speaking as a drummer who attended--and escaped from--Berklee around the time this vid was made, I can attest that this kind of overplaying is the norm there, not the exception. And not to veer off on a tangent, but I think Berklee's incredibly overrated. In addition to forcing everyone to take Harmony 4 and Arranging 2, why don't they have "playing for the song 101" ??
If you're gonna' survive in the music-business, you MUST learn dynamics, tastefulness, and the importance of playing for the song. These things are crucial. And for christ's sake, slow it down! It's not a race. The drummer's off and going even before it's time for his big part, and he's blown his wad even before he's out of the starting-gate. Dynamics, man.... Dynamics. Don't just play at full-volume the whole time, otherwise it sounds like a TV commercial.
That's an interesting comment directed at Tobias (Toby) Ralph..."If you're gonna survive in the music business..." Well, it sure seems like he is doing just fine since he is currently employed by none other than Adrian Belew and also has a feature article in the current issue of Drumhead magazine. This was 20 YEARS AGO! Yeah, he did overplay the tune then, but regardless, he IS a phenomenal drummer and that is why he gets LOTS of work.
Sorry, guys, but too-damn fast. Drummer needs to realize it's not all about him. And they're even going faster by the end. "Aja" is not an uptempo funk song (The way he's doing it, it sounds like "Black Friday" at 78 speed). It's a slow groove with a laid-back feel, not a supersonic funk-shuffle. And the guitar-player needs to dump the digital effects and find a more-natural tone (even when using overdrive).
*Sigh*....... Kids. They know nothing about dynamics.
@owlandtree ... actually, it was the second take. Nevertheless Fagen says that he was stunned: "No one had ever done anything like that before. I couldn't believe it."
You guy's sound great - yeah, the drums are much busier than the recording, but everything is in very good time and I think it's appropriate to play out during a live performance.
And I feel sorry for the guys playing along with him, because they have to speed up so it all doesn't fall apart, and the song ends way faster than it started.
it's good, it sounds white as hell but well I guess they are white so there you go,gadd is a white dude with the soul of a black man, it's rare first place? this drummer is ok, I think he sounds like he's been stuck in marching band a bit too long but hey he does have chops..not the kind of chops I dig, but give credit where it's due, the cat worked on it! which is a lot more than I can say for 99.9% of the other crap I see and here , fuck the haters...they can't play anyhow! cheers bro.
Im gonna have to say that the band was great for what they were trying to play but the drummer was terrible, idc how old he was thats horrible playing.
Gimme a break! The drummer's my husband, Tobias Ralph, aka Toby at Berklee. I just found out about this video. Cool to see him play at 18 years old when it was filmed. All he wanted to do then was flaunt his chops which he certainly has. Contrary to some opinions, he has built a VERY successful career as a professional drummer; playing all genres including jazz, R&B, rock/pop, fusion, DnB, etc. Those who know him can attest that without a doubt, he is one of the best drummers in the world.
(part 3) anyway, for those harsh critics - a general comment - in these 'anonymous' forums, it's easy to be judgmental and frankly, mean. can you play better - now or more importantly - when you were just 18? if so, kudos to you... if not, perhaps you should think twice before casting stones... (and if i really wanted to be snarky i could suggest some of you brush up on your english).
(part 2) today, 19 years later, he's an incredible professional drummer. he's versatile with amazing technique & vast vocabulary (check out some of the other youtube videos he's in). he's just as remarkable grooving in a blues set, or playing polyrhythmic odd time signatures of drum'n'bass (he can play the same parts live that most people need a drum machine for) to the finesse & feel of a jazz set, to rock, pop- you name it, he can do it. (cont'd in part 3)
(post too long - part 1) hello, armchair critics! i don't usually post in these forums but after ready your comments, i felt compelled to do so. i happen to know this drummer very well. his name is tobias ralph. he was only an 18 yr old college student in this video in 1990. what 18 yr old doesn't try to show off all their chops in this type of setting? think back - what were you like at 18? ever try showing off?? of course not, i didn't think so... (cont'd...part 2)
Enjoyed it actually... The drummer is a little fast but its still quite accurate.... All you critics can talk all day, its a wonderful cover..... Good Job guys !
god give the drummer a break. Of course Gad's better. He wouldn't be in the studio with becker fagen in the first place. Doesn't change the fact that this video has 14,000 views and you all chose to watch it. He's a good drummer.
This is a good example of not being mature enough to make the song sound like it should.
(any song) for that matter. It's like a superhero finding out their super powers and having a little fun showing off. The drummer seems natuarlly gifted, but sooner or later he'll realize that he's not playing to the song, and that he is forcing way to many notes in there. Its about maturing as a player and making the feel and song as tasty as possible, "find your voice" on the instrument. RELAX!
well i dont think its that he knows nothing about music, ut that drummer has no idea what jazz is. he is obviously a heavy metal drummer because he is playing all singles and if you listen to his kit, it has purely a hard-rock feel to it. he is good no doubt, but needs to take some music theory or jsut listen to kind of blue.
Is this the cafeteria @ Berklee? I used to play in there when I was in college @ Berklee 95-99! Wow that brings back memories of horrible food and great pot!
That drummer knows nothing about music. He should have been an accountant or something instead. Sounds like he decided to vomit 32nd notes, loudly! And please don't insult Weckl, however much I agree that he overplays, Weckl at least listens to the song and reigns his technique in accordingly & plays in time and tastefully. I personally love Steve Gadd, I think he is one of the most groovy, tasteful, and solid drummers. The original with Gadd is yet to be surpassed in my view.
good but more fast for me. and very heavy the drum beat. also feel too much plaied for drum on hi hat.but very interesting in the tecnique aspect. BRAVI! ITALIAN
this drummer has no taste he sounds like a heavy metal drummer trying to play a delicate song like aja my advice is listen to steve gadd a little bit and you might learn something.
Berklee students? Unbelieveable no one in the band tell that drummer to keep it down and play to the song. He should give them chops a break and play to the right pulse instead, the feel is ooooooooooff. And Steely Dan ain't no one man show, a disgrace to brainlessly cover a legendary band and a legendary song. The drumming even gets slobby sometimes, sick chops though - and the other musicians were also great. thumbs up for that.
indeed the drummer does some fancy work. But IMO, it's overkill. He's doing as much as he possibly can during the whole song. Kind of ruins the groove of the song. He's treating the entire song as a drum solo. All the fancy fills and overlapping timings he's doing take away from the melodies and dynamics. Have some discipline for crying out loud. Like I said, great ability as a drummer, but poor ability to hold back from showing off at the wrong time.
There was no speeding up of the video. I had trouble getting the video and audio to sync so they don't match up at times. But Toby was and is a monster drummer (maybe a little notey sometimes) but none the less a mofo..
the drummer ain't incredible. lol... try slowing it down and cutting out the over the top licks in the wrong spots.... takes away from the song.... rest of the band is great
Nice job for an 18 yr old kid! Any 18 yr old has balls of steel to even attempt Steve Gadd, Rod Morgenstein & Bill Bruford..too bad eunuch's like limp98 & wangtwanger dont understand that. Toby Ralph rips!
uncleog 1 month ago
Hey WettyPants, take a pill, I am commenting on this video, good for him if he has learned to listen and play to music now. If You ask him to comment himself on this now, I'm sure he will say my drumming was shit back then. Do you think if he recorded this now, he would sound like this? Post a video of his drumming now, and I'm sure my comment will be different. Ha ha WettyPants.
laup98 4 months ago
@laup98 - He's my husband. I will defend him. He wouldn't say his drumming was s--- back then. He'd say that he overplayed at this concert. Given the time that's elasped since the video was shot (he was 18yrs old), he's evolved into a much different and mature player. There are many videos on youtube that show his talent, watch them and then feel free to comment accordingly. Despite his stature, he's remained a kind, humble person with never a bad word for anyone. Can you say the same? Be nice.
Wattypants 4 months ago
OMG, this drummer is garbage
laup98 4 months ago
@laup98 - Seriously? Garbage? Where can we watch your expertise and perfect playing? This was 20 YEARS AGO when Tobias (Toby) Ralph was in college. This was their interpretation of the tune. I hardly think that if he were "garbage" that he would be out on the road with Adrian Belew right now. Maybe you should check out some of his recent videos and then make a decision? Like him or not, he's here to stay and has the creds to prove it. Have a nice day!
Wattypants 4 months ago
my dan growing bigger now
for orgasm
ParisChien 5 months ago
I read a few comments and some think the drummer should lay back. The drum is the song and every other instument is fill. This is easyly the top 50 greastest live performance. The instrumental put it under 50.You drummer bashers go somewhere else...
Jesusfreak7X77 5 months ago
I read a few comments and some think the drummer should lay back. The drum is the song and every other instument is fill. This is easyly the top 50 greastest live performance. The instrumental put it under 50.You drummer bashers go somewhere else...
Jesusfreak7X77 5 months ago
In defense of the drummer, the camera is at least partially responsible for the symbal work being so obnoxious.
But speaking as a drummer who attended--and escaped from--Berklee around the time this vid was made, I can attest that this kind of overplaying is the norm there, not the exception. And not to veer off on a tangent, but I think Berklee's incredibly overrated. In addition to forcing everyone to take Harmony 4 and Arranging 2, why don't they have "playing for the song 101" ??
kz1000ps 11 months ago
YOU CANNOT RUSH THIS SONG. Treat with it some fucking respect.
emuwithrabies 11 months ago
"Look at me!! Look how good I am!!"
If you're gonna' survive in the music-business, you MUST learn dynamics, tastefulness, and the importance of playing for the song. These things are crucial. And for christ's sake, slow it down! It's not a race. The drummer's off and going even before it's time for his big part, and he's blown his wad even before he's out of the starting-gate. Dynamics, man.... Dynamics. Don't just play at full-volume the whole time, otherwise it sounds like a TV commercial.
gangtwanger 1 year ago
@gangtwanger
That's an interesting comment directed at Tobias (Toby) Ralph..."If you're gonna survive in the music business..." Well, it sure seems like he is doing just fine since he is currently employed by none other than Adrian Belew and also has a feature article in the current issue of Drumhead magazine. This was 20 YEARS AGO! Yeah, he did overplay the tune then, but regardless, he IS a phenomenal drummer and that is why he gets LOTS of work.
Wattypants 4 months ago
Sorry, guys, but too-damn fast. Drummer needs to realize it's not all about him. And they're even going faster by the end. "Aja" is not an uptempo funk song (The way he's doing it, it sounds like "Black Friday" at 78 speed). It's a slow groove with a laid-back feel, not a supersonic funk-shuffle. And the guitar-player needs to dump the digital effects and find a more-natural tone (even when using overdrive).
*Sigh*....... Kids. They know nothing about dynamics.
gangtwanger 1 year ago
Steve Gadd originally did Aja in ONE take. There's only one Steve Gadd.
owlandtree 1 year ago 3
@owlandtree drummer is good but I must agree with you
lvanhalen 1 year ago
@owlandtree ... actually, it was the second take. Nevertheless Fagen says that he was stunned: "No one had ever done anything like that before. I couldn't believe it."
memzehni 1 month ago
how did berklee allow this to happen?
jammasterjayz 1 year ago
his timing is slipping..and too much during normal play. He's good though!
RaceIsOpen 1 year ago
You guy's sound great - yeah, the drums are much busier than the recording, but everything is in very good time and I think it's appropriate to play out during a live performance.
sheldonknowsall 1 year ago
the drummer needs a fucking sedative.
monkeypd 1 year ago
ガッドが紡いだ詩を理解しないと
こういう叩き方になる。
ビソネット同様失格。
3045308145 2 years ago
I say 'yea' to this drummer :-)
BlackH3Lic0pt3r 2 years ago
I thought this song would be easy to play on drums, because it sounds soooo.. laid back.
It's very hard to play the way Gadd did, the time is fluid and alive. I think this guy overplayed and killed the feel.
frankenshank 2 years ago
Sad
ovrays 2 years ago
The sound isn't good enough, but the drummer is terrible.
BLASCKDUSK 2 years ago
sounds like elevator music and i love this song so its kind of an insult to it
CaptainJazz92 2 years ago
And I feel sorry for the guys playing along with him, because they have to speed up so it all doesn't fall apart, and the song ends way faster than it started.
patthedrummer85 2 years ago
Nice licks, except IMO (MY OPINION ONLY) that he's cluttering up the breaks - like just playing too much - probably from hype.
But he is a half-beat ahead during the first break and by the second bar of the second break he's a quarter beat ahead already too.
patthedrummer85 2 years ago
And during the solo at the end, he's ahead by a half-beat ahead within the second or third bar..
I think he was a little too concerned with being flashy than musical. Again, just my opinion. don't shoot.
patthedrummer85 2 years ago
I mean, I can hear...pretty good drummer. I think! It's maybe to fast for the song, but hey, their version!
christopher99 2 years ago
it's good, it sounds white as hell but well I guess they are white so there you go,gadd is a white dude with the soul of a black man, it's rare first place? this drummer is ok, I think he sounds like he's been stuck in marching band a bit too long but hey he does have chops..not the kind of chops I dig, but give credit where it's due, the cat worked on it! which is a lot more than I can say for 99.9% of the other crap I see and here , fuck the haters...they can't play anyhow! cheers bro.
ishredu 2 years ago
Im gonna have to say that the band was great for what they were trying to play but the drummer was terrible, idc how old he was thats horrible playing.
domzig138 2 years ago 2
Gimme a break! The drummer's my husband, Tobias Ralph, aka Toby at Berklee. I just found out about this video. Cool to see him play at 18 years old when it was filmed. All he wanted to do then was flaunt his chops which he certainly has. Contrary to some opinions, he has built a VERY successful career as a professional drummer; playing all genres including jazz, R&B, rock/pop, fusion, DnB, etc. Those who know him can attest that without a doubt, he is one of the best drummers in the world.
Wattypants 3 years ago
I concur. Your husband's a bad cat!
lewdrum73 2 years ago
(part 3) anyway, for those harsh critics - a general comment - in these 'anonymous' forums, it's easy to be judgmental and frankly, mean. can you play better - now or more importantly - when you were just 18? if so, kudos to you... if not, perhaps you should think twice before casting stones... (and if i really wanted to be snarky i could suggest some of you brush up on your english).
rubberchicken2009 3 years ago 2
(part 2) today, 19 years later, he's an incredible professional drummer. he's versatile with amazing technique & vast vocabulary (check out some of the other youtube videos he's in). he's just as remarkable grooving in a blues set, or playing polyrhythmic odd time signatures of drum'n'bass (he can play the same parts live that most people need a drum machine for) to the finesse & feel of a jazz set, to rock, pop- you name it, he can do it. (cont'd in part 3)
rubberchicken2009 3 years ago 2
(post too long - part 1) hello, armchair critics! i don't usually post in these forums but after ready your comments, i felt compelled to do so. i happen to know this drummer very well. his name is tobias ralph. he was only an 18 yr old college student in this video in 1990. what 18 yr old doesn't try to show off all their chops in this type of setting? think back - what were you like at 18? ever try showing off?? of course not, i didn't think so... (cont'd...part 2)
rubberchicken2009 3 years ago 2
Enjoyed it actually... The drummer is a little fast but its still quite accurate.... All you critics can talk all day, its a wonderful cover..... Good Job guys !
doedoe1 3 years ago 2
god give the drummer a break. Of course Gad's better. He wouldn't be in the studio with becker fagen in the first place. Doesn't change the fact that this video has 14,000 views and you all chose to watch it. He's a good drummer.
djcrowbar 3 years ago 4
I chose to watch it hoping it would be Steely Dan doing it, not a cover. So did everyone else I bet!!
R0b22 3 years ago
You guys sound like a f midifile.
Astrowhistler 3 years ago 3
"Fangs" and Walter would have fired his ass
Edington 3 years ago 2
This is a good example of not being mature enough to make the song sound like it should.
(any song) for that matter. It's like a superhero finding out their super powers and having a little fun showing off. The drummer seems natuarlly gifted, but sooner or later he'll realize that he's not playing to the song, and that he is forcing way to many notes in there. Its about maturing as a player and making the feel and song as tasty as possible, "find your voice" on the instrument. RELAX!
Edington 3 years ago 3
then again relax ppl, the drummer just tried to impress the women.
MMMuller 3 years ago 4
agreed, he needs to learn how to groove and know when to play busy
SeriousPieEnthusiast 3 years ago 3
FLAT bass FTL... not liking the business of the drummer. But then again it's HARD to come together and pull a song off well like this.
phenfo 3 years ago 2
well i dont think its that he knows nothing about music, ut that drummer has no idea what jazz is. he is obviously a heavy metal drummer because he is playing all singles and if you listen to his kit, it has purely a hard-rock feel to it. he is good no doubt, but needs to take some music theory or jsut listen to kind of blue.
bareftjacky 3 years ago 4
Is this the cafeteria @ Berklee? I used to play in there when I was in college @ Berklee 95-99! Wow that brings back memories of horrible food and great pot!
smile2drum 3 years ago
That drummer knows nothing about music. He should have been an accountant or something instead. Sounds like he decided to vomit 32nd notes, loudly! And please don't insult Weckl, however much I agree that he overplays, Weckl at least listens to the song and reigns his technique in accordingly & plays in time and tastefully. I personally love Steve Gadd, I think he is one of the most groovy, tasteful, and solid drummers. The original with Gadd is yet to be surpassed in my view.
dbooth81 3 years ago 2
good but more fast for me. and very heavy the drum beat. also feel too much plaied for drum on hi hat.but very interesting in the tecnique aspect. BRAVI! ITALIAN
nice drum and the other
biodrummer 3 years ago
wow... weckyl clone down to the muscle shirt.
cajonezzz 3 years ago
Recording is bad. I think they are alright. Also sounds like they were about to play a Jean-Luc Ponty tune right after.
neil7d 4 years ago
WTF is your drummer doing. He sucks. Has he ever listened to the genre before?
olephill2 4 years ago 4
What kinda IDIOT would play any song note-for-note?!? Put on a damn CD, dork!
DancingSpiderman 3 years ago
because it might be an insult to stray too far from the original song???
patthedrummer85 2 years ago
this drummer has no taste he sounds like a heavy metal drummer trying to play a delicate song like aja my advice is listen to steve gadd a little bit and you might learn something.
andielynn116 4 years ago 4
Incredible drummers know what NOT to play.
They know proper tempo as well.
In this world, there is ballet and there is the 100 yard dash, and never the twain shall meet.
stratman123 4 years ago 2
Berklee students? Unbelieveable no one in the band tell that drummer to keep it down and play to the song. He should give them chops a break and play to the right pulse instead, the feel is ooooooooooff. And Steely Dan ain't no one man show, a disgrace to brainlessly cover a legendary band and a legendary song. The drumming even gets slobby sometimes, sick chops though - and the other musicians were also great. thumbs up for that.
MMMuller 4 years ago 7
@MMMuller Exactly. Thank you.
BARRIEMOREBARLOW 1 year ago
Keelah Delah!! Dude, Balls to cover the Dan
eightiesmike73 4 years ago
indeed the drummer does some fancy work. But IMO, it's overkill. He's doing as much as he possibly can during the whole song. Kind of ruins the groove of the song. He's treating the entire song as a drum solo. All the fancy fills and overlapping timings he's doing take away from the melodies and dynamics. Have some discipline for crying out loud. Like I said, great ability as a drummer, but poor ability to hold back from showing off at the wrong time.
Hvilleracer 4 years ago 8
haha tell that to keith moon, drum fills every 2 measures if you listen to the who live
jimywho1 1 year ago
actually i take that back... the video is sped up... look at everyone's body motions.. good one
associate434 4 years ago
There was no speeding up of the video. I had trouble getting the video and audio to sync so they don't match up at times. But Toby was and is a monster drummer (maybe a little notey sometimes) but none the less a mofo..
duelingpianos2 4 years ago
@duelingpianos2 are their 2 drummers playing???. this is the music school in boston???.
myleftnutts 1 year ago
how did berklee allow this to happen?
jammasterjayz 1 year ago
the drummer ain't incredible. lol... try slowing it down and cutting out the over the top licks in the wrong spots.... takes away from the song.... rest of the band is great
associate434 4 years ago 2
i'll bet vinnie is that drummer's #1. the tank-top gives it away.
rogersat 4 years ago
um...bass player?
HymanskiRothstien 4 years ago
I'm sorry?
duelingpianos2 4 years ago