Wednesday, 9/30/09

by musicclipoftheday

With summer giving way to fall, how ’bout a little trip down to Hattiesburg, Mississippi? There, at T-Bone’s Records & Coffee, you’ll find, over in a corner, Johnny Vidacovich, longtime New Orleans drummer—he’s played at every one of the 40 annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festivals—playing, singing, chatting, goofing.

Johnny Vidacovich, live, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 2009

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Most drummers I couldn’t listen to for five minutes. This guy I could listen to all day. Why? Because his playing is relaxed and unshowy. He makes use of space. Instead of trying to bowl you over, he invites you in.

Want more Johnny V? Here.

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lagniappe

This [New Orleans] is a drum city. . . . [A]round here, all the drummers play from the neck down.—Johnny Vidacovich