The songs too the musicians on this album are similarly varied. In fact, it has led me to watch that the music that has emerged from Los Angeles since the seventies has defied genre pigeonholing - it's only pop yet artistically valid music. The jazziest cutting is "Bag's Groove." "Stuffy" too "Jeff's Strut" are modeled afterward the music of Stuff. The Steely Dan influence is felt on their melody "Babylon Sisters" too the opener "E Minor Shuffle," which at times comes too thus to a greater extent than or less "Black Friday" every bit to propose plagiarism. Tunes past times Boz Scaggs, Bob Dylan, too Jimi Hendrix are also included, every bit are several originals penned specifically for this project. The most unique melody is "21 Drum Salute," which is a corps-type cadence performed past times 21 drummers too percussionists ranging from Porcaro patriarch Joe to Jeff's 3 sons too a nephew, addition the likes of Steve Gadd, Peter Erskine, Dave Weckl too Vinnie Colaiuta.
Okay, directly that I'm name-dropping, need heed for Toto bandmates Steve Porcaro, David Paich, Steve Lukather, too David Hungate, every bit good every bit jazzers Joe Sample, Tom Scott, David Benoit, Jimmy Haslip, Larry Carlton, Nathan East, Abe Laboriel (Sr. too Jr.), too many, many other recognizable talents. In whatever event, this is a heart-felt labor of honey for a drummer who evidently had many friends too influenced many people. Most important, it's a widely varied, yet consistently enjoyable CD. The genres may shift considerably, but it's all practiced music.
Jeff Porcaro was adored past times fans all over the world, too sought out past times the real best musicians too artists inwards the music business. He had a rich, total life cutting brusk long earlier its time. Jeff non only achieved extraordinary success every bit a musician, but every bit a human beingness every bit well. Porcaro, drummer nonpareil, multiple Grammy winner amongst the band Toto too 1 of the Los Angeles music scene's brightest guiding spirits for ii decades, passed away 13 years ago, but his extraordinary musical soul is last too inwards total groove cheers to all of his friends too fans, colleagues too protégés.
Covering an amazingly broad ranging cross department of the genres too styles that inspired, shaped too defined Porcaro's career, Tribute to Jeff past times David Garfield too Friends is a grand controversy inwards the Quincy Jones "cast of thousands" tradition too an incredible feat both musically too logistically. Not to mention, swell entertainment. But at the heart too soul of its multifariousness too passion lies a labor of honey for all the musicians involved, an chance for them to express joy too vociferation too holler upwardly the human being who laid the criterion too enriched all of their lives.
The tragic expiry of Princess Diana reminded everyone of the touching on a unmarried somebody tin have, too inwards turn, Elton John's moving tribute at her funeral reflected the swell purpose music tin play every bit emotional catharsis. Tribute to Jeff past times David Garfield & Friends achieves that for all those who participated, but is inwards many ways the antithesis of the rewritten "Candle inwards the Wind," vigorously celebrating the life of multiple Grammy-winning drummer too first-call L.A. session truthful cat Jeff Porcaro rather than choosing to mourn the tragedy of his early on expiry inwards 1992 at historic stream 38. Though best known for his skinwork inwards the pop supergroup Toto, Porcaro's influence on the music scene ranged beyond the calorie-free pop/rock the band was known for; he grew upwardly on jazz too his various timekeeping skills were tapped past times everyone from Boz Scaggs, Bruce Springsteen, too Don Henley to Stan Getz too Larry Carlton. He was also the backbone of the longstanding L.A. club-hopping band Los Lobotomys, the fusion-oriented '80s too early-'90s response to Tom Scott & the L.A. Express featuring pianist Garfield too Toto fellow member Steve Lukather on guitar (Joe Sample would occasionally sit down inwards on minute keyboard). In his ii decades on the scene, Porcaro made a wealth of friends from all genres, ranging from difficult stone to soul, blues, too straight-ahead jazz. Garfield, a veteran of the L.A. scene known for his long-term stint every bit George Benson's musical director, recalls his belatedly friend every bit "the ultimate squad player, never a forefront form of guy, amongst a exceptional camaraderie amongst musicians." As ringleader, arranger, too producer of the project, every bit good every bit Pb performer, Garfield succeeds inwards capturing that sort of ensemble spirit. With 75 musicians participating, the pianist faced a four-month logistical nightmare of studio schedule-crunching inwards L.A., Nashville, too New York, but, using Porcaro every bit a muse (by virtue of lighting candles too occasionally playing cassettes of the invitee of honor's interviews), Garfield & Friends line off the ultimate wake, a remarkably all-encompassing, oftentimes unpredictable overview that, well, Porcaro would convey doubtless killed to play on.
The liner storey is worth the cost of the CD alone. Jeff Porcaro was a much sought afterward studio session drummer too his generosity amongst pro artists every bit good every bit those who were precisely putting together a homemade present is pretty amazing, considering how inwards need he was. But he actually separated his studio too menage unit of measurement life. The impressive lineup of musicians too artists such every bit David Pack from Ambrosia, Don Henley from the Eagles too Michael MacDonald from the Doobies/ Steely Dan precisely proves the heady arena that Jeff played inwards too the vacancy left past times his untimely expiry is all the same real much felt past times these artists every bit evidenced from their "sometimes over-the top" performances. He was the benchmark of drummers afterward Buddy Rich, inwards that he read, performed too comprehended musical notation. H5N1 controversy virtually "Time too Groove" beingness what matters all the same echo inwards my ears. H5N1 good produced CD, fifty-fifty if non a Jeff Porcaro fan.
The listing of artists invited on this collection is impressive too besides long to mention. Basically, y'all volition observe the most instance of "west coast", or "Californian" music, swell jazzmen, all paying a homage to the swell Jeff.
You volition observe to a greater extent than than 1 concealment version too to a greater extent than than 1 instrumental hither : Lowdown, E-minor shuffle (remake of S. Dan's "Black Friday"), Babylon sisters, too Let's remain together (remember that 1 ? y'all volition also observe that melody on a Tina Turner album, every bit good every bit on a sax player's called Bobby Militello), amongst M. McDonald on vocals, amid others. You volition also hear to a greater extent than aggressive tunes : If vi was nine (very Hendrix-like), Stuffy (a high rythm Gospel tune), or Big Bone (already on the Lobotomys cd). Right inwards the middle y'all convey a beautiful My heart wants to know...
This is a concept album, swell for collectors, lovers of this type of music, too people who are interested inwards knowing to a greater extent than virtually 1 of the greatest drummers of the 20th Century (the booklet has lots of pictures too stories virtually J.P.). We all know things haven't been the same since he left. Not only for his band, Toto, but for music inwards general.
Finally, to consummate the other reviewer's advice, banking concern fit out an album called (Forever inwards the arms) of love, past times a band called Karizma. It's difficult to observe but a 10 star.
Track listing:
eastward Minor Shuffle (Men With Keyboards) 5:53
Let's Stay Together 6:02
Twenty-one Drum Salute (So Many Drummers, So Little Time) 2:34
Lowdown 6:26
If Six Was Nine 7:04
Bag's Groove 5:37
My Heart Wants To Know 5:31
It Takes H5N1 Lot To Laugh, It Takes H5N1 Train To Cry 6:23
Babylon Sisters
Stuffy 1:30
Jeff's Strut 5:50
Big Bone 6:57
Long Time No Groove 2:07
Personnel:
Acoustic Guitar – Steve Lukather (tracks: 2)
Alto Saxophone – Brandon Fields (tracks: 7), Michael Paulo (tracks: 4), Tom Scott (tracks: 6, 11)
Backing Vocals – Bill Champlin (tracks: 2, 7), David Pack (tracks: 2), Don Henley (tracks: 2), Jason Scheff (tracks: 4, 7), Joseph Williams (tracks: 4, 7), Richard Marx (tracks: 2)
Baritone Saxophone – Tom Scott (tracks: 10, 11)
Bass РAbe Laboriel Sr.* (tracks: 10, 11), Chuck Domanico (tracks: 6), Jimmy Haslip (tracks: 13), John Pe̱a (tracks: 7), Lee Sklar* (tracks: 9), Mike Porcaro (tracks: 12), Nathan East (tracks: 2), Neil Stubenhaus (tracks: 8), Will Lee (tracks: 5)
Bass [P] – "Ready" Freddy Washington* (tracks: 4)
Bass Drum – Ralph Humphrey (tracks: 3)
Bass, Electric Bass [Fretless] – Jimmy Johnson (5) (tracks: 1)
Bata – Luis Conte (tracks: 1)
Chorus – Bill Champlin (tracks: 2), Don Henley (tracks: 2), Richard Marx (tracks: 2)
Claves РJohn Pe̱a (tracks: 1)
Clavinet [Funky Clav, Sampled] – James Newton Howard (tracks: 1)
Congas – Chris Trujillo (tracks: 4), Lenny Castro (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 12), Luis Conte (tracks: 1, 10, 11), Luis Enrique (tracks: 1)
Cowbell РChris Trujillo (tracks: 1), John Pe̱a (tracks: 1), Luis Enrique (tracks: 1), Michito Sanchez (tracks: 10)
Cymbal – Vinnie Colaiuta (tracks: 13)
Cymbal [Zildjian Trash Hats] – Mike Porcaro (tracks: 3)
Djembe – Michito Sanchez (tracks: 1)
Drums – Abraham Laboriel Jr. (tracks: 4), Bernard "Pretty" Purdie* (tracks: 9), Carlos Vega (tracks: 1), Gregg Bissonette (tracks: 12), Jim Keltner (tracks: 3, 8), Joe Porcaro (tracks: 6), Richie Hayward (tracks: 3, 8), Simon Phillips (tracks: 5), Steve Ferrone (tracks: 2), Steve Gadd (tracks: 10, 11), Tris Imboden (tracks: 7), Vinnie Colaiuta (tracks: 13)
Drums [Cocktail] – Steve Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (tracks: 3)
Drums [Gong Drum] – Simon Phillips (tracks: 3)
Drums [Kit] – Dave Weckl (tracks: 3), Gregg Bissonette (tracks: 3), Steve Gadd (tracks: 3), Vinnie Colaiuta (tracks: 3)
Drums [Marching Field Drums] – Lenny Castro (tracks: 3)
Drums [Pods, Crashers] – Joe Porcaro (tracks: 1)
Drums [Toms] – Joe Porcaro (tracks: 3)
Electric Bass [Fretless] – David Hungate (tracks: 13), Jimmy Haslip (tracks: 7)
Electric Guitar – Steve Lukather (tracks: 2)
Electric Guitar [Wah Wah] – David Williams (4) (tracks: 4), Mike Landau* (tracks: 2)
Electric Piano – David Garfield (tracks: 1, 4), Greg Phillinganes (tracks: 9), Joe Sample (tracks: 2)
Electric Piano [Leslie Fender Rhodes] – David Paich (tracks: 4)
Flugelhorn – Jerry Hey (tracks: 10), Walt Fowler (tracks: 12)
Grand Piano – David Benoit (tracks: 13)
Guitar – Denny Dias (tracks: 6), Eddie Van Halen (tracks: 5), Fred Tackett (tracks: 8), Jay Graydon (tracks: 7), Larry Carlton (tracks: 10, 11), Mike Landau* (tracks: 7), Steve Lukather (tracks: 12)
Horns – Steve Porcaro (tracks: 1)
Keyboards – David Garfield (tracks: 12)
Lead Guitar – Eddie Van Halen (tracks: 8), Michael Landau (tracks: 5)
Lead Vocals – Boz Scaggs (tracks: 8), David Pack (tracks: 2), Jason Scheff (tracks: 7), Michael Landau (tracks: 5), Michael McDonald (tracks: 2), Paulette Browne* (tracks: 2), Will Lee (tracks: 5)
Organ – Benmont Tench (tracks: 2), David Paich (tracks: 1), Mike Finnigan (tracks: 8)
Organ [Hammond B3] – Greg Mathieson (tracks: 10, 11)
Percussion – Lenny Castro (tracks: 2, 12), Luis Conte (tracks: 11), Michito Sanchez (tracks: 7)
Piano – David Garfield (tracks: 2, 4 to 6, 8, 10)
Read By [Spoken Word] – David Garfield (tracks: 5), Simon Phillips (tracks: 5)
Rhythm Guitar – David T. Walker (tracks: 2), Michael Landau (tracks: 9), Paul Jackson Jr. (tracks: 4)
Shaker – Chris Trujillo (tracks: 10)
Shekere [Chekere] – Lenny Castro (tracks: 1), Michito Sanchez (tracks: 1)
Slide Guitar – Paul Barrere (tracks: 8)
Snare – Chris Porcaro (tracks: 3), John Ferraro (tracks: 3), John Guerin (tracks: 3), Miles Porcaro (tracks: 3), Nico Porcaro (tracks: 3), Ralph Humphrey (tracks: 3), Steve Ferrone (tracks: 3)
Snare [Piatti, Sopranino] – Peter Erskine (tracks: 3)
Soprano Saxophone – Brandon Fields (tracks: 12)
Strings – Steve Porcaro (tracks: 4)
Synthesizer – David Garfield (tracks: 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11), Michael "The Cleaner" Boddicker* (tracks: 9), Steve Porcaro (tracks: 1, 4)
Synthesizer [Midi Grand Piano] – David Garfield (tracks: 7, nine to 11), David Paich (tracks: 1)
Synthesizer [Pads] – David Garfield (tracks: 13)
Talking Drum – Michito Sanchez (tracks: 1)
Tambourine – Jim Keltner (tracks: 8), Lenny Castro (tracks: 10), Luis Conte (tracks: 1)
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Sheppard (tracks: 9), Larry Klimas (tracks: 2, 8), Tom Scott (tracks: 6, 10, 11)
Tom Tom – John Guerin (tracks: 3)
Tom Tom [Floor] – Abe Laboriel Jr.* (tracks: 3)
Tom Tom [With Mallets] – Chase Porcaro Duddy (tracks: 3)
Trumpet – Jerry Hey (tracks: 10, 11), Walt Fowler (tracks: 6, 12)
Vibraphone – Emil Richards (tracks: 6)
Voice – Joe Porcaro (tracks: 9)
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