Drummers Shelly Manne and Louie Bellson could drive a big band or spark a small group into life and yet, as Peter Hardman illustrated both were very different stylists.
Each was excellent technically but differed in approach. Shelly was subtle and sensitive where as Louie was aggressive and flamboyant.
Shelly’s skilful small group work was exemplified on tracks by Gillespie, Ventura, and Parker. His superb cymbal use was evident driving the Herman Herd on Not Really The Blues and on Kenton’s Jolly Roger. His brushwork was perfect on Safranski’s Sa-frantic, but he really cut loose for the soundtrack of The Man With The Golden Arm.
There was a drum explosion as Louie joined Gene Krupa on Goodman’s Don’t Be That Way, Latin rhythms on Ellington’s Caravan and on The Hawk Talks Louie and seven percussionists pounded away.
He kicked along on two bass drums on The Jeep Is Jumpin’, but delivered sprightly brushwork on Tatum’s My Blue Heaven and laid down a rock steady beat on Three Ton Blues.
Peter’s talk was a master-class in swinging drumming.
Harry Isaacs
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