Dancing to a Different Drummer

Chico Hamilton | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 2, 1995)
• Original Release Date: April 19, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Soul Note Records
• ASIN: B00000404H
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #726,051 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. In The Beginning

2. Conquistadore Rides Again

3. Tap Drums

4. Dance Of The Tympanies

5. All Those Guys

6. Mr. Jo Jones

7. Cymbals Of Love

8. Waltz Of The Mallets

9. Universal Language Of Man

10. The Snare Drum

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Chico's Solo Percussion Journey, February 17, 2005

By 

Phasedin (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dancing to a Different Drummer (Audio CD)

As I write this, for some reason, much of drummer Chico Hamilton's output as a leader is either out of print, or only available as very expensive import discs. I hope this is only a temporary situation.

I came across this disc only a couple of years ago on sale, and bought 2 copies on a whim. I'm sure glad I did. I cherish my copy and have given the other copy to a friend who happens to be a drummer himself.

Chico Hamilton has pretty much played it all in the jazz field. He was one of the inventors in the 1950's of the "chamber jazz" sound, leading a group that included cello as well as electric guitar. Very innovative stuff-as well as being quite unusual that a drummer would lead a quiet, classically influenced group instead of it being a showcase for his chops and drum solos.

In the 70's and even on occaision after that in the 80's and 90's Hamilton also would record in a more commercial "slick" kind of funky jazz group, often fronted by young guitarists.

But this is easily one of my favorites. This is all Hamilton, all-solo, playing drums, percussion, slapaphone, tympani, gong, tambourine, as well as narrative voice.

Well the vocal sections often tracing biographically Hamilton's influences, I could live without,but it doesn't really detract too much from the music contained here.

I love Hamilton's sense of adventure, STILL trying to do something different after all these years (this was recorded in 1993). He's an American treasure and I hope this recording comes back into print very quickly so others can experience and enjoy this recording from one of our great jazz masters.