Rich Vs Roach

Buddy Rich, Max Roach | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
• Original Release Date: 1959
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B0000046Y8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,305 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The drum lover's dream come true!, May 15, 2005

By 

John Carfizzi (New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rich Vs Roach (Audio CD)

The late Don DeMicheal (one of jazz music's foremost writers, and a fine drummer as well) once wrote about this session calling it "this drum lover's dream come true". DeMicheal went on to say that the two drummers are heard "throwing ideas back and forth as if engaged in a mad, joyous tennis match. And how they inspire each other".It is certainly a great tribute to the greatness of both Mr. Rich and Mr. Roach, that here we are 46 years after this remarkable session was recorded, and the album is still the subject of a much heated debate among jazz fans, drummers, as well as students of jazz (as can be witnessed in many of the reviews found here), with many praising the drummer who is their favorite and (very sadly) putting down the drummer who is not their favorite.The truth is that BOTH Mr. Roach AND Mr. Rich DESERVE to be called CHAMPIONS! Both have given so much to jazz! Yes indeed they both have different styles, but isn't that what makes jazz music such a art form?For those of you who are interested in reading a SERIOUS analysis of this recording (and not just the childish remarks of "my favorite is better than your favorite"), I suggest that you go to your nearest research library and try and locate a copy of the March 24, 1966 issue of DOWN BEAT. It contains a very interesting notated analysis of two of the tracks from this great recording (completely transcribed), by drum authority Rupert Kettle. (For those who do not know, Mr Kettle has written much about drumming throughout the years in many publications including SOUND & FURY, MODERN DRUMMER, as well as DOWN BEAT).As Mr. Kettle points out in the article (on page 19), "The 1959 Mercury album presents the playing of possibly the finest representatives of their respective approaches and at the same time presents both men as mature musicians, at the height of their creative and technical powers".I feel that jazz fans and drummers on both sides of this debate would do well to read this article. Mr. Kettle enjoys, understands and appreciates the playing of both Mr. Rich and Mr. Roach, as do I.So to the people on both sides of this debate, I say, take the time to find this article, it will help you to understand the playing of BOTH of these drumming greats much better than reading most of the childish comments that I am again sorry to say have been posted here.I will sum up this remarkable album by again quoting Mr. DeMicheal when he wrote that "the winner is the listener".

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich in one ear and Roach in the other equals MAGIC, October 21, 2002

By 

Kevin Nieman "Writer / Provocateur" (Thousand Oaks, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rich Vs Roach (Audio CD)

I have always been fascinated by the tribal lure of the drum, and Buddy Rich has always been the pre-eminent drum virtuoso of all time, in my opinion.

Yes, there are those who dislike Rich's bombastic playing as opposed to Max Roach's more calm and intellectual approach to his instrument. I cannot argue with that other than to say that this CD is a perfect example of both men's styles. Rich pounds the drums like a madman, and Roach plays them like a lover. Rich exhudes flash and fireworks, and Roach embraces subtlety and a carefully placed silence. Both men hammer out their styles like professionals, and some may say that it comes out as a draw.

Whatever your personal taste is regarding these two drum masters, this is a CD that drum fans and jazz fans can enjoy for generations to come. The debate over who was the better drummer will never be solved, but at least we can hear these two jazz giants battle it out, knowing that they were loving every minute of it.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Hardcore Drum Porn, August 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Rich Vs Roach (Audio CD)

This is an album for drummers and extreme drum lovers only, who would likely give this record five stars. All others would be advised to consider Buddy's work with Dizzy Gillespie for jazz music which is better rounded. Max's fans should seek out Sonny Rollins' 1958 classic Saxaphone Collossus. "Figure Eights" is a drums-only track which showcases Buddy's blinding speed an Max's resourcefulness on the toms. The artists play no-frills, four piece set ups, so what you get is a 64 minute blast of drum set virtuosity without any gimmicks. Recorded in the 50's, both artists are at the top of their form. So who wins this drum battle? Buddy's the better technician, but Max is the better musician.