Drum solos

[Carl E. Anderson]

> On the topic of "why is it so hard to find a good drum solo?", I think
> the basic conflict is that we normally see solos as a forum for
> expressing melody and the drum kit is primarily a vehicle for
> producing rhythm.  (I think this is also why bass solos are less
> successful in many people's eyes.)

        Actually, I think bass solos are often viewed as less successful
since one need not actually be a terribly good bass player to be a bass
player in a rock band.  But when one _does_ have a good bass player ...
ah! a bass solo, by the very depth of tone from the instrument, can be
a powerful thing!
        For example, I really enjoyed Joe Bouchard's bass solo on
_Live '76_.  And Dave Pegg (of Fairport Convention) cranks out some
hairy bass solos.  And that's just a bass alone--with a band: "Stay Clean"
with bass solo _a_la_ Lemmy.  Need we say more?  (Unless we were to say
"Lost in the Ozone" from _Bastards_ :)
        And of course, Cliff from Metallica; some monster bass solos!
Jason Newstead is, mind you, no crap bass player but on the other hand
his bass solo from that live video they put out a few years back was
pretty smegging boring.  The most interesting thing he did was stomp
on a bass-wah and make foolish faces.  That was, admittedly, pretty cool
for about 10 seconds, and then got very old ;)
        Then are are people like Alan Woody, who is damn near soloing
continously with Gov't Mule (tho he's more restrained with the Allmans).

Cheers,
Carl