What's in your CDP tonight? the minority report

Hey Loomis...I will look for the video. I like Ginger as a rock drummer a ton and though I know he (and Jack) came out of jazz backgrounds I don’t know enough to say how good a jazz drummer he was. I watched a concert (on YouTube) of him with Charlie Haden and (Bill Frissell?) on guitar. Pretty straight up jazz. He seemed okay to me - certainly not overplaying in that context but there’s more to it than that. Glad to hear you like Ginger too...means your assessment vis a vis Art B. is more likely to be an accurate one (no axe to grind).

Starting to look for that video you mention, came across this discussion on the Steve Hoffman forum. Makes for some interesting reading re what Elvin Jones thought about Ginger (vs Keith Moon of all people!).
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/elvin-jones-feelings-about-ginger-bakers-playing-style.238445/

Sure, Bonham, Moon & Baker were the "trinity" of rock drummers in my day but I’d put Baker (way) ahead of either of them. Leastways, that’s my O-pinion. Again, not talking Baker's jazz talent.

Loomis - might this be the one you were referring to?

"Art Blakey & Ginger Baker:  "Drum Battle" (1972)

http://artblakey.com/battles/

that's the one--there's also a jones/baker battle (just type in ginger baker elvin jones on the youtube site). let us know what you think...

Dizzy Gilliespie

Hello Loomis...OK.  Well, I watched the Baker/Blakey "drum battle".  With all due respect, I couldn't pick a clear cut "winner" there.  Not to my mind anyway.  Even if Blakey gets the edge overall, I didn't think Baker got humiliated.  I'm not a drummer though so I'll defer to those that know more...just expressing my opinion.  I was impressed by Art.  I knew the name but that's it.  Some of the rolls he did were outright ferocious.  Lot of sound from a smallish kit too, I thought.  He used an awful lot of cymbal though...not my preference.  Maybe give him a bit of an edge on variety.  Rhythmically, I found Baker's playing a little more complex but also thought he was more repetitious than Blakey.  Differences in styles for sure...seemed like Art had the lighter hands.  Baker more of a rock feel.  (If I were blindfolded, can't swear I'd say that - but that's how it seemed).    BTW - wish the video quality were better.  Hard to make out facial expressions clearly.  Found it interesting how intently AB and GB watched one another...esp.GB on Art.  Couldn't tell if AB's look was boredom, disdain or what...video quality was just not that great.  It WAS interesting stuff.  Thanks for bringing it up.  I will check out the Elvin Jones/Ginger Baker video too.