Buddy Rich Plays “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown”)

Buddy Rich (1917 - 1987) was rightfully called "the world's greatest drummer." That title barely scratches the surface of a man whose outward image as leader of a fusion jazz orchestra overshadowed much of what he was about as a musician. A 1994 album entitled "Burning For Rich" spotlighted mostly rockers who had little understanding of what made Rich a drummer. Their un-rhythmic performances would have resulted in his volcanic wrath had he been alive. Although he was a flashy drummer, Buddy Rich had an underlying pulse that could be felt in whatever he was doing at any moment. That pulse was a deeply felt sense of time that kept the beat where it was supposed to stay and, unlike many drummers in rock bands today, Rich wouldn't budge from his firmly held convictions. Great dexterity and total control over what he was doing at any given moment were other characteristics that made up a Rich performance. Although his career extended back to playing with Artie Shaw in 1938 and Tommy Dorsey after 1940, it was with Harry James that Rich would occasionally appear and push the band into orbits of drumming ecstacy. His temper and volatile, mercurial temper were well known in the musical world and worked to his advantage on the tv talk show circuit, particularly on Johnny Carson's show where there would usually be a draw in their remarks to one another.

Buddy Rich finally had it with playing in other person's band decided in 1966 to go out on his own with musicians he respected totally. The debut of Buddy's band was at The Chez in Hollywood, California which at that time had mainly rock groups playing to the young kids. This evening, there was a mixing of generations as people of all ages who knew Buddy Rich by name or had followed his career were present. And Buddy did not disappoint anyone that evening! Thankfully this was also the beginning of a series of live shots recorded for Liberty Records jazz label Pacific Jazz. For openers, Buddy left no doubt as to where his sympathies were: a swinging, roaring chart by Bill Holman of the Lennon-McCartney favorite from their recent film "Help!": Norwegian Woods, a sarcastic song depicting a romance on the rocks because of the man's girlfriend having a fondness for Norwegian wood.