Drum Teacher Reacts: TRILOK GURTU | John McLaughlin Trio - 'Mother Tongues' | (2021 Reaction)

[@patrickbrennan2864]

Trilok Gurtu was brought up in a culture (the largest on earth - by a long shot) in which music is not counted. Music is not divided by numbers- and why would anyone? We don’t do that to learn speech. And as Andrew said, this certainly is a conversation between the two of them..... If majority rules, well.....and imagine how odd it might have felt for him to discover counted music. I found this BY CHANCE, Heard that John Mclaughlin was a good guitar player, bought tickets without knowing anything else - around 1982 perhaps - an 80 seat jazz club outside of Houston that used to be a neighborhood bank, a one table thick wraparound second-floor balcony, and I was looking down at Trilok from about 15 feet. Watched him do the water thing, etc - I did not know my date very well and was somewhat concerned that if I looked her way (which I had not done for ~ 15 minutes) she might well be gone. I look and she’s weeping. Stella Cady. An angel come to earth. I bought a set cuz of Pick Withers, “Wild West End” - the entire album in fact - did you see how FAST Trilok’s r hand was on that cymbal? Wow. Just so relaxed Andrew thanks again ! Patrick

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Incredible pick. Incredible story. Thank you Patrick.

[@patrickbrennan2864]

@@AndrewRooneyDrums You bet ! Thanks for doing this

[@patrickbrennan2864]

@@AndrewRooneyDrums Found Bill Frisell the same way - heard zero of his stuff b4, I’m in the 3rd row and he just partnered up with Kenny Wollison Life did change a bit after that.....

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

When drumming gives you goosebumps... Wow.

[@glfriendliness9793]

Trilok is unlike any other! He made those two Trio recordings amazing! ‘Florianapolis’ from ‘Live At The Royal Festival Hall is my first McLaughlin experience, been hooked ever since! Nice choice!!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Just a pure artist. Magnificent

[@Phlakaton88]

One of my all time favorite drummer percussion performances by anyone ever. The man. The album version is even better

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Incredible 🤯

[@caryd67]

I was fortunate enough to see John McLaughlan with Dennis Chambers here in Vancouver, which was incredible… but this performance is beyond description. Thanks for reminding me of Trilok. ✌🏻

[@MalinLH]

I wonder what color the sky is in the universe these guys live in.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Stunning isn't it

[@saltyshowers9356]

Craftmanship next level. This was beyond great. Mclaughlin always plays with great musicians.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

This is a gem

[@lvbbbasdsjcjm]

Yuppers. And especially drummers and percussionists. I believe he has played with a pantheon of drummers of our lifetime. I know I'll miss some but: Baker, Williams, DeJohnette, Cobham, Walden, Gurtu, Chambers, Jones, Colaiuta, Mondesir, Barot, and, maybe the GOAT --Hussain. Apologies if I have forgotten or not listed all the drummers/percussionist his played with on other musicians albums. There is a reason all these folk have played with him...

[@evertvanderhik5774]

All drummers that played with John Mclaughlin were the best. Billy Cobham, Narada Walden, Danny Gottlieb, Dennis Chambers etc.

[@radkon67]

I saw this band in the early 90s. Trilok's solo was similar and at that time I'd never seen him do that. Everyone in the room was whispering things like "what is he doing?" Everyone's whispers sounded like more birds in the forrest, so Trilok really had us adding to his soundscape, incredible! If anyone needs inspiration to do things differently, take this as a personal letter from Trilok saying "just go for it!". I know I've taken similar inspiration.

[@shawndwyer5458]

I saw Trilok do a clinic 20ish years ago. It was mesmerizing the dynamics and sounds that he produced. Great to see him get some love.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

He's a gem Shawn!

[@jamesbrierley5693]

Saw him in Manchester at a Zildjian night back in the nineties...blew my mind! Got a signed cd and a brief chat...inspirational night.

[@LV426CX1]

Saw him at the festival in 1996. He was amazing. Great line up that year, Narada, Lombardo, Elvin, Tim Alexander. For the price that you paid for those tickets, 50 bucks back then for both days, the amount of information you could get plus hanging out with all those monster players, priceless.

[@MrDanmjack]

John McLaughlin on guitar to. Utter legend.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Yes Dan!

[@joeday4293]

It never would have occurred to me to recommend this one to you, but I'm so glad someone did. Any fellow Gen-Xers remember "the cutout bin," where you could get marked down cassettes? I bought "John McLaughlin Trio at the Royal Festival Hall" for a buck. It didn't take long to become probably one of my top five most influential drum albums, even without a bass drum anywhere in sight. Trilok Gurtu is a wizard.

[@papacarl2002]

Oh yeah, loved the cut out bins!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

You'd get some proper gold in those bins Joe!

[@EspenAndreassen77]

Wow! That was incredible ☺️ Thanks! And yeah, great pick 👍🏻

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

So good Espen!

[@markclifford8764]

Andrew, just imagine what reading the tab for this would be like... Sorta A.D.D. 'And now I 'flange the gong for half a measure. Then I use the hoof shaker...' I love this! Great pick!!!!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Exactly Mark! It's so different

[@patrickbrennan2864]

(See my reply: they don’t count music - it just flows) - very cool

[@joeday4293]

Tab. Feh. If I were the ghost of Obi-Wan, I would tell you to turn off your targeting computer and use the Force, Luke.

[@danmarshall5895]

Dude the band's named after plays 6 minutes of 2 harmonics, Somehow Gurtu found like 5000 ways to interpret around those notes.

[@STIXAHOY]

This guy has been one of my personal influences for the past 20 years

[@phildupuis1084]

percussion as artistry...wonderful

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Just a joy Phil!

[@peterking8632]

I saw this drummer at a clinic in about 1999 in Sydney. Never saw anything like him before. Was incredible.

[@jorgedeltiempo]

Trilok its from other planet.. No words.. Every song its a travel, from the deppest rain forest, along the desert and swiming in the sea, and in one second fliying to the moon.. One absolute artist

[@patrickbrennan2864]

Well said !!! This was beyond words, live.....

[@daviddevilliers2828]

I suggest you the record live in London trio perhaps 1989 maybe... Mac Laughlin, Kai eckard and trilogy gurtu. It’s not jazz, just an another thing... music, like a big trip where we have never been

[@susannebass5503]

Never in my life🤯 So beautiful different n unique. Simply n wonderfully Amazing👏👏

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Absolute treat isn't it Susanne!

[@patrickbrennan2864]

It was incredible in person- wish everyone could experience that

[@firearms-explosives]

I also discovered Trilok Gurtu by chance when a friend played JMT live at royal festival hall. Within 30 seconds of the first tune (blue in green) I asked "who's the drummer?". Later I was fortunate enough to see him perform in a drum clinic setting in Wheatridge Colorado (roughly one hour solo, (?!)). Im a visual artist, painter, sculptor etc. Nonetheless I bought a tabla and began the long journey with that instrument. Everyday I am still wrapping my head around this man's skill on tabla and "traditional" drumkit . Anyway, lovely channel Andrew. Thank you Patrick

[@1bilmore]

Oh boy, does this bring back some great memories! Got the related live CD when it came out 1990ish (not this exact performance, but many, if not all of, the same musical elements). Was a huge John McLaughlin fan at the time, and listened to the whole CD on repeat for hours at a time. Many thanks to the requester and to you, Andrew, for playing it

[@patrickbrennan2864]

At 6:30, his right hand is doing things at a speed and level of relaxation I’ve never seen

[@alaskan_bergwanderer]

I was going to comment about the hands as well. Cuz holy crap...

[@ADRIAN-gp8gp]

That was wildly eccentric. I felt like someone should’ve been doing splatter art off to the side. Great stuff!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

But didn't feel at all pretentious to me. Just real deal from the heart stuff Adrian!

[@ADRIAN-gp8gp]

@@AndrewRooneyDrums Not one bit pretentious. Unorthodox no doubt but that’s 100% the real deal. Thoroughly enjoyed It!

[@daviddevilliers2828]

John Mac laughing is a rhythmic master

[@jorgedeltiempo]

Yes.. And trilok gurtu.. One god. Fantástic mix

[@darrylbennett4297]

I need a bucket of water by my kit now... All jokes aside that was brilliant and beautiful

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Right Darryl!

[@patrickbrennan2864]

That’s a 10” deep-dish pizza pan he’s hitting into the water….. Italian influence! World music for sure

[@MrDanmjack]

If you haven’t had the opportunity to see John McLaughlin play live I URGE you to do so.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

I'd love that Dan!

[@loopmasta5104]

Very nice. Trilok Gurtu is great

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

He is a great for sure!

[@sonicart1808]

Loved this Andrew! Ive never seen anyone react to Trilok which is a shame as he's incredible and is like the ultimate percussionist and so unique too... this whole performance/album is well worth checking out if you ever get chance...brilliant reaction and analysis as always thanks!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

He NEVER gets requested. Most people seem unaware of him

[@sonicart1808]

@@AndrewRooneyDrums I know it's criminal a world class percussionist of his caliber is not well known... it happens too often though unfortunately! Another relatively unknown drummer is Paco Sery from the band Sixun... he is mind blowing but not well known outside the jazz/world music scene. maybe you could react to more jazz drummers or percussionists Andrew? Zakir Hussain plays Tabla and is beyond words, there are so many incredible ones out there...love your reactions anyway thanks again.

[@BassieMario]

I had the honor to see this incredible drummer with another percussion hero, Zakir Hussain in one show. Amazing !

[@radkon67]

Noooo! I can't imagine that...

[@BassieMario]

@@radkon67 I think it was somewhere in the eighties... in Utrecht

[@radkon67]

@@BassieMario Total amaze balls! I lived in Perth, West Australia for 12 years and was lucky enough to know two percussionists who knew Trilok well. Gary Ridge and Wency D’Souza.

[@blackdog3113]

Never heard of Trilok in India. Here I am listening to him in Australia.

[@roguecheddar]

My knees were killing me just watching this! But I digress.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

HAHA! You made me laugh out loud there!

[@roguecheddar]

@@AndrewRooneyDrums ,(clapping virtual dust from hands) I see that my work here is done. 8:=)

[@jakeloranger1419]

If I played on my knees like that, I would need a good twenty minutes just to stand up again. And possibly the help of one or two people to pull me up.. The old knees ain't what they used to be.

[@roguecheddar]

@@jakeloranger1419 , Don't you hate it when your legs fall asleep before you do, and it's not even bedtime?!

[@jakeloranger1419]

@@roguecheddar Lol Yeah, that is annoying. The rewards of staying alive. Oh, well, it's better than the alternative.

[@daviddevilliers2828]

I saw this band 30 years go and it was completely crazy

[@alaskan_bergwanderer]

This has barely gotten rolling, and I'm absolutely stunned. Holy crap!!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

I LOVE this!

[@alexis2522]

The bass player is my professor ! (Dominique Di Piazza)

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Wow! Awesome

[@manologonzalezmorillas258]

Gurtu is super great, using concepts and ideas very brilliants from the Konnakol ❤🙏

[@michaellord7617]

Hell yea, perfect thing to start my day.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Great Michael!

[@HaydnMowbray]

I was lucky enough to see this tour and it was a really outstanding gig. Trilok Gurtu was mesmerising (and I'd gone to see McLaughlin!). At one point they did a Konnakol (Indian drumming language, look it up!!) 'scat off' between each other which was a real highlight. I met them afterwards, great night

[@patrickbrennan2864]

I remember that ! Wasn’t it between Kai Eckhardt and Trilok Gurtu? At one point during a bass solo, Eckhardt veered off into a little “rap” then muttered under his breath, “small change”

[@HaydnMowbray]

@@patrickbrennan2864 found it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZPWhZaImtaNsM0

[@patrickbrennan2864]

@@HaydnMowbray Hey THANKS ! That brings back memories- when I saw this live, the scatting was between trilok and Kai Eckhardt, the bass player

[@twelvemonkeys8786]

Wow.. This is brilliant.. Gonna check out loads more

[@jonsidell3338]

This is perfect for my 4/20 vibes! Thanks Rooney!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Great Jon!

[@krenwregget7667]

Outstanding stuff, that's composition in real time.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Yes it is Kren!

[@patrickbrennan2864]

Forgot to note: like the City Lights piece, this was also “soloing over a vamp”? (i’m asking because I don’t know)

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Yes over a repetitive motif. I think there were changes in there. Would need to watch again. But yes long periods of soloing over the vamp :)

[@patrickbrennan2864]

@@AndrewRooneyDrums Cool. Thanks Do any music teachers employ the Indian practice of teaching notes as syllables, licks as words/short phrases, trading solos as a conversation? I gotta look into that. When I play phrases, with accents where they fall in the phrase, I find two or three accent levels that are easy to control, and my playing almost starts to sound musical - definitely better than when I count anyway. I’d love to know what a good drummer would do with that concept, and how many already do - some keep secrets !

[@jakeloranger1419]

I had read about Trilok years ago in Modern Drummer but I never made the effort to hear him play. It really was something rather special to finally hear him. I read a comment saying that musicians don't count in Trilok's musical culture, which I believe is somewhere in India (India is such a big country I would doubt there is only one musical culture there). I recall Steve Smith talking about his studies in Indian tabla rhythms. He said they use a syllable system. So if one is playing a five note grouping, a certain five syllables are said aloud (when learning and practicing of course). A seven note grouping uses seven syllables, and so forth. Really intricate polyrhythms feature prominently in Indian music as well. I thought I caught a bit of that in Trilok's playing. I'm sure others with better trained ears than mine would have picked a lot more of what he was playing than I did. Nevertheless I was impressed how he used his chops to serve the music completely.

[@patrickbrennan2864]

Wow - thanks for that - didn’t he say “hi honey” at one point ? The audience laughs, then the rhythm changes, and the conversation continues. I’ve been learning drums by Assigning words syllables phrases to drum beats so that instead of counting them, I’m actually playing the rhythm or prosody of speech; It’s so much more musical than counting Glad to hear it has a precedent, thanks again!

[@ravisrinivasan7122]

@@patrickbrennan2864 He calls out "Heide, where are you?" in German

[@patrickbrennan2864]

@@ravisrinivasan7122 Cool ! Thanks for telling me

[@michaelb.42112]

As soon as I saw the title I was excited to see it. Mahavishnu, etc...

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Yes Michael! How good!?!?!?

[@michaelb.42112]

@@AndrewRooneyDrums This blew me away ! I've NEVER heard a bucket of water sound so good !

[@followagma2167]

Wild stuff. Love me some super interesting jams. :]

[@jason1888]

Bad hair day. Good drum day. That was awesome.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

HAHA!

[@Psyphonyx_Life]

What a treat... !!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Goosebumps

[@fastfiddler1625]

What kind of synth board do you use? A bucket full of water.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

HAHA Richard!

[@607995]

trilok is the fuckin man!

[@lari5875]

I think I travelled to an another galaxy and back 😵 High grade stuff right here

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Glorious stuff. I was in 7th heaven watching this

[@stefanredin854]

Wonderful!! 👍👊

[@ericvalkenaar6276]

New YOYOKA video dropped. Prince song. Complicated time signatures!

[@donerickson8956]

WAY COOL... THX BRUH

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

You got it Don!

[@martianshoes]

Ok that does it. Gonna get out my old Miles Davis LPs...

[@patrickbrennan2864]

Sorry - I just have to - at 6:25, watch his right hand for 15 sec or so - I’d say it’s the quickest I’ve seen . Any thoughts ?

[@bones357]

Trilok bows to no 1.😉

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

So good Petey!

[@garygraham2513]

This reminds me of the first time listening to Andreas Vollenviter. Odd,but kinda interesting.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Right on Gary!

[@tyef572]

Give a listen to God smacks drummer , and their lead singer sully doing a drum battle live. It's pretty good

[@patrickbrennan2864]

4K views for legendary musicians Bandmaid? 50k plus Sure.........

[@stevendunn1314]

Art 100

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Or art 900!?

[@markusantonio4866]

I need some TRILOK

[@kaynesantor8136]

Not gonna lie, this is definitely not my cup of vodka. But, I can see the talent. I'm definitely going to see if I can find some stuff of him playing "actual drums".

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Hey Kayne! Not sure if I've seen Trilok behind a conventional kit.

[@radkon67]

Hey Kanye. I would've said impossible with your request, but look what I found! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKLQXmiDgs-ieKc

[@trafalgerdavis7839]

Sound scaping, the hard way.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Totally! So cinematic

[@TwoandaHater]

with the hair and stache, he looks like carmine appice

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

HA! Yes!

[@Lloocii]

Juicy. The closest thing to Aric Improta's attention deficit drumming in terms of innovation and creativity I've seen.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Great!

[@alaskan_bergwanderer]

More like, Aric Improta's AD drumming is the closest thing to *this*, since this predates Improta by a good number of years. Just giving you some grief, but yeah, I wouldn't be at all surprised if this was among Aric's inspirations!

[@ЧорнийМорок]

what does he smoke? I also want to)))

[@patrickbrennan2864]

Shisha from a hookah....in a country where Music is not counted - it flows

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

HA! Nice

[@MrDanmjack]

Please do some zakir Hussein.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Thanks for the tip!

[@MrDanmjack]

The guy is to tabla like sachin tendulkar is to cricket.

[@markclifford8764]

Hey Andrew, quite literally a minute ago I stumbled on to a video here on KZbin that you might get a kick out of. The channel is rdavidr and they made a hi hat out of 2 gongs! Fairly short and thought provoking in a fun way! Hope you check it out... It's cool, hip and different .

[@GranpaMike]

Nice one! If you ever decide to check out Godsmack's "DRUM BATTLE" kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3ubXqWVnclohrs , I'd love to know who you think won. Every reaction video I've seen on this performance never picks a winner. Personally, I think the audience was the winner. Do check it out when you can. It's pretty amazing. These guys know their craft.

[@williamjavier1653]

Yea the guy that plays the drums in the band is the the hot sweaty dumb guy right , the guitar players are way more intellectual and visionary .

[@chucku00]

Indian Christian Vander...

[@Oneness100]

It's not "Trylock" Gurtu. It's Trilok as in "Tree Lok". Get his name right….

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Thanks for the tip!

[@Oneness100]

@@AndrewRooneyDrums No problem. I've been into this drummer since the early 90's. I've seen him with McLaughlin for the Que Alegria tour and also saw him perform with his own bands countless times.. He's simply brilliant and a one of a kind. Check out more of his videos with him playing. He can play the trap set with one hand and play tabla with the other and play some insane rhythms. In my humble opinion, aside from the innovative drumming from Billy Cobham, Tony Williams, etc. during the hey day of '70's fusion, I'd put Trilok Gurtu as definitely one of the most innovative drummers/percussionists of all time. He definitely has odd times running through his veins…. What I love most is his sense of swing, innovative way to accent the music and how he's playing the melodies of the compositions.

[@Oneness100]

@@AndrewRooneyDrums Here, watch this more recent performance from 2016. Go to 11:00 into the video, he plays tabla with one hand and the kit with another.. 🙂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYepZ56lh9arb68

[@ryanmacc4709]

Id like it better solo without the annoying repetitive acoustic axe chords- in my opinion that took away from his percussion and drumming style and was more a distraction then a benefit

[@patrickbrennan2864]

But didn’t it seem that Trilok focused on that vamp ? The eye contact and playfulness back and forth....may I suggest listening again, with eyes closed? All the best ! Patrick

[@mishagasparovsky196]

Oh you are soooooo wrong

[@mishagasparovsky196]

So so wrong