Musician/Producer Reacts to "Seven Days" (Sting Cover) by YOYOKA

[@lancemiller4647]

Her ability to stay right in the pocket even through all the tempo changes, that Sting is known for, was absolutely amazing.

[@Glen.Black.]

Thanks for the great reaction and comments, Jeff! So, based on your comments I'm assuming you kind of liked this...LOL YOYOKA said this is the hardest song she has ever had to learn, which means it's simply beyond the reach of the average drummer....lol Normally, she can listen to a song 2-3 times and play it. For more difficult songs it takes her 5 listens, but this one took her about 5 weeks (not to just learn, but to learn to perfection). Of course, she is so modest, she left out the part that she was attending school, practicing new songs for and performing at multiple gigs, and recording sessions, you know routine stuff. To put this in perspective, not for you, but others, Nandi Bushnell, who is an accomplished drummer of the same age as YOYOKA, posted that her most difficult song took her 3 months. The bar keeps getting higher, yet YOYOKA just hurdles it like an Olympic champion. A real rock Goddess! It's funny you said her time is so good, not because it isn't, but because of something she said to Rob Yule and I when she performed at the Japanese Music Festival in Las Vegas earlier this year. Rob flew down from Canada specifically to see YOYOKA at the Festival, and stayed with me. But we were talking to her and during the conversation we mentioned that she had several nicknames, She asked "What nicknames do I have?". So we mentioned a few of them, "The Hokkaido Hammer" and "The Human Metronome", among others. Then she says "Yeah, my timing is not that good." Rob and I just looked at each other and laughed hilariously. Then we told her, her timing is as close to perfect as you can get! So modest and so funny! About your various comments of what she brings to the song, her fans have dubbed that "The YOYOKA Effect" and when she does covers, she plays without shoes in what her fans call her "Magic Socks". What a gifted musician and all around wonderful human being! Thanks again!

[@StrateleStudios]

Thanks Glen, great comment!

[@Glen.Black.]

@@StrateleStudios Of course! Love your reactions! 😀

[@namorlam]

Thank you Mr Black, I love reading your comments which are always very interesting and instructive at the same time.

[@Glen.Black.]

@@namorlam Thank you! Annoying long for most people. lol I was disagreeing with this one guy, which I don't do a lot of (what's the point, generally), about a comment he made about Day Trading. He clearly did not understand what he was talking about so I was explaining to him what he did not understand. His reply was "I can't read this it's too long". This is typical with Day Trading which takes years to learn, but these young guys come in and think they're going to make a million $ in 6 months, without putting in any work. So 90% fail. He will be one of those, because he wants to put in so little effort he can't even read a couple of paragraphs to learn a few things. This is for enjoyment, so very different I realize. Just though this was funny. Glad you appreciate them. Not the first time I've heard back from you. I appreciate your comments back!!!! 😀 Another sidebar... Just learned that YOYOKA will be a "Judge" for the "Let's Fly To Japan" talent show. I'm trying to talk Hovak, Ellen's father (EllenPlaysBass channel) into auditioning. Thanks again!

[@Daniel-Hillyard]

Hi Glen. Big YOYOKA fan here, indeed her patron who requested "Seven Days." With that out of the way ... in fairness to Nandi Bushell, the song you mention taking her three months to learn is the jazz standard "Caravan" as arranged by John Wasson for the film Whiplash. And key to the three-month effort is that Nandi learned and then memorized the full nine pages of sheet music. Could she have learned the song by ear? I certainly think so. But Nandi took on "Caravan" for a larger purpose: to learn to read sheet music for a course at music school. Nandi furthermore choreographed her own solo for that section of the performance--her solo being kinetically jazzy far more so than the one in the film. YOYOKA, Nandi ... each a phenom in her own right!

[@gustafsone]

I've been following Yoyoka (and I assume many of us have) for a long time now and THIS is how you level up. Not to discount anything else she has played to perfection over her young years so far, but she is now able to play Vinnie without even showboating? This takes skill and precision that many drummers twice her age wished they had. I really hope she has a great career as a drummer, whether it be on tour with an awesome band, or in the studios as a session player. She was born to be behind a kit!

[@StrateleStudios]

I have to agree! 👏👏👏

[@namorlam]

I've been following Yoyoka for a long time too and I totally agree with your comment.

[@iFoneVids]

Of all the wonderful and fantastic skills (and they’re phenomenal) she has … her humbleness is by far the most admirable. I’ve always love that she doesn’t showboat like others we know. And she’s by far the most skilled and gifted. Thank you for this reaction. You picked a great subject.

[@philc8575]

👍👍👏👏👏

[@santiagoabalos7564]

I'm sure this kid has made Vinnie Colaiuta smile ... 🥁

[@danielmartin3249]

A few years ago, I thought she was amazing for her age. Now I’m just a huge fan of this person‘s drumming skills. She’s so in the groove and so talented. Go Yoyoka!!

[@ronaldnieldschneider1855]

Such a gorgeous kid!!!

[@Sweden2023]

Yoyoka - my favorite musician.

[@philc8575]

Yoyoka is simply fantastic! Incredible timing! The world is her oyster and she will be one of the VERY best drummers one day! I understand, a couple of years ago, she was rated as one of the too 500 drummers in the WORLD!! She's moved up since then!!! 👏👏❤️

[@hazmania]

I hope someone sends that to Sting! I can't help but think he'd really appreciate such skill, such obvious talent, from someone so young. Awesome!🙂🌸

[@caprise-music6722]

💯

[@Glen.Black.]

She might have sent it. She went to their concert here in Las Vegas earlier this year when she was here to perform at the Japanese Festival. I know they sent one or more of her Silk Sonic Covers to Silk Sonic and ended up getting an invite to go backstage and meet Anderson.Paak. I got to go to the concert with her and go backstage as well. What an awesome highlight of my mostly uneventful life! LOL

[@jeffmoreno865]

Yoyoka such a joy to watch and listen - one of my favorite covers!!! Awesome, I know she said this was the hardest song to learn so far, but you wouldn’t know it. She plays with such confidence and makes it look so easy! Thanks for reacting, always love your comments and critique.

[@StrateleStudios]

Thanks Jeff!

[@jas8815]

Her Tower of Power cover is not to be missed!

[@benjamindoverr3455]

Agreed - Yoyoka is simply amazing.

[@namorlam]

Thank you for your good comments and above all do not hesitate to share other videos of Yoyoka, she surpasses herself every time and raises the bar very, very high. Yoyoka is a sacred drum monster.

[@globalunitedanimals]

I don't hear anyone with better time than her. She had incredible time when she was seven years old.

[@carbonc6065]

Seriously ... SERIOUSLY?!

[@andrewplumb6544]

​@@carbonc6065she was better than many at 5. Check out her live vid of tha family band doing the B'Z Ultra Soul

[@rolandkarlsson7072]

@@carbonc6065 Seriously! Now, I am no expert. There are lots of fantastic drummers. Som jazz drummers are just insane. But ... how did they play at seven? I have seen a solid performance by Yoyoka in a jazz band at six. And the drumming was not easy. It was a composition by Senri Kawaguchi. And she was totally in the pocket. Maybe she simplified it a bit, but she was six.

[@charleswoods8471]

Amazing is quite the understatement. I have been trying to learn how to play that well for a few decades and she makes me feel like a hack.I will keep working at it and I am sure we will hear much more from that young lady.Such a genuine talent.Your observations about touch and accent are pretty spot on,too.

[@lancasternational2949]

No one seems to have mentioned that this is a particularly difficult time signature. Well done.

[@StrateleStudios]

Scroll down 😃😉

[@geraldarena5983]

Yoyoka is a drumming force to be reckoned with! She is a sensation. This is a very complex drum part and she nailed it like a seasoned pro with 30 years of playing experience. I watched in total shock and amazement as she caught every little nuance in that song. What a great feel on the hi hats. Your comments were spot on, Jeff. Thanks for posting.

[@harrydai1862]

She turns 14 in October, she had pro level skills at 9 when she covered Peter Gabriel's steam

[@oehlda2000]

It's so exciting to see her play this kind of music that demands dynamic changes! I've heard her play LOUD.

[@petarc7131]

Her live performance of Seven Days at the Drum Fantasy Camp is a must see. The conditions were far from perfect - no rehearsal, not her drum kit, other (good) musicians not really familiar with the song, recording only with the iPad... But her playing was just beautiful. One of the best I've seen lately, from anyone.

[@chrisegbertky]

And those in attendance gave her a standing ovation!

[@ClodODirt]

I've been following her for about 3 years now, and at one point in time she produced a video talking about her recording procedures. If I'm not mistaken, she mic's her kit herself...

[@ottomatix3397]

I'd luv to see Vinnie's reaction of this performance...

[@frankmeenzen787]

I am sure Yoyoka can do it with all the grimace Vinnie made in the live version!

[@afterthestorm7012]

Out of all the great and complex covers Yoyoka has done, this is my favorite. Also, Jeff I also love how you cover Yoyoka's songs; explaining the difficult and the interesting things she does and by showing true admiration, we all feel, for this very gifted but obviously hard working drummer.

[@kevindohn6776]

I don't understand how someone that young can play like this ! I guess it helps when your parents buy you really nice drums when you're a little kid, cuz I only got a cheap set from my paper-route money when I was 15. Parental support and encouragement can make the difference between being world class pro or drifting along lost and aimless.

[@iFoneVids]

Of all the wonderful and fantastic skills (and they’re phenomenal) she has … her humbleness is by far the most admirable. I’ve always love that she doesn’t showboat like others we know. And she’s by far the most skilled and gifted. Thank you for this reaction. You picked a great subject.

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank you!

[@Rob-Yule]

I love her little twirl after dropping the stick - see I can do it but I choose not to.

[@iFoneVids]

@@Rob-Yule Im sure she knows all the tricks or at least most of them but I’m glad she doesn’t do it when she was playing. I rather see her tricks on the drum kit instead. 🙂

[@JerseyCityGuy]

jus love her!

[@frankhoward7645]

My evaluation of Yoyoka is straightforward. Every little thing she does is magic.

[@m.aurelius1475]

Yoyoka plays everything like she owns it.

[@Rob-Yule]

Fantastic reaction and excellent analysis! YOYOKA said during one of the Patreon Zoom calls that this song was the hardest she has learned to date (5 weeks ish) - learned to YOYOKA means perfection. She played this recently at the Fantasy Band Camp in LA as her solo piece in front of her peers and legends. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2HbfWefn8Z_gJY The micing is all Aki her father - he has been doing it for her for 12 years and has a great ear.

[@caprise-music6722]

I’m not surprised she said that. This might not sound difficult for non-musicians, but my god IT IS! Sophisticated, technical drumming required. And she does it to perfection. The time, the feel.. everything about this is absolutely brilliant.

[@chrisegbertky]

Very good reactkon! I have listened to this cover by Yoyoka 50+ times but you managed to add to my listening enjoyment. She really has the confidence to play with authority. Love your channel.

[@Rob-Yule]

Only 50? I agree with your statement. I used her cover as my definitive headphone test song, along with Gino Vanellii and Bruce Cockburn.

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank you! 😊😊😊

[@davidlasoff8261]

I bet Vinnie would be proud of her!

[@nrsvlda70]

Thanks for an excellent reaction… I’ve watched Yoyoka for 2-3 yrs now, and have seen all of the vids since she was was 2-3 yrs old! I had not seen anything recently from her, this was great!! She’s such a pro; glad to know that her family is now in US so hopefully she’ll increase opportunities for continued growth!!

[@StrateleStudios]

Thanks you! Ya I’m excited that she’s out by me now! 😃

[@sandrisjansons1515]

Absolutely amazing timing and those hits and kicks !

[@anthonybolanos6223]

Saw her playing in San Jose with an old schoolmate of mine. She totally killed it. She's so good.

[@racebiketuner]

I got to see her show in Sunnyvale last February. Amazing! I was hoping she would play YYZ and she did not disappoint. Jeff Beck had recently passed away and she closed with Led Boots as a tribute. I though that was very classy.

[@caprise-music6722]

Sensationally brilliant.

[@wilksy2008]

Ok, I’m loving the fact the majority of the song (so far) is on the rim of the snare 🤩

[@kazsaaan]

we love yoyo-ka,

[@gameboy228]

Stunned!!! Just incredible.

[@mrsullyrox]

She's unbelievable...

[@wayne7725]

Love Yoyoka she's a phenomenal drummer and human being her hole family is awsome. Enjoyed you comments as always thanks you and stay safe.❤😊

[@reinerrusch8566]

She is amazing

[@wilksy2008]

2:23 The damper ring on the floor tom is a nice touch too! 👌🏼

[@ChrisGillespie-fe8fq]

Great fills and dynamics, really made it her own ❤

[@StrateleStudios]

So solid!

[@Sebastien-yz5hl]

Incroyable ❤ Hello from France. Merci à ce super batteur

[@matto9734]

This truly is my most loved cover by Yoyoka! And the challenge to even dare to get into this masterpiece from Vinnie Colaiuta is a statement in itself. Probably one of the most versatile drum works out there, both in dynamic variety and with making odd meters groove like hell! You can tell that she really wanted to do this and took her time to up her skills to this level - and she DID! Btw... she is miking up and I think mixing her set herself. She truly is a perfectionist ;-)

[@Rob-Yule]

Her dad Aki does the miking and mix. She is learning as well. Aki has an amazing ear and production skills

[@matto9734]

@@Rob-Yule Ahh ok. i saw a video where she was talking about miking up the set herself. Maybe a collab ;-)

[@chrisegbertky]

@matto9734 yes it was her explaining the process. No passive observer.

[@matto9734]

@@chrisegbertky She never was/is...

[@dbcanada]

Thanks, Jeff. Such confident playing! Yoyoka is catching up to Senri Kawaguchi. Vinnie Colaiuta would be proud.

[@StrateleStudios]

I agree!

[@Rustlers-RG]

Incredible stuff!

[@KimMoonbmwmoonie]

I love watching your reaction videos for 2 reasons. first because you comment in real time and let the artist work... and secondly, you reduce yourself to the corner and let the performance take up the bulk of the screen... so many reviewers make themselves the center of the attention and focus... I know its a reaction channel but hoggng the screen to watch someone grimace or smile really isnt the reason i watch. I want the breakdown... and between you and Rick beato....top of the line!

[@StrateleStudios]

@@KimMoonbmwmoonie Thank you so much! I appreciate you noticing those things 😊🫶

[@christophmeirich5928]

Brilliant 😊

[@denniseldridge2936]

Hi, I'm a bit late to comment perhaps, but she did say something recently that illuminates her relationship with the drums. She said that she doesn't play simply because she likes it (which of course she does), but because she needs to. It's so much a part of her being, as it was implanted at such a young age, that she feels that this is what, as you pointed out, she was indeed born to do lol.

[@fratboy7196]

The drumming actually sounds so much like the old Stewart Copeland riffs. But Yoyoka NAILS it in this video. She emphasizes every accent...like you said, "with authority"! This kid is a legend and I can't wait to see what she does next!

[@rosswaring2835]

Yoyoka is simply a phenomenon....I have been following her progress since she first came onto YT many years ago...I know nothing about drums, or music for that matter as my friends eagerly point out 🙂, but you can just feel the passion and perfection in what she does. So cool to see so many respected musicians and producers remarking on just how good she is. Our youth get lambasted for so much but it is wonderful to see there is so much talent and dedication coming through... @yoyoka_soma

[@jeksonlive]

Bravo!!! 👍👏🤗🥁🏆🏅🥇

[@valenciamiles1083]

That's how it's done!

[@scorpion-tm1bk]

SUGOI !!!!!!!

[@ronagoodwell2709]

She's now, what? 12-years old? Imagine when she's 13. Wait. Scratch that. How could she possibly get any better? Cutest monster you'll ever see.

[@MarildaAntonini]

Viva Yoyoka

[@ttman1233]

The girl is a living metronome....

[@KansaSCaymanS]

If you ever need a session drummer who can play almost anything . . . 😎

[@markfoster2066]

Fantastic drumming

[@racebiketuner]

Fun fact: Yoyoka has five brains. One for each limb and another to coordinate the other four.

[@wilksy2008]

we’re in 5/8 here, yass? The accents were what was pulling my attention haha! ✨

[@chrisegbertky]

5/4 according to Andrew Rooney

[@wilksy2008]

@@chrisegbertky Aha, I couldn’t tell if 4 or 8 haha, but definitely 5 of some kind 😂

[@chrisegbertky]

@@wilksy2008 I had no idea until I'm told by my betters. Astounding performance!

[@wilksy2008]

@@chrisegbertky Absolutely!! There’s no shortage of talent, wherever you look. It’s places like this we can actually, truly appreciate it! 🥹💖

[@numidie]

Bad ass! 😉

[@benarmentano3799]

Her family just recently moved to Los Angeles to put her in the position to now play with the best players in the world, and soon she will be an even BIGGER name than she already is!

[@StrateleStudios]

Awesome she’s out by me now. Maybe I can catch her live.

[@benarmentano3799]

@@StrateleStudios me too! She just played a couple of days ago at Hollywood and Highland and I think also at the Whiskey I think…

[@calnative4904]

Jef, thanks for watching and reviewing my favorite drummer Yoyoka. She is incredible please check out some of her videos from her 12th birthday get together.

[@gbulmer]

Jeff, I enjoy learning from your analysis of music and musicians; I've subscribed since Dirty Loops and Jacob Collier. I'm also a Yoyoka fan,. So your elucidation of her playing is a delight. I love her left hand 'cross sticking' on the ride too. It's not simple hits either. Seven Days is my favourite, but _Jeff Beck - Led Boots/Drums ... YOYOKA_ (covering Narada Michael Walden) kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6O0oa2LmshjZpY is superb too. Yoyoka's Steve Gadd cover is _Paul Simon - 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover / Drums ... YOYOKA_ kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHeWaaigZ8uAf8U Best Wishes, All. ☮ I realise you're very busy, but you might enjoy a track from the 7 song album she recorded with Ken Okada Group, eg _Hotel El Hot - Ken Okada Group ft. YOYOKA_ kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnuok5eGhdiVa5Y 5m:16s She's restrained, playing beautifully. She has a "Steve Gadd-y" feel in some of her fills. Then she explodes, very tastefully, near the end.

[@marcoskazu_]

❤🥁

[@iFoneVids]

Would love to hear your reaction of her cover of Cream’s Sunshine of Your Love’ when she was 11 yrs old. Jamiroquia’s ´Virtual Insanity’ and Char’s Smoky at 7 yrs old. It’s also worth a look on her live version of Senri’s Onyx at 7. 🤯 Thanks for the consideration. 🙂

[@Rob-Yule]

All great choices - especially Onyx - one of my top 20!

[@gbulmer]

In case anyone is interested, and would like to hear Vinnie Colaiuta's explanation of the drum pattern (he played the original): _Vinnie Colaiuta explains Sting's 'Seven Days'_ kzbin.info/www/bejne/fajQdJilo5uUhtE It's audio only. Summary: Sting wrote it in 5, but he wanted the audience to be able to clap along to the pulse. Best Wishes, All. ☮

[@wilksy2008]

Hello there, Sage! 👀 👋🏼

[@StrateleStudios]

Hello there! 😄

[@wilksy2008]

@@StrateleStudios Howdy bruddah!! How is thee??

[@gbulmer]

Yoyoka performed this more recently with unfamiliar pro musicians but without any rehearsal _Sting - Seven Days (Cover) / Jam at Drum Fantasy Camp in Los Angeles_ kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2HbfWefn8Z_gJY Hagar Ben Ari played bass, grooving with Yoyoka throughout. Larnell Lewis was one of the instructors. Yoyoka says he said something very positive to her after she played, which pleased her. It was a 'drum camp' so I guess many of the audience were drummers. Watch their reaction. Best Wishes, All. ☮

[@moki123g]

I like the live with a band version better. So good.

[@Loudjazz]

nice solid accents on hi hat

[@lasse1106]

Were planning on reacting to that Adam Ratner song I suggested a while back, or? Did you forget 😂

[@StrateleStudios]

Sooooo many requests, you have no idea 😄

[@lasse1106]

@@StrateleStudios I can imagine 😅

[@StrateleStudios]

@@lasse1106 😄

[@StrateleStudios]

@@lasse1106 Tomorrow SKEB and I are sitting down to do a ZOOM session where we break down one of his songs in his recording software. Stay tuned for that! (It will probably post in a week or so)

[@lasse1106]

@@StrateleStudios Oh, that's awesome! Looking forward to it!

[@frankmeenzen787]

If you can' t have Vinnie on drums, you can take Yoyoka!

[@reason3581]

Lately I’ve really enjoyed the jazz fusion album she recorded with Ken Okada Group kzbin.info/www/bejne/rou2kqN5i92Ara8si=FIFhrSqKUN8MG2x-

[@pmR32red]

👍

[@racebiketuner]

I used to call her Little Mozart, but she's not so little any more!

[@dennisblair3186]

5/4 time is very difficult.

[@piperjohn_3]

*5 on the floor

[@tvardalos]

Pocaro reincarnated

[@carbonc6065]

...

[@txv611]

Sorry..all of us wants to quit drums after watching her...nobody here would dare play in front of her

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

The song sucks but her playing is top notch.

[@harrydai1862]

Love your show

[@squanto2]

Vinnie Colaiuta played drums on the original. She is just as smooth and creative as Vinnie. It's just as good as the original.

[@DavidRDavidRoss]

Everyone is talking about Sting but it's Vinnie Colaiuta's drum part.

[@StrateleStudios]

I don’t think a lot of people know who Vinnie is but the comment section is a great place for viewers, like yourself, to inform others about him. What would you like people to know about Vinnie Colaiuta?