NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN | Mahavishnu, Aretha, Whitney and the Soul of Music

Become a Patreon! / andyedwards
Andy is a drummer, producer and educator. He has toured the world with rock legend Robert Plant and played on classic prog albums by Frost and IQ.
As a drum clinician he has played with Terry Bozzio, Kenny Aronoff, Thomas Lang, Marco Minneman and Mike Portnoy.
He also teaches drums privately and at Kidderminster College

[@demitrirobinson8984]

it always blows my mind when these super technical virtuosic guys feel humbled to be ‘in the same spot as Mitch Mitchell and Buddy Miles’, i’ve been to several drum clinics where guys praise Ringo to the highest order, it’s SO good!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Jimi was the highest ever, like Coltrane....

[@guillaumechabason3165]

A dream come true Andy ! I met Narada at a Jeff Beck concert in Lyon France He was such a nice guy and very happy to make a picture with me My absolute favorite drummer Such humanity and emotion in his playing ...

[@SuperStrik9]

Great interview/conversation. Narada's awesome. A wonderful musician, producer, and human being. He was an integral member in the Mahavishnu Orchestra and I can't praise his work with the band enough. His success as a producer is incredible. Tens if not hundreds of millions of albums sold. Sales obviously aren't everything and it's the music that matters most but that's super impressive. There's only a handful out of billions of people on this earth that can claim those kind of numbers.

[@tbolin25]

If only Narada could have gifted Tommy Bolin with the same joy, reason and passion for happiness that is so evident in this conversation. Just imagining the musical journeys he could have taken with Narada, Jeff Beck and so many others, his name would be spoken in time with the same reverence as the many artists Narada and Andy mention with such loving respect is simply breathtaking. For me, Tommy the loss at the age of 25 was one of if not the greatest tragedies in music history. And btw, Narada's solo records are beautiful and deserve to be heard as he is truly a great writer, singer as well as a producer and drummer.

[@delmerroyster599]

Lifelong fan..i came to Narada through the disco period.. Tonight im alright..i should have loved you..when i was a disjockey... Later as a guitar player musician..i had to go back and rediscover the mahavishu stuff..and loved it right away..alot of history there.. fascinating stories..alot of insight..thanks for sharing.

[@trippknotic]

That’s the best interview I ever heard. Not even an interview, two friends talking about their passion 😊

[@RonHallKungFuBro]

That was absolutely beautiful bro. To see your idol recognize you are a peer was a wonderful thing to behold. You have tapped into something I feel that is going to position you exactly where you deserve to be. I recognize these commentaries are a culmination of a lifetime of love, desire, sweat, practice, longing, desire effort, pain, and most importantly love. I am honored to be a witness to your journey.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

That is a wonderful statement Ron...we are all in this together

[@DarrenMcGill442]

Not to sound too woo woo but, it does boil down to love. Passion, love, interest, intensity...call it what you will. Its all love. Music is amazing like that.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Absolutely!!

[@edisonskinner1235]

This is such a brilliant interview. Such a sharing of passion and expertise. What a privilege to listen to you both talk about music. I’ve heard Narada talk about Whitney in the past, he’s always so superfluous about her beauty and talent.

[@markjohnson7572]

I didn't know it, but this is the interview I've been waiting a lifetime for!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Please spread the word Mark!!!

[@thomasjohnson7735]

Narada worked Tommy Bolin. Which was one of the high points in Tommy's brief but remarkable career. Love hearing Narada stories.

[@scoop1178]

you both delivered, bravo! NMW is gifted by the gods. And he stayed a child in the best sense of the word.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

That is so true...that is why he hasn't aged at all!!!

[@jdmresearch]

Amazing interview. In my case, it took me only 3 minutes into Eternity's Breath to become a fan. Such a great and inspiring drummer.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Couldn't agree more!

[@philipbrown2225]

his spirit and that outfit are a perfect match

[@wagstaff6135]

This is making me tear up. Not a drummer, but grew up with Mahavishnu and Jeff Beck and Fripp -- a lot of records Narada played on, and I was just intrigued by his name at first!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I have let Narada know that it made you tear up!

[@ianmuldoon2900]

What a beautiful soul he is. I just keep turning up gems on your channel.

[@Johnny16642]

Wow , congrats Andy , it’s brilliant that you have achieved this . Well done

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I know...and there is only one guy that will top that!!!!

[@jasonpellegrino7850]

What an incredible and inspirational interview!

[@michaelfavreau7617]

What a wonderful moment in time this interview is. God bless Andy.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@zeuhl5840]

Andy, that was really a gigantic interview. Narada is definitely my favorite drummer too. It's also great that you mentioned Jan Hammer. I always hoped they would do a project together...They both play absolutely divinely inspired!!!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Thanks for watching :)

[@regaltip8A]

My introduction to Narada was Wired. That drumming really penetrated me as an 18 year old.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

same here

[@ranjgeordieevertonian1459]

So happy for you Andy..Narada is just the business..He's without doubt in there with Cobham,Frank Katz,Tony Williams and Ginger too name but a few.To think the different guitarists he's jammed and recorded with is off! the scale!! 👍

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I totally agree!

[@markcapofari8419]

Great show - thanks a lot covered ground that not aware of. Peace

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Thanks Mark

[@BelindaBBStorm]

Love it" awesome " love My big Brother Producer Narada Michael Walden is the best a musical genius and positive energy all the setting the standards and setting the bar in music for generations to come its my honor to have worked with you this interview is inspiring love you Neo soul artist Belinda BBStorm from NYC!!!!!👍😍😍😍😍🐺👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏a blessing from god continued blessings !

[@oolongoolong789]

Thanks for this interesting interview. I was hoping Narada would talk about his work with Robert Fripp on the Exposure album. His drumming on that album is fantastic.

[@davestephens6421]

Excellent interview Andy!! What a great spirit Narada is...so inspiring!!!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

He is...i could not have had a better first guest on my channel!

[@davestephens6421]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer exactly...a really sweet man!!

[@jdmresearch]

Little known fact: In a 1989 skateboard video, a specific part featuring a legendary skateboarder (Matt Hensley) used as a soundtrack Walden's "Dance of life". I don't know how popular the album and this song were at the time (the album is from 1979), but I can tell you that dozens of thousands of skaters around the earth listened to it.... Here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKasYoqOms2jrKc It was so influential that a somewhat recent video used the same song as a tribute to Hensley's part. Here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJy2nJ-Yo8uHbrc (Go to 27:30... as you can see, it has more than 750k views). The funny thing is that back in 1989 skateboard videos used only punk rock in their soundtracks, so it was a big innovation using jazz-rock. But nobody knew who played this. Anyway, it's pretty amazing that very likely most people who have listened to this song are skateboarders (who actually don't know who's playing this).... I wonder if Walden is aware of this.

[@mattf9076]

Invited to NMW's studio, so happy for you Andy!!

[@arnaudb.7669]

AMAZING Interview.God Bless Narada Michael Walden : awesome musician and great human being.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

That is very true

[@donbox710]

What a great hour. I love your channel but this one was really at a different level.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jazzpunk]

Unbelievable! So good!!! Informative, interesting, & entertaining! Never knew Narada was such a character... such joy!

[@JackJenningsGuitarist]

What an increadible conversation with two of my favourite people. Such openess and love for the music and the spirit. Thank you two so such for doing this.

[@Alanb_69]

Great interview Andy! I love Narada! One of the best drummers and producers in the world, but also such a beautiful and kind person.

[@toddmcdaniels1567]

Music is not love. “Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is the best.” (FZ, Joe’s Garage).

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

it is

[@plotin2009]

What an interesting, informative and inspirational conversation! I enjoyed every minute. Would be great to read Narada Michael's autobiography. Keep on the good spirit with more such interviews! 👍👍👍

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Maybe one day! I want to read it!!!!

[@TheFierceAndTheDead]

What a wonderful interview, inspiring and joyful

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Thanks Matt. I knew you would like this one...

[@lozruston2204]

The was incredible, there's music in everything you both talk about. It's a must see interview...no fluff, just what music is about. Gobsmacked.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

A long time in the making Loz!!!!

[@syn707]

I got excited just hearing Narada slapping his hands on his desk! As gifted as Narada is, you truly get the sense he is a humble beautiful spirit. Loved this video.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

All the greats I have met are humble...from BB King through to Allan Holdsworth to Narada himself....

[@mellotronin54]

Nice one. I shall now go back and listen to the albums I have with him on. Including some rather less than interesting at the time 12" singles of light funk/disco I bought in the 80's maybe I missed something.

[@martinbroten9467]

Wow. Great interview, Andy. Loved it...

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Thanks Martin

[@syn707]

As man…not till Friday, grrrrrr. But what an incredible event. Worth waiting for. Congratulations Andy. You deserve this and more!

[@devereauxclandestine1272]

Nice one Andy! Was amazed to hear that Jan Hammer wasn't in the room on the Wired session, you would never know just listening to the album. I hope you get more guests coming on for a chat, you seemed to have a real rapport with Narada.

[@lahloonatic]

This conversation was mesmerizing, inspirational and an education all at once. Fantastic!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Thanks Luis...it captures me meeting my hero...

[@PhiYaanZek]

What a beautiful and inspiring conversation! Yes music is LOVE.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Thanks Phi!!!!

[@davestephens6421]

Just listening to "Wings Of Love" album by Nova. Produced by Narada and featuring the late Ric Parnell before he became Mick Shrimpton of Spinal Tap fame. Another great fusion album from Trident studios..... Love this album....

[@danieletrani5765]

Nova are an incredible band, Wings of love maybe is my favourite, with an incredible Ric Parnell (RIP)... Narada played drums in another Nova album, Vimana, with Percy Jones on bass and Collins on percussion (!!!!)

[@loud7070]

Great podcast! Narada is a gift to us all.

[@omarmesa8846]

Thanks for the mention Narada. Those were fun times

[@doctortweedie]

Really enjoyed that Andy. Great interview. Love the cold sweat appreciation at the end!

[@flowerlandofjohn]

Narada - the man! Thanks for all your drumming inspiration ❤️🙏🏻

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Hope you enjoyed that!!!!

[@flowerlandofjohn]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer indeed!

[@Fogeyspasm]

Absolutely fascinating interview. Thanks to you both. So much love and enthusiasm for music in this interview. ❤️👏

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Thanks for listening

[@davestephens6421]

Wow!!! Narada!!!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

It's a cracking interview too!

[@davestephens6421]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer oh I bet!!! Can't wait....Great that you can meet your hero.......perhaps you will meet Billy!!!!

[@fusionfan6883]

Congrats Andy , Narada is my favourite all time drummer. I know the interview is done, but I am hoping he talks about his affinity for writing for great guitarists like Santana, Beck, Rusticci, Gomez, Lievano, etc! Also, I am so curious to know if ever the Velvet Darkness band had a chance of being a longer term thing if Creed Taylor hadn’t shafted them? I could go on, but since I can blather as an Olympic sport on fusion, I will just wait for this exciting interview! Thanks again for securing this major coup🤘🏻🌈

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

We talk a bit about Wired on there.....

[@fusionfan6883]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Cool can’t wait🤘🏻

[@scoop1178]

and one for the history book: " It was Joe who made Jaco" No Jaco-years without Joe

[@demitrirobinson8984]

yes!!!!!

[@danieletrani5765]

A graet drummer but overall a great, great person! I don't know if I can say that on your channel, but I have ALWAYS prefered the drumming of Narada than the drumming of Cobham in Mahavishnu...

[@jbognap]

He's a Renaissance man.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Yes...thats tapped into the source directly

[@ganazby]

Holy hell! Kudos.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

It's like my channel just got an upgrade....

[@ganazby]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Great stuff, Andy! It’s a credit to your genuine love of good music. I’m primed. 👌