OTR Vol. 3 - Jim Keltner - Part 2

In part two of their conversation, Ross Garfield AKA "the Drum Doctor" and Jim Keltner discuss their experiences in the studio and on the road with Neil Young, The Traveling Wilburys, Bob Dylan and John Lennon, while dropping some useful wisdom about music and life.
Jim's wisdom to consider:
1. Always be prepared.
2. You can find unique sounds anywhere. Keep your ears open and have fun.
3. Nerves are your friend. Use them to your advantage.
4. Get out of your own way and get out of your head.
5. You reap what you sow.
___________________________
DRUMS:
Toms: 1930s Ludwig & Ludwig - 8" x 11", 9" x 13", 14" x 16"
Bass Drum: 1960s Leedy - 14" x 18"
Snare: 1920s Ludwig - 5" x 15", nickle over brass
Cymbals: Paiste Traditional
Hi Hats: Early 1960's Zildjian
GEAR:
Overhead Mic: AEA R88
Bass Drum Mic: AEA R44
Snare Mic: AEA R84
Interface: Universal Audio X8P
Preamps: UAD Unison 1084
Processing: UAD 1176 Compressor
UAD Manley Massive Passive EQ
CREDITS:
Jim Keltner - Guest
Ross Garfield - Host
Joe Gasparik - EP, Director, Editor, Sound
Aaron Landman - Producer, Director of Photography, Colorist
Adam Hutsell - Gaffer, Camera Operator
THANK YOU:
AEA Microphones
Universal Audio

[@nickjones252]

"Metric timing is the enemy" love this statement!! Legend

[@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164]

Jim Keltner, a Rock Star in his own right, being in awe of other Rock Stars. One of the reasons I've always liked and admired him.

[@DannyMorledge]

“Use those nerves. Don’t try to get rid of them.” Full of gems once again. Thank you for doing these Ross!

[@EKdlwoasred]

Jeff porcaro talks about the ghost notes of the rosanna shuffle being a result of nerves

[@usatran]

As a drummer with over 46 years of playing and recording, I just learned sooooo much about style, attitude and humility from listening to this "chat". THANK YOU!!!

[@Twotontessie]

Beautiful interview, thanks so much

[@colin7578]

The moment he starts talking about the click... he just keeps going! And its so refreshing to hear whats he’s saying! What a testament to George!

[@dandaugherty6127]

Mr. K is a genius!

[@tressinar]

Legend❤ Priceless

[@betohale]

An outstanding interview. Pure gold.

[@Jackalope40]

I could listen to this dude talk all night. Very cool, grounded and in touch. Awesome.

[@giuseppebuscemi179]

I do like Jim Keltener as a drummer. Should say I love him. I remember that when I started appreciating Ry Cooder's records I soon realized that the role of the drums was more than crucial for giving that very good music and singing a further level, and when I went to the credits to check which the drummer was there then it was Jim. The magic about his style to me is that it's not completely conventional (even complex sometimes) but still never stands out for itself, like alone, above the rest or apart: it intertwines with the rest of the music and helps to create the beauty of it. Now being able to appreciate Jim's human aspect for me completes the picture I had made, and I thnk Ross for that.

[@larspedal]

Thanks Ross and Jim for this delightful conversation. There's a world of Drummers out there but there's only one Jim Keltner!

[@quartzbedmusicchannel7605]

Met Jim at NAMM years ago. Was very gracious about letting me take his picture. He's basically the yardstick for playing a song with compassionate feel and connection....PERIOD!

[@iselliot]

as always, Jim’s wisdom and grace is deeply inspiring. im an atheist but god bless Jim Keltner.

[@thebeatlabmusic749]

Brilliant from top to bottom. Love Mr Keltner and love these videos!

[@steveb3924]

Beautiful words. Thank you Jim!

[@andigisler]

Unbelievable! Philosophy at its deepest - Keltner's comments on clicks and time are SO deep.

[@drummar]

Such wisdom!

[@GIBKEL]

The grid has taken the soul out of music. Songs used to take flight and live, die and get transformed into something they were meant to be. Those old songs still move me. I think I’ve been hearing a rebirth of sorts. Keeping my 🤞! Thanks for the interview. I love the Traveling Wilburys recollections. Would love to hear more about this experience.

[@Twotontessie]

As the great producer Tom Werman says, nowadays people "look" at the music on screen when recording vs. listening to it.

[@Bassnut59]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Jim’s whole take on the click was spot on. This is one of the most insightful interviews I’ve heard in a long long time. Jim is a National Treasure. Once again...thank you so much!

[@mnegline1971]

This is gold. Ross is a great interviewer.

[@ChrisBrown-Cheef]

Nice, relaxed conversations, Ross.

[@stananderson7103]

As a huge Jeff Porcaro fan, I’ve watched all of his interviews I can find, but this two part series is by far the most informative interview I’ve ever seen. I have no hesitancy that Jef would agree. Thank you Ross!

[@pablofunpeople89]

This is pure gold! And not just this one, the whole series is. Thank you both, gentlemen.

[@roncarroll1518]

stunning interview - a man who was there when it all happened - and he is still got his feet on the ground.

[@pstewartdrum]

Damn he sounds amazing. Wish there was more of him playing. Great interview. Thank you!!

[@jasonsmartdrummer904]

Love this series. Thank you and keep it going!

[@schoovaertssimon7904]

so much wisdom on so many levels, thank you.

[@andrewsandoz8005]

Mr. Keltner has been around for ever. My first listening experience was with the Joe Cocker band where he shared drumming duties with Jim Gordon (rip). Always admired his ability to play just what the tune needed.

[@methuselah4501]

Jim Gordon is not dead. He is in prison.

[@andrewsandoz8005]

@@methuselah4501 I believe he passed while incarcerated.

[@michaelholden4140]

@@andrewsandoz8005 ,, you’re correct.. Jim Gordon passed away the end of May

[@billcarson6790]

well Jim is a real humans human,,so cool,,a real gentleman....

[@maevey3]

Great way to put it. He really is, isn't he? He is dripping with character as well as music. Lovely fella.

[@jimshipp7776]

Damn. Good stuff. Jim Keltner....legend.

[@Buffalobulltofta]

This is great, thank you.

[@MarkPultorak]

Great job Ross......congrats!...MORE of this...

[@ivofechner8039]

These are so great!

[@c0ns1d1ne]

Thanks so much for this. So much wisdom.

[@timothyflyte9443]

Love it. Thanks for sharing.

[@ralphgomez9006]

That's funny....Keltner's drumming on Neil Young's Peace Trail was a mis-Take...lol....LOVE IT!

[@sgtpepper1138]

Jim playing "Words" at Red Rocks in like 2000 (it's on DVD) is one of my all time favorite performances.

[@Circus53]

Wonderful. Thanks so much!

[@mat4410]

Jim, is a friend of a friend…enough said. When he starts his berating of “The Click” he got my attention. I forgot what great drummer said, “I you want just a time keeper get a machine. I you want a musician, give me a call.” What I love about Jim, is nothing is off limits when it comes to creating a sound and watching that meat-cleaver left hand drop on the two and for is still a thrill to me.

[@4PercentPantomime]

Great series. Thanks!

[@jasonberthold8228]

Soooo good!!! Love these episodes, thank you!!

[@1rwjwith]

Love this, thanks. Words from a master...agree 100% his views on using a click track.

[@CarlosdaSilveiraGooglePlus]

Great again! Some more!, please

[@mikebrommer2972]

What a Great interview!! So much insight!! Always been a huge fan!! Great advice for not only all drummers, also all muscians too!! Thanks Jim!!

[@tomcarr4630]

Best description of click I’ve ever heard!

[@honuman39]

Excellent interview. I especially liked his way of arguing for not using a click track.

[@michaelvaladez6570]

Great to hear these stories from Jim Keltner.The music that i grew up listening to 60s 70s the studo muscians..the studio..the legends to be what a special time.The feel the groove.Now im dating myself in saying this what will becomre in the future meaning Pro. Tools..etcMeaning the feel..the groove.A most popular artist who had a great hit was big..but a drum mchine was most obvious .If that artist and his group had used B.Prurdie J.Keltner.R.Starr even it would have that groove that feel.Keep the stores coming.Thank you.

[@iblacka1]

I really have respect for this guy!!

[@Thomasgene]

God Bless who ever put this up! Thank you, these are all my Music Hero's!

[@gsmith207]

Wow...this man is so awesome. My hero. Even tho he would laugh at that, it’s tru. So much wisdom to share. Thanks for sharing this.

[@danielwoodard680]

thanks for this visit

[@paulrevelli]

What I'm hearing at times during parts of the interview (however veiled) is that we drummers sometimes have to spend a certain amount of time "unlearning" things we've been leaning on for so long. Jim's comments about time and clicks are a good example, at least for me. God knows how many dates we've done with a click or a pre-recorded track or sequencers and whatnot. Those clocks get internalized after so many years. And there have been times when I've been chided for being too regimented with the time, or that I'm not elastic enough with it, or have been asked to speed up or slow down at any given section. Fair enough. But I think you have to toss all of that out the window as long as everybody you're playing with is on the same bus that you're driving, with or without a click. In a word, feel. Unified feel. I'll add my voice to the choir: Jim Keltner is awesome. As a musician, a drummer and fountain of wisdom. Thank you for this and Part 1. It is everything we need to know about this legend.

[@christophercosby4224]

I really liked what he said at the end about treating people with respect and keeping a positive vibe no matter what your profession. Jim may have left Tulsa as a teenager, but Tulsa is still very proud of Jim Keltner.

[@edgarmartinez3771]

Thank you.

[@GIBKEL]

You might come for Nell, he’s got great taste....Jim Keltner is a prince amongst men. He’s kept the beat my entire life and I love him for it. He’ll never know but I’ll never forget. It would have been the greatest tour had it ever happened. That has to be one of my greatest rock n roll fantasy. A screenplay in the making.

[@JuanCarlosMelian]

Fantastic!!

[@billrussell7197]

The best drummer out there...thank you sir

[@tuskedbeast]

Love that kit

[@SSN70]

Fantastic ! 👊🏽🍻⚡️

[@yourdrummer2034]

Great video!

[@Drummer_of_Solace]

Jeff Porcaro and Steve Gadd have been my life -time heroes, but I have literally just seen the coolest shit ever.. thank you Jim Keltner and Drum Doctor! (Ross) for this PHD level education !!!

[@cephoras]

The best interview on the best KZbin channel

[@pablocontreras4218]

Great interview!! Muchas gracias desde Chile ;)

[@ernestoborrego5102]

Thanks!

[@jean-marieboucherit4716]

Very very very very interesting

[@falujaceszorty8545]

Jim ... Best ever 💪💪💪

[@ralphgomez9006]

One of my all-time favorite drummers. Please continue the interviews, cause its always extremely interesting to hear Jim's stories. I bought his DW Iconic snare with the sunglasses. What is the story with the , what seems to be a license plate on it? Oh, I also replaced the drum head with his autographed 14" Remo head a friend of mine names John Hill, from Houston, Texas, got at a NAMM show. Super thanks Keltner for your talent and stories.

[@drumsNstuff79]

I love his comments on the click track. "On the Grid." I hear that a lot too. I was working one of my retail jobs at an office supply store about 9 or ten years ago. One of those mainstream rock songs comes on the radio. It may have been Nickelback or the like. I bet it was a Howard Benson production. The song didn't totally suck, it sounded okay. Upbeat, driving, had a nice chorus.. But It was so slick, hi fi and gridded! They could have taken one bar of each verse and chorus and looped it into a song. The vocals were too smooth and multi tracked. The guitar had this huge thick tone but too razor sharp and larger than life. It all sounded so sterile to me. I go home and listen to my favorite 70's and 80's classics on my playlist. So much of that was just feel and trusting the drummer's internal metronome. Whether it be Porcaro, or Kunkel, or J.R. Robinson or Steve Jordan or Jim himself, it all sounded so natural and heartfelt. Like a natural stride down the street instead of an on the beat aerobics step class. The polar opposite of the sterile corporate rock I heard at work. I totally get what Jim is saying. Things are so different these days.

[@MonteMontgomery1]

Cooooool!

[@cartermclean]

Just the best ...... 👍🏻👌🏻👍🏻👌🏻

[@MrTimaines]

@ 18:00 minutes he's sharing facts..straight edge players are musicians..take advice from a living legend.🎉🎉🎉❤🎉🎉🎉

[@randymason8642]

This was fantastic. Ask Mr Keltner if he’s ever seen the Fellini movie DA CAPO which is about metric time vs a conductor

[@musicalchairs777]

The Dude interviewing The Man.....nice!

[@frankrolandjr.1060]

Gotta give it up to Ross for giving back. The Kelt is simply one of the Few GOAT. That Gretsch behind Ross, can you say Wowzer?

[@RaincloudmusicTFS6]

HOLY.....is that JEFF'S Gretsch Carpathian Elm????

[@aaronserfatydrumsandpercus7589]

WISDOM

[@1963TOMB]

I hope that the Wilburys appreciated what a talented drummer they had

[@joopbekkema6490]

You are aware of the fact three of the five Wilbury's are dead already?

[@joepalooka2145]

"Metric time is the enemy". When one of the greatest drummers in the world makes a statement like that, you better pay attention. His analogy of a classical conductor keeping time is so true. Bach and Mozart and Beethoven didn't write and play to a digital click track. Neither did Louis Armstrong or Charlie Parker or Miles Davis or Coltrane. Neither did Chuck Berry or Muddy Waters or Buddy Holly. The list goes on. The greatest music comes from the greatest natural metronome of all: the human heart. It's been that way with ancient peoples since the beginning of time.

[@maxdangnguyen]

❤❤

[@eduardcecere2996]

Keltner is a wizard- he can even change his sock color mid-interview (check 10:10 vs. 19:20)

[@deaterk]

Good eye Eduard! What a peculiar thing! I wonder what’s up with that!?

[@Stringmaster]

The Dude!

Words of wisdom. "Don not play to click a track" Have talent! Learn your craft!!

[@t_n8435]

Pure gold except that part about the coffee ☕️😟

[@frankrolandjr.1060]

Would to see one with Lenny Castro The Rock Percussionist.

[@berlinomatic]

Unrelated timepiece nerd-out question: which model of G-Shock is Jim Keltner wearing?

[@hjonm9730]

all of Jim's tones and creations, you can sing them. tibba, tibba, tu-bibba. ti-boom boom tuh-bip. easy. liquid. songs.

[@glennhorvath879]

Is the host related to the old bass player from BOSTON? He sure looks like it.

[@Constantijn09]

Jim Keltner is the drummers drummer

[@L0REN0R2Z0RR0]

How can that man be 80 years old? (or almost, at the time of the video). People say Ringo aged well, but Jim looks 20 years younger than he is.

[@youtellmegod]

Ross Garfield, I am very surprised you didn't laugh your ass off when he said, bring out the click, just LEAVE. That's interesting. I am TOTALLY in agreement,,,, they say 'start' the click',,, Just leave. LOL F'kn hilarious! Jim did mention it's helpful at '''TIMEs""" . LOLOL

[@mwdrum]

Metric time comments most interesting, certainly his employer’s Neil, bob are all over the bar. BaDaBoom

[@1111Paiste]

WTF is he playing at the end there?? That independence!

[@mezdrums]

*Jake Gyllenhaal to play Keltner in forthcoming biopic (*not a fact)

[@SONORSQ2guy]

Russ: uh huh.

[@simonlesaint-sls2586]

PPPLLLEEEAAASSSEEE do one with James Gadson and one with Ed Greene PPPLLLEEEAAASSSEEE

[@Vigilant_Guardian]

metric time. click time... Neil Peart Re-Invented himself in 1994-97 for this very reason.... "fix the fender benders . you make your cuts where the vibe is.. you go to the beach you see the surf. it comes in it comes out.. it changes constantly.. breathes in and out " great discussion once you get into the groove.. your not in space making crystals... your down here with other people...Jim Keltner.. you reap what you sow... Jim Keltner... "mystic rhythm's , capture my thoughts carry them away.". -"What you love is your own power What you live is your own story In your head is the answer Let it guide you along Let your heart be the anchor And the beat of your song Oh you don't get something for nothing You can't have freedom for free".. Neil Peart

[@eddygortex]

Bob ,Neil, George .who ?

[@zenveg]

Dylan, Young, Harrison.

[@markv.5962]

i have one thing to say, mm- hmm

[@matthewpaluch777]

I have to disagree w/Jimmy about the Los Angles SO. Imho thee world renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra is the Greatest in the world! Just ask any aspiring classical musician.

[@farshimelt]

Blah,blah,blah. Depends on which country the classical musician is from. The Dutch and the Germans would argue with you. In other words, there ain't no such thang as the greatest anything, there's only you're opinion of what you like.