Chris Layton: Manic Depression, Mitch Mitchell & Experience Hendrix | Reverb Interview

[@andymccormick7542]

This guy is so under appreciated. Truly one of the best to ever do it.

[@pabloperez4063]

He did his job wonderfully. He does not seem to have any ego, just make it up for SRV, that, s why the band got that great tight sound

[@IMe7x]

The crazy thing is that Jimi was fast but Mitch was even faster reacting to jimi's playing along with improvisation.

[@coreyclark6505]

That's the jazz influence

[@Minalover100]

@@coreyclark6505 One of the great jazz drummers of the age. Totally under-estimated...

[@zekebenson6366]

i realize it is quite off topic but do anybody know a good place to stream new series online?

[@diegobruno5050]

@Zeke Benson i use flixzone. You can find it by googling =)

[@reeselarry4207]

@Diego Bruno Definitely, have been watching on Flixzone for since march myself =)

[@deepspacetheater]

What a pleasure it is to hear your thoughts, Chris. I was a music journalist for several years, and at one point I had a series of phone conversations with Mitch Mitchell. He was always my absolute favorite drummer--the perfect complement to Jimi--and I was thrilled to be able to tell him that. Mitch was a perceptive, thoughtful man, and he was killer at the tubs.

[@MGB618]

Mitch was so suited to Jimi's Music as to Ringo with the Beatles. These drummers are very musical and unique. Mitch and Ringo created this space which is their own signature to the music. You can hear in Mitch's playing that he had this Jazz influence, still think it's so sad and ignorant that Mitch does not get the credit that he should by a lot of drummers. Mitch was a true master.

[@patrickbuckley344]

Well said, I could not agree more!! The rudemental/ improvisation from his jazz background, allowed him to react suddenly- and be very creative, to what Jimi was doing!! Mitch with the Experience- put together blues, r+b, military, rock, in a jazzy context! Just WONDERFUL!!!

[@kickschutte9930]

yea a lot of drummers love him tho he is actually the favorite drummer by nick mason (pink floyd) and steward copeland (the police) so that says a lot already

[@underthetrees4780]

What amazes me about Mitch is it seems like he can play a song and never repeat a measure, each having it's own twist while keeping perfect time.

[@elvislegg8634]

His time was all over the place by modern standards, however, his feel was absolutely superb. It is that feel that is lacking from most modern rock music. The fact that his time fluctuated added to the music in my opinion.

[@andym28]

@@elvislegg8634 which modern jazz s drummers are you referring to? Elvin Dajonette Mitch could all be described as all over the place because they had their own style. Most modern drummers don't have their own style.

[@elvislegg8634]

@@andym28 I didn't refer to modern jazz drummers Andy, if you read my message again. I love old school, "all over the place" sounding drummers with great feel, much moreso than many cookie cutter drummers with metronomic precision instead of feel.

[@Black0ysterPearl]

I met Mitch Mitchell while setting up a booth at a Nashville drum show. He was allowed in before the doors opened. A dealer/poser from Bath, Ohio made deal to buy an old Zildjian K/21 factory rivets, of mine and told me to put it away and he'd pay me later...a handshake deal. Mitch saw my my cymbals and noticed a few English Zyn's and he started chatting about working in a music store, as a kid, and selling those. I told him that I had an interesting cymbal that was already promised to someone. I also told him how much his drumming had influenced my life. I pulled out the K and he flipped out. He wanted to buy it, but I hated to have to tell him that I'd promised it to someone. I added that I knew how he loved a good sizzle cymbal...always had one on his kits. We talked for a long time and he ended up coming back two more times asking to buy that cymbal. The crowd started coming in and recognizing him and he then left. The poser who I sealed the deal with, later ended up backing out of the deal. I tried to find out where Mitch then lived so I could send him the K as a gift. He died before I got any address. The last finger prints put on that cymbal are his.

[@skateforzero357]

Damn, that's a great story. I'm sure he respected you to have enough grit to tell him that you couldn't sell them though. Sadly, he passed before I ever really got into Hendrix but now he's one of my idols. I would have loved to have the opportunity to meet him.

[@naccibobacci]

So much respect to Reverb for bringing this gem to us. Thank you.

[@rublake7504]

Something about Mitch Mitchell’s playing, the absolute drummers drummer

[@jsilence418]

When this guy played with Tommy Shannon behind SRV, they created a lot of sound for just two guys, but never got in Vaughan's way. incredible work .

[@pabloperez4063]

This is my point too. Both knew they had to stand srv back, so they were not trying to stand out in any way, and they got that tight groove (delicious x me)

[@nickl3135]

And what this guy had that so many of today’s most influential drummers don’t is feeling, soul and vibes in his playing. Not just insanely fast chops or technical bullshit.

[@blazemordly9746]

I met Chris & Tommy back in 95 when they were touring with Malford Milligan as Storyville, awesome drummer & really nice soul. Malford playfully put me in a headlock in between a set, & later we all talked about music & traveling while standing outside in the cold as we smoked. Good times. It's always a good day for the blues.

[@elliebean1118]

Everyone knows SRV was a big Hendrix fan but I wouldn’t actually have guessed Layton was too, for some reason. I would’ve guessed he came to Double Trouble more from the Texas shuffle school than a conversation about Jimi... also, so cool to know he hung out with Mitch Mitchell and has one of his old snares! Mitch always stood out as a complex and jazzy drummer to me growing up, I wish there was more video of him from the Experience days.

[@lignitedaze]

Ringo was the reason I wanted to be a drummer (after hounding my parents for my first Maxwin kit) but Mitch was the reason I wanted to keep drumming. Imagine that combination and scenario - a young, black American bluesman coming together with a white jazz player (and a guitarist stepping over to bass) who not only troubled the charts for a few years, but pushed rock 'n' roll in strange and thrilling new directions, changing the face of music and popular culture while doing it. And it happened in barely four years - the time many bands now take between albums! The sort of thing that can only ever happen once - not once a generation, just once - and it'll certainly never happen again now that popular music (all genres) has been well and truly corporatised.

[@elmorevandodewaard544]

Chris is great and a great drummer. So cool talking about Mitchell

[@MrRLRRLL]

Absolutely love Chris Layton’s drumming 🤘🏻

[@jamesfeldman4234]

Love Chris Layton. Beautiful musicianship.

[@kellypace1534]

Man, that Supra has got soooo much tone! Beautiful sounding drum. Glad it went to another great player who gets it and who will respect and enjoy it!

[@rhythmista7707]

Awesome ! That Black Panther is a thing of beauty. And that sound...... Insane.. With a virgin bass drum to top it all off.. I'm crying ...

[@chrismawson8935]

Has anyone noticed (like me, only 50+ years too late) that Mitch's drum pattern for Manic Depression bears a resemblance to Brian Bennett's drum pattern 5 or so seconds into the Shadows' 1965 single The War Lord? Came as something of a surprise to me.

[@garysmith3173]

Chris Mawson you’re absolutely right Chris.

[@elbinkogrande]

Mitch Mitchell was, at heart, a jazz drummer gigging as a "rock drummer." Listen to the Axis Bold as Love album to get a nice taste of Mitchell's versatility as a drummer. All the same, as a "rock" drummer he's got to be Top 5 of all time.

[@DETROITBULLET]

I so loved your tour I seen the Detroit show you played . I'm glad I went thanks for this recap of Mitches roots .

[@gsmith207]

Yup. CL is the coolest! I try to play along to his own style on SRV, and it’s just incredible. At 54 I’m still learning every time you guys upload something! Cheers from Maine! 🍻

[@toynazi]

Mitch was such a beast.

[@beyer66]

Chris the whipper! I have a mutual friend with Andy Aledort, from guitar magazine, who did a tour with Double trouble in Japan(?).. and I got to play a gig with Andy. I pulled my Fibes Drums (which Chris used for a short time, seemingly because they were being made in Austin Texas) out of the bags and Andy goes “oh man! Fibes Drums!?” I was like dude you’re the first guy to ever notice or comment on them. He explained that Chris Layton used them when they performed together. Cool little moment for me 😊

[@macesteffy2066]

Goddamn Chris Layton still holdin it down!

[@jimmyjohnston4750]

Very insightful! I must admit; I have never realized, just how articulate Mitch Mitchell was! But, this video demonstrates it perfectly...

[@daryllawrick976]

Two of the all time great drummers of all time!

[@marcushaines8533]

I have this Supraphonic 1967 snare drum and it is my favorite instrument

[@j.p.fitting9226]

Love sharing this with my drumming buddies

[@CM-010]

BEAUTIFULLY done sir! An amazing kit and story. I envy you!

[@PNW_Sportbike_Life]

Chris seems like a great dude, and I’ve always enjoyed his playing!

[@Ben_Mdws]

Chris, like Mitch, is a wonderful drummer.

[@stkittsdave1]

The spangalang on the ride is so much more pleasing to the ears than the straight fours. Love Mitch Mitchell

[@GymRat1217]

I would love to listen to Chris talk about his conversations and 'drum lessons' with mitch mitchell!

[@TavesMusic]

Fantastic

[@_-_Michael_-_]

This drum patern originates in The Shadows group song from 1965 called The Warlord.

[@aloisemason3044]

Chris Layton was a fantastic drummer with Stevie Ray Vaughan and after Stevie's death still is a professional drum player..Even though Chris had a down time after the death of Stevie trying to get his life back together just like the other's in Stevie's band and life..takes time where and when you go next or do next..It sometimes causes trauma that keeps you from the things maybe u should go on and do..Chris Layton is a great drummer and happy to know he moved on with his life and had a son..Truly a great drum player and will succeed..

[@johnpayne6860]

This work is absolutely amazing, this is really precision percussionist, not just drumming, great tutorial, makes me see how I got started?

[@jamescastillo2405]

I wish you would teach how to play third Stone from the Sun, you did it so great with Stevie.

[@chromebull884]

That ride is beautiful!

[@miiiiiiiiiiiiiidas]

Anyone know what ride it is in the video!! ?

[@jarrahdrum]

Fascinating 🙏

[@packstevewood]

A question for the undisputed best drummer and pioneer in rock and roll, Mitch Mitchell. Mitch, what do you think of Rock and Roll? Mitch: "Vile rubbish." Lol. Too funny.

[@eightinches6094]

Yeah, I can just hear Mitchell saying that, lol! Chris Layton is very cool too, saw him with the Kenny Wayne Shepperd Band.

[@juliusschwencke142]

...I guess he can have that conversation with Little Richard, when sees him.

[@HMJohnsonGuitar]

Great stuff!

[@steveg219]

Chris is awesome

[@praisethegourd3618]

What are those cymbals exactly?

[@scottrgood]

One of the various keys to rock music is jazz drumming. It’s a great combo always with blues/rock guitar...and I hate jazz, but love jazz drumming.

[@blues6782]

So cool

[@BludgeonRiffola87]

I love Chris Layton. That is all.

[@virtualcircle]

What ride cymbal is that

[@mtyemti]

Chris Layton was the perfect complement to SRV and Tommy Shannon in Double Trouble.

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

Love it!!

[@jeffmorrison5695]

The coin toss and it was Mitch not Ansley. I can't imagine it any other way. 3rd Stone from The Sun would have been markedly different if Ansley had been their drummer.

[@TheZguitarboy67]

what kind of ride is that?

[@neelmenon5115]

Saw this guy with Kenny Wayne Shepherd at the Mahindra Blues Festival. Nice.

[@bonhamcymbal]

Show me the 1 up 2 down version

[@cynamonstudio]

In my humblest opinion, as I am not an expert in the field by no means, I think mr Mitchell would add a great deal to Jimi's songs and to me, the excellent guitar playing mixed with the genius drums creates a mind blowing mxiture. What you guys think , would love tu hear your professional opinion, as I am the only one among my friends apprecieating Mitch's drumming mastery. Am I wrong on this?

[@Sco3000]

Awesome

[@starw60]

great!

[@ASMinor]

I am an avid #MentalHealthAwareness advocate and performer, and I love this so much. I travel the country trying to bring that awareness on stages, in classrooms, hospitals, and on my KZbin channel, so I get excited when I see other advocates. 💙❤

[@ozoz2931]

Is that a 22" med ride? Sounds really nice. Thanks

[@sigitprabowo363]

Ludwig sounds amazing

[@CM-010]

I'm sure you have a full schedule, but time permitting, could you please tell me what mics you are using in this video, ss well as how you have the drums mixed? They sound very open and natural. Was wandering if you were using a gate, or compressor of any type. Thank you very much. I really appreciate your sharing this video, and story too. Cheers! Yancey Hall Mobile, AL

[@michaeldonaldllewellyn6294]

Same drum kit as mine black panther,12/13/16/22×14 virgin bass,except I have a 1976 acrolite and 1959 transitional badge 3 ply mahogany super classic snare

[@johnayres2303]

Mitch was the first Jazz Rock drummer IMHO.

[@chickentwisties2298]

Lol no he wasn't 🤣

[@angeloboltinimusic]

What's that mic hanging over the two rack toms?

[@dww0902]

Beyerdynamic TG D50d

[@profesorcoccon7590]

Experience and double trouble. Power trio are the best bands rock!!

[@johnayres2303]

In my opinion Mitch Mitchell was the first Jazz Rock drummer.

[@chrisjaybecker]

Not to diminish Mitch at all, but Ginger Baker was there first.

[@SinclairLott]

Layton is so hip. "Mitch Mitchel had a great way of like just mixin' stuff up that sounded really confusing...." LOL!!

[@Indoman_71]

"...I can see that Elvin Jones’ music, through the expression of Jimmy Hendrix has reached millions and millions of people around the globe and most people don’t understand that Mitch Mitchell was trying to sound like you! Most people don’t understand that was his vision: 'If I can sound like Elvin Jones' and that’s what he attempted to do." - Excerpt from page 95 of: jazzday.com/media/AC0808_Jones_Elvin_Transcript.pdf Interviewer: Anthony Brown - Ethnomusicologist

[@absoluteego]

wow this guy is so good- 2:29 CLAAAMM

[@patrickfoster4586]

And the circle is unbroken...

[@thewhiteelephant]

Mitchell was awesome. Such a great compliment to Jimi. Noel was the weak link. 😂

[@odeskoo]

mitch mitchell was the only in the band who could kick jimi's ass and make him play.

[@spanmarkiola7260]

Never got around to showing us how to play manic depression?

[@chestrockwell7306]

I’d like to have a drink with this dude

[@derweisehai658]

i love the black beauty too, all good snares

[@pilsnrimgaard2507]

Chris is the foundation of the high-rise that was Stevie.

[@rmartin7558]

Seems a shame now that Mitch's drums were generally relegated to just one speaker. That said, there's a certain charm to those early stereo mixes.

[@gilbertadams59]

He hit the snare 2 times then the toms

[@glengamble526]

That’s how

[@robertosozio3425]

Nice musucian ,,good

[@jeffbuckley4453]

wait a minute. Is this SRV's drummer?? or am I just fuckin trippin

[@Reverb]

Indeed! Chris "Whipper" Layton played with Stevie Ray quite a bit. But that doesn't mean you aren't tripping. No judgment. :)

[@darwinsaye]

Wow did I ever used to play that wrong :P

[@damonp5363]

That is the best description of what jimi hendrix created. Totally out of context lol.

[@strabo1]

all over the place,jc...

[@BobbyGeneric145]

Ah, Stevies drummer!

[@littleninjawarrior6458]

overplayin with no fear:)

[@drummersinger5324]

Wow. I love that drum sound / tuning of that set your on.. Just wow. Did Mitch ever use the 6.5 ?

[@rosenmark2079]

during the life of Mitch nothing was filmed..

[@vetbcrazy]

And that sucks!

[@alexcorll90]

Mitch was a lot like Ginger Baker I think, seems to have a lot of jazz influence.

[@hernod8501]

Didn't know Jason Bateman played the drums..

[@Frankybroadcast]

It sounds so cool without the music

[@notsure4508]

whipper

[@raymondkitchen6137]

This is not how Mitch plays it. He didn't even start using a second rack tom til early '69, two years after it was recorded and by then Hendrix had all but abandoned playing it live.

[@olivejunkie]

Raymond Kitchen Mitch probably just shifted the second double beat to the floor tom on a one mounted and one floor tom set?

[@Tyl-Fiedler]

@HaveMercyMissPercy Perfect !!! Thank you !! That is exactly the Point . !!❤️

[@jefferyyoder9785]

Was it complicated? No, But it was the 1st!

[@m00nchildblues]

He sounds and looks like he can be eric johnson's brother😂

[@ryanlittleton5615]

The American Charlie Watts.

[@elforeigner3260]

Mitch was as big as Hendrix.

[@tommypwood672]

Yea yea blah blah.. Moon hated hippies. Baker hated Moon...and now MM hated rock..yea she sh sure

[@rowancooke8378]

Blah blah blah...