Drummer's Farewell

Sad to see that 'Drummer' magazine has just put out its final issue. It was often alone in presenting some intelligent coverage of drummers and drumming, with 'Rhythm' tending to concentrate on metal and speed, and even the once dependably serious 'Modern Drummer' starting to move in a similar direction.

The best thing in the final issue, apart from the general feeling of optimism and encouragement from the editor and her team, was an interview with Jon Hiseman, a truly remarkable musician and, judging by this and other interviews, a really good and caring human being.

The first drum kit I ever got close to and, in fact, helped to set up was Jon Hiseman's. His roadie let me into an early Colosseum gig for free on condition that I helped with the gear. A no brainer. From that first time I saw Hiseman play – right up close – I was impressed equally by his technique and his passion.

The Hiseman interview is by the excellent journalist Brent Keefe, also a drummer of course, and currently on tour with The Carpenters Show. When I met him recently, Brent recommended trying 'Drumhead' magazine, so I'm hoping that will be a worthy substitute for 'Drummer'.

Vinnie Vidi, Vici

I added an And... to the blog because I was beginning to feel that Words And Music couldn't cover everything there was to write about.

But then along comes drumming legend Vinnie Colaiuta (pictured) and explains how "thought is the enemy of flow".

In answering the question what does he think about when he is playing, he goes beyond philosophy and seems to chime with the teachings of Jiddhu Krishnamurti on the role of thought.

Colaiuta says in the latest issue of Modern Drummer magazine: "The answer is basically: nothing. Thought happens in a completely different way out of flow. Out of flow, it's contemplative and analytical and problem-solving. In flow, it's completely different. It's like a real-time programme running in the background that doesn't interfere with what's going on. The ability to adapt in a given moment is beyond the scope of another type of focused thought process."

Whether Colaiuta is familiar with Krishnamurti's teaching, I don't know. Whether he is or not is irrelevant, since he has got to a similar place (although Colaiuta is talking about drumming, while Krishnamurti is talking about the whole of living): the assignment of thought to its "proper" role — "in flow" rather than dominating, separating, judging, creating images, creating the self, creating pasts and futures...

This truly meditative aspect of playing must apply to other instruments. But was it not the ancient sage Ginger Baker who once said: "Sometimes you're not playing the drums... the drums are playing you."