Vintage and custom drums? Mostly. Informative, inspirational, and interesting drum clinics? Mostly. A chill hang and celebration for L.A. drummers? Mostly. Raffle girls? Definitely.

Logistics
I kid the raffle girls, because it’s fun and because the annual Hollywood Drum Show wouldn’t be the same without them. They, along with the usual exhibitors and crowd of drum-geeks (present!), brought continuity to the once-again displaced event. Aside from being invisible from the street, obfuscated in the winding innards of the lot, and generally maddening to find, the show’s homecoming at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood on October 17th and 18th was a logistical success. The remote end-lot gave the gathering a secluded and nestled feel; alfresco clinics beneath a well-conceived tented stage, and in glorious weather, were a pleasure; and the soundstage housing the displays was pro and well organized, if smallish. With veteran experience, or simply some minimal signage, the venue could actually be quite ideal…from a public vantage.

Asteriks
From a business perspective, I suppose we’ll find out next year. As mentioned in our earlier Q&A with organizer Kerry Crutchfield, the Hollywood Drum Show is a pursuit of passion that is often a break-even proposition—sometimes not-even—brought to us by Crutch’s spirit and tenacity. Over the din, he mentioned to me how grateful he’d feel if he could simply walk off the street, pay his $10, and enjoy a show—indeed a day—like this one. He’s absolutely right. Thank you, Crutch. Any critique or jibing from me is duly asterisked. Here’s hoping the thing was an abounding success; I know that we all affectionately anticipate the now rooted tradition. Like Thanksgiving with the family. And raffle girls.

Enjoy our pictorial review.

If you weren’t checking Brian Blade with Daniel Lanois’ Black Dub at the Troubadour this past Thursday, October 15, 2009, then you either a) were on the road or hard at work in town, b) were preoccupied with the birth of your baby, or c) didn’t check the HollywoodDrum.com calendar or speak to anyone for a full-week beforehand. So either carry on, congratulations, or shame on you/hope you’re feeling better.

Synonym Denied
The show surpassed high expectations and was a special one, indeed. I dislike the word “special” and use it only when unavoidable. “Exceptional” doesn’t hold the same feeling, and there are times when thesaurus.com is absolutely no help at all. Special, special, special. I recall turning to a guy standing next to me after the encore and proclaiming, “You don’t see that everyday.” The stranger concurred.

Double Take
Last May, I attended the final show at The Jazz Bakery with Scott Colley featuring Blade, and intended to do a review and interview for the site. For whatever unimportant reason, it didn’t happen and I’m happy to have another opportunity now to write a bit about the brilliant drummer. The contrast between the two performances—one a chart-heavy contemporary bop quartet, and the other a moody, grooving roots/rock band—is a telling illustration of who Brian Blade is as a musician and why he’s become so prevalent. And relevant. It’s redundant, but perhaps necessary to note that he killed on both dates.

If you did miss the sold-out performance, hopefully our review will give you a taste of…ah, who’re we kiddin? You had to be there.