By Nilpferd
Seen broadly, this week's nominations were of two types – those that retained a beat via non-percussion instruments, and those that had little or no beat, tending towards more of an ambient sound.
When I decided on this theme I was thinking that, of all the instrument types, the drum (or percussion) is perhaps the most omnipresent, and that it might be interesting to consider what happens when it is removed entirely. I suspect most nominators had a little trouble finding appropriate songs, but there were still many fascinating suggestions and as ever I'm grateful to you all for the exposure to so much new-to-me music.
The A-List:
Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five – Struttin' with some Barbecue (ParaMhor)
Proof that you don't need sticks to strut. A Lilian Hardin composition. She's on piano (quite hard to hear apart from the introduction) along with Johnny St. Cyr on banjo, underpinning Louis Armstrong's cornet, the clarinet of Johnny Dodds, and the trombone of Kid Ory.
Django Reinhardt – Minor Swing (Nicko)
The Quintett du Hot Club de France gives us more driving swing with strings. Reinhardt's lead and two rhythm guitars plus a double bass provides the rhythm. Stéphane Grappelli's violin soars on top.
Jimmy Giuffre – Four Brothers (Uncleben)
Giuffre was one of the better known no-drums jazz musicians of the 1950's. Here he overdubs himself in four separate saxophone parts, together with band members Herb Ellis (guitar) and Bob Brookmeyer (piano). His composition was dedicated to the saxophone section of the 1940's Woody Herman orchestra.
Astor Piazzolla – Vuelvo al Sur (pejepeine)
One of the premier examples of non-percussion dance music, Piazzolla's Nuevo Tango style relied on piano, violin, and the composer's bandoneon.
Benjamin Britten – String Quartet Nr. 3, OP 94, IV Burlesque (nosuchzone)
Muscular string quartet from Britten. Are there slight echoes of Ron Goodwin's very percussion-driven title theme for Where Eagles Dare? It's probably just my imagination.
Led Zeppelin – The Battle of Evermore (Uncleben)
A rock band minus its famous drummer, the mandolin in particular effective here next to the harmonies of Sandy Denny and Robert Plant.
The Full English – Brigg Fair (Suzi)
We move more into the ambient half of the list with a gorgeous neo-folk soundscape. Removing the focus on beat and pulse allows musicians to concentrate on texture, melody and timbre, as this collective does to beguiling effect.
The Go-Betweens – Devil's Eye (DiscoMonster)
G-B's Lindy Morrison was a drummer entirely suited to her band, despite criticism of her technique. On the very rare occasion she sat out, as here, Grant McLennan's most romantic side came to the fore in a gorgeous wash of acoustic guitars and vocals.
Stevie Wonder – Visions (Fred Erickson)
Exquisite ballad from the celebrated Innervisions album.
Kenny Wheeler – Love theme from Spartacus (nosuchzone)
Wheeler himself not present on this recording as he lets his fellow band members on guitars and double bass step forward: John Abercrombie, John Parricelli, and Anders Jormin. An introspective take on the song which recalls Terry Callier's fine version.
Slowdive – Falling Ashes (happyclapper)
Shoegazers reinvented for the 21st century. Tap into an emo-piano sound with a moving and emotional lyric.
Tangerine Dream – Birth of Liquid Plejades (pejepeine)
And an epically long piece of ambient electronics to finish. There's supposedly a cymbal somewhere in here but I couldn't find it.
The B-List:
Nat King Cole Trio – You're the Cream in my Coffee (Nicko)
Nat King Cole one of the jazz trio pioneers in the classic bass-guitar-piano combo.
Huey Lewis and the News – Naturally (Marconius7)
I wasn't going to consider pure a cappella but Huey and the boys do a very nice performance and gain extra points for being a regular band exercising their voices.
Flying Pickets – Only You (bluepeter)
Having opened the door to a cappella there's also room for what was probably this week's only number one hit.
Patti Austin – What's at the End of the Rainbow (Fred Erickson)
Very tasteful ballad which illustrates the benefits of not drowing talented R&B singers in a morass of reverb-drenched drums (take note, the eighties and nineties).
Rachel Unthank and the Winterset – I wish (severin)
Rachel wishes many things in vain, but not that she had any drums or percussion on this perfectly balanced track.
The Grateful Dead – Mountains of the Moon (Chris7572)
Achingly vulnerable performance during which time seems to slow down.
Charles Brown – Black Night (Nicko)
Compelling blues with just a hint of drums and brushes in the background.
The Mountain Goats – Quito (Shoegazer)
Chunky production removes the need for things to be bashed.
Black Sabbath – Changes (Loud Atlas)
Next to Led-Zep this week's stand-out example from the heavier end of the spectrum.
King Crimson – Trio (ajostu)
A drummer poised to take part but never doing so, an appropriate gesture for this playlist. We salute him.
Flying Lotus – Brainfeeder (untergunther)
Short but luscious slice of electronics.
Pink Floyd – Welcome To The Machine (Maki)
Machines don't need drums. We'll even make sure you don't inadvertently dream about them. What, you think there was something drummy about the playout? We'll have that memory erased in no time.
Guru’s Wildcard Picks:
Stan Getz meets Oscar Peterson Trio – Ballad Medley
Christian McBride, Mark Whitfield, Nicolas Payton – Chameleon
Flanders Symphony Orchestra – Beethoven Wind Octet in E-Flat major, Op. 103
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations in response to last week's topic: You can't beat it: band songs without percussion. The next topic will launch on Thursday after 1pm UK time.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...
Fancy a turn behind the pumps at The Song Bar? Care to choose a playlist from songs nominated and write something about it? Then feel free to contact The Song Bar here, or try the usual email address. Also please follow us social media: Song Bar Twitter, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube, and Song Bar Instagram. Please subscribe, follow and share.
Song Bar is non-profit and is simply about sharing great music. We don’t do clickbait or advertisements. Please make any donation to help keep the Bar running: