TS: Charlie Watts vs Dennis Wilson

So I can't take a side. I like drummers and bassists who can actually handle any style of playing that is expected of them. None that you have mentioned can fit that criteria.

also, what Stones songs did Charlie Watts sit out?

in my estimation Charlie Watts is a far better drummer but Dennis Wilson made the classic solo album.

Wilson isn't so hot himself. However, the footage of him freaking out on the skins in the Beach Boys early days is riveting. Also, he did play drums on my favorite Beacy Boys' records: Smiley Smile, Wild Honey, Friends, Surf's Up, Sunflower. Furthermore, he had a wonderful singer who wrote some all-time classic pop tunes, some of which have more soul and funk in them than Watts' ever exhibited when playing the drums. To cap it off, Wilson's solo material is more sibstantial than Watts'. His solo record and the bootlegs have some incredible music on them.

I will take Dennis Wilson.

(Am I cheating by including the singing and composing?)

his drumming all over 'exile', if it's indeed him, is pretty nuanced and flexible.

I think Wild Honey, Smiley Smile, Friends, SunFlower, Surf's Up and Holland are more exciting than the Beach Boys' first ten records (excluding Pet Sounds). The records just before Pet Sounds have some great tunes (Let Him Run Wild, You're so Good to Me, etc.), but I prefer tunes like "Wild Honey", "Little Bird", "Be Still" "Don't Go Near the Water", "Long Promised Road", etc. I even think Wilson's primitive, stripped down style is incredible on Friends and Wild Honey.

drums: simple, centered in the mix. tambourine accent? don't know enough technically to comment, really. doesn't strike me as bad but it's not like hearing any Chic Organization production, either. Those records always trigger a TONY THOMPSON IS GOD response.

I prefer Watts style to Keith Moon or Ginger Baker but that's another thread I guess.

i am not a big watts fan, but like i said somewhere else, it's not like i can really think envision anyone else playing on those songs at this late date.

For the record: on Dirty Work, it's a well-reported story (confirmed by several Stones) that Ronnie played drums on "Too Rude" and "Sleep Tonight," Anton Fig on "One Hit (To the Body)." The only other record on which another drummer is used is "It's Only Rock & Roll."

What about when Mick says "Charlie's pretty good tonight, inn'he?" on Get Your Ya-Yas Out?

cue kid waving hand in frontdesk of classroom: "Bbbbbbut Robt Christgau always said Charlie Watts was a great drummer...."

The one after the guitar solo is *really* bad, the song almost totally collapses. But at the end of the song he finally gets it right.

(Is that Jagger doing falsetto as an overdub? If so that's got to be the first appearance of it.)

Who then played drums (or percussion) on Smiley Smile? I mean, if Hal Blaine played on Smiley Smile and Wild Honey then he's the most versatile drummer ever because that's not his style at all. Allmusic has Dennis credited, and from what the liner notes say in the CD, the Beach Boys, in a group effort, moved into Brian'shouse and re-recorded chunks of Smile and added new tunes like "Little Pad". Also, who "maybe" played drums on Wild Honey? With the records immediately following Pet Sounds, I thought the band wanted to record as a unit. Anybody know the answers?

I forgot to mention that Wilson's tunes for 20/20 are also great.

That's a frequently-repreated urban myth. It was Ry Cooder.

So allegedly Watts has quit the Stones.

Undercover has learned that Charlie Watts has quit The Rolling Stones.

A source within the Stones inner-circle says, “Charlie Watts has quit the band. He will never record or tour with the band again”.

The news does not come as a surprise. It was common knowledge that Keith Richards had to talk Charlie into contributing to the A Bigger Bang tour but this time it seems there is no calling Charlie back to active duty.

“The Stones are looking to Keith's Expensive Winos drummer Charlie Drayton to fill the void in all future Stones' callings,” our source says.

With Mick Jagger planning more Stones activity next year, the departure of Charlie will be a huge blow to the band. Charlie was the backbone of the band.

The 68-year old drummer simply doesn't want to do it anymore.

Charlie joined the Rolling Stones in January, 1963. He didn’t expect it would last. In fact, he kept his day job for several months until the band started to feel like a career.

Charlie’s decision to quit the band comes a three years short of the Stones 50th anniversary.

The Stones A Bigger Bang tour ran from August 2005 to August 2007. It was the highest tour of all-time.

It was the highest tour of all-time.

so ~~~high~~~

ringo starr -- check yr messages

"will work for food"

http://www.jimdero.com/General/Jim-Drums-Hideout.jpg

Jagger played most of the drum parts on A Bigger Bang anyway (Watts apparently just copied them).

well since he hasn't written a non-banal lyric since 1981 it's nice that Mick has picked up a new skill

Watts announced that he will write Jagger's lyrics from now on.

yeah in between working on the inevitable memoir

entitled "You're My Singer!"

yes!

Congratulations Charlie on your retirement! (Awaiting the inevitable joke about the boys buying him a watch that keeps perfect time.)

RIP rumor

I thought you meant the rumor was that Watts was RIP! Very glad that wasn't it.

Heaven needed a, um, ...

(xpost)

Congratulations Charlie on getting your job back!

REUNION TOUR

THE BIGGEST BANG

Jagger on drums, Watts on vocals ... Keef on DRUGS.

Charlie's stuff on "Memory Motel" is so laid-back and relaxed...masterful

Caught start of shine a light tonight

Young charlie a doppleganger for javier bardem in NCFOM

I assume everyone can guess my vote