Joey Baron - S/D

He sounds best w/Masada, surprise. When I saw 'em live Baron played the kit w/ his hands from time to time - v. impressive in a show-offy sort've way.

He's also on one of the recent Bowie albs (the one produced by Eno, forget what it's called) and has played w/ Bill Frisell, Marc Johnson etc.

Did you really like that Haino alb w/ Baron + Cohen? Seemed a bit underpowered to me. There's also a recent Lee Konitz alb w/ the Masada rhythm section but it's some horribly expensive Japanese import thing (in the UK, anyway).

He and Bill Frisell are excellent together - they have a near- telepathic connection when they solo. I'd recommend the official new Naked City live album (Live at the Knitting Factory - 1989), or Frisell's Lookout for Hope or Have a Little Faith (you'll dig Baron's work on the Aaron Copland piece).

He's also on Uri Caine's Mahler disc, whazzitcalled, Primal Licht or whatever. Which is interesting because the new hot young downtown drummer - Jim Black - played drums on the tour of that project, and was recorded on the live version. Baron vs. Black - it's like David Lee Roth vs. Sammy Hagar, for the highbrow set.

He also sounds great in Dave Douglas's sextet...not necessarily his most distinctive playing (it's a pretty studio drum sound on Soul on Soul) but still some heavy shit.

Has anyone heard the new John Abercrombie record he's on?

he's on misha mengelberg's 'no idea' I think, with cohen, and sounds sprightly.

In addition to above, search Tongue In Groove (Polygram): Baron (leader) + Ellery Eskelin (tenor) and Steve Swell (trombone). Great in-your-face slop-jazz, though a teeny bit wearing over a whole CD. He made more discs with these guys, but none that I've heard are as good.

what a goofball. He's great though. Always listening, always thinking.

he's awesome (and so is Ellery Eskelin - maybe I will search that). he was very nice when i once babbled at him.

saw him with Masada a few years back--great.

He's very good on the Frisell album "Where in the World," one of my favorites.