Buddy Rich - At the Top DVD

Starring:Buddy Rich
Studio: Hal Leonard
Product Type: DVD

Product Description

Recorded at the Top of the Plaza in Rochester, New York on February 6, 1973, and captures drum legend Buddy Rich in his absolute prime. Syndicated by PBS in that year, it was the first time thousands of drummers were exposed to Buddy in a full-length concert setting, and many drummers continue to name this program as a prime influence on their own playing. Not seen in its entirety since it was first broadcast, it remains one of the most sought-after shows ever recorded by Buddy. It includes definitive versions of Love for Sale, the odd time signature-laden Time Check, his famed Norwegian Wood, Basically Blues, and the astonishing closer West Side Story. Also features a rare bonus clip: an unbelievable unaccompanied drum solo, not seen since its broadcast in May of 1978! Special DVD Features: Three rare bonus clips of Buddy, including his appearance as a mystery guest on What's My Line from 1974, a television performance on the Sid Mark Show, and a solo from one of his very last performances at Disneyland in 1984. DVD Running Time: 87 minutes.

Amazon.com

The bravura drumming of the indomitable Buddy Rich may not be the only thing to recommend about this video, but it's certainly the main attraction. Taped in February 1973 at a nightclub in Rochester, New York, the 65-minute performance reveals a virtuoso who was still at the top of his game at age 55. Rich's power, dynamics, and sheer musicianship leave little doubt that he was the leader of his big band in much more than name only. But while his young, mostly little-known musicians are all strong players (notwithstanding those horrible '70s haircuts), the arrangements are less than stellar. Their attempts to turn the likes of the Beatles' "Norwegian Wood" and Paul McCartney's "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" into swinging jazz outings are downright cheesy. Better to skip to the end, when Rich plays two superb solos on a West Side Story medley. --Sam Graham

Customer Reviews:

Buddy At His Best.......2007-04-10

This vintage performance by Buddy Rich and his band in Rochester puts the master's skills on display. At 55, he showed no signs of slowing down and his band, featuring the equal brilliance of the legendary Pat LaBarbara on tenor sax, sounds crisp and solid while performing in rather tight surroundings, typical of a club setting. The video quality, however, isn't the best and the sound could be better, but remember this was taped in 1972 before the advent of high-tech recording equipment. The narration at the beginning didn't really add a lot to the DVD, but I did enjoy Buddy fooling around on the piano and the trumpet early in the tape. The added features and interview with Buddy being Buddy were also fun to see. All in all, this is a must for any Buddy fans to own. Yes, it has its shortcomings, but it does show Buddy at his peak.

BUDDY RICH GREATES DRUMMER WHO EVER DREW BREATH.......2006-04-21

THAT IS A QUOTE FROM GENE KRUPA HIMSELF! i GET TIRED OF PEOPLE WHO INSIST ON COMPARING BUDDY WITH GENE OR WORSE RINGO{COME ON MAN WHERE ARE YOUR EARS? IT'S POINTLESS AND IGNORANT TO COMPARE BUDDY WITH RINGO IN ANY DIMENSION, ONE IS A ROCK DRUMMER THE OTHER IS A BIG BAND DRUMMER! FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE LIKE THE POSTER WHO DID THE ORIGINAL COMPARISON - LET'S JUST SAY THEY ARE WORLDS APART! THE VERY IDEA TO SUGGEST BUDDY IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM SHOULD TAKE A BACK SEAT TO EITHER JOE JONES KRUPA AND OF ALL THE DRUMMERS RINGO STAR IS SICK!i JUST DON'T GET A PERSON WHO MAKES IDIOTIC STATEMENTS LIKE THAT.. THIS IS A GREAT VIDEO i THINK THAT EVERY DRUMMER SHOULD OWN IT THE AUDIO COULD BE BETTER BUT IT'S NOT BAD FOR 1973! GROW UP PEOPLE, WHAT? DO YOU REALLY NEED EVERYTHING TO SOUND LIKE IT WAS MIXED BY THE GRP GROUP? USE YOUR BRAINS, IT WAS RECORDED IN 1973..GIMME A BREAK WITH THE "i NEED EVERYTHING PERFECT" JIVE

Essential for Buddy fans.......2004-12-02

It's always a joy watching and listening to Buddy play, but most of the video clips of him are on various composite videos, such as "Classic Drum Solos and Drum Battles" (ASIN B00005RDSJ) and its companion Volume II (ASIN B00006EDPF). In those, and similar videos Buddy's pyrotechnic drumming is showcased, but his overall playing is lost in the dazzle.

This video, however, shows his genius with subtle shades, amazing rhythm and his mastery of bass beats (he does amazing things with a single pedal that is not apparent unless you listen carefully).

Complaints about the audio quality are valid. This DVD could have been much better. And, to be sure, I would have loved more shots of him playing so I could match his moves to the sounds he was producing. However, it is the way the entire band melds together and how Buddy supports the group instead of forcing the attention on his drumming alone that makes this video so valuable. I sat back and enjoyed the music for what it was - superbly played music by a superb cast of musicians that happened to include one of the best drummers ever. Taken in that context this is a wonderful video, which is made all the more wonderful by the West Side Story segment.

If you are a Buddy Rich fan you will love this DVD despite the minor complaints I have both echoed and cited. You will also find a lot of great material on the official Buddy Rich website that is operated by his daughter (paste the ASIN number, B0000A36LU, into the search box on this page, select All Products and click on the Go button).

This DVD has lousy audio!.......2003-11-27

I think this is one of Buddy's finest concerts but the audio
quality on the DVD is crap.
I hope the VHS version is better.

Buddy is and always will be "AT THE TOP".......2002-07-08

This video has the perfect title.(RICH AT THE TOP) Buddy Rich is without question the greatest drum technician the world has ever known ! I have seen this video hundreds of times, and every time I'm more amazed what a geniuses this man is. The West Side story solo is totally amazing. What singles, what style, what a left hand. If there is anyone out there that thinks that he could actually play(after watching this) should check himself into a psychiatric hospital. As for that reviewer who thinks that Philly Joe Jones and many other drummers could make the drums seeing better than Buddy Rich ? All I have to say is,You obviously don't play the drums and you never Understood the genius of Buddy Rich ! Guy.

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

Demon Knight

Worzel Gummidge Ultimate Collection - Vols. 1 And 2 : DVD

Kenneth Williams - An Audience With Kenneth Williams [1982]

DVD: This is My Father

Murder at My Door