tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post7229973536505259529..comments2024-03-28T02:11:12.904-07:00Comments on Hooterollin' Around: Paul Humphrey-DrumsCorry342http://www.blogger.com/profile/08049035074121231425noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-37844228458905597682017-06-23T13:42:33.710-07:002017-06-23T13:42:33.710-07:00Thanks for these details, Mickey. I'm led to b...Thanks for these details, Mickey. I'm led to believe that Buzz Buchanan was a Southern California drummer. He was probably recommended to John Kahn by producer Michael Stewart. Stewart was an old 60s pal of Kahn, and I know he recommended David Kemper.Corry342https://www.blogger.com/profile/08049035074121231425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-10569503365983277352017-06-23T10:59:24.491-07:002017-06-23T10:59:24.491-07:00Actually he wasn't the drummer on the Silver S...Actually he wasn't the drummer on the Silver Spur records but apparently did record some songs that were on her first two solo records, and maybe beyond, the first came out in 78 and the second in 79, so apparently he was hired at the tail end of the Silver Spur era as he joined the JGB and continued with work with Juice through and after his time in the JGB. ML1974https://www.blogger.com/profile/17310019507511358617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-7680911022073795712017-06-23T10:32:16.978-07:002017-06-23T10:32:16.978-07:00If anyone is still paying attention, I searched hi...If anyone is still paying attention, I searched high and low for an answer about Buzz Buchanan's history and couldn't find anything, but somehow stumbled on the fact that he played with Juice Newton and her pre solo band Silver Spur before her radio hits Queen Of Hearts and Angel of the Morning, etc. Ironically he is not the drummer on the studio albums they released around that time so he must have been the touring drummer only. <br />ML1974https://www.blogger.com/profile/17310019507511358617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-24404795804667325642013-04-18T20:59:55.546-07:002013-04-18T20:59:55.546-07:00Brian, thanks for the kind words. I myself was pre...Brian, thanks for the kind words. I myself was pretty amazed when I looked into Humphrey's career in detail--it turned out that all sorts of great records that I liked had him on the traps.<br /><br />As to Buzz Buchanan, I know of a fellow blogger who interviewed him, and that will see the light of day at some point. I agree that Buzz was a good fit for the '78 iteration of the JGB, and it will be interesting to hear his perspective.Corry342https://www.blogger.com/profile/08049035074121231425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-29004138823923624382013-04-18T18:56:05.663-07:002013-04-18T18:56:05.663-07:00Awesome. One of my favorite drum tracks that I had...Awesome. One of my favorite drum tracks that I hadn't realized was Paul Humphrey is "Black Cow" by Steely Dan. I once bought a ride cymbal based on that it sounded like the ride used during the keyboard solo in "Black Cow" (a Zildjian K dry ride). In any case, such restraint and soul in that performance. Pretty sure that beat has been sampled a bunch too. <br />So, what about Buzz Buchanan? I can't find a thing about him online. He wasn't the fanciest drummer by any stretch, but I think that he fit where Jerry was at in 1978--he was digging the spirit of punk and I think Buzz's basic drumming fit that bill. Recently a 1978 show with Buzz was posted on YouTube and only then did I learn he was left handed. <br />You may enjoy my blog: <br />wheresthatmusiccomingfrom.blogspot.com<br />I write about Dead/Garcia-related stuff, but lots of other music as well. <br />I interviewed the drummer John Ware last year, who was in Michael Nesmith's amazing First National Band (three psychedelic country rock albums in a year, just after he quit the Monkees) as well as Emmylou Harris' Hot Band in the mid 70's. <br />In any case, nicely done and I look forward to reading more. <br />brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09929976922537794247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-77733745849581052762011-12-17T05:22:35.053-08:002011-12-17T05:22:35.053-08:00I am not criticizing his work. We'd be nowhere...I am not criticizing his work. We'd be nowhere without Blair, just as we'd be nowhere without McNally, you, Deadbase, the Jerry Site, etc.<br /><br />Maybe I just need to do a simple post (ha!) on that stuff. I have been wanting to, but it always seems so big.Fate Musichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05648291938690043423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-83001518699074773222011-12-16T17:17:08.816-08:002011-12-16T17:17:08.816-08:00Well, Blair was so far ahead of the curve on Garci...Well, Blair was so far ahead of the curve on Garcia history that its easy now to look at his stuff and see where he missed the timeline in various ways, but in fact Blair was the first guy to put a stake in the ground and make any kind of sense of it at all.Corry342https://www.blogger.com/profile/08049035074121231425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-8414724789334469402011-12-16T17:12:06.745-08:002011-12-16T17:12:06.745-08:00By the way, since I happen to have Blair's boo...By the way, since I happen to have Blair's book open to this, I thought I'd note that he dates Humphrey's arrival to July 1974:<br /><br />"Beginning in July 1974, the Saunders-Garcia band had a slightly altered lineup--with Kahn, Fierro and jazz/R&B drummer Paul Humphrey-- and, for the first time, a name: the Legion of Mary" (Jackson 1999, p. 252).<br /><br />Of course, I am pretty persuaded that the last clause is incorrect. It wasn't called Legion of Mary until December 1974 at the very earliest, as far as I have been able to determine.<br /><br />I also doubt whether Humphrey arrived this early, as we are discussing in this comment thread. The Chateau Liberté show, October 11, 1974 is the earliest documented Humphrey show. He may well have been around from July, but I know of no evidence that this was the case.Fate Musichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05648291938690043423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-46636455297164560682011-12-15T18:25:32.675-08:002011-12-15T18:25:32.675-08:00I am pretty sure the 11/9/74 Bottom Line ad listin...I am pretty sure the 11/9/74 Bottom Line ad listing Bill Kreutzmann is just based on an assumption. I have no evidence that it was Humphrey and not Kreutzmann on this night, but I am about 99.9% sure, as Corry says above, that Mr. Humphrey was hired, in the first instance, to play the November '74 east coast tour. It's uncomfortable rejecting deprecating a print source in favor of a very vague interpolation, but I just think that's where the truth lies.<br /><br />I had begun going through some August '74 stuff, also in response to nick's helpful comments, but got sidetracked. I'll be returning to that month, eventually. There are a lot of date questions that month, to say nothing of personnel questions.Fate Musichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05648291938690043423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-55524807126141472742011-10-31T08:22:58.512-07:002011-10-31T08:22:58.512-07:00It's very interesting to see the Bay Area conn...It's very interesting to see the Bay Area connection for Humphrey. Not only does it reinforce the Merl link, but it also explains why Humphrey might have had personal reasons for playing with Garcia and Saunders. If Humphrey had family or friends in the area, he would have enjoyed a regular Bay Area gig beyond the music and the payday.Corry342https://www.blogger.com/profile/08049035074121231425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-38660981067929383802011-10-31T07:28:02.077-07:002011-10-31T07:28:02.077-07:00By 1/16/66 he is being referred to as "former...By 1/16/66 he is being referred to as "former Berkleyite". Sorry to report this all serially like this, but anyway.Fate Musichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05648291938690043423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-60603080334198826122011-10-31T07:26:27.917-07:002011-10-31T07:26:27.917-07:00In a May 3, 1964 article, PH is characterized as t...In a May 3, 1964 article, PH is characterized as the "Berkeley drummer".Fate Musichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05648291938690043423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-90477743450004203732011-10-31T07:24:48.487-07:002011-10-31T07:24:48.487-07:00A little mention in the Oakland Tribune on 4/25/64...A little mention in the Oakland Tribune on 4/25/64 characterizes Paul Humphrey as an "Oaklander", so he seems to have been living up north for at least some time. This also reinforces the Merl connection. Oh, and there was mention of a stage show in SF with Humphrey performing for musical director Vince Guaraldi. Just got a chuckle out of that, I guess.Fate Musichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05648291938690043423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-88998453266025796112011-10-20T15:57:37.326-07:002011-10-20T15:57:37.326-07:00Keats, thanks for this great detail. Merl seems to...Keats, thanks for this great detail. Merl seems to have known a lot of people, and-helpfully-some of them were great drummers. I know he was the connection between Tutt and Kahn as well. I wish he'd written that book...Corry342https://www.blogger.com/profile/08049035074121231425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-9418644796818365622011-10-20T15:18:03.878-07:002011-10-20T15:18:03.878-07:00Hey Hooterollin':
I met Merl a few years ago a...Hey Hooterollin':<br />I met Merl a few years ago at his solo gig at the House of Blues in Cambridge and he told me that he was friends with Humphrey and introduced him to JG. He also said that Humphrey would show up to play in his monochromatic leisure suits from the Welk show. Merl also told me that he was writing a book about JGB/LOM/G&S but alas, he died before it was ever released.Keatshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09558047546538336454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-62141453675266631092011-09-05T21:25:14.118-07:002011-09-05T21:25:14.118-07:00nick, thanks for your thoughts. On the November &#...nick, thanks for your thoughts. On the November '74 tour, I'd be surprised if it were Kreutzmann, but I just don't know. That ad is interesting.<br /><br />Your questions about 8/9/74 are also interesting, and again I cannot answer. I am about to post some listening notes from that tape at my blog (jgmf.blogspot.com), but I went through it a few months ago and wasn't listening specifically for drummer's style. I should probably revisit, but there's just not enough time. What do you think?Fate Musichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05648291938690043423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-66399893365612596982011-09-04T16:59:25.919-07:002011-09-04T16:59:25.919-07:00Per the Ron Tutt/LOM issue, I looked at Elvis'...Per the Ron Tutt/LOM issue, I looked at Elvis's touring schedule (http://www.elvisconcerts.com) and Tutt would have been on tour with Elvis on June 3, 4 and 8, but the Elvis tour ended on June 10. Thus the Keystone and PA shows would have had a different drummer, probably the same one. Maybe Humphrey had an encore appearance, or maybe it was someone else.<br /><br />For the record, Elvis and Ron Tutt played Tuscaloosa, AL on June 3, Houston on June 4 and Jackson, MS on June 8.Corry342https://www.blogger.com/profile/08049035074121231425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-40855386637221809092011-09-04T12:41:05.300-07:002011-09-04T12:41:05.300-07:00Nick, I like the way you are thinking about those ...Nick, I like the way you are thinking about those Keystone shows. As far as what the Jerrysite says, since that list is based on the Deadbase IX list, which in turn was based on my list, I can assure you I was just guessing at the time. There's nothing definitive about TheJerrySite's drummer listings. <br /><br />It would make sense that they try out Humphrey with some easy songs. BK still played some gigs, like 8/23/74 Berkeley, since Humphrey was a busy guy. Also, I wouldn't think that 9/1/74 was his first show. However, I'll bet Humphrey was the drummer for September onwards, until Tutt replaced him in December.Corry342https://www.blogger.com/profile/08049035074121231425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-21409550241100887732011-09-04T12:32:06.620-07:002011-09-04T12:32:06.620-07:00Another thought -- this is pure speculation, but I...Another thought -- this is pure speculation, but I wonder about the 8/9/74 (or possibly 8/10) Keystone gig: the setlist is unusual both in terms of material that wasn't in the regular rotation but wasn't unique either (Lonely Ave, Are You Lonely For Me) and with regard to the length of the songs (Expressway is 23 min, Lonely for Me is 25, Lonely Ave is 27). I wondered what the impetus was for this, and now I wonder if maybe they weren't breaking in the new drummer and just getting loose on home turf with material that may have been familiar to Humphrey or that he could have picked up on the spot. thejerrysite says Billy is drumming for these Keystone shows and that Humphrey came in a few days later, but I wonder...Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11628132999021385676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-35707127537703643272011-09-04T11:44:05.327-07:002011-09-04T11:44:05.327-07:00I'm glad to see this post! I've been a fa...I'm glad to see this post! I've been a fan of Paul Humphrey probably longer than I've been seriously listening to Jerry's side projects. It's a real shame that he's typically described as the Lawrence Welk drummer when he's done so much other great stuff. He's a monster drummer -- Jimmy Smith's Root Down is a classic and one of the funkiest things you're ever likely to hear, imho, and that album list has a number of other funky jazz staples (the Blue Mitchell lp's included). I always wondered what the connection was, but Merl and/or Kahn must have known who he was and suggested him.<br /><br />One small thing: thejerrysite's gallery scan of the poster for 11/9/74 lists Kruetzman as one of of JG&MS' "friends." Can we assume that was the promoter's error/misinformation and that Humphrey was with them for that whole east coast stretch?Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11628132999021385676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-20881709336922470332011-09-03T14:30:18.444-07:002011-09-03T14:30:18.444-07:00Larry Vann was the drummer for Merl Saunders and A...Larry Vann was the drummer for Merl Saunders and Aunt Monk in 1976, so I presume he had played with Merl before then as well. Of course, if Vann ever played a show with Garcia, he might have put it on his website--everyone else does. Vann's site (he's still active) just says he worked with Merl Saunders.<br /><br />Both Wainwright or Humphrey seem plausible to me.Corry342https://www.blogger.com/profile/08049035074121231425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-45999192011468849912011-09-03T14:11:41.124-07:002011-09-03T14:11:41.124-07:00cyptdev, Menke and another person have said Paul H...cyptdev, Menke and another person have said Paul Humphrey was drumming at the El Camino Park show (which was on June 8th). But it's possible they just saw a black drummer and assumed it was him. Can you lay out your evaluation a little bit? It sounds like you would have remembered what he looked like specifically because of the Chateau Liberté show.<br /><br />Corry, E.W. Wainwright is known to have played with Garcia/Saunders on March 9, 1974 and March 14, 1974. There's a fragment of tape from 3/9/74 that could be used for comparison to 6/8/75, in principle. It just feels unlikely to me, but what do I know? I know I could google Larry Vann, but why do you suggest him? I don't recall seeing his name in the Garcia nexus.Fate Musichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05648291938690043423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-38093177634117265602011-09-03T13:49:37.327-07:002011-09-03T13:49:37.327-07:00Yeah, I think there'll be non-linearities on t...Yeah, I think there'll be non-linearities on the drummer side of things.<br /><br />cryptdev, thanks for a few more data points in terms of Paul Humphrey. I am going to make a note of those. There's tape of 8/23/74 to start to do some stylistic comparisons.<br /><br />I think the El Camino Park show was 6/8/75 (June 8th). If you look at the Keystone calendar for June '75, you see that the shows on the 3rd and 4th were billed as Jerry Garcia/Merl Saunders, and the ones on the 21st-22nd were billed as Legion of Mary. Menke has said that Tutt=LOM during that timeframe.<br /><br />But there are lots and lots and lots of questions. I think things were pretty ad hoc around this time.Fate Musichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05648291938690043423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-47432056993278917062011-09-03T10:39:55.289-07:002011-09-03T10:39:55.289-07:00Crypt, this is great information. That means both ...Crypt, this is great information. That means both that Kreutzmann drummed with them much later than I thought, and that in turn makes the hypothesis much more plausible that Humphrey was a guest to fill in the Fall 74 tour until Tutt was available. Of course, does that suggest that Sep 1 '74 was one of Humphrey's first shows? <br /><br />It's also a remarkable detail that Garcia introduced Humphrey from the stage, itself a huge rarity. <br /><br />I am intrigued also by the guest drummer at El Camino Park in June '75. Candidates might be E.W. Wainwright or Larry Vann. Wainwright's website actually says he performed with Garcia. He did play on some of the Merl Saunders studio albums with Jerry, so it isn't definitive. <br /><br />The whole subject of drummers in the JGMF/JGB is considerably less settled the more we look into it.Corry342https://www.blogger.com/profile/08049035074121231425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5268955857828486331.post-49777340967373114512011-09-03T06:29:42.981-07:002011-09-03T06:29:42.981-07:00I may be able to constrain the time line a bit. Wh...I may be able to constrain the time line a bit. When I saw Jerry and Merl at the BCT Benefit on 8/23/74, the drummer was Kreutzmann. The next time i saw them was 10/11/74 at the Chateau Liberte, and Humphrey was on the traps. Garcia made a special point of introducing Humphrey and praising his amazing studio session heritage. I have to say that, Tutt and Kreutzmann aside, it was probably the most impressive, sympathetic drumming I ever heard at a Jerry and Merl show. Although an African-American drummer played with Jerry and Merl at the El Camino Park show 6/7/75, I am almost sure it was not Humphrey. Presumably Tutt was booked elsewhere. It was notable that this was the only show I can think of during that era that was booked as Jerry Garcia/Merl Saunders rather than Legion of Mary, thus lending credence to my theory that they only used that name for the Garcia/Saunders/Kahn/Fierro/Tutt aggregation.cryptdevhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13944617292210813801noreply@blogger.com