Virgil also prefers one ply heads that tend to dent easier. I’ve seen him twice perform and it was phenomenal both times. Virgil did say in a recent interview that if he was to start over or begin as a new drummer he would use match grip instead because of the extra problems you have to overcome on a drum kit playing traditional.
sorry to be offtopic but does anybody know a tool to log back into an instagram account?? I was stupid forgot the login password. I would love any tips you can give me.
@Jonathan Harlan i really appreciate your reply. I found the site on google and Im in the hacking process atm. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.
Let's us also realise that Virgil is now 63 Years old, he still blows me away (actually he is far better drummer now and he was simply incredible 30 years ago) and I've been watching him live since 1990. Every week we would go to the Grainstore in the Melbourne CBD to watch him play with Loose Change - these are by and far, my favourite musical memories!
I used to work at a Rehearsal Studio where Virgil would practice in between Tours about 30 years ago. He’d book the Room out for a week or two and set up a Video Camera and record everything he practiced and then critique himself. I’ve never witnessed a person more dedicated to their craft than Virgil. Extremely fit and healthy and a really nice guy too
The man not only plays the drums like an absolute beast from another planet but he composes these pieces himself. He’s in a league of his own and deservedly so. He’s put in the work, effort and hours. SO many hours! An Olympic athlete of drumming who strikes fear into the hearts of those who dare venture into the instrument themselves!
I'm with you....absolutely astonishing. Then there's the tones he's pulling from the kit.... AND Virgil composed the entire thing himself!! Untouchable.
You know...when people study classical music on an instrument they practise their instruments for about 8 - 10 hours per day. When they graduated they usually reduce that to the "needed" amount of time. If you ever wondered what would happen if you don't stop practising that much and pushing yourself to new heights for every day in your life since almost 50 years, you might reach this level of perfection. At least if you are talented and a little bit lucky. Virgil is by far the most versatile and technically perfect drummer that ever walked this planet. But you should see him playing the piano.
Virgil has always been the 'robot from the year 3000" drummer. His creating of music theory in his own realm is beyond any other drummer. His stuff the band Planet X years ago and crazy fusion/metal/jazz/prog with his own project 'On the Virg' are some of the best controlled chaos and technical mad scientist drumming I have seen.
Do you guys remember when he tried out for Dream Theatre? Omg he so wouldn’t fit, he’s just way above that, I feel he would have been board in that band…lol he’s just one of those drummers you could sit and watch for days
@@thereallife3562 just a little side note on that DT audition... I think it was an interview I heard on YT with drummer Peter Wildoer where he stated how the whole DT audition thing was only for show from the record label. Peter went on to talk about how the guys in DT already made up their minds and decided to have Mangini join the band before any auditions even took place. The drummers that auditioned (including Peter)basically went in already knowing ahead of time that Mangini was going to be the new drummer.
Dang. It definitely tops my pick lol. Check it out though, it's a classic among my generation of metalheads. Uploaded 11 years ago, my friends and I used to worship this guy, and Chris Adler. *Jon Rice* from Job for a Cowboy. th-cam.com/video/7FBmoHncI9g/w-d-xo.html I was in high school when this came out. Watching it today, 11 years later, it seems less impressive. And the video quality dropped. Jon Rice messaged me back himself, and he doesnt have the original HD video ): But I totally enjoy your take on metal drumming. _Thanks!_ (:
Virgil Donati is the pinacle of technical drumming. One may think that what he's doing was already godlike but his mid 2000s work are so technical, it puts 90% to doubt if we really know anything.
Hell yea! You’ve got the right idea wholeheartedly! Add Akira Jimbo to that and I’d say you have the foursome from another planet. Akira is just on that upper upper tier
The rhythmic complexity of this composition, coupled with its length, says a LOT about Virgil's playing. He's doing most of it with his eyes closed, likely counting rather than reading... Genius!
As every mere mortal drummers witnessing and commenting here, this guy is simply mind boggling. Absolute prodigious talent coupled with unrelenting drive for percussive perfection and musical mastery. There are very few people on the planet, let alone musicians, let alone drummers that have managed to get to this level above the curve of their chosen passion. Insane stuff... Has to be amongst the top few greatest drummers of all time.
Virgil is technically the best in the world. He can play polyrhythms that are insane. He can play stuff that doesn’t even necessarily sound great always but is the hardest stuff in the world to play. That’s why I say technically he’s the best.
I watched him playing with Allan Holdsworth twice, both from about 10 ft away. The power and volume coming out of that was face melting. It does get much better.
And the rest think that because its hard its good. This is the thing with Virgil and Math Drumming. Playing every beat before or after its expected to be played and odd time sigs and voila, he's a drum god. He's got excellent technique but again, it all seems to be for techniques sake alone, odd time for odd time sake alone. It is hard but so is Steve Vai :-/
@@michaelshannon9169 Actually, Virgil is one of the grooviest and more creative out of all the technical drummers. His style is so unique I can easily tell when he is playing and instantly recognize him. What you said could easily be flipped and said that you dislike him just because he pays too much attention to technique and your extremely reductionist way of explaining odd time signatures and syncopation, makes it extremely clear you have no idea of what you are talking about. Which doesn't allow you to appreciate what he does. There is no drummer that can listen to Virgil and deny he has a unique style, not only technique. Even when he plays in 4/4, he is quite creative and would still be one of the best. The way he plays ghost notes and does his fills is out of this world. Now you can say he is not your cup of tea, and so does everyone, you cannot say who is musically good based of preference because that is subjective. So go and tell your preferences to other public that is less informed, so they think you know what you are talking about.
its because Virgil is from the Old School, he composes, he s a very good pianist as well, and he started in the mid 70's, like Simon Phillips and Terry Bozzio, his first record was 1976 if i remember Virgil in interviews. But thats crazy too, the guy came from that time and plays like the year 3000 @@farrex0
Other generations had Buddy, we have Virgil. Amazing talent with a Michael Jordan work ethic. Dave Weckl “Virgil is amazing, imagine how much you have to practice to be that good, but I can’t practice that much, I have a life! Lol
I saw him at a modern drummer magazine festival in the late 90’s. Everyone was stunned into silence. I remember seeing Jim Chaplin at the corner of the stage looking at Virgil, shaking his head and smiling.
Anton Davidyants, the guy who records bass for Virgil said that Virgil is practicing around 10 hrs everyday, like practicing, pushing limits, not just playing
@@AndrewRooneyDrums Are you kidding? EVERYBODY knows about Virgil. His name has been uttered in hushed tones for almost three decades. He is a giant - he's pushed the instrument to levels not understood by many mere mortals. Possibly the best technician who has ever drawn breath. Nothing seems difficult. In fact, I once asked him at a clinic, what he finds difficult and his reply was, well, I thought, typical of the man. He simply said, it's ALL difficult. Some understatement eh!
I saw Virgil 4 times last year during the Southern Sons reunion here in Australia... he blessed us with an incredible solo at one of the shows. The guy's been playing drums for literally 60 years, its no wonder he is at the level he's at! Also one of the sweetest people i've ever met.
I had the amazing opportunity to meet and speak with Alan Holdsworth at a hardware store in San Clamente, Ca. a couple of years before he passed on. He told me that Virgil was from a different universe but always in control and was able to keep him from veering to far away. THE MASTERS!
Great video! For all of those Virgil fans out there, Virgil is a dear friend and I really mean it when I say that his skill and technique is only outweighed by his kindness and consideration! Such a great person!
Virgil one of the greatest of his generation, or any generation for that matter. Get his CD " In This Life " it has some of the greatest drumming ever recorded on it.
In my opinion the top two current playing drummer's in the world would be Thomas Lang and Virgil Donati! Both have different styles but there very close in a technical aspect. Virgil is Tops in rudimentary figures while making it so musical sounding and Thomas is the king of total 4 limb independence. Both have such special gifts. I wish If you could combine the two drummer's as one and make the ultimate drummer. Amazing those two!!!
I had the PLEASURE of seeing Virgil with ALLAN HOLDSWORTH at Yoshi's in Oakland, California. I got to hang out with them and talk. Jimmy Haslip was the bass player, and he is also a beast. Fun night and signed photos to me.
Virgil is UNBELIEVEABLE! Just a quick fact: He studied with Philly Joe Jones and 3 time snare drum champion Rob Carson, coupled with his fearless dedication to the instrument, which explains a lot of the insanity you're witnessing
All that awe, even before the very first crash cymbal hit at 7:20. Hearing Virgil's technique and "basic" polyrhythmic patterns on bass, a few (floor)toms, snare and hi-hats alone can already be an extremely sobering experience.
I hadn't seen that particular video before and it is.... jaw dropping. I've been a Virgil fan since the late 90s and in my opinion, he is the master living at the top of the mountain. Nobody else has his precision, musicality, speed and sheer power. There are some guys who come close (as you mentioned) like Gavin Harrison but Virgil is in a class all his own and I don't think you'd get an argument from any other world class drummer on the planet. I've seen a video where Virgil is playing at a clinic and both Thomas Lang and Chris Coleman are standing by and listening and they both just shook their heads in amazement. That's the result of a man being completely obsessed with being the best drummer in the world and reaching his goal.
Hey guys! As a way to prioritize the amount of reaction requests I'm getting in the TH-cam comments... I am going to try and do the Patreon picks first. There is no limit on the Patreon (could be $1/month). www.patreon.com/AndrewRooneyDrums I still love you if you are NOT a Patreon contributor. And I will still try and get to your pick. It's a just a reward for those that help out with costs/time involved with doing the vids. Disclaimer: No guarantees. I can only do what I can do. If a vid is blocked... it's blocked. I'll do my best! Note: Patrons also get exclusive access to the vids that get blocked :) Thanks for watching!
Someone has my request Dazed n confused so I've selected another th-cam.com/video/00eN1t4iKCo/w-d-xo.html a ZEPPELIN masterpiece WHAT IS AND WHAT SHLD NEVER BE live 1970 royal albert hall
Virgil is one of those accomplished drummers everyone forgets about. But anytime you watch him perform you’re reminded why he’s so great. Its a shame he never found a prog group like DT for himself. Hes great, but so many great drummers rarely find bands that they get to grow into. I dont follow Virgil personally but I totally respect what he does and his approach to music. Just wish he had music that appealed to my tastes for casual listening. But he’s like a sleeper drag car. His name goes over heads but he will remind anyone why he’s on the radar when he wants to be lol
I’m quite serious when I say that this drumming makes my heart ache. I’ll explain. I’ve been playing guitar now for over 30 years. Even though that’s the case in my heart I’ve always known that drums are my native instrument. I just feel comfortable with them. Drums are in my heart. When I picked up an instrument I lived in us studio apartment so I thought that it would be more “practical” to go the direction of the guitar. Watching beautiful drumming like this is hunting to me. It tells me that I went the wrong direction. Kind of like the girl of your dreams years ago that got away because you didn’t put yourself out there. I should have found a way.
Donati, Gadd, Weckl, Calaiuta, Smith, all great drummers but Donati takes drums to a different level. Like you said, it's almost monk-like. He is so seriously committed to pushing the boundaries of drumming that he is not really easily digested in his medias and people don't know about him.
he didnt show off his double bass skills in this one, he has a very destinct way of playing :) if you could, check out the song "alien hip hop" by his band planet x, resets my brain everytime i listen to it (not as a reaction as it seems redicilously copyrighted, youtube deletes anything with that song)
Or Dog Boots where he rolls the bass drums the entire song. Literally from start to finish. And then plays an entire show afterwards. His legs are ridiculous!
that reminds me of one day at the gym.. i was deadlifting 140kg(about 315lbs) for a few reps and Germanys strongest man of 2014 whos also at my gym came over and asked me if we could take turns.. i was like "sure man" so he added 40kg(88lbs) and started his warmup set.. thats what my drumming feels like compared to virgils.. he takes my best, adds a little and then uses that as a warm up
Thanks for this . Only came across Virgil a few months ago on the wonderful album “In this life” the opening track .. Rhythm Zero, is one of the best drum performances I’ve ever heard. The band are phenomenal. I then found out why I resonated with him so strongly… his first drum hero was the great Ian Paice of Deep Purple. Both such precise but explosive natural players. I will be listening and learning from this album for years (I play guitar)
I hate saying someone is "the best" at something since such things are usually really subjective. But if I absolutely had to name someone who most blew my mind at drums... it's this guy. The only problem I have watching/listening to him is a lot of times I have no clue what's going on.
Thomas Lang nicknamed him "the floor tom stabber" 😂 in one drum bonenza session they all got new heads on their kits before starting the session. and after the session, they went for a walk break and Thomas saw the floor toms heads murdered on Virgil's kit. he was like "WTF dude they are brand new!" Virgil was laughing and said "i always kill them in few minutes". Thomas was like 😱😂 Virgil doesn't hit hard, it's the fact he hits them pointing the stick downwards because of the trad grip. hence why "tom stabber" nickname.
I saw Virgil from very close in a clinic he hits like a truck, believe me, its like the kit would fall into his solo and groove back beat. The video maybe doesn't portray very much but in real situation you realize the guy is definitly from that old school when the sounds's textures came by placement, conviction and hitting ...hard.
@@Nissardpertugiu don't get me wrong, he hits hard but not stupidly hard. what i meant is that, with his technique (left hand trad grip) he hits the floor toms with the stick pointing downwards. and that's what causes the dents in the heads. you say "in real situation", did you even read my comment ? i was in that drum Bonenza session. so you just talk to talk.
I agree with everything you (and everyone) is saying. Precision, clean, texture, dynamics, wizardry, melodic, technique, and just the absolute 😱😱🤯🤯 of it whilst making it look so easy. I’d like to add the sound of the kit, tuning and the mix itself is just as good as VD himself. Maddest respect him and his crew. You and your blown away hair too, sir 🤘🏽🤘🏽
I love the concept of "headroom". I'm a bass player, not a drummer, but the concept applies equally. There's a great video of a Béla Fleck & the Flecktones show, and Victor Wooten is playing some certified monster-level stuff on the bass, and just looking like he doesn't have a care in the world. And then he plays this one little figure with a bunch of very fast harmonics including closing a harmonic and sliding it, and you see just for a second he really focuses in and concentrates on that. So you know that his headroom was lower on that bit than the rest.
As a drummer you should know all these drummers!!! I can't believe that you don't ever interesting for these amazing drummers exists !!! What they playing and why trying always to achieve the perfection!!!
@@AndrewRooneyDrums seriously though. I mean Thomas Lang, Benny Greb, etc. are technical freaks/monsters and all and there are many others but honestly VD - even on that elite level - is something special. The video you watched proves this in my opinion. It's not "only" technical prowess and groove, but rather a "special" brain with respect to drumming, time signatures, etc. Thomas Haake and some others are way crazy above 99% of humans, but VD goes even beyond that.
Virgil fantastic drummer from Australia.Probably the fastest feet in Rock .Saw him many years ago in Chicago. Evangelist ROGER MANSOUR former Leslie West Vagrants Drummer
He's been playing drums since the early/mid 70's. If you can find an album copy of the band 'Loose Change Live at the Grainstore' Melbourne circa 88/89, it's a classic!! Or a Drum solo with Steve Vai..
Hey! Check out my REACTION PLAYLIST...
th-cam.com/play/PLqspKksRqaUURy8K34sBSKvuGo3ApmLC2.html
Virgil also prefers one ply heads that tend to dent easier. I’ve seen him twice perform and it was phenomenal both times. Virgil did say in a recent interview that if he was to start over or begin as a new drummer he would use match grip instead because of the extra problems you have to overcome on a drum kit playing traditional.
That audio effect at 1:42 was like a time traveling Punchline, which arrived at that moment from the future of 2:12.
I really appreciated that.
sorry to be offtopic but does anybody know a tool to log back into an instagram account??
I was stupid forgot the login password. I would love any tips you can give me.
@Lawrence Ezequiel instablaster :)
@Jonathan Harlan i really appreciate your reply. I found the site on google and Im in the hacking process atm.
Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.
Let's us also realise that Virgil is now 63 Years old, he still blows me away (actually he is far better drummer now and he was simply incredible 30 years ago) and I've been watching him live since 1990. Every week we would go to the Grainstore in the Melbourne CBD to watch him play with Loose Change - these are by and far, my favourite musical memories!
I used to work at a Rehearsal Studio where Virgil would practice in between Tours about 30 years ago. He’d book the Room out for a week or two and set up a Video Camera and record everything he practiced and then critique himself. I’ve never witnessed a person more dedicated to their craft than Virgil. Extremely fit and healthy and a really nice guy too
The man not only plays the drums like an absolute beast from another planet but he composes these pieces himself. He’s in a league of his own and deservedly so. He’s put in the work, effort and hours. SO many hours! An Olympic athlete of drumming who strikes fear into the hearts of those who dare venture into the instrument themselves!
I'm with you....absolutely astonishing.
Then there's the tones he's pulling from the kit.... AND Virgil composed the entire thing himself!!
Untouchable.
Madness Dayne 🛸👽
there is a short clip of him „practising“ piano somewhere…
You know...when people study classical music on an instrument they practise their instruments for about 8 - 10 hours per day. When they graduated they usually reduce that to the "needed" amount of time. If you ever wondered what would happen if you don't stop practising that much and pushing yourself to new heights for every day in your life since almost 50 years, you might reach this level of perfection. At least if you are talented and a little bit lucky. Virgil is by far the most versatile and technically perfect drummer that ever walked this planet. But you should see him playing the piano.
Virgil has always been the 'robot from the year 3000" drummer. His creating of music theory in his own realm is beyond any other drummer. His stuff the band Planet X years ago and crazy fusion/metal/jazz/prog with his own project 'On the Virg' are some of the best controlled chaos and technical mad scientist drumming I have seen.
couldn’t say it better... he is amazing
Do you guys remember when he tried out for Dream Theatre? Omg he so wouldn’t fit, he’s just way above that, I feel he would have been board in that band…lol he’s just one of those drummers you could sit and watch for days
@@thereallife3562 just a little side note on that DT audition... I think it was an interview I heard on YT with drummer Peter Wildoer where he stated how the whole DT audition thing was only for show from the record label. Peter went on to talk about how the guys in DT already made up their minds and decided to have Mangini join the band before any auditions even took place. The drummers that auditioned (including Peter)basically went in already knowing ahead of time that Mangini was going to be the new drummer.
Macabra
Virgil is a monster on the keyboard too lol which explains why he's so musical.
He's rediculous
Virgil is off the charts, a true master. To see him live is mind boggling.
He’s on a different level Lou
Funny that this should air on Virgil's birthday :) 🎂
😮 what!?!
@@AndrewRooneyDrums It's true (Jeppe from virgildonati.com here :) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgil_Donati
This one might take the cake...
Dang. It definitely tops my pick lol. Check it out though, it's a classic among my generation of metalheads.
Uploaded 11 years ago, my friends and I used to worship this guy, and Chris Adler.
*Jon Rice* from Job for a Cowboy.
th-cam.com/video/7FBmoHncI9g/w-d-xo.html
I was in high school when this came out. Watching it today, 11 years later, it seems less impressive. And the video quality dropped.
Jon Rice messaged me back himself, and he doesnt have the original HD video ):
But I totally enjoy your take on metal drumming.
_Thanks!_ (:
I love watching Virgil Donati. He has to be the best drummer there is.
He’s a freak! 🤯
...And the music was composed and arranged by himself. A true monster
Yes, watching what you are watching. Virgil is simply awesome. In that group of Harrison, Greb, Weckl, Chambers, Lang, Coleman, etc.
Oh for sure. Monster!
Virgil Donati is the pinacle of technical drumming. One may think that what he's doing was already godlike but his mid 2000s work are so technical, it puts 90% to doubt if we really know anything.
Just beautiful....Buddy,Weckl & Donati...My all time favorites...
This is bonkers Robert
Hell yea! You’ve got the right idea wholeheartedly! Add Akira Jimbo to that and I’d say you have the foursome from another planet. Akira is just on that upper upper tier
This has to be the best one you have reviewed ever , surely, how amazing is this guy
Utter insanity Tom 😮🤯
The fluidity to the fills/solo runs at the end were just plain stunning
Yes Adam! It all looked like a piece of cake for him.
Dude is an alien
The rhythmic complexity of this composition, coupled with its length, says a LOT about Virgil's playing. He's doing most of it with his eyes closed, likely counting rather than reading... Genius!
That's it Ralph. It looks really easy for him!
It's Virgil, it literally doesn't get any better. Ever.
Yes it does! You just need two drummers playing simultaneously lmao
@@corpsefoot758 and even then, maybe not :)
@@MercutioUK2006 Amen
All hail the king
There's other elite drummers on his level out there. You're serious drummer you know them.. Virgil is awesome though but There's others believe me✌
@@normanwilmoth7404 Ok.
Name a few.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"....my sentiments exactly. Mind-blowing drumming and the sound of those drums was perfect as well.
You got it Phil!
Virgil is untouchable. Seriously above every other drummer in existence. Would love to see you react to more from him.
Everything he does is AMAZING! Many vids and they all BLOW MY MIND! He is my new Favorite!
@@raynation2103 Might sound crazy but wouldn't be awesome to be able to see what he's thinking as he plays. For some reason I wonder that
above...lol. yep, okay fanboy
@@morbidmanmusic you like somebody else more, cool, get over it lol
@@hanginon1293 I reckon Virgil just counting along all at a very relaxed 65 bdm (that’s his heart rate!)
Don't forget Virgil also wrote and composed the music he is also very good at the piano a true musician.
Absolutely love your channel, my friend. I’ve watched Virgil before, but I’m not sure what in the hell I just witnessed. Wow...
Great to hear John! Virgil is a freak 🥁💯🙌
As every mere mortal drummers witnessing and commenting here, this guy is simply mind boggling. Absolute prodigious talent coupled with unrelenting drive for percussive perfection and musical mastery. There are very few people on the planet, let alone musicians, let alone drummers that have managed to get to this level above the curve of their chosen passion. Insane stuff... Has to be amongst the top few greatest drummers of all time.
Virgil is technically the best in the world. He can play polyrhythms that are insane. He can play stuff that doesn’t even necessarily sound great always but is the hardest stuff in the world to play. That’s why I say technically he’s the best.
Musically not my fave. But Virgil, technically the greatest drummer of all time. Cannot think of a comparable candidate.
Missed this before...caught it from your comments on the top ten. This may very well be the best drumming performance I've ever seen
Frightening Phil. Freakish
I watched him playing with Allan Holdsworth twice, both from about 10 ft away. The power and volume coming out of that was face melting. It does get much better.
Most people watching and listening to this don't even realize how hard it is to play like this.
Yeah, I tried to show Virgil to some friends, and they all where like, "ok, he is good but not John Bonham level of good" and I was like WTF?
@@farrex0 Decent player, but he is no Ringo Starr, and certainly not as well known a drummer as is Lars Ulrich.
And the rest think that because its hard its good. This is the thing with Virgil and Math Drumming. Playing every beat before or after its expected to be played and odd time sigs and voila, he's a drum god. He's got excellent technique but again, it all seems to be for techniques sake alone, odd time for odd time sake alone. It is hard but so is Steve Vai :-/
@@michaelshannon9169 Actually, Virgil is one of the grooviest and more creative out of all the technical drummers. His style is so unique I can easily tell when he is playing and instantly recognize him.
What you said could easily be flipped and said that you dislike him just because he pays too much attention to technique and your extremely reductionist way of explaining odd time signatures and syncopation, makes it extremely clear you have no idea of what you are talking about. Which doesn't allow you to appreciate what he does.
There is no drummer that can listen to Virgil and deny he has a unique style, not only technique. Even when he plays in 4/4, he is quite creative and would still be one of the best. The way he plays ghost notes and does his fills is out of this world. Now you can say he is not your cup of tea, and so does everyone, you cannot say who is musically good based of preference because that is subjective. So go and tell your preferences to other public that is less informed, so they think you know what you are talking about.
its because Virgil is from the Old School, he composes, he s a very good pianist as well, and he started in the mid 70's, like Simon Phillips and Terry Bozzio, his first record was 1976 if i remember Virgil in interviews. But thats crazy too, the guy came from that time and plays like the year 3000 @@farrex0
Other generations had Buddy, we have Virgil. Amazing talent with a Michael Jordan work ethic. Dave Weckl “Virgil is amazing, imagine how much you have to practice to be that good, but I can’t practice that much, I have a life! Lol
He's mind blowing Sebastian!
I saw him at a modern drummer magazine festival in the late 90’s. Everyone was stunned into silence. I remember seeing Jim Chaplin at the corner of the stage looking at Virgil, shaking his head and smiling.
Anton Davidyants, the guy who records bass for Virgil said that Virgil is practicing around 10 hrs everyday, like practicing, pushing limits, not just playing
Virgil is the Jaco Pastorius of drums, it's too bad drummers have ignored him so much.
More people need to know about Virgil!
@@AndrewRooneyDrums Are you kidding? EVERYBODY knows about Virgil. His name has been uttered in hushed tones for almost three decades. He is a giant - he's pushed the instrument to levels not understood by many mere mortals. Possibly the best technician who has ever drawn breath. Nothing seems difficult. In fact, I once asked him at a clinic, what he finds difficult and his reply was, well, I thought, typical of the man. He simply said, it's ALL difficult. Some understatement eh!
I saw Virgil 4 times last year during the Southern Sons reunion here in Australia... he blessed us with an incredible solo at one of the shows. The guy's been playing drums for literally 60 years, its no wonder he is at the level he's at! Also one of the sweetest people i've ever met.
Fellow Aussie here and it's so funny he played for them haha talk about drummer at the wrong gig 🤣
He was my neighbour growing up in Brunswick Melbourne Australia-beyond dedicated -bless him-
I had the amazing opportunity to meet and speak with Alan Holdsworth at a hardware store in San Clamente, Ca. a couple of years before he passed on. He told me that Virgil was from a different universe but always in control and was able to keep him from veering to far away.
THE MASTERS!
Yup Virgil is a different level
Jeeeeeeeesh.... This is other worldly drumming, unreal... Im speechless.!
Great video! For all of those Virgil fans out there, Virgil is a dear friend and I really mean it when I say that his skill and technique is only outweighed by his kindness and consideration! Such a great person!
Virgil is crazy, the guy began as recording artist in 1976, he still plays like the future in his 60's
Virgil one of the greatest of his generation, or any generation for that matter. Get his CD " In This Life " it has some of the greatest drumming ever recorded on it.
No matter how many times I watch this , I'm am always mind blown how amazing this guy is. He is just next level awesome
In my opinion the top two current playing drummer's in the world would be Thomas Lang and Virgil Donati! Both have different styles but there very close in a technical aspect. Virgil is Tops in rudimentary figures while making it so musical sounding and Thomas is the king of total 4 limb independence. Both have such special gifts. I wish If you could combine the two drummer's as one and make the ultimate drummer. Amazing those two!!!
Me: oh I'm so good at math
Virgil: *plays literally anything*
Me: ...I give up
HAHA Jordan!
I love how this is basically an orchestral version of Planet X. Wish they'd get back together so much
Only with Virgil's writing
@@al-919 Virg wrote a tone of PX stuff
Same! It’s been a long time…far too long! I want the original trio too
Virgil Donati and Vinnie Calauaita are geniuses' of the drumming world.
Completely insane,love it
Mad Larry!
I had the PLEASURE of seeing Virgil with ALLAN HOLDSWORTH at Yoshi's in Oakland, California. I got to hang out with them and talk. Jimmy Haslip was the bass player, and he is also a beast. Fun night and signed photos to me.
Virgil is UNBELIEVEABLE! Just a quick fact: He studied with Philly Joe Jones and 3 time snare drum champion Rob Carson, coupled with his fearless dedication to the instrument, which explains a lot of the insanity you're witnessing
I see him as 'drum monk' guy.
Just kinda on another level.
Thanks Scott!
VD is easily one of the Best Drummers of all time.It's funny with this piece I felt like I was at Cirque du Soleil.
Damn... Those rolls at the end were inhuman.
All that awe, even before the very first crash cymbal hit at 7:20. Hearing Virgil's technique and "basic" polyrhythmic patterns on bass, a few (floor)toms, snare and hi-hats alone can already be an extremely sobering experience.
I hadn't seen that particular video before and it is.... jaw dropping. I've been a Virgil fan since the late 90s and in my opinion, he is the master living at the top of the mountain. Nobody else has his precision, musicality, speed and sheer power. There are some guys who come close (as you mentioned) like Gavin Harrison but Virgil is in a class all his own and I don't think you'd get an argument from any other world class drummer on the planet. I've seen a video where Virgil is playing at a clinic and both Thomas Lang and Chris Coleman are standing by and listening and they both just shook their heads in amazement. That's the result of a man being completely obsessed with being the best drummer in the world and reaching his goal.
This guy is insane. I suggest watching his 13/16 time video too. His ability to count like that is unreal
is that not the most amazing exhibition of top class drumming you have ever seen or not
Yup. Who else could do it?
Hey guys! As a way to prioritize the amount of reaction requests I'm getting in the TH-cam comments...
I am going to try and do the Patreon picks first. There is no limit on the Patreon (could be $1/month).
www.patreon.com/AndrewRooneyDrums
I still love you if you are NOT a Patreon contributor. And I will still try and get to your pick. It's a just a reward for those that help out with costs/time involved with doing the vids.
Disclaimer: No guarantees. I can only do what I can do. If a vid is blocked... it's blocked. I'll do my best!
Note: Patrons also get exclusive access to the vids that get blocked :)
Thanks for watching!
Someone has my request Dazed n confused so I've selected another th-cam.com/video/00eN1t4iKCo/w-d-xo.html a ZEPPELIN masterpiece WHAT IS AND WHAT SHLD NEVER BE live 1970 royal albert hall
React to MGLA "Exercises in futility v" drum cam video
@@susannebass5503 Oh Is this the comment you mentioned Susanne!?
@@AndrewRooneyDrums yeah for my request 👍
Virgil had an amazing solo in a live performance of Incantation with Steve Vai. Check it out! He basically plays a different rhythm with each limb.
Just dropped here. And I'm happy to be here! ☺
Hey there! Glad to have you along for the ride :)
Virgil is one of those accomplished drummers everyone forgets about. But anytime you watch him perform you’re reminded why he’s so great. Its a shame he never found a prog group like DT for himself. Hes great, but so many great drummers rarely find bands that they get to grow into. I dont follow Virgil personally but I totally respect what he does and his approach to music. Just wish he had music that appealed to my tastes for casual listening. But he’s like a sleeper drag car. His name goes over heads but he will remind anyone why he’s on the radar when he wants to be lol
Would love to see him in DT but that's like a chained beast if that happened.
I’m quite serious when I say that this drumming makes my heart ache. I’ll explain. I’ve been playing guitar now for over 30 years. Even though that’s the case in my heart I’ve always known that drums are my native instrument. I just feel comfortable with them. Drums are in my heart. When I picked up an instrument I lived in us studio apartment so I thought that it would be more “practical” to go the direction of the guitar. Watching beautiful drumming like this is hunting to me. It tells me that I went the wrong direction. Kind of like the girl of your dreams years ago that got away because you didn’t put yourself out there. I should have found a way.
Brother, I felt the same way and now practice every day. I am 38. Let's get it no matter what!
Those rolls around the kit at the end remind of Aquiles Priester as that is one of his patented licks.
Nice!
Donati, Gadd, Weckl, Calaiuta, Smith, all great drummers but Donati takes drums to a different level. Like you said, it's almost monk-like. He is so seriously committed to pushing the boundaries of drumming that he is not really easily digested in his medias and people don't know about him.
It's beyond us mere mortals comprehension Tyler!
Saw this man in 1988 at Tommys Drumshop in Austin, Tx ..... Many of us wanted to give up
HAHA Mark
Master of drumming .no one is on his level.
God level
as far as drums go, virg has ascended..
he didnt show off his double bass skills in this one, he has a very destinct way of playing :)
if you could, check out the song "alien hip hop" by his band planet x, resets my brain everytime i listen to it (not as a reaction as it seems redicilously copyrighted, youtube deletes anything with that song)
Thanks for the info!
@@AndrewRooneyDrums for sure! Alien Hip Hop is amazing
Yes Alien Hip Hop ...with all those crazy nuance and subtle time fluxes and playing with the tempo so slightly and tight is mind numbing
Or Dog Boots where he rolls the bass drums the entire song. Literally from start to finish. And then plays an entire show afterwards. His legs are ridiculous!
Virgil starts at 100% and then goes up from there.
HAHA! yup :)
that reminds me of one day at the gym.. i was deadlifting 140kg(about 315lbs) for a few reps and Germanys strongest man of 2014 whos also at my gym came over and asked me if we could take turns.. i was like "sure man" so he added 40kg(88lbs) and started his warmup set..
thats what my drumming feels like compared to virgils.. he takes my best, adds a little and then uses that as a warm up
The master of layering polyrhythms and on time signatures, brain teaser would be an understatement,
Thanks for this . Only came across Virgil a few months ago on the wonderful album “In this life” the opening track .. Rhythm Zero, is one of the best drum performances I’ve ever heard. The band are phenomenal. I then found out why I resonated with him so strongly… his first drum hero was the great Ian Paice of Deep Purple. Both such precise but explosive natural players.
I will be listening and learning from this album for years (I play guitar)
People focus so much on what a drummer does instead of how they're doing it. A true Masterpiece! This is every bit the Black page stigma.
Indeed.
It's all about execution
Yes!! I saw Virgil live in Houston about a year ago. He's quite an animal!
I hate saying someone is "the best" at something since such things are usually really subjective. But if I absolutely had to name someone who most blew my mind at drums... it's this guy. The only problem I have watching/listening to him is a lot of times I have no clue what's going on.
Thomas Lang nicknamed him "the floor tom stabber" 😂 in one drum bonenza session they all got new heads on their kits before starting the session. and after the session, they went for a walk break and Thomas saw the floor toms heads murdered on Virgil's kit. he was like "WTF dude they are brand new!" Virgil was laughing and said "i always kill them in few minutes". Thomas was like 😱😂 Virgil doesn't hit hard, it's the fact he hits them pointing the stick downwards because of the trad grip. hence why "tom stabber" nickname.
WOW! Great story
I saw Virgil from very close in a clinic he hits like a truck, believe me, its like the kit would fall into his solo and groove back beat.
The video maybe doesn't portray very much but in real situation you realize the guy is definitly from that old school when the sounds's textures came by placement, conviction and hitting ...hard.
@@Nissardpertugiu don't get me wrong, he hits hard but not stupidly hard. what i meant is that, with his technique (left hand trad grip) he hits the floor toms with the stick pointing downwards. and that's what causes the dents in the heads.
you say "in real situation", did you even read my comment ? i was in that drum Bonenza session. so you just talk to talk.
I agree with everything you (and everyone) is saying. Precision, clean, texture, dynamics, wizardry, melodic, technique, and just the absolute 😱😱🤯🤯 of it whilst making it look so easy.
I’d like to add the sound of the kit, tuning and the mix itself is just as good as VD himself. Maddest respect him and his crew. You and your blown away hair too, sir 🤘🏽🤘🏽
Well said!
Freakish!
@@AndrewRooneyDrums hardout chief, freak as. Awesome reactions too
I love the concept of "headroom". I'm a bass player, not a drummer, but the concept applies equally. There's a great video of a Béla Fleck & the Flecktones show, and Victor Wooten is playing some certified monster-level stuff on the bass, and just looking like he doesn't have a care in the world. And then he plays this one little figure with a bunch of very fast harmonics including closing a harmonic and sliding it, and you see just for a second he really focuses in and concentrates on that. So you know that his headroom was lower on that bit than the rest.
Jesus, those speed fills from the top made me WOOOOOOW and wake my dogs.
Lolololol
How to explain Virgil to people - 'Ridiculously Clean'
Yup! HAHA
And infinately complex.
HOW I EXPLAIN IS LIKE THIS:......UM? UH? HMMM? WOW!
As a drummer you should know all these drummers!!! I can't believe that you don't ever interesting for these amazing drummers exists !!! What they playing and why trying always to achieve the perfection!!!
The BEST ! Unworldly !!!
The best drummer in the galaxy
Hard to argue Jorge
his in this life-album is crazy good... very sonically unique and drum-driven edit#2; lot of planet x-vibes... so mad
so talented and derdicated, too good for any band
20 years drumming 8 hours day .
Virgil…. The pinnacle.
Pretty much
VD is positively insane. Seriously.
He's an alien Theo
@@AndrewRooneyDrums seriously though. I mean Thomas Lang, Benny Greb, etc. are technical freaks/monsters and all and there are many others but honestly VD - even on that elite level - is something special. The video you watched proves this in my opinion. It's not "only" technical prowess and groove, but rather a "special" brain with respect to drumming, time signatures, etc. Thomas Haake and some others are way crazy above 99% of humans, but VD goes even beyond that.
@@AndrewRooneyDrums and yes he might as well be an alien or even a god, for that matter
Hey Andrew, not sure if you've ever seen Virgil's double bass, but it truly is mind blowing!!!!
One of my favorite parts of this (I man aside from the playing) is that monstrous 23” artisan crash on his far right. BWAHHHHH
Is beautiful to see!!!
That's was absolutely mind-blowing!!!!😃😃😃😃
Ha ha ha. I had a similar reaction at 12:12. I was thinkin' "now there's something I haven't seen before."
Virgil fantastic drummer from Australia.Probably the fastest feet in Rock .Saw him many years ago in Chicago.
Evangelist ROGER MANSOUR former Leslie West Vagrants Drummer
Without a doubt he is the GOAT 🤘🤘🤘♥️♥️♥️🥁🥁🥁
His drums SOUND SWEEEEEET
Virgil it's absolutely ridiculous technically good. His music it's so complex and "difficult to hear" but I enjoy anyway.
Yes it's music for musicians :)
Virgil is a monster in multiple rythm at a same time, mixed signatures, asynchronous rythm :-)
👍🙂This is a masterpiece!! Brilliant!!!!
He's been playing drums since the early/mid 70's. If you can find an album copy of the band 'Loose Change Live at the Grainstore' Melbourne circa 88/89, it's a classic!! Or a Drum solo with Steve Vai..
Somebody hand me a tissue please. I just used up a whole box of them 😭😭😭😭
Virgil Is NOT OF THIS PLANET! He has been a favorite of mine WOW!!!
Andrew a quick question for you which has baffled me for years.
How can you practice as much as Virgil and not have hearing loss????
Virgil is the most technically advanced drummer to have ever lived. I don't think he will be matched for 1000 years.
Traditional grip is necessary for those who play in a marching band as the snare is hung around the neck and it’s sitting on the right hip.
you almost cant believe what your watching...would like to see this transcription
ME TOO!
I learnt trad grip but now play both matched and trad, different grips for different styles of music