The Sheffield Drum Record

THE SHEFFIELD DRUM RECORD-SHEFFIELD LAB 1981

JIM KELTNER-RON TUTT

Starting things off with a real winner for anyone who is interested in jazz, drums, drumming, direct to disc recording, stereo’s, or my personal favorite….sampling.

This album, although originally intended for the purpose of home stereo calibration and evaluation, is a samplers dream… perfectly recorded open drum hits,breaks and grooves.  Clocking in at approx. 7 mins per side there is a wealth of drumming to enjoy, with Jim Keltner on side A and Ron Tutt on the B side…

Jim Keltner , born in 1942, in Tulsa, Oklahoma,is best known for his session work on solo recordings by three of The Beatles, working often with George Harrison, John Lennon (including Lennon solo albums, as well as albums released both by the Plastic Ono Band and Yoko Ono), and Ringo Starr.

As a percussionist, Keltner started out in jazz, although his first session was recording “She’s Just My Style” for the pop group Gary Lewis and the Playboys. In addition to his work with three of the Beatles, Keltner, as a free-lance drummer, has also worked with Gabor Szabo, Roy Orbison, Jerry Garcia, Eric Clapton, Steely Dan, Joe Cocker, the Rolling Stones, Ronnie Wood, Bill Wyman, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Brian Wilson, Seals and Crofts, Neil Young, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Crowded House, Fiona Apple, Elvis Costello, The Bee Gees, Jackson Browne, Ry Cooder, Sam Phillips, Pink Floyd, Steely Dan, Rufus Wainwright, Tom Petty, Bill Wyman, the Steve Miller Band and Alice Cooper among many others.

Born in 1938 in Dallas, Texas, Ron Tutt began playing music at the age of  8. he didn’t however, start playing the drums till high school. he played the trumpet,playing in the school orchestra. After studying music at the University of North Texas he spent 10 years playing for Elvis Presley and has been Neil Diamond’s drummer since 1981. He performed and/or recorded with Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Los Lobos, Elvis Costello, Jerry Garcia, Billy Joel, Stevie Nicks and Michael McDonald, among many others.

On working with such legendary singers, Mr. Tutt commented, “If I had to narrow it down, the two greatest music influences on my life would be Elvis Presley and Neil Diamond. Elvis for the flashy, explosive, slightly out of control, style of playing that he brought out in me that mirrored his performance and personality. Neil has influenced me to be a disciplined team player. He leaves little to chance. He makes sure we are all well-rehearsed and fundamentally prepared. We know we are going to win every time we go on stage – just like a great sports team, and that’s a great feeling!”

The Sheffield Drum Record was recorded at Sheffield Lab studios in Culver city, California in December of 1980 by Doug Sax, Bill Schnee and Steve Haselton and Executive Produced by Lincoln Mayorga.

The album was recorded using direct to disc mastering…removing the need for master tapes. A direct disc recording is a truly live performance, sent directly to a cutting lathe, whereby an entire side is recorded at one time. (any mistakes, and the entire disc had to be discarded). There is no overdubbing, no edits and no punched-in phrases.  The Sheffield Labs LP’s are regarded by many as the best quality vinyl recordings ever produced.

This album is rare as hell, as there only so many copies you can produce using this method and is prized by collectors the world over. If you find one whilst digging in the dollar bin, (…we did!!!) snap that up fast.  Or if you feel lazy you can always check the going price here or grab one here…but it won’t be cheap.

…but if i were reading this, i’d just  grab it right here…

SIDE A

SIDE B

Ripped from vinyl @ 320 or better. Always.

Enjoy.