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Reviews:
Dave Ruddick
Lars Sträng
Robert Beech
Catrin Wiegand
Joesph Bozzelli

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The Master comes out of hiding

Finally! It's about time and long, long overdue. This DVD is a must for any drummer past, present or future who wants to learn the secrets of The Master (well, at least some of the secrets...).

Having been exposed to Ian Paice many years ago as a young teenager, I was addicted from day one to his speed, flair and technique. I always felt so lucky to have witnessed the band live in Japan here in the summer of 1972 at the Budokan Hall in Tokyo (and on my birthday for that matter!). Ian Paice has been my greatest mentor and teacher of rock drumming ever since.

This disc covers a lot of ground including the production of drums (his personal kit) in Japan and how heads and sticks are made. The format is fairly simple exposing the viewer to the master in both studio work and live in action on stage.

I was slightly disappointed that he did not go into more detail than he did by showing exactly how he does his magic in the area of his great hand and foot coordination, his kick pedal technique/foot positioning or perhaps that he did not offer a better variety of angles of close ups on wrist, hand and finger technique and positioning in using his sticks. He shows us the basics though that any good drummer worth his licks should have in their repertoire: the single stroke, double stroke and paradiddle. Yet I have to say I ended up feeling a bit robbed that he did not offer much in hi-hat or cymbal playing technique. And while his studio sessions offer the viewer a choice in views and angles to get a better grasp of what he does, the concert footage mostly offer only one static view of him in action from his hi-hat side. At least they are wide-angle views starting at his cymbals and down to his kick pedal, so you can see everything in pretty plain view.

A lot of thought was put into this thing as well and the fact that it was all mostly done on an "as is" basis. You get the feeling that you are right there where he is... no slick cosmetic production and dubbings to cover up background noise on the scenes in the factories or the sets. [But maybe better mic'ing would have made the narration more audible. Rasmus]

I give him great credit for deciding to separate and almost isolate the drum mix during the live footage so one can hear the details and nuances of his playing. While we all know that Ian Paice is demanding when it comes to sound quality, perhaps one of the greatest things about this disc is that it steps away from a super slick and glossy technical production approach giving it to you almost raw and straight on, just like things really are, human error and all. Very nice touch, hence the title... Not for the Pros!? Further, I really enjoyed the fact that it offers a glimpse into Ian Paice, the individual not the Icon... Bet he'd be a blast to share a pint or two with, eh?

Right on Mr. Paice... a great job indeed. Ian Paice, on the drums?... Yes! So, are you ever going to come to Tokyo for a clinic?

Keep up the good work, Daddio and we'll be keeping an eye out for Part II.. This time with attention to the finer details of how you really do things, no secrets withheld. ;^)

No question about it, you are the best!

Joseph Bozzelli, Tokyo, Japan