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 Transcribed by Joe Bergamini
This is an excerpt from my new book "Classic Tracks" from Modern Drummer Publications. In the book I've analyzed and transcribed 13 songs from some of my favorite players. The legendary Steve Gadd is certainly one of them, and in this special feature for LP's site I am sharing the entire transcription with you. This is a fun song to play, and in order to get it sounding right you will need an LP cowbell, which is highlighted throughout the recording. My bell of choice for the song is the LP Mambo Cowbell, with it's deep, dark tones - very Gadd! Enjoy the chart and track, and don't forget to check out the book for more challenging transcriptions.
Attempting to pick a single song to analyze by the great Steve Gadd is an exercise in futility. He has played on so many legendary tracks with so many artists that it is easy to see why he is considered to be one of the greatest drummers to ever touch a pair of sticks. "Late In The Evening," by Paul Simon, is a simple pop tune that has been elevated to classic status with one of the "must-know" grooves of the modern drumset.
The groove is based on the Afro-Caribbean "Mozambique." The pattern played on the rim and cowbell is heard in the folkloric drumming of that style. Although accents are not written in, the rim figure follows the basic accent inflection of traditional Mozambique, so listen to it carefully. The toms play a counter-melody to this pattern, which can take a little practice to line up, and the bass drum and hi-hat anchor the time with a driving quarter note pulse.
Steve recorded the song holding two sticks side-by-side in each hand - the sound of the sticks hitting together in the hand and flamming on the rim thickens up the groove and adds a "percussion section" effect. If you can't get 'em up with this groove you might as well pack it in!
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