I first saw Ginger at Fillmore East , sold out but managed to watch no less then 10 feet from behind him , I my God , I had to give up Drumming for two weeks digesting what I saw.As far as being nice to his Family ,he is big time , just over to the side is Ginger playing with Kofi who loves his Father and made a life following in his foot steps. I love him for what he did for music,I played underground surf music until he showed me any stile can fit , he's a Jazz Drummer that made Rock fit him!
Great documentary. I wish it had touched more on the effect of losing his dad in WW2 had on him. It was touched on briefly. Maybe Ginger Baker would not care to open up on the subject. But it must have had a very profound effect on him....just like it had on Roger Waters.
All hype aside, this video doc on Ginger is a must see. I would have spent twice the price to purchase it. Bulger does a great job of getting into Giinger's head and life history.
Thomas Haake is not pompous. He is a very mellow, friendly guy just doing his job. Doing it great. Just because he is an unemotional Swede don't make him pompous. He is so humble about his incredible drumming. Ginger Baker was insane to most people, great yes
Don't mind them just enjoy Lydon and Baker's genius on "Album" and know what we know and those tossers do not. Also let's not forget that Steve Vai also played on "Album" and Lydon told him "You cannot write out anything in advance, I'll let you hear the song and then you record what comes to mind." Vai said that recording with Lydon was as much a challenge as anything he did with Zappa was.
Baker was/is not even close to being the greatest drummer in the world. He wasn't even the best in the world when he was in his prime. There were and are drummers that he doesn't even deserve to carry their stick for them. I get the feeling that this is a case of the 'Emperor's new clothes'.
Many geniuses had/have trouble with cynicism. Ummm..Buddy Rich bus tapes anyone? The popular music industry takes artists and tries to take the art out of their skillset to monetize art. Artists and "artists" differ. "Artists" have an end goal of stardom, money, respect of their peers. Artists have an end goal of making art and sometimes the other trappings are an end result of genius. Artists really don't like when the stupid masses confuse them with "artists". Some handle it better than others. Ginger has a right to his opinions, some of which I share. (when they asked him if Nirvana was the new cream the expression on his face made me cry laughing. I loved Nirvana but the only virtuoso in that group was Dave....)
