Drummer Steve Reid
After a story airs, I undoubtedly wish I could change or tweak it just a little. I’m rarely satisfied with the final result. Sometimes I wish I left something in from the raw tape. Other times I question if the music was brought in at the right time. I constantly have these battles inside my brain. But while I pondered the music for this piece on Steve Reid, I’m very pleased with the end result. Honestly, I don’t know how I could have made it sound any better. If you disagree, please let me know!
When I received material on Steve Reid, I thought it would be great to have him tell me his story. I wanted to produce it as a self-narrated piece. The music from various points in his career would become the link. As soon as I sat down in the booth and heard him speak (I had no idea what his voice sounded like) I knew instantly the piece would work. After I explained to him how I envisioned the piece, Reid ran with it and he told me key points in his life.
Once our talk was over, I then had to find and choose the music. I downloaded songs, made use of the music library at WGBH, and selected my favorite tunes from Reid’s new CD, “Daxaar.” Since Steve Reid’s a drummer, I needed rimshots, drum rolls, or solos. You’ll notice when each song is in the clear, it’s the drum you’re hearing. Take for example the beginning of the 1964 song “Dancing in the Street.” Yes, Steve Reid plays drums and it begins with a very quick drum roll. Believe me, it was hard not to play the WHOLE song, but for this purpose, just the drum would do.
Toward the last third of the piece is where I really opened up the music. After all, I wanted to showcase his new CD. What’s interesting hearing the new tunes is that all the music that came before clearly influenced his music today. You’ll hear the Motown, Miles Davis, Fela Kuti, and Sun Ra influences.
It was a great pleasure speaking with Steve Reid. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to meet him face to face. I was in Boston and he was in New York. This was a really fun piece to produce and thanks to Steve Reid for sharing his story!
Hear Steve Reid’s story: http://www.theworld.org/?q=node/16320
Tags: Fela Kuti, Miles Davis, Motown, Steve Reid, Sun Ra
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