YOU ARE HERE: zharth.net / Zharth's Music Log / Week 137 (Drum Solo Songs)
(Originally finalized on May 2, 2025)
Preface: Unlike keyboards - which can easily step into a lead role - drums typically act more as support. Which is why so many people treat the extended drum solo as a good opportunity for a bathroom break during a concert. But I like the concept of the "drum solo song" - a song, which often starts and ends with a swinging guitar riff, but is primarily designed to showcase the drummer's talents. And there was definitely a trend for bands to record them in the '60s and '70s. That's what we'll be listening to this week. Don't worry, I'll stick to studio recordings - to keep this theme from overstaying its welcome. Just don't expect a theme centered on bass guitar next week...
Monday: Santana - Soul Sacrifice [Santana, 1969]
Comments: Once upon a time, the name "Santana" stood for more than just a solitary guitarist. It was a Latin jam band brimming with talent - including its own veritable drum circle! Even before their debut album had hit record store shelves, they made a splash at Woodstock. You can watch them perform in the documentary, or hear them on the soundtrack. And if there's one song I'll be sharing this week that you ought to listen to the live version of, this is the one.
Tuesday: Cream - Toad [Fresh Cream, 1966]
Comments: Our earliest recorded song this week, from the power trio that was hugely influential, this song will set the template. Originally released on the band's debut album, this song - which gives drummer Ginger Baker an opportunity to shine - would be stretched out to three times its length in the live version on their later album Wheels of Fire.
Wednesday: John Mayall's Bluesbreakers - Rubber Duck [released as a single, 1967]
Comments: Recorded during Peter Green's tenure with the band (none other than Eric Clapton's replacement), and with John McVie on bass, this instrumental nearly features an early form of Fleetwood Mac. Mick Fleetwood would join the equation not long after this, but here it's Aynsley Dunbar pounding out fury on the skins.
Thursday: Led Zeppelin - Moby Dick [Led Zeppelin II, 1969]
Comments: With the template firmly in place, and featuring one of rock's most celebrated drummers - John "Bonzo" Bonham - Led Zeppelin records one of the more recognizable drum solo songs in classic rock history for their second album. Live in concert, it could easily double or even quadruple its length!
Friday: Black Sabbath - Rat Salad [Paranoid, 1970]
Comments: Black Sabbath's second album achieved legendary status, largely on account of the popularity (and radio friendliness) of its title track, as well as album cuts War Pigs and Iron Man - some of the band's best songs ever. Less acclaimed, but also featured on the album, is this off-puttingly titled short instrumental that pits Tony Iommi's guitar lead against the skills of drummer Bill Ward.
Saturday: Deep Purple - The Mule [Fireball, 1971]
Comments: Our first song this week to feature vocals, The Mule offers each member of Deep Purple's Mark II lineup something to do - but gives Ian Paice an opportunity to perform an extended drum solo in concert. Recorded in the studio for the album that preceded Machine Head (the band's most successful album), the live version from Made In Japan has the distinction of being the song where the band famously jokes about making "everything louder than everything else."
Sunday: Procol Harum - Power Failure [Broken Barricades, 1971]
Comments: Broken Barricades would be the last Procol Harum album to feature guitarist Robin Trower, before he left to form his own power trio (it was the right move). Included on the album is a song that cleverly demonstrates the band's professionalism, in terms of what they would do (and had done) on stage during a power failure - bandmember B.J. Wilson would take point with a good, old-fashioned drum solo!
Honorable Mention: Ten Years After - The Hobbit (Live) [Recorded Live, 1973]
Comments: Ten Years After's own drum solo song (featuring drummer Ric Lee), The Hobbit is every bit as deserving of being on this list as any of the rest. But there are two reasons I'm giving it an honorable mention. First, there's no studio version that I know of. And second, I've already shared it on my Enchanted World theme! But here's a different version, from the phenomenal Recorded Live album (although it was omitted, due to time constraints, from the CD I have).