Big Fat Five: Daniel Glass (Royal Crown Revue, Author/Historian) Shares His Top 5 Influential Records

Drummers on Drumming

Our guest today is Daniel Glass. Daniel is a renowned drummer, educator, and historian known for his deep expertise in the roots of American drumming, particularly in jazz, swing, and early rock 'n' roll. A member of the pioneering retro-swing band Royal Crown Revue, Glass has performed with a wide array of top artists, blending historical influence with modern flair. His passion for drumming history is reflected in his books, clinics, and instructional videos. The project that introduced Daniel to me was his three-hour documentary called “The Century Project” which explores the evolution of the drum set and drumming styles from 1865 to 1965. Glass is also celebrated for his dynamic, groove-focused playing and his ability to bridge the gap between past and present drumming traditions. Go check out all his happenings at danielglass.com, but for now, please enjoy the 5 records that helped shape Daniel Glass into the drummer he is today. Cheers!

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Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.

DANIEL'S BIG FAT FIVE:

Album - Made In Japan

Artist - Deep Purple

Release Year - 1972

Key Track(s) - Highway Star, Space Truckin', The Mule

Drummer - Ian Paice

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Album - Three Quartets

Artist - Chick Corea

Release Year - 1981

Key Track(s) - Quartet No. 1, Quartet No. 2, Part 2

Drummer - Steve Gadd

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Album - Buffalo

Artist - Frank Zappa

Release Year - 2007 (from a 1980 live concert)

Key Track(s) - The Torture Never Stops

Drummer - Vinnie Colaiuta

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Album - Lyric

Artist - Billy Childs

Release Year - 2005

Key Track(s) - In Carson's Eyes, Into the Light, Scarborough Fair, American Landscape

Drummer - Brian Blade, Marvin "Smitty" Smith

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Album - From Darkness

Artist - Avishai Cohen

Release Year - 2015

Key Track(s) - Beyond, Abie, C#-, From Darkness

Drummer - Daniel Dor

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Honorable Mentions:

Album - Blue

Artist - Joni Mitchell

Release Year - 1971

Key Track(s) - All I Want, This Flight Tonight

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Album - The Concert at Carnegie Hall

Artist - Benny Goodman

Release Year - 1938

Key Track(s) - Don't Be That Way, Honeysuckle Rose, Sing, Sing, Sing

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Album - Drumsville

Artist - Earl Palmer

Release Year - 1961

Drummer - Earl Palmer

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Album - Live at the Royal Festival Hall

Artist - John McLaughlin

Release Year - 1989

Key Track(s) - Mother Tongues

Drummer - Trilok Gurtu

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Album - Tiny Resistors

Artist - Todd Sickafoose

Release Year - 2008

Key Track(s) - Allision Miller

Drummer - Everyone Is Going

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