DRUMTVMulti-talento
Tam Murata has her own TV variety show series on nowhere but
YouTube, called "Tamu-Zukan" (Tam Picture-Book) with a cartoon character
co-host, a producer and everything. It's about… drumming!
Her third installment in 7 parts features Tam's special guest
Kawaguchi Senri-sama!
Good-natured puppy-eyed Tam is a workaday metal and prog rock master.
She endorses long-established top builder Tama. Her guardian animal is the frog.
Child prodigy Senri is a prog and fusion phenomenon. She endorses
our-engineers-try-harder Yamaha. Her guardian animal is the gecko.
Have the two girls got something to show each other? This is like inviting over
that rich kid in your class who's got everything you've got but more and better.
Tam is dressed for cup ramen at home, Senri's dressed like she's going downtown.
It's long, all in Japanese, no subtitles. The interactions around drumming are pretty
accessible. It won't hurt you to look only at the two embedded ones.
youtu.be/dcyd3g9X_SgPart 3–1: Kickoff with trusty puppet companion O~chan (03:32)
Hanging out with a sock puppet before introducing the guest.
O~chan is said to be
an extinct Opabinia regalis, which is really quite
an adorable thing for him to be (in Japan).
youtu.be/eQyJhyvgr9EPart 3–2: Guest Talk – story time with our honored guest (17:47)
Stories of old times, i.e., 10 years ago when they were 12.
It turns out girl drummers can't do straight-leg toe touches.
youtu.be/4hyHz76tFRMPart 3–3: Tamu-Tamu Doramu-Aru-Aru (Tam-tam drum sympathy) (15:49)
Senri's big peeve is being underestimated; Tam's is when
somebody cleans up and hides your drum hardware wrench.
youtu.be/Cxe_KLrtlEwPart 3–4: HAMAFURE* drum phrase showcase (05:37)
Senri breaks down a show-stopper drum phrase for Tam to copy
*HAMAFURE is a common abbreviation for "beach fresh", as in
seafood, but here it's "hamatte phrases", phrases that you're
really, really, really into.
Part 3–5: Drum Setups 2017 DEC 31 by たむ図鑑 (12:02)
What has become the customary "drum setup comparison". As usual, they both seem to enjoy getting the feel of each other's drums. 〜〜〜
What do you think of Senri's drum set, Tam? "Beautiful!"
It is, isn't it? One snare is not enough for Senri, she has two for variety. The Yamaha rack system
is magnificent. You could play through an earthquake with that, but it's a lot to fit into the van.
Tam looks a bit mournful. Geez, this chick is equipped. Even her felt washers are showy.
The matching China Boys are so you can go left/right/left/right, da-da-da-da-da?
Sou desu ne, I use a solo technique that gets attention (mimes big double circles).
Ahh — digga-digga-digga-digga-digga!
[ Circus pony trick: 2-hand, 4-cymbal circular sweep down to the snare, with bass 32nds ]
Ohhhhhh, that's COOL! (laughing) "It's a fad, right?" Of course, of course.
And what about this little one here? That's one's sweet, for times when you need an accent.
It's a 12" China Trash, totally stock.
Tam knew before she asked. Zildjian's marketing just got all its tick-boxes ticked.
I wonder, would Senri-san like to let Tamu-chan try sitting in her seat? But of course!
[ Excuse meeee, please forgive my maaaanners ] This is an overwhelming jungle gym
full of stuff, Tam doesn't know what to hit first. The hi-hat looks safe?
Wow, nice sound, says Senri encouragingly.
Everything on this rig is so far away from every other thing! How long are this girl's arms, anyway?
"The sticks, for the most part… it seems… you hold them by their ends?" That's right, it's flashy
to hold the ends (Tam nods thoughtfully).
Senri's sticks are milled and finished to her own specs and sold under her name.
And down here is…?
"Direct. Drive. Pedals." (Rigid tie rods, because chains and belts are not positive enough for Senri.)
Sponsor Yamaha would be very disappointed with any neglect of their super-responsive DD pedals.
And Senri-san's drums, how do you find them, Tamu-chan?
Amazing, the sound, there's a depth to it, (Senri: "Yesss!") they have a fat feeling somehow
("Yayyy, thank you very much.") And the cymbals too are wonderfully arranged, K-series.
〜〜〜
When Senri-san goes to try Tam's kit, it's the same but opposite. By the way, I absolutely love your set!!
("Waaaaaa…") Everything is so close together, how do you play the floor tom here? ("There isn't a technique.")
Senri can reach the centers of the drumheads with her fingertips when her upper arms are hanging straight down.
And your sticks are so short, they stop about 2 inches early (holding them by their absolute butt ends, as she does).
Senri finds the floor toms easy to reach, but her elbows are pinned to her ribs.
Confined, in other words? It's a little confined feeling, yes. But Tam's bass pedals are
singled out for being so quick on the throw. They're double Iron Cobras from Tama,
nothing exotic, but Senri acts surprised.
From sheer intimidation, Tam made no attempt to rock out on Senri's kit. As the host, she
absolutely can't make her guest look anything but good. But Senri is far beyond the usual
guest. Any word or deed from Tam to suggest she is on the same level professionally would
call down the wrath of the gods.
On the other hand, Senri has an obligation to her sponsor and her fans to show some stuff.
Her verdict on the Tama/Meinl set: sounds great and feels good. "What [ else ] should I do,
these are amazingly hot to play." ("REEEALLY??!")
Yes, really. Next is a one-sided battle-of-the-bands exhibition.
Part 3-6 Drum battle! ~Real Life~ 2017 DEC 31 by たむ図鑑 (05:21)
The girls rock along to a minimal fusion track based on "Real Life" from Senri's own compilation
album,
Buena Vista (MOST COMPANY, 2014), which no one is not on. Senri's people flew her to
LA to record, just so it would be convenient for every famous person in the world to take part.
The policy on Tam's channel is to have the guests play the songs they want to play, but this is extreme.
Even though Tam can play this tune competently, she hangs back. Essentially, playing Second Drum.
Here's Senri doing "Real Life" for real, in New York at the Bottom Line with her touring band ONYX:
www.drummerworld.com/Videos/senrikawaguchionyx.html.
Tam and Senri trade solos, and Senri kicks Tam's butt a little bit. Tam plays conservatively and
economically, while Senri's every gesture looks big and busy. There's so much more of her to watch,
and the speed with which she can cover the whole kit… her soloing comes in waves… she has the groove,
she has the look, it's very impressive. She also does a little of her immature stick twirling thing.
Audiences *love* that, and by now Senri is feeling a little cocky.
youtu.be/fg8Wd0vJ-5UPart 3–7: Ending (11:46)
Debrief, evaluation, mutual praise, afterword and coming attractions. Tam relaxes a little
after Senri's gone. She needs a haircut quite seriously. You've already missed Senri's
2-day Birthday Special and CD Debut 5th Anniversary party at Blues Alley.
Tam practices on her alto sax in yet another studio for a couple of minutes. She still sucks,
but much, much less than she did when she started. "'It's difficult after all!"