David Garfield & Friends - 1997 "Tribute To Jeff"

Jones extravaganza, or perhaps "We Are The World." Seventy-seven musicians, most of whom are names well-known on the L.A. studio scene over the last twenty-five years, come together in various combinations to pay tribute to Jeff Porcaro. Porcaro, who died in 1992 from inhaling fumes from lawn chemicals, is perhaps best known as the drummer in Toto, but he has performed on countless albums running the gamut from rock to R&B to jazz.

The songs and the musicians on this album are similarly varied. In fact, it has led me to consider that the music that has emerged from Los Angeles since the seventies has defied genre pigeonholing - it's simply popular yet artistically valid music. The jazziest cut is "Bag's Groove." "Stuffy" and "Jeff's Strut" are modeled after the music of Stuff. The Steely Dan influence is felt on their tune "Babylon Sisters" and the opener "E Minor Shuffle," which at times comes so close to "Black Friday" as to suggest plagiarism. Tunes by Boz Scaggs, Bob Dylan, and Jimi Hendrix are also included, as are several originals penned specifically for this project. The most unique tune is "21 Drum Salute," which is a corps-type cadence performed by 21 drummers and percussionists ranging from Porcaro patriarch Joe to Jeff's three sons and a nephew, plus the likes of Steve Gadd, Peter Erskine, Dave Weckl and Vinnie Colaiuta.

Okay, now that I'm name-dropping, listen for Toto bandmates Steve Porcaro, David Paich, Steve Lukather, and David Hungate, as well as jazzers Joe Sample, Tom Scott, David Benoit, Jimmy Haslip, Larry Carlton, Nathan East, Abe Laboriel (Sr. and Jr.), and many, many other recognizable talents. In any event, this is a heart-felt labor of love for a drummer who obviously had many friends and influenced many people. Most important, it's a widely varied, yet consistently enjoyable CD. The genres may shift considerably, but it's all good music.

Jeff Porcaro was adored by fans all over the world, and sought out by the very best musicians and artists in the music business. He had a rich, full life cut short long before its time. Jeff not only achieved extraordinary success as a musician, but as a human being as well. Porcaro, drummer nonpareil, multiple Grammy winner with the band Toto and one of the Los Angeles music scene's brightest guiding spirits for two decades, passed away thirteen years ago, but his extraordinary musical soul is alive and in full groove thanks to all of his friends and fans, colleagues and protégés.

Covering an amazingly wide ranging cross section of the genres and styles that inspired, shaped and defined Porcaro's career, Tribute to Jeff by David Garfield and Friends is a grand statement in the Quincy Jones "cast of thousands" tradition and an incredible feat both musically and logistically. Not to mention, great entertainment. But at the core of its diversity and passion lies a labor of love for all the musicians involved, an opportunity for them to laugh and cry and remember the man who set the standard and enriched all of their lives.

The tragic death of Princess Diana reminded everyone of the impact a single person can have, and in turn, Elton John's moving tribute at her funeral reflected the great role music can play as emotional catharsis. Tribute to Jeff by David Garfield & Friends achieves that for all those who participated, but is in many ways the antithesis of the rewritten "Candle in the Wind," vigorously celebrating the life of multiple Grammy-winning drummer and first-call L.A. session cat Jeff Porcaro rather than choosing to mourn the tragedy of his early death in 1992 at age 38. Though best known for his skinwork in the pop supergroup Toto, Porcaro's influence on the music scene ranged beyond the light pop/rock the band was known for; he grew up on jazz and his diverse timekeeping skills were tapped by everyone from Boz Scaggs, Bruce Springsteen, and Don Henley to Stan Getz and Larry Carlton. He was also the backbone of the longstanding L.A. club-hopping band Los Lobotomys, the fusion-oriented '80s and early-'90s answer to Tom Scott & the L.A. Express featuring pianist Garfield and Toto member Steve Lukather on guitar (Joe Sample would occasionally sit in on second keyboard). In his two decades on the scene, Porcaro made a wealth of friends from all genres, ranging from hard rock to soul, blues, and straight-ahead jazz. Garfield, a veteran of the L.A. scene known for his long-term stint as George Benson's musical director, recalls his late friend as "the ultimate team player, never a forefront kind of guy, with a special camaraderie with musicians." As ringleader, arranger, and producer of the project, as well as lead performer, Garfield succeeds in capturing that sort of ensemble spirit. With 75 musicians participating, the pianist faced a four-month logistical nightmare of studio schedule-crunching in L.A., Nashville, and New York, but, using Porcaro as a muse (by virtue of lighting candles and occasionally playing cassettes of the guest of honor's interviews), Garfield & Friends pull off the ultimate wake, a remarkably all-encompassing, frequently unpredictable overview that, well, Porcaro would have doubtless killed to play on.

The liner story is worth the price of the CD alone. Jeff Porcaro was a much sought after studio session drummer and his generosity with pro artists as well as those who were just putting together a homemade demo is pretty amazing, considering how in demand he was. But he really separated his studio and family life. The impressive lineup of musicians and artists such as David Pack from Ambrosia, Don Henley from the Eagles and Michael MacDonald from the Doobies/ Steely Dan just proves the heady arena that Jeff played in and the vacancy left by his untimely death is still very much felt by these artists as evidenced from their "sometimes over-the top" performances. He was the benchmark of drummers after Buddy Rich, in that he read, performed and comprehended musical notation. A statement about "Time and Groove" being what matters still echo in my ears. A well produced CD, even if not a Jeff Porcaro fan.

The list of artists invited on this collection is impressive and too long to mention. Basically, you will find the most representative of "west coast", or "Californian" music, great jazzmen, all paying a homage to the great Jeff.
You will find more than one cover version and more than one instrumental here : Lowdown, E-minor shuffle (remake of S. Dan's "Black Friday"), Babylon sisters, and Let's stay together (remember that one ? you will also find that tune on a Tina Turner album, as well as on a sax player's called Bobby Militello), with M. McDonald on vocals, among others. You will also hear more aggressive tunes : If six was nine (very Hendrix-like), Stuffy (a high rythm Gospel tune), or Big Bone (already on the Lobotomys cd). Right in the middle you have a beautiful My heart wants to know...
This is a concept album, great for collectors, lovers of this type of music, and people who are interested in knowing more about one of the greatest drummers of the 20th Century (the booklet has lots of pictures and stories about J.P.). We all know things haven't been the same since he left. Not only for his band, Toto, but for music in general.
Finally, to complete the other reviewer's advice, check out an album called (Forever in the arms) of love, by a band called Karizma. It's hard to find but a ten star.

Track listing:

E Minor Shuffle (Men With Keyboards) 5:53
Let's Stay Together 6:02
Twenty-one Drum Salute (So Many Drummers, So Little Time) 2:34
Lowdown 6:26
If Six Was Nine 7:04
Bag's Groove 5:37
My Heart Wants To Know 5:31
It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry 6:23
Babylon Sisters
Stuffy 1:30
Jeff's Strut 5:50
Big Bone 6:57
Long Time No Groove 2:07

Personnel:

Acoustic Guitar – Steve Lukather (tracks: 2)
Alto Saxophone – Brandon Fields (tracks: 7), Michael Paulo (tracks: 4), Tom Scott (tracks: 6, 11)
Backing Vocals – Bill Champlin (tracks: 2, 7), David Pack (tracks: 2), Don Henley (tracks: 2), Jason Scheff (tracks: 4, 7), Joseph Williams (tracks: 4, 7), Richard Marx (tracks: 2)
Baritone Saxophone – Tom Scott (tracks: 10, 11)
Bass – Abe Laboriel Sr.* (tracks: 10, 11), Chuck Domanico (tracks: 6), Jimmy Haslip (tracks: 13), John Peña (tracks: 7), Lee Sklar* (tracks: 9), Mike Porcaro (tracks: 12), Nathan East (tracks: 2), Neil Stubenhaus (tracks: 8), Will Lee (tracks: 5)
Bass [P] – "Ready" Freddy Washington* (tracks: 4)
Bass Drum – Ralph Humphrey (tracks: 3)
Bass, Electric Bass [Fretless] – Jimmy Johnson (5) (tracks: 1)
Bata – Luis Conte (tracks: 1)
Chorus – Bill Champlin (tracks: 2), Don Henley (tracks: 2), Richard Marx (tracks: 2)
Claves – John Peña (tracks: 1)
Clavinet [Funky Clav, Sampled] – James Newton Howard (tracks: 1)
Congas – Chris Trujillo (tracks: 4), Lenny Castro (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 12), Luis Conte (tracks: 1, 10, 11), Luis Enrique (tracks: 1)
Cowbell – Chris Trujillo (tracks: 1), John Peña (tracks: 1), Luis Enrique (tracks: 1), Michito Sanchez (tracks: 10)
Cymbal – Vinnie Colaiuta (tracks: 13)
Cymbal [Zildjian Trash Hats] – Mike Porcaro (tracks: 3)
Djembe – Michito Sanchez (tracks: 1)
Drums – Abraham Laboriel Jr. (tracks: 4), Bernard "Pretty" Purdie* (tracks: 9), Carlos Vega (tracks: 1), Gregg Bissonette (tracks: 12), Jim Keltner (tracks: 3, 8), Joe Porcaro (tracks: 6), Richie Hayward (tracks: 3, 8), Simon Phillips (tracks: 5), Steve Ferrone (tracks: 2), Steve Gadd (tracks: 10, 11), Tris Imboden (tracks: 7), Vinnie Colaiuta (tracks: 13)
Drums [Cocktail] – Steve Jordan (tracks: 3)
Drums [Gong Drum] – Simon Phillips (tracks: 3)
Drums [Kit] – Dave Weckl (tracks: 3), Gregg Bissonette (tracks: 3), Steve Gadd (tracks: 3), Vinnie Colaiuta (tracks: 3)
Drums [Marching Field Drums] – Lenny Castro (tracks: 3)
Drums [Pods, Crashers] – Joe Porcaro (tracks: 1)
Drums [Toms] – Joe Porcaro (tracks: 3)
Electric Bass [Fretless] – David Hungate (tracks: 13), Jimmy Haslip (tracks: 7)
Electric Guitar – Steve Lukather (tracks: 2)
Electric Guitar [Wah Wah] – David Williams (4) (tracks: 4), Mike Landau* (tracks: 2)
Electric Piano – David Garfield (tracks: 1, 4), Greg Phillinganes (tracks: 9), Joe Sample (tracks: 2)
Electric Piano [Leslie Fender Rhodes] – David Paich (tracks: 4)
Flugelhorn – Jerry Hey (tracks: 10), Walt Fowler (tracks: 12)
Grand Piano – David Benoit (tracks: 13)
Guitar – Denny Dias (tracks: 6), Eddie Van Halen (tracks: 5), Fred Tackett (tracks: 8), Jay Graydon (tracks: 7), Larry Carlton (tracks: 10, 11), Mike Landau* (tracks: 7), Steve Lukather (tracks: 12)
Horns – Steve Porcaro (tracks: 1)
Keyboards – David Garfield (tracks: 12)
Lead Guitar – Eddie Van Halen (tracks: 8), Michael Landau (tracks: 5)
Lead Vocals – Boz Scaggs (tracks: 8), David Pack (tracks: 2), Jason Scheff (tracks: 7), Michael Landau (tracks: 5), Michael McDonald (tracks: 2), Paulette Browne* (tracks: 2), Will Lee (tracks: 5)
Organ – Benmont Tench (tracks: 2), David Paich (tracks: 1), Mike Finnigan (tracks: 8)
Organ [Hammond B3] – Greg Mathieson (tracks: 10, 11)
Percussion – Lenny Castro (tracks: 2, 12), Luis Conte (tracks: 11), Michito Sanchez (tracks: 7)
Piano – David Garfield (tracks: 2, 4 to 6, 8, 10)
Read By [Spoken Word] – David Garfield (tracks: 5), Simon Phillips (tracks: 5)
Rhythm Guitar – David T. Walker (tracks: 2), Michael Landau (tracks: 9), Paul Jackson Jr. (tracks: 4)
Shaker – Chris Trujillo (tracks: 10)
Shekere [Chekere] – Lenny Castro (tracks: 1), Michito Sanchez (tracks: 1)
Slide Guitar – Paul Barrere (tracks: 8)
Snare – Chris Porcaro (tracks: 3), John Ferraro (tracks: 3), John Guerin (tracks: 3), Miles Porcaro (tracks: 3), Nico Porcaro (tracks: 3), Ralph Humphrey (tracks: 3), Steve Ferrone (tracks: 3)
Snare [Piatti, Sopranino] – Peter Erskine (tracks: 3)
Soprano Saxophone – Brandon Fields (tracks: 12)
Strings – Steve Porcaro (tracks: 4)
Synthesizer – David Garfield (tracks: 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11), Michael "The Cleaner" Boddicker* (tracks: 9), Steve Porcaro (tracks: 1, 4)
Synthesizer [Midi Grand Piano] – David Garfield (tracks: 7, 9 to 11), David Paich (tracks: 1)
Synthesizer [Pads] – David Garfield (tracks: 13)
Talking Drum – Michito Sanchez (tracks: 1)
Tambourine – Jim Keltner (tracks: 8), Lenny Castro (tracks: 10), Luis Conte (tracks: 1)
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Sheppard (tracks: 9), Larry Klimas (tracks: 2, 8), Tom Scott (tracks: 6, 10, 11)
Tom Tom – John Guerin (tracks: 3)
Tom Tom [Floor] – Abe Laboriel Jr.* (tracks: 3)
Tom Tom [With Mallets] – Chase Porcaro Duddy (tracks: 3)
Trumpet – Jerry Hey (tracks: 10, 11), Walt Fowler (tracks: 6, 12)
Vibraphone – Emil Richards (tracks: 6)
Voice – Joe Porcaro (tracks: 9)