Congas. A Poll. THE Poll.

[David Ayers]

Congas. Love 'em or hate 'em?

[JSngry]

All those possible responses , and not one I can use!

How about - "If it's integral to the music, yes. If it's not, but it's good players, maybe. If it's just some wankerism, no. And if it's a Latin date, it damn well BETTER have congas, and preferably more!"

[Quincy]

All those possible responses , and not one I can use!

Hee hee. What Jim said (the not quoted as well.)

Though I can't think of specifics there are 1 or 2 Blue Note hard bop dates where the conga presence makes me roll my eyes, as if they're tacked on as an afterthought. At least I think there are...maybe my opinion would change during another listening.

On the other side of the spectrum, I can't imagine Fred Anderson's The Missing Link without Adam Rudolph's percussion. Yeah, a lot more than just congas in the mix that are adding to the listening pleasure, but they are certainly a part of it. It seems like each time I listen to that album I think that I should try to track down more albums with him on them but I too quickly forget. Such is the fate of the too quickly forgotten percussionist!

[Brad]

I like Congas myself but I'm buying a cd not just because it has them. If you like the Afro Cuban sound, more likely than not, you'll buy a cd with 'em.

Odd choice for a poll, though.

[David Ayers]

Odd choice for a poll, though.

Hey! Just wait until I start my Top 100 Conga Players poll!

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I like congas; love the groove. I don't doubt that they're unsuitable for some sessions but I've never yet heard one.

I also like sabars, which are slightly bigger and are played with sticks. To see a couple of sabar drummers playing their pairs of sabars in unison is to watch a tremendously exciting drum choreography.

MG

[connoisseur series500]

I think congas should be smashed over the head of those who play them.

[jazzbo]

The third choice was the one that suited me best.

Wonder what Dr. Zaragemca would say about this? (AAJers know what I'm talkin' bout).

Edited May 8, 2006 by jazzbo

[Harold_Z]

I had to hit null vote.

Jim Sangrey has it right.

[mikeweil]

I also like sabars, which are slightly bigger and are played with sticks.

I'm afraid you're confusing congas and bongos here - Sabars, or Sabhars, as their name is pronounced correctly, are smaller than congas.

This pic shows three congas on stands with a pair of bongos mounted on top, so you can see the size relations:

Here are some old style congueros:

Here are sabar players to give an idea of the drum size:

(should be an interesting CD, BTW: Sabar Wolof-Dance Drumming Of Senegal)

On an average, sabar drums are smaller than conga drums.

Edited May 8, 2006 by mikeweil

[mikeweil]

I think congas should be smashed over the head of those who play them.

Repeat, please ......

[JSngry]

I think congas should be smashed over the head of those who play them.

Careful - splinters can blind!

[chris olivarez]

quote name='JSngry' date='May 8 2006, 10:52 AM' post='505074']

All those possible responses , and not one I can use!

How about - "If it's integral to the music, yes. If it's not, but it's good players, maybe. If it's just some wankerism, no. And if it's a Latin date, it damn well BETTER have congas, and preferably more!"

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I also like sabars, which are slightly bigger and are played with sticks.

I'm afraid you're confusing congas and bongos here - Sabars, or Sabhars, as their name is pronounced correctly, are smaller than congas.

This pic shows three congas on stands with a pair of bongos mounted on top, so you can see the size relations:

Here are some old style congueros:

Here are sabar players to give an idea of the drum size:

(should be an interesting CD, BTW: Sabar Wolof-Dance Drumming Of Senegal)

On an average, sabar drums are smaller than conga drums.

Thanks Mike. I got a different impression from the bands which I saw using them, maybe because they were in racks, so appearing taller than they really are (and allowing the drummers freedom for the choreography).

MG

[connoisseur series500]

I think congas should be smashed over the head of those who play them.

Repeat, please ......

Any free conga cd samples, Mike?

[AllenLowe]

Bob Neloms, who played piano on a lot of the early Motown recordings, told me that he felt one of the secrets of the Motown musical formula was that they used congas buried in the mix - he felt that this was a subliminal element that gave the Motown sides an extra kick - it's been a long time since I really listend to Motown, but I found this interesting, sort of like musical brainwashing -

[JSngry]

Bob Neloms, who played piano on a lot of the early Motown recordings, told me that he felt one of the secrets of the Motown musical formula was that they used congas buried in the mix - he felt that this was a subliminal element that gave the Motown sides an extra kick - it's been a long time since I really listend to Motown, but I found this interesting, sort of like musical brainwashing -

And not unlike the use of handclaps.

[Jazzmoose]

But how does this relate to the cowbell issue?

[7/4]

Turn the cogas down in the mix, turn up the cowbell. More cowbell.

[Noj]

[7/4]

Turn the cogas down in the mix, turn up the cowbell. More cowbell.

The formula is so simple it’s diabolical.