Buddy Rich: Stick It

One of a kind drum virtuoso Buddy Rich recorded a number of albums for RCA during the 70s. Their quality ranged from the very good (Rich In London), to average (A Different Drummer and Plays And Plays And Plays), to the truly dreadful (Speak No Evil). I would add Stick It, recorded in 1972, to the second group of ratings — it's a good, but not great Rich offering. Certainly, it does contain a number of Rich's trademark, high energy, go for broke arrangements. Space Shuttle and Best Coast (featuring Pat LaBarbera's roaring soprano), along with Buddy's take on George Harrisson's Something ( highlighted by Lin Biviano's stratospheric trumpeting), are all standout tracks. Unfortunately, Buddy's other foray into the pop realm, Paul McCartney's Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey, fares less well. Rich, accompanied by guitarist Walt Namuth, sings Bein' Green — proving conclusively that he made the correct choice back in the 50s when he contemplated giving up the drums for a career as a vocalist! Sonically, I found this CD reissue to be an improvement over the original vinyl recording which tended to be "muddy" and bass-heavy. * * *