Written by drummer/educator Aubrey Dayle under Walden’s direct supervision, the book documents the life, playing, and producing career of an artist who has achieved success as a chart-topping producer, but is known to drummers as one of the titans of fusion.
Narada Michael Walden has blazed a path from the drum chair in one of the most legendary bands of all time to chart-topping success as a producer. As a drummer, solo artist, composer, and producer, Walden has achieved excellence in a career that is unequaled in the music world. Author Aubrey Dayle takes an insightful look at Narada’s life and work. Part biography and part scholarly analysis, the book includes incredibly detailed transcriptions of Narada’s drum parts, educational and historical discussion, and video lessons (by the author) explaining and demonstrating how the parts were played. Also included are interviews with John McLaughlin (Mahavishnu Orchestra), Ralphe Armstrong, Gayle Moran, and Steve Smith, and foreword by Billy Cobham.
Bursting onto the international music scene as the drummer who came after Billy Cobham in the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Narada has gone on to perform, write and record with artists in a wide range of genres. Songs discussed in detail include:
- “Eternity’s Breath, Parts 1 & 2” (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
- “Cosmic Strut” (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
- “Vision is a Naked Sword” (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
- “Led Boots” (Jeff Beck)
- “Cannon Ball” (Weather Report)
- “Come On, Come Over” (Jaco Pastorius)
- “Black Market” (Weather Report)
- “How Will I Know” (Whitney Houston)
- “Freeway of Love” (Aretha Franklin)
- “Let It Rain” (Journey)
Never-before-seen photos from Narada’s personal collection, note-for-note transcriptions, instructional videos, setup diagrams, and enlightening text come together to create an exciting record of Narada Michael Walden’s amazing body of work.
240 pages | Color | Print or eBook | Includes Video
