SPILL BOOK REVIEW: DEIRDRE O’CALLAGHAN – THE DRUM THING (COMPACT EDITION)

DEIRDRE O’CALLAGHAN – THE DRUM THING (COMPACT EDITION)

PRESTEL

BOOK REVIEW BY GERROD HARRIS

Through her appreciation of rhythm sections, author and photographer Deirdre O’Callaghan, from 2011 to 2015, sought out some of the most prolific drummers of all time to capture them on camera and in conversation. The result was her coffee table book, The Drum Thing, originally released in 2016. A decade later, Prestel Publishing has reissued the book in a more compact size, once again bringing O’Callaghan’s brilliant work to life in The Drum Thing (Compact Edition).

The Drum Thing is comprised of over 90 interviews with a range of drummers of all styles. From rock legends like Dave Grohl and Ringo Starr, to jazz innovators, like Jack DeJohnette and Roy Haynes, to hip-hop pioneers like Questlove, O’Callaghan highlights different perspectives and experiences. Through their conversations, O’Callaghan documents stories about recording, their early moments behind the kit, and performing. Some of the more prolific conversations, however, speak to a greater level of passion and excitement surrounding drums and the creative process. While all of the conversations prove to be insightful, some feel wiser with the potential to incite inspiration. Highlights include conversations with Steve Jordan, Dennis Chambers, Steve Gadd, Neil Peart, Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace, James Gadson, and Tony Allen, among so many more.

Of course, these interviews are accented by O’Callaghan’s stunning photography. Capturing most of these drummers in their homes and studios, there is an ease in the way she shoots them in these spaces that feels intimate. This further contributes to the wealth and quality of the provided discussions. The way O’Callaghan takes pictures of her subjects, sometimes behind the kit, and sometimes in a more candid fashion speakers to her eye as a photographer and the ethos of the book. The composition of these photos is striking – no easy feat given how rare it is to see such vivid photography of drummers in action – but, and perhaps most importantly, O’Callaghan is effortless able to capture a level of passion that matches the stories shared by each artist. As a result, The Drum Thing is a stunning book to flip through where both the narrative and photographs serve to enhance the other.

The Drum Thing truly is a special book that should appeal to not only drummers, but all artists. Deceivingly, O’Callaghan’s work is not actually about drummers, but rather a study on musicianship, artistry, and the creative process that happens to use drumming as its medium. The Drum Thing is actually a book about passion. Through this, O’Callaghan’s work is thoroughly enjoyable, making The Drum Thing a coffee table book unlike any others.

ISBN-10: 3791394134
ISBN-13: 9783791394138

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