Traps: The Incredible Story of Vintage Drums (1865-1965) is a two-DVD companion package to The Century Project. Glass is joined by fellow drum expert John Aldridge who takes a much more detailed look at all the vintage drum sets presented in the main documentary. Showcasing each kit on a revolving riser, Glass and Aldridge discuss all the parts and anatomy of the drums from the heads (calfskin vs. plastic), lugs, badges, finishes, snare beds, manufacturers, plys, stands, to trap tables and racks. These discs really are for drummers only, and one suspects only those drummers seriously curious about drum history or are drum collectors will get into all the minutia. The Century Project is like a good museum tour; Traps is like an after-hours opportunity to really get into the nuts and bolts, as it were, of the exhibits.
Now, it's true this review is rather behind the curve as The Century Project was released last fall. That's because, according to Alfred Music, copies of the discs kept flying off the shelves in music and drum stores so they kept running out of stock. Gratefully, my review copy finally arrived and I fully understand why Glass's production has been so popular. It's difficult to think of any educational institution with a music department that wouldn't want this history lesson in their libraries. It's difficult to think of any drummer, whether professional or hobbyist, who wouldn't enjoy and benefit from The Century Project. It's well worth remembering and knowing how the drum set came to be in its present form. Further, anyone interested in a century of musical changes from Sousa to Starr may gain new appreciation for an instrument that is often seen as but part of the rhythm section backing up the front line.
Article comments