Drummers You Just Can’t Beat: # 24 – Sheila E.
Drummers You Just Can’t Beat is an occasional series here at Off The Tracks.
“Not baaaad!” Prince used to say. Before adding slyly, “for a girl…” His point being Sheila E. was so far beyond being “not bad”. She was phenomenal. It was so far beyond the matter of her gender — but of course this was the 1980s and female drummers were far more of a rarity than they are today. Sheila E. was one of the reasons, I’m sure, for an explosion in female drummers; she was more visible than most by virtue of also being a lead singer, a backing singer, a musical director, a collaborator. And all of this comes from her own vibrancy and talent, and by virtue too of being born into the legendary Escovedo family — Latin percussion royalty.
Sheila had notched up percussion sessions with Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, Herbie Hancock, Diana Ross, and had toured as a member of the George Duke Band all while in her teens and early 20s. Then she was ‘discovered’ by Prince; he recast her. She was both the serious musician in his band, a drummer. And she was part of the eye-candy he paraded around during his shows. She would play percussion up front, and sing duets, she was have her own vocal spot, and albums that he created for her. Prince assisted Sheila in her visibility within her role as drummer. She assisted Prince with his music, helping to make memorable singles, and concert performances. And giving both a softness and an edge to his music.
Shit That’s Good! Crap Albums I Love: #4 – Sheila E. “Sex Cymbal”
Even the so-called ‘bad’ albums that Sheila made — are, to my ears, brilliant. They work because of her playing. And her vision for drums. She creates mini symphonies, little orchestral works of percussion. She also just lays back into funny grooves. I adore her 80s (Prince-assisted) albums and her 90s R’n’B/slow-jam albums are just fine by me as well.
But the real magic is in seeing Sheila at the front of a stage with her timbales. Or down the back behind the full kit. In the late 90s, she was part of the Ringo Starr All Starr Band, just as she’d toured with Prince and George Duke and many others. Music — and performance — flows through her very veins. She was one of the reasons to check out the All Starr band, just as she was one of the reasons to check out any drummers weekend or masterclass where she was on the bill.
There’s a musicality to Sheila’s speaking voice. There’s an embodiment of music that moves through her performances, and just her full vibe. But there’s also serious chops that propels her drumming. A lifetime of listening and learning and loving. A lifetime of dynamic playing.
When I was a kid, rewatching Prince’s Sign O’ The Times video, it was Sheila E. that gave reason for so many of the re-watches. She could rap, she could dance, she could sing. She was nailing those fast timbale fills to accent the groove. But the absolute main thing was her behind the kit. That solo.
Years later, she’d use that as the starting point for all of her solos. That groove-playing, so sublime. And here she was on David Letterman, in high heels, playing the shit out of the drums once again, and as always. Not bad. For a girl.
