"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Brotherly Love

We’re proud to present this musical tribute to our brother Todd who passed away in December of 2009.  “Shadow Games” is percussion piece by Eric Sanders (better known around these parts as thelarmis). Here’s Eric:

The title of this piece, is by Bronx based baseball and human interest writer Todd Drew and was the name a column he wrote. Todd was a gem of a person and was taken from us far too early. This is my tribute to him and it begins with a big hands/feet fill I call “The Stampede”, to show my anger for his life being way too short. Todd appreciated “heady” music and loved jazz, latin & funk. I did my best to combine a lot of this in his honor.

The A section is an advanced linear version of the “Purdie Shuffle” and each phrase ends in a drum fill. The first half of the melody reminds me of Eric Dolphy (another one taken too early), while the second half strangely reminds me of Fleetwood Mac. Todd would love the dichotomy!
The B section is a latin-jazz groove in the Elvin Jones vein, circa his 1960’s work with the brilliant Wayne Shorter. This leads into a straight latin section, based around an Afro-Cuban 6/8.

I’m proud of the big solo section, which begins with a Tony Williams (who also died too soon…) influenced swing and leads into a long marimba solo, enhanced by vibraphone and supported wholly by the drums.

Dig it:

Shadow Games

All music composed and performed by Eric Sanders
© 2012 Published by Thelarmis Music (ASCAP)

Categories:  1: Featured  Arts and Culture  Music

Tags:  eric sanders  thelarmis  todd drew

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11 comments

1 Alex Belth   ~  Sep 27, 2012 10:10 am

Really beautiful job, Eric. Todd would be so moved, man.

2 Jon DeRosa   ~  Sep 27, 2012 10:43 am

Proud to be a part of a community like this!

3 Dimelo   ~  Sep 27, 2012 10:55 am

Awesome! Great tribute.

4 Alex Belth   ~  Sep 27, 2012 11:02 am

We support labors of love. And as a side helping of Todd, Skyhorse is going to publish "Lasting Yankee Stadium Memories" in paperback next spring.

5 RIYank   ~  Sep 27, 2012 11:07 am

Awesome.

6 NoamSane   ~  Sep 27, 2012 12:41 pm

very nicely done!

7 Capital Yank   ~  Sep 27, 2012 1:22 pm

Great stuff!

8 thelarmis   ~  Sep 27, 2012 1:23 pm

Thanks so much everybody, I really appreciate you taking the time to listen to my music!

Alex - I'm honored and grateful for you posting this!

Most importantly, we're all thinking of Todd.

9 Alex Belth   ~  Sep 27, 2012 1:34 pm

Todd Drew: Salute!

10 Yankee Mama   ~  Sep 27, 2012 1:40 pm

Funny, I've been thinking about Todd lately. The diagnosis post which I can still tear up thinking about. I can't believe it's been 3 years. Thanks thelarmis for honoring his memory. Lovely stuff.

11 thelarmis   ~  Sep 27, 2012 2:06 pm

btw, i consider this to be the true tribute to Todd.

on my forthcoming CD, the liner notes will read:

"Shadow Games" - Title by Todd Drew

the only straight "dedication" on the disc is going to my grandpa, who left the planet around the same time.

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"This ain't football. We do this every day."
--Earl Weaver