Although this insightful documentary directed by frequent feature film music supervisor and music consultant Mark Lo was made back in 2020, it is finally getting a digital release this week. Count Me In is a wonderfully deep look at the lives of legendary drummers and up-and-coming younger powerhouses, all of whom share their passion, love, and barely contained skills by discussing those who came before them and influenced their style.
Some discuss the creation of monster beats in more technical terms, while others talk about it in more artistic ones. But the lineup of interview subjects is undeniably impressive, including the late Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Stewart Copeland (The Police), Roger Taylor (Queen), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), Cindy Blackman Santana (Lenny Kravitz, Santana) and Jim Keltner (The Traveling Wilburys) among so many others.
They share their personal histories, with the common theme being that they all seemed drawn to drumming—even if it was only on their kitchen pots and pans—at a very young age. Most recall their first real drum kit or seeing someone like Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts, John Bonham, Ginger Baker, or Keith Moon play for the first time. Of course, many of those legends were inspired themselves by the great American jazz drummers like Max Roach, Buddy Rich, and Gene Krupa. Still, watching Nicko McBrain from Iron Maiden give a detailed account of the differences in style between Starr and Watts is incredible when you realize how dead on he is.
Count Me In isn’t just a collection of personal memories and drummers complimenting each other; the filmmakers also take us drum shopping with one young female drummer, who introduces us do the “Drum Doctor,” Ross Garfield, who owns a massive collection of new and used drums and can tune them exactly to the sound the user is looking for, both in the studio and on stage. There’s also a section of the film that deals with the impact that drum machines in the 1980s had on the sound of music when the human element was taken out of the rhythm of songs.
You don’t have to have an obsession with drummers to enjoy the movie, but you do have to have a curiosity about the elements that go into great music, and it’s nearly impossible not to get swept up in the enthusiasm these players exhibit, both behind their kits and in front of a camera.
The film is now available On Demand.
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