Masters Of Resonance

"Masters of Resonance" is a compelling 2018 documentary that brilliantly blends music and the craft of drum-making into a captivating narrative. The film entwines the passion for the musical arts and craftsmanship, focusing on the gateway between the same spirit that drives a sound designer like John Good and iconic drummers like Tommy Clufetos.

This cinematic journey, directed by Jeremy Bout and produced by Nick Hector, is centered on an intricate crafting process that highlights the intricate interplay between the artists and the instruments. The primary protagonist in the narrative is John Good, the co-founder of Drum Workshop (also known as DW Drums), a drums manufacturing company based in Oxnard, California. Good is widely recognized as a visionary drum designer and passionate wood whisperer.

"Masters of Resonance" opens with a mesmerizing and awe-inspiring scene where Good carries out the discovery of a fallen Romanian oak tree that had been resting in a river bed for centuries. Seeing the potential in this centuries-old wood, Good and his team painstakingly transform it into a set of beautiful DW drums with spectacular resonance. The film beautifully depicts this process of crafting high-quality drums as a labor of love, highlighting the painstaking amount of effort that goes into carving, tuning, and finishing a drum kit.

Tommy Clufetos, who serves as the drummer for Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's band, joins Good in the story. Clufetos is presented as an ardent disciple of drumming, revealing his extraordinary fervor for the craft. His segments in the documentary provide brilliant insights into the drummer's perspective of playing, bringing a unique viewpoint and profound appreciation for the artistry behind creating these musical instruments.

Throughout the duration of the film, Good shares his love for wood and how the creative journey of a drum starts from the tree it comes from. He talks about the sonic properties different woods possess and how they contribute to the distinct sound that every drum produces. Moreover, he illustrates how the right drum can augment and support a drummer's skills, adding depth to their performances.

Good's exploration of the fallen tree reveals not just its age, but also its unique acoustic characteristics. He notes the uniqueness of the Romanian oak, highlighting the exceptional tone and musicality concealed within it. This meticulous exploration and discovery process ultimately crafts a unique connection between the tree, the drum it becomes, and the drummer who utilizes it to create music.

"Masters of Resonance" delves into the relationship between musicians, their instruments, and the creators of those instruments, revealing an interconnected realm of creativity and craftsmanship. Its strength lies in its ability to reveal that the music we hear and the drums we see on stage are not merely inanimate objects. Rather, these instruments carry their own stories and histories, serving as a bond between the past and the present.

The film also captures the intense preparations leading up to the final performance at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, where Clufetos performs on the kit that was made specifically from the felled Romanian Oak. A highlight in the film, this buildup strategically balances anticipation and payoff, providing a pinnacle moment in the narrative journey.

"Masters of Resonance" is an exquisitely shot documentary, serving as a tribute not just to musicians and the art of drumming, but also to the artisans and makers who spend their lives crafting the instruments that make music possible. Music lovers, drumming enthusiasts and craftsmen alike would surely find themselves enthralled by the storyline, the passion, the dedication, and the creativity that this documentary encapsulates.

In the end, the film wraps up to reveal the message it intended to convey: the instruments we cherish are not merely tools but meticulously crafted works of art with their own stories - stories of resonance, of people, of history and of music.