Azizi,

**Given the importance of the percussive beat in much of African American music, including gospel music, imo, a discussion about the drum in African American history is not off topic...and even if it were off topic, it still could be discussed here and elsewhere...**

Your right that it isn't off topic for this thread, which is why I posted it hear.But on the "Gospel Music is Gaelic?" thread where we discussed the drumming subject, you implied yourself that it was off topic for that specific look at black gospel.

You said on the "Gospel Music is Gaelic?" thread, 15 Jul 06-05:04Am:

"The topic of Black Gospel is very important to me, and I admit to getting swept away in the history of that topic more than in your specific question of the Gaelic roots of that music form.I very much recognize that this general discussion is far afield from the specific topic of gospel music in gaelic.If this thread remains open, I'll limit any comments I make to that specific topic" (paragraphs put together)

The above comments you said earlier, give the impression that you would only discuss things relating to the Gaelic roots of gospel from that point on (meaning you would no longer discuss the drumming issue on that thread).So it is only logical if I wanted to continue the drumming discussion with you, that I continue it in a thread where you would be willing to talk about it.

You then said on the following post, 15 Jul 06-10:19 AM:

"I have enjoyed all of this discussion that has occured in this thread, and may continue to provide comments here-but if so, they will be on topic."

You were implying with this statement that the things you discussed that didn't deal with the specific issue of Gaelic roots in gospel were off topic (this would of course include our discussion on drumming).Because of your comments, which imply that the "drumming discussion" we had was off topic (on that thread), I decided I should answer you in another spot.Hence discussing the drumming parts here.

I'll bang away at our drumming disagreement next post coming very soon...