Conor Oberst + Jim Keltner

I just realized why I'm so smitten with the drumming on the new Conor Oberst album: the drummer (and producer) is Jim Keltner, the very great session drummer who played on classic albums by Lennon, Dylan, Traveling Wilburys, and on two of my favorite Bill Frisell albums (whihc I love largely because Keltner plays on them).

Keltner is kinda the king of 4/4 grooves, with this subtle touch that makes his notes sound unlike anyone else's, no matter what he's playing.  And then he has these couple of signature fills--one is a king of diminishing snare bounce--that I've never heard anyone else repeat.  He's a drummer who seems to be keeping time, but is really creating texture and depth.  Oberst's music--which is, musically speaking, not particularly ground breaking (Oberst is deeply, reverentially wedded to the folk/rock traditions)--is profoundly enhanced by Keltner's playing--he's a transformative musician.