Never mind.....
 

Solsbury Hill.

I think it's like when somebody eats the same food that they really, really love every single day.  Eventually, that person is gonna get sick of it and want something else!

I'm not a big fan of Dream Theater but I love Mike's drumming with Neal Morse, especially on the Testimony Live DVD.  I know Neal is a big fan of drums and he encourages MP to go overboard at times, which he definately does (and I'm glad!), but he also plays for the songs.  There are some very pop moments on this DVD where he plays a straight groove, moments where he uses soft mallets on the toms and also times he uses Hot Rods (or something to that effect).

I just watched the DVD again and I'd say based on that, he has his share of variety.  Sure he isn't like Gadd (who is), but he can jump between Neal Morse and LTE or Dream Theater so he's not totally one-dimensional. 

HA!! That is funny, maybe that is a sign of how relevant my post was!?! My connection has been bouncing all day so I'll try to post again.

 

Your post is invisible to me unless I quote it.
Twighlight Zone? Or proof of the awesome power of Vinnie over other drummers.
 

Thanks Chris,

For some reason I could see it when I went to modify it but would not show up when I posted...Strange.

Well I was actualyl responding to Felix's post where is said he was kind of burnt on all the notes stuff..Anyway here it is..(I hope)

FELIX WROTE:
"I really hope some day I can get fired up again about progressive playing.  I just can't seem to get off on alot of notes right now.   The Steve Smith clinic was a shot in the arm but fizzled quickly with me.  I zone out on Sirius 35 "chill" channel which is mostly beat box 2/4 and some reggae/shuffle grooves."

I tend to be at the same spot. Had the very same conversation with my guitarist buddy last night. We both went through our million notes period, but at some point that stopped doing it for me. One of the best shows I've seen in a long while was the other night when I saw The Smithereens (free concert too). Rhythmically, they don't do anything very complex but they are just a very good band, very tight. Dennis Diken is a great drummer, he is very solid, his time is like a rock,  his playing is very crisp and when he wants to he can open up with some pretty strong chops.

I never really appreciated them when they were in their heyday because I was into a lot of notes and stuff, so I'm glad I had this opportunity to see them in a new light.

Not that I'm against anything that Vinnie C. or any of those guys do. In fact for a long while I pretty much only listened to that stuff. (Weckl, Chambers, etc..) The Karizma CD was in my car for a long time and I really liked it (altough I still can't remember where it came from)

I have to admit, these days I start to fade out when I listen to a lot of busy stuff. I guess it is all cyclical, maybe I'll come back around to it again someday, or maybe I'm just getting old and lazy-my mind no longer wants to work at listening.
It used to be that I would hear something very busy or something intricate and it was a challenge to figure out. I would hang in there until I got it no matter how long it took, it was a feeling of accomplishment when things clicked. Then at some point it started feeling more like a chore, then it was enough to know I could figure it out if I had to, but preferred not to.

A few years ago when the left foot clave' thing was kind of new (and not yet terribly overused) I started delving into that. That was fun for a while then I realized it wasn't really worth the effort for me. I was in a rut and looking for inspiration so I called one of my old teachers who was always into new and challenging things and told him I was in a rut. He said "well I know what will get you out of it, I've got some really cool left foot clave' exercises that will really open you up."  I politely declined.

Hi Kevin.  Good post.  I agree totally 

We have to do what we have to do to make drumming enjoyable for us- no matter what it is.  Cause if we don't it will make one crazy... right?

I was watching VH1's history of rock n roll series this weekend some and really enjoyed seeing the punk era again.  I love the raw angst and angry frustrations of the human condition expressed as a rock n roll song.  I love a band that truly is a band and not a bunch of session cats getting together to make the next prog record then disband.  Honesty in music, devoid of ego transends talent technique I think.

YMMV