Alan White vs. Bill Bruford

The better player on Yes was BillBurford as well. You all use the argument of CTTE, and forget that BB didn't have much energy for it, why he left. But when we look at Fragile AND The Yes Album, where BillBurford's technical but musical drumming really shines, we have to come to the conclusion that alan white's drumming is, in comparison, a tad 'empty'. There is simply a lot less to listen to.

Let's not forget that Bill Bruford shines on Heart of the Sunrise, Starship Trooper and Five Percent for Nothing. Those first two songs really did sound empty on Yessongs(and on the keys to ascension DVD) compared to the studio versions with BB.

Looking at individual performance, Alan White REALLY sucks. He doesn't play anything that you can listen to and be amazed. He just 'thunders' and that's it.

JrKASperov wrote: Looking at individual performance, Alan White REALLY sucks. He doesn't play anything that you can listen to and be amazed. He just 'thunders' and that's it.

I don't think that's true at all. White plays some pretty odd metered rhythms that would be beyond the scope of many rock drummers. Give the man his due, he does not SUCK. Even THUNDER takes talent.

danbo wrote: JrKASperov wrote: Looking at individual performance, Alan White REALLY sucks. He doesn't play anything that you can listen to and be amazed. He just 'thunders' and that's it. I don't think that's true at all. White plays some pretty odd metered rhythms that would be beyond the scope of many rock drummers. Give the man his due, he does not SUCK. Even THUNDER takes talent.

I just can't realize the idea that a musician who performed with one of the greatest prog band, and in various recordings as well as in live performances, really sucks... Maybe it's not as good as Bruford, but to states his "suckkiness" takes a lot of nerve.

mirco wrote: danbo wrote: JrKASperov wrote: Looking at individual performance, Alan White REALLY sucks. He doesn't play anything that you can listen to and be amazed. He just 'thunders' and that's it. I don't think that's true at all. White plays some pretty odd metered rhythms that would be beyond the scope of many rock drummers. Give the man his due, he does not SUCK. Even THUNDER takes talent. I just can't realize the idea that a musician who performed with one of the greatest prog band, and in various recordings as well as in live performances, really sucks... Maybe it's not as good as Bruford, but to states his "suckkiness" takes a lot of nerve.

Now, hold that thought just for a minute...
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What about Phil Collins

Collins doesn't sucks. He is doing such a wonderful job with Disney....

I saw the match actually.It was 2-0 for Brufford.And I am a drummer too.For me the passion,aproach and ideas is more important than pure technique.

Maybe my  opinion is more influenced by personal bias, because I, being a drummer,  sent to Bruford one e-mail message to his official website, and he was kind, because he replied  this e-mail message (well, he at least he said to  his assistant personnel to reply me;but it  was clear for me that Bruford read my message). I sent an e-mail message to Alan White to his official website. He never sent a reply to me!  (Well, maybe he receives a lot of e-mail messages everyday and maybe he doesn`t have enough time to reply to all).

Many drummers in albums have been my "teachers", so I find good things in every drummer I have listened to. I consider Bruford  better than White, technically speaking. But both have different styles of playing. Bruford has a lot of influence from Jazz. In fact, now he is a full time Jazz drummer with his band. White is more a Rock drummer, with a lot of power in his playing. He was a session musician before he joined YES, for artists like Joe Cocker, John Lennon, George Harrison, Gary Wright, etc. So, IMO, he was very "experimented" playing Rock when he was asked to join YES. It`s amazing, IMO, what he did in the "Yessongs" album. IMO, Bruford found his real place in King Crimson. White`s best playing with YES is in the "Relayer" album. Bruford was amazing since the first YES`s  album.

Edited by Guillermo

I have two answers: to hear in solo, i prefer Bruford but with Yes i really vote for White, he is more in the Yes sound.

I saw White live with Yes, great drummer, very energic.

i like alan whites style. but. both drummers are very talented. but the prize goes to bruu! BRUU I LOVE YOU

I 've  been playing not only drums since I was in diapers but Bruford was the ONLY drummer that scared the pants off me. Why don't you Bruford opponents just keep your traps shut?