70s Prog Drumming to Modern Ears

I'd say Billy Cobham and to a lesser extent, Mitch Mitchell, were the pioneers that fueled the generations of jazz-influenced rock drummers.  They brought the fluidicity and chops of jazz drumming into the rock drumming lexicon.  Today's crop of drummers has merely built upon those influences while becoming even more technically proficient.

HarbouringTheSoul wrote: There haven't been any real quantum leaps in drumming since the jazz days of Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich etc.

I like spice of life variety.  And the 70's had it in spades.   Where are the melodic drummers like Bruford today? Where are the off beat drummers,  that could play a drum fill like Bonham? So unexpected, but better than anything I could imagine, given 30 years.    Decades later,  I can still recall the rhythums, and drum fills these guys created and played.   Hell,  I love "Radar Love,"  especially for the memorable drum riffs.   The 70's had memorable music at every level.  From pop to prog.    I was talking music with a young man not long ago.   He was telling me how much better today's singers and drummers are.   He said,  " They just sing with more emotion and...",  then he stopped and pointed at my stereo and said, "  Like that guy's voice just doesn't cut it, and the drummer can't keep a steady beat."       I said, " OMG you just dissed Robert Plant and John Bonham!"   He seemed pleased that he had sent me into a gut busting belly laugh...  I said, "Ok, Dustin.   Think of two or three of your all time favorite new songs.   Pick one.   Can you hum it, or sing it for me?"    He replied, " Sure I can."   After 3 or 4 mumbled attempts,  I could see a puzzled look cross his face.   " I don't why I can't remember it just now.  Wierd.  "  was all he said.              I thought , " Ummm,  I could probably hum, or sing 1000 songs from the 60's and 70's.   Todays music is hard to remember."

And if you think you can't find "variety" in modern music just try Perhaps Contraption, Asillimaav (spelling?) Vasarat, Don Cab, Volta- sh*t, you can even find variety in underground hip-hop like BusDriver.

Smurph wrote: Everyone needs to just listen to Zach Hill. Modern drummer, plays tight sometimes, but also has the ability to be loose as hell. He changes tempos, styles, time signatures, all effortlessly while throwing in as much sh*t as possible. If you think that "all drumming has been done before" you need to check him out. His main influence is Christian Vander, but he takes it a few steps farther. Most drummers aren't even in good enough shape to play what he plays.

Stevo wrote: I think the drum and guitar work of yesterday still show well against today's.  What has changed is musical taste.  I think Collin's work on Selling is some of the best ever , but that light and loose style doesn't seem to be in favor any more. While he could play it heavy too, as on Fripp's Exposure album, or certain BrandX pieces,  its the Genesis stuff that stands out for me.  Giles playing on ITCOCK is similar in my estimation. Speed and power seems to be the preference today.  Same for guitars.  On the surface, the guitar players today seems to have come a long way with the likes of Satriani, Petrucci, Malmsteen and a host of other shredders, but are any of them as versatile and musical as Howe?  Its a taste difference more than a skillset difference.

Edited by spknoevl - February 22 2012 at 12:31

AlexDOM wrote: All I know is know from what I've heard of classic prog is nothing comes close to the drumming by Mike Portnoy on Train of Thought

Stevo wrote: ... On the surface, the guitar players today seems to have come a long way with the likes of Satriani, Petrucci, Malmsteen and a host of other shredders, but are any of them as versatile and musical as Howe?  Its a taste difference more than a skillset difference.

Edited by moshkito - February 22 2012 at 13:11

Bah, read Stream of Consciousness for some reason. 

I think so.