The Underrated

Ian Anderson is not underrated, every album can't be a cracker.

Individuals, the plural being the point.

Can't agree with that. It depends completely on the balance between the individuals.

Most things that Ian Anderson does work well. But this was one that didn't.

When i think of under-rated drummers, the one that comes to mind right away is Jo Koinzer from  German jazz-rock band Brainstorm.
          His name is never mentioned, and when you hear him, you will wonder why? He has a complex technique that is aggressive, but intricate in the same breath.

Nick Mason is one of my favorite drummers. There's something to be said about restraint that a few people here obviously don't understand. One person mentioned that they had never been "blown away by his percussion abilities". That's fine, but you should be blown away by his impeccable understanding of time, atmosphere, groove, and tastefulness. Otherwise, you're just a shallow listener.

As far as underrated players go, Bill Frisell instantly comes to mind. This guy can play anything and has worked with so many different artists and genres, having an uncanny knack for leaving his fingerprint on anything that he's a part of. He's released some great solo albums and worked with John Zorn (and part of Naked City from '86-'03), Dave Holland, Elvin Jones, Jack DeJohnette, Elvis Costello, John Scofield, Ginger Baker, Michael Shrieve, Mike Stern, Ron Carter, Paul Motian, among countless others, and he even appears on an Allen Ginsberg album of poetry and spoken word. Bill Frisell is one of the best living guitarists around today, and hardly anyone knows who he is because he's so humble.

^ true, and it's not The Flower Kings or The Tangent

esky wrote: Billy Pilgrim wrote: I'm sorry but I find Mason to be a bore at times. Never has he ever just blew me away with his percussion abilities. In fact, Mason himself didn't view himself as a top drummer. He gets the job done, but that's it. Not this argument again. Frankly, Mason just needed to be who he was to help make the Floyds great. He's a great musician without necessarily having to be a great drummer. He's also a gentleman and leading statesman among the elder group of prog dignitaries. He's an international treasure (and his steady beat behind the Floyds never caused me alarm).

Billy Pilgrim wrote: I'm sorry but I find Mason to be a bore at times. Never has he ever just blew me away with his percussion abilities. In fact, Mason himself didn't view himself as a top drummer. He gets the job done, but that's it.

Not this argument again. Frankly, Mason just needed to be who he was to help make the Floyds great. He's a great musician without necessarily having to be a great drummer. He's also a gentleman and leading statesman among the elder group of prog dignitaries. He's an international treasure (and his steady beat behind the Floyds never caused me alarm).