Peart, Portnoy, Bruford...Harrison?
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Music Lounge
Forum Description: General progressive music discussions
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=37284
Printed Date: August 11 2025 at 09:05
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Peart, Portnoy, Bruford...Harrison?
Posted By: E-Dub
Subject: Peart, Portnoy, Bruford...Harrison?
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 07:12
|
I made it through the new Porcupine Tree this morning on my way in and I like it. Not sure where it will fall alongside PT's past and/or future work, but it's good stuff.
That being said, when will Harrison be mentioned among the elite drummers because I feel this guy is every bit as good as the ones mentioned in the title of this thread. What a smooth, clean style this guy has and it enhances the band's sound greatly. He's just able to seamlessly blend the finesse style of a Copeland or Porcaro, with the power of a Peart or Portnoy. I've just always dug a drummer who says a lot with their drumming. Even when there's no flashy drum fills he's keeping time with some whacked out hi-hat rhythm or adding a nice splash cymbal here and there. I'm still a huge Peart fan, but Harrison may have just caught up with him after this. E ------------- 
|
Replies:
Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 07:34
|
I'm by no means a drum expert but Harrison hasnt grabed my attention in the way that Portnoy, Bruford and Jon Theodore have. I'll give Deadwing and FoaBP a couple more listens specifically listening to the drums but I'm not expecting a reverlation.
------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005 
|
Posted By: iguana
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 07:38
|
spot on, mate. gavin harrison is certainly a heir to the throne.
his drumming is impeccably dextrous, avoiding being overtly-flash but with a fine sense for little details and accents. his playing on quiet tracks like “glass arm shattering“ brings tears to my eyes. drumming must be good for one's health – obviously a nice work-out (can't say, never had the opportunity to sit down at a drum set), because gavin harrison may be a heir to the throne, but everyone (pruford, palmer, paice, portnoy, phillips – what is it about P's in drummer's names anyway??? – R.I.P. powell & porcaro!) isn't ready to step down yet  ------------- progressive rock and rural tranquility don't match. true or false? |
Posted By: progismylife
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 07:39
| ^6 You do know its Bruford not Pruford, right? |
Posted By: iguana
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 07:53
we ARE senior members, aren't we??? i'm just trying to be silly, lighten up!  ------------- progressive rock and rural tranquility don't match. true or false? |
progismylife wrote:Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 08:00
|
That handful who caught the long interview with Jakko Jakszyk on the Alternative Alternative Show at the end of January would have heard the fulsome praise Jakko gave to Harrison. Harrison is on most of the tracks on Jakko's The Bruised Romantic Glee Club (voted by many as the best unlisted prog album of 2006) - not only does he have to provide a variety of drumming styles for Jakko's own compositions, the second CD of the set consists of covers of Krimson, Soft Machine and Henry Cow tunes Clearly far more than a one style prog drummer. ------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 08:02
and he certainly knows how to use his stick....
 |
Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 08:03
Dont read my above post too quickly....
|
Posted By: N Ellingworth
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 08:10
too late 
|
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 08:43
Memory lain - No-lan can do. ------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
Posted By: eckhart
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 08:57
| Gavin is the man. Another underrated drumer is Martin Lopez (formerly) of Opeth. Very tasteful stuff. |
Posted By: jmcdaniel_ee
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 09:02
Harrison doesn't play a lot of over the top fills, and doesn't feel like he needs to proove himself by showing off his technique. Playing what needs to be played, no matter how simple, is a high mark of maturity. Bruford was credited as a co-author to the King Crimson improv "Trio" on S&BB because he was there at the kit and decided not to play a single note.
|
Posted By: Prog.Sylvie
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 09:18
 Gavin is the man !
 I am not at all a drummer expert, but after seeing several drummers in two time at the Mtl Drum.Fest, I can say without a doubt that Gavin is certainly the drummer of the hour.
A mixe of complexity, subtility, and power. He likes to explain what he is doing and he likes to teach. ------------- C'est la vie |
Posted By: Prog-jester
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 09:24
| Roberto Leoni(THE WATCH), Daney Carey(TOOL) and Gavin are my favourite drummers now.Just check the Rockpalazt DVD - he's spectacular!!! Much better than their previous one!!! |
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 09:35
| Peart called his playing "exquisite", if I recall. Great description - the man plays clean and precise, he is certainly climbing up my list of favorite drummers. |
Posted By: E-Dub
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 09:49
I've just always loved that style of playing. Just very crisp with a focus on getting the job done well rather than 'hey, feast your eyes on the drum platform and dig me!" Harrison seems like the type who simply wants to be a drummer and to be appreciated for it...nothing more. Truly a substance over style musician, in my opinion. E -------------
|
Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 10:02
|
I must say that i always felt that no one could touch Peart,until i really got into Bruford's work with King Crimson.I love Zonder and Portnoy as well.Harrison really impressed me on PT's latest dvd though. ------------- "The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN |
Posted By: E-Dub
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 10:38
Could you recommend some Bruford that I can sample so I can understand why he's regarded as such a great drummer? I'm obviously missing something. The guys great on the hi-hat and snare, but I've yet to be completely floored by him. E -------------
|
Posted By: chofel
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 11:10
| hey guys, I, as a drummer, can say that you can't forget phil collins... did you forget enesis and brand x !?!?!??! |
Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 11:12
|
"One more Red Nightmare" from "Red" or "Indiscipline" and "Frame by Frame" from "Discipline".I would describe Bruford's playing as intricate and complex.He doesn't pound away like Portnoy or Carrey can and do.Maybe Zonder's style is more like Bruford's. I just love to "listen" to Peart,Bruford and Zonder. ------------- "The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN |
Posted By: mr_johnny_lee
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 11:24
|
His drumming did catch my attention when I saw them on Sunday. ------------- Jon Sheffield, England (currently residing in Tokyo, Japan) |
Posted By: FruMp
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 11:31
|
If you want good drummers then you can look no further than metal. Do yourself a favour, grab a copy of unquestionable presence by Atheist and have a listen, I can guaranatee if you're listening for the drumming you'll be impressed within the first 20 seconds - jazzy as hell yet death metal. Steve Flynn is my drum god. ------------- 
|
Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 11:35
|
There is no questioning Collins' drumming skills.A lot of the jazz/fusion drummers are pretty amazing.I also really like a lot of the Krautrock beats.Often employing 2-4 percussionists to create such hypnotic and mesmerizing rhythms. ------------- "The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN |
Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 11:38
|
Harrison, IMO, is the MOST under-rated drummer out today. I strongly feel he deserves more accolades than most people give him. ------------- 
|
Posted By: Prog.Sylvie
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 11:45
I don't listen to death metal. ------------- C'est la vie |
Posted By: FruMp
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 11:48
Not many people do which is why such talent is often ignored or shunned because of the genre. -------------
|
Posted By: Prog.Sylvie
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 11:52
I know what you mean, but when you are 46 years old, like me, Death Metal is not "notre tasse de café", or "our bag".  ------------- C'est la vie |
Posted By: FruMp
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 12:13
|
I don't think age is a barrier to musical tastes really, some would say I'm too young to be listening to bands like jethro tull at 19.
-------------
|
Posted By: jmcdaniel_ee
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 12:23
I like Bruford because of what he chooses to play, not necessarily how he plays it. (His style stands out to me more than his technical musical prowess.) There are countless sections where he doesn't play standard drum patterns. Stewart Copeland is similar, but more aggresive and flashy. Bill's instinct and taste at what to play and when has always impressed me. He also has a great sense of nuance and attention to detail. Listen to Yes's "Your's is No Disgrace" and notice the 2 times the lyric comes in "Yesterday, a morning came..." The song would've been much less interesting if he would've played it the same way twice. Listen to Crimson's improv title track from Starless and Bible Black: he holds back for most of the song, which makes the driving part so much more interesting.
|
Posted By: E-Dub
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 12:34
OK, I've got both Red and Discipline, so this'll be easy. E -------------
|
Posted By: rushaholic
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 12:52
| I maybe need to add another drummer to my sig... |
Posted By: E-Dub
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 14:01
In fear of turning this into a Bruford thread, I'm just about through Red and still haven't been completely wowed by Bruford. Don't get me wrong...the guy is very good; however, besides a couple of times when he tinkers around on the kit, his style isn't distinguishable to me. I hear Peart and know that it's Peart. Same goes for Portnoy, Harrison, Katché, Porcaro, etc. I wish I heard what you guys hear, but I don't. E iTunes: "Starless" from KC's Red -------------
|
Posted By: Anguiad
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 14:33
|
I am by no means a PT fan or drum expertise, yet I will pay more attention to this underrated drummer. I somehow believed the greatness of the Tree relied only on Mr. Wilson. Maybe I'll have to reconsider.
Another underrated drummer is Mark Zonder, though I can tell some of you do recognise his talent. His tempo styles are so weird and accurate! I also agree that Martin Lopez from Opeth should be considered one of the best. As far as metal goes, he is outstanding.
This can be true. But not always. It tends to be so repetitive that jazz and progressive drumming seems more spicy to me. I don't know if it is better, but surely not as repetitive as metal. ------------- "Tis your birth and faith that wrong you...not I." |
Posted By: Atomic_Rooster
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 14:45
|
I don't know about Harrison as a drummer, he's not nearly as creative as the others mentioned in the title (ok so maybe Portnoy), but I would put him near the likes of Anglagard's drummer (whatever his name is), but let's face it, there are many many great drummers who are better than Harrison. Chris Cutler (Henry Cow, Art Bears...),for instance, would beat him easily in creativity if not in technique (he still might) And BILLY COBHAM would eat him alive (Dude plays with 4 STICKS!!!) technically and creatively (Dude knows how to jam). ------------- I am but a servant of the mighty Fripp, the sound of whose loins shall forever be upon the tongues of his followers. |
Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 14:50
He´s the best when it comes to playing... and NOt playing ------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?" 
|
Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 14:55
 I don't really think you've heard enough of Harrison's playing. He is very creative and a monster drummer, when he wants to be. His ability to play grace notes or not play is top notch and ranks with some jazz drumming greats. My opinion of him chagned tremdously after watching the "Arriving Somewhere..." DVD. And some of the beats he's created are very syncopated. More so than most drummers out there today.
-------------
|
Posted By: darkmatter
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 14:57
He was great when he played Hatesong on Arriving Somewhere...!  |
Posted By: Atomic_Rooster
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 15:23
I'm not saying that he's bad, but in fact, quite good. He is Drummer among drummers, but he isn't quite at the level of the Drummer-Gods, though he's got plenty of time to get there. ------------- I am but a servant of the mighty Fripp, the sound of whose loins shall forever be upon the tongues of his followers. |
Posted By: Sasquamo
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 16:22
| His knowledge of rhythms and polyrhythm is almost definitely higher than that of Bruford, Portnoy, or Peart. As far as technical skill goes, from what I've heard I think he's definitely better than Bruford, possibly better than Portnoy, and probably better than Peart in his earlier years, but not now after Peart really learned how to play well. |
Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 16:28
Personally, I think Bruford was always great, but it was with Discipline when I really opened my ears to him and gave him my heart... Now, in all seriousnece, I like his post 80 stuff better, I think he developed into what we now know is his style. He always was great, but in the 70 it was way more subtle, in Discipline he really makes have music orgasmns ------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?"
|
Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 16:41
Much to learn you still have ------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?"
|
Posted By: Sasquamo
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 16:45
| Oh whoops, wrong answer. |
Posted By: Fight Club
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 18:02
|
Did anyone hear know that Gavin Harrison toured with Renaissance? He auditioned along with a ton of people, but got in by default because he was the only to learn The Song of Scheherezade in it's entirety ------------- 
|
Posted By: Shakespeare
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 18:36
And remove Bonham  ! |
Posted By: Atomic_Rooster
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 19:05
I second that! ------------- I am but a servant of the mighty Fripp, the sound of whose loins shall forever be upon the tongues of his followers. |
Posted By: Uroboros
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 19:25
I've heard about that. The man has been involved in many different things: the collaboration with Jakko Jakszyk, some project called Dyzrhythmia (not to be mistaken for Dysrhythmia), an instrumental solo album (I think) and some dvd's of which I have the latest. It's indeed very instructive - he develops some very interesting and potentially useful concepts about interlocking rhythms played in odd time signatures... you know, things that are very prog and we drummers like to hear about.
 Besides those things, I believe there's a large number of studio sessions that he's taken part in over the years, before joining PT (he's not exactly new in the business).On a more personal note, he has been my main musical influence for the past year at least. I didn't even pay much attention to his playing at first, but with time, playing PT's latest records and playing the drums myself in parallel, I began noticing that I was unconsciously using similar "tricks" because they sounded great and seemed like the most elegant solutions in some contexts. His influence somehow seems to fit my own vocabulary very well and helps me to expand it further - at least that's how I feel. I'm particularly in love with his cymbal work (extremely fluid and colourful) and his tasteful, concise double bass drum solutions. The fact that the kit I play now is very similar to what he uses (Sonor drums, mostly Zildjian cymbals) is even nicer, because I can try some of his patterns and get a similar sound for them.
His playing is not immensely complicated (actually it is, but it's still discernible and approachable to an extent if you want to play it yourself), but he is extremely proficient and could get very nasty if he were to play in, say, some wild jazz fusion context. And, most importantly, he has style. He truly does, and he's come to play like no other drummer today.
------------- Tous les chemins qui s’ouvrent à moi ne mènent à rien si tu n’es plus là |
Posted By: lighthouse
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 21:21
|
Give me great feel & placement over flash any day , I only like incredible chops on the drums in small doses .. which is why Phil Ehart from Kansas is my favorite drummer , that porcupine tree drummer is great ! he really is what I like , capable but restraint for the sake of the music. Peart is my text book to cutting edge drumming , when I listen to Pearl I`m not doing so purely for entertainment value I`m studying him to make myself a better drummer. Bruford is very complex , try emulating him behind a kit his attention to detail is amazing there's much to Bruford's style that I admire mostly his counterpoint Portnoy is a show of his own, hes great and his inspired so many younger drummers to raise the bar and rise up ...Copeland is in that special class , not many drummers can be so complex and still maintain commercial success , hes tasty snappy rock/reggae Copelands style seems to have inspired Peart with songs like "Digital Man" being released around the same period the Police were huge. There`s some absolute freak drummers out there.. .
|
Posted By: asimplemistake
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 21:51
|
Harrison is one of my favorites. I'm no drummer, but I've seen a lot of videos of him and I really like what he does. He's amazing at polyrythems but that doesn't get shown off much with PT. It is cool that he doesn't show off, cause it shows that he cares about fitting in with the music and really adding to it a lot. The drumming on "The Sound of Muzak" is maybe my favorite ever. |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 23:23
|
I think so. At least for me he moved into my top drummers list.
I still prefer Bruford, Collins, and maybe Palmer to him...but very impressive stuff all around. ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: FruMp
Date Posted: April 27 2007 at 02:41
That couldn't be further from the truth in this case, and anyway Atheist are a progressive band. -------------
|
Posted By: frippster
Date Posted: May 01 2007 at 18:46
|
IMO Gavin Harrison is a fantastic drummer with impeccable musical taste and an uncanny ability to play what suits the music around him (much like BB). I'm not a drummer son I can't rate his technique. I don't know about "best ever", or "better than", I like his drumming almost as much as Bruford's and Peart's. Portnoy may be more skilled, fast and loud, but I'd definitely vote for Harrison in a one on one. In terms of age, Bruford is near 60, Peart near 50, right? whereas Portnoy and Harrison are in their late thirties?? just thinking about generations and torches being passed... |
Posted By: PTguitarist
Date Posted: May 01 2007 at 19:10
|
ALL OF YOU SAYING GAVIN DOESN'T DESERVE THE RESPECT THAT THE OTHER DRUMMERS MENTIONED HAVE...WATCH THESE, you WILL change your mind!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tzxn0WYkQ6o - http://youtube.com/watch?v=tzxn0WYkQ6o
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GTy_Bm0o3Ew - http://youtube.com/watch?v=GTy_Bm0o3Ew
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xN43Q9a82mY - http://youtube.com/watch?v=xN43Q9a82mY ------------- 
|
Posted By: Prog.Sylvie
Date Posted: May 01 2007 at 20:25
|
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVEFEpETaOM - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVEFEpETaOM
Harrison with PT. ------------- C'est la vie |
Posted By: Prog.Sylvie
Date Posted: May 01 2007 at 20:26
|
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAzzQKwjK5s - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAzzQKwjK5s
Gavin playing cymbals. ------------- C'est la vie |
Posted By: Atomic_Rooster
Date Posted: May 01 2007 at 20:55
Actually I did change my mind, he actually is as good as Phil Collins ( )
------------- I am but a servant of the mighty Fripp, the sound of whose loins shall forever be upon the tongues of his followers. |
Posted By: PTguitarist
Date Posted: May 01 2007 at 21:39
Two thumbs wayy down for you!
If you don't agree with my opinions you can burn in hell! -------------
|
Posted By: Atomic_Rooster
Date Posted: May 01 2007 at 21:46
May the Fripp show mercy on you for your thumbs down.   - three clowns and a little red man with horns for you------------- I am but a servant of the mighty Fripp, the sound of whose loins shall forever be upon the tongues of his followers. |
Posted By: hellfan
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 03:46
|
John Bonham
|
Posted By: E-Dub
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 06:36
Man, those are awesome!!! There is so much more to drumming than speed. This guy has such a feel for rhythm and uses everything on his kit....but wisely. I've watched a ton of stuff like this...Bruford still impresses me the least. E -------------
|
Posted By: EliasMisael
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 11:00
My personal favorite is The Professor Neil Peart (he plays in my favorite band and we share birthday! ). As an Opeth fanboy I'll miss Martin Lopez's groove and cymbal orchestration (and to think that I hated his entrance to this fantastic band  On My Arms Yours Hearse because I blamed him for having changed Opeth's sound And here I am ten years later missing his sound).
But these recent discoveries(thanks to internet): Gavin Harrison is a really talented drummer, his playing is very clear and accurate (Listen to Anesthetize or Mother And Child Divided for example). Zoltan Csörsz is another amazing drummer (His work with The Flower Kings and Karmakanic are awesome) On the other hand Morgan Ågren is really a drum freak and can really play weird time signatures http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWmFS_9fGRY - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWmFS_9fGRY as if nothing happened!!!
Respect for all of them!!! ------------- "...Basic temperamental filters on our eyes Alter our perceptions Lenses polarize..." 
|
Posted By: fungusucantkill
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 15:51
|
How about Zach Hill...or am i supposed to choose out of the ones given. if that's the case then Bruford. -------------  
|
Posted By: scott_c
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 16:29
|
When I saw PT the other week, being a guitarist I'll admit I didn't pay too much attention, but my drummer mate who was with me kept pointing things out, little intricacies in Harrisons playing, like playing rhythmn sections on his snare with his fingers, and the fact that he was in 17/16 time or something stupid like that. He was also TIGHT with the bassist. His playing was solid, his fills were brilliant, and he's a decent person to boot, when we met him after the gig. I'd say he's definetly one of the best drummers around today. |
Posted By: prog4evr
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 23:38
For earlier Bruford, 'Heart of the Sunrise' off of Fragile is representative - especially the beginning in sync with Howe's guitar and Wakeman's keyboards. Select tracks on the first U.K. album, especially 'Nevermore,' is also good for showing off some chops. For 1980s KC, his drum work on 'Requiem' from Beat shows just how phenomenal of a jazz drummer the man is. Likewise, his collaboration with Patrick Moraz, especially the track "Split Seconds" off of Music for Piano and Drums, marks him as one of the most musical jazzy (prog) drummers of this rock era. The man can be a good metronome to steady the beat in many other songs as well; maybe you think he is 'just' a metronome, but he is so much more!
|
Posted By: Drew
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 21:01
|
Sorry this is a bit late- but you need to watch this is you do not think Gavin is LEGIT! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDGaudGrugY - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDGaudGrugY ------------- |
Posted By: asimplemistake
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 22:18
|
I love Harrison. I'm a guitarist, yet when i see videos of him, I just really notice that everything looks perfect. Just everything he does seems to be perfect. Heres one of my favorite videos of him. This one he doesn't really show off too much, but really he kinda does. It's an extremely complicated song, yet its so beautiful, and his drums parts fit the music perfectly (in my opinion). http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/gavinharrison2.html - http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/gavinharrison2.html also go check out any other videos of him if you want to see amazing drum solos, cause he does those too. |
Posted By: Atomic_Rooster
Date Posted: May 04 2007 at 02:16
|
Yeah, he's as good as Ringo Starr ------------- I am but a servant of the mighty Fripp, the sound of whose loins shall forever be upon the tongues of his followers. |
Posted By: puma
Date Posted: May 05 2007 at 00:59
|
I really see a correlation between Bruford's style and Harrison's style, with the innovative beats and whacked out rhythms, except Harrison doesn't have that same overt jazz sensibility that Bruford has. But regardless, the 2 of them are among my favorite drummers, just for the sheer progressiveness of their playing. |
Posted By: purplepiper
Date Posted: June 15 2007 at 21:38
|
I'll go with bruford anyday. His strange rythyms and calculated insanity with kc were awesome. He may not be the 'best' (maybe he is), but his style grabs my attention the best for some reason. ------------- for those about to prog, we salute you. |
Posted By: Aspiring hope
Date Posted: July 14 2007 at 05:57
It's likely that you won't get a revelation out of that, more of an augmented appreciation. Get your hands on the Arriving Somewhere DVD, that's where the jaw-widening experience is located...specifically at Hatesong, but it'd be best not to skip the previous tracks. I always found the Greatest Prog Drummer of 2006 title dubious - though accepted due to the lack of larger competition - and sure, his playing on FoaBP was great and better than the previous two, but, hey, Chris Maitland had the inventiveness, the creative drive on his technical skill that Gavin's persona as a drummer couldn't match.....then, I tasted Arriving Somewhere and felt the need to swallow every word above.
If creative is the praise we're looking for, then that live exhibit truly demonstrates not only a technical masterpiece, but a genuine progressive drumwork.
However...if you're not a PT fan, then you'd probably rather invest your time and/or money on something else, but if so, and if you ever feel the need to check them out live, avoid the Rockpalast gig - not too bad, but really doesn't add much other to the fact that the band is in laudative synch, and Harrison's drumming isn't that impressive (relatively speaking). On a plus, if you feel like checking out their early days, go for Coma Divine Live - imo, outstanding.
 PS - I'm not a drum expert either, but, shhhh, don't tell anyone. -------------  |
Posted By: MajesterX
Date Posted: July 14 2007 at 11:10
|
Bill Bruford and Mike Portnoy have never really grabbed my personal attention all that much. It's people like Peart & Harrison that really lay out a great foundation yet they push the music into different ground in the way they make as much as they can of beats in melodic sections, without showing off with useless fills and solos. ------------- 
|
Posted By: Abstrakt
Date Posted: July 14 2007 at 11:11
| Bruford |
Posted By: Tales
Date Posted: July 14 2007 at 20:17
| I really liked Bruford with YES but his Crimson work is far less impressive, mostly just being unrehearsed free for all noise with Fripp et al. Peart has never impressed me. His drumming on Rush's first three albums is amateurish. He did improve on the more proggier albums like FTK & Hemisphere's but people like Bruford & Palmer were light years ahead. Portnoy is the most improved drummer that you mention and deserves to be mentioned with al the greats. |
Posted By: 1800iareyay
Date Posted: July 14 2007 at 20:26
|
I really just got into PT wil FoaBP, then I got Deadwing and In Absentia (Still tracking down Stupid Dream and Arriving Somewhere), and Harrison strikes me as the heir apparent of Bruford. Peart is the greatest drummer ever, but Bruford is teh king of subtlety. Regardless of who he plays with, he gels incredibly with the other musicians, and he never takes up too much space. Harrison reminds me a lot of that style of playing by playing incredibly complex material, but keeping it nearly hidden and making it sound almost simple. Modern drummers like Portnoy and Tool's Danny Carey keep alive the style of Peart and Palmer, but Harrison proves that subtlety has not been lost in the age of prog metal. I still prefer Carey, Portnoy, Bruford, and Peart over him though.
|
Posted By: Dim
Date Posted: July 14 2007 at 22:45
Besides anesthetize, I'll have to agree. ------------- 
|
Posted By: BePinkTheater
Date Posted: July 15 2007 at 10:10
|
He just controls the whole band with his groove. He is absolutely the most musical and intelligent drummer in any modern band I've heard.
------------- I can strangle a canary in a tin can and it would be really original, but that wouldn't save it from sounding like utter sh*t. -Stone Beard |
Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: July 16 2007 at 10:35
|
Well, my two favourite drummers have not been mentioned yet. No-one plays fill-ins that are as original as theirs, and their drumming is highly complex and fuill of polyrhythms. Also my favourite drummer was a master on xylophone, marimbaphone and vibraphone too. I saw both play live and was really impressed. And I don't get impressed easily, since I am quite a good drummer myself and don't think I have to hide from anyone. Moerlen not only played with Gong, by the way, he also played with Brand X and the Swedish band Tribute; also on some of Mike Oldfield's recordings. And Vander not only plays with Magma, but also has a jazz trio named after him in which he plays.
-------------  BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: JOE MORRIS
Date Posted: July 16 2007 at 13:15
|
ok here we go again, im not gonna argue just my opinion. Everyone has one. First of all Portnoy doesent even belong in the same list with Gavin, and Bruford. Neil I give kudos to because he is awesome on his gig. But thats it, outside of Rush neil is a very un-versatile drummer. But hey he kicks ass in Rush. Portnoy is way over rated guys. Go see him play live, its very disapointing. Gavin Harrison is freaking awesome, his feel for time sign is amazing. His over riding techniques are so cool and his independence is great, and smooth. He makes any time sig sound like four four and thats the true art form to play in odd time.
Bruford is a legend. So come on i vote for Bruford and Harrison. I am workign on Gavins dvd these days Rhythmic horizons. You have to already be a pretty good player to do it, but he is awesome
joe
Get over portnoy guys, i think pro tools are his best friends. ------------- JOE MORRIS |
Posted By: Visitor13
Date Posted: July 16 2007 at 14:09
|
Just a general remark - don't hesitate to name any of your favourite drummers, Peart, Harrison, Portnoy, Bruford, Moerlen, Vander, whoever... But there are lots and lots of bands in the archives, and plenty of bands that haven't been added yet. Most of them are quite obscure. So unless you've heard them all, please lay off the 'best/most technical/most creative/most original ever' - stuff...
As for myself - I like them all, more or less, with Bruford at the top of that group. |
Posted By: Evandro Martini
Date Posted: July 16 2007 at 15:29
|
To be honest, I don't like Porcupine Tree, and can't even pay attention to Harrison's drumming because the music, as a whole, fails to captivate me. Portnoy is great, but in DT I think he's quite repetitive. I wish he was always doing what he did in TransAtlantic! And I agree that his live playing is not that interesting. Most of you have forgotten the one that I consider the founder of the prog-drummers' school, Mr. Carl Palmer. Portnoy, Peart and many others have really imitated him, and I prefer the original. Peart can be more technic, but the sound Palmer took from his drums with ELP was unique. And he's still a great drummer. His concerts with Asia this year showed it. I had the luck to watch him live last March, and it's absolutely amazing. The drum solo left all the public wordless. Getting out of the concert, I heard many people comment stuff like: "I didn't know that drummer. And what a drummer he is! Need to know his records!" About Bruford, I still prefer his work with Yes than with KC or UK. Close to the Edge has the most perfect drumming I've ever heard. ------------- "You’ll never make any money playing music that people can’t sing.” Keith Emerson's father |
Posted By: ghost_of_morphy
Date Posted: July 16 2007 at 18:07
| I'm really surprised that nobody has mentioned Earthworks. Bruford's reputation has transcended the rock genre. |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: July 16 2007 at 18:14
|
^ I was so disappointed by 'All Heaven Broke Loose' that I didn't investigate further.
|
Posted By: JOE MORRIS
Date Posted: July 16 2007 at 18:20
|
I can't believe how many of you guys waiste your time on here agruing about other drummers. My advise to you is why don't you use that time to practice or network yourself so someday they will be arguing about you on here. joe Morris ------------- JOE MORRIS |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: July 16 2007 at 20:16
hahhahahha... no no no ... that would make too much sense.. mental masturbation is the name of the game here  though I would suggest that instead of arguing about those four.... people might start fully appreciating Carl Palmer. He smokes all of them.... ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: #1floydfan
Date Posted: July 20 2007 at 12:54
|
in my opinion i think niel pert is one of the most overrated drummers of all time now don't get me wrong when i say that hes still a great drummer but he's not nearly as amazing as everyone takes him to be... ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/jimbobismykitty/?chartstyle=basicrt10 - [IMG - http://imagegen.last.fm/basicrt10/recenttracks/jimbobismykitty.gif - |
Posted By: Tommy
Date Posted: July 20 2007 at 13:05
I agree that he gets too much credit. His drumming on earlier straight rock Rush albums like Fly By Night, Cares of Steel & 2112 is just straight forward time [run of the mill] keeping. He was clearly infuenced by the Bruford's, Palmer's & Bozzio's as is evident as Rush developed their sound into progressive rock but he was light years behind. His technique didn't progress as Rush's music became less challenging, In fact i'm sure drum machines are used on some of their 80's output. His solo's don't impress much either.
|
Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: July 20 2007 at 13:24
yes the whole world ıs wrong and you are rıght.
Over-rated? If anythıng he's UNDER-rated. If he wasnt ın Rush and ın another more hıp band he2d be deıfıed...
|
Posted By: queenlerxst
Date Posted: July 20 2007 at 15:46
What?
I've never heard a drummer whose parts are so entwined with the music and lyrics of a composition before.
------------- 
|
Posted By: queenlerxst
Date Posted: July 20 2007 at 15:48
|
Peart may not be the most technically proficient drummer out there, but from a song-writing point of view he is #1 to me. -------------
|
Posted By: 1800iareyay
Date Posted: July 20 2007 at 22:54
| Vinnie Colaiuta is the most technically skilled drummer IMO but Peart's in the top five. However, he keeps groove, which nearly every other technical drummer lacks. |
Posted By: #1floydfan
Date Posted: July 21 2007 at 18:07
|
im not saying he's a bad drummer he's still realy good he's just not like a god or anything that people take him to be ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/jimbobismykitty/?chartstyle=basicrt10 - [IMG - http://imagegen.last.fm/basicrt10/recenttracks/jimbobismykitty.gif - |
Posted By: Dim
Date Posted: July 21 2007 at 22:52
To your first line, TRUE
To your second line, besides Bruford true
-------------
|
Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: July 23 2007 at 12:09
Right. That is your opinion which you are entitled to.
He is a major influence on a great many drummers. I started playing because of his influence especially his creative and catchy fills and patterns. He is certainly not the most standout technical consistently (like YYZ or La Villa), but there are a great many songs he plays complicated licks subtly.
-------------
|
Posted By: ghost_of_morphy
Date Posted: July 23 2007 at 14:54
Let me tell you a story to put things into perspective for you. In the early '80's I went to see Buddy Rich with a drummer. The guy had never heard of Buddy Rich and had to be talked into going to see the show. He was a big Neil Peart fan and wasn't going to have anything to do with a jazz or big band drummer. When we left the show, the guy stopped at the table and picked up four albums. He told me on the way home that Buddy had done more with his simple kit than he'd ever heard Peart do with his huge one.
|
Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: July 23 2007 at 14:56
Interesting that Peart spearheaded the "Burning for Buddy" Tributes.
-------------
|
Posted By: Equality 7-2521
Date Posted: July 23 2007 at 15:01
So your logic follows
1) There's a drummer that some think are better than Neil Peart
2) Therefore Neil Peart is not as good as many say he is
Can't say that's airtight. ------------- "One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. " |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: July 23 2007 at 17:02
|
I don't think that Neil would argue about Buddy Rich being a better drummer. It is my understanding that Neil is/was a huge fan of Buddy Rich, and hence why he spearheaded the tribute albums. I think that I saw somewhere a number of years ago where Neil made a similar comment about how Buddy Rich was able to play as well as he did with such a small drum kit. As an uninitiated nondrummer, Neil Peart is the drummer who impresses me the most. That doesn't take away anything from other drummers on the list or not on the list (Carl Palmer, Phil Collins, Alan White). ------------- 
|
Posted By: #1floydfan
Date Posted: July 23 2007 at 23:46
thats exactly what i was trying to say just because he has a huge drum set doesn't make him good... ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/jimbobismykitty/?chartstyle=basicrt10 - [IMG - http://imagegen.last.fm/basicrt10/recenttracks/jimbobismykitty.gif - |
Posted By: meinmatrix
Date Posted: July 24 2007 at 00:36
He is great drummer for sure. He is so good he doesn't need to show off with constant gimmicks like some other drummers do. Everything just flows. ------------- 
|
Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: July 24 2007 at 08:43
Bravo! The obvious has been pointed out. Don't forget to point out that having a big drum set is not what makes him great. His talent and creativity does.
Having a big drum set doesn't hurt either though.
-------------
|
Posted By: #1floydfan
Date Posted: July 24 2007 at 13:15
well actualy if he had a realy small kit and could make all those same sounds out of that he would be like ten times better... hes still over rated every one thinks hes the best drummer out there but there are other drummers that could out drum him any day... now people flip out when i say something like this like hes some kind of god you guys realy need to calm down hes just a drummer... its kinda the same thing with jimi hendrix for example now hes a great guitarist but but there are alot of better guitarists he's just he most know. and if you want an example of a drummer here check out Pete Amaral he only uses a snare and sounds like a full kit ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/jimbobismykitty/?chartstyle=basicrt10 - [IMG - http://imagegen.last.fm/basicrt10/recenttracks/jimbobismykitty.gif - |