Kurtis wrote:bought this album back in the day because Vinnie was on it.
Thanks for this one Kurtis - I was unaware of this track. As this album isn’t on Spotify, I bought a second-hand copy of this CD on eBay, which arrived yesterday.
Listening to this track makes me wanna say that this is just about as close to a representation of perfect drumming as I can imagine right now. My thinking this thought is also accompanied by an array of questions such as:
What
is perfect drumming?
What exactly about Vinnie’s playing on this track brings forth this feeling of perfection I have about it?
How much of what sounds like perfect drumming is also dependent on the fact that it’s a great composition played by a band of other perfectly wonderful players who are interacting beautifully throughout?
And so on...
Some of my ‘quick sketch’ answers might be:
1. I can’t get past the integratedness of Vinnie’s touch on the instrument throughout. Dynamically and timbrally he’s bringing out wonderful colorings from the entire set. Using the contrast of range and register that are available in very tasty and mature ways.
2. It’s a gorgeous blend of groove and creativity wherein the groove is enhanced by creative punctuations. They’re pretty wild and ‘out’ choices, but they blend seamlessly.
3. The interaction and rhythmic counterpoint are sublime. Makes me think of really good big band setups played in a small group setting. Always thinking ahead and ‘setting up’ more than ‘filling’ if you get what I mean.
I could go on and on, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on this gorgeous track too.
Off topic, I watched Vinnie play with Herbie from behind the band at Sydney Opera House a couple of weeks ago. Man, I had the tingles in the first tune. They really transcended as a band right from the start, and they held it for the entire show. Something I’ll never forget. I’ll post a picture of my point of view when I get a chance to upload it somewhere. Geez I’d love to meet and chat with the great man. The opportunity to do so seems too elusive for me for some reason, even when he’s in town. Oh well. One day maybe?! Stay tuned for the pic!