jem wrote:Gaddabout, most of the gigs he does nowadays does not call for that many chances, and he's 66 now, he sure has my understanding

A quite recent record (2006) I really like and can recommend is Chick Corea's "Super Trio", Corea with Steve Gadd & Christian McBride.
Been listening to that record since it came out, by some reason it's only released in Japan but I'm sure you can find it.
Very very good, a must for all Gadd and Corea fans.
http://www.chickcorea.com/cart/index.ph ... 0&parent=4Another one is Steve Gadd and Friends, "LIve at Voce" with Joey DeFrancesco, Ronnie Cuber & Paul Bollenback. Not the same kind of music as Corea but what a groove. Saw them live last year, could listen to Joey DeFrancesco and Gadd alone for a week, magic!
Gadd had plenty of opportunities in the 80s, but he seemed to rest on his considerable laurels.
I can listen to just about anything Gadd plays, even now. I love Steve Gadd and Friends. One of his best recordings in years, and Paul Bollenback is also a wonderful addition to the Gadd "Gang."
I'm just lamenting the fact that very few people -- even Gadd fans -- are even aware of a whole other blow-your-mind, s***-your-pants Gadd who blew my mind with Corea, the Brecker Brothers, Di Meola, and others. I probably listen to "Lenore" about 20 times a week. That's not Gadd doing Gadd licks. That's Gadd taking a revolutionary style to a higher level.
I dunno. I confess it's hard to imagine being that brilliant for an extended period of time, but he seemed to be able to apply (and even comp with) that style with great comfort. Expressing disappointment he dialed it back because, I speculate, it paid better and was just mentally easier to be himself laying back and grooving.
This is Gadd I always remember:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG_g3esQioM#t=3m00s
“Let's try some of my songs.” Dave Grohl, top sign drummer will be fired.