The Ineffable Motion

[PocketPlayer]

I have seen many a gig in my day living out here in LA. I thought Virgil's drum solo this summer was beyond description, but what I just witnessed tonight at the Baked Potato is beyond human words.

I knew when Abe Sr. gathered Mike Landau, Greg M, and Vinnie for opening prayer I was in for something special. It was standing room only tonight and I was in line at 6:15 until the doors opened at 8PM.

These guys haven't played a note together in six months before the downbeat. The guy I took had never seen Vinnie before. I have never seen him in this type of setting either. I thought seeing Holdsworth was going to be my highlight of the year on Friday.

Vinnie was beyond description tonight. He was GENUS! If there was ever the term to be used to describe a musician then tonight was the night. My head is shaking at this man's mastery of his instrument. It was sick, it was ridiculous...it was Vinnie.

What made this all the more memorable was the clown video taping the set. Vinnie blew a gasket blurting out after a number, "That's so disrespectful!" He was noticably distrubed by this as he played and Abe reached over, reaching out his hand to calm Vinnie down. After the last number, Vinnie darted out from his kit through the crowd. I thought he needed a smoke or a pee real bad...he went after the guy taping and demanded the tape!!! It was unreal.

I blame the Baked Potato. They are nice people, but stupid comes to mind. During the set, you hear clanging beer bottles at the bar...they should have stopped the clown taping IMMEDIATELY and ended this at the get-go. Vinnie didn't need to be bothered with this. I couldn't spot the guy or I would have gone after him- "Lose the tape or hit the road...choose NOW!" It was sad.

This was an unreal evening...VINNIE is hands down the best drummer on the planet...no question, absolutely no question at all. Weckl at the Hollywood Bowl this summer with Chick was insane...this was BETTER!!! The guy is a walking encyclopedia of musical creativity and phrasing- chops abounding into the perfect musical whole. The guy standing next to me transcribes drum music, co-wrote Dom F's book- this is the guy who writes those ridiculous note-for-note solos in MDrummer. He couldn't believe what he saw tonight. Man, I'm out...I thank God he gave us Vinnie for a while to enjoy and appreciate. This site too because it turned me onto the one & only, Mr C.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 20, 2003 03:10 AM: Message edited by: PocketPlayer ]</font>

[beat Hit]

Wow Pocket!!

Thanks a million for such a nice update! Well written indeed, too bad I missed it...

O well, not meant to be!!

[Nikk]

I think it's bullshit that he did that. How much f---ing money does he think someone will make off of him? He's not Michael Jackson. They probably just wanted it for their own enjoyment anyway.

[Nikk]

Nice Christian attitude Vinnie!

[palmerlouie]

Well pocket...

great review and update. u all know my opinion on vinnie not that i am anyone special and should have the right to say anything bad about any of these master drummers.......but the article u wrote was one filled with excitment and passion for drumming and vinnie. he must have been awesome for u to have said that.....i wish i had seen it. i dont think i will compare vinnie and weckl again. as u said it was sad about the idiot taping but intersting that vinnie actually got up and went for it.....quite right!!!

[helpmate]

Cool post, Pocket.

I think Vinnie has a right to that tape, given the violation of his 'playing space' during a live performance. What a distraction! And very disrespectful. I'm sure he went after the guy for that reason only.

[shedder]

http://life_ministry.tripod.com/vinnie1-18-03

[shedder]

wrong file name.

here's the correct one.
http://life_ministry.tripod.com/MVI_0555.AVI

[shedder]

ahhhh that link isn't working either.

it's a good clip from the landau trio show. anyone know where i can host this thing for free?

[PocketPlayer]

Let me give some more context to the video incident. Vinnie played the first tune and non-verbally told this guy on the floor to stop taping. He was oriental (language issue???)and the guy simply ignored the request. After I believe the third song, Vinnie blurted, "That's so disrespectful" and was shaken by it. Yes, he could have responded more "Christian", letting it go or either asking the staff to take care of this situation, freeing his spirit to simply play.
The entire incident could have easily been avoided by the Baked Potato staff if they had a head to their arms & legs. If the talent does not want taping (most do not...this summer, Virgil kindly told a guy taping after the first tune that he just got a free song, but to please put the camera away. He was very cool and calm...the gig went on, deal was done, life moves on).
Obviously, Vinnie was pissed, the guy was a jerk, really, he had to know what was going on with Vinnie, and he was very disrespectful to continue taping. I mean, the guy was taping, looking through the viewfinder...gee whiz, what was he looking at...a happy Vinnie? Language issue or not (I am just wondering...I do NOT know about this, giving all the benefit of doubt) the guy needed to STOP taping.
This was not the local high school jazz band doing a Sunday night jam for parents & friends. These are four of the most recorded cats over the past 20 years. If that doesn't deserve respect, what does? Having a high-brow attitude is one thing, but these four guys were great and very accessible after the first set...well, Vincent wasn't to be seen..maybe talking a little walk after all those deep pocket grooves along Ventura Blvd!

Moral of the story- call in advance if you can record...that is if the staff can make a decision about more than, "The 2 drink min does not include water!"