I think Vinnie's 'doubles' are amongst the best around and his muscianship is superb, great taste for all musical situations.
..."though not the fastest cat out there"...
I beg to differ. [img]wink.gif[/img]
He's fast enough. [img]tongue.gif[/img]
As fast as any of the "fastest," when needed.
Don't believe me?
Just listen to some of the Zappa stuff - ESP Shut Up NPYG....
I think Vinnie's 'doubles' are amongst the best around and his muscianship is superb, great taste for all musical situations.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Oh yes, I've heard the live Zappa stuff, and it kills, as well as being some of the fastest stuff out there. When I make that comparison, I'm thinking of Chambers/Smitty (both of which are more arm speed than fingers/wrists in my opinion), some Donati, etc. Believe me, I wasn't at ALL implying he's not one of the fastest, because he is when he chooses to be.Originally posted by FuseU1:
..."though not the fastest cat out there"...
I beg to differ. [img]wink.gif[/img]
He's fast enough. [img]tongue.gif[/img]
As fast as any of the "fastest," when needed.
Don't believe me?
Just listen to some of the Zappa stuff - ESP Shut Up NPYG....
As far as doubles, to be honest, there are times when Vin's doubles aren't the most even and smooth, though still always even to an extent. Dave's doubles sound more even to my ear on a more consistent basis. (NO, I'm not saying one is better than the other!!)
Plaid, have you seen the ebay DVD of Vinnie with the Zildjian Clinics, PASIC, etc? Some of his singles/doubles in those clips are as fast as anything I've ever heard from anyone - Donati, Chambers, you name it. I think that's why I like Vinnie so much, too: he can play at light speed, but chooses not to most of the time because it just isn't needed and usually doesn't sound very interesting/musical.
Virgil Donati: This guy brought a whole new level of technicality to the table for drummers. If playing monstrous polyrhythms or complex patterns is your gig, this guy is the measuring bar. He made people pay attention to technique and double kick. While I don't enjoy his playing so much as I do Weckl and Colaiuta, he's still incredible at what he does best.
I still think I'm being a bit misread about Vinnie. I know the guy is fast. (I've made comments about his left hand in previous posts). I know he's without question one of the fastest. Yes, I've seen some Zildjian Day clips, and I was AT PASIC '94 in Atlanta, so I've seen him in action. I've said numerous times that this man is my favorite drummer and is the single biggest influence for me. Though it's really not at all the point of this thread, I still say that Vin's doubles can get a tinge uneven at times, but that's part of what gives him a certain sound, so it's ok! It's all good!
Agreed on Virg. Though his fluidity and song playing don't get me at all, he dominates the technical side of things from all that I've seen.
Plaid wrote:
"Vinnie is NOT a great musician who happens to play drums....he is without question a BORN drummer who (from what I've heard) KNOWS his instrument, and the purpose and function of said instrument."
I have to disagree man. IMHO someone being considered a great musician is probably one of the highest compliments you could pay to someone who plays an instrument. A compliment I would certainly pay Vinnie if given the chance to meet him. True, he is an extremely knowledgable drummer as well. His knowledge of licks, tricks, rudiments and chops is so vast, he's forgotten more than most of us will ever learn. He's transcended stickings and rudiments, and emotes on the drumkit better than anyone I've ever heard.
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ February 12, 2004 05:49 PM: Message edited by: Clintuplet ]</font>
Wow, I'm having to correct myself a bunch on this one. When I said that Vinnie is not a great musician who happens to play drums, I meant it differently than what you're saying. Let me use an example to explain what I meant. Let's say you have an "Athlete", and he decides to box (I'm a big boxing fan, so bear with me). Being a great athlete doesn't necessarily make you a great boxer (even if you turn out to be great). It's difficult to know how to word all of this correctly, but I'll try to sum it up. Vinnie is a great musician, but he is not a great drummer BECAUSE he's a great musician....see what I mean? He's a great drummer because he's a great drummer, and his high level of musicianship is what makes him the best. I just believe that drums were EXACTLY what he was born to do, and his great musicianship coupled with that makes him what he is. I really hope I don't come off sounding ridiculous saying this stuff. I'm just trying to become more clear. I just don't believe VC was born, and one day said, "You know....f*** it....I'm just gonna play the drums and see what happens." Geez.........I'm digging myself a hole here, and I need to stop. I'm hoping some of you get what I'm trying to say. I really do.
Ok....wait....I'll say it like this: You're born a prodigal musician, and there's an array of instruments to choose from. You choose one, then run with it knowing that you could have been great at any of them. In my opinion, Vinnie was born with only one option.
I truly am sorry if this sounds stupid. That's just how I see it.
(I know, I know.....you're all thinking, "What in the f%&* is he saying??") Oh well, I tried.
Steve Gadd - Probably the biggest influence on drummers like vinnie, weckl, novak, and countless others in the last 2 decades. He's one of the only drummers who's chops are so insane yet are easily accessible. Almost anyone can figure out what Gadd is doing, at least, more easily than trying to figure out weckl and vinnie. In that respect, Gadd spawned zillions of clones. The ultimate compliment for him, I'm sure.
His biggest or most well known contribution IMO : paradiddle licks, and, making drum solo's more musical and rhythmical by mostly containing them in a structure of 4/4.
"Vinnie was born with only one option."
I heard Vinnie plays a mean dulcimer. [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]eek.gif[/img]
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">LOL! I was hoping to get a response like that.Originally posted by Clintuplet:
"Vinnie was born with only one option."
I heard Vinnie plays a mean dulcimer. [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]eek.gif[/img]
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