Smitty & Neal

[brandonx76]

So good...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOkzUmeMcbY

[steveo777]

Fire Deen and Ross now!

[brandonx76]

I like the idea of Arnel, Perry and Deen on vocals - a little too progressive for Journey, but they should totally do it

[steveo777]

I like the idea of Arnel, Perry and Deen on vocals - a little too progressive for Journey, but they should totally do it

Two out of three ain't bad, but one will poop the party for sure.

[brandonx76]

I like the idea of Arnel, Perry and Deen on vocals - a little too progressive for Journey, but they should totally do it

Two out of three ain't bad, but one will poop the party for sure.

name rhymes merry

[brandonx76]

Also, no to firing Ross...whoever started that complaint fest needs to get a kick in the nuts - Ross IS journey's bass player, because he's fucking great!

[steveo777]

I like the idea of Arnel, Perry and Deen on vocals - a little too progressive for Journey, but they should totally do it

Two out of three ain't bad, but one will poop the party for sure.

name rhymes merry

Maybe they could get away with a sound alike named Steve Berry.

[Don]

Where's the tambourine player hiding.

[steveo777]

Where's the tambourine player hiding.

I heard keys too.

[DK23]

Holy crap, this was interesting....my eyes were glued to the screen!
And it got me more excited for neal's new album... can't wait.

[tater1977]

Where's the tambourine player hiding.

I heard keys too.

It jingles keys too?

[livin2do]

It's great to see Smitty rock again. Such an amazing player.

[Journey/Survivor]

Also, no to firing Ross...whoever started that complaint fest needs to get a kick in the nuts - Ross IS journey's bass player, because he's fucking great!

Yeah, I don't get the hate toward Ross? I have friends that are bass players that are huge fans of guys like Geddy Lee, Billy Sheehan, Jaco Pastorius and other top bassists, and those friends of mine consider Ross Valory to be one of the most underrated bass players in Rock.

[brandonx76]

Holy shit - just posted yesterday..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQBM1QfoJxw

[slucero]

Holy shit - just posted yesterday..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQBM1QfoJxw

Schon smiled more during this than all of last years tour...



Smitty and Neal... there's something very "connected" about those two musically...

[brandonx76]

after watching it, I'm kind of let down - I think Smith has changed so much as a player that I barely recognize alot of the stuff he used to do when he was in the hey day of Journey and early Vital Information - not that he isn't insanely talented, but his style and taste has changed so much, his playing is barely recognizeable to me as what I dug so much before..I'll reserve any real judgement tho, I do like seeing this , and would still love to see him play with Journey one more time - also looking fwd to the new Schon CD

[RocknRoll]

Fun Smitty video from the Montrose concert!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9ybxZjYw0o

[Art Vandelay]

after watching it, I'm kind of let down - I think Smith has changed so much as a player that I barely recognize alot of the stuff he used to do when he was in the hey day of Journey and early Vital Information - not that he isn't insanely talented, but his style and taste has changed so much, his playing is barely recognizeable to me as what I dug so much before..I'll reserve any real judgement tho, I do like seeing this , and would still love to see him play with Journey one more time - also looking fwd to the new Schon CD

This is why you'll never see him as a full time member of Journey again. He has come so far as a drummer, that he would be holding back about 75% of his playing skills to sit in with Journey again (unless they were to let him recreate the drum fills and take the songs to a new level). It's hard to find a picture or video of him WITHOUT sticks in his hand. The man lives and breaths drum techniques anymore. To go back to playing the dirty dozen night after night would be a big step backwards for him.

[kgdjpubs]

after watching it, I'm kind of let down - I think Smith has changed so much as a player that I barely recognize alot of the stuff he used to do when he was in the hey day of Journey and early Vital Information - not that he isn't insanely talented, but his style and taste has changed so much, his playing is barely recognizeable to me as what I dug so much before..I'll reserve any real judgement tho, I do like seeing this , and would still love to see him play with Journey one more time - also looking fwd to the new Schon CD

This is why you'll never see him as a full time member of Journey again. He has come so far as a drummer, that he would be holding back about 75% of his playing skills to sit in with Journey again (unless they were to let him recreate the drum fills and take the songs to a new level). It's hard to find a picture or video of him WITHOUT sticks in his hand. The man lives and breaths drum techniques anymore. To go back to playing the dirty dozen night after night would be a big step backwards for him.

I thought there was an interview at the time where he basically said the same thing. He'd do the reunion and tour for the fans and stuff, but he'd moved on beyond Journey. No real surprise here.

[Ehwmatt]

after watching it, I'm kind of let down - I think Smith has changed so much as a player that I barely recognize alot of the stuff he used to do when he was in the hey day of Journey and early Vital Information - not that he isn't insanely talented, but his style and taste has changed so much, his playing is barely recognizeable to me as what I dug so much before..I'll reserve any real judgement tho, I do like seeing this , and would still love to see him play with Journey one more time - also looking fwd to the new Schon CD

This is why you'll never see him as a full time member of Journey again. He has come so far as a drummer, that he would be holding back about 75% of his playing skills to sit in with Journey again (unless they were to let him recreate the drum fills and take the songs to a new level). It's hard to find a picture or video of him WITHOUT sticks in his hand. The man lives and breaths drum techniques anymore. To go back to playing the dirty dozen night after night would be a big step backwards for him.

Brandon's a drummer too, as far as I know. So I think he can evaluate Smith better than your average joe. I'm no drum expert myself, and I haven't had time to check out these tracks (even if I had, I wouldn't be qualified to offer a nuanced opinion).

But as a general rule, I love to hear my favorite players evolve and play different styles (hence why I think Neal Schon's Big Moon album is AWESOME), but only if the essence of who they are as players continues to shine through. If you can't even "recognize their playing" anymore (as Brandon said), then maybe that player has eschewed musicality for pure technique. And unless you're a music college professor or instructor, that's not necessarily cool.

Again, I'm not saying this has or hasn't happened with Smith; I don't have the ability/expertise to analyze that. Just a general observation.

[brandonx76]

Thanks for the nod - Ehwmatt..

I think the distinction is between ability and tastes - both have changed along the way...Good for Steve, he's obviously still very passionate about music and loves what he does. I just miss the old Steve a bit, hahaha.

[slucero]

I think Smitty knows how to "play for the song"... and this stuff lets him stretch a bit....

Take WYLAW for instance... on that tune he played restrained (compared to what he can do).. but everything he plays serves the song amazingly... punchy playing when needed... great dynamics in the soft spots..

I think there's a reason Smitty would only have rejoined only if Perry did.. its cause he loves great melodies/songs...

[Art Vandelay]

after watching it, I'm kind of let down - I think Smith has changed so much as a player that I barely recognize alot of the stuff he used to do when he was in the hey day of Journey and early Vital Information - not that he isn't insanely talented, but his style and taste has changed so much, his playing is barely recognizeable to me as what I dug so much before..I'll reserve any real judgement tho, I do like seeing this , and would still love to see him play with Journey one more time - also looking fwd to the new Schon CD

This is why you'll never see him as a full time member of Journey again. He has come so far as a drummer, that he would be holding back about 75% of his playing skills to sit in with Journey again (unless they were to let him recreate the drum fills and take the songs to a new level). It's hard to find a picture or video of him WITHOUT sticks in his hand. The man lives and breaths drum techniques anymore. To go back to playing the dirty dozen night after night would be a big step backwards for him.

Brandon's a drummer too, as far as I know. So I think he can evaluate Smith better than your average joe. I'm no drum expert myself, and I haven't had time to check out these tracks (even if I had, I wouldn't be qualified to offer a nuanced opinion).

But as a general rule, I love to hear my favorite players evolve and play different styles (hence why I think Neal Schon's Big Moon album is AWESOME), but only if the essence of who they are as players continues to shine through. If you can't even "recognize their playing" anymore (as Brandon said), then maybe that player has eschewed musicality for pure technique. And unless you're a music college professor or instructor, that's not necessarily cool.

Again, I'm not saying this has or hasn't happened with Smith; I don't have the ability/expertise to analyze that. Just a general observation.

I understand what you are saying, but Steve hasn't lost any of his identity. In fact, his musical style is more recognizable now than it ever has been. It's not what he has done in Journey, but he definitely has his own niche. He played 7 years in Journey, and the following 27 years mainly as a jazz drummer. Those who have listened to him over the past 15 years or so definitely know its him.

And I loved his playing on TBF. Definitely scaled back from his jazz playing, but it was all heartfelt and passionate. And every note that he played had meaning and gelled with the songs perfectly. That's a sign of a true musician!