Alan White a Prog Drummer?

Well the question for me was that if Alan White is really a Prog drummer, at least the style, ala Bruford, Collins, Peart, Bozzio, etc.

Listening to Tales gives a really bad impression of his playing, being very simple and dull. While in Relayer his playing is very powerful, but I would consider it a more Rock style playing rather than a Prog style as I imagine Bruford playing on Relayer, jazzy leanings, etc.

And well in the last Yes outputs, his playing is rather simple.

I don't want people to come and say: "Have you heard Yessongs?!" Of course I have, but the compositions were made with Bruford not with Alan..

BTW: This is not a poll to decide wheather(?) Alan is a good drummer or not, it's if his stlye of drumming is Prog or not.

tszirmay wrote: White played with the Plastic Ono Band and a variety of other British rock outfits before he got the Yes gig.

interesting info, thx, I should have searched a little more..

SO i guess he can play everything.

I've actually always found similarities in White and Peart's style of drumming. Peart sounds somewhat more precise, but both are powerful and fast. And I disagree on the notion that White's playing is simple. When I think of Yes' music, one of the first words that come to mind is complex! When the music is so multilayered as it is, it's pretty much impossible for the drums to stay simple. I think White's a prog drummer.

Great poll, Pablo, been thinking the same sort of thing for a while, myself, though I don't know too much of his work.

Personally, I'm veering towards a yes. Remembering the rather unusual work on The Ancient as well as his really directional work on The Gates Of Delirium. I agree that he's a bit more rock-focused than most of the 'prog' drummers I listen to, and he definitely comes from that direction, but he has done some pretty interesting and superb stuff in the prog arena.

He is not too progressive, although he sure can play so if he wants to (Relayer). I´d say he is the "rockiest" part of Yes

he's played with Yes for more years than many here have been alive hahahha.  Sure he is.. what else would he be?  If he's not..just what is Peart... as someone noted earlier.. very much in the same style.. which was suited for big stadiums and concerts.. a hard hitting rock drummer with enough chops to play prog.  Bruford for example was the first to admit he wasn't.  

Voted Yes, for reasons provided by others already.

You should also check out White's recent work with Circa some time, although he's a bit overpowered there by Billy Sherwood's bass some of the time.


Edited by Angelo - September 07 2008 at 13:13

Not sure that there is such a thing as a "prog" drummer.  A good drummer should be able to play most styles. White's background is in rock and Bruford is a jazz drummer but they both fitted into Yes ok.

Ivan_Melgar_M wrote: Well, i played drums for many years and I never known how people define a Prog drummer.   Having a well developed and technical style?   Most Jazz drummers have a great technique.   Drummers as Palmer, who is an icon, is IMO more strength than technique, not that he is bad, but he's not in the level of a Peart, Bruford, Ehart, Manu Katche or even Collins.   A good Rock drummer can play Prog, Pop or Punk, maybe not Jazz because it's a different technique, if you place Peart in The Who or The Rolling Stones, I'm sure he'll make an outstanding job.   A Prog drummer is one that has played in a Prog band, and White has played in Yes for decades, what else do you want.   Iván

I couldn't have said this any better.