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Joined: June 16 2011
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Topic: Musicianship: Alan White Posted: April 10 2012 at 15:55
The next musician in my discussion. Personally, I find Alan White to be a fantastic drummer but more in just plain ol' rock and roll. In prog, he's kinda half and half for me. Let me know what you think
I think Alan White is an excellent drummer who gets a lot of undue criticism. His drumming on Relayer, "Awaken," and his amazing work on The Ladder and Magnification give the music exactly the backbone it needs, just to name several examples.
By the way, I prefer White's drumming on "Close to the Edge" on Yessongs to Bruford's original work.
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Posted: April 10 2012 at 16:43
his more of a powerhouse drummer then a technical drummer, he has lot of power, but also good technical, but not awesome technical, but he get around difficult song couse he have good power, stamina, and energy,
Joined: April 10 2012
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Posted: April 10 2012 at 16:49
I have seen Yes many times and was always impressed with his work live, until the last time.. which was one or 2 years ago. maybe he had an off-day, but he sounded and looked uninspired..
I really wanted to give them a chance, but that time I was also very annoyed by the fake Jon Anderson... not good!
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Posted: April 10 2012 at 20:21
He deserves respect for learning the Yes catalogue in about 3 days when he first joined the band! Excellent drummer, although I still feel he takes things very easy on "Fly From Here".
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Posted: April 10 2012 at 21:32
A good solid rock drummer.
Relayer was definitely his highlight to my ears.
Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.
Alan's an excellent drummer, especially on Relayer and TFTO. He did just as a good of job in Yes as Bruford did. Bruford, of course, is the better drummer overall with his stuff in KC, solo, Earthworks, etc.
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Posted: April 11 2012 at 00:30
Both Broof & White brought much to the band...Bruford's contributions to CTTE are huge, I consider those to be some of the best-played drums in rock!
However, White not only picked up where Bruford left off (I saw the CTTE tour with White in 1972, he was really excellent) but his contributions to later material were very solid. I thought Relayer was his best work, especially "Sound Chaser."
And, take it from me, he's a damn nice fellow to boot! Of all the Yes & Crimson guys I've met, he was by far the most openly friendly and cheerful! The type of fellow you'd go drinking with if you could! (Squire would be the one most likely to try to stick you with the bar tab).
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Posted: April 11 2012 at 01:21
Dellinger wrote:
Perhaps my very favourite drums from him are the ones on Wakeman's track "Anne of Cleves"... really great stuff.
That album is really interesting from a drumming point of view as White and Bruford get 3 tracks each. Al gets to do the bombastic tracks while Bill adds a bit of texture on his tracks. All very nice and makes for a wondeful album (why Six Wives is not in the top 100 will trouble me for ever more)
My favourite Yes album for Alan White is actually Tormato. The style of that album fitted White's style perfectly. As the original poster said White is a bit 'Half and half'. As much rock n roll as he is prog. Release Release and On The Silent Wings Of Freedom showcase his talent perfectly. I also like his drumming on Talk which is my favourite post Drama Yes album. White is also damn good on Drama of course
Not quite a drumming legend but in the next tier down imo.
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Posted: April 11 2012 at 02:53
He was very solid and good when he took over in the 70s, but lately, from 90s onward he's been holding the band down I think. I know you're allowed to play your own style and slow down a bit with age, but listen to for example Close to the Edge from Keys to Ascension and say that the intro doesn't sound terribly lazy and clumsy on White's part, compared to Bruford's original and also White's performance on Yessongs. That's my favourite example of his deteriorating play.
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Posted: April 11 2012 at 06:07
cstack3 wrote:
And, take it from me, he's a damn nice fellow to boot! Of all the Yes & Crimson guys I've met, he was by far the most openly friendly and cheerful! The type of fellow you'd go drinking with if you could! (Squire would be the one most likely to try to stick you with the bar tab).
A friend of mine was Yes's guitar tech on their tour last summer, and he also said that Alan White was very cool, and that Squire was the most prone to being moody/grumpy. I guess he had the most to lose out there.
Edited by HolyMoly - April 11 2012 at 06:07
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Musicianship: Alan White
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