What's up fellas?
I'll chime in here and say that seeing Vinnie (or any great drummer) live with a band of their peers or heroes is (of course) always a privledge. I've seen him with both Jeff and Herbie SEVERAL times, both are special, and bring out a different side of Vinnie (as they would with any musician!) But when I saw him with Jeff for the first time it was probably the most special I had seen him play live since I saw the week at the Blue Note in NYC with the Chick Acoustic Band Quintet.
My third favorite was time I have seen was the Weather Report Tribute band, the reason I probably dug that was the great WR music, and the presence of some good friends of mine in the band, and the fact that Mino Cinelu was playing (one of my fave musicians ever!)
Yeah Rodge, I saw the Pattiucci band with Gary Thomas (not Tav) and Beasley in NYC and they were all TOTALLY exhausted, it was a slightly off night. I saw some west coast Spud gigs that were really loose, which is again a different "dynamic." But man those Jeff gigs, that Chick gig, and those Weather Report Tribute gigs, in that order are IT for me. But who knows what is coming next.....
Back to Beck. When I saw Vin with Jeff the first time, it was in a semi-small club, and he had me sit right next to the drums (behind Jeff's amps, hidden from everyone, thank God for earplugs!)) and I know Vin had a bunch of really old friends there that night, so maybe he was extra "geeked." But, Lord that night was something else! I was laughing in hysterics all night, it was just so over the top fantastic and (sorry Jean Krupa) VERY interactive!!!!! Vinnie asked me if I wanted to come out the next night, and I didn't think twice. I'm with Rodge here, I couldn't touch the drums for a few days, my mind had just been melted.
Many might not remember but the Jeff gig began with Pino (and vocalist Jimmy Hall,) and then Randy Hope Taylor (who was the bassist that I saw that time, he and Vinnie had a great hookup,) and vocalist Beth Hart (who killed it!), then it was Tal. When I saw it with Randy, and Beth it was all still a little "new" and really on the edge, similar to seeing him on the Soul Cages tour.
NOTHING replaces brand new music that you have NEVER EVER played, and on those nights (Beck, Chick, Weather Report Tribute) the music was bubbling (overflowing) with enthusiasm-excitement. That is all said with all due respect to one of my heroes in Herbie Hancock. However, I was there at Herbie's "River" sessions with Herbie, and THAT was something else!!!
This is the Beck band I saw, and this is the same on the edge, over the top, intensity.
Different strokes for different folks,
MSG