Mad About Drums
Pollyanna's Agent
Ringo isn't/wasn't qualified to tune Abe's drum kit. Really, no disrespect intended but Abe is superior across the board. Abe is even a better singer. Let's just say that Ringo was a great fit for that band, and contributed to that band's sound.
OK - Abe is great - but let's not go that far. This kind of comparison is like talking about early Frank Zappa and the Mothers on Invention and then talking about later Zappa bands. Many would say that later Zappa bands were true monster musicians, but none of them were the original, quirky Mothers band from the 60s. Ringo was the original, and Abe is probably busy doing his best Ringo because he was influenced just like we all were. As good as he is, I'm not sure I'd call him the next best Beatle drummer - he probably wouldn't call himself that, would he?
My post was merely an answer to Scott's question, nothing more and should be read within that context only
I didn't implied that Abe was or wasn't as good as Ringo or vice versa, it's just that of all the drummers I've heard playing Beatles music, Abe is the one which fits the best in my opinion, so it was a compliment, not a rating of Abe's playing.
I'm a big fan of Abe Laboriel Jr and I have several records on which he play (non-Beatles), this guy is sensational.
So now I've clarified my comments I'll say it again, Abe is the best Beatle drummer since Ringo, and that's not putting down either Ringo or Abe or stating a who's best scenario