And ...there you have it,in a nutshell,drummers.It's not who can play the most notes to the bar,or can light the kit on fire,and play so fast,the he melts plastic heads,all the while twirling his sticks.Entertaining for sure,but...is it serving the music?During a solo maybe,but Listen/watch Max Roach,Papa Jo Jones,Tony Williams or Simon Phillips play a solo.The two can be sucessfully combined,but...............if you're not listening to the tune,you're missing the whole point.
Listen to it all,the bass,lead guitar,keys,melody.,in fact,all the instruments and how they intigrate,..especially the lyrics.How to move into a chorus,and introduce that chorus,prehaps with a fill....or not,and if or not works....than that's what you play.Or prehaps,move to a bridge/chorus ,back into another verse.It's not all a chops fest,and most ..... good musicians/drummers,will tell you that.Guys like Earl Palmer,Hal Blaine,Jim Keltner,Vinny,Ringo,Liberty DeVito.....et al,all know that,which is how they made a living playing drums.
Check ego at the door,and use those listening skills.Play for the music,and if less is more,then play less.Thanks for posting that Andy,I've been waiting....cheers
Steve B