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>>>However, I consistantly find myself defending the superb drumming of Alan White. White is just as good if not better than Collins. The fact is, Alan White knows how to play the music very well. But believe me, he's not some "weak link" in Yes.
Agreed, White's biggest "crime" is that he isn't Bruford. I thought he came in and did a decent job on the Yessongs tour, though it was obvious he was still learning the music. His drumming is steady and gives the rest of the band a solid foundation to work from, though he rarely gives the "flash" that Bruford is so known for. But sometimes you don't need flash. He's a very capable drummer, though I think Collins is more creative. White did a great job on all of "Relayer," on "Awaken," "Turn of the Century," "On the Wings of Silent Freedom," the live version of "Changes," and all the tracks on "Drama," to name a few that stick in my memory. My problem with White is with some of the live "bootleg" material. On some of these tracks he sounds like he's just keeping time and trying not to break a sweat. The "Silent Freedom" track from the Wembley recording makes me want to reach into the computer and slap him into full consciousness.
OTOH, I'll defend Simon "Meat and Potatoes" King as the linchpin to the classic Hawkwind sound, and he's no better of a technical drummer than I am.
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