Just back from the Herbie show.
Much preferred this show to the last time I saw him. Everyone was playing safe then and Vinnie was holding back a loy. This time it was back to, although sober I hope, a real 70s fusion vibe and it's the first time I've felt Lionel really fit. Still, it's the afro harmony singing that does it and Herbie obviously loves the sounds. As a guitar player, I'll never really be sold. James had solid feel. Not much soloing, though.
Herbie does a lot of the same stuff, especially at shows like this, but it sounded really different this time.
For the drum nerdy stuff: Vinnie was playing his new signature snares, regular 6-piece Gretsch, but must have been a 20" bass drum. Ride far right again with X cymbal up on the right and one splash above the china. Slightly different from the vids so far. Mostly matched grip except for brushes and the funky stuff. Definetly Vinnie, but there seems to be more back to the roots and nod to Tony and Billy thing going on. Not overused, but certainly not shy with the double pedal.
Definetly nice to see him indoors again, pretty close up and in a venue that's really controlled. You couldn't even go in or out at all between songs.