Oh yes, his open handed style is a trademark of his playing. He's been doing that for the last 30 years to the best of my knowledge. The way he seamlessly transitions from open to closed handed & back is just disgustingly impressive. Certainly in rock circles, he's the most ambidextrous player I can think of.Never knew Simon played open handed, though he's so damn good he could play no-handed.
You may just be right there Grea. It's the independence of her left hand that amazes me. Such power, & her grasp of timing amidst such note complexity is mind boggling!I understand that Hiromi was created when genetic material from Chick Corea and Keith Emerson was sent to Japan in the late 70s, mixed with ancient material from Beethoven and then blended in a sequencer set on quantise
You just know she'd be a great drummer too if she put her mind to it.
Ain't that the truthThe aliens landed when we weren't looking.
Seeing how easily Jan Hammer stepped up on the kit did me some damage back in the day - and now there's Gary Novak, who's such a freak on both you couldn't say which is his main instrument. Chick Corea is also a hot drummer...
... you can add Gary Husband
Yes, I'm sure Hiromi would be a brilliant drummer if she decided to take upon drumming, no doubt about it.
I've never seen Hiromi live, but I intend to fix that sometime this coming year I have a number of friends who've seen Hiromi recently with steve Smith. As if we didn't already know, apparently, Steve is just superb, & many I speak to prefer the trio with Steve rather than Simon. I get why too. Even though I'm a lifelong admirer of Simon, I do think he occasionally gets a bit "thumpy" where a deft hand would have fitted better (IMHO of course). Both players have their roots firmly planted in rock. That's just fine with me, as I think it brings something different to the party. Hiromi obviously thinks so too, otherwise there's no way she'd go for a second album with Simon.Wow, thanks for posting Andy! Incredible stuff! And I just saw Hiromi is coming to
Switzerland in January with Steve Smith and Anthony! I'll be there !!
I've seen him quite a few times live too, one particular gig with the Jack Bruce trio, I was only a few yards away from him, so yes Andy, I can truly appreciate where you're coming from
TBH my Alpine friend, I have no room to talk. I'm a classic limited Mr. thumpy. I guess my ears have matured where my skills have not. I like Simon's straight talking way of things, & let's be honest, his groove work with Hiromi & Anthony is just creamy wonderfulness. It's just the occasional excursion into "scratching that rock itch" that grates ever so slightly with me. But hey, I'll take 99% perfection over my crap any dayTotally agree, KIS! I think I have the same "problem" with Hiromi with Simon I have when
I hear Michel Petrucciani's live album with Steve Gadd (and Anthony Jackson as well,
coincidentally) for those familiar with Petrucciani: Gadd's playing is generally perfect,
tasty and endlessly groovy of course, but it's just not enough "open" and jazz spirited
as to me Petrucciani's piano playing would suggest.
Hiromi sounds nothing like Petrucciani, but I think it's the same effect that partnership
has to me.
Interestingly, Keith Carlock comes to my mind: He is a rock/funk player with awesome
groove but he has that jazz drummer's spirit of "open" playing. I'm not sure if he'd fit
Hiromi's music at all - or Petrucciani's (RIP), but maybe it's what I miss from both Simon
Phillips and Steve Gadd.
I'm more familiar with Steve than Simon. I've mostly heard Simon with Toto, he's perfect
there, but I always think it's kind of a symbiosis of Simon's and Toto's style.
I very much look forward to hearing Steve with Hiromi live AND hearing Simon with the
trio on the albums.
Great thought Larry That's one area where we can reach the same level as the drumming gods.The sheer joy that is written on Hiromi's face as she plays is the most inspirational thing I've ever seen. Even if I never get to her level of mastery, I know I can experience that kind of joy. The playing is off the charts, but her expressions are what really speak to me. She embodies the very best of what music can be, from an individual's playing standpoint. I want that level of joy coming through when I play, that I think I can achieve.