It's a folk singer's job to comfort disturbed people and to disturb comfortable people
Woody GuthrieRead
To me, a great drummer isn't always about somebody with chops who can shred. A great drummer is someone who is part of a great band.
Interpretation
A great drummer's value lies in their ability to contribute to the overall sound of the band rather than just technical skill.
Mike Portnoy emphasizes that the essence of being a great drummer goes beyond mere technical proficiency or showy skills. Instead, it's about how well the drummer integrates into the band, enhancing the collective musical experience. This perspective highlights the importance of collaboration and teamwork in music, where the synergy of the group is more critical than individual talent alone.
In practice
During a music workshop, a member might quote this to emphasize the importance of working together.
It's a folk singer's job to comfort disturbed people and to disturb comfortable people
The blues had a baby and they called it rock and roll.
I respected Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra. Those were my heroes, and they were 10 years older than I was.
The E Street band casts a pretty wide net. Our influences go all the way back to the early primitive garage music, and also, we've had everything in the band from jazz players to Kansas City trumpet players to Nils Lofgren, one of the great rock guitarists in the world.
Ninety-eight percent of the singing I did was private singing - it was in the shower, at the dishwasher, driving my car, singing with the radio, whatever. I can't do any of that now. I wish I could. I don't miss performing, particularly, but I miss singing.
In this day and time you can't even get sick; you are strung-out! Well by God, I'll tell you something, friend: I have never been strung-out in my life, except on music!
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