JJ Johnson stood out equally as much to me as SJ did in Where the Light is. They both have their unique style. JJ to me seems a little fluffy-like, while SJ has the simplicity and total grove down. All unique in their own way, and I think you said it best regarding how they all have their eras.
Great video, you do a great job at explaining for non-musicians. I don’t know enough about drumming to know what made Steve Ferone so different, but I would agree from the recordings I heard it didn’t sound like he fit the vibe of the non-Sob Rock songs. I also understand he just wouldn’t have known as many songs. That tour evolved a lot and by the end was less of a Sob Rock tour and more of a full JM catalogue tour, and I feel it’s likely John realised that’s more what the fans wanted which could be why he brought back Sterling - and I’ve also noticed in videos how atuned he is to what Mayer is doing, they seem to collabarate very well. Hoping he sticks around for future tours. Steve probably won the poll because of name recognition and it’s always exciting to see him back with John, but I would only want to see him doing Trio/Continuum/TSFE songs. Sterling probably covers the rest of the catalogue a lot better.
So glad it came across in that way! I think your assessment is right on. In reality, you can’t go wrong with any of these drummers. Just different styles and approaches, which keeps things interesting!
Yay Carlton. Also shout out to Nir Z and Matt Johnson from those early early gigs in theaters and club venues. Matt is the drummer in the “No Such Thing Music Video” concert at Georgia Theater. JM: Me… Nir… You…You… Nir… Me… DeLa: I am near you In trying to remember, but I’m pretty sure I voted JJ as my guy back when the poll came out. He’s still my fave haha.
Great call on Nir Z and Matt Johnson. I think I left them off originally because they didn’t technically “tour,” just more one-off promo dates, but I could be wrong on that. I fell like we had this conversation on my other channel! lol appreciate you watching again!
For me growing up it was Steve Jordan, I based my entire playing of covers for JM off of his performance on Where The Light Is. His groove and pocket was so good. JJJ is a really close second. For me they both possessed the ability to grove real hard and add life to the song rather than just playing to the song rather than playing with the song. The sign of a great drummer is if the kit has a voice and if you are just playing the traps and making a beat then you IMO have failed your job as a drummer (circumstantially of course)
Saw Steve Jordan with the stones last night and honestly it’s like every time that man plays the drums something magical happens. Haven’t seen Steve Jordan play like that and sound that good since the 2010 battle studies tour. Steve is honestly one of the greatest drummers alive, I saw him on the 2017 tour playing dear Marie which is one of the sterling tunes. Go watch dear Marie at the São Paulo show from 2017 and you’ll understand what I mean by Steve Jordan making everything sound better / more entergised. Sterling is amazing but if you notice he plays the same song the EXACT same way every night. It’s boring. Jordan changes up the way he plays each song each night you never know what he’s gonna do
JJ Johnson stood out equally as much to me as SJ did in Where the Light is. They both have their unique style. JJ to me seems a little fluffy-like, while SJ has the simplicity and total grove down. All unique in their own way, and I think you said it best regarding how they all have their eras.
Some folks will snap when I say this, but I think JJ Johnson grooved more than Jordan. Just my opinion.
Great video, you do a great job at explaining for non-musicians. I don’t know enough about drumming to know what made Steve Ferone so different, but I would agree from the recordings I heard it didn’t sound like he fit the vibe of the non-Sob Rock songs. I also understand he just wouldn’t have known as many songs. That tour evolved a lot and by the end was less of a Sob Rock tour and more of a full JM catalogue tour, and I feel it’s likely John realised that’s more what the fans wanted which could be why he brought back Sterling - and I’ve also noticed in videos how atuned he is to what Mayer is doing, they seem to collabarate very well. Hoping he sticks around for future tours. Steve probably won the poll because of name recognition and it’s always exciting to see him back with John, but I would only want to see him doing Trio/Continuum/TSFE songs. Sterling probably covers the rest of the catalogue a lot better.
So glad it came across in that way! I think your assessment is right on. In reality, you can’t go wrong with any of these drummers. Just different styles and approaches, which keeps things interesting!
Yay Carlton. Also shout out to Nir Z and Matt Johnson from those early early gigs in theaters and club venues. Matt is the drummer in the “No Such Thing Music Video” concert at Georgia Theater.
JM: Me… Nir… You…You… Nir… Me…
DeLa: I am near you
In trying to remember, but I’m pretty sure I voted JJ as my guy back when the poll came out. He’s still my fave haha.
Great call on Nir Z and Matt Johnson. I think I left them off originally because they didn’t technically “tour,” just more one-off promo dates, but I could be wrong on that. I fell like we had this conversation on my other channel! lol appreciate you watching again!
Great video, very interesting poll result indeed!
I thought so too! Do you have a favorite?
For me growing up it was Steve Jordan, I based my entire playing of covers for JM off of his performance on Where The Light Is. His groove and pocket was so good. JJJ is a really close second. For me they both possessed the ability to grove real hard and add life to the song rather than just playing to the song rather than playing with the song. The sign of a great drummer is if the kit has a voice and if you are just playing the traps and making a beat then you IMO have failed your job as a drummer (circumstantially of course)
Love it. What do you think of Sterling?
Saw Steve Jordan with the stones last night and honestly it’s like every time that man plays the drums something magical happens. Haven’t seen Steve Jordan play like that and sound that good since the 2010 battle studies tour. Steve is honestly one of the greatest drummers alive, I saw him on the 2017 tour playing dear Marie which is one of the sterling tunes. Go watch dear Marie at the São Paulo show from 2017 and you’ll understand what I mean by Steve Jordan making everything sound better / more entergised. Sterling is amazing but if you notice he plays the same song the EXACT same way every night. It’s boring. Jordan changes up the way he plays each song each night you never know what he’s gonna do
JJ Johnson is from San Antonio, TX. He's a legend around here!
Such a great player!!
For me, JJJ!
Great choice!
Steve had Covid