Mike Portnoy writes the most incredible and tasteful drum parts...

I'd also like to add that Gavin and the bass player in PT (forgot his name) are collectively one of the most amazing rhythm sections. It's rare that you hear a rock band groove like that.

Colin Edwin. Super solid bassist. The bass line on Arriving Somewhere but Not Here is one of my favorite basslines of all time.

SIDE NOTE:
 
this is really why i enjoy the forums...i love arguing these kinds of things. I like to see the views people have that oppose mine, and yet while me (and others) argue Gavin's genius, because it is MP's forum we all still have a high level of respect for MP, so while arguine Gavin's there is no viciousness in the arguement that there is sometimes in other places
 
 
back on topic
 
i really think that Taffer nailed what i was trying to say about Gavin, in that he just fits a song perfectly and that while at first you don't see how incredible it is, when you stop for a second and think what just happened, you realize just how good he is.
 
MP on the other hand, you hear something and its like: Yea i can never play that...but its in your face and is a "seperate" part to the song, while Gavin it just simply is.

I watched the clip, great stuff.  I never said he wasn't great, but listen to the drums in the choruses.  Nearly the same pattern every time.  That's one thing that elevates MP in my opinion is that MP will change timing of his drums while the rhythm stays the same, then return to the original timing.  I hardly ever hear Gavin do that.  MP is more "creative" with his parts, to me that means a lot.

i dont mean to totally deflect everything you just said....but listen to the song False Start by OSI

dparrott


I watched the clip, great stuff.  I never said he wasn't great, but listen to the drums in the choruses.  Nearly the same pattern every time.  That's one thing that elevates MP in my opinion is that MP will change timing of his drums while the rhythm stays the same, then return to the original timing.  I hardly ever hear Gavin do that.  MP is more "creative" with his parts, to me that means a lot.

Well... IMO Gavin has a more effective, yet subtle way of being creative. Gavin is a jazz drummer playing in a prog rock band(talking about PT and KC of course), which means his view of composing drum parts is working for the song, and never vice-versa. He always plays what the song needs, and when he can, he throws a little fill here and there, always keeps experimenting and keeping the song fresh, something very traditional of jazz music, as long as it does not interfere with any other aspect of the music. Not saying MP never does that, but I'm sure you will agree that sometimes (...specially in the last few records) the drum parts kinda overlaps and the song suddenly is working for the drum parts. Not that there is anything wrong with that btw, it's just something that *I* am not really a fan.
but once again, Gavin is my favorite drummer of all time, so I guess my opinion is biased

I'm definitely in the camp of Gavin being my favorite drummer of all time. I honestly don't know how to describe it but (as Grivu said) he never takes away the limelight from the drive of the song, but can still make the drums stand out by accenting everything perfectly.
 
EDIT: sadly I can't post the video here, but if you look up Gavin Harrison's Guitar center sessions regarding fills. That video essentially sums up the genius that is Gavin's way of making a drum track.

Well, it's two VERY different approaches. As mentioned earlier, Gavin approaches the music as a jazz drummer; MP as a rock drummer. To me, it's really apples and oranges. It's not a matter of who I think is better, creative, technical, whatever... To me, it's who's playing is more interesting... to me! For me, it's GH. I like the chimes, ghost rolls and rhythmic illusions that make a 4/4 time signature knock my brains around in my head. Now, that said, I also think that GH, at times, overplays on the toms; something that MP doesn't really do. (see Way Out of Here)

No doubt about it....I have been blown away so many times and kept wondering how or what the hell is he playing on some parts and at the end of the day trying to break it down by singing the parts and yet still some parts just don't make sense.
 
But also other than his skills behind the drums I came to admire how his devotion to his fans and the way he makes his fans feel like family and not arrogant.