Thanks.  I agree on Rigby; I think to most of us here he wouldn't be a 
secret, but I think to the average joe going to a show, the guys on 
the back line don't always get their due, so I wanted to be sure to 
cover them. I probably didn't put that "rock steady" part well; really 
what I was trying to say was that he was so good at providing the 
rhythm that Holder was freed up to use the bass to add texture; if 
Rigby wasn't so good Holder would have to stick to a more pronounced 
bassline.  As a result the instrumentation seems more lush and full.  
That's closer to what I meant.

----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Bennett <mrhonorama@ameritech.net>
Date: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 12:57 pm
Subject: Re: dB's Monday Night Review...

> Very well written, Josh -- I wish I had taken the time
> to write out something as well thought out as you did.
> 
> Some points -- they did "I'm In Love" at the House of
> Blues gig Sat. night.  They played it in a different
> (lower) key, which I thought damaged the song -- it
> loses the urgency in the lower register, and while the
> chorus still hits, the tension-release dynamic is
> diminished.
> 
> And, from the blog (which everyone should read):
> 
> "I found myself trying to figure out why a band like
> the dB?s is so good, when so many can assay this kind
> of music and come off sounding generic. What is the
> formula? And I think it ends up being simple: good
> songs, harmonies (it is more difficult than it seems
> to sing this well together), and economical playing."
> 
> I'd agree somewhat, though I think The dB's songs
> often (particularly Stamey's) have unique twists and
> turns that put them ahead of the pack.
> 
> "Will Rigby reminded me of what I often see as the
> drummer?s lament: like an umpire at a baseball game,
> if the drummer has a good night, you might well not
> notice him. But Rigby may just be the secret weapon of
> this band, driving the songs with an insistent, rock
> steady beat that allows Holder to lay on the texture."
> 
> I guess here I'm in disagreement -- if anyone finds
> Will Rigby to be a secret, they aren't paying
> attention.  He is undoubtedly one of the most creative
> drummers, who adds things to songs that put him up in
> the upper echelon of rock drummers.  Like the cool
> hook he adds to the arrangement of "Dynamite", for
> example.  I guess where I disagree most strongly is
> this notion that his contributions are in the
> background, when, on so many songs, his drumming is
> right up front.  He is more than a steady beatkeeper,
> though he is that too, when the song requires it.
> 
> These are just quibbles -- excellent blogging!
> 
> Mike Bennett
> 
> 
> --- jchasin@nyc.rr.com wrote:
> 
> > ...is at my blog: 
> > 
> > http://apennysworth.blogspot.com/
> > 
> 
> 
> Chicago Pop Show Report on Yahoo Groups: 
> http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/chicagopopshowreport/?
yguid=162827291
> Music reviews:  http://www.fufkin.com
> 
> My Space blog:  http://blog.myspace.com/mrhonorama
>