One of the most admirable things about Steve Smith is that he's more than a Master, he's a Master Student. The guy never quits learning, studying, or exploring. If you want to be great, don't just master the instrument, master the STUDY of it. Steve is a textbook example of this.
Yeah, that’s why I love a lot of the older drummers, because all the drummers today just try to show their chops instead of actually playing for the music, and a lot of drum duets that I’ve seen today, are just drummers trying to play as many chops as they can, in this case they’re actually playing together and listening to each other, and not trying to show who has the better chops
I do believe that Steve has great admiration for Smitty and that he's glad to share the stage with him...It show at the 4:min mark, both are glad to be playing with each other.......
Marvin Smitty Smith is such a beast on drums! I saw him play jazz fusion in 1986 or 1987 at a huge jazz festival together with Steve Coleman's Five Elements and Marvin went wild with the most amazingly impossible beats & fills in all kinds of time signatures. There were so many legendary drummers in the audience that night enjoying the show and every one of them knew a new era had begun. Then Marvin did that awesome Opening Night jazz album together with Kevin Eubanks and I also remember seeing him live in the 80's with his own jazz group and with jazz singer Cassandra. Marvin was already a master of drums back then and had everyone's respect from the start. Meanwhile Steve Smith performed at the same festival together with the group Steps Ahead (live 1986 'Beirut!') and later on with Vital Information ('The Perfect Date'). Plus Steve also recorded with highly technical metal guitarists such as Tony Macalpine and Ritchie Kotzen ('Strut It') . Steve Smith has always been extremely versatile.
I kept hoping for Smitty to put a little more space between his notes. He was all blazing, all the time. Throw a little contrast in there. It's hard to tell what's being played if everything is one big roll around the kit. Kudos to Steve Smith for incorporating some polyrhythmic stuff and some funky beats.
I was at this show at The Ritz in Manhattan in 1991. Got to see Max Roach do a clinic. Play The Drum Also Waltzes. And speak to the audience. Smith & Smith drum battle was epic.
Steve Smith absolutely killed it! I enjoyed his Performance because he was very clean and quite musical. I could understand all of his notes. That's why Steve got my vote for this one.
Both have differing styles and both are excellent drummers. Can't we just leave it at that? All I can say is don't we just love our drummers, no matter who they are.
Marvin Smitty Smith a Beast on the drums. There is a big difference between feeling and technique. Marvin Smitty Smith a master at both. If a comparison is made Marvin’s feel is definitely more relaxed and he definitely took whatever Steve played to a higher level. Both are good but Marvin is definitely the beast and the master.
@@frankburdodrums8984 I agree about what you said that neither really out shines the other, but your second comment, I don’t really agree with because, imo, it’s not really about speed.
OK, what I think many people here in the comments are missing is that this is a drum battle in front of an audience. Showmanship is very important, not just musicality. You might be the most musical drummer on the planet, but in this kind of performance context, if you don't show off and add pizzazz to your solo, it's not going to really excite and engage with the audience. Another thing that people here in the comments seem to be missing is that both Steve and the audience are wow-ed by Smitty's ability to play what Steve just played, but play it twice as fast. It's a direct challenge to Steve and a show of brute drumming force, which, again, captures the spirit of this kind of performance context. Colaiuta plays the same way in his battle with Weckl and Gadd, and that's why Colaiuta is just so much more exciting to watch.
Extra-ordinnaire batteurs, très haute performences,et subtils en plus, super bien règlé et beaucoups de talents.................génial ces deux musiciens, des phénomènes de l'instrument !
This was just a delight to watch. Both these men are astounding. I’ll admit my bias as an avid Steve Smith fan , I believe Steve is the greatest student of drumming and also a student of drummers past. As such , he is a chameleon on drums and able to channel so many of his Influences. Smitty is Smitty and should be appreciated for his gift, because if I could play like him, I’d be a happy camper. We don’t need to declare winners in these types of events but simply marvel at the individual talents that make these men so special.
Luv the Hilite exclusive kit with the copper hardware and the bell brass pic signature snare epic. The pic was in during the period. Yamaha custom maples were the big seller ala Weckl and Colaiuta setup with a pic snare.
While Smitty’s second solo was mind-blowing, I feel like he was just trying to outplay Steve at some parts. Both of them gave impressive performances, but Steve played a lot more cleanly.
Ok, please don't get me wrong: As amazing as they were, over the opening solos, I see two drummers emulating Tony Williams at a Buddy Rich memorial concert. Kudos to all of them!
This is an epic duel. It takes a lot of nut to battle like that. Sure they are there to celebrate Rich and they can call it a "Duet" but that was a battle. Reminds me of the Gatti-Ward fight with the same hug at the end. I give it to Steve Smith for his groove and musicality and the way he always finishes his phrasing but like I said it was a battle. Neil Peart was smart to sit this one out; he would have been eatin' alive.
Let me just say that I love Steve Smith's playing and as a duet, this was highly musical. But as a cutting contest- Good Lord! Smitty owned him! Steve knows it and he's such a great drummer he just appreciates the skill and beauty. All great people and musicians have that attitude.
I remember at the time everyone was more impressed with smitty here.. but I remember thinking Steve was playing tastier licks with a lot more musicality and space while Marvin was just blowing as hard as he could .. its interesting seeing the trajectories of these guys Steve got a million times better and Marvin let his playing go a bit
@eqsmooth That's fine and why I prefaced my comments about Steve. When it comes to musicality, competition takes a back seat. But as much as it was a billed as a duet, it was an old fashioned cutting contest, in the spirit of Buddy or Chick Webb. And in that sense, Smitty buried him with speed, power and precision. He took everything Steve played up a notch. That doesn't take away from the musicality of what Steve did. I've studied with one of Steve's teachers and really enjoy his playing.
Marvin played like they were "cutting heads." Steve played with class and distinction. Steve would lay down some of the tastiest licks and grooves and Marvin would just try to outplay him.
Still, they’re both still incredible drummers, at least Steve looked like he was having fun, instead of being angry at Smitty, because he was trying to outplay him.
I met ' Steve Urkel' some years back at pro drum in Hollywood around 06/07. Heard him play in the store. The Jay Leno show did not do his talent justice. I also saw Steve Smiths fusion band vital information that same year at the new catalonia club in Hollywood. What a show!! Me and my friend I went with had a ring side seat. We were like 20 feet away!!
No Competition here in My Honest Opinion Marvin Smitty Smith Wore Steve Smith out. Look at Steve's face when Marvin was Playing. He knew he was totally Out Classed in this friendly Competition.
While Marvin Smith was faster and did some pretty crazy moves, which were mind blowing, I found that Steve overall had a better overall flow. While I do condone crazy fills and blazing speed mixed with everything, I enjoy the flow. Basically, if Steve and Marvin were put into a mega "Smith," it would be quite the show.
Eric Clapton and Joe Bonamassa. Who cares which of us favors one more than the other when that is just a personal taste and preference and both are fantastic. Like our Smith boys here
i had to comment! wow some of the comments are so fucking ignorant. Both of these guys are world class musicians! U can have your op about which approach u liked more but really. They are light years better drummers that anyone commenting on this board and better musicians. Get real and save your bullshit! Just enjoy.
while i agree neil was technically dwarfed by the drummers he shared the stage with that night, two things happened. 1. he brought the love and respect of jazz to many young and aspiring rock drummers for whom that world had been closed off, not the least of which by some of buddy's own criticism of their choice in stylistic interest, and 2. neil RECOGNIZED he was technically dwarfed by the others and strove to reinvent himself as a player, a student, and a musician. people recognized that and loved him even more for it. considering the impact neil has had on drummers worldwide, second only to perhaps buddy himself, it was not only very much his business to be there, but his DUTY :-)
As much as i am the hugest fan of Steve Smith....Wow...Marvin....One of the "Original Church-Chop's Drummers just blazing here! ... Ridiculous...( and obviously, 'The White Guy'...ain't no slouch either) lol!
Steve Smith had hair?? This clip speaks to the beautiful truth that all great drummers have their own unique style and sound.... Find yours today. If this message has touched you, send a donation to.... Me
I never said I didn't understand your comment; I did, and still do, agree with it. I was just trying to make a friendly suggestion about your phrasing.
Faster than Dennis really? You must have seen Chambers playing dancing men with the BR Big Band, his singles on that take some beating for sheer speed IMO
Both of these guys are just outstanding. But when looking at both of them together you clearly see the differences. Smitty is definitely throwing unbelievable speed out there with some outstanding playing but the lack of technique is really showing, especially when it comes to traditional grip. Smitty is still able to play like an absolute monster but the technique and precision is no where close to Steve. In 2021, this is still one of the best drum battles I've ever seen.
Its funny how most people are drawn to the faster player. Another example would be the solos between Vinnie Colaiuta, Weckl & Gadd. Most people thought that Vinnie dominated, when in reality, it was Weckl & Gadd that shined. Yes, Vinnie was a little faster, and that was about it.....nothing tasteful in his solo. Plus, Vinnie's toms were tuned lower, giving him more of a "booming " sound, which was more crowd pleasing
Steve smith let the young lad have his head and go for it,if you look steve is loving how "smitty" plays,but look it's a drum solo. In my mind being musical is more important.
