The_Noble_Cause wrote:Eric wrote:Suddenly some folks are huge Ross Valory fans.
LOL. Nothing against Ross, but I'm not sure how anyone can argue against Randy being an upgrade.
Okay, question: In what way is Randy Jackson an "upgrade" over Ross Valory, the guy who actually played on all those iconic hits they're going to perform live?
Is his playing better? I doubt is, as I've never, ever heard of anyone lauding how great Randy Jackson is on the bass, but let's say it is: What difference does that make? The songs are already written. It doesn't matter who has the better "chops"....all you have to do is play the notes Ross himself came up with and played on the records.
I mean, neither of them can hold a candle to Billy Sheehan, but when it comes to playing the Dirty Dozen, it really doesn't matter, does it?
So as long as one can do that, it really doesn't matter if they are also the Eddie Van Halen of bass, since that's not something Journey songs need. Nobody will see Journey and say "Wow, that new bass player made all the difference". LOL, unless your band is Primus or Mr Big or Rush, or a few other bands, nobody cares about the bass player....other than being a familiar face.
And how is Narada an "upgrade" over Steve Smith, who many consider the finest drummer on the planet? Even before Neal Peart passed away, many considered him as such. PLUS, he's also "the guy who played on the albums", for the most part.
I remember everyone immediately declaring how much of a difference and what an upgrade Smith was over Deen (and whoever it was that filled in between them) when he re-joined Journey.
Not that I'm disagreeing totally here....But I'm failing to see how either of these dudes are an upgrade, EXCEPT in maybe one area: Randy Jackson's popularity from American Idol. That might raise Journey's profile a bit, I suppose.
But as far as their playing, I don't see how it matters as long as they both can perform the material.