Thanks, Teddy B.
I guess it all boils down to us liking what we like. in actuality, I was just having some friendly debating fun with Pete. He's not wrong, neither are you and neither am I.
Here's my view:
Billy vs. Lenny - you and I like Billy.
John vs. Al You like John, I like Al's work in RTF better than I like Johns work in MO.
Stanley Vs. Rick, Let's not even go there.
Chick vs. Jan You say Chick. Tough call for me, Chicks done more but I think Jan is (or at least was) an incredible player.
I don't know how good or bad Rick Laird is. What I do know is his work with MO wasn't a technical standout. What I admired about him
is he was the glue that held the band together. Steady and solid.
I would never Challenge to go head to head with you on this Teddy B. as I have never seen either band live. My assessment is based only on what I've heard and seen through recording and video. Based on that and that being said, The one thing I strongly disagree with you on is when you said the RTF reunion wasn't sub par to their efforts back in the day. My ears definitely tell me different. Everyone, not some but EVERYONE I talked to said they enjoyed the show and that the band played well. They also said that, that certain fire in the performances just wasn't there... Note: compare these recent shows to that particular live performance they did at Electric Lady studios back in the 70's and the difference in power and energy can be clearly heard.
Collectively, I like what RTF did more than what MO did. To sit here and say that they were actually better, I can't do that really... I've heard them both and I like RTF they played with a multitude of color, dimension and texture. In my opinion, MO did not. It's like comparing a 10 speed to a 3 speed.
For me, I can listen to an entire RTF album without chewing my tongue off. MO's music was just too much anger for my long term taste. Too much yelling and screaming!
Some folks like being yelled and screamed at, and that's cool too.
Thanks, Ted,
D.