I agree that talking about it tactfully is important.
In the mid-80s I was in a band with a rock guitarist and a drummer who aspired to be a Jim Keltner/Steve Gadd/Chris Parker type of session musician.
I always remember a moment at one gig where we were opening for John "On the Dark Side" Cafferty. We had the place rocking, and the guitarist and I both looked back at the drummer to urge him to pick it up a bit, because the context honestly required it. He had his eyes closed and was stubbornly keeping it at the "proper" tempo, like a seasoned studio guy. It was frustrating.
Both musicians were excellent, and the drummer has gone on to a fine career with famous people.
I don't remember whether or not we talked about it later, but if it were to happen today, I would bring it up at a band meeting and nicely suggest that sometimes the situation calls for a little flexibility.
In the mid-80s I was in a band with a rock guitarist and a drummer who aspired to be a Jim Keltner/Steve Gadd/Chris Parker type of session musician.
I always remember a moment at one gig where we were opening for John "On the Dark Side" Cafferty. We had the place rocking, and the guitarist and I both looked back at the drummer to urge him to pick it up a bit, because the context honestly required it. He had his eyes closed and was stubbornly keeping it at the "proper" tempo, like a seasoned studio guy. It was frustrating.
Both musicians were excellent, and the drummer has gone on to a fine career with famous people.
I don't remember whether or not we talked about it later, but if it were to happen today, I would bring it up at a band meeting and nicely suggest that sometimes the situation calls for a little flexibility.
