I loved Derek Sherinian on keys. I can see why JP loves to write songs with Jordan however. And I've often wondered how many DT songs would sound with different players. Like, if say, Marco had gotten the drum gig, or my favorite, Gavin Harrison.
This is just my hot take---and probably is off and means nothing. I do think different players
bring different things out of one another. I feel like Jordan reinforces the technical side of John
and DT as a band. He makes them more mathematical, for lack of a better term. I feel similarly
about Mangini.
Derek and Mike are also both super advanced technically, but they have more dynamics and
feel that they brought to DT and pushed John in that way. I also feel like both Mike and Derek
got bored musically in DT and wanted to be more diverse and not stuck playing exclusively in
and for DT. Their musicianship was/is broader and deeper than what can be done in DT and I
feel like their careers reflect that. I am so glad Mike left DT. There have been some killer bands
and great music that would have never happened if he had just stayed in DT and limited himself
to that kind of music.
Winery Dogs and Sons of Apollo are two great projects that I look forward to hearing more music
from in the future. Actually more exciting to me than any new DT music, sadly.
