[David]

Originally Posted by face of glass

Actually with all the help he gets from other percussionists these days, it's not surprising that his drumming has been degenerating somewhat; Say You Will the album features pretty much standard 4/4 throughout, and as ChiliD once said, it could be anyone playing there. Who knows what's happened with his drumming between 1995-2003, but it sure doesn't seem good.

Back when Taku was posting to Usenet (pseudonymously), this is what he said about how Mick's playing had degenerated by that point (2003):

"I'm on the tour and it is an issue. Unfortunately it doesn't get mentioned to Mick too often since it makes him self-conscious. But, yes, there are issues with the time. It's not bad... he is just an emotional drummer. If he is excited, it speeds up. If he digs in and plays, as he calls it, "greasy" it tends to slow down a bit. Everyone on stage accomodates without any problems, though. It was an issue with Lenny Castro, though, and he would get quite frustrated. If you were to ask any drummer in the business to see a show on this current tour, they would say the same thing about the time. ... His time has a tendency of rushing and dragging depending on his energy. Great drummer, great feel, but not always the best at timekeeping in the true sense of the word. Ask anyone on the tour."