Adrian Smith

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"If this were the Steve thread or the general Maiden thread I would totally understand the need for balance and more objectivity..."
--I don't understand why you'd not want that here too.
 
Less balance, i.e.- most of the information discussed will be about 1 Iron Maiden member, not all of them. Objectivity (or a lessening thereof)- As Adrian fans, and human beings, we'll tend to overstate his contributions, emphasize the better aspects of his playing, and downplay some of the flaws and foibles (though you'll note that I did say I wasn't a fan of his LAD tone, right?). That's what I'm saying and that's why here, in his thread, you won't see it as much. My point was that I wouldn't go into the Steve thread and pick "Adrian's contributions . . . blah, blah, blah" fights, nor would I elevate his status over the other members in the general Maiden thread. Here, this is a safe haven, or should be, for H fans.
 
What's the problem? We don't go all over the board explaining how awesome Adrian is.
You just notice this, because there are plenty of us. There are not many Steve fans or Dave fans willing to do that but if there were, they would do the same in the respective threads.
 
That's what the threads are meant for, right? But it just so happens that this one is the most active because, like Ariana said, there's plenty of us to post in it.
 
Have you read the Steve thread? --I'm pretty sure you're allowed to point out factual errors over there. Admittedly, I went on a bit of a rant earlier on (not really aimed at comments here), but I still think my "mythologizing" observation worthy of discussion, not scorn.
 
And because when Adrian is not working with Maiden, he doesn't exactly spend his time playing football or baking cakes. :p There's plenty of material to discuss, that's all.

Oh come on! You are allowed to discuss flaws here.
 
I have no idea. At least for the cakes part. But you have to admit that Adrian is the most prolific composer and musician of them all and there are many things to discuss and pay attention to.

Come on, tell me what you think. Why hasn't Dave participated in side projects, except for when he was with Adrian?
 
When you add up everything, everyone's done, musically, Adrian is certainly the most prolific writer. Steve might have loads of other stuff too (doubtful) & Bruce must be pretty close in terms of output --but Adrian has certainly (I'd guess) written & recorded the most. No question of that. (That's me agreeing...)

Dave is a great guitarist, & the (few) songs he is credited on are very good. I also feel he's contributing little bits here & there which have contributed greatly to Maiden's sound over the years --but he just isn't (it would seem) a songwriter, & never has been. Still, I don't know why he doesn't play on more stuff. I assume outside of Maiden he's just not around (& doesn't seek to be around) other musicians --therefore it's hard to see him being in a position to colaborate with anyone. I don't know the reason for this. He either lacks the confidence to do something himself, lacks the talent, or is just very content with his role in Maiden as it stands. I don't know. Why do you think?
 
I don't think he lacks the confidence to come up with something on his own because his songs are excellent. Maybe he doesn't feel comfortable with arrangements, though. I personally think that he doesn't need any other form of expression outside Maiden. He never questioned any of the musical decision the rest made but he never really took the initiative to change anything, either. I guess he's more of a follower than a leader and there's nothing wrong with that.

Or could it be vice versa, Forostar? People who like to do nothing, go to live on Hawaii?:)
 
Ariana said:
He never questioned any of the musical decision the rest made but he never really took the initiative to change anything, either.
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Not sure. Perhaps not. Internal affairs are not that often discussed outside of the band.
Ariana said:
I guess he's more of a follower than a leader and there's nothing wrong with that.
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On one of the last DVD documentaries I had the impression that Dave was one of wise remarks. Doesn't speak often but when he does...
Ariana said:
Or could it be vice versa, Forostar? People who like to do nothing, go to live on Hawaii?:)
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Both :)
 
Yes, I admit I was wrong with that. He didn't do it publicly, at least.
As for the second remark, I don't think being wise is the same as leading. Of course, I may be wrong in all my assumptions.
 
I was going to mention Hawaii! :D
Yeh, I think he really does enjoy his time off --that may be a bigger factor than we think.

I'd agree that he must be getting everything he wants from music from Maiden. He certainly seems (from his comments) to still love playing, & certainly doesn't seem to (again, this is just what you see) get as frustrated about things as, for example, Adrian. As you both mention, it's very hard to know what goes on at writing & rehearsal sessions, in private. He certainly comes across as easy-going & positive; but maybe this works against him when it comes to ideas flying around. Creatively, I don't think there's much room in the band outside Steve & Adrian. I know Bruce writes too (& undoubtedly he's instrumental in how lyrics are written or finally sound), but it looks increasingly like everything pivots around these two. He certainly doesn't come across as a leader...
 
(re: Dave's apparent passivity) I think it's just a matter of personality type. When you see a video or a picture of Dave, 8 times out of 10, he's smiling. 1 time out of 10 he's probably doing a photo session and they want a "serious" look from him. He seems to live in a perpetual state of bliss, and why wouldn't he? Nearly everything he does, he does brilliantly. He lives in Hawaii. Next to Steve, he's the longest-serving member of the greatest (arguably) metal band of all time. He's well-respected. He doesn't come off as a diva, nor does he have a destructive rock star ego. Behind Adrian Smith, Dave Murray is my idol (and it's a close race). #2 son was named "Adrian David" for a reason. I think he is content to sit back, go with the flow, perform in front of thousands of adoring fans yearly, and play as only he can play. Steve, Adrian, and Bruce are all different personality types, when it comes to creativity. I think Dave and Adrian are more alike in being introverts, publicly, but Adrian is much more forceful and productive, musically. While I would be thrilled for Dave to do a side project, it just probably isn't in his nature. Thus, I (and others) greedily snap up anything Adrian puts out- it exposes a different side to a musician we've spent decades listening to in a Maiden environment. And, I won't even slag off British Lion, which may have it's flaws, but shows that Steve has the courage to put his considerable reputation on the line outside of Iron Maiden. I enjoyed the beginning and ending songs from B.L., but the middle is a muddle. :) So, the brief diversion into what makes Dave tick is good, as I see him (I grew up in the 80s with Maiden) as one-half of a symbiotic guitar duo.
 
Forostar said:
He loves his time off. He lives on Hawaii. People who live on Hawaii like to do nothing.
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Yeah, I also have an impression that his "days off" are spent with family.
He does love playing; "walk into a bar, and that old guy playing blues in corner would be me". I don't think guitar has any less place in Dave's life compared to Adrian's, it's just that Dave doesn't seem to care about projects and recording and stuff.

I like H's style more than his, however, Dave seems more natural in his playing. Not just sound and the smoothness of legato, but execution. It's like that performance of David Gilmour and B.B. King. Gilmour's lead parts were well prepared and executed, more fitting to my ears than B.B. King's, but the King just tosses solo out of his hand. A vague explanation, and a most fitting one.

On one of the last DVD documentaries I had the impression that Dave was one of wise remarks. Doesn't speak often but when he does...
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I think it's on Flight 666. Bruce tells how they get into all sorts of discussions (mostly "political"), Dave just sits back, and when someone asks him his opinion, everyone is left in awe afterwards. Something like that, anyway.

When on topic of Dave, his best solos came when Adrian wasn't around. IMHO, due to fact that he had to fill in that precise, melodic style Maiden was left without. Example - Public Enema Number One; wow.
 
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