Very occasional quote of the day: Harvey Mason on listening and insecurity

“[D]o all the listening you can, to everyone who is on record, or live. Try to evaluate what really makes them function in the setting they're in. Try to add it to your arsenal or repertoire so that when you're in a situation, you have more things to call on. Listen to the music and try to figure out what your instrument does in various situations.

Don't be intimidated by anyone musically, and just do what you do best, and feel good about doing. All you can do is what you do. You can't do what anyone else does. If you've prepared enough, and have listened enough, and are musically sympathetic to a situation, you usually end up doing okay.”

—Harvey Mason, from 1981 Modern Drummer interview with Robyn Flans