He's been with the Floyd from day one up to Live 8 and, with all the problems and internal wars, he's been able to survive without saying a bad word against any of the others (at least not too explicitly). Before Live 8 he already made the symbolic gesture of playing "Set the Controls" with Waters, thus, publicly burying the hatchet... Man! I've already been playing in three bands (as a drummer as well) and personal relationships and interaction can sometimes get as hard as in any love relationship. You gotta admire him just for that.
And as a drummer... he's not as showy as others but, personally, I don't like "soloist" or hyper-active drummers. In rock bands sometimes there is a battle of egos with everyone trying to stand out and having his or her own spotlight moment in detriment of the song played. I think that holding yourself back, laying the perfect rhythm that the song needs and letting the other instruments shine without "fighting" against them is what a good drummer should do.
Finally, just a couple of days ago I grabbed the "Fictitious Sports" and "Profiles" Lps. It's the music I'm listening right now and it totally amazes me. Ok, Mason does not write anything on the first one, but his drumming on that album is one of his finest moments and his production values are also evident (does the female voice by the end of "Hot River" or the sound of the guitar in the same song remind you of anything?
). And what other member of the Floyd could have played in songs like "Canīt Get my Motor to Start" or "Boo to You Too"?
What a guy!
