Hey frog, as you may guess from my past comments, I agree about drum solos. There are many drummers I enjoy for their backbone support of the tune, but extended solos seldom "connect" for me. Morello was a major exception. To my uneducated ear his were often "musical" and therefore interesting in and of themselves.
Here's a related issue. No idea how true this may be in other parts of the country but locally jazz groups I hear tend to let every musician solo on every number. When it comes to drums and bass this is simply too much. And this from a bass fan who will often listen specifically to their lines. But those are not instruments that are appropriate for such frequent solos in my opinion. You don't hear that from Morello in every Brubeck Quartet number, so why would a lesser talent think they can pull it off?
Here's a related issue. No idea how true this may be in other parts of the country but locally jazz groups I hear tend to let every musician solo on every number. When it comes to drums and bass this is simply too much. And this from a bass fan who will often listen specifically to their lines. But those are not instruments that are appropriate for such frequent solos in my opinion. You don't hear that from Morello in every Brubeck Quartet number, so why would a lesser talent think they can pull it off?