I've been what can best be described as a "peripheral" RUSH fan over the years. I only own their double "Best Of" CD, but have always enjoyed their music and appreciated their considerable talent. Recently INHD broadcast RUSH's 30 Anniversary tour from a performance in Frankfurt Germany.
What really stood out for me was how tight these guys were as muscians. If one were to close their eyes, you'd swear they were 25. It was very obvious that Neil, Alex and Getty have never stopped practicing their instruments, because they absolutely shredded. There was no mucking about either as they got on stage and played one great tune after another.
I've always bowed down before Stewart Copeland as the king of rock drummers, but Neil Pert sure impressed the heck out of me with that performance. This guy was non-stop for 2 hours and never broke a sweat or changed expressions on his face. He completely kicked hiney on the drums. I thought Danny Carey was good. Danny should be lucky to lick the boots of Neil Pert.
If you have HD and they replay this show, you owe it to yourself to check it out. One whale of a performance from three guys who are serious about music.
I totally agree! This show in HD was fabulous!! I had the great fortune to see Rush live in Denver a couple of summers ago. They are even BETTER in person!!!
If you have a chance to see this performance on INHD...do.
It was a good show, and they played great, you mentioned the drummer never breaking a sweat or showing emotion, I kinda thought he was just going thru the motions, although they are very tight and talented motions (he is amazing to watch)...I just felt like his heart wasnt in it. I think the best show I have watched on INHD is GodSmak, this is a great show and should not be missed.
although they are very tight and talented motions (he is amazing to watch)...I just felt like his heart wasnt in it.
Throughout their history, many have seen Peart as a soul-less techician. He's is certainly a perfectionist, a workaholic at the kit, and not someone who plays by feel. One thing's for sure, though. He has expanded the skillset for the entire medium, something very few drummers have done.
Glad to see you enjoyed the video, Dawgbyte. They are an amazing band!
Everytime I open my mouth I somehow get my foot in it, I thought he was great, just like to see some spark is all, I enjoy watching bands enjoy what they are doing...its just more fun for me.
A silly wee story to highlight Peart's dedication to his art/performance.
I saw them several times in the late 70's early 80's but the first tour I saw was Hemispheres(Tour Of)and I had tickets to two succesive nights at the Glasgow Apollo.
In between beats and rolls Peart used to throw his sticks in the air and catch them and hit the drum without missing a beat.However that first night despite never missing a beat his throwing was absymal, drum sticks rained down bouncing off his head, shoulder, everywhere.Each time he pulled another stick from his "box" and hit the drum just in time. It got so bad it was funny.
The second night he must have performed this trick 30 times and never dropped a single stick.
it was a fun show to watch, especially for a casual fan like myself who hasnt listened to them much in the past 15 years.
Neil Pert's extended drum solo was a bit silly IMO. It was just a fireworks show, nothing very musical about it, at least given its length... but hey, if that's your thing.
If I may chime in here... RUSH! What an amazing trio of artists. Have been, and will be for life, for me a band that has left an indelible mark on everything "musical" about me. Much respect. One live show after another I've witnessed, they get BETTER. So much character.
Now, what the heck is INHD.. I've heard of HDCD (very cool and still 2 channel) but this INHD you speak of...
I have seen during their last two tours, fantastic shows, have both dvd's as well. Neil is one of the two best drummers I have ever seen, the other being Golden Earring's Cesar Z.
AVguy, It is a shame Satelite guys do not get this channel, one day I bet you will as soon as some contract may expire. INHD and its brother channel seem to have by far the best musical content.
I agree wholeheartedly with Boa2 and ChadnLiz. As a Canadian and having lived in Toronto for several years, naturally I'm well familiar with Neil Peart.
Neil has one of the best drum solos on the planet and is technically one of the very best ever.
For those who are affronted by any criticisms of Neil's style, I suggest you pick up Steve Ferrone's More Head album from CD Baby and compare (check out Steve's Strutt for example).
You will discover a vastly different style of drumming to contrast that of Neil... understated and often more effective by what is not represented than what is.
I believe Neil and Steve get on fine...as Steve appears on Neil's trubute to Buddy Rich album.
Thank goodness there is no absolutely definitive or correct way to drum - it makes it so much more interesting. Like great wine, beer and many other things ...variety is the spice of life! (Just don't tell that to your sweetheart)
I think some of you are confusing loose drumming with 'heart'. Looser drumming does give it a 'warmer' sound I suppose.
Neil Peart is a very technical and extremely tight drummer. He never forgets his beat or fills and stays on them tight. Now that may sound cold to some of you but the way he puts together songs to me is amazing. You know he writes most the songs too right? He has amazing talent. The songs are filled with an incredible amount of nuances of his drumming. It's quite an accomplishment to fill in songs so well and make it sound so musical. The drums in the music can be songs and stories in themselves. And the variety he portrays in his playing is incredible too. Never gets boring or old. Every beat he does is very unique and personal for each song. Now that is heart if anything. Not the same cold boring beat and fills that is so prevailent in most modern music.
Rush is my favorite band. Hence the first half of my screen name. I like a lot of bands and a lot of different kinds of music. But, I follow Rush to a much higher degree than any other group.
Neil Peart does not write most of the music. He does, however, write almost 100% of the lyrics. I'm sure he has input on the music, but the writing of the music is Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson's forte.
Three down to earth, unpretentious, non-rock star, consumate professionals that are writing and playing better than ever. All three are considered by many to be masters of their respective instruments.
Rush's 19th studio album, "Snakes and Arrows", is due to be released May 1st.
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