Neil to be on Letterman..

[Xanadoood]

I think Neil is one of the great Rock drummers of all time. I refuse to judge any musician based strictly on a solo. His body of work over the course of 36 years speaks for itself.

[druid13]

I think it's you that don't get it. I like Neil Peart...and what I was referring to had nothing to do with fluidity and everything to do with choices. I've been following Neil's drumming since 1979 for Pete's sake.

 

I mentioned a Work in Progress earlier. I realize he gave Gadd credit.

 

It's a matter of taste. His solo on the Documentary ( the New Guy section) where he broke a drumhead was much better...it was HIM not him trying to be someone else putting in fills that don't make sense like they could. It was more solid. I honestly think he should dump the swing thing unless he really wants to work on swing. For whatever reason the feel eludes him. This is why it feels disjointed. he is almost better off being bombastic Neil (like in the Doc) than trying so many ideas if he does not have them down.

 

Buddy's Muppet show perfromance was OK. But I can understand the comment as well. There are much better Buddy solos than that one. The other thing to remember for any drummer is if you are gonna play jazz you better listen to more than Buddy...because there are a ton of other 'cats' out there with different approaches to learn from.

 

 

[HigherWater]

QUOTE (druid13 @ Jun 15 2011, 07:22 AM)

I think it's you that don't get it. I like Neil Peart...and what I was referring to had nothing to do with fluidity and everything to do with choices. I've been following Neil's drumming since 1979 for Pete's sake. I mentioned a Work in Progress earlier. I realize he gave Gadd credit. It's a matter of taste. His solo on the Documentary ( the New Guy section) where he broke a drumhead was much better...it was HIM not him trying to be someone else putting in fills that don't make sense like they could. It was more solid. I honestly think he should dump the swing thing unless he really wants to work on swing. For whatever reason the feel eludes him. This is why it feels disjointed. he is almost better off being bombastic Neil (like in the Doc) than trying so many ideas if he does not have them down. Buddy's Muppet show perfromance was OK. But I can understand the comment as well. There are much better Buddy solos than that one. The other thing to remember for any drummer is if you are gonna play jazz you better listen to more than Buddy...because there are a ton of other 'cats' out there with different approaches to learn from.

Points well taken.

 

I do find it interesting that it was Neil that took on the B.F.B. project, and that he was/is seemingly good enough at jazz to carry on and promote the Rich's family legacy. He didn't seem too out of his league on either record or the video footage I've seen.

 

It is extremely easy to blast a rock drummer for crossing over into the hallowed ground of jazz. It's been done since rock pretty much took over the market place: "John Bonham!?! Haaaa! You should hear Max Roach!" Well, truth be told, I did hear Max Roach and I'd rather listen to Bonham! (ohhh, rant, sorry)

 

My point is this: You of all people--clearly very knowledgeable in the ways of the percussive arts-- should understand Neil's desire to play outside the YYZ box! So he's not the greatest swing drummer--so he's screwing around with triggers--SO WHAT! I took a listen to Terry Bozzio on that silly 2000 piece drum kit of his and it sounded like garbage cans being hit with a hammer, but I applaud the effort! I least he's trying to extend his craft.

 

Perhaps you think that Neil should just be satisfied with being who he is. I say, "screw that!" I hope he continues to try different things until the day he dies.

 

I remember how up-in-arms everyone was back when The Rhythm Method came out and I didn't understand than, either. I remember playing that floppy vinyl record from inside the Modern Drummer Magazine (I still have it!) about a thousand times, mesmerized by the technique and complexity of the song. Truthfully, I don't feel the same way about his current piece, but I understand the reason behind it.

 

As for the swing section, I don't think the "feel eludes him." I think he's playing to a trigger as opposed to a group of musicians. There is no interplay with a trigger. No give and take that is so critical to jazz. Neil does a fine job on the BFB sessions.

 

HW

 

 

[druid13]

Garbage cans....? Terry Bozzio....ok sure.

 

Check this out....it has about 100 times as musical has the jazz "feel" and from to it...actually adheres to a jazz format.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mbrel50DlE&feature=related

 

I mean look I love Neil but I have to be honest I was not crazy about the disjointed nature of that solo.

 

While we are at it here is another guy who gets swing

 

 

Edited June 16, 2011 by druid13

[HigherWater]

QUOTE (druid13 @ Jun 15 2011, 07:14 PM)

Garbage cans....? Terry Bozzio....ok sure. Check this out....it has about 100 times as musical has the jazz "feel" and from to it...actually adheres to a jazz format. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mbrel50DlE&feature=related I mean look I love Neil but I have to be honest I was not crazy about the disjointed nature of that solo. While we are at it here is another guy who gets swing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy5eAbGJwGs

I know you're not comparing 4 piece combo jazz to big band swing. You also didn't respond to my Live vs. sampled argument. I would really like to hear what you have to say.

 

As for the two videos you posted: I get it. They can play jazz (Though I find Bozzio utterly boring and pointless). I'm still not sure what you want Neil to do other than play like he did 20 years ago.

 

I see nothing wrong with Neil doing swing his own way. His style, while derived from all the great drummers that have influenced him over the years is definitively HIS. No one can do Neil like Neil. I've heard some great drummers try but you can always tell. So, if he lacks the light bouncy touch your looking for in a jazz drummer, great!!! He's Neil Freaking Peart and he's the drummer for Rush---A rock and roll band. And on that note, I think Neil actually does a better job with jazz than many jazz drummers do with rock. Louie Bellson, Ed Shaunessy (sp) and Buddy Rich (check out the AWFUL Ease On Down the Road album)---And who can forget Dave Weckl? Oh, what train wreck he can be when he decides to "Rock-Out". (Light Years from Chick Corea is a good example). Still I applaud these guys for making an effort outside their comfort zone. (I loved Matt Sorum on BFB!)

[skalamander2112]

QUOTE (HigherWater @ Jun 14 2011, 05:00 PM)

So, I've been reading this thread for a couple of days now and I think it has become very telling. I think for many of you, Rush has gone and jumped the shark. You're hanging on to a memory of what Rush meant to you while blasting what Rush actually is now. Most of the folks on this message board are acutely aware of Ged, Alex and Neil's limitations as they get older but we choose to dismiss it. You see, for many of us, it just doesn't freaking matter that Neil stole a triplet pattern from Steve Gadd (which by the way, I think he gives credit to on A.O.A.D.S) or that he may not play with the same fluidity that he did thirty years ago. We love him anyway. We love him dispite his gristly demeanor and bulging waistline. We love him because he's NOT Mike Mangini. I respect D-13's opinion on 'The Solo' but I think he/she is really missing the point. By breaking the solo into tiny YouTube bits and analyzing each fragment for its flaws, D-13 is doing EXACTLY what the critics have been doing for years--Judging Rush by the parts of the parts rather than the sum. I'm sorry D-13 but you just don't get it. One last note: One of Buddy Rich's last televised performances was on the Muppet Show playing a duet with Animal. I was told by a jazz drummer that this performance was pure dreck, but for me, as a casual viewer it was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen! It lead me to Rush and Zeppelin and Genesis and Maiden and a throughly fulfilling life as a music fan. I wonder if there might be a kid out there who watched that old man play the other night and said, "damn, that's pretty good! I think I'd like to hear more of that."

damn good post

[LeaveMyThingAlone]

QUOTE (HigherWater @ Jun 14 2011, 05:00 PM)

So, I've been reading this thread for a couple of days now and I think it has become very telling. I think for many of you, Rush has gone and jumped the shark. You're hanging on to a memory of what Rush meant to you while blasting what Rush actually is now. Most of the folks on this message board are acutely aware of Ged, Alex and Neil's limitations as they get older but we choose to dismiss it. You see, for many of us, it just doesn't freaking matter that Neil stole a triplet pattern from Steve Gadd (which by the way, I think he gives credit to on A.O.A.D.S) or that he may not play with the same fluidity that he did thirty years ago. We love him anyway. We love him dispite his gristly demeanor and bulging waistline. We love him because he's NOT Mike Mangini. I respect D-13's opinion on 'The Solo' but I think he/she is really missing the point. By breaking the solo into tiny YouTube bits and analyzing each fragment for its flaws, D-13 is doing EXACTLY what the critics have been doing for years--Judging Rush by the parts of the parts rather than the sum. I'm sorry D-13 but you just don't get it. One last note: One of Buddy Rich's last televised performances was on the Muppet Show playing a duet with Animal. I was told by a jazz drummer that this performance was pure dreck, but for me, as a casual viewer it was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen! It lead me to Rush and Zeppelin and Genesis and Maiden and a throughly fulfilling life as a music fan. I wonder if there might be a kid out there who watched that old man play the other night and said, "damn, that's pretty good! I think I'd like to hear more of that."

[Khan]

QUOTE (skalamander2112 @ Jun 16 2011, 01:43 AM)

QUOTE (HigherWater @ Jun 14 2011, 05:00 PM) So, I've been reading this thread for a couple of days now and I think it has become very telling. I think for many of you, Rush has gone and jumped the shark. You're hanging on to a memory of what Rush meant to you while blasting what Rush actually is now. Most of the folks on this message board are acutely aware of Ged, Alex and Neil's limitations as they get older but we choose to dismiss it. You see, for many of us, it just doesn't freaking matter that Neil stole a triplet pattern from Steve Gadd (which by the way, I think he gives credit to on A.O.A.D.S) or that he may not play with the same fluidity that he did thirty years ago. We love him anyway. We love him dispite his gristly demeanor and bulging waistline. We love him because he's NOT Mike Mangini. I respect D-13's opinion on 'The Solo' but I think he/she is really missing the point. By breaking the solo into tiny YouTube bits and analyzing each fragment for its flaws, D-13 is doing EXACTLY what the critics have been doing for years--Judging Rush by the parts of the parts rather than the sum. I'm sorry D-13 but you just don't get it. One last note: One of Buddy Rich's last televised performances was on the Muppet Show playing a duet with Animal. I was told by a jazz drummer that this performance was pure dreck, but for me, as a casual viewer it was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen! It lead me to Rush and Zeppelin and Genesis and Maiden and a throughly fulfilling life as a music fan. I wonder if there might be a kid out there who watched that old man play the other night and said, "damn, that's pretty good! I think I'd like to hear more of that." damn good post +1   For God sakes get over it and stop analyzing every little fecking triplet to death. They will jump the shark in my eyes when they start playing casino boats, or cruise ships like KISS.

[StellarJetman]

Is anybody else wondering when Neil will get around to playing something that isn't "The Rhythm Method"? Edited June 17, 2011 by StellarJetman

[metaldad]

QUOTE (StellarJetman @ Jun 17 2011, 02:00 AM)

Is anybody else wondering when Neil will get around to playing something that isn't "The Rhythm Method"?

When someone steals those f-n Samples

[Ancient Ways]

QUOTE (metaldad @ Jun 18 2011, 06:28 PM)

QUOTE (StellarJetman @ Jun 17 2011, 02:00 AM) Is anybody else wondering when Neil will get around to playing something that isn't "The Rhythm Method"? When someone steals those f-n Samples Are you proposing a heist?