Why is Neil the Best Drummer?

[StuartBruce]

OK, this is not intended as a 'Neil Bashing' thread, but I am not a drummer. I can knockout a standard 4/4 but don't ask me to fill or I lose it.

 

Anyway, since .. forever, I have thought that Neil Peart is the best drummer in the world. I guess having him introduced to me on ATWAS as the 'professor' was a good start. His solo and general rhythm on that live album is staggering and make no mistake, has had a lasting impression on me.

 

BUT .. ..

 

I have listened to and seen Machine Head and Dragonforce live in the last few years and their skinsmiths are phenomenal. My sympathy goes out to the drummer of Dragonforce because he plays at 100mph for 2 hours and people seem to only notice the two shreaders.

 

So, what is it that makes Neil so good?

 

I appreciate his lyrics, his time changes and the way he makes a rhythm instrument play a melody, but is there a technical reason I'm missing.

 

I doubt he could keep pace with some of the younger players and surely by now there must be a 'new' Peart emerging or emerged?

 

Like I say, I'm not out to knock him, I'm intrigued as to how other Rush fans will view and justify his status. Is he still the best in the world or are seeing him through Rush-tinted spectacles?

[MMCXII]

he's far from the best in the world but he's great because he can play complex rhythms and he also has amazing endurance. this is how I see it anyway, I'm not a drummer either though.

[Synthetic]

Well, quite truthfully he is my favorite drummer, but I would say he is FAR from the best (or even close to it).

 

Most popular, that I can see. Most liked, sure. Best, not even close. I love his playing style and his flair, but I can easily name 10 drummers off the top of my head who are 'better' technically than Neil.

 

I am a drummer and have felt this way for a lng, long time. I adore Neil and the way he 'serves the song'. I also love the nuances he splashes into his adaptations... But far from the 'best'.

[Prince Sphinc-Tor]

Neil's not the best drummer in the world....there is this guy who lives a few houses down from me named Bill...he's the best drummer in the world.

[job]

QUOTE

...there is this guy who lives a few houses down from me named Bill...he's the best drummer in the world.

 

Thanks man...I didn't know you cared!

[Jaye]

QUOTE (Prince Sphinc-Tor @ May 18 2009, 09:31 PM)

Neil's not the best drummer in the world....there is this guy who lives a few houses down from me named Bill...he's the best drummer in the world.

Wow, you live near Bruford?

 

 

[naturalsciences101]

It's funny how you don't need to be a drummer, or even know anything about the intracacies or subtleties of drumwork to know that this guy is something way beyond special. All those highly nuanced drum fills and how they work in conjunction with everything else around them is something that pleases the intellectual side of you. He's a smart drummer, is what he is. He plays intelligently, and that registers with the mathematically precise apparati of the human brain. Dig?

 

 

 

 

[metaldad]

he is not. not even close to being the best

[Thorne]

QUOTE (Synthetic @ May 18 2009, 08:31 PM)

I adore Neil and the way he 'serves the song'.  I also love the nuances he splashes into his adaptations...  But far from the 'best'.

Surely that's what makes a good musician , though, rather than pointless technical displays?

 

There are many people in the world who can technically play rings around Neil, but they do very little for me. You could train pretty much anyone to play drums absurdly fast if you had enough time, whereas it takes a special person to make them talk.

[goose]

You lost me at "Dragonforce".

[Prince Sphinc-Tor]

QUOTE (Jaye @ May 18 2009, 05:22 PM)

QUOTE (Prince Sphinc-Tor @ May 18 2009, 09:31 PM) Neil's not the best drummer in the world....there is this guy who lives a few houses down from me named Bill...he's the best drummer in the world. Wow, you live near Bruford?     No....just Bill...and ya know...he's really not that good anyway.

[Nate1647]

neil plays with more power and intensity than any drummer before him. even in softer sections of songs you can just feel him DOMINATING over the music. Not to mention he writes the most "feel good" drum parts of anyone, you can't help but smile when you hear his playing.

 

 

 

[Xanadude69]

I don't there is a 'best' drummer. But Neil is one of the greats. and If anyone disagrees then they don't know sh*t about music. now I don't get on my knees for Niel and I'm not a Neil basher either so my opinion is un-biased.

[mankad89]

QUOTE (naturalsciences101 @ May 18 2009, 05:10 PM)

It's funny how you don't need to be a drummer, or even know anything about the intracacies or subtleties of drumwork to know that this guy is something way beyond special.  All those highly nuanced drum fills and how they work in conjunction with everything else around them is something that pleases the intellectual side of you.  He's a smart drummer, is what he is.  He plays intelligently, and that registers with the mathematically precise apparati of the human brain.  Dig?

Couldn't have said it any better myself...Neil Peart, Danny Carey, and Steve Gadd are my favorite drummers. I hear a lot about how fast and flashy virtuoso drummers like Mike Portnoy are, but for me, it's all about the intangibles like feel, style, musicality, taste, intelligence, et cetera. Neil is a simply astounding musician who always plays with just the right mix of technicality and musicality. His ability to mix his unique beats, fills, and instrumentation (from the basic snare, toms, and cymbals to auxiliary equipment like woodblocks and bell arrangements) within the greater musical context is unmatched. Plus, ask any of today's flashier drummers about their biggest influences, and Neil is sure to be high on the list.

[Jp93]

I can tell you that I firmly believe Neil is easily the best drummer alive right now. Is he the most technically proficient when it comes to drumming? No. But trust me there IS a difference.

 

I definitely admire the skill and endurance of those metal guys who can get out there every night for 2+ hours and bang out INCREDIBLY fast rhythms and fills/rolls etc. All the better when it does justice to the song, and the drummer isn't just having a pissing contest with himself.

 

Neil of course is not the best in this respect, but he is an outstanding rock drummer who can lay down perfect timing, complex and sometimes fast rhythms/time signatures, dish out AMAZING fills and rolls, and all the while fit the song PERFECTLY. Yes, perfectly, I say. That it what makes him (In my opinion, obviously) the greatest rock drummer. Doing all that while incorporating it into a song, and making it sound nothing less than excellent, every time.

 

 

[Tinwoodsman]

QUOTE (goose @ May 18 2009, 06:01 PM)

You lost me at "Dragonforce".

 

 

 

... and who's Niel?

[Earthshine]

Neil is great. One of my favorites. I am not familiar with the gentlemen and bands you mentioned.

 

 

But here are a few clips of drummers.

 

I feel these are some of the GREATEST ever.

 

 

 

Gene Krupa:

 

 

 

Louie Bellson:

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-51KQfwIJc&feature=related

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuaYRkuuQbU

 

 

 

Max Roach:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNpDQztqWQw

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns6i4YAe11Y&feature=related

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y8Il-yRz_A...5E12FB5&index=0

 

 

 

Elvin Jones:

 

 

 

 

Art Blakey:

 

 

 

 

 

Papa Jo Jones:

 

 

 

 

 

Philly Joe Jones:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe Morello:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwXjgti7GyY&feature=related

 

Billy Cobham:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terry Bozzio:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcJpD6n-TnY&feature=related

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7IM2Cpdme0&feature=related

 

 

 

Simon Phillips:

 

 

 

Narada Michael Walden:

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhYuZsA8VSA

 

 

 

 

Tony Williams:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPu6oJz88kw

 

 

 

 

 

Carl Palmer:

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bma732cy0s&feature=related

 

 

 

 

And the best for last:

 

 

Buddy Rich!

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X3meL51Dkg

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfGd53pmiZs

 

 

Enjoy!

[Weatherman2112]

This guy aint bad

 

That guy on guitar is sorta good too

 

& that bass player!! Sure hope I get to see them on this tour!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6YxhAByDbw&feature=related

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbhngojbrzQ

 

 

 

[icepirate]

I have been a drummer for over 20 years and have followed Neil for all of those years. Imo, he is one of the most musical drummers around, and by far one of the most influential musicians of the last 3 decades.

 

There is a huge difference (again imo) between a drummer and a musician. I would be much happier to be considered a good musician rather than a good drummer, unless of course if I were making a living as a clinician.

 

So, I would venture to say that he is certainly one of the best rock musicians around.

 

 

 

 

[StuartBruce]

OK. So, as I suspected, he is considered great (and I agree) because of the way he plays and what he plays as opposed to speed, power & technical precision. Cool.

 

I like the statement that he makes the kit 'talk'

 

As for the You Tube clips, I will get round to watching them next time I get a week off work.

 

And for those of you (just one I think) who were 'lost' at Dragonforce .. shame, such a shame.

 

Thanks for you input guys.

[hammerofthor]

QUOTE (StuartBruce @ May 19 2009, 05:37 AM)

OK. So, as I suspected, he is considered great (and I agree) because of the way he plays and what he plays as opposed to speed, power & technical precision. Cool. I like the statement that he makes the kit 'talk' As for the You Tube clips, I will get round to watching them next time I get a week off work. And for those of you (just one I think) who were 'lost' at Dragonforce .. shame, such a shame. Thanks for you input guys.

As opposed to speed, power, and precision? You make Neil out to be a combination of Phil Rudd and Meg White. Neil has all these attributes and then some. Then again, is he as technically good as his reputation? No, that would be impossible as almost no one could live up to his hype. But I think Neil has really been living off his past glories, as his most flashy and influential playing was almost 30 years ago. I doubt Neil would be as revered today if MP and his earlier albums did not exist. Not that he isn't great, but his serve the song approach does not have the same effect. What keeps him popular today (with the masses) are his solo's, which are really remarkable in that they are very interesting and entertaining. Try and watch some of the "drum clinic" type solo's for more then a minute and you'll appreciate Neil all that much more.

[ReflectedLight]

neil is great but there are so many other great drummers and musicians in the world. you can't give any musician the title of "best of all time"

there are lots of greats and each has their own style.

[Cygnus-1001001]

Its so hard to say why he is one of the best.

 

I find him to be highly highly imaginative with his parts.

 

I mean most things on this link below he invented on the drums or took and changed to become much better. The amount of drummers that have now stole this ideas (including myself) is huge.

 

http://andrewolson.com/Neil_Peart/drum_les...sons_greats.htm

 

 

 

 

I consider many drummers like Gavin Harrison to be technically better. There is not one drummer though who gets me more exited and more inspired then Neil Peart and I believe thats why me and many others call him the greatest drummer.

[ReRushed]

I don't care if he isn't the greatest drummer in the world, he's my favorite.

[fledgehog]

He's not. most people around here just say he is because they're blind fanboys who relentlessly fellate everything that relates to Rush, or they simply haven't been exposed to better drumming.