Comments on: Neil Peart Solo Number One – Snakes and Arrows, 2008

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 04:11:00 +0000

Thanks for the reply, and the clarification. I agree with you about the “speed and compositional” aspects, so long as one is part of the other. My point was that drummers (from my readings) are being judged solely on how fast they can drum; but I could be wrong.

I know of Marco. He’s unique. Anyone who can do a time check with the Buddy Rich Band MUST BE AMAZING.

Just watch Tony Williams http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/tonywilliamsnewyork1.html by copying this link. Close your eyes and it is Peart. Unfortunately, we lost this great talent in 1997.

Anyway, I’ll certainly keep an open mind. By the way, the drum set that Peart used on the Snakes and Arrows tour was actually mine. I had one that looked exactly like it and he stole it out of my studio. (I wish).

By: Omar

Omar — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:46:56 +0000

Hi Mark. Great comments! Let's see if we can break it down a little bit. I'm not sure that the trend of 'faster is better' is necessarily a bad thing. Yes, there are drummers that are very, very fast, yet they lack in the compositional aspect. However, if this 'trend' happens long enough, enough drummers notice and start to add composition to their solos. So in the end, the drumming community is better for it, because both speed and composition may start to merge more. I just recently (as of this comment) attended a drum clinic put on by Marco Minnemann, and he is now on my short list of favorite drummers, precisely because of his ability of compositional soloing while playing incredibly fast. I suggest you look into this drummer more, as an example, to see if you agree with me. I'll be writing a full review of the event soon, so stay tuned (better yet, if you subscribe to my newsletter, you'll be notified when the article is up). Also, check out what I had to say about Glen Kotche and his solo "Monkey Chant", in the second article reviewing the Modern Drummer Festival 2006. I echo your sentiments about Neil Peart. Amazing that he can play with all that intensity and concentration, for three hours actually, and put on such a creative solo to boot. He's certainly not a 'spring chicken' anymore; can't wait to see what he does next! As far as Neil Peart = Tony Williams, well, I'll have to look into that. I haven't had the chance to explore Tony Williams' playing in too much detail, but from what I've heard from him he is phenomenal. Maybe you can comment on the similarities you see (I'd love to hear it!). Drum on!

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:08:50 +0000

Thanks for the great information. I have a troubling comment about this new trend—that the faster you play, the better. I find this strange because most of these “fast drummers” have no compositional style; also, their solos are only 2 minutes at most. Mr Peart conducts a two-hour show, THEN DOES HIS 9-MINUTE SOLO, WITH 45 MINUTES AFTER. Could you comment on where this “Fast” mentality came from? Also, do you agree that Mr Peart and Tony Williams are reincarnations of one another, even if in two different genres?

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:04:07 +0000

Mark,
Finally some one who really understand how intesnse this band is
I got into Rush during the prerelease of Permanent Waves
The funny thing was, that only two day before I heard that release on WLIR long island radio way back in the 70’s
I had a friend of mine who was an avid guitar player tell me of this mindblowing band from Canada they were called RUSH then I heard PW and have never gone back. There are other good bands but nothing like Rush at this point I have seen over 25-30 shows and love them more after each show. One last point for snakes I went with my exwife and I knew at that show it was going to be the last thing I ever really did with her and the show was amazing It was a fitting end to the hell she put me through and the rebirth I have experienced since my liberation. She liked Rush but did not really understand the significance of the band or their music. The best solo I ever saw was on Grace under pressure in the meadowlands Neil threw the sticks spinning all the way up to the lights and caught each one and never missed a beat… Musically I thought the solo from hold your fire was amazing. that was due to the fact I had tickets on the side right next to Neil maybe only fifty feet from him… By the way I hope he continues to grace us with his unequalled gift…

Cowabunga to Neil the Professor
Bill_Orova aka by-tor

By: Omar

Omar — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:48:54 +0000

Hello Henk.

Thanks very much for reading! A pleasure to hear from someone who was at the Rotterdam show! Yes, many expected the ESL solo to be #1. Before I started this project, even I thought it would be #1 (or #2). But after hearing them all carefully, I came up with the order you see here. Of course, I had to back up my reasons, and that was hard!

Indeed, can’t wait for the ninth one. Where would it fit in the list? We’ll just have to wait and see. Anyway, thanks again for reading, and stay tuned!

By: Henk van der Tas

Henk van der Tas — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:37:39 +0000

Nice article. Good explanations with the right samples. I’m happy having witnessed the concert in Rotterdam. Honestly I expected the solo of ESL was going to be the number one. At that time (beginning eighties) drummers hadn’t have the advance of instruments they have today.
Anyway, hopefully we will enjoy more solos of Neil in the future.
Can’t wait for a ninth one!

By: Omar

Omar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:49:27 +0000

Hi Mark.

Thanks for the comments! I like the variety Neil uses in his solos. It’s not just a clinic; they tell stories, they say something. Different emotions. It was a lot of fun putting these articles together.

Please keep coming back!

By: Mark - Total Drums

Mark - Total Drums — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:43:08 +0000

Hey,

Nice article. Neil Peart’s drum solo’s are just out of this world. Full of creative ideas and super technique.

Thanks.