I'd listen to him if his band would hire a singer.

 

Everything has already been said (good and bad) on every drum forum.
The drumming is not my cup of tea, and neither is the music.
I'm told by someone who's worked with them they are very nice people and great to work with. That's good enough for me.
 

Where was I when I should have said that?   

Am I sensing some of the forum elders are not big fans of Neil? 

Not at all in my case. His drumming really inspired me when I was first starting to play drums in the mid-70's.

I just don't get or understand the premise for the thread. No offense, but it feels like Peart worship to single him out and talk about what is "uncommon" about him. I'm just not there, that's all. Doesn't mean someone else can't be. But as you pointed out originally Smitty, maybe you need to move on and focus on some other great drummers if you feel you've listened to Peart too much. This thread doesn't feel like you are moving on however.   

I love Neil, but maybe a more interesting topic would be what people think of John Rutsey.

Like many others, I worshipped him in my younger days. Then went on to college and discovered many other types of playing besides rock. I kind of phased out of Rush and Neil.

That being said, I can honestly say that, if not for hearing Tom Sawyer for the first time when I was in jr high, I may not have even started playing the drums at all. And for that -- no matter what I think of his playing now -- his playing will always have a special place in my drumming life.

I wonder how many other drummers can also say that. I would guess a lot.

Anyone who influences kids to pick up a pair of drum sticks (or any other instrument for that matter) and learn to play is A-OK in my book. 

PS. IMO, critiquing Neil because he can't play swing is a little like critiquing Michael Jordon because he can't play baseball.

Cool Smitty, then you can review his records and what you think of them here in the cafe.


Good reply.  There will always be a soft spot in my heart for N.P. but I've taken from him more or less what I needed and went another direction.  I thank him for that.


Totally.  Neil is no Elvin Jones and vice versa. The question is can one play any style as authentically as Neil plays rock and do you have your own voice?  Who can say they have a signature sound like our man Neil?  He's up there with Bonham as having a signature sound.


+1  Not really much more to say.  Love him/hate him or thank him and move on.  

Too much of anything can make you

I would say that those who don't feel like talking about Neil Peart and just want to "move on" are feeling that way because of "Oh man, another Neil thread?!"

If Neil does something new, different or fresh I'd want to talk about it in a heart beat. I'd say that about any drummer or percussionist. But there is SO much Peart worship that I get nauseous pretty quick.

For me, there's so much more to discuss and talk about with the names you've mentioned (Buddy, Elvin, Tony). For me, there's a lot of deep stuff that I continue to draw from. If you want to talk about Neil ... man, go for it ... I won't let anyone stop you! But don't be surprised and don't get frustrated if the majority of this community just isn't interested in discussion.

I think of this like eating the same thing every day, three times a day. Talking about Neil again and again is like eating cheeseburgers for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The majority of people can't handle that kind of diet ... and it makes them ill. If someone digs cheeseburgers and doesn't mind dining on them for eternity, hey ... do what you want ... but don't be surprised if I turn you down every time you ask be to go to lunch with you. I've figured him out and haven't found anything left to discover.

For me, Buddy, Elvin, Tony have far more variances and nutritional value to them. Every bite brings a new flavor and insight into their playing. Every time they play it's new, fresh and different. I can't say that for Neil. That doesn't mean Neil is bad by any means, or that what he does musically is lame ... because it's not. He's a fine musician and writer. But how many ways can you cook a cheeseburger? You can throw on some lettuce, tomato, onion, etc., but you are just ornamenting the main ingredient ... cheeseburger. Neil plays the same solos and parts every time, every year. He sometimes does something new but typically he's building on what he's in the past (his words by the way). To me, that's just adding tomato, onion and lettuce ... maybe a little bacon once in awhile. Once I've studied and discovered what Neil does ... that's it ... because he's not doing anything new or different anymore ... and least nothing that requires my attention or study.

Again ... I am NOT slamming Neil at all. What he does in concert he does well. He's found a niche and has marketed himself in that way. There are plenty of other musicians/artists who have done the same thing.

If anyone is on the road of discovery with Neil, that's great, but many of us have been listening and studying him since the mid-70's ... and we are full. If someone has more room for some Neil Peart in their belly, great, dine away. For me there are just SO many other great foods out there that I would rather try out something else and gain more experiences from them rather than continuing to eat cheeseburgers.

Okay, understood.

But now I'm just hungry for a cheeseburger.