Neil Peart News
by AndyO
In a new Hudson Music video, Neil discusses the making of Taking Center Stage: A Lifetime of Live Performance.
For more information about this DVD, go to the Taking Center Stage home page.
Labels: Taking Center Stage, videos
Neil Peart wrote an article that's in the new issue of Rhythm magazine (on sale October 25). You can read it here (not sure if this is an excerpt or the entire article):
Neil Peart talks the inspiration behind Taking Center Stage | Rhythm | MusicRadar.com
Labels: interview, Rhythm Magazine, Taking Center Stage
Chromey, the chrome Slingerland kit once owned by Neil Peart, will be on display at two upcoming events:
Wednesday, October 26th, 5:00pm-11:00pm
RUSH: Time Machine 2011 Theatrical Premiere
Marcus Majestic Theatre, Brookfield
770 N Springdale Rd, Brookfield, Wisconsin (just west of Milwaukee)
262-798-6800
Details:
- Drum kit display open from 5pm-11pm
- Showtime: 7pm
Thursday, November 3rd, 2011
RUSH: Time Machine 2011 Theatrical Premiere
550 North Randall Road, Batavia, Illinois, 60510
630-225-8400
Details:
- Drum kit display open from 5pm-11pm
- Showtime: 7pm
Information
Come see the original Rush drum kit that legendary drummer Neil Peart played on the first five tours (1974-1977) and recorded on the the classic albums, Fly By Night, Caress of Steel, 2112, and All The World's A Stage.
Come see this incredible piece of rock history up close and have your photograph taken behind the kit for a donation to benefit the American Cancer Society !!
Labels: Chromey
Neil Peart is one of nine drummers featured in Sabian's Players Choice. You can see videos of Neil and other drummers playing 12 new cymbals, and then vote on which cymbals you like. Based on voting, Sabian will introduce four of these cymbals to the Sabian line.
Neil's videos:
Players Choice | You listen, You vote, You decide! | SABIAN Cymbals
Other featured drummers include:
Dave Weckl
Terry Bozzio
Mike Portnoy
Stefanie Eulinberg
Ray Luzier
Zigaboo Modeliste
Dave Elitch
Tony Braunagel
Labels: Freddie Gruber
Update 10/13/11: There are two new articles:
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I was saddened to hear of Freddie Gruber's passing yesterday at the age of 84. He will be missed.
Gruber became known to Rush fans in the 1990s after Neil took off time to study with him. Gruber was instrumental in helping Neil change his feel and technique, culminating in the release of Rush's 1996 release Test for Echo.
In his instructional video A Work in Progress, Peart discussed many of Gruber's "dictums" and lessons. Gruber would join Neil in later videos, including the Drum Channel Master Class "Frontiers of Composition and Articulation."
In the 1995 Modern Drummer article, "Starting Over," Neil recounted his journey with Freddie Here's an excerpt:
A lesson with Freddie Grubber is not about notes beats, or "chops." It's about the fingers, the wrists, the ankles, the feet - about the way the body moves naturally. In the same way, there is no Freddie Grubber "method" - he changes his approach to suit each individual, adapting his knowledge and experience to help accentuate your strengths and correct the weaknesses. Freddie's only goal, in his own words, is "to make the best possible you."
John Riley described Freddie to me as a "conceptual teacher," but that seems too dry for a character like Freddie, or for the roller coaster ride of studying with him. Whenever Freddie got excited about what he was trying to impart, he became a ball of pure energy - intensely earnest and physically animated - and my own energy level had to keep up with his. It wasn't easy.
To demonstrate the point he was making, Freddie did a little music hall dance for me, and I realized what he was showing me: It isn't about the steps, for most of the "dance" takes place in the air. He gave other examples: a piano player's fingering!, a cellist's bowing motion, a boxer' s stance. And - he took a deep breath - "playing the drums."
And then I saw it clearly for the first time - when we strike a drum with a stick or pedal-beater, the result is a note being sounded. But if you think about it, almost the whole motion is "non-note" - which is to say, it is the movement that accomplishes that note. So Freddie's unspoken method says, why not concentrate a little on the "non-note," since that is the major part of what we do?
Drum Channel has posted two free "Secrets from the Pros" videos to honor Freddie.
A great Jazz Times article about Freddie: "Freddie Gruber: None of a Kind."
Labels: Freddie Gruber
Taking Center Stage: A Lifetime of Live Performances
I've been able to watch two of the three discs so far, and while I'll be writing a more in-depth review about this DVD, here's a mini-review:
If you're a fan of Neil Peart, go out and get Taking Center Stage right now. It's that good.
While I enjoyed Neil's other two instructional DVDs, A Work in Progress and Anatomy of a Drum Solo, the depth and breadth of this one goes beyond anything we've seen before. Here's why:
While the target audience is drummers for this DVD, I think many Rush fans will enjoy this DVD as well.
Labels: Taking Center Stage
You can now buy Neil Peart's new DVD "Taking Center Stage" at Guitar Center stores. Here's how you can find out if it's available at a store near you:
2. In the Pickup in Store section, type your ZIP code and click Find Store.
If you plan on picking up at a store, I recommend calling first -- even if this is listed as available now.
Labels: Taking Center Stage
Guitar Center is running a "Taking Center Stage" contest with some amazing prizes.
The Ultimate Neil Peart Prize Package Sweepstakes
Grand Prize:
Runner-up prizes:
20 runner-up winners will receive a "Taking Center Stage" DVD set signed by Neil Peart.
Labels: contests, Taking Center Stage
The fourth and final installment of "The Making of Taking Center Stage" by lead editor and co-producer Joe Bergamini is now available:
Part 4: Post Production and Conclusions
I think this excerpt says it all!
I can't wait for everyone to see this thing! If, like me, you ever wore out a copy of Exit...Stage Left as a kid, I think you're going to be pretty amazed.
"Taking Center Stage: A Lifetime of Live Performances
Go to the Taking Center Stage home page.
Labels: Taking Center Stage
A 2012 calendar based on content from Neil Peart's book "Far and Away" is now available for pre-order.
Bubba's Far and Away Calendar 2012 - Showtech Merchandising
Here's more from Bubba's site:
Bubba and his sidekick Brutus have put together some of their favorite images and excerpts from the book FAR AND AWAY: A Prize Every Time, by their friend and best customer, Neil Peart. (Among regulars, that book is affectionately known as "F 'n' A.")
From Yellowstone National Park to the winter woods of Quebec to the highways of North America, South America, and Europe, each month offers a scenic escape and some words to ponder.
Order now, in time for the Pagan Midwinter Festival!
Thanks to Ed at Rushisaband for the head's up!
Labels: Far and Away
In another excerpt from the upcoming instructional video "Taking Center Stage: A Lifetime of Live Performances
In this excerpt, Neil discusses one of my favorite fills at the beginning of "Time Stand Still."
Go to the Taking Center Stage home page.
Labels: Taking Center Stage
