It's that time of year, when everyone sends out their Christmas lists. Well, just in case you're looking for a last-minute gift for a Rush fan, drummer, or musician (or maybe even yourself!), here are a few worth considering in all price ranges.
Bubba's Bar 'n' Grill Presents: The Far and the Near Calendar for 2014
Let Bubba and his crew help you ring in the New Year and every month during 2014. Full of great photos and text from Neil Peart's blog, this is one that every discerning Peart fan should have.
$17.99 at Bubbawares
Vapor Trails remix (CD)
After getting teased in 2009 with two remixed songs on Rush Retrospective III ("One Little Victory" and "Earthshine"), we now have a fully remixed Vapor Trails. My short review: Go out and buy this one. Now. Read my full review.
$9.00 - Amazon
Rush Clockwork Angles Tour - Limited Edition
If you want to make a Rush fan very, very happy, this is probably the ultimate gift. Here's what you get:
* includes 6 Audio & Video discs in LP size hardcover book (3 audio CDs, 2 DVDs and 1 Blu-ray Disc)
* Features special 36 page tour book unique to this set
* Double-sided lithograph featuring Hugh Syme illustrations
* Strictly limited and numbered to 5000 units for this collector piece.
$99.99 at Rushbackstage.com
2112 [CD + 5.1 Audio Blu-Ray SUPER Deluxe Edition] [Box set]
This release has it all, including high-definition 5.1 Blu-ray audio, comic book, and even unreleased live tracks. (Plus you can view the lyrics and images of the comic while listening to this masterpiece.)
$55.31 at Amazon
Atlantic Studio Albums reissue set
This collection features every one of Rush's Atlantic catalog (7 CDs in all), including Vapor Trails Remixed.
$38.88 at Amazon
Neil Peart: Taking Center Stage - A Lifetime of Live Performance Book
Written by drummer Joe Bergamini, who interviewed Neil for the Taking Center Stage DVD, this is one book every Neil Peart fan should own. Not only do you get the story behind the making of Taking Center Stage, but transcriptions for 17 songs. Sprinkled throughout are full-color photos, detailed drum kit setup diagrams, and full analyses of the drum parts.
In the intro, Bergamini writes:
Like many other drummers my age, Neil was my first drum hero. I spent hour upon hour practicing to Rush music in my parents' basement. Working on the DVD with him was a dream come true, but I also wanted to present something more: the definitive book about Neil that I always wished I had when I was a kid.
Being a similar type of fan (I do after all publish a website devoted to Neil Peart's work), I can say that Joe has succeeded. And then some.
$21.10 on Amazon
There's also a Kindle Edition:Neil Peart Taking Center Stage - $14.99 on Amazon.
Paragon Clockwork ride cymbal - Limited Edition Steampunk
This is an authentic 22-inch Paragon Steampunk edition ride cymbal, a replica of what Neil used on the Clockwork Angels and Time Machine tours. It's not cheap ($549 instead of $369 for the non-Steampunk edition), but ride cymbals never are. Here's more info from Sabian:
Limited-edition graphics cymbal features custom Neil Peart designed Steampunk graphic. Each one of 300 is hand-numbered under the bell and packaged in a deluxe custom bag. A certificate of authenticity signed by Neil Peart must be requested after purchase. Available in North America only.
$549 list price (Sabian.com)
Jammit drum tracks
If you've ever wanted to hear isolated drum tracks (and read the notation), check out Jammit software. Once you have this installed, you can choose from New Rush ("Headlong Flight") to Old Rush ("2112"). Here's what it looks like in Windows:
Related music and books
Here are a few non-Rush releases that I think most Rush fan will appreciate.
The Winery Dogs - The Winery Dogs (2013)
This is Eddie Trunk's #1 Top Album of the year. I liked it so much, I actually interviewed Mike Portnoy about it this year, which you can read here. This album has some of the best playing and singing I've heard on an album in a long time.
Vertical Horizon - Echoes from the Underground
OK, this one does have a true Rush connection: Neil Peart plays drums on two tracks, "Instamatic" and "South for the Winter." This is Peart's second appearance on a Vertical Horizon album, and it's interesting to hear his approach in pop-oriented songs that are focused on the vocal melody. Read an interview with Matt Scannell about the album and working with his friend Neil Peart.
Peart's drumming for "Instamatic" is closer to what you'd hear him play on a Rush album; but I have to say his subtle playing on the haunting "South for the Winter" was equally interesting, even if it didn't have the usual Peart drumprints.
Sound of Contact - Dimensionaut (2013)
This album is an amazing collaboration between Simon Collins (son of drummer Phil Collins) and Dave Kerzner (CEO and founder of Sonic Reality, who sampled Neil Peart's Snakes & Arrows kit). While this album pays tribute to bands like Yes, Genesis, and Rush, it also creates a unique, modern sound. From the bio from the band's website:
"Sound of Contact's debut album 'Dimensionaut' is a concept album about a dimensional time and space traveler who is on a mission to expand the boundaries of the human experience. The album features a wide range of styles and dynamics from dark and mysterious progressive rock to nostalgic classic rock to high energy alternative to sci-fi film score-infused 'space rock'."
As a drummer, I found Simon Collins' drumming a real treat to listen to -- with a style clearly influenced by his father, but also contains homages to Peart and other drummers.
Resurrection, Inc. - 25th Anniversary Edition (Pre-order - to release in April 2014)
Resurrection, Inc., is Clockwork Angels: The Novel author Kevin J. Anderson's first published novel. In April 2014, a new 25th Anniversary edition will be released, complete with a cover designed by Rush album artist Hugh Syme. The book will include, according to Anderson's blog, "an extensive new introduction and afterword by me, detailing influences in the book and on my career, from Frank Herbert to Rush."
Resurrection, Inc. is indeed a great story -- with many Rush-related influences and "Easter Eggs." In fact, it was after Kevin sent this book to Neil Peart that the two of them became long-time friends. 
I had a chance to sit down with Kevin this year while he was on book tour for Hellhole Awakening. You can read about our lunch here.
Labels: Gift recommendations
