RUSH

A few songs:

The Trees:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhFsQxl2M8o&feature=related

Tom Sawyer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scTFAOfWiAU

Freewill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpCASVFyQoE&feature=related


Virtuosity of Neill Peart, RUSH drummer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHkucr1jJpQ&feature=fvst

Hi Matt,
That guy is some drummer!
Regards
Derek

Derek wrote:

Hi Matt,
That guy is some drummer!
Regards
Derek

Yeah----seeing that kind of a performance live in an incredible experience, and to think he has been doing this since 1974. His humility is pretty amazing, as he was voted Rocks best drummer every year from 1980-1988 in the magazine Drummer World (Drummers have a "cult" of their own...) sold tens of millions of records worldwide, and yet a few years later, he hired a trainer, to "get better".

Peart actually patterned himself after Buddy Rich:

Buddy Rich Drum Solo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR8l0koXCcM

Rich is THE greateset drummer ever, and the polar opposite of Peart in terms of humility and personality.

The Weapon

We've got nothin' to fear but fear itself
Not pain, not failure, not fatal tragedy
Not the faulty units in this mad machinery
Not the broken contacts in emotional chemistry

With an iron fist in a velvet glove
We are sheltered under the gun
In the glory game on the power change
Thy kingdom's will be done

And the things that we fear
Are a weapon to be held against us

He's not afraid of your judgment
He knows of horrors worse than your hell
He's a little bit afraid of dyin'
But he's a lot more afraid of your lyin'

And the things that he fears
Are a weapon to be held against him

Can any part of life be larger than life?
Even love must be limited by time
And those who push us down that they might climb
Is any killer worth more than his crime?

Like a steely blade in a silken sheath
We don't see what they're made of
They shout about love but when push comes to shove
They live for the things they're afraid of

And the knowledge that they fear
Is a weapon to be used against them

He's not afraid of your judgment
He knows of horrors worse than your hell
He's a little bit afraid of dyin'
But he's a lot more afraid of your lyin'

And the things that he fears
Are a weapon to be held against him


N.Peart

Witch Hunt

The night is black
Without a moon
The air is thick and still
The vigilantes gather on
The lonely torch lit hill

Features distorted in the flickering light
The faces are twisted and grotesque
Silent and stern in the sweltering night
The mob moves like demons possessed
Quiet in conscience, calm in their right
Confident their ways are best

The righteous rise
With burning eyes
Of hatred and ill-will
Madmen fed on fear and lies
To beat and burn and kill

They say there are strangers who threaten us
In our immigrants and infidels
They say there is strangeness too dangerous
In our theaters and bookstore shelves
That those who know what's best for us
Must rise and save us from ourselves

Quick to judge
Quick to anger
Slow to understand
Ignorance and prejudice
And fear walk hand in hand...


N.Peart

A Farewell to Kings / Closer to the Heart

When they turn the pages of history
When these days have passed long ago
Will they read of us with sadness
For the seeds that we let grow?
We turned our gaze
From the castles in the distance
Eyes cast down
On the path of least resistance

Cities full of hatred, fear and lies
Withered hearts and cruel, tormented eyes
Scheming demons dressed in kingly guise
Beating down the multitude and
Scoffing at the wise

The hypocrites are slandering
The sacred Halls of Truth
Ancient nobles showering
Their bitterness on youth
Can't we find the minds that made us strong?
Can't we learn to feel what's right
And what's wrong?
What's wrong?

Cities full of hatred, fear and lies
Withered hearts and cruel, tormented eyes
Scheming demons dressed in kingly guise
Beating down the multitude and
Scoffing at the wise
Can't we raise our eyes and make a start?
Can't we find the minds to lead us
Closer to the heart?

And the men who hold high places
Must be the ones who start
To mold a new reality
Closer to the heart
Closer to the heart
The blacksmith and the artist
Reflect it in their art
They forge their creativity
Closer to the heart
Closer to the heart

Philosophers and ploughmen
Each must know his part
To sow a new mentality
Closer to the heart
Closer to the heart
You can be the captain
I will draw the chart
Sailing into destiny
Closer to the heart


N.Peart 1977