It's not every day you hear a rock drummer cite Strunk & White's classic grammar handbook The Elements of Style as "a major influence," but then again, Neil Peart--gifted stick man for the progressive rock band Rush--is not your everyday drummer. Having entered his middle years feeling no longer "infected by the god of drumming," Peart took a sabbatical, studied with guru Fred Gruber and completely changed his drumming philosophy. Combining interview footage, a complete rendering of the latest Rush CD Test for Echo, and analyses of the drum sections for each of the 11 songs, Neil Peart: A Work in Progress is a hybrid documentary/how-to that follows Peart's adoption of an entirely different stick grip, as well as a rearranged drum kit, to produce a work that features the characteristic driving sound for which Rush is famous, yet with a dash of quiet finesse. Although Peart offers tips on technique, timekeeping, ornamentation, and general advice on professional drumming, this is more aimed at intermediate, rather than novice drummers. Still, Peart, who is also the lyricist for Rush (and, unlike many of his contemporaries, a lot of what he writes is both literary allusion-rich and generally upbeat) will inspire many, and serious Rush fans will enjoy this behind-the-scenes look. Recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)
Neil Peart: A Work in Progress
(1996) 2 videocassettes, 110 min. each. $59.95 (booklets included). DCI Music Video (dist. by Warner Bros. Publications). PPR. Color cover. Vol. 12, Issue 3
Neil Peart: A Work in Progress
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