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EVERYone uses these 'isolated' tracks. I.E. stems. These were available for us producers to practice mixing skills. but people make money off them now like this. That's fine I guess but give credit where credit is due.. i.e. from the Source of the tracks.
When I first heard this drummer I thought "this is different". Metronomic accuracy, sophistication, cleanlinnes and self confidence. In the early 80's Neil Peart became the most revered rock drummer in Modern Drummer magazine, since John Bonham.
If you are voted drummer of the year in their readers' poll a total of five times, you enter the Modern Drummer Hall Of Fame and are ineligible in the future. Neil Peart became the youngest member of the Hall of Fame in its history at age 29.
I'm just gonna be flat out honest here I have no idea why those two are neck and neck in terms of popularity on who the better drummer was! No idea whatsoever! Because when "Fly By Night" came out I myself heard superiority right away. Those fills are crazy and unheard of! The clarity too! Wow! John who? I think John was a very good drummer and had some skill, yes, but not like Neil Peart Neil, to me is Rock's greatest drummer EVER If John Bonham had taken his craft more seriously and not drank so much then maybe there would be a debate
@@SamuelDavidDeLuce Neil was a technical master. Bonham was a groove master, albeit with better technique than he gets credit for. They were apples and oranges, and both perfect for their respective bands - I don't want to hear Bonham play "Cygnus X-1" any more than I want to hear Peart play "In My Time Of Dying." They were both masters of their craft, and they were both artists that young drummers should study and emulate, precisely because they were so different. You should study feel, groove, and looseness from John Bonham. You should study precision, orchestration, and composition from Neil Peart. So here's my hot take in return: Bonham would have played better with the Buddy Rich Big Band than Peart did. And no, there's no debate. That's not because one is better than the other. That's because *there is never any debate.* It's a pointless exercise. I would rather hear Max Roach playing with Charlie Parker than Dave Lombardo playing with Charlie Parker. I would also rather hear Dave Lombardo playing with Slayer than Max Roach playing with Slayer.
I can remember my friend buying the Moving Pictures cassette and sitting in his older brothers car and listening to it for the first time. We all ran out and bought the best blank tapes we could find so he could make copies for us.
@@batman1169 I used to beg my brother to let me "record" off of his cheap stereo. I used to close the door to our bedroom/studio and prep my basic ass tape recorder. It never occurred to me to leave the room and not just stand there with my breathing /movement noise getting on the track ....... great times.
I remember thinking what a brainiac bunch of guys they must be to put out such high-level music. I was shocked to find later that they were not-so-secretly three of the goofiest bastards in rock and roll. 😅
Geddy Lee has mentioned that this song structure was primarily built around and for the drum fills. Neil Peart also has mentioned that he never tired of playing Tom Sawyer, because it's such a difficult song to play. I know time signature changes are the "thing" in prog rock and I can't say I've delved into all of the bands that have the prog rock moniker, but I have to say. Rush has the ability to make the transitions feel smooth and not so abrupt or jarring. Just listen to Tool's Invincible for context. Anyway, time for some more coffee since it's 0530 here🥴☕☕ Take care ✌
I'm a big odd time signature fan, and Rush is partly to blame for that. When writing my own stuff, I try to make the odd time stuff still sound smooth. Sometimes "abrupt or jarring" can be functional, but mostly I like it when it just goes smoother. Peart is a big influence for me on that for sure! (I'm not a drummer but I write my drum parts for almost 30 years)
@@marcvolgers8352 When Neil died, I took a moment to try and catalog all the licks I've stolen from him in thirty years. It was a lot, like a LOT. More than I expected. There are other drummers I've more consciously tried to emulate, but a little bit of Neil finds its way into every stroke I play.
I read that somebody asked him if he got sick of playing it and he said he didn't, because it was a challenge to see if he do get it right again. R.I.P.
I had this album on constantly in my Walkman (I copied my vinyl album onto cassette), and listened to it nearly every day walking to and from school the year it came out. Still one of my favourite albums of all time by anyone. Neil was a big reason for that, in part because of his incredible drumming, but also because his lyrics spoke to me.
I'm so glad to hear you mention the musicality and the *orchestrational* choices made in this drum part. As the band's lyricist, Neil absolutely makes musical choices at the drums that present and emphasize the lyric; after all, it's HIS lyric, even though he's not singing it. He's not simply "playing the drums," he is *orchestrating*. He is *arranging*. He is composing a drum part that gives the best presentation of the material. Younger drummers, spoiled by and unaware of the massive leaps made by Neil Peart on our instrument, try to tell me "other drummers are faster or more technical." They are missing the point. Not only do drummers owe very, very, VERY MUCH of the technical progression on this instrument over the last 40 years to Neil Peart, but nobody - NOBODY - ever *composed better drum parts* than him. Nobody. Drummers, if you want to listen to a master playing the perfect part to the perfect effect to create the perfect presentation of a song, listen to all the Neil Peart you can get your hands on. They don't call him The Professor for nothing. Listen up and take notes, you might learn something in his class.
@@itzel1735 you know not just the radio friendly songs but most of Neil's work is a lot of crazy time signatures. 25 yes ago when I was in marching band I understood more about his time signatures more then now, I took about 15 years off from playing and just recently(4 months ago) started playing and studying again so I live interaction with other drummers/musicians and with that I will say that I love every Neil Peart written music!
Rush- Best Intro Ever live is a must watch for any Rush fan. All 3 at their best. A medley of songs from various albums from 1974 to 1980 before breaking into Spirit of Radio. Transitions galore! Will blow your mind!
Something to also take note is besides Neil using Evans All-Weather Looking Glass 2ply heads on batter and Hydraulic blue heads on bottom (dunno the modern equivalent for Looking Glass, but clear Evans G2's might get you close) sides for the closed toms, he would also have all of his shells go through a process known as Vibra-fibing, which is essentially adding a thin layer of fiber glass on the inner side of the shell. He would mention they wouldn't do much besides adding increased resonance but hey if it works for him only then I won't complain. He would rarely use EQ in the studio to let the drums speak for themselves besides your occasional studio reverb here and there but man they sound punchy! Terry Brown really knew how to balance the mix with their instruments!
Hello from New England Andrew..Another great vid, to hear the track isolated shows how clean a drummer Neil was..And that snare sound, come on man!!! Peace from the Northeast..
Neil's high hat work on Tom Sawer is masterful. Impeccable timing and precision. Combined with the drums and you have a percussion masterpiece. One my Rush favorites
This format works really well,I am quite happy to see a rush live performance followed by the isolated drum track,the camera eye from moving pictures would be a great one to cover.
Neil was a very melodic drummer. This isolation track really lets you hear all the little parts he plays to add to the melody. i like how you picked out how Neil captured the vocal line with his Kick drum, which I hadn't really noticed before on this rack.
Neil Pëart always was with the voice, the lyrics..., I remember thinking of it when I first started hearing Rush in my 20's, then I saw a video where he said it :D
I’m hearing the drum isolated tracks from “The Main Monkey Business” off of Rush’s second to last album “Snakes and Arrows”! You really should listen & analyze the full band studio track along with Neil’s isolated track. It should give some insight to how he’s matured with his style over time but still has his unique drive to make a song shine while taking us on a musical and compositional journey.
Did you say this was only the 2nd time you've heard Tom Sawyer?!?!?!?! How could anyone of a reasonable adult age, and in the drum world especially, not have heard this masterpiece a thousand times, even if you're not a Rush fan? That song has been everywhere.
I enjoyed the isolated drums and transcription. I am not a drummer but its really interesting to hear all the nuances in this song with the drums isolated. I have probably heard Tom Sawyer a few hundred times (since 1981) but there were some things I was missing that I found in the isolated drum track, and will listen for when I hear the song again.
I really can't emboss my infatuation with Rush since 1974 any further .But I'm going to! Suffice to say I was 7 years old and I went on to learn Drums Bass And vocals with a smidge of guitar and keys because of them . I am a master of none and very rarely tackle a rush cover , but I do get to play different roles in different original projects . Their music has been the soundtrack to my life . I know it's an over used analogy but it's true . They also opened my taste to all genres of music. Andrew, I'm so glad you are discovering their compositions . It gives me great delight to see your reactions .. Keep being you Sir , you have my respect ! Peace and love brother 👍🏻☮❤
Rush plays time signatures like notes. It's whatever they need it to be whenever they need it to be that. It changes as frequently as keys. It's incredible and keeps the music complex and interesting.
Watching this again today. I was just looking at my sticks that I got from Neil on the TM tour in 2010. I wouldn’t sell them for any prices. To me they are priceless. ❤️🤘
The "official video" is worth a look. While not live, they had a camera running around in the studio. They recorded the instrumental parts in what looks like 1 take. Then added vocals, and keyboards in separate takes. Not quite live, but the camera does capture a VERY young Neil. (We were all much younger in 1981
@@AndrewRooneyDrums you may want to have a look at the live version of Digital Man. Its one of their shorter songs, but the drumming in that song will blow you away! It's pretty impressive...
Also, kudos to producer Terry Brown who worked a lot with Neil to get that sound. And when writing lyrics, he obviously had Geddy in mind.If Geddy felt he didn't like a particular lyric they'd work together on it, 'til they were both happy
There is a recording of By-Tor & The Snow Dog - Live in London from the Permanent Waves (40th Anniversary) album, where Neil is just amazing. I really like the thing he does at 0:29, don't know what it is...
Moving Pictures was my very first cassette purchase back in the 5th grade. I know by memory every beat even though I don't play music or understand the changes. I just know that it has been awesome for 40 years. Thanks for explaining.
I really like how you listen to the song first then do the isolated drum track. I’m intimately familiar with every Rush song, and it’s nice to hear a different aspect. Anyone know if there are isolated guitar tracks out there? Thanks Rooney! 😎
Todos nós fãs do fantástico Rush sentimos muitas saudades de Neil Peart. Um gênio da composição, maravilhoso músico e letrista que verdadeiramente inovou a música e o modo de tocar bateria. Obrigado pelo seu importante comentário sobre essa linda faixa musical.
I am enjoying you, enjoying a band that grew up about 20kms from my place in Mississauga, Ontario. Love watching your reaction to music that I use to wash dishes too as a kid. Moving Pictures was our go too vinyl
id really like to see some 80s rush. I love that era. Power trio with synths, keys, weird pedals and neil experimenting with electronic kit (midi pads and all sorts of stuff i dont understand!) - some suggestions: Available Light (non single cut that all obsessive Rush fans should know), Bravado (crazy hand coordination), or Middletown Dreams. Maybe even The Big Money. This drummer on UA-cam does an amazing cover - Sterling is his name. Its brilliant to see the whole track from behind the kit. So creative. Amazing fills and transitions, esp the solo section which builds layers upon layers
There's an isolated track of "Spirit of Radio" in which Neil himself performs, I believe it's still here on the Tube. If not you can see it on his instruction video "Taking Center Stage". It's either that one or its on "Anatomy of a Drum Solo" but I believe it's on the first one mentioned It's completely isolated and it's done entirely by the man himself It's very cool watching how fluid he was and how he seems to do it almost effortlessly
The snare fill at 3:46 going into the tomtom part is probably my single most favorite drum section of any song. And it absolutely irritates me that almost NOBODY ever plays it right---sometimes Neil himself didn't do it live, playing something simpler. And the hundreds of drum covers on YT too.
Man ! I follow you until the beginning. I cross my fingers to watch you react to Chris Coleman - Go. 🙏 Keep doing your nice work (much love from Québec, Canada)
Andrew, if you learn this part, it'd be great content to see the progress from beginning to end. How you segment your learning, identify the parts you can breeze through, the struggles, the achievements and new learnings. I play guitar and currently working through La VIlla Strangiato and a few others. 😉 Cheers from Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
I agree with your philosophy of preferring a live version of a song so you can see the drumming. In this case, the official video was made only of footage filmed with RUSH recording Tom Sawyer in the studio, so you couldn't have gone wrong either way :)
As I got more into listening criticality to rush I realized that Tom Sawyer was a drummers song. Then I learned that Neil was the writer then it made total sence
8:20 I have seen sheet music where this is written as 13/16 instead of 7/16 + 3/8, which makes more sense to me because it seems to me as one phrase (it also narrows down the time signature changes).
This is a fun video Andrew! The first time I saw them was on the Moving Pictures tour in 1981 when this song came out. It's so interesting to follow along with you on the transcription. Everyone give Andrew a follow! For a little Rush-related comedy, check out this funny video w/ Paul Rudd & Jason Segel they ran on the big screen after their encores in 2010-2011: ua-cam.com/video/iq3yjfoorsU/v-deo.html
Although Neil didn't write the lyrics for this (Pye Dubois did), he has said that being the writer of the lyrics helps because he knew when to fill, when support and when to accentuate the lyrics. Most drummers don't have that privilege because they are usually the last ones brought in...
Neil often said that a day where he hit Tom Sawyer right was a good day, because it was never certain, even for him, to catch it all as written. Also, if you look into it, you'll find that he helped to create a more advanced construction for his toms, that had a clearer pitch tonality, where most drum bodies produce a very dull, less clear pitch. The Professor indeed.
I learned a lot watching this reaction! I don't really play but trying to learn more about music in general and time signatures and this was very helpful. The sound was awesome as well. It looks like Nandi covered Tom Sawyer a couple weeks ago - it was very impressive but the sound (recording) wasn't very crisp for some reason.
Neil Peart was probably one of the most open and accepting star musician ever. Taylor Hawking's as a teenager had no issues being invited to his dressing room, Neil Peart being his idol, and this was well before Taylor Hawkins got the Alanis Morissette gig. But maybe, that's what helped make Taylor Hawkins such an accessible and obviously great drummer himself. To be able to simply hang out with your idol in the profession you have, isn't exactly something that happens to most people. Taylor Hawkins was always readily available to fans and other player's, just like Neil Peart.
I've seen tours going back to 81. Definitely pull your live footage from the early tours, pre 2000. Drums more natural and focus on re-creating the studio version.
Don't know if anyone has said, Neil said of ALL the Rush songs (all 176?), Tom Sawyer was the hardest for him to play. As a non-drummer, I don't understand. Other Rush songs sound much more difficult TO ME to play. Xanadu, Marathon, Natural Science, Cygnus... (Farewell to Kings) and many others. Can you explain Neil's statement that Tom Sawyer was hardest for him to play? Or, at least comment?
Iconic fill indeed, Andrew! Mind you it's only one person - who happens to be the internet's favorite music & composition teacher - but he ranked it second only to In The Air Tonight. Check it out... ua-cam.com/video/WPRsLsPzudo/v-deo.html
Did I hear that correctly, this is the only the second time hearing the song? Or the second time hearing the isolated tracks? As a drummer, how is the former even possible?
It would be cool if you check out RYUGA drums. A 10 year old masterful drummer that is vastly over looked in the whole young drummer realm (granted his video were done a decade ago now). He is hands down the best child drummer I have seen. I have yet to see anyone react to his videos. I strongly suggest starting with his " RYUGA DRUM SOLO 1 " video. Pay close attention to his footwork on the multiple pedals he uses. It is jaw dropping stuff for such a little dude let alone an adult drummer.
@@AndrewRooneyDrums I will just put a link to the video itself if you want to give it a go at anytime . He has many videos and does alot of complex song covers but here is his "solo 1" for future reference ua-cam.com/video/KWQ7YAoaswI/v-deo.html
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You need to react to Neil's taking Center Stage. It has numerous drum cam videos from the Snake & Arrows Tour.
EVERYone uses these 'isolated' tracks. I.E. stems. These were available for us producers to practice mixing skills. but people make money off them now like this. That's fine I guess but give credit where credit is due.. i.e. from the Source of the tracks.
@@stratcat3216 I'm no sound engineering but are there stem tracks per se? It sounds to me like an equalizer job.
When I first heard this drummer I thought "this is different". Metronomic accuracy, sophistication, cleanlinnes and self confidence. In the early 80's Neil Peart became the most revered rock drummer in Modern Drummer magazine, since John Bonham.
If you are voted drummer of the year in their readers' poll a total of five times, you enter the Modern Drummer Hall Of Fame and are ineligible in the future. Neil Peart became the youngest member of the Hall of Fame in its history at age 29.
I'm just gonna be flat out honest here
I have no idea why those two are neck and neck in terms of popularity on who the better drummer was! No idea whatsoever! Because when "Fly By Night" came out I myself heard superiority right away. Those fills are crazy and unheard of! The clarity too! Wow!
John who?
I think John was a very good drummer and had some skill, yes, but not like Neil Peart
Neil, to me is Rock's greatest drummer EVER
If John Bonham had taken his craft more seriously and not drank so much then maybe there would be a debate
My opinion only, he's better than Bonham
@@SamuelDavidDeLuce Neil was a technical master. Bonham was a groove master, albeit with better technique than he gets credit for. They were apples and oranges, and both perfect for their respective bands - I don't want to hear Bonham play "Cygnus X-1" any more than I want to hear Peart play "In My Time Of Dying." They were both masters of their craft, and they were both artists that young drummers should study and emulate, precisely because they were so different. You should study feel, groove, and looseness from John Bonham. You should study precision, orchestration, and composition from Neil Peart.
So here's my hot take in return: Bonham would have played better with the Buddy Rich Big Band than Peart did.
And no, there's no debate. That's not because one is better than the other. That's because *there is never any debate.* It's a pointless exercise. I would rather hear Max Roach playing with Charlie Parker than Dave Lombardo playing with Charlie Parker. I would also rather hear Dave Lombardo playing with Slayer than Max Roach playing with Slayer.
@@joeday4293 well put
I can remember my friend buying the Moving Pictures cassette and sitting in his older brothers car and listening to it for the first time. We all ran out and bought the best blank tapes we could find so he could make copies for us.
Bless the 80's!
I did the same but had a DJ talking over it from my radio copy. Lol. Things we did.
Those were the days!
@@batman1169 I used to beg my brother to let me "record" off of his cheap stereo. I used to close the door to our bedroom/studio and prep my basic ass tape recorder. It never occurred to me to leave the room and not just stand there with my breathing /movement noise getting on the track ....... great times.
The YYZ isolated bass and drum track is insane. No click track, Geddy and Neil totally locked together in groove.
NO CLICK TRACK.
PLEASE ALLOW ME TO REPEAT THAT, LOUDLY: *NO CLICK TRACK.*
Yeah that's a thing of the past! Everything is click now
@@AndrewRooneyDrums for better or for worse!
@AndrewRooneyDrums they never used a click track. There are various videos where the techs explain that, not on stage even up to the last tour.
The magic of Rush is that while it's complicated under the hood, it's amazingly accessible to all.
I remember thinking what a brainiac bunch of guys they must be to put out such high-level music. I was shocked to find later that they were not-so-secretly three of the goofiest bastards in rock and roll. 😅
Geddy Lee has mentioned that this song structure was primarily built around and for the drum fills. Neil Peart also has mentioned that he never tired of playing Tom Sawyer, because it's such a difficult song to play.
I know time signature changes are the "thing" in prog rock and I can't say I've delved into all of the bands that have the prog rock moniker, but I have to say. Rush has the ability to make the transitions feel smooth and not so abrupt or jarring. Just listen to Tool's Invincible for context.
Anyway, time for some more coffee since it's 0530 here🥴☕☕
Take care ✌
Thanks for the info Rick. Get that coffee!
I'm a big odd time signature fan, and Rush is partly to blame for that. When writing my own stuff, I try to make the odd time stuff still sound smooth. Sometimes "abrupt or jarring" can be functional, but mostly I like it when it just goes smoother. Peart is a big influence for me on that for sure! (I'm not a drummer but I write my drum parts for almost 30 years)
@@marcvolgers8352 When Neil died, I took a moment to try and catalog all the licks I've stolen from him in thirty years. It was a lot, like a LOT. More than I expected. There are other drummers I've more consciously tried to emulate, but a little bit of Neil finds its way into every stroke I play.
I remember an interview he did, mentioning it was a great night if he played this song correctly.
I believe Neil once said something like, "It's not a hard song to play, but it's hard to play the same every time."
I bet
I read that somebody asked him if he got sick of playing it and he said he didn't, because it was a challenge to see if he do get it right again. R.I.P.
@@AndrewRooneyDrums He also said playing drums for Rush is like running a marathon while doing math equations
I had this album on constantly in my Walkman (I copied my vinyl album onto cassette), and listened to it nearly every day walking to and from school the year it came out. Still one of my favourite albums of all time by anyone. Neil was a big reason for that, in part because of his incredible drumming, but also because his lyrics spoke to me.
I had albums like that also Mark!
I'm so glad to hear you mention the musicality and the *orchestrational* choices made in this drum part. As the band's lyricist, Neil absolutely makes musical choices at the drums that present and emphasize the lyric; after all, it's HIS lyric, even though he's not singing it. He's not simply "playing the drums," he is *orchestrating*. He is *arranging*. He is composing a drum part that gives the best presentation of the material.
Younger drummers, spoiled by and unaware of the massive leaps made by Neil Peart on our instrument, try to tell me "other drummers are faster or more technical." They are missing the point. Not only do drummers owe very, very, VERY MUCH of the technical progression on this instrument over the last 40 years to Neil Peart, but nobody - NOBODY - ever *composed better drum parts* than him. Nobody. Drummers, if you want to listen to a master playing the perfect part to the perfect effect to create the perfect presentation of a song, listen to all the Neil Peart you can get your hands on. They don't call him The Professor for nothing. Listen up and take notes, you might learn something in his class.
The most air drummed song in North America 🌎
Enjoy your presentations and you have really positive energy !
Thank you for the info and kind words William!
In the air tonight by Phil Collins.
I have such a high respect for Neil!! He is the reason I am a drummer today! Thanks Andrew!!
@@itzel1735 you know not just the radio friendly songs but most of Neil's work is a lot of crazy time signatures. 25 yes ago when I was in marching band I understood more about his time signatures more then now, I took about 15 years off from playing and just recently(4 months ago) started playing and studying again so I live interaction with other drummers/musicians and with that I will say that I love every Neil Peart written music!
*Neil*
@@clemlowes9417 yeah my spell check is on point no disrespect
@@drummerj8256 it's all good. Sh*t happens.
EXCELLENT!
Rush- Best Intro Ever live is a must watch for any Rush fan. All 3 at their best. A medley of songs from various albums from 1974 to 1980 before breaking into Spirit of Radio. Transitions galore! Will blow your mind!
Something to also take note is besides Neil using Evans All-Weather Looking Glass 2ply heads on batter and Hydraulic blue heads on bottom (dunno the modern equivalent for Looking Glass, but clear Evans G2's might get you close) sides for the closed toms, he would also have all of his shells go through a process known as Vibra-fibing, which is essentially adding a thin layer of fiber glass on the inner side of the shell. He would mention they wouldn't do much besides adding increased resonance but hey if it works for him only then I won't complain. He would rarely use EQ in the studio to let the drums speak for themselves besides your occasional studio reverb here and there but man they sound punchy!
Terry Brown really knew how to balance the mix with their instruments!
Great info
Hello from New England Andrew..Another great vid, to hear the track isolated shows how clean a drummer Neil was..And that snare sound, come on man!!! Peace from the Northeast..
Definitely Brian!
It’s amazing to think that Neil played this song flawlessly live , night after night.
Loving the Rush focus!
Me too!
Seeing the actual music and the beat breakdown below, only impresses me even more on Neils unbelievable drumming.
Neil's high hat work on Tom Sawer is masterful. Impeccable timing and precision. Combined with the drums and you have a percussion masterpiece.
One my Rush favorites
Great stuff Gary
My brother took me to Rush Fly by Night tour way back when it’s because of Neil I play the drums he will alway be the best RIP
Excellent Gregg!
Awesome!
This format works really well,I am quite happy to see a rush live performance followed by the isolated drum track,the camera eye from moving pictures would be a great one to cover.
Thanks Mark!
Neil was a very melodic drummer. This isolation track really lets you hear all the little parts he plays to add to the melody. i like how you picked out how Neil captured the vocal line with his Kick drum, which I hadn't really noticed before on this rack.
It's a nice little touch Greg
One of the few songs I know of that can be easily recognized by its drum track with no other instruments in the mix. Pure Perfection.
So good Steven!
Neil Pëart always was with the voice, the lyrics..., I remember thinking of it when I first started hearing Rush in my 20's, then I saw a video where he said it :D
Such a great song. Never get tired of hearing Neil drum
Indeed Trevor
I’m hearing the drum isolated tracks from “The Main Monkey Business” off of Rush’s second to last album “Snakes and Arrows”! You really should listen & analyze the full band studio track along with Neil’s isolated track. It should give some insight to how he’s matured with his style over time but still has his unique drive to make a song shine while taking us on a musical and compositional journey.
Great idea
Did you say this was only the 2nd time you've heard Tom Sawyer?!?!?!?! How could anyone of a reasonable adult age, and in the drum world especially, not have heard this masterpiece a thousand times, even if you're not a Rush fan? That song has been everywhere.
I enjoyed the isolated drums and transcription. I am not a drummer but its really interesting to hear all the nuances in this song with the drums isolated. I have probably heard Tom Sawyer a few hundred times (since 1981) but there were some things I was missing that I found in the isolated drum track, and will listen for when I hear the song again.
Glad you dug it Todd
I really can't emboss my infatuation with Rush since 1974 any further .But I'm going to! Suffice to say I was 7 years old and I went on to learn Drums Bass And vocals with a smidge of guitar and keys because of them .
I am a master of none and very rarely tackle a rush cover , but I do get to play different roles in different original projects .
Their music has been the soundtrack to my life . I know it's an over used analogy but it's true . They also opened my taste to all genres of music.
Andrew, I'm so glad you are discovering their compositions . It gives me great delight to see your reactions ..
Keep being you Sir , you have my respect !
Peace and love brother 👍🏻☮❤
Cheers Springy!
Great to watch your analysis Andrew! Thanks so much for your efforts, production, and insight into these guys who raised so many of us. Cheers! 👍🍺🥁🎤🎸
Thanks for watching!
Rush plays time signatures like notes. It's whatever they need it to be whenever they need it to be that. It changes as frequently as keys. It's incredible and keeps the music complex and interesting.
Watching this again today. I was just looking at my sticks that I got from Neil on the TM tour in 2010.
I wouldn’t sell them for any prices.
To me they are priceless. ❤️🤘
The "official video" is worth a look. While not live, they had a camera running around in the studio. They recorded the instrumental parts in what looks like 1 take. Then added vocals, and keyboards in separate takes. Not quite live, but the camera does capture a VERY young Neil. (We were all much younger in 1981
"Must be so iconic for the Rush fan"
Sir, you are the master of understating.
I knew it!
Niel said he always felt challenged playing Tom Sawyer. He said its a very difficult song to play, so when you get it right, it feels great 👍
I bet Chris!
@@AndrewRooneyDrums you may want to have a look at the live version of Digital Man. Its one of their shorter songs, but the drumming in that song will blow you away! It's pretty impressive...
@@chriskangeter8993 like the bass in that song as well
Very Cool!! Let's just enjoy these artists. Keepm' coming. Hello from Ohio!!
Yo Jack!
Isolated tracks just remind you that even the Neil Peart parts that sound easy are hard.
Everything is hard to play at a pro level. Everything
Also, kudos to producer Terry Brown who worked a lot with Neil to get that sound. And when writing lyrics, he obviously had Geddy in mind.If Geddy felt he didn't like a particular lyric they'd work together on it, 'til they were both happy
Great stuff Ken
Fantastic break down, I know I’m gonna sound lame but just the hi-hat ,snare and bass drum work have always been favorite.
Thanks Rob!
thanks much Andrew -very cool to hear the isolated track to a very well known song.
My pleasure!
There is a recording of By-Tor & The Snow Dog - Live in London from the Permanent Waves (40th Anniversary) album, where Neil is just amazing. I really like the thing he does at 0:29, don't know what it is...
Cheers Martin!
Moving Pictures was my very first cassette purchase back in the 5th grade. I know by memory every beat even though I don't play music or understand the changes. I just know that it has been awesome for 40 years. Thanks for explaining.
I really like how you listen to the song first then do the isolated drum track. I’m intimately familiar with every Rush song, and it’s nice to hear a different aspect. Anyone know if there are isolated guitar tracks out there? Thanks Rooney! 😎
There’s a few. Just YT search Rush isolated guitar tracks.
Todos nós fãs do fantástico Rush sentimos muitas saudades de Neil Peart. Um gênio da composição, maravilhoso músico e letrista que verdadeiramente inovou a música e o modo de tocar bateria. Obrigado pelo seu importante comentário sobre essa linda faixa musical.
Thank you Marcos!
I love listening to your breakdown of these Rush songs
Thank you Tim!!!
My first song to hear was Xanadu and I was instantly hooked just masters I was blown away!
He was a living drum machine.
I am enjoying you, enjoying a band that grew up about 20kms from my place in Mississauga, Ontario.
Love watching your reaction to music that I use to wash dishes too as a kid. Moving Pictures was our go too vinyl
id really like to see some 80s rush. I love that era. Power trio with synths, keys, weird pedals and neil experimenting with electronic kit (midi pads and all sorts of stuff i dont understand!) - some suggestions: Available Light (non single cut that all obsessive Rush fans should know), Bravado (crazy hand coordination), or Middletown Dreams. Maybe even The Big Money. This drummer on UA-cam does an amazing cover - Sterling is his name. Its brilliant to see the whole track from behind the kit. So creative. Amazing fills and transitions, esp the solo section which builds layers upon layers
This is 80s Rush.
Please do drum cam and isolated track for ‘Digital Man’. ✌️❤️
I'll get there
Geddy’s bass line on DM is insane!
Been waiting on this type, of analysis! Moving Pictures, a CLASSIC!
Plenty more to come. Especially when we hit 100k subs!
That drum part was so iconic that two Hollywood comedic actors made a movie about it
Awesome Darla!
There's an isolated track of "Spirit of Radio" in which Neil himself performs, I believe it's still here on the Tube.
If not you can see it on his instruction video "Taking Center Stage". It's either that one or its on "Anatomy of a Drum Solo" but I believe it's on the first one mentioned
It's completely isolated and it's done entirely by the man himself
It's very cool watching how fluid he was and how he seems to do it almost effortlessly
The snare fill at 3:46 going into the tomtom part is probably my single most favorite drum section of any song. And it absolutely irritates me that almost NOBODY ever plays it right---sometimes Neil himself didn't do it live, playing something simpler. And the hundreds of drum covers on YT too.
Sub'ed for RUSH WEEK!
Thanks Joseph!
yes, loved his.
Great James!
I heard the break once and I was sold. I was also late to the party (2006).
Better late than never!
Man ! I follow you until the beginning. I cross my fingers to watch you react to Chris Coleman - Go. 🙏 Keep doing your nice work (much love from Québec, Canada)
I have done one on Chris :)
@@AndrewRooneyDrums Yeah, and it was good 👌🏻 let's "Go" for a second video of Chris Coleman 😌
Andrew, if you learn this part, it'd be great content to see the progress from beginning to end. How you segment your learning, identify the parts you can breeze through, the struggles, the achievements and new learnings. I play guitar and currently working through La VIlla Strangiato and a few others. 😉 Cheers from Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
GREAT idea!!!
I agree with your philosophy of preferring a live version of a song so you can see the drumming. In this case, the official video was made only of footage filmed with RUSH recording Tom Sawyer in the studio, so you couldn't have gone wrong either way :)
Yes it's the only way!
Hello from Canada great videos
Hey Brent!
The official video is a film of them in the studio recording the track.
Nice Andrew, liked this one a lot! I will think about a good drum Rush video, there are too many. But one that you can use to dive into.
As I got more into listening criticality to rush I realized that Tom Sawyer was a drummers song. Then I learned that Neil was the writer then it made total sence
I wore 11 cassettes down to distortion learning this album. It’s worth it. If you can play this album, you can play anything.
Neil had said in the past he relied on vocal phrasing for many parts of many songs.
Excellent Brian
8:20 I have seen sheet music where this is written as 13/16 instead of 7/16 + 3/8, which makes more sense to me because it seems to me as one phrase (it also narrows down the time signature changes).
This is a fun video Andrew! The first time I saw them was on the Moving Pictures tour in 1981 when this song came out. It's so interesting to follow along with you on the transcription. Everyone give Andrew a follow! For a little Rush-related comedy, check out this funny video w/ Paul Rudd & Jason Segel they ran on the big screen after their encores in 2010-2011: ua-cam.com/video/iq3yjfoorsU/v-deo.html
Thank you Steve!
Although Neil didn't write the lyrics for this (Pye Dubois did), he has said that being the writer of the lyrics helps because he knew when to fill, when support and when to accentuate the lyrics. Most drummers don't have that privilege because they are usually the last ones brought in...
100% Don
Neil was co-writer of the lyrics on Tom Sawyer.
Neil often said that a day where he hit Tom Sawyer right was a good day, because it was never certain, even for him, to catch it all as written. Also, if you look into it, you'll find that he helped to create a more advanced construction for his toms, that had a clearer pitch tonality, where most drum bodies produce a very dull, less clear pitch. The Professor indeed.
Amazing
I learned a lot watching this reaction! I don't really play but trying to learn more about music in general and time signatures and this was very helpful. The sound was awesome as well. It looks like Nandi covered Tom Sawyer a couple weeks ago - it was very impressive but the sound (recording) wasn't very crisp for some reason.
Neil Peart was probably one of the most open and accepting star musician ever. Taylor Hawking's as a teenager had no issues being invited to his dressing room, Neil Peart being his idol, and this was well before Taylor Hawkins got the Alanis Morissette gig.
But maybe, that's what helped make Taylor Hawkins such an accessible and obviously great drummer himself. To be able to simply hang out with your idol in the profession you have, isn't exactly something that happens to most people.
Taylor Hawkins was always readily available to fans and other player's, just like Neil Peart.
Only the second time ever hearing Tom Sawyer? How does that happen?
Rush wasn't a thing here
You should listen to the iso drum track for 2112: Grand finale if you haven’t already. It’s insane
You should watch the movie I Love You, Man. Has a lot of love for Rush in it in a number of scenes, but it’s a comedy with Paul Rudd.
Did he say he only heard the song only TWICE ever??
You should checkout neil Pearts anatomy of a drum solo
I will Rachelle!
You Need to check out Carl Palmer of Emerson ,Lake and Palmer
I highly recommend "Bitches' Crystal." A 3/4 jazz waltz that f'n rocks? Yep. Carl did that.
maybe not the fastest tempo, but playing 16th notes with one hand increases the tempo X 4, makes it challenging
Yup it's a challenging pattern at mid - high bpm's
I've seen tours going back to 81. Definitely pull your live footage from the early tours, pre 2000. Drums more natural and focus on re-creating the studio version.
He's called the professor for a reason...
Think about it: six thousand years of human history, and you're alive at the same time as Neil Peart!
Hey Andrew u must listen to de Dana Dan by bloodywood..it will blow ur mind..indian metal at its finest
Oh wow. Sounds awesome
I need that shirt.
HAHA! Yes!
Rush Week at 100k Subs? How bout Rush Month? Yeah, Rush Month and I'll Subscribe.
Rush Month at a mill subs Scott :)
i love that shirt
Worked with RUSH for a long time, I enjoy their protégé DREAM THEATRE, would love your reaction to another band NIGHTWISH - Ghost Love Theme live 2o13
Neil said in an interview that Tom Sawyer was always the hardest to play correctly night after night
Looks tricky for sure
Don't know if anyone has said, Neil said of ALL the Rush songs (all 176?), Tom Sawyer was the hardest for him to play.
As a non-drummer, I don't understand. Other Rush songs sound much more difficult TO ME to play. Xanadu, Marathon, Natural Science, Cygnus... (Farewell to Kings) and many others.
Can you explain Neil's statement that Tom Sawyer was hardest for him to play? Or, at least comment?
Iconic fill indeed, Andrew! Mind you it's only one person - who happens to be the internet's favorite music & composition teacher - but he ranked it second only to In The Air Tonight. Check it out... ua-cam.com/video/WPRsLsPzudo/v-deo.html
EXCELLENT. Thanks Roger
Andrew I would love to see you playing tom sawyer drum parts, any chance?
Sure. I will get time to actually play one of these days LOL
matt garstka released a new playthrough... DO ITTTTTTT
Yeah I noticed!
Official video, studio takes ua-cam.com/video/auLBLk4ibAk/v-deo.html
Next react to REY PRASETYA & SABIAN cymbals - HEADLINE (cover). please..🙏
Please do Chris Kontos of Machine Head performing "Rage to Overcome " 2020 live drum cam.
Did I hear that correctly, this is the only the second time hearing the song? Or the second time hearing the isolated tracks?
As a drummer, how is the former even possible?
Yes. Never heard it.
Rush wasn't a thing in NZ :)
@@AndrewRooneyDrums Oh my gosh - welcome to Rush and "The Professor"! :)
@@thejmac69 Happy to be discovering it now!!
"Nice Subdivision" 🤣
Yes Randy! I've done 'subdivisions' by Rush also!
Please react to the black dahlia murder-what a horrible night to have a curse drum cover please
🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
It would be cool if you check out RYUGA drums. A 10 year old masterful drummer that is vastly over looked in the whole young drummer realm (granted his video were done a decade ago now). He is hands down the best child drummer I have seen. I have yet to see anyone react to his videos. I strongly suggest starting with his " RYUGA DRUM SOLO 1 " video. Pay close attention to his footwork on the multiple pedals he uses. It is jaw dropping stuff for such a little dude let alone an adult drummer.
Thank you for the tip
@@AndrewRooneyDrums I will just put a link to the video itself if you want to give it a go at anytime . He has many videos and does alot of complex song covers but here is his "solo 1" for future reference ua-cam.com/video/KWQ7YAoaswI/v-deo.html