Book Description
To celebrate their 30th anniversary, the band Rush embarked on their R30 world tour in the summer of 2004, playing 57 shows for more than half a million fans. Drummer Neil Peart traveled between shows on motorcycle, logging 21,000 miles through 19 countries on both sides of the Atlantic. Part behind-the-scenes memoir, part existential travelogue, this book chronicles Peart's journey in search of the perfect show, the perfect meal, the perfect road, and an elusive inner satisfaction that comes only with the recognition that the journey itself is the ultimate destination.
Customer Reviews:
Great read for Rush fans.......2007-09-28
Mom, when I grow up I want to be a musician - Well you know son, you can't do both.
I found it fun, informative, entertaining and reflexive. An excellent read for Rush fans that appreciate Neil's way to observe the world, his experiences and reflexions of being in 'the Limelight' while keeping his feet (and wheels) in the ground. He describes his job as "hitting things with sticks - big deal!" but since only mediocre men feel satisfied every day, keeps challenged to give the best show he can give. Fun anecdotes of how the band develops a strange relationship with fans through the years and how they recognize them and see them change, some others on how some fans can get disturbing. In any case, Neil is able to have a life among 'the mortals' and be recognized only occassionally during his motorcycle trips from city to city that he describes in ways that make you want to be in those places or appreciate those in which you've already been.
Good stuff!!!.......2007-09-28
Neil is a great writer. The story is great, just a narrative of a trip? No, Neil takes you there. He paints such a vivid picture, you'll feel like you are riding shotgun! This goes for the whole series. I think for being such a private dude, it's a cool way for the guy to share feelings, thought and philosophies. I don't feel like he was looking for pity, just an outlet. These books just might make a Rush fan out of you too, I warned ya!
Ah yes, another review by me. You're welcome........2007-09-16
Welcome to my wonderful second review ever. I have been practicing 2 to 3 hours a day on my reviewing skills. Drinking some protein shakes and eating lots of free range, organic, dolphin trained, tuna to bulk up.
Sadly, I haven't done any book reviews in my strenuous review regime. So, to get an idea on how to review a book, I read every single review for this book... Right...
I noticed two things. One, I agree with almost every review. The good and the bad. Ignore the stars my fellow reviewers give this book and just read a couple of good reviews and bad reviews and that's basically the book.
The second thing I noticed is something I thought every book reviewer should talk about but that not a single one did.
The book itself.
The books jacket has three very nice pictures on a nice glossy paper. There is also a nice little bit of writing inside the jacket about the book.
The actual cover of the book is of a grayish color with little raised ridges running down it. It also is an exact copy of the jacket itself. Well, if you replace all the colors with the grayish color. Get rid of the pictures. Take away a few lines of text and symbols. And they are EXACTLY the same.
Even though Amazon says this book weighs 1.4 lbs. I am going to have to go all out weatherman on this, and say it feels more like solid 1.8 lbs. More if you like reading on your back, holding the book over your head. I don't recommend reading it this way unless you have conditioned yourself for this task.
The font is easy to read but just a size too small for my tastes. But not a deal breaker. I can't help it if I am going blind and bald. It is very fine and precise with no smearing or runs of any sort in my copy. Although, there are some spelling errors here and there.
The paper is sturdy but not too thick. It has an off white, almost aged paper look to it. My hands are so calloused from my review training, that I cannot get a proper feel of the paper. I imagine it has a very slight rough texture to it though.
The book has a very understated musky odor. Only noticeable when I took a good honking sniff at close range. I could see this causing some discomfort to the sinuses if you were reading on your back, with the book over your head, and you passed out from the exertion. You might wake up with that smell in your nose which might be disconcerting.
At the beginning of every chapter is a little quote or joke. They are good sometimes. If you like to read a quick chapter before going to bed every night then you are out of luck with this here book. Unless you are some kind of freak speed reader. The chapters are sometimes quite long but lucky for you, they are broken up into subchapter type things.
Yeah, anyway, football is on and I hear my recliner calling me.
Neil, you "USED" to be my favorite drummer..............2007-09-14
Now your my favorite writer.........
I just finished three of your four books, and have gained alot of inspiration and insight. I'm planning to do a similar journey of my own, on a bike just like yours, with a journal on hand, from Orange County to the tip of Argentina. I'm saving your last book as reading material for the journey. When I finish the book Neil, I'm going to send you a copy. In the meantime, if I ever see you in person, I will simply smile and walk away. Thanks for everything. Love Drew
Fun read, but not mandatory for Rush fans.......2007-08-31
After reading all of Neil Peart's other travel books, I had a pretty good idea what to expect going into this book, and it neither disappointed nor surpassed my expectations. The title did seem to indicate that there would be more hard "Rush content" than his other books, but all told, I would estimate that about 20% of the book talks about the shows themselves, and the rest is devoted to Peart's travels between shows.
First a quick note about the tone of the book itself, since so many other reviews seem to hit on this. As with pretty much everything else he's ever written, Peart makes no bones about the fact that he isn't thrilled interacting with rabid fans. But he's also honest about the fact that he has a hard time talking to people in general, even going so far in this book to say that he thinks Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are better friends to him than he has been to them. Pretty straightforward stuff. And to be fair, the negative interactions he describes here are with "fans" who can probably best described as nut-jobs. Even after reading this book, I still come away with the feeling that if I was ever to come across Neil, a simple "thanks for all the great music" would probably be met positively enough.
As for the content itself, the behind-the-scenes glimpses are great, as were Neil's views on Alex's legal battles, and his views on the State of Florida in general (no spoilers here, but it was pretty funny stuff). 400+ pages of motorcyle rides does get a bit tedious after a while though, and I found myself wishing that there was more technical info and anecdotes about the various concerts on the 2004 tour.
To an extent, this book does serve as a prelude to the "Snakes and Arrows" album, insofar as Neil describes in a bit more detail the various back-road church signs that inspired his work on that album. But are you missing anything from the album experience if you don't read the book? Probably not.
Overall, this was an enjoyable enough read, as it does provide some insight into the mind behind Rush's lyrics. But I wouldn't consider it as indispensible as "Travelling Music" is to describing the band's history.
Average customer rating:
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The Big Beat: Conversations With Rock's Great Drummers
Max Weinberg , and
Robert Santelli
Manufacturer: Billboard Books
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0823075710 |
Customer Reviews:
Max Weinberg Rocks!.......2003-08-09
I bought this book after seeing Max live in 1986 with the legendary Dirty Bones Band, a New England cult rock and roll band that used to play all the time at my university. He talked about his favorite drummers, then demonstrated their styles with the band. Even though I don't play (I am not a musician) I really enjoyed reading about some of Rock's great drummers including Ringo and Levon Helm. Buy the book
Average customer rating:
- A Fair-Minded Biography of the Greatest Technical Drum Soloist Ever
- A great story, but....
- A great story, but....
- This is the best book I ever read!
- A real treat for drummers and non-drummers alike.
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Traps - The Drum Wonder: The Life of Buddy Rich
Mel Torme
Manufacturer: Rebeats Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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The Torment of Buddy Rich: A Biography
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World of Gene Krupa: That Legendary Drummin' Man
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Jazz Legend
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Buddy Rich - At the Top DVD
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Buddy Rich Live At The 1982 Montreal Jazz Festival (includes Bonus CD)
ASIN: 1888408022 |
Book Description
Now back in print, this bestseller by Mel Torme is a brilliant biography of his friend of forty years, Buddy Rich, who was one of the most famous drummers of the Swing Era, having starred in the Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey bands. His career started when he was two years old in his parents' Vaudeville act, and by the time he was four he was the highest paid child performer in the world. The Buddy Rich story is a fascinating one, as much for what it says about the world of American music and entertainment as for the remarkable life it portrays. Drawing from interviews and many personal reminiscences, Torme packs this biography with vivid, often funny, anecdotes. His personal touch and his in-depth knowledge of jazz make for a moving, insightful, and often hilarious biography. 233 pages, 6-1/2 inch. x 9-1/2 inch. Softcover
Customer Reviews:
A Fair-Minded Biography of the Greatest Technical Drum Soloist Ever.......2006-08-06
Mel Torme is not a genius of prose or of the biography genre, but he isn't unreadable either, and literary standards these days are low anyway. Besides, Mel Torme KNEW Rich for much of Rich's life. Buddy Rich asked Torme to write a fair biography, and that is what Torme has done. If you want to learn about the life of the greatest technical drum soloist of all time, this is the book to buy. I like the pictures, too. (How's that for genius in prose?)
A great story, but...........2000-01-25
A great story, but.... The Buddy Rich story had to be told, and on the whole Tormé does it with honesty and humour. His writing, however, suffers from a number of bad mixed metaphors, and there is a dreadful editing mistake when the lead in quote to one of the final chapters is dated as being at Rich's birthday party in 1988. He died in 1987. These qualms aside, the book is easy reading, with many funny anecdotes. The view of the jazz scene is predictably white and cronyish, but the main interest is Rich's extraordinary life and talent.
A great story, but...........1999-07-05
The Buddy Rich story had to be told, and on the whole Tormé does it with honesty and humour. His writing, however, suffers from a number of bad mixed metaphors, and there is a dreadful editing mistake when the lead in quote to one of the final chapters is dated as being at Rich's birthday party in 1988. He died in 1987. These qualms aside, the book is easy reading, with many funny anecdotes. The view of the jazz scene is predictably white and cronyish, but the main interest is Rich's extraordinary life and talent.
This is the best book I ever read!.......1999-03-16
This book is outstanding! Anyone who really likes the drums or drummers (mainly Buddy Rich), definitly has to read this book. It is a very detailed but a very easy reading book. It not only covers his life, it also has a section called "Sidebars", and gives more detail (exe: Buddy's Passions, Buddy's Beliefs, Buddy On Film, etc.) I think it should win an award!
A real treat for drummers and non-drummers alike........1998-12-20
Being a big fan of the late Buddy Rich, I was searching for a book that not only chronicled his life, but gave me insight into the legend. This book did it all. I could not put the book down. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys drumming, jazz or just a good biography. Hats off to Mel Torme. His book is wonderful.
Book Description
This book is an edition, with commentary, of Handel's exercises for continuo playing, which he wrote for the daughters of George II. The exercises, which until now have not been readily available, are supplemented by clear and concise commentary. Remaining faithful to his source, Ledbetter,
who lectures in keyboard studies, has prepared an edition that will prove invaluable to students and performers of the music of Handel and his contemporaries.
Book Description
Pain and injury are near constant companions for professional musicians. Aching hands, painful joint swelling, back problems, among other ailments were all thought to be part of the price musicians had to pay to be performers. However, thanks to an increasing awareness of both the kinesiology and biology of movement, as well as proper techniques for fostering good performance habits, musicians no longer have to suffer in silence.
Perhaps no group of musicians has been more prone to career-threatening injury than percussionists, and the demands for speed, power, control, and endurance are only increasing. Often musicians wait until an injury is so aggravated that it's too late to be fully treated. In almost every case, if the drummer had done some very simple preventative (or early) care, the injury would never have become a serious issue.
The Percussionists' Guide to Injury Treatment Prevention is designed to aid in that early prevention and treatment. Although it is not a substitute for clinicaldiagnosis or medical care from a trained physician, it can educate the musician as to how the human body works; the role of muscles and skeletal structure in supporting movement; and understanding specifically how to prevent and treat common injuries. The book begins with a general discussion of how the body works and basic prevention concepts. It then covers each specific area of the body (where it hurts), suggesting practical ways to prevent and treat it. Basic anatomy is covered in terms that a musician can understand.
For all percussion students and professionals, The Percussionists' Guide to Injury Treatment Prevention will be an indispensable companion.
Book Description
Includes: Training For All Musicians, Solo And Duet Exercises (playable on any instrument), Specific Exercises For Jazz, Pop, Funk And Classical Instrument Phrasing, Rhythm Etudes For Solo And Ensemble Practice. Includes CD With 19 Tracks Of Listening and Reference Materials.
Book Description
Now in its long-awaited second printing, Bob Cianci's Great Rock Drummers of the Sixties, the universally acclaimed history of '60s rock drummers and drumming, has been reissued in its original form with a revised section that thoroughly updates information on the drummers featured within. These of rock drummers are arguably the most revered and copied musicians to ever sit behind the kit. All the prominent drummers of the era are spotlighted, including Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts, Keith Moon, Mitch Mitchell, Hal Blaine, and other legends. Long out of print, the original first edition of Great Rock Drummers of the Sixties was published in 1989 and went on to become a collectors' item. This in-demand book is back and better than ever, with a new cover, improved layout, and much more information for anyone interested in the Sixties, its music, and rock drummers.
Customer Reviews:
All notable drummers of the era, both famous and lesser-knowns, are included.......2006-11-06
Now in its second printing, the classic survey GREAT ROCK DRUMMERS OF THE SIXTIES provides a history of the era's best rock drummers and drumming - and here is reissued in its original form with added revised data updating drummer biographies to modern times. All notable drummers of the era, both famous and lesser-knowns, are included in chapters which review tours, notable achievements, pack in plenty of vintage black and white photos, and chart the rise of rock groups.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
What's not to love?.......2000-09-05
I bought this book when it was first published, and I still go back to it from time to time. Just the Rogers drumset on the cover was enough to grab my interest. This is an interesting read complete with pictures of some '60s heroes playing the kits everyone is bidding on ebay for!
Nice one, Bob!
Comprehensive and Respectful Book.......1999-09-24
I appreciate this book because drummers often don't receive the praise they deserve, and the 60's produced some of the world's best drummers. I'm glad the author wants to print an updated version. I was delighted to see my favorite drummer of all time, the late B.J. Wilson of Procol Harum, included under the Honorable Mentions. I do want to point out an error in the book that's unfortunately all too common: Bobby Harrison did NOT play on the hit single "A Whiter Shade of Pale" -- that was the great session drummer Bill Eyden, who certainly deserves to be in this book. Come visit the WebPages devoted to B.J. Wilson and Bill Eyden via the FEATURES menu at the Procol Harum Website -- email me for the URL if you can't find it.. And enjoy this Book!
Book Description
Peter Magadini's Polyrhythms is acclaimed the world over and has been hailed by Modern Drummer magazine as "by far the best book on the subject." Written for instrumentalists and vocalists alike, this book/CD pack contains excellent solos and exercises that feature polyrhythmic concepts. Topics covered include: 6 over 4, 5 over 4, 7 over 4, 3 over 4, 11 over 4, and other rhythmic ratios; combining various polyrhythms; polyrhythmic time signatures; and much more. The CD includes demos of the exercises. To purchase Peter Magadini's stand-alone CD Polyrhythm (different from the CD that accompanies this book), you can visit www.petermagadini.com.
Customer Reviews:
Well done!.......2007-03-02
I am an amateur with 40 plus years on the drums and this guide is easy to understand even though I do not play professionally. Helped me immensely!
Peter M. has the idea, but the execution is a little lacking.......2006-04-22
The author has the idea of polyrhythms right, and he explains it very well, and gives great audio examples. He also has right the idea of how to thoroughly teach polyrhythmic abilities, and enhance rhythmic dexterity. The book is lacking, however, when it comes to practice exercises. While the instructions say practice these exercises at all tempos, the accompanying CD has them only at one tempo per exercise (which is, surprise, close to the easiest tempo for that particular exercise)... of course, you're expected to do different tempos on your own, but since you're counting two rhythms at once, it is very difficult to objectively hear each of them, to know if you're not "cheating" one to make it fit into the correct rhythmic space provided by the other.
The book provides the musician with some great new ways to think about rhythm. The problem is that the book advances too quickly to some really difficult stuff. If you sit with it for hours, and practice on your own (drumming on a desk, as I have done), you can ascend its steep slope and help your rhythmic abilities. (In the end, I didn't get very far along in the book). This takes a hell of a lot of patience, discipline, and work, and It would've been much easier if there were more exercises, which slowly increased in difficulty, rather than the few exercises which demand a leap in difficulty from one to the next.
Polyrhythms the Musicians Guide.......1999-12-16
Voted #6 in Modern Drummer Magazine survey "The 25 Greatest Drumbooks" The original books were in two volumes. Both have now been combined into one volume. The book also includes an excellent and informative recording. This book is not only for drummers and percussionists but was written for all musicians. Musicians Guide to Polyrhythms (orig.title) is, has been, and continues to be the definitive book on this subject
Book Description
This book highlights the outstanding drum sets of rock, jazz, RandB, and country. Spanning seven decades, it features over 40 great kits played by Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Ringo Starr, John Bonham, Hal Blaine, Ginger Baker, Keith Moon, and more. A diagram details the brands, sizes, colors, and vintage and custom aspects of the famous sets. Features a cool 16-page color section.
Customer Reviews:
RaT-a-tAt-TaT.......2002-12-10
From the 20's to the 90's this book introduces you to the worlds greatest drummers and gives diagrams of their set-ups.
The only thing I didn't like about the book is that it needs updating, with a few more drummers added. I am not a drummer but love listening to drum solo's, and bought this book out of curiosity.
On the side... I downloaded 100+ drum solos from audiogalaxy, and winmx.
DRUMMER'S DELIGHT.......2001-05-15
Jon Cohan has done an amazing job of compiling an enormous amount of useful information for today's drummer. It'a all here - the history, the players, detailed diagrams of their sets as well as a lot of color and b/w pictures. While the majority of the players represented here are from the 1920's through the 1970's, this is an excellent source book that shouldn't be missed, even by the casual enthusiast. One can only hope for a follow-up book or an expanded/updated edition in the near future.
A book for every drummer interested in history of drums.......1999-01-09
A well documented and illustrated book written by someone who collects and builds drums. A lot of information can be found on the diameters of drums, cymbals and trademarks of drumkits used by the most famous rock and jazz drummers. One of my favorite books. An ideal complement of "Guide to vintage drums".
Book Description
The Drum Book reveals the untold story of the rock drum kit, from the moment that Ringo Starr began thrashing his Ludwig kit in the 1960s to the wonderfully diverse drumming of the 1990s. Author Geoff Nichols is a professional writer and musician.
Customer Reviews:
A Book to Dream About!.......2003-01-05
For anyone who loves drum sets, this is a fabulous book. The pictures are wonderful, and the history of the trap set is really fascinating. If you want a lot about jazz sets or jazz drummers, this isn't the book for you, but still, the history of drums from the 1920's on is good to read. The appendix, a listing of many, many drum companies, is enlightening and useful. Soon it may be updated, and that'll be great, too (2003 is a long way from 1997 in some ways!)
A MUST for the drum collector.......2001-05-07
I have found Geoff Nicholls book to be the most complete and informative book on the modern evolution of the drum set yet. It has sparked my interest in collecting, and I find myself going back thru it most evenings. It's a teriffic reference book as well as an interesting read. Thanks Geoff.
THE Drum Book.......1999-12-29
I love this book. It is graphically superb, well-written, and full of beautiful photographs. The author's perspective is English, which changes the focus a little bit. Hence, some of the usually overlooked species of drums are featured here: Premier, Carlton, Ajax, and others. Of course, the book is full of pictures of Ludwig, Rogers, and the like, as well.
If you are familiar with the Fender Book, or the Les Paul Book, this is from the same series, and is absolutely indispensable for the drum collector.
The Drum Book.......1999-12-02
I believe this book is a must have for anyone who loves to play the drums. It has many detailed and interesting pictures and fasinating information about the early years of the drum set. Although, I also believe that it tends to be from a british point of view and does skip over a lot of what has happened with the drum set in more recent years, but it would be an enjoyable book for anyone who likes to sit down and play on their drumset!
Was very informative with some good illustrations........1999-08-29
Although the book was intended to be from a British perspective, I feel that there was too much emphasis on Premier and it's players. From the late 70's to the 90's Yamaha, Pearl and Tama dominated the drum scene and it appears that this was overlooked.
It's still a great book and I wish Geoff all the best for the future.
Books:
- Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers
- Scales, Intervals, Keys, Triads, Rhythm, and Meter: A Programmed Course in Elementary Music Theory, With an Introduction to Partwriting, Third Edition ... (Norton Programmed Texts in Music Theory)
- SCAR TISSUE
- SCJP Sun Certified Programmer for Java 5 Study Guide (Exam 310-055) (Certification Press Study Guides)
- Searching for the Sound: My Life with the Grateful Dead
- She Ain't The One
- Silence: Lectures and Writings
- Silence: Lectures and Writings
- Smarts: Are We Hardwired for Success?
- Sociology of Organizations: Classic, Contemporary and Critical Readings
Books Index
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Snakes & Arrows
Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road
Traveling Music: Playing Back the Soundtrack to My Life and Times
![Rush - Replay [3 DVD/CD Box Set]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000FDFOX0.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
Rush - Replay [3 DVD/CD Box Set]
The Masked Rider: Cycling in West Africa
