As I have begun my new adventure into home studio recording an offer was proffered by my old friends Brett and Joe to do something together and in tribute and respect to our favorite group RUSH and 40 years of awesomeness. In years past we offered up YYZ and La Villa Strangiato out of the bowels of my family beach house in the early 90s. I think overdubs and post processing was done at Brett’s apartment to render the tracks below.
Take A Listen Here to YYZ and La Villa Strangiato Cover
Lately I have been focused on doing original works and compositionsĀ to challenge my drumming and creative ability. I think covers are great but only if done out of tasteful respect to the original artist with as much accuracy to the original rhythms as possible. Replicating drum parts of Mr. Peart (and other great drummers) can be extremely difficult due to equipment restraints, player style differences and skill levels. I still think covers are a great thing and will work fervently on these songs to get them as close to accurate as I can without embellishment from my style. Let the games begin…
Luckily I was raised listening to RUSH and my earliest drumming deciphers were RUSH songs. They were even faster and more complex back then. It didn’t happen overnight but with determination and repetition I was able to say I could do it. The first RUSH song I could play along with in entirety was Subdivisions, a treat to play on the drums. I know the older stuff was great but at that time RUSH was entering in to the electronic era of sound that I really enjoyed. I know Alex Lifeson said he did not like those years as he felt that the addition of those sounds seem contrived and unnatural to the guitar, bass and drum combo. I disagree, they have forever been cemented in the history of the band and I think will always be valued, and I know Mike Portnoy is partial to the older works as well …. š
I would have to further disagree as any given song by RUSH provides me some sort of positive memory of the past and what I have been through and challenges I have faced. I personally associate music with different times in my life and can often emotionally travel to a time in life that was either difficult or happy. That is the beauty of music to me, it can make a lasting impression to reinforce a moment in time for you to relish and reflect. That is why God valued music in the heavens and entrusted that power to Lucifer, only to have it corrupted on earth.
But I digress….. (I may write more about that later).
So it begins, Animate is in the computer now and initial tracking is good. I want to run through a few more times to get it right. I am also trying to get my Roland system to work with my audio interface to play the electronic tambourine part Neil uses with his left foot. I have the equipment, a similar sound and can play the rhythm. Just not sure if I can get the system to record it. Brett said he could add it post production but I think that may eat at me over time ha…. I will do my best.
Until then keep on drumming and look for our covers online soon for your auditory enjoyment.
