Committing Rock Blasphemy

Tweet

Ever since the dawn of time... ok, the late 60s/early 70s, all bass players and drummers in rock have been forced to play second fiddle to two great musicians. From the rank amature, to the pinnacles of arena rock, the standard was set. If you banged a drum, no matter who you were or who heard you play, you never did it as well as Neil Peart did it. If you slapped, snapped, tapped or picked a bassline, Geddy Lee did it better... it's not your fault, it's just the way it is... People like me often get made fun of. Apparently a top 10 favorite guitarist or singer is expected. A favorite pianist or keyboard player is acceptable... You can even have a favorite drummer... but nobody but nobody has their top 10 drummers and bass players! First of all, why bother, #1 would be Neil Peart and Geddy Lee anyway. Then, who on earth can name 10 drummers or bass players... much less RANK them! For decades I took my place in the ranks of rock fans. Neil and Geddy... Of course they are #1... But here lies the blasphemy. Here is where I tear myself from the crowd in a fit of self realization... Here is where I openly admit... While they are 2/3 of one of rock's greatest bands. While they are both among the best there is... to me, they are only "among" the best... Ok, now that I've said it... and you have stopped swearing at me and calling for my head... Let's get down to why... Geddy. Geddy is a great bass player. What I'm about to point out about his playing does not diminish that in any way shape or form... however. While his band is well known for changing styles and reinventing themselves every few albums... Geddy Lee has a surprizingly limited bag of tricks. He does what he does very well, but it seems like he's chosen a sound, a few tones, and a few effects and stuck with them. They do him well, and I hope continue to serve him for many albums to come... but the truth is plain to hear on each track of each album. Neil. What can I say about a guy who plays like he has 10 arms and 10 feet. Unlike Geddy, Neil can pull from many styles of drumming, toys of percussion and stick work. He's as comfortable playing old jazz standards as he is the music he writes so well. He is so willing to introduce new facets to his art, he still takes lessons! I mean, think about it, how would you like to take on that challenge... "Hi, I'm Neil Peart... I want you to be my drum teacher"... But Neil, Buddy, Drummer of Drummers... Would it kill you to slip in a triplet once in awhile? Are all those arms and legs stuck permanently in sync with each other? There are drummers today that have figured out how to separate each limb from their bodies. They can lay down several different beats at the same time. The problem I face now is, some of the bass players and drummers I think are better than Niel and Geddy, are in bands I really don't like that much. Chills run down my spine when I see Carter Beauford do a different stroke roll on two different drums. I would pay to see Dave Matthews in concert... but I'd only be there for the drummer. Sorry Dave, I just don't get into what you're selling. Luckily I did get to see Primus in concert. That Les Claypool is 5 times the frontman and a more versatile bass player than Geddy Lee. The thing is though Rush is a much better band than Primus. So, while I go find a place to hole up while the raging hoards of rock fans hunt me down like a heretical dog... take this as my note nailed to the church door... and catch me if you can, I'm going into hiding. ;~D