LOS ANGELES (Rush Official Website) - Neil Peart, one of the most proficient drummers and articulate lyricists in Rock history, and member of the renowned group Rush, recently released his first instructional DVD, the double-disc, "Anatomy of a Drum Solo" (Hudson
Music / Rounder-Universal). It features newly-recorded, in-studio footage of legendary drum artist Peart, also known as the "Professor," analyzing, discussing and dissecting his unique approach to the art of soloing. "The drum solo is a tradition handed down to us, our heritage, as it were, and it is a heritage worth celebrating," Peart says. "Giants have come before us, and giants will come after, but even while us mere mortals play in their shadows, we can be inspired to aim just a little higher every day — or every night."
Using 'der Trommler," a live drum solo performed and recorded during Rush's 2004 European tour, as a framework, Peart talks candidly and in great detail about each section of the nine-minute tour-de-force. He describes the inspiration and the conceptual thinking behind each part of the solo and then explains and demonstrates the techniques required to play that segment.
Produced by the award-winning team of Rob Wallis and Paul Siegel, the three hour and twenty-two minute set also includes several exclusive interactive feat ures. In addition, Neil's entire performance of 'der Trommler" has been transcribed note-for-note and is included on the disc as a printable PDF file.
Several of Peart's recent live performances can also be found on the new Rush-R30 (Zoe Vision / Rounder); the historic, triple platinum double DVD/CD which celebrates Rush's 30th Anniversary. It captures with 14 hi-definition cameras in 16x9 widescreen format, an explosive concert during the band's $21-million grossing, sell-out 30th Anniversary World Tour. It also features rare and classic performance and interview footage dating from the 1970's to their recent 2005 Tsunami relief benefit concert.
Additional chapters and material on "Anatomy of a Drum Solo" include:
* "Exploration No 1" and "Exploration No 2"— completely improvised workouts at the drums, each over thirty-minutes long.
* "Ich Bin Ein Hamburger"— a never-before-released solo recorded in Hamburg, Germany in September, 2004.
* "O Baterista"— Neil's Grammy Award-nominated solo (previously released on the Rush in Rio DVD).
* Live Rush performances of "Tom Sawyer" and 'subdivisions" from the 2004 European Tour shot from the perspective of the drum cameras.
* A previously unreleased solo from Rush's 1994 Counterparts Tour.
* Extensive Bonus Materials, including interviews with Lorne Wheaton (Neil's drum tech) and Paul Northfield (Rush co-producer and engineer), video of Lorne setting up and talking about Neil's drumkit, a full-color booklet, a photo gallery and more.
Representing the popular and influential drummer's first video release in over a decade, "Anatomy Of A Drum Solo" carries a suggested retail price of $49.95 and is available at leading drum shops, music stores and where ever Hudson Music DVDs and books are sold.
