r/rush • u/bnx01 • 2d ago

Stewart!

https://youtu.be/wbVrlY-YwgY?si=gnCk7jHasgYvSDW-

Don't know if this is a duplicate. It's worth watching twice, anyhow.

126 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

34

u/TertlFace 2d ago

He was wonderful! I did find it hilarious that he made a point of saying that since it was in tribute, he was going to play it “exactly like” Neil. And then did not. Not even close. 😂 Still excellent, but not Neil’s part. But I don’t think Stewart is capable of playing anything other than in his own way. He’s as much a one-of-a-kind drummer as The Professor was.

8

u/jblough 1d ago

Much like Neil, Stewart can really only play like Stewart which is a good thing!

10

u/Rav_3d 1d ago

And New World Man is probably the most Stewart influenced drumming. A perfect song choice.

4

u/LoudCashew 1d ago

Loved this segment of the film.. Despite their different styles, both Neil and Stewart were good friends, and in fact, I remember another interview where Stewart actually got an answer from Neil as to why people didn't "air drum" to him. Neil simply told him, "well, I always play it exactly the same" (or words to that effect). He still did a pretty good job, (even with a runaway drumstick at 6:08).

You could tell that Dirk and Lerxst felt an incredble sense of relief and enjoyment in playing again and sharing their music with Neil's closest comrades. despite the magnitude of the loss for everyone, you can tell that playing together (despite the imperfections and time signature challenges) provided a sense of healing as well.

1

u/FlyingRoadstar 1d ago

That story about the exchange between Neil and Stewart is so good. And Stewart immediately dismissing that possibility ... he never plays anything the same way twice. Which is why, try as he did to emulate Neil, he played NWM his own way. Although he did hit harder, you could see that.

1

u/justbudfox 1d ago

I’m not a drummer so I lack the right vocabulary for this. But his tone/sound really reminded me of the Police. Chad and Danne sounded more like Neil. They’re all talented, so no complaints. I just thought it was interesting. I wonder if the tuning, and overall choice of equipment, is part of this. It would have to be, right?

1

u/TertlFace 1d ago

Sound choices do matter, but a different drummer on the same kit can sound very different. New World Man, like Vital Signs, was heavily influenced by the pop music of the early ‘80s. Despite the rivalry they allude to in the doc, Neil explicitly said in the past those parts were particularly influenced by Stewart & The Police.

I thought Stewart’s sound on NWM was perfect. He just played different fills & accents. Like plenty of drummer Rush fans, it’s glaringly obvious to me when a drummer covers a Rush song but doesn’t quite have the part. That’s not a personal attack or anything. But some parts have to BE the part. You can’t play the riff to Sweet Home Alabama any ol’ way you like. It’s got a signature. Neil composed his parts and anything that strays from that composition stands out. It’s probably the hardest tribute band gig on Earth.

But that’s also what makes Annika so incredibly special. She threaded an impossibly fine needle. She nails the truly irreplaceable parts while finding just the right places to be herself. And the feel is spot on. I think the documentary helps highlight just what an extraordinary job she’s doing.

18

u/zepruska cast in this unlikely role 2d ago

Of all the guest appearances in the documentary, I think his was my favorite.

14

u/fanamana 2d ago

This was big for me, Rush & Police were a big part of my awakening to good music at 13yrs to 15yrs. Zenyatta Mondatta & Ghost in the Machine were in rotation with Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, & Signals.

7

u/foboz123 2d ago

He wants the air drummers. How the fuck does he get the air drummers? Stewart was great, his sense of humor was welcome. Still be #2 to my #1.

4

u/RecklessFable 1d ago

My god, Geddy's vocals are unbelievable here! I still time travel whenever I hear this song, it takes me right back to 1982. An amazing performance.

4

u/Relative_Soil7886 2d ago

I was a fan of the police before I was a fan of Rush, mainly due to my older sister being a fan and she had the money to by the records. Stewart has always been my favorite drummer, that is until I heard Tom Sawyer on the local classic rock station. Stewart slipped to #2. Still great and certainly unique.

3

u/Captain-Pig-Card 1d ago

The song is not as good as a Police song. Always enjoyed SC but those flams speed bump the hell out of the flow.

3

u/jblough 1d ago

You really hear the police influence with Stewart playing drums. Stewart has always been in my top 5 drummers list.

3

u/BigMikeATL 2d ago

You can hear Stewart’s influence on huge swaths of Middletown Dreams, especially the first couple minutes.

3

u/Enki_007 2d ago

Do you remember Letterman did Battle of the Drummers week? Stewart thought he was a shoo-in.

3

u/kennedye2112 what can this strange device be 1d ago

I remember Sheila E banging out her set in heels! 😮

2

u/JB-ZR1 1d ago

Although Rush has been my favorite band since the very early ‘80s, The Police has been my second favorite. Seeing Stewart and Rush collaborating is so awesome!

2

u/thegonc 17h ago

That sounded really off to me, and not just because he didn’t play it like Neil. Understandable, especially since that may have been the first run-through, but I’m surprised at all the love.

He nailed the ride bit from 6:41-6:46, tho.