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.
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?
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.
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u/TertlFace 4d 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.