"Tom Sawyer" by Rush
Strong Songs
Elton John's Pedal Tone on Guitar
The song is in the key of E, and it starts up on a G sharp. The major third establishes this as a major tonality. After Getty sings that verse, they do an instrumental pass through those same four chords. Listen to see if you can hear what's different.
A modern day warrior's mean, mean stride; today's Strong Song has mean, mean pride!
Yes, it's time for Kirk to tackle a song by the legendary Canadian rock trio Rush, and what better song than "Tom Sawyer"? Of course, what starts with Tom doesn't end there, as Kirk takes a broader look at Rush's musical legacy, with extra attention for the band's legendary drummer Neil Peart, who tragically died last month.
It's a longer-than-usual episode covering a variety of topics, from odd meter counting; to "kite and anchor" solos; to drum snobs; to just what kind of person spends 30 years conquering the world of rock drumming, only to seek out a new teacher and reinvent himself.
Band/Artist: Rush
Album: Moving Pictures (1981)
Written by: Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart
Lyrics by: Neil Peart and Pye Dubois
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
Note: This episode has been updated to correct the pronunciation of Neil Peart's last name, which, as it turns out, is pronounced "Peert" and not "Pert."
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
- "La Villa Strangiato" by Rush from Hemispheres, 1978
- "Jump" by Van Halen from 1984, 1984
- "Come Sail Away" by Styx from The Grand Illusion, 1977
- The free (!) VST plugin OBXD Synthesizer
- "Autumn Leaves" by the Keith Jarrett Trio from After The Fall, recorded 1998/released 2018
- "Whippersnapper" by the Wayne Krantz Trio from Two Drink Minimum, 1995
- "YYZ" by Rush from Moving Pictures, 1981
- "Spirit of the Radio" by Rush from Permanent Waves, 1980
- "The Monster" by Buddy Rich from Krupa and Rich, 1956 (1994 CD re-release)
- Clips from various episodes of Freaks and Geeks
- Excerpts from the excellent 2002 documentary Neil Peart: A Work In Progress
OUTRO SOLOIST: BJ CORD
This episode's outro soloist is BJ Cord, a fantastic trumpet player based in Portland who recorded this, the first-ever Strong Songs outro solo. BJ works at Monette trumpets making some of the most beautiful horns in the world, and is a regular presence on their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monettetrumpets
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