Roadshow: Landscape With Drums: A Concert Tour by Motorcycle by Neil Peart Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Roadshow: Landscape With Drums: A Concert Tour by Motorcycle
Book Review: It's only work if you'd rather be doing something else. Neil Would.
Summary: 4 Stars
Have you ever seen those Tee-Shirts stating "I would rather be... (fill in anything better than what you're doing)?
In his written account of ROADSHOW Neil Peart makes it perfectly clear that playing drums on a RUSH tour is WORK and he would rather be doing something else.
ROADSHOW is an honest account of the man, many name - the best drummer alive (or dead). Peart makes no excuses in his exclamations of being bothered by overly zealus fans, having his picture taken with fans, and being asked any question about himself or the band. Peart explains his self barrier from fans as due to his relentless shyness and personal doubt of his own worthiness of such attention.
However, as a reader, it's certainly apparent that Peart has lost his fervor for Rush. He gives much affection to his bandmates but it seems evident that his drive for the music and performing for the fans has been lost somewhere over the years.
I was deflated by the loss of drive that Peart has suffered for his music...Rush's music. More so, I find it understanding how Rush fans would be put off by his believing them mostly to be weirdo's if they should happen to get to close to him by approaching and asking for an autograph. Of course, Peart usually does sign the autographs but the book makes it clear that he would rather not be bothered.
I do not beleive that Neil Peart is nose up. I believe the man is a good man and an honest one. He told the truth in ROADSHOW. It's just that the truth isn't going to make Rush fans happy. Fans want him to indulge them into the inner workings of the band. Peart does give some details and shares many stories about previous tours and his bandmates. But the book is titled ROADSHOW - A Concert Tour by Motorcycle. Thus, it is exactly as offered. It is about Neil Peart on tour - on Motorcycle - between shows.
I think what has caused pain for Rush fans is that, while Peart is regularly noting his disdain for the tour, referring it all as WORK, and frequently dismissing fan appreciation as worrisome and often scary, his fans are reading about his living in the riches of California's Malibu region, luxurious adventures, staying in nice hotels, eating well, being prosperous, traveling Eurpoe, and riding his bike all over the world.
Peart fans feel that they have paid for those services and that Peart owes then just a little more gratitude and love.
But realistically, fans haven't paid for NEIL PEART. They've paid for his talent. So let's all just give the man his credit for being a superb drummer of a very unique band that survived for over three decades.
Neil Peart doesn't like touring anymore. He's tired of it. Rush is work to him. He'd rather be doing other things...
Let him do them without judgement. If you aren't happy with him, don't buy anymore music from Rush, refuse the concerts, and stop asking him for autographs and such. But don't punish him for being honest.
Buy the book!
ROADSHOW is a great book! It really is. Neil peart is a solid writer with a promising future. Unfortunately though, most folks buying this and other Neil Peart books are Rush fans. And if the book stirs up some distance between the fans and Peart, his writing future may lay like a heavy bike on a hairpin turn.
Book Review: Less Road, More Show
Summary: 3 Stars
I had long anticipated reading this book, but the results were disappointing. I was hoping that Neil would focus on the experience of touring, drumming, and playing live, but he doesn't. The book focuses far more on his motorcycle trips between shows than on the shows themselves. The shows often get just a passing mention. For example, he frequently gives brief descriptions such as "It was a good show," and then largely leaves it at that. Well, why was the show good? He often doesn't say. Frankly, Neil seems so bored at this point with touring, that he prefers to focus on his travels and motorcycling. That's fine, but it's not what I was expecting considering the book's title.
Don't get me wrong. There are many great passages in the book that make it worth reading, but there's a lot of filler to sort through too. Fairly early on, he does describe the rehearsals for the first show and the first show itself, but then he abandons the topic for pages at a time. There are some great passages with interesting insights or funny recollections, but they are too few and far between. I found myself quickly scanning the pages (and pages) discussing motorcycle maintenance or roadside scenery, looking instead for anything on music, Rush, or playing live.
What's frustrating is that anyone can write a book on what it's like to ride a motorcycle cross country (again, he has already done that; see Ghost Rider). But he's the only person on the planet who can describe what it's like to be the drummer in Rush!
I imagine I'm not alone in wanting to read more details about his life as a touring musician. What's it like to be on stage and play with Alex and Geddy after 30 years? What's it like to see thousands of hands clapping during "Spirit of Radio?" What songs does he enjoy playing the most? I realize that all of these things may be old hat to him, but they're not to his fans. On the other hand, reading multiple accounts about how many miles he drove in a day or what he ate for dinner each night, just isn't that interesting, even if it is Neil Peart doing the writing. I guess I have to accept that the book I'm interested in reading Neil isn't interested in writing.
If you do want to get a better sense for Neil's life as a touring musician, I recommend reading the essay he wrote on this topic during the Moving Pictures tour, called "For Whom the Bus Rolls." Also, I recommend checking out the great documentary on the Rush in Rio DVD called "The Boys in Brazil," which Neil actually refers to and quotes from in the book. If you're looking for a great account of a rock tour, I highly recommend Bill Flannagan's excellent account of U2's Zoo TV Tour, "U2: Until the End of the World."
Book Review: Neil isn't just a talented drummer and lyricist
Summary: 5 Stars
I posted to the discussion board below, and will repeat what I basically said there. I have now read all of Neil's books, and with each one he just gets more talented as a writer. This book, though as not emotionally submersed as GHOST RIDER and TRAVELING MUSIC, is smart, funny, and quite enthralling. Not only is it a great travel/road document, with life on a major rock and roll tour as a backdrop, but it is also an excellent social commentary on today's society. Neil, as a Canadian ex-pat, has seen enough of the US and Europe to be able to really make some great observations into human nature. At times these are humorous, at times they can be very direct. The narative of the book flowed very smoothly, and I can honestly say I enjoyed every page. As a narator Neil comes off as very honest. Though you might not agree with everything he says in the course of the book - you can respect him because he presents great arguments makes his points with great conviction. As a bonus, you get some great insights into life with Alex and Geddy - the "guys at work". I look forward to more adventures with him and his road partners, whether they be human, or the dingus and doofus type. Book Review: Wordy, but worthy
Summary: 4 Stars
Neil can write and portray landscapes extremely well. It's literally fun to read this book. Neil delves into everything from Rush to cycling, to soul searching. I wish he'd not complain so much about people in general, seems a little weird he chooses to play in a band, then complains about touring, etc. However, I love that Neil states these opinions. I personally think Neil would be better off to meet a few fans in controlled sessions--just so he understands most fans are not fanatical. I could have met Neil several times by chance, for example, but respected his privacy. The stories of crew, diners, landscapes, motels, roads, vegetation, town histories, Route 66, and other things portray how good a writer Neil is--without Rush. Neil essentially "bares his soul" in this book more than others. I pity a musician who on the one hand loves to play, but on the other complains so much about the rigors that come with his profession, most of which are "business-induced." Work basically sucks for everyone, but.. some are compensated more than others.. and it's comical to listen to sports players, musicians, etc, complain when they make big salaries compared to others. The book describes musical history, regional visits, friendships, bikes, cars, history, crew, technology, how an old map outperforms GPS (Doofus and Dingus) at times, a childhood in Ontario, tour struggles, spirituality, and intertwining relationships between crew, band members, and friends. I admire the soulful writing. Highly recommended for people who enjoy travel narratives or Rush. Neil is a perfectionist, who is as demanding of himself as of others--another paradox, because nobody's perfect. Neil also seems to be "rehearsed" as a writer and player, yet spontaneous all the while. His apparent dedication and tenacity for all aspects of his work are things I respect and admire. The book is quite polished, informative, and entertaining. Book Review: A Great Travelogue
Summary: 4 Stars
As with most readers of this book, I am a Rush fan and have long admired Neil as a drummer. Reading this gives one a sense of being along for the ride as Neil and his companions (both bandmates and friends) traverse the U.S. and Europe on the 2004 R30 tour. It's an enjoyable read and gave me a greater appreciation for the hard work that goes on backstage. Life on the road is not as glamorous as one might think, but it still must be very satisfying to bring such joy to people through your work. I saw the band in Salt Lake City that tour (I live in the "overdeveloped ski town" of Park City) and it was fun to relive that great show and others through Neil's stories. As a piece of travel writing, it certainly makes one yearn for the freedom of the open road--well, as free as one might be given that work awaits at the end of each day's journey. Thanks for the ride, Neil!