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: Arrogance Personified
Summary: 1 Stars
If Mr Peart wanted to convey any more contempt for this profession and more importantly the millions of people who have bought the music, travelled the world (not in 5 star luxury!) and followed the band for most of their life (as I have) he couldn't have done a better job.
Well Neil, I was as bored reading your book as you obviously are.
Please don't inflict any more on us.
How to 'shatter the illusion of integrity' would have been a better title.
Book Review: Rip-Roaring Chronicle of Neil's Exhausts
Summary: 4 Stars
Although I read Neil's first two published books, I didn't pick up on the next two as I didn't really enjoy his writing style that much. I found it a bit wooden, a bit like recent Rush lyrics ! Anyway, having read the somewhat polarised reviews below, I just had to read Roadshow and see which side of the fence I found myself on.
Let me just point out that Neil very clearly states in the introduction to the book that while he loves playing music professionally in a successful band (and he emphasises how privileged he feels to be able to do this on his Web site) he's always been uncomfortable with the associated loss of privacy. This is something he's alluded to in songs like 'Limelight', and to me seems perfectly understandable, although it's not something I've experienced. He's a private man and wants to retain his privacy when not performing. What's the problem with that ? He also alludes to numerous occasions when reaching out to fans has been abused. He gives some drumsticks to a fan in the audience, and then everyone wants some. At a BMW dealership friends of the staff show up, including one who stares at him psychotically stating he's waited for this all his life. How disturbing must that be, never mind the invasion of his tour bus in London ?
He's also very clear that he doesn't enjoy touring. Fair enough, that's the way he feels. I like it that he's honest about it, and I'm also really grateful that he does tour because many musicians who don't like touring just refuse to do it. I always have a great time at Rush concerts, and given that here's a guy who hates touring but has played thousands of shows, most of them three hours long in recent years, I think that's something to be thankful for. And to the reviewers who seem to think that Neil and the other members of Rush owe their fans something for 'making them what they are', give me a break. I've never in my life bought a Rush album thinking "I'm really pleased to be contributing something to the personal fortunes of the members of Rush." I buy Rush albums because I enjoy listening to them, duh. Rush have given me a lifetime of listening pleasure which I'm truly grateful for. I can't see what more they owe me than that. A band can be thankful that they've been successful, that they've had a continued appeal over so many years, but they don't have to be thankful to their fans, because let's face it, if they released an avante-garde white noise album and didn't play any old songs in concert, the fans would drop them like hot coals. Don't think there'd be much 'loyalty' around then.
Anyway, to the book. On the positive side, I think Neil's writing style has definitely matured, and seems to flow much better than the first books. I definitely felt more engaged with this book than the others and really enjoyed it, whereas with Ghost Rider I started to find it a bit of a slog towards the end. This is helped I think by numerous Rush anecdotes which are fascinating to any die-hard Rush fan such as myself, and the insights into what goes into a Rush tour, the personalities involved, etc. There's also a lot of background information about the places Neil visits which is very reminiscent of Bill Bryson and makes the whole experience informative and interesting. I would have liked a bit more background on the bikes he was riding. I think he could have opened that up a lot more, history of bikes, the way they work, that kind of thing. I like books like that.
I don't think it's a problem either that Neil talks about the benefits of his lifestyle : staying at Skibo Castle, wearing a Prada suit, flying in a private jet, etc. It seems to me that he writes as someone who, unlike many others, really appreciates what wealth has given him. He flies in a private jet, but appreciates the flight, the drink, the view out the window. Wealth is a relative concept and we'd all do well to appreciate life's gifts from time to time.
My problems with the book are that great travel-writing is as much about the people you meet as the places you visit, and quite clearly Neil, by his nature, is not going to meet that many new people, especially if he suspects they have an inkling who he is (although there can't be THAT many out there can there ?) I also found it strange how little was written about Brutus, his enigmatic travelling companion in Europe. Whereas I felt I got to know Michael on the American leg, Brutus didn't really ever speak, either literally or as a character.
Other negatives are that most of the Rush performance commentary focuses on Neil's own performance. There's very little said about the performances of the band in general and very little written about the other members of the band on the tour. This may be simply respecting their privacy, but again it tends to make the book seem a bit narcissistic.
I appreciate Neil's honesty however, in exposing his own shortcomings, as well as those of his fans. Clearly a risky strategy there, but his sense of humour really shines and he obviously has a great time on his bike, and this is what I took from the book.
In conclusion, I think if you're a Rush fan you'll definitely enjoy this. If you're not a Rush fan there's still much to be gained from reading the book. Bear in mind however, you get Neil Peart with all his flaws, warts and all. Shock, horror : he's a human being. Deal with it.
Book Review: Don't be swayed by ranting of Rush fans
Summary: 4 Stars
Very briefly,the poor reviews here are written,obviously,by 'hurt' Rush fans.
If you do choose to read this book and you are a Rush fan,as am I,switch that bit of you off and read all of it and not just the bits that upset you;it is very well balanced.
You will find this book an honest account of a what life is like 'on the road' for a highly respected man in his field,warts and all! ( Yes he is a wealthy man through his work, it's well deserved,get over it!)
Neil Peart is a very 'private' man who chooses to share his life with 'all',not just his fans through the medium of the written word,it is a journey shared,read and enjoy.
Read the review written by peter Carrol from Scotland on this site, he says it much better than me!
A fantastic Travelogue and as good a travel book as i've read.
Book Review: Very Unusual Take On The Touring Musician
Summary: 4 Stars
I think this is a great book , written from a very unusual angle - both a diary of the touring musician ( but a very reluctant one ! ) and a motorcycle travelogue of the back roads of small town Americana . Of course he has written on the latter in " Healing Road " but this is from an altogether different and indeed lighter perspective .
99% of readers who buy this book will be Rush fans and as such does not disappoint in its - at times - candid viewpoint of the band and crew that make up the Rush juggernaut that tours the world . But don't expect a Dave Lee Roth type expose of sex , drugs , and rock n roll - this is altogether far more sedate . Indeed , at times it IS rather non-descript as I still don't think he's still all that great as a travel writer .
But where it has its great appeal to me - and probably for many - is the insight in to the Rush inner sanctum - something that was off limits for years , particularly given the lack of press articles and then the closed ranks following the tragedy . In that context its therefore gratifying to see Peart open up like he has done - and no matter what people say he does has a rather inimitable take on the world around him . His comments on the church signs on his travels , his whimpering " camp " dialogue with his security head / PA / biking companion Michael ( " why do you have to be so BUTCH all the time , honey ?? " ) , and the episode when they killed the deer , shows a whacky and fun side to his character .
But I agree with some of the other reviewers that its difficult not to read this book and feel a bit dismissive of his idea of " work " and how much more his band mates , Alex and Geddy , give back the fans . Peart has obviously put up a barrier and wo betide any fan who crosses that divide . For better or worse the book makes his feelings quite clear on the subject : fans get 3 hours of his time at a gig and none the rest of the time . In fact this self imposed barrier to all things Rush outwith the gig , is of course the very reason why the book was written . But a not bad life to have for sure . Pearts's idea of work is 3 hours per day and nothing else . The rest is spent leading his life on his own terms - leaving the others in the band to " get on with it " . That fact is inescapable . Good on him although its mildly disappointing he thinks that way . And I'm very envious he has that life style - although you will spot that most of his overnight breaks are actually spent in Best Westerns or motels , NOT 5 star hotels . Just don't moan about it too much Mr Peart - its a very priviledged life style . Good luck to you mate . You've deserved it after the " Healing Road " .
Book Review: Question for Waterstunned.
Summary: 1 Stars
Hi,
More of a question than review.
I have been a Rush fan for more years than I care to remember, but have never got around to reading any of Neils books. I was about to put this right, but thought I would read up on them via Amazon to start at the best point in the series. When I got onto your review of "Roadshow: Landscape with Drums - A Concert Tour by Motorcycle" I was really disappointed by the passage you quoted regarding Neils encounter with the fan that approached him. Are you sure this wasn't taken out of context, or meant tongue in cheek i.e.taking a swipe at the inflated egos in the rock scene ? If the piece was related correctly, how disappointing is that from a man I have nothing but respect for, as one of the all time great drummers. This has literally put a hold me purchasing Neils series of books. My rating of 1 star is based upon being open minded in NOT having read the book, but being a little put off by the passage used as an example.