"Tom Sawyer" by Rush

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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