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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