***Official Rush Thread*** (2 Viewers)

[Ghost Rider]

The R&R Hall of Fame sucks, but this stuff has to make you smile:

2112 Overture played by Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins and Nick Raskulinecz:

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

The R&R Hall of Fame sucks, but this stuff has to make you smile:

2112 Overture played by Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins and Nick Raskulinecz:

no doubt in my mind that Grohl is the coolest dude in RnR

 

[Apple Jack]

Awesome.

 

[JustinHawkins]

Awesome indeed. Going to see them in Raleigh in a few weeks. So excited!

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

The R&R Hall of Fame sucks, but this stuff has to make you smile:

2112 Overture played by Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins and Nick Raskulinecz:

Best RRHOF induction speech I've ever seen.

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

Glad to see Nick R. involved in the role of Geddy. That guy really saved Rush, IMO. The last 2 albums are fantastic and he deserves a lot of credit.

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

Wow, just watched the induction speech. Alex Lifeson's going viral. Genius.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Blah, blah, blah.

 

[JustinHawkins]

Happy 60th Birthday to the best bass player on the planet!! Keep rocking Geddy!

 

[Geddy Lee]

Happy 60th Birthday to the best bass player on the planet!! Keep rocking Geddy!

Thanks for the good wishes!

 

[Todem]

Yep...told my son today Geddy turned 60....he was like whaaaaaat?

So I told him...you see there are really old people who are still cool. Don't ever forget that.

Geddy would probably laugh and say...me? Cool? Naaaaaaa.

Anyway so happy they are still pumping out great music...touring and rocking our asses off.

BTW the Blueray/DVD package of The Clockwork Angels tour should be out in time for the holidays. And some rumblings from Alex Lifeson talked of a possible 40th Birthday tour next year. Limited dates......but still....more live Rush is always welcomed.

This past tour was one of my all time favorites.

 

[dhockster]

Interesting development in my Rush listening:

When Vapor Trails came out, I was very disappointed with the album. This was due to the poor production, but I did not know it was due to the poor production, I just thought it sounded like a lot of noise. As a result, I passed on buying Snakes and Arrows, which was the first time since I started listening to Rush that I had not bought an album when it came out. I then heard Caravan and BU2B when they were released during the time machine tour, and got excited about Rush music again. I bought Clockwork Angels, loved it, read about how similar the sound was to Snakes and Arrows on this thread, and as a result ended up buying Snakes and Arrows. I have really enjoyed that album, and now that they issued a re-mixed version of Vapor Trails, I have bought that and really like it.

I think the last three albums (with the re-mix version of Vapor Trails) form a great trilogy of Rush music. They have obviously changed their sound over the years, but what they are putting out now really appeals to my taste in the stage of life I am in (about to turn 50). Very listenable melodies, interesting musicianship, ability to jam when they want to. It is very nice to grow old with the band as they grow old, and appreciate the quality music they continue to put out.

 

[danielmclark]

I don't think the Vapor Trails Remixed CD left my car's CD player for about a month after I got it. And it's still in the car now, and I still play it pretty often. The songs have been reworked to the extent that it's like getting a whole new album.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I don't think the Vapor Trails Remixed CD left my car's CD player for about a month after I got it. And it's still in the car now, and I still play it pretty often. The songs have been reworked to the extent that it's like getting a whole new album.

I do like the "sound" of it better than the original.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49VFP8yzQkY

 

[Amused to Death]

Interesting development in my Rush listening:

When Vapor Trails came out, I was very disappointed with the album. This was due to the poor production, but I did not know it was due to the poor production, I just thought it sounded like a lot of noise. As a result, I passed on buying Snakes and Arrows, which was the first time since I started listening to Rush that I had not bought an album when it came out. I then heard Caravan and BU2B when they were released during the time machine tour, and got excited about Rush music again. I bought Clockwork Angels, loved it, read about how similar the sound was to Snakes and Arrows on this thread, and as a result ended up buying Snakes and Arrows. I have really enjoyed that album, and now that they issued a re-mixed version of Vapor Trails, I have bought that and really like it.

I think the last three albums (with the re-mix version of Vapor Trails) form a great trilogy of Rush music. They have obviously changed their sound over the years, but what they are putting out now really appeals to my taste in the stage of life I am in (about to turn 50). Very listenable melodies, interesting musicianship, ability to jam when they want to. It is very nice to grow old with the band as they grow old, and appreciate the quality music they continue to put out.

Thanks for posting this. I vaguely remember hearing it was being remixed but never followed up. Just listened to most of the remix on YouTube and wow, what a difference! So much more texture and depth. Will definitely have to buy.

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

I think the last three albums (with the re-mix version of Vapor Trails) form a great trilogy of Rush music. They have obviously changed their sound over the years, but what they are putting out now really appeals to my taste in the stage of life I am in (about to turn 50). Very listenable melodies, interesting musicianship, ability to jam when they want to. It is very nice to grow old with the band as they grow old, and appreciate the quality music they continue to put out.

Agreed 100%. 3 great rock albums. Very listenable.

 

[Fiddles]

Yep as a huge rush fan feeling very lucky with the quality of the last 3 albums and with these tours with all the deep cuts and full albums. Somehow I missed the VT remix. Anxious to hear that now. Thanks.

 

[mvp2112]

Speaking of poor sound quality/mixing, what is the consensus on the Clockwork Angels BluRay disk? I was extremely disappointed.

 

[Todem]

It's not the best sonic live output from Rush....but it still sounds strong and that is mainly because I love the deep cuts in the set one. The performances are some of their very best IMO. The playing just so tight, so full of energy. Alex is on fire on this collection. And he is overpowering in the mix at times. I am not crazy about Neil's sound on this set. He has sounded (nothing to do with his playing) better (Snakes and Arrows Live his drums sounded amazing...also R-30 they sounded great) in more recent live recordings. That can be due to mic placement, the hall they are in....etc etc.

I think the performance of Clockwork Angels is stellar. The string ensemble sounds incredible with the band.

Word is Rush will being taking an extended break (at least a year....probably 2 before even thinking of writing a new record). They have been touring almost non stop since 2002. The only breaks they have had were in a short one in 2003, and 2005. SInce Snakes and Arrows (2007) it has been truly non-stop. Pretty incredible for guys there age.

Anyway....as a lifelong Rush fan I am starting to prepare myself for the inevitable. The next album/tour maybe the last hurrah. I hope not....but it is getting close.

 

[Amused to Death]

Listening to November 4, 1978 from Vancouver:

Anthem
A Passage to Bangkok
By-Tor & The Snow Dog >
Xanadu
Something for Nothing
The Trees
Cygnus X-1 >
Hemispheres
Closer to the Heart
Circumstances
A Farewell to Kings
La Villa Strangiato
2112 (complete)
Working Man
Bastille Day
In the Mood
Drum Solo

1978 - what a setlist. Both parts of Cygnus X-1, By-Tor>Xanadu, all of 2112....Don't get me wrong, I still love what they do. But these songs were the reason I got into this band.

 

[Todem]

Listening to November 4, 1978 from Vancouver:

Anthem
A Passage to Bangkok
By-Tor & The Snow Dog >
Xanadu
Something for Nothing
The Trees
Cygnus X-1 >
Hemispheres
Closer to the Heart
Circumstances
A Farewell to Kings
La Villa Strangiato
2112 (complete)
Working Man
Bastille Day
In the Mood
Drum Solo

1978 - what a setlist. Both parts of Cygnus X-1, By-Tor>Xanadu, all of 2112....Don't get me wrong, I still love what they do. But these songs were the reason I got into this band.

Ahh yes Tour of the Hemispheres. I was too young to see that one (8 years old). I have the famous Black Forest soundboard boot of that tour as well as the Detroit show of that tour.

 

[Todem]

New tour to begin spring of 2015.

No new album planned. The guys are all on a long deserved vacation. But plan to come together after the holidays and plan out the tour and talk about set-lists.

Count on a major world tour with a lot of their well known songs and of course a few deep nuggets thrown in. I think this may be the last hurrah as far as major tours and a set-list spanning most of their catalog. I would expect Xanadu to be brought back as well as few other big tunes and maybe we finally get a song like Jacobs Ladder finally played again (only played on the Permanent Waves tour in 1980).

I would like to see a set-list something like this:

Set one


2112 Complete
Leave That Thing Alone
A Farewell To Kings
Closer To The Heart
The Trees
Xanadu

Set Two

Tom Sawyer
Red Barchetta
Subdivisions
Distant Early Warning
Freewill
Show Don't Tell
Dreamline
Animate
The Enemy Within
YYZ
Headlong Flight
Jacobs Ladder
Force 10
The Weapon
Driven
Limelight

Working Man

Encore

The Spirit of Radio
Big Money
La Villa Strangiato

 

[Ghost Rider]

If they were ever gonna play all of 2112 again, 2012 was the time to do it, and all they did were parts I, II and VII. They probably discussed it, but Geddy cannot sing the whole thing anymore. His live vocals are already struggling big time lately, even with them never doing shows on consecutive nights anymore, so that really limits what songs from the 70s they can play. Parts of Xanadu are a ##### to sing as well, and I remember them trying out A Farewell to Kings in rehearsals a few tours back, but they ditched it (likely cause Geddy cannot do it justice vocally), so I think we have to be realistic about what songs they can still do. Heck, even Marathon suffered on the Time Machine tour cause of his aging voice.

 

[Todem]

Yeah I hear ya......Geddy's voice has reached a stage of limited range. It's why I think this may be it soon. Their music is very demanding physically as well.

It will be interesting to see what kind of setlist they come up with for this next tour. One thing is for certain. I will get to opening night for this tour. I have never attended an opening night for Rush and I have to do that. I will also see all their dates in Florida (if they play more than one city hopefully).

Whatever they decide to play......it really won't matter. Live Rush is always amazing.

 

[Archer]

Exactly Todem, Live Rush is ALWAYS AMAZING. For anyone that actually hasn't seen them live, you must do so, and soon. I don't care if you don't even like their music, you will leave with an appreciation of 3 phenomenal musicians.

 

[Amused to Death]

New tour to begin spring of 2015.

No new album planned. The guys are all on a long deserved vacation. But plan to come together after the holidays and plan out the tour and talk about set-lists.

Count on a major world tour with a lot of their well known songs and of course a few deep nuggets thrown in. I think this may be the last hurrah as far as major tours and a set-list spanning most of their catalog. I would expect Xanadu to be brought back as well as few other big tunes and maybe we finally get a song like Jacobs Ladder finally played again (only played on the Permanent Waves tour in 1980).

Great news! I knew they were taking a break and they had no new material planned for a while. A big tour that's not promoting a new album is fine by me. As you said it gives them the freedom to pull out some older gems. I stopped getting my hopes up for what I want to hear and will just say there's a few worn out tunes (imo) that can get left off and replaced by other nuggets.

I love the songs, but they can skip La Villa Strangiato, Working Man, Subdivisions, and dare I say Tom Sawyer. Great songs, but I can go a tour without hearing them if it means songs like Anthem, Bastille Day, Lakeside Park or some parts of Hemispheres/Cygnus can get resurrected for a tour.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

I have caught Rush in Toronto (hometown crowd, I think I actually saw/bumped into Geddy's mom), Vegas, NO, Dallas, Montreal. That's a lot I guess.

 

[Apple Jack]

If they were ever gonna play all of 2112 again, 2012 was the time to do it, and all they did were parts I, II and VII. They probably discussed it, but Geddy cannot sing the whole thing anymore. His live vocals are already struggling big time lately, even with them never doing shows on consecutive nights anymore, so that really limits what songs from the 70s they can play. Parts of Xanadu are a ##### to sing as well, and I remember them trying out A Farewell to Kings in rehearsals a few tours back, but they ditched it (likely cause Geddy cannot do it justice vocally), so I think we have to be realistic about what songs they can still do. Heck, even Marathon suffered on the Time Machine tour cause of his aging voice.

They play Temples down a step (maybe more?) and he still struggles. They can't sniff 2112 without drastically altering the keys.

 

[Amused to Death]

New tour to begin spring of 2015.

No new album planned. The guys are all on a long deserved vacation. But plan to come together after the holidays and plan out the tour and talk about set-lists.

Found this recent Roling Stone article:

The specifics of the tour are still in flux. "We haven't really talked seriously about what we want to do," says Lifeson. "But I think we're probably going to lean towards making it a real sort of fan event, and really try to put something together that's very pleasing for the fans across the board. That's always been difficult, for us to sort of balance things."

Rush's last tour was centered around the group's new album, Clockwork Angels, as well as deep cuts from their 1980s catalog. They didn't play a single song from the 1970s until a show-closing medley of tracks from 2112. "We want to try and play different material this time," Lifeson says. "I've always wanted to do some rarer Rush material, and this should be a good opportunity to do that. I also think it's going to be a long tour. We just need to stay healthy until then."

 

[Ghost Rider]

Lifeson says that all of the time, so you have to take it with a grain of salt. Hell, he said they were playing Jacob's Ladder on the Time Machine tour, and then they didn't, so even though he is my favorite musician, I know not to believe much of what he says when he speculates on what they might do.

 

[dhockster]

I was listening to "Closer to the Heart" in my car yesterday when my 4-year-old asks "is that a girl?"

Well played sir, well played.

 

[Todem]

Hey Rush fans.

Unite in this thread. Talk about anything Rush/Rush related etc.

Want to start lists.....top 10 albums, top 25 songs, whatever. Have had it!

 

[higgins]

I believe that the only musician (other than our main 3 guys and original drummer Rutsey) to play an instrument on a Rush studio album is Ben Mink (violins) on the Signals track 'Losing It'. Rush may get criticized for their lyrics at times, but these lyrics definitely do it for me -- youtube link with lyrics.

That is all.

 

[Amused to Death]

I believe that the only musician (other than our main 3 guys and original drummer Rutsey) to play an instrument on a Rush studio album is Ben Mink (violins) on the Signals track 'Losing It'. Rush may get criticized for their lyrics at times, but these lyrics definitely do it for me -- youtube link with lyrics.

That is all.

I think I'm in the minority, but Signals is one of favorite Rush albums. One I can put on and listen to start to finish with headphones and get lost in the music and lyrics.

 

[Apple Jack]

Talk about the bell tolling for thee. Ouch. Can't help but wonder where he stands on that thesis after the wife/daughter deaths.

 

[Todem]

I believe that the only musician (other than our main 3 guys and original drummer Rutsey) to play an instrument on a Rush studio album is Ben Mink (violins) on the Signals track 'Losing It'. Rush may get criticized for their lyrics at times, but these lyrics definitely do it for me -- youtube link with lyrics.

That is all.

Actually Hugh Syme who is has done the art work of most of Rush's albums played the piano on Different Strings.

 

[Todem]

I believe that the only musician (other than our main 3 guys and original drummer Rutsey) to play an instrument on a Rush studio album is Ben Mink (violins) on the Signals track 'Losing It'. Rush may get criticized for their lyrics at times, but these lyrics definitely do it for me -- youtube link with lyrics.

That is all.

I think I'm in the minority, but Signals is one of favorite Rush albums. One I can put on and listen to start to finish with headphones and get lost in the music and lyrics.

In my top 5 of all time from them.

The 5.1 surround sound mix on the sectors box set was very interesting. Totally different listening experience. Guitars are really pulled out front, vocals sound different. It is like a totally different mix. Fun to listen to once in a while.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

I believe that the only musician (other than our main 3 guys and original drummer Rutsey) to play an instrument on a Rush studio album is Ben Mink (violins) on the Signals track 'Losing It'. Rush may get criticized for their lyrics at times, but these lyrics definitely do it for me -- youtube link with lyrics.

That is all.

I think I'm in the minority, but Signals is one of favorite Rush albums. One I can put on and listen to start to finish with headphones and get lost in the music and lyrics.

Right there with you.

 

[Apple Jack]

Rupert Hine played keys on quite a bit of stuff. Backing vocals, too.

 

[Anarchy99]

I believe that the only musician (other than our main 3 guys and original drummer Rutsey) to play an instrument on a Rush studio album is Ben Mink (violins) on the Signals track 'Losing It'. Rush may get criticized for their lyrics at times, but these lyrics definitely do it for me -- youtube link with lyrics.

That is all.

Just picking nits, but several people have played on tracks here and there (not sure which tracks though) . . .

Hugh Syme - Keyboards - 2112 & Moving Pictures

Erwig Chuapchuadua - Drums & Guitar - Permanent Waves

Tony Geranios - Guitar - Exit Stage Left

Anne Dudley - Strings - Power Windows

Andy Richards - Keyboards - Power Windows & Hold Your Fire

Jim Burgess - Synthesizer - Hold Your Fire

Rupert Hine - Keyboards - Presto & Roll The Bones

Jason Sniderman - Keyboards - Presto & Clockwork Angels

Williams Fairley Brass Band - Horns - Hold Your Fire

John Webster - Keyboards - Counterparts

Ben Mink - Strings - Snakes & Arrows

Tons of Orchestral Folks - Clockwork Angels Tour

Doesn't make the music any less enjoyable.

 

[higgins]

Thanks for the corrections on other musicians that have played with them -- I had zero idea.

 

[Amused to Death]

How about guest appearances by Geddy/Alex/Neil? I know Alex appeared on Porcupine Tree's "Anesthetize" on their Fear of a Blank Planet album. Anything else?

 

[Anarchy99]

How about guest appearances by Geddy/Alex/Neil? I know Alex appeared on Porcupine Tree's "Anesthetize" on their Fear of a Blank Planet album. Anything else?

Geddy Lee

Bob & Doug McKenzie - Take Off

Work with The Big Dirty Band

I Mother Earth - Good For Sule

Max Webster - Battle Scar

Wireless - No Static

Boys Brigade - Boys Brigade

Marie Lynn Hammond - Vignettes

Northern Lights - We Are the World

Euphoria - Euphoria

Geddy Lee - My Favorite Headache

Big Dirty Band - I Fought The Law

Alex

Platinum Blonde - Crying Over You and Holy Water

Lawrence Gowan - Lost Brotherhood

Tom Cochrane - Ragged ### Road

I Mother Earth - Like A Girl

Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas album - Little Drummer Boy

Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet

Tiles - Sacred and Mundane

Produced 3 songs for 3 Doors Down

Canadian Guitar Summit - Beyond Borders

Greenway - Serious Business

Clean Slate - Clean Slate

The Big Picture - Dream on the Horizon: A Tribute to the Olympic Spirit

Rock-Aid Armenia - Smoke on the Water

Victor - Victor

Big Dirty Band: I Fought The Law

Neil

Vertical Horizon - Save Me from Myself, Welcome to the Bottom, Even Now, Instamatic, and South for the Winter

Burning for Buddy Tribute albums

Jeff Berlin - Champion

Neil Peart Solo Project

Rheostatics - Whale Music

 

[Ghost Rider]

Geddy sang a line or two on Canada's version of We Are the World, called Tears Are Not Enough (by Northern Lights).

Also, good list by Anarchy. When I read higgins' post, the first thing I thought was the orchesta parts on Power Windows in songs like Manhattan Project and Marathon, so I knew there were more than that. But like has been said, doesn't make the music any less enjoyable.

Another also, regarding Rush's lyrics, I get why some might criticize them, as they were kind of out there in the 70s, with the fantasy and science fiction stuff, and most of that is their most known stuff, but Peart's lyrics became phenomenal around the time of Moving Pictures, and while many are not overly wild about the synth era (1982-1987), those four albums collectively contain the best lyrics he has ever written. Great, great stuff.

And I think deep down that is why Peart is always far less enthusiastic about playing their 70s stuff than the other two are. He probably winces to himself when he hears Geddy singing his lyrics from the early days, as he once equated to them drawings on a refrigerator that you wish would go away forever.

 

[The Man With No Name]

I believe that the only musician (other than our main 3 guys and original drummer Rutsey) to play an instrument on a Rush studio album is Ben Mink (violins) on the Signals track 'Losing It'. Rush may get criticized for their lyrics at times, but these lyrics definitely do it for me -- youtube link with lyrics.

That is all.

Actually Hugh Syme who is has done the art work of most of Rush's albums played the piano on Different Strings.

My Uncle did the artwork for the Fly By Night album

 

[Todem]

Geddy sang a line or two on Canada's version of We Are the World, called Tears Are Not Enough (by Northern Lights).

Also, good list by Anarchy. When I read higgins' post, the first thing I thought was the orchesta parts on Power Windows in songs like Manhattan Project and Marathon, so I knew there were more than that. But like has been said, doesn't make the music any less enjoyable.

Another also, regarding Rush's lyrics, I get why some might criticize them, as they were kind of out there in the 70s, with the fantasy and science fiction stuff, and most of that is their most known stuff, but Peart's lyrics became phenomenal around the time of Moving Pictures, and while many are not overly wild about the synth era (1982-1987), those four albums collectively contain the best lyrics he has ever written. Great, great stuff.

And I think deep down that is why Peart is always far less enthusiastic about playing their 70s stuff than the other two are. He probably winces to himself when he hears Geddy singing his lyrics from the early days, as he once equated to them drawings on a refrigerator that you wish would go away forever.

Agreed on all counts. Pictures, Signals, P/G, PoW, and HYF are Neil's best lyrics easy. I am a huge fan of the synth era. They were really pushing the envelope hard and had a lot of balls to go in that direction off the success of Moving Pictures. Love it.

 

[dhockster]

My top 5 Rush albums:

1. Moving Pictures

2. Permanent Waves

3. Snakes & Arrows

4. Vapor Trails (remix version)

5. Clockwork Angels

I think their last 3 albums real appeal to where my musical taste is in my late 40's.

I am always fascinated by how similar Moving Pictures and Permanent Waves are. Both had big popular anthems (Spirit of Radio/Tom Sawyer), both had popular anthems that were a little mellower (Entre Nous/Limelight), and both had popular hard rocking songs that I liked better then there main singles (Freewill/Red Barchetta). In addition both had awesome 10 minute songs (Natural Science/Camera Eye).

Just outside my top 5 albums was Hemispheres and Signals.

 

[Todem]

My Top 5 and it has not changed in a long time.

1. Permanent Waves

2. Moving Pictures

3. Hemispheres

4. Signals

5. Power Windows

Just outside my top 5 (to round out my top ten in order are) are Grace Under Pressure, Clockwork Angels, Hold Your Fire, 2112, Snakes and Arrows

 

[Ghost Rider]

2112, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures and Power Windows are solidified as my top 4 at this point, with Hemispheres and Counterparts 5a and 5b; Clockwork Angels might very well knock A Farewell to Kings down a notch now as far as my 7th favorite.

Worst/least best ones are definitely Test for Echo, Presto, Vapor Trails and the debut.

 

[Apple Jack]

Entre Nous?