Bahamas

On 4/13/2024 at 5:56 PM, Weatherman said:

A friend of mine is a professional percussionist, and he said that to me in 2014. 

He felt the Prof had been coasting for a while. 

I dunno. If the extraordinary drum solo from Live in Frankfurt is Neil just "mailing it in", then what the hell would a full effort look like?

Please tell your friend that the notion of Neil "coasting" is an oxymoron.

I saw the second (original date) R40 Toronto show and only later learned that was the better of the two - technical issues made the first concert very challenging. Details that probably lots of people didn't notice, but hearing it from Neil's perspective and reading his books with lots of details about concert issues and personal afflictions, pretty much every tour had its ups and downs. "One tour, it was my teeth!" During part of R40 his feet were killing him. So what was a good performance and what was a bad performance? From my side of the fence, playing twenty, thirty, forty dates on a tour, and the guys being human beings, I am always hesitant to be even the least bit critical. And for that matter, it should not go without saying that so often he was riding a few hundred miles between shows and that in itself had an impact on things. So to say a musical performance was less than ideal on a day when the riding was maybe better than ideal? I think you have to look at both when considering how Neil was performing and it's completely acceptable, to me.

To me, they played amazingly, right to the end. Some adjustments and evolution over time (Geddy singing a big lower on some verses of some songs) but in the end () Rush had such a huge choice for set lists. Did they all sound the same as the original - and I think this is what some people might think of "as good" and I don't  - no, they didn't. Sometimes is it was just different. To wonder if they lost the "sauce" as Jack Black put it, I would say no. Not ever. Because they continued to be true to the songs. To us. And to spend more money and include more musicians and rehearse it all so thoroughly right up to the end, that's not "ageing", that's investing. That's being better at something.

I have seen and heard so many bands that go "unplugged" or do re-makes to suit their older selves and continue touring, or put out more best-of albums with re-dos and recycled music. These guys were committed to excellence right to the end and I think it sounds and shows exactly that. Nothing taken for granted? Nothing assumed as being acceptable simply by playing a song live - it had to be rehearsed and the backdrops had to be stunning. And they didn't re-visit having bands open the show. Would have been easier to play shorter set lists but not these guys. Very expensive, a huge group of people making it happen. Right to the end. So to decide (or accept) between them that it was over, it was probably at the best possible time. Not too old, not too young, just so. I was relieved to read that Geddy came to accept Neil's wishes about retirement.

When I see Alex and Geddy play on R40, they are frickin' amazing. Same with Neil. And to state the obvious, it's after four decades together. I don't think they should have stopped touring sooner. And I am glad they stopped touring when they did. It feels like a sweet spot. And they are so open to discussing details and sharing intimate moments of almost every aspect of the band. Maybe I never needed "closure" because I keep getting more stuff from them.

ytserush felt kind of bored with the second set of R40. To me it was very interesting and a bit edge-of-your-seat, because those earlier songs were brutal for Geddy to sing. But he wanted to honour those tracks and whether you love his voice or not, he made a decision to sing them. Watch the guys on stage. Neil or Alex aren't seen to be wincing or glancing about when Geddy hits the ceiling, it's a group project and they kept to their parts right to the end. To an outsider, one would wonder what the heck is he doing. To us, he was being the singer of the same band and if that is how they were written, that is how he is going to sing them. Truly wonderful. 

2 hours ago, Sun & Moon said:

Maybe it is about finding a balance. Now that the social communication is no more restricted, and we can freely travel and go to events and hobbies as well if we like, it takes a bit of time to find out where the puzzle pieces should lie for us to feel well.

 

For me the most reading-time-consuming things (apart from working) are doing sports, learning to play bass, spending time with my fiancé, and communicating with my family and friends. I do read, bit by bit. At the moment I'm reading The Rabbit Factor by Antti Tuomainen (in Finnish, the original language). My father recommended this book for me. It's the first part of a trilogy, and it's hilarious and absurd.  I can't recall laughing so much while reading in years. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8J35QQ6?binding=hardcover&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_thcv   

 

Side note: I'd love to have a house with a front porch.  Our summer cottage with it's large porch is so far away that a relaxing reading or bass playing session only takes place during summer or autumn on my vacation. But I do have a balcony facing a beautiful park, and I have used this place for reading. That's quite nice, too.

Lucky me, our house is on a hilly part of town and the porch faces the harbour. Through the windows I can see ships waiting to load at port, the "Sleeping Giant" peninsula (Google it?) and big sky. The sun and moon both rise over the harbour. I feel very lucky. But after almost thirty years fixing up a 1905 clapboard century home, it also feels well deserved!

On 4/10/2024 at 2:36 PM, Rhyta said:

You are doing better than me, I am struggling to read much.  I think there are so many distractions that take me away from my reading, podcasts being the big one.  But this time of year I had always had a slump in my reading with hockey playoffs taking a big chunk out of my reading time in April through June but this year I can't seem to read much.  I even stalled out on Geddy's book, hoping I can break out of it soon.  Going to try my usual fix, re-reading a book I like and that can spur me back into reading.  Going back to Longmire, I had started a re-read of the series awhile back.  Hell is Empty is the title.

This made me think of 2020 and the long hours I spent reading in my front porch (probably like a billion other people). I have since wondered, as much as I love to read, it is as if I went through so many books during that time that as life slowly got back to normal I feel I should still be reading just as much?

So long as we keep reading, we are doing good.

"Cygnus X-1/The Story So Far (drum solo)" - as listed in the R40 Tour Blue-ray Set Two.

I had to log in now to look for this topic. Not so much listening, but watching and...experiencing...

You get the song from Hemispheres, 1978. You get the (last) drum solo in 2015. Mix them together and our beloved seniors absolutely pull it off.

It's cool rhythms and instrumental "know-all" stuff that any aspiring rock musician must be in awe of? If you haven't listened/watched in a while, go again.

I love these guys.

Rush Didact, I really appreciate your post, have been thinking about it for a couple of days.

Perhaps my reply is more to offer support for you than summarising my own experience, but obviously I am keen to share. I never felt a need for closure.

I needed closure when a former member of these forums passed away - because it was a bit unknown, they were a complete stranger to me and yet I was drawn in to their world. But the band? I feel it was pretty clear.

I believed the talk around the R40 tour that it could be their last. I got two tickets, told my brother down in Toronto that he was going with me on the Friday night and it would be special. The years of silence that followed didn't actually strike me as odd. I have been a fan my entire life, older brothers listening to them, my friends' older brothers also, all Willowdale people. I remember walking home from Cub Scouts and Scouts with my chums and we would speculate that "They live in Casa Loma and you can only see private shows if you are really close to them!". We explored the grounds of the CNE deciding where exactly they filmed a video with Max Webster. We collected golf balls from the Don River, literally walking through muck with bags in our hands, slowly filling them with over-shot balls to sell for a nickel so we could buy Lolas and bottles of Coke. Caress Of Steel and the Necromancer was our sound track. I listened to 2112 endlessly on my Sony Walkman delivering the Globe and Mail every morning before school.

To this day I listen to any CD I randomly pull from a shelf and listen on the way to a camping trip, a bike ride, on a road trip. I don't absolutely love every album, but that isn't a thing for me. I focus on the stories they tell about the difficulties of one album or another, the final mixes and perhaps disappointments that follow. They were the hardest working, most experimental, most willing to try musicians I have read about.

Closure? After R40 and the relative silence that followed, Geddy and Alex doing projects, nothing from Neil, I didn't suspect anything. But now we know a lot more about that time. And there was a forum member who was near spastic in his commitment to not reveal anything Neil. Poor fellow, I often wanted to PM him with comfort but never did. When it was announced on Friday Jan. 10, 2020 that Neil passed away, I was in my kitchen getting ready to shake up cocktails and I was quite mildly shocked. That precise moment which answered the silence, ended any speculation whatsoever, was my closure. It was a surprise and it hurt but over the next few days I accepted the absolute end of Rush. 

Because Alex and Geddy continue to accomplish new projects and are willing to give so many interviews, so many, I feel we are all in the same sphere together, in one way or another. To me, "they" are not done. And so I can accept that the band is finished but I love that new shares and more projects continue to keep the "band" alive. 

May I offer, that you have nothing to forgive yourself for. You saw them live. You are still part of one group that loves the band. I only saw them twice. Am I less of a fan than those who paid for a hundred shows? (OK, yeah, I am) but I don't feel any less of a fan. And neither should you! I am sure many of us spent years listening and other years not listening. But always, they were there. I think you should think of them as still there.

Cheers, and let's celebrate what continues.

I only saw this today, thank you rugen for the post.

But I have to say...4 "Likes"? 3 replies?

I am not affiliated with this group from Singapore but they obviously spent a hella-lot of time recording this. The album is Examination put out in 2019. They also do a version of Manhattan Project and BU2B (What?!) and I Walk The Line, by some old country music dude as well as some others. And The Sound of Muzak by Porcupine Tree. Seems to be a western music appreciation album. But they are really good at what they do! 

These folks are amazing, they recorded some tracks separately, just like ours faithful, instead of recording multiple vocal tracks they used two singers, the guitarist is playing both classical and electric guitar pieces, like ours faithful and the drums are simple but work perfectly. And the lyrics are clear with a similar emphasis on timing that Geddy always talked about. This group looks relaxed and the notes are all spot on. There are some variations (I think I heard some flute?) and with the guitar and obviously the drumming, but it works really well and the tone and respect of the song is really strong.

Who spends that much time making new artwork that keeps to the steam-punk theme but adds - a lover story -a journey of ageing - and builds on the original images with the great playing? This group did!

I think it's one of the best "band appreciation" projects I have seen. Highly recommended viewing. 

So great, thank you rugen!

I look at the CBC on a daily basis but missed this. I clicked on your link, saw Alex being introduced and immediately logged into the forums to say thank you.

I know exactly what I will be watching for the next 55 minutes !!!!!!!!!!

Thank you RAY4583 for this link. Over many years, you don't post often!

I have not seen other interviews with Jeff Miers, he says he has interviewed the other guys and that his career needed to be re-invented, so I will look that up soon.

I remember Ray from Rush: Time Stand Still, but both of them are clearly articulate and huge Rush fans. It shows in the very loose references, the mutual appreciation for every detail. At first I also wanted to hear more technical stuff about the band and their instruments and such, but as Ray said about Geddy's book, some people might want more details about the making of an album or more specs about music making, however, that is what makes My Effin' Life more interesting. It is a great account about the life of a musician and not always about the band.

Jeff says he has read hundreds of rock musician bios, but this one stood out as special. The hour long interview is not just about the book. It is more about personal journeys and relating to music during the course of your life. I had to admit some of that, watching these two guys talk about what music means to people and how it can help one feel part of a collective (my third suggested word to community and/or communion).

I almost closed the interview a couple of times because it was a little corny or overly sympathetic to the band and "everything about Rush is great" but realised this felt different. If anybody has time for a "fire side" chat about the band, this seemed very honest. A line from Hold Your Fire or Farewell To Kings was easily suggested, they know their stuff. Alex and his on going projects, Geddy needing to be creative...

These two guys had no boundaries, no obvious cheat notes to look at. It is simply this-or-that Rush reference, relating to this-or-that personal experience. And seeing that Ray is a teacher of Grade 4 students, they both kept it civil and worthy of a class discussion - if "why music matters" should ever be part of a lesson plan for young (or older) students.

That was very enjoyable, thanks RAY4583, very much.

Bahamas

(Edit - And I hope Ray's sister forgave him for keeping her 8 Track)

9 minutes ago, goose said:

"Each of us, a cell of awareness..."

Freewill, sweet!

I was listening to Permanent Waves recently for Jacob's Ladder. But when doing so, I must also listen to the rest of the album.

On 2/4/2024 at 6:18 AM, Rhyta said:

I am sure I posted much earlier about Mel Starr and the Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton - which I think you "liked".

A genre I never read before it was recommended, and I really enjoyed them. Simple, old school, so to speak.

 

I haven't heard of that series but it sounds intriguing, may have to check into it.  Thanks

I think what I was getting at, was that Jason Vail has a medieval chronicle series and so does Mel Starr. But maybe Starr is the better writer, and perhaps Vail is kind of copy-catting on the genre?

But yes, I wanted to read more of those kind of stories and found Vail a bit awkward and Starr more supported, or polished?

I wondered if you might be more familiar with self published authors vs. famous authors - all having a medium like the Kindle to publish stories and maybe the lines get blurred between good and (not so good, hate using those words but don't have better ones) self published, typos and all. 

I was curious if you had an opinion, Cheers :)

On 1/28/2024 at 4:17 AM, yyz305 said:

I LOVE this track these days. I didn't 'notice it' much, until they played it on the Time Machine Tour. One of my favourite songs in the set on that tour!

I have to say as a huge lover of their lyrics as most of us are, I am sure, I need to correct myself: It is "I am made from the dust of the stars..." 

Yes it was obvious, and maybe a small thing? Maybe. But if lyrics is the issue, let's appreciate every word and beat that they made, correctly. 

I was looking down through the Neil topics when I started a recent one about this book. I didn't look here until now.

Thanks for starting this! I don't know if I will buy it, but the side stories and such would be nice to have.

On 1/24/2024 at 9:55 PM, Bahamas said:

Rhyta, I wonder if you would find this interesting?

I am sure I posted much earlier about Mel Starr and the Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton - which I think you "liked".

A genre I never read before it was recommended, and I really enjoyed them. Simple, old school, so to speak.

Then, I returned to some favourites and read new stories for a while. But THEN, I wanted a taste of those books again and the atmosphere and context and such.

It was suggested I try Jason Vail. I liked the first two, but by the third book in the series there are enough typos to distract me. Without looking too much into it, I think he might be self-published or writes too fast?

I wonder if he also likes Mel Starr. Last week I went back to said Starr and jumped to The Tainted Coin. It feels cozy and nice. And it feels like "care was given" on every page (Kindle).

On 1/24/2024 at 9:55 PM, Bahamas said:

 

Jason Vail, the Attebrook mystery series.

 

I have said it before, my wife introduces me to series that I would never otherwise look at - like many of you fine folks.

If you want old school, classic grammar and English country side adventures set way back in the 13th century, they are not boring.

 

The hook for me, is this deputy coroner investigates murder after murder and has unusual relationships with town folk, gentry and servants, but is always broke.

Like, he wants some intel from a knuckle boarding beggar, but is asked for a farthing. The main character has to search in his pockets for a slice of a penny, even though it's his last.

I generally like faster paced stories, yet these books are almost relaxing. The research and story line and characters really make for (me) a slow down and wonderful escape.

A January 30 CBC article quoted Rush's official Instagram post about the book being released in May.

The 96 page coffee table book includes a Foreword by Carrie Nuttall-Peart and a portion of the proceeds from sales will go to the Neil Peart Memorial at Lakeside Park and to the American Brain Tumor Association from The Estate of Neil Peart.    

Very cool! I bet all the glossy car photos will add up to a hefty price tag, but I think it's wonderful that we will be able to see the project he started before he passed away.

I just wanted to spread the word.

"If I could wave my magic wand...

I made from the dust of the stars and the oceans flow in my veins..."

I had to crank it up twice (maybe more) this last week.

Jason Vail, the Attebrook mystery series.

I have said it before, my wife introduces me to series that I would never otherwise look at - like many of you fine folks.

If you want old school, classic grammar and English country side adventures set way back in the 13th century, they are not boring.

The hook for me, is this deputy coroner investigates murder after murder and has unusual relationships with town folk, gentry and servants, but is always broke.

Like, he wants some intel from a knuckle boarding beggar, but is asked for a farthing. The main character has to search in his pockets for a slice of a penny, even though it's his last.

I generally like faster paced stories, yet these books are almost relaxing. The research and story line and characters really make for (me) a slow down and wonderful escape.

I have spent many hours resting my back over the years after clearing those darned barriers. Or you take it at speed and have to call the office because you are late, digging your vehicle off the top.

Some cities have "lift thingies" where they can keep the pile away from entrances, others don't. Weird. But we all pay a lot of taxes up here because of mother nature. In many cities, tens of millions of dollars just because of geography.

On 12/20/2023 at 10:44 AM, Rush Didact said:

 

How are those books?  Particularly the second two?  After listening to the guys on the Something for Nothing podcast interview him, it really put me off buying them.  The guy hates everything from Signals through Test for Echo.  It really made me question how he could write an objective history of the band, given that he has no interest in half their albums.  (And especially because the albums he hates are the ones I love the most.)

All three of those books are great, in my opinion. Almost every page is source material and putting history and events into a good series of books. I expected more "filler" stuff like long winded explanations and writer's opinions, but found them all very thoroughly researched. We all have our favourite albums or decades, say, but I found the writing fairly consistent throughout.

Regarding My Effin' Life, I am taking my time as some other readers have said. I do really like the quality of the book and the included photos. The writing style is engaging, asking me questions or offering a chuckle. I really like it.

I don't like comparisons between books, personally, because not only are they different authors but the purpose or reasons for writing are not the same. Sorry, I see the tendency to do it but it's not fair to any author.  

I just discovered this tonight, went to the site for some background music while working and it was different. Used it fairly often, probably as recent as November?

Silly me, I kept clicking around to find the Play Now radio button, saw lots of great nostalgia and recent Rush Con stuff for Geddy's tour.

Then I looked closer and sure enough:

Station: Rushradio.org

Server Status: Retired.

RIP 1998 - 2023.

I liked it a lot, donated a couple of times and always got a prompt Thank you. Thank you Rush Radio Dot Org! And great website, in general, by the way :)

I'll check out rushradio.net - thank you, Time Stood Still.

It happened again!!

Watching this evening, under the category The Music Of Canada was the question:

Only one contestant buzzed in:

Answer: "What is RUSH" (Pretty sure that is how it was answered)

So, perhaps the Who is/What is/Who are/ is not as important as...

They got on Jeopardy again! 

So, I just HAVE to share this little event. I was just down in Duluth and purchased the hard cover of the book. No audio version so I will still have to get that. After leaving Barnes and Noble, we were driving around and stopped at a pharmacy and got a pop and a couple of things. The cashier noticed the Canuck accent and asked if we were visiting and how was our stay? I said, as I always plug the band whenever I can, that we were down to shop and that I had gotten a copy of Geddy Lee's new book at the mall because it wasn't up in Thunder Bay yet. She gave me a blank look and I said "He's the singer from Rush?"

She politely nodded and said "That'll be $21.12". I chuckled. Then I realised she was being serious!

All my life I notice anything referencing 2112 as I am sure we all do, here on the forums?

I looked at the till and sure enough, the amount owing on the little window was exactly 2112. I made a bookmark out of it and it will stay with the book.

Cool, huh? 

Edit: And can I please ask, from where are people purchasing the audio book as a CD/Hard copy? I want the option to use in different devices.

I googled around and there was a copy on Amazon, but there must be an actual official site for purchasing? Rush.com, Geddy this and that, I don't see anything official to get a CD as such?

Thanks for any affirmative suggestions.

I guess I heard a "Prog Rock" sound, lose interpretations of rock music and scales?

Still, it sounded great, if not so much a video capture.

I admit, I don't know Tool from a hole in the ground, honest. They are like Dream Theatre light? But I wanted to watch Alex play.

That sounded very, very good. I would have liked a close up but still, the dude leaning over his guitar and watching his fingers play each note - to perfection - was great to see.

Alex playing on stage. Wonderful. But not really focused on his guitar playing? Still, live sounds and venue atmosphere is never easy - so I have read. 

And we got a "double neck" during the last half of the song!

Thank you, BastillePark, very much  Just seeing the stage lights on Alex felt very nostalgic. So very much wanting to see more of him on stage.

On 11/16/2023 at 9:07 PM, Lurkst said:

 

Hey he answered mine! 

 

I saw that today looking around for coverage of interviews.

Nice one! It's not just asking a question that folks might already have a general idea about, but hearing Geddy describe his feelings about R40 being the end was really nice. And actually, we already knew about the different feelings between the guys and that it might be over, but Neil feeling "liberated" is a more definitive description of how he must have been growing more excited with each show closer to the end, than the other guys.