eshine

Tony pointed out in another thread that Geds vocals are too high in the mix on the DVD.

I agree, his vocals are mixed far too loud, while his own volume cuts in and out. These and are easy, routine fixes. I appreciate the desire to keep things raw, and I think Ged gives another powerful performance - but his 62 year old voice does not benefit from the glare of HD.

Given how well the rest of the mix is, I'm surprised more attention wasn't given to round out the vocals

Curiously, these issues seem to be addressed in the CD mix? I think his vocals sound way better - pushed back to their rightful place in the mix with the edges smoothed out a bit, showcasing the power of his voice rather than shining a spotlight on the rougher aspects.

I think it’s a much more pleasurable listen and, for me, makes this their best sounding live CD since Different Stages.

I need a giant magnifying glass to read this.

 

Glad I'm not the only one.

 

I SAID GEDDYS VOCALS SOUND BETTER ON THE CD

 

;)

Very cool - just listened to Xanadu in the car and it's so nice to actually be able to crank up the volume without it turning into mush (which is a sad commentary, really)

Tony pointed out in another thread that Geds vocals are too high in the mix on the DVD.

I agree, his vocals are mixed far too loud, while his own volume cuts in and out. These and are easy, routine fixes. I appreciate the desire to keep things raw, and I think Ged gives another powerful performance - but his 62 year old voice does not benefit from the glare of HD.

Given how well the rest of the mix is, I'm surprised more attention wasn't given to round out the vocals

Curiously, these issues seem to be addressed in the CD mix? I think his vocals sound way better - pushed back to their rightful place in the mix with the edges smoothed out a bit, showcasing the power of his voice rather than shining a spotlight on the rougher aspects.

I think it’s a much more pleasurable listen and, for me, makes this their best sounding live CD since Different Stages.

http://www.unitedcenter.com/assets/1/7/concert_floor_seating.jpg

 

I'm in Row 2 of Sec 104. Didn't have a whole lot of dough to blow, so I'm pretty jealous of those of you who are getting floor seats and such.

 

I hope to see some of you at the Chicago show, though!

 

I got 2 for 111, row 11

 

I scored myself a Silver VIP ticket 14th row center, one seat from the isle - Oh Yeah!!! With a seat like that and the swag, it's totally worth the 300 bucks.

 

And I was even able to grab seats for some friends / family through the fan-presale I was able to get 2 seats in the first row of section 102 and three seats right behind them - all at face value.

 

The Rush Gods definitely smiled on me :)

 

I'm sorry to anyone who couldn't get a seat. I know that in Chicago you can still pull up a random VIP package or regular seat through the other presale - so if you feel like "spinning the wheel" you could get lucky

When it comes to Ged's voice, I am far more impressed by what he can still do vocally then I am bothered by his limitations.

 

I think his voice has aged extremely well - far better then I ever would have imagined.

 

A Rush show with some other dude belting out old school Geddy high notes would be far more cringe inducing then a flubbed note or "lack of enunciation".

 

He can still deliver.

 

IMO, there's more to being a performing musician than just the ability to play your instrument well. You also need to get on with the fascination. You need to put on a performance for your audience that lets them know they're hard-earned patronage is appreciated.

 

Neil fails miserably at this, IMO.

 

Oh, aaaaaabsolutely.

 

Where is the f***ing PIZZAZZ, Neil???

 

I saw them front row center last tour.

 

What a snoozer.

 

Even with all the mind blowing physicality, the intesity and focus, the newly improvised portions of the three drum solos he performed - I couldn't help but feel that my hard-earned patronage wasn't being appreciated by Neil Peart.

 

I want jazz hands,

I want smiles,

I want sparkles,

 

I want glimmers of childlike wonderment in his eyes as if every performance was a re-birth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or he could just bring back the tail.

 

;)

Nice boot from the Presto tour (Alpine Valley)

 

I enjoyed hearing those Presto songs live.

 

Cool - was at this show, stayed at the Alpine Valley Resort and partied like a Rush fan :)

Hard to believe I was barely 20 at the time!!

Even harder to believe they are still going strong...

As for Presto – it restored my faith in the band and remains one of my all-time favorites.

Thanks :) Things are pretty splendid in Kev land ! Hope all is well with you too !!!

Savage, I think your force on Presto to us was a good thing. Im starting to grow more and more to Presto

 

Presto will always remain in the top tier of Rush albums for me, even if the band doesn't think so.

 

It's honestly the last album until Clockwork Angels that I liked every song from start to finish.

 

With regards to these songs, Available Light is one of Ged's finest moments as a vocalist.

I noticed in general that his voice was especially good on this album.

 

Yeah, his voice is smooth and silky on that one :)

 

As maligned as Rupert Hine is for his production (which I think is a bit much) - he is responsible for taking Ged into entirely new territory as a singer.

 

Ged has gone on to write some of his best melodies since then.

The best thing about Alex's speech at the RRHOF was his total commitment to it.

 

The longer it went, the better it was - especially since Geddy and Neil had no clue and smiled nervously while secretly wanting to kill him lol

 

It helps if you're into that sort of wry, uncomfortable humor (i.e. Larry David or Louie C.K.)

Lavilla from an original pressing of Hemispheres through any decent headphones will make you weep.

 

I bet it would.

 

Oh my God, it was like hearing it for the first time.

 

Hi Lorraine and everyone at TRF - it's been a while since I've been here :)

Savage, I think your force on Presto to us was a good thing. Im starting to grow more and more to Presto

 

Presto will always remain in the top tier of Rush albums for me, even if the band doesn't think so.

 

It's honestly the last album until Clockwork Angels that I liked every song from start to finish.

 

With regards to these songs, Available Light is one of Ged's finest moments as a vocalist.

I took a chance and bought some Audio Technica studio headphones last year (after reading countless good reviews on Amazon) and the first song I went to was Red Barchetta. Of course it sounded great through my home stereo – but even through my iPhone the sound was so much better than my regular headphones.

Since then I have purchased a turntable (again, Audio Technica) and have immersed myself in vinyl.

Lavilla from an original pressing of Hemispheres through any decent headphones will make you weep.

Clockwork Angels is a good test as well. The sound quality is markedly improved on vinyl, especially through good headphones.

 

So yeah, you’re going to need to get a decent turntable, find a great quality version of Hemispheres on vinyl and see if they will let you hook everything up in store…

 

;)

 

Or just listen to Revolver

Hey thanks guys - yeah, it was insanely intense - but once we hopped off the train and got in front of them, I was like - okay, these are just people. Very, very rich people ;)

 

I wanted to get some sort of Rush reference in there, actually lol - but anything with a brand or logo had to be covered with tape.

 

I think we need a Rush themed "Fun Time Express", only without the weed since it's a kids ride !

 

Thanks again!!

In all of the excitement and anticipation of being on this show, I can't believe I didn't let my fellow Rush fans know that my partner and I made it on to Shark Tank with our trackless train business, the Fun Time Express!!

 

We were just on last Friday - it's here at abc.go.com - it may be available on other sites that I cannot link to (ABC now owns my soul - ;)

 

I feel bad - I may not have a ton of friends here, but I have been posting on this site and formally at CP for many years and wish I had let you guys know.

 

This was a pretty monumental event for Stan (my partner) and I - thousands of people try out to pitch their business on this show and not only were we chosen, but our segment aired!

 

I actually had no idea Stan had sent them an email about our business until we got a call asking for a video submission. Being on the creative side of our businesses, I put together a pretty hilarious audition tape - and needless to say, after months of paperwork and phone calls - we were flown to L.A. and had a train delivered to the studio for our taping.

 

It was easily the most intense and nerve wracking experience of my life. Anyone who knows the show or is a fan, I can tell you this - it is 100 percent legitimate. The Sharks know absolutely nothing about you until you come through those doors. You don't get a second chance to deliver your pitch - there are no "re-takes" and the negotiations you see on air real (although edited, of course). If you aren't on point, they will shred you.

 

I wont reveal the outcome if you haven't seen it, but it's a hoot.

 

So take a look if you are interested - we are episode 524, the third pitch. I'm Kevin, the blonde haired dude in the engineer outfit.

 

If anyone had told me a few years ago that I would be on national television pitching my choo choo train business in a pair of overalls, I would have slugged my drink and laughed.

 

Life is weird.

Beautiful

Hi Inyo - welcome to my ignore list.

Having millions of adoring fans would not in any way soften the agony of losing a child and my partner within a year of each other. Nor would having millions of dollars. Uhm - yeah, I guess I'd have the luxury of going to exotic, posh hotels to wither away in agony on Egyptian sheets?

 

As I get older, I have lost more and more people in my life as we all have.- I have never thought "damn, if only I was rich and famous my cousin's horrible, sudden death from cancer would be way easier"

 

Over the years since the passing of his ...entire family - I don't think I've ever read more horrible statements than some of the things that have been said about Neil Peart by his very own fans. It's embarrassing - ranting about how he should conduct his grief; how lucky he is to be rich and famous; how he should hug everyone; greet blathering fans with a warm smile and oh, please, just talk to us after the show and not run away so quickly.

 

Because ...we love you Neil. Don't you love us back you selfish prick?

 

Now he has found a format to be able to share his feelings and life experience with fans who choose to read his blog.

 

Still not enough.

 

I don't blame him for being a dick sometimes.

There is an interview out there from the early eighties with Geddy smoking a cig and talking about how easy it was to write Closer to the Heart. He comes off as a complete dick lol

 

In retrospect it's not surprising. I cant think of a band more maligned throughout their career. You have to develop a thick skin - and, frankly, an ego. They all knew how good they were. So did the fans.

 

This is part of what makes this last decade of Rush such a joy. They are more humbled and appreciative then ever - and have rightfully earned sincere recognition.

I think getting "snobby" about Prog is a defence mechanism. Having lived through the 70s as a teenager but a little too young to have been in the Prog movement from the start there was always a backlash against this music I liked. In some respects Prog is about infusing different styles into the rock format and that necessarily requires a relatively high degree of musicianship, and that becomes our weapon of choice when defending ourselves against the peevish masses of pop, rock, and indie fans as in "your band can't even play properly".

Nobody ever calls Classical Music pretentious yet rock musicians who aspire to painting musical soundscapes and something more esoteric than good old 4 bar boogie are sneered at. Why wouldn't you want to aspire to be the best that you can be?

 

Great post Tony

Nice blog from Neil. It's the only way we as fans of the band get some underserved insight into his personal life.

 

Thank you for sharing Neil.......because I wouldn't. And the fact he can open up like this is incredible given the events he has endured. Neil has always been (as well as the band in general) quite private.

 

The amount of insight we have been getting of late has been a treat. Between BTLS, the new CA blue ray and the Snakes and Arrows making of doc.....it's been really freaking cool as a life long fan to get this kind of access to the band that virtually had zero access for us as fans for 30 plus years.

 

Hey...if you find it boring....don't read it. Simple as that. And yes.....some of it is not so exciting....so what. They are not exciting people....they told us that LOL.

 

Love your posts, Todem - you are one of the most level headed fans on this board.

I don't know - I voted for Geddy because he obviously doesn't put up with much bullshit, but Neil hates God and Alex has been bloodied and pepper sprayed.

 

Tough choice ;)

No because I find his lyrics inspiring and his writing boring. Reading is not my thing to begin with and I certainly don't want to be bored when I attempt too.... :)

 

Well kudos for being honest ;)

 

You should try books on tape!!

... Now guys, you all know what happens when I force myself through one of Neil's blog entries.

 

Yes - "forcing" yourself through Neil's blog causes you to make a fool of yourself with idiotic rants about how much you can't bear it.

"I love so many of his lyrics, but as a writer I find him so soul crushingly f*cking boring that I find myself drifting off after a couple of sentences. Can someone PLEASE give me a brief synopsis of any pertinent rush related news?"

 

—Rushgoober, 21 Aug 2013

 

"Am I the only one for whom once he mentions the word motorcycle or riding I start going into a catatonic state and drool starts dripping out of the side of my mouth? I can easily see Neil being the keynote speaker of a boredom conference. "

 

—Rushgoober, 21 Sept 2013

 

 

To Rushgoober :cheers:

 

Come back soon!

That's priceless...and relevant!

"I love so many of his lyrics, but as a writer I find him so soul crushingly f*cking boring that I find myself drifting off after a couple of sentences. Can someone PLEASE give me a brief synopsis of any pertinent rush related news?"

 

—Rushgoober, 21 Aug 2013

 

"Am I the only one for whom once he mentions the word motorcycle or riding I start going into a catatonic state and drool starts dripping out of the side of my mouth? I can easily see Neil being the keynote speaker of a boredom conference. "

 

—Rushgoober, 21 Sept 2013

 

 

To Rushgoober :cheers:

 

Come back soon!

Reads like something I would have posted.....

 

Really? And that doesn't embarrass you?