phillyflash

Has anyone read Experiencing Rush: A Listener's Companion from a couple of years ago? It's only 194 pages, but is listing for $40 on Amazon. Is it worth that much money? http://www.amazon.com/Experiencing-Rush-Listeners-Durrell-Bowman/dp/1442231300/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1456063632&sr=1-1&keywords=rush+listener%27s

Presto was the first new album of theirs that came out after I had become a fan. Overall, it's not one of my favorites, but I LOVE "Show Don't Tell", "Presto", and "The Pass". "Show Don't Tell" was the first "new" Rush song I got to hear on the radio, so it will always have a special meaning to me. "Warpaint" and "Available Light" are good, too. Too bad the production is so thin sounding.

For RUSH fans, December 7th, 2015...a date that will live in infamy. While it seemed pretty clear there would be no more concerts, I always hoped they'd still create new music -- as long as Neil had assurances that there'd be no subsequent tour, and maybe that the recordings, at least his parts, could take place in L.A. -- but barring a change of heart, not looking too good. Easy for me to sit here and assume Neil would be up for a few hours a day at a recording studio, a few weeks out of a given year. The way it's coming out is a bit odd, in a magazine article, when I would have thought a message on his website, or some kind of more official announcement would have been the way to go. I'll be curious to hear the reaction from Geddy and Alex, and to see what they do next. Hopefully they will continue in some form. As for Neil, in addition to the desire to be home more often, and to get away from the physical strain of playing RUSH music, it's also hard to deny the timing was right to go out on top. R40 tour was a huge success, and the way it was put together, going backwards thru 40 years, you couldn't plan a farewell setlist much better. They played their last show in L.A. at a venue they have loved for years. And, creatively, Clockwork Angels is a great album to end with. And, c'mon, "The Garden" is the last song. It might not be everyone's favorite in the RUSH canon, but looking at it now, knowing it's (most likely) their last recorded song...not a bad way to walk off to the sunset. Kind of how I felt after Phil Collins officially left Genesis. "Fading Lights" from their last album took on a whole new, and stronger significance knowing that it was their last recorded song together. 40 years, 20 albums (counting Feedback) and a farewell wave from the front of the stage. Thanks for everything, Neil. Been a fan since the late 80's, and have loved every minute of it.

This...

I'm holding out hope that they will still record. As much fun as it is to see them live, I've always hoped for more albums in exchange for fewer tours. Concerts come and go, but the newly created music lasts forever. They've only released 3 original albums since Test For Echo. Obviously, there was a very understandable reason for the gap in time before VT, but still, nearly 20 years, and only three albums. If they do record again, my guess is it would be a full album. Pretty sure they still view the album as the only way to go, not releasing just a song, or a handful of songs as an EP, or released digitally...but who knows? The LA concert may have closed a door on a certain form of Rush. They may do things differently in a lot of aspects from here on out, including the way they release any potential new music. One potential thing that may get in the way of them staying active as a band...they way things stand at this moment, they really have had the perfect exit... - Their tour spanned 40-plus years together, perfectly conceived with music presented newest to oldest - Most recent album, a concept album (big undertaking), was largely well received by fans and critics - 40 years (as a recording band with Neil), 20 albums - Hall of Fame, and the elusive Rolling Stone cover story (not that they cared about either) - Arguably more famous now than ever (adding in more critical acclaim and recognition that wasn't always there before) All of that would make it easy for them to just say, let's go out on top. Now, my gut tells me they will still record. I think they creative fire hasn't gone out completely If Neil could be convinced there wouldn't be a tour, and all he'd have to do would be go to an LA studio, not too far from home, and lay down drum tracks a few hours a day so he could still be home for dinner with his family, I could see him agreeing to that. Who knows, if they are pretty certain they wouldn't tour new music, maybe the music gets even more expansive, without having to worry about trying to pull it off live, as just a threesome. More instrumentals...additional musicians during the recordings...anything would be possible. Bottom line, I'd be fine with no more touring...but I want more new music

Not sure if these count, but they were made in my home lol. I posted these awhile ago, but maybe there are a few that haven't heard them. Hope you enjoy. This first medley was created using the opening drumbeat from "Animate", which I looped through the entire clip, and then added similar RUSH rhythms on top of that. The second medley -- which was created first, and has a snippet of the "Animate" section towards the end -- is simply a mix of all sorts of RUSH instrumental sections melded together. Far from perfect, missing some of your faves I'm sure (and there are no CA songs, as this was made prior to that album coming out), but hopefully a fun listen. The links are in my signature

I love Neil coming to the front to join the boys and wave to the crowd with Ged and Al......and STILL bolting to get off the stage and into a vehicle as fast as possible lol. Maybe the last show ever, and he still had to shazam outta there (almost) immediately.

The video that's shot for the jumbo screens at the venue, is that being recorded as well? Crossing fingers that there is some type of professional quality video of tonight. They sound great!

So, if this truly could be it as far as concerts go, does anyone know if it's being professionally filmed? Shouldn't this be one of the ones that could potentially make it onto a DVD?

Does anyone know if the LA show is going to be professionally filmed? I would think if the band had a real sense that this was going to be it, they'd want it filmed...for the fans, if not for themselves. Could be some real emotion going on, some special performances, etc., and it would be nice to get that on a DVD, instead of hoping someone got a good copy of it on their cellphone to watch on Youtube.

Without ever really hearing their music before, I'd see kids at my junior high wearing Rush shirts, and based on nothing but the name of the band, and the style of the shirts (and the long hair by the kids wearing those shirts), I assumed they were a metal band, which I wasn't a fan of. As I got into high school (mid 80s), I started listening to more classic rock, and naturally heard some of the staples on the radio. Tom Sawyer was the first Rush song I distinctly remember hearing. The song was so tight, and the drumming, well, enough said. Quite a first impression. I was pleasantly surprised that Rush wasn't metal. What sealed it for me happened soon after that. I checked out a Rush album from the school library (Grace Under Pressure), and upon hearing the first few notes of Distant Early Warning, I was hooked. Back then, i played keyboards for fun, and eventually in a very mediocre (that's being kind lol) garage band for a couple of years. At that time, it was hard to find any cool sounding keyboards in music. I was a big Genesis fan, and loved their use of piano and keys, but there was little else that I liked. Billy Joel, Bruce Hornsby, Howard Jones, Harold Faltermeyer lol...it was a short list. But there was something about Distant Early Warning. It was exactly the sound I was looking for. Chords, texture, it just sounded so cool to me. That song will always have a special place in my heart. I've been a huge fan ever since.

Instrumental versions of S&A songs?? I'd be interested in those, too.

Apologies if this has been brought up before. I did a quick search, but didn't find much... I was watching the RIR Boys In Brazil doc yesterday, and had forgotten how many instrumental versions of songs were used as background music during the film. Are these versions available anywhere?

I really liked the song. The chorus is catchy. Neil adds so much to it. It's fun to see the guys do the occasional side project -- not that there have been that many -- and Peart clearly enjoys it. Not sure where it falls in the actual song, but on the Youtube video, the double bass accents at the 4:00 mark are great, and I love the fill at around 5:20. Gotta love Scannell's enthusiasm during the session. He's beaming, hopping up and down to the beat lol. Great pic of him with his arms raised with a big smile in awe of the great NP. Any idea if that is the actual drum track that ended up on the album?

Headlong Flight is a straight-out ass kicker. Simple as that. At the Chicago show last September, they nailed it. I cheered every song at that concert, sang to every song, air-drummed (badly) to everything they played, just like we all did...but Headlong Flight was the only song I stood up and applauded a few seconds before it ended, in appreciation that they could still bring it with this much fury and kick-assedness at this stage of the game. And I know many of you stand throughout entire Rush concerts lol, but we were upper deck front row, so we could actually sit through most of the show and still see everything. It's such a triumphant, all-in, thumper of a song. Easily one of my favorites.