Grace Under Pressure Tour - Concert Streaming on Youtube

[BlairC45]

13 hours ago, MxMisery said:

I A/B’d both the original & the P/G 40 videos of one of the already released songs (DEW in this case) & for the most part the latter doesn’t even use the same footage of Alex from the original cause for one, Alex is playing the black Hentor in the former and the P/G 40th version has him playing the white Hentor for every song except New World Man (Tele) & Between The Wheels (the red Hentor).

 

Which leads me to believe that the original video was edited from footage shot across multiple nights (they did play Maple Leaf Gardens on 9/20 & 9/22/84 also) whereas this full show used only the footage shot from the 9/21 show.

 

Edit: I misspoke, P/G 40th video shows Alex playing the black Hentor during Red Sector A and for some odd reason Closer To The Heart right up to the extended jam section but the majority of the show apart from the aforementioned songs to my recollection he was playing the white Hentor.

According to the Power Windows website, RUSH only played 2 nights, September 21 & 22, so where does Sept 20 fit in?

 

https://www.2112.net/powerwindows/tours.html#guptour

 

 

[grep]

During on the songs on the video, there's a point about 35 minutes in where Ged is playing the keyboard part and singing, Alex moves in behind him and adjusts or pushes something to Geddy's left. 

A few seconds later after Al returns to his side of the stage, Geddy takes a moment to give Alex the finger . LIke his left hand on the side of his head with his middle finger slightly raised. Sort of laughing, 

I don't remember which song, was watching on the treadmill  last night - but I was laughing at that. Ged looked over at him too a few seconds later, with one of those funny looks.   

The action between the 2 of them on stage is always so much fun to see. LMAO.  I really do miss these guys. 

[chemistry1973]

17 hours ago, Timbale said:

Ok, obviously any new Rush content is to be celebrated...I was at this gig, so it is a joy to see the songs that never made the original cut.

 

But...holy hell there are SO MANY out of sync shots!  It's almost like not watching a concert.  As a drummer, I found all the out of sync shots of Neil really distracting...like I found myself not really even watching for his performance, because so much of it was random shots of him from other moments in the performance.

 

And speaking of Neil...did anyone else have the overall impression that Neil's coverage is way lessened from the original VHS version?  It seemed to me there was a lot more of Geddy and Alex in moments that used to show Neil.  It was almost at a level where I would feel that it was a conscious choice to downplay his importance as they move into a tour with a new drummer.  Hate to think that way, but it seemed striking to me.  It also seemed like it was edited by someone who didn't have any idea what the key moments of Neil's performances were.  Very strange.

 

Other random things I noticed on this first watch -

 

They really didn't figure out in '84 or in this re-issue how to cover the laser show or the projections - I was hoping this release would have sorted that out, but I guess the raw footage just isn't good of those elements.  You can see the projector very faintly flickering away in the back at times, but it is never remotely clear. 

 

There were projections during Red Lenses?!

 

Lots of alternate vocal takes used - I guess snyced in from Sept 22nd?

 

This version has the "Subdivisions" voice - unless I am crazy, they did NOT have that recorded voice live until they started triggering vocal samples on the Presto tour...and I think it's pretty obvious they're not playing to a pre-recorded track for the whole song just to have that one word sync up.  So...they dropped it into the old audio in 2026?  Not into that.

 

Nice to see footage of the red Hentor guitar!

 

The Vital Signs synth loop starts while Geddy is still back at the drumkit...so I guess that's actually a tape that someone backstage starts, as opposed to being started from the keyboards/pedals.

 

Anyway, I will have to scour the new crowd shots on repeat to see if I show up in there...curious if anyone on the board saw themselves!

 

 

Watching the new video now and I’m blown away as to how different it is. And in many places, I hear different things that weren’t featured on the original VHS I so obsessively watched in the 90s.

 

I’m wondering now: is the footage and audio from the original VHS a partly or mostly canned live performance without an audience - with crowd, noise and live footage cut into it? 
 

certainly there are shots in the original 84 version that look overproduced and set up  -  like when people are putting on their 3-D glasses. That does not look live; that looks produced.

 

So did Rush have a private performance day without audience where they recorded video and performed live to tape? Then shot the other actual live shows for more coverage?
 

Because watching this new video, this is all new footage! And I’m pretty sure some of these performances are different than what was on the original VHS.

 

my theory now is the 1984 version has a mixture of canned live performance along with the live performances from the actual shows. 
 

I think this is part of the reason why we don’t see a lot of Neil coverage in the new version. Because that coverage is likely from a canned performance.

 

Just a theory.

Edited March 14 by chemistry1973

[grep]

The new version does seem to have cuts in from other video sources. Take a good look at Neil for the first 4 of 5 songs. 

Pratt. 
Pratt with headphones during The Weapon. 
Pratt with a red hat During The Weapon. 

That's not a criticism. Just pointing out that when they produce the final product, they need to fill in gaps sometimes. 

[Brava Doh!]

1 hour ago, BlairC45 said:

According to the Power Windows website, RUSH only played 2 nights, September 21 & 22, so where does Sept 20 fit in?

 

https://www.2112.net/powerwindows/tours.html#guptour

 

 

It doesn’t, I think I knew that it was only two nights but when three was mentioned I ran with it.  
 

[lerxt1990]

1 hour ago, Brava Doh! said:

This makes the most sense to me. It’s the same show but completely different. 
 

There also way more blue than red in this show. When a shot from the original video comes up it’s very red/pink in brightness. Newer shots are more of a blue hue.

 

I also think they shot each night with specific angles in mind. This show seemed to have a lot of camera work from Alex’s side with just him and Ged showing, and a lot of shots of Geddy singing and playing the keys. Very little of Neil in the grand scheme of things. 20 and 22 concentrated on Neil and other angles used less here and that’s why we see less of them.

 

I know little to nothing about how these things get shot, so this is just my idea, but it makes sense to me at least. 

My biggest disappointment of the ESL VHS after excitedly getting it to watch (back when it came out) was how little Neil was shown. :(

[Vectorman]

It's pretty surreal to see all this extra footage and hear so much different audio vs. the original VHS and DVD versions I've watched countless times over the last 40 years. Flaws like audio/video sync aside, it's almost like finding an unopened Christmas present behind the couch from four decades ago that someone had forgotten to put under the tree.

[Timbale]

2 hours ago, chemistry1973 said:

Watching the new video now and I’m blown away as to how different it is. And in many places, I hear different things that weren’t featured on the original VHS I so obsessively watched in the 90s.

 

I’m wondering now: is the footage and audio from the original VHS a partly or mostly canned live performance without an audience - with crowd, noise and live footage cut into it? 
 

certainly there are shots in the original 84 version that look overproduced and set up  -  like when people are putting on their 3-D glasses. That does not look live; that looks produced.

 

So did Rush have a private performance day without audience where they recorded video and performed live to tape? Then shot the other actual live shows for more coverage?
 

Because watching this new video, this is all new footage! And I’m pretty sure some of these performances are different than what was on the original VHS.

 

my theory now is the 1984 version has a mixture of canned live performance along with the live performances from the actual shows. 
 

I think this is part of the reason why we don’t see a lot of Neil coverage in the new version. Because that coverage is likely from a canned performance.

 

Just a theory.

A Rush conspiracy - I like it!

[Timbale]

I think for 40 or whatever years I always assumed that they shot the two nights, with one being "establishing shots", ie long shots from a distance, capturing the whole venue/stage, and then close up shots on the other night.  This would make it so that the "long" shots wouldn't be hampered by a bunch of close-up cameras visible...giving the illusion of invisible camera work.  And because of that assumption, I thought the far away shots would have been the 22nd and the close ups were the 21st - only because the date of the show as listed is the 21st - the close ups being way more important to sync than the distant shots. 

 

But the way it's being discussed here has me realizing that's not necessarily what they did, especially seeing as all those great shots of Neil found in the VHS are not present in this version...so perhaps those were shot on the 22nd after all ( or as @chemistry1973 so tantalizingly has suggested, maybe secretly shot in venue without an audience at all...).  I would really love to know the actual skinny on all this... 

[Timbale]

I should add that my assumption was very clearly wrong - I just did an A/B with Witch Hunt from the 2 videos - the '86 and the '26, and Alex is playing a different guitar - consistently in close ups and long shots - in both versions.  So if this new release is "properly" the 21st, than the original video version of Witch Hunt is 100% the other night.  My mind is a little blown by that.

[fraroc]

Some of the people in the comments and on the Rush subreddit are getting really f***ing annoying about the new GUP live footage. I get that theres some editing mistakes but some of the comments I'm seeing border from being unecessarily nitpicky about the new footage to outright accusations that Geddy and Alex are trying to somehow "erase" Neil from their legacy. Even if Rush + Annika is ultimately about securing a nest egg for their kids and grandkids, to have the temerity to try and say that Ged and Al are trying to erase Neil or pretend he didn't matter much in the long run is a f***ing outrageous accusation. If they didn't care, they wouldn't have waited all this time to get permission from Neil's wife and daughter to use the Rush name. 

[chemistry1973]

13 minutes ago, fraroc said:

Some of the people in the comments and on the Rush subreddit are getting really f***ing annoying about the new GUP live footage. I get that theres some editing mistakes but some of the comments I'm seeing border from being unecessarily nitpicky about the new footage to outright accusations that Geddy and Alex are trying to somehow "erase" Neil from their legacy. Even if Rush + Annika is ultimately about securing a nest egg for their kids and grandkids, to have the temerity to try and say that Ged and Al are trying to erase Neil or pretend he didn't matter much in the long run is a f***ing outrageous accusation. If they didn't care, they wouldn't have waited all this time to get permission from Neil's wife and daughter to use the Rush name. 

My theory is only based on the possibility that they probably didn’t use the old footage of Neil because it didn’t line up with the live audio that they’re using for the 26 release, and there might’ve also been some continuity issues using that different footage.

 

When we see close-ups of Neil in the 26 release, they could be cutaways from another show or something else. My guess is they probably tried to represent Neil as best they could within the confines of what they covered in a consistent live performance on one of the two nights. 

Edited March 14 by chemistry1973

[BlairC45]

I like the updated version of this concert. As someone else said, it will take time to get used to the new concert footage. Yes, some parts aren't in sync, so be it. In " The Weapon." Alex rolls around on the stage, and in the new version, he is upright, so this is the first night. 

 

Anyways, apart from that, I really enjoyed the Concert film, especially the drum solo, which was fun to hear. The new version is so crystal clear, and after all these years. RUSH took great care in preserving the films until now, which is awesome.

 

The sound was great too, and it was different from the VHS/DVD version. 

[Timbale]

21 minutes ago, fraroc said:

Some of the people in the comments and on the Rush subreddit are getting really f***ing annoying about the new GUP live footage. I get that theres some editing mistakes but some of the comments I'm seeing border from being unecessarily nitpicky about the new footage to outright accusations that Geddy and Alex are trying to somehow "erase" Neil from their legacy. Even if Rush + Annika is ultimately about securing a nest egg for their kids and grandkids, to have the temerity to try and say that Ged and Al are trying to erase Neil or pretend he didn't matter much in the long run is a f***ing outrageous accusation. If they didn't care, they wouldn't have waited all this time to get permission from Neil's wife and daughter to use the Rush name. 

Well, to quote an old sage, "You can twist perception - reality won't budge".

 

I would say regardless of perception, the reality is they have released a new version of an old available concert, and the new version has much reduced coverage of Neil, and a lot of out of sync moments when he is covered...which at minimum reeks of "just throw it in...it doesn't matter".  It makes sense to me that people would notice it and have feelings around it. I think that it shows a lack of care or of valuing his importance.  If the band had said something (and who knows, maybe they will) along the lines of "this is a more true representation of that one night, and there was only so much footage of Neil" it would make sense...but I imagine, given that it seems more clear now that the original VHS is more of a Frankenstein, this seems like a can of worms they wouldn't want to open.  And I imagine for newer fans, and/or more casual fans, it's a non-issue.  But Rush has obsessive fans...fans who have watched that original concert many many times...they're gonna notice that Neil is covered more like regular drummers are often covered in concert footage, not like a leg of a three-legged, power trio dog.

[MxMisery]

3 hours ago, Brava Doh! said:

It doesn’t, I think I knew that it was only two nights but when three was mentioned I ran with it.  
 

Rush’s website itself claims they played 3 nights in Toronto from 9/20-9/22. https://www.rush.com/tour/grace-under-pressure/

 

Unless the Rush website is wrong…which…ooof.

[ytserush]

4 hours ago, grep said:

The new version does seem to have cuts in from other video sources. Take a good look at Neil for the first 4 of 5 songs. 

Pratt. 
Pratt with headphones during The Weapon. 
Pratt with a red hat During The Weapon. 

That's not a criticism. Just pointing out that when they produce the final product, they need to fill in gaps sometimes. 

I think they restored Count Floyd in all his glory.

[ytserush]

1 hour ago, Timbale said:

I should add that my assumption was very clearly wrong - I just did an A/B with Witch Hunt from the 2 videos - the '86 and the '26, and Alex is playing a different guitar - consistently in close ups and long shots - in both versions.  So if this new release is "properly" the 21st, than the original video version of Witch Hunt is 100% the other night.  My mind is a little blown by that.

A LOT more long shots in the new version based on a single viewing.

[ytserush]

46 minutes ago, Timbale said:

Well, to quote an old sage, "You can twist perception - reality won't budge".

 

I would say regardless of perception, the reality is they have released a new version of an old available concert, and the new version has much reduced coverage of Neil, and a lot of out of sync moments when he is covered...which at minimum reeks of "just throw it in...it doesn't matter".  It makes sense to me that people would notice it and have feelings around it. I think that it shows a lack of care or of valuing his importance.  If the band had said something (and who knows, maybe they will) along the lines of "this is a more true representation of that one night, and there was only so much footage of Neil" it would make sense...but I imagine, given that it seems more clear now that the original VHS is more of a Frankenstein, this seems like a can of worms they wouldn't want to open.  And I imagine for newer fans, and/or more casual fans, it's a non-issue.  But Rush has obsessive fans...fans who have watched that original concert many many times...they're gonna notice that Neil is covered more like regular drummers are often covered in concert footage, not like a leg of a three-legged, power trio dog.

Care has not been taken. That bothers me too, but definitely worth a stand alone release.

[ytserush]

23 minutes ago, MxMisery said:

Rush’s website itself claims they played 3 nights in Toronto from 9/20-9/22. https://www.rush.com/tour/grace-under-pressure/

 

Unless the Rush website is wrong…which…ooof.

It's always been two nights for as long as I remember. Wandering The Face Of The Earth agrees with me.(9/21 and 9/22)

[rugen]

I was so excited to see this video that I didn't notice the sync issue. Now that I know, I will make sure to forget about this issue because it could ruin my experience.

[Brava Doh!]

45 minutes ago, ytserush said:

It's always been two nights for as long as I remember. Wandering The Face Of The Earth agrees with me.(9/21 and 9/22)

Weird it’s actually different in two separate places. Makes that bit of confusion some is had more understandable. 

[Brava Doh!]

39 minutes ago, rugen said:

I was so excited to see this video that I didn't notice the sync issue. Now that I know, I will make sure to forget about this issue because it could ruin my experience.

As I noted, best to enjoy this as an additional show as opposed to a fixed older show. It’ll be much more fun to watch once I get my mind trained that way.

[Timbale]

5 minutes ago, Brava Doh! said:

As I noted, best to enjoy this as an additional show as opposed to a fixed older show. It’ll be much more fun to watch once I get my mind trained that way.

Absolutely agree with this.

 

[chemistry1973]

1 hour ago, MxMisery said:

Rush’s website itself claims they played 3 nights in Toronto from 9/20-9/22. https://www.rush.com/tour/grace-under-pressure/

 

Unless the Rush website is wrong…which…ooof.

Or the first date is the master shot live recording without an audience!

[ytserush]

14 minutes ago, Brava Doh! said:

Weird it’s actually different in two separate places. Makes that bit of confusion some is had more understandable. 

I don't understand how this is even an issue. When did the 20th start appearing? Rush Chronology and " Mereley Players" {for what it's worth) also list it as a two night stand. Maybe the 20th was kind a  dress rehearsal for filming/recording to prepare for the real thing? It would be so Rush to prepare for that if they had the time.  The bookend gigs were Lake Placid on 9/18 and New Haven on 9/24. Seems like a unusual block of time in those days.