dave@gitpyr.UUCP (David Corbin) (09/25/84)
Out of curiosity, I was wondering how many net-users are fans of Rush. I have found an unusually large number of other Rush fans through various computer systems. As a matter of fact, I was converted to a Rush fan from somebody I first met at my computer-related job. I remember when (about 18 months ago) I would say, "Rush? Yick! They're like KISS, right?" WRONGO! I found out. The single most convincing part(s) of Rush (in my oppinion) is Neil Peart's lyrics.
jrm1@pyuxh.UUCP (J McKeel) (04/10/85)
Anyone out in net land into RUSH. I'm interested in tour schedules, live recordings, trivia, and especially shows in Toronto. Several of my friends and myself want to see the magnificent trio on their own turf. I've been into RUSH for years now, and my only regret is that I didn't get to see them sooner. I think I've missed some of the best concerts, but would like to obtain recordings of them if possible. Anyone that is into RUSH and would like to converse about it, just let me know. John McKeel Bell Communications Research 3 Corporate Place Piscataway, NJ 08854 Room 2B-322 !pyuxh!jrm1 "I know what you're doin'"
allred@AMSAA.ARPA (RAMD-STU) (04/12/85)
Obviously, we have a new comer to net.music!! When I first started reading this net I wrote a I love RUSH and who else does letter, too. Unfortunately, the people on this net obviously do not know talent when they see it. Many of them probably have heard of RUSH and only listened to the chart songs by them. If all I had ever heard was Tom Sawyer and New World Man I might not listen to these guys either. In fact I never listened to them in my early teenage years because the drug pushers were listening to them and I figured they were like Iron Maiden or Ozzy Ozbourne. My brother is a piano major at West Chester University and a few years back he wrote a paper for a theory class with the subject being "Red Barchetta". After readin this paper I had to listen to the song to see what he was talking about, so I bought the tape. Now I have every recording they ever did (except a mini-lp with a couple Signal cuts on the front and an interview on the back, but I can't find that anywhere) and they are about all I listen to. They are a very intelligent band and Geddy and Neil are definetly the greatest at their instruments(Alex is underrated also). So anyway, they are in the studio right now working on album no. 13 and I can't wait. I am not sure when the next concert series starts but I will surely let you and everyone else know when I find out. I have requested tapes from the net too, but I have never gotten an answer. If you find or have some concert tapes or studio tapes other than the major twelve, please tell me and I could pay you for a Maxell so that you may copy away. That would be deeply appreciated. Wasn't the Grace Under Pressure tour great with the new light and video show!! Well, keep in touch and keep the RUSH tunes rolling!! jeff(allred@amsaa)
adler@aecom.UUCP (Elliott Adler) (04/17/85)
a few years back, in my freshman year in college, i caught
geddy lee's solo on a "bob and doug" album... you know, "take off
to the great white north"... after hearing this tremendous
voice, i just felt i had to go on. my torontonain friend had a copy of
changes... which i ate up... my next purchase was exit... stage left, and
if my tape recorder has a personality, it must have been born stiff.
I guess i did a good deed... i got about 4 or 5 people turned
on to rush, one guy (naftoli @ aecom) is a drummer, and loves peart.
as far as i go, i love rush's story like approach to music... actually
following the story of 2112, or hemispheres. they seemed to have dropped this
atttitude, as of late.
in my adventures as a rush fan, i went back to their early recordings,
and i must say, i was mildly dissapointed... while "by-tor", "bastille day",
etc. are nice to listen to.... songs like i think "i'm going bald" are hard
for me to swallow... you see, i must understand a song to enjoy it,
or be totally taken aback by the music... early rush, unfortunately does
not do this for me.
finally, this past year i decided it was high time to see this guys
in concert... i have never seen such an elaborate show... most of the concerts
i have been to have been real music type concerts (csn, neil young, dead,
don mclean, of which i will be more than happy to chew an ear, or two,
or twenty). i enjoyed the lazers, and most of all, rush doing "spirit
of the radio", "tom sawyer", and the drum solo. again, i say the stuff
on signals and p/g just doesnt get me going (with exception to "new world
man", and "subdivisions"). this could just be the result of not having the
time to sit and listen to them anymore, and for this i repent.
i hope you enjoyed this ranting, raving, and foaming at the
keyboard of a PAST and Present rush fan... unfortunately, the Present
does not deserve full caps. oh well. sigh.
Elliott Adler
Rock lover
P.S. How about a newsgroup net.music.rosen, i am getting sick of
hitting my 'n' key...
--
{ihnp4|spike|rocky2|philabs|pegasus|esquire|cucard}!aecom!adlerallred@AMSAA.ARPA (RAMD-STU) (04/18/85)
I loved reading your letter being the diehard RUSH fan that I am. You claimed that your friend had a copy of "Changes". Well, I am sorry but as far as my record collection is concerned there is no song or album with this title. Now maybe there is such an album or song but I just don't know of it. Or maybe I am mistaken and such a song exists (I know there is no such album). If this is a special album or a solo album then I want it. Maybe you can send me some more info. on "Changes" . I would appreciate it. 2112 stands as the high point of RUSH'S career in my opinion. Anything before Signals and after Neil joined up is considered classic to me. Please answer as quickly as possible for this is really interesting and I won't be at the keyboard again until Monday. jeff (allred@amsaa)
allred@AMSAA.ARPA (RAMD-STU) (04/18/85)
By saying the other concerts you have been to were real music concerts I hope and pray that you are not trying to say that Rush did not put on a real music concert. Of the groups you mentioned I can assure you that none of them were as in tune or in rhythm or playing better musically then was RUSH. Let's hear your opinion! jeff (allred@amsaa)
pat@mtu.UUCP (Pat Waara) (04/23/85)
> By saying the other concerts you have been to were real music concerts > I hope and pray that you are not trying to say that Rush did not put on > a real music concert. Of the groups you mentioned I can assure you that > none of them were as in tune or in rhythm or playing better musically > then was RUSH. Let's hear your opinion! > > jeff (allred@amsaa) I used to be a big RUSH fan when I was in high school, and I had the chance to see them in concert along with Max Webster (another Canadian band) while they were doing their _Farewell to Kings_ tour. Frankly, I was pretty disappointed with the performance, and this was when I liked them the most. I felt that Max Webster stole the show. Max Webster was energetic and fun; he had the crowd on its feet for the whole set. Then RUSH came out and put everyone to sleep. Liefson's solos were long and uninteresting. In generel, the show was static and lame. At one point they were actually booed by the crowd. The only time the crowd showed any approval at all was during a condensed version of 2112. Needless to say, I am no longer a fan of RUSH. They seem to be playing to a adolecent mentallity, which is fine if you're an adolecent. Pat "How young are you?" "How old am I?" "Just count the rings" "Around my eyes."
jeff@dciem.UUCP (Jeff Richardson) (04/25/85)
Rush's career can be divided into three eras: early ("Rush", "Fly By Night",
and "Caress Of Steel"), middle ("2112", "A Farewell To Kings", and
"Hemispheres") and recent ("Moving Pictures", "Signals" and "Grace Under
Pressure"). (I've avoided putting "Permanent Waves" in one period. I think
it belongs mostly in the middle period, but it sounds like it was an attempt
to do an album in the style of their more recent period, except that they
hadn't yet developed their new sound nor were they able to leave behind
their old sound.) A couple of people have stated recently
that they definitely prefer the middle period, and other people have told
me that they like their more recent work better. Personally, I like them
both, and I find it difficult to compare them because they are very
different. There are good and bad points of both periods, and I think that
if they could combine the best elements of their middle and recent periods,
they would be one of my all-time favourite groups. I'll elaborate on that:
I love the long, varied, thematic, storybook type pieces that they did in
their middle period, but I never liked Geddy Lee's screaming, and they
always seemed to have an overpowering heavy-metal feeling that I didn't really
like. (I used to describe Rush at the time as being a cross between heavy
metal and "progressive" rock. The heavy metal element made them different
from other progrock bands, but it didn't have to be so overpowering.)
In their recent period, they've abandoned the long, varied pieces and resorted
to doing less ambitious, more ordinary pop songs, but they do them so well.
Geddy Lee never screams anymore (I never thought I'd like his voice, but I do
now.) and the heavy metal sound is completely gone, and has been replaced
by a much smoother, more professional and more pleasant sound. (Don't get
me wrong--sometimes I prefer a rougher sound, but sometimes smoothness
sounds better.) I'd love to hear what it would sound like if they did a long,
varied, progressive piece in their new smoother sound without screaming vocals.
--
Jeff Richardson, DCIEM, Toronto (416) 635-2073
{linus,ihnp4,uw-beaver,floyd}!utcsrgv!dciem!jeff
{allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!dciem!jeffjmd@rduxb.UUCP (Joseph M. Dakes, AT&T Bell Labs, Reading, Pa.) (04/26/85)
> Rush's career can be divided into three eras: etc. etc. > (Don't get > me wrong--sometimes I prefer a rougher sound, but sometimes smoothness > sounds better.) I'd love to hear what it would sound like if they did a long, > varied, progressive piece in their new smoother sound without screaming vocals. > -- > Jeff Richardson, DCIEM, Toronto (416) 635-2073 > {linus,ihnp4,uw-beaver,floyd}!utcsrgv!dciem!jeff > {allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!dciem!jeff Go check Rush out in concert and you will. The last time I saw Rush live was in 1981 at the Spectrum in Phila. (terrible place for a concert) on their Moving Pictures tour. During the beginning of their 3rd era as you would call it. They did a rendition of "Working Man" off their first album. It featured their early heavy sound along with Geddy's much improved vocals and Peart's smooth style (instead of Rutsey's on the album the way I'm used to hearing it.) It sounded great. Has anyone seen Rush lately? Do they still perform older (first 3 albums) material or do I just have to remember the way it was? Joseph M. Dakes AT&T Bell Laboratories Reading, PA rduxb!jmd I said I've played this song So many times before That the melody keeps repeating. Growing new ideas, Flowing chords and notes Like a mountain river bleeding.
allred@AMSAA.ARPA (RAMD-STU) (04/30/85)
I saw Rush last during there Grace Under Pressure tour. I too saw them in the Spectrum and I agree that it is a terrible place for a concert but Rush had the best sound I have ever heard in the Spectrum! Yes, they did cut back somewhat on their older songs and mostly played stuff from the last few albums. I was very glad however when the returned for encores and did a medley of their first album. I wish they could of done more than what they did, because what they did do was great! I hate to say it but I even think I could stand to hear their first few albums rerecorded by the Rush of today. I must admit that is is a real pleasure to go and watch three guys working hard to make a good show that is enjoyed most by the quality of the music as a whole and not just the light show or the expertise of one jammer who tries to show off all night l long. I would suggest returning to Rush concerts and listening to what they are really doing, expecially if you just never thought it worth your while to even bother to give them a listen. These guys are intelligent, creative musicians unlike most of the MTV style rock bands!! jeff
davida@umd5.UUCP (05/01/85)
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Hello all out there,
Seeing the various articles posted to the net concerning my
pet band, I felt a need to pontificate a bit.
I have been a RUSH fan for going on 10 years now, and have watched
them go through the different phases they have passed. I have not always
thoroughly enjoyed their current compositions, but have been able to
appreciate their style eventually. As with many people, I fell in love
with their earliest stuff (In the Mood, Anthem, Finding My Way, etc) first,
but grew to appreciate their later works (I still think Cygnus X-1 is a
masterpiece). Their newest stuff is obviously different from anything alse
they've done, but it too has its merits.
The statement that RUSH has gone thru phases is very true, but I noticed
a slight error in estimating the cut-offs of the different periods in an
earlier posting here. After listening to an interview that I have (2 lp's),
I found that their career does indeed fall into very specific periods, and
actually are somewhat similar.
The first phase consists of their first four albums, and is culminated
by 2112. The second stage comprises of 'Farewell to Kings' thru 'Moving
Pictures'. The latter album may be their best top-40 album of any they've
written. The third stage started with 'Signals' (probably my least favorite
excepting possibly 'Caress of Steel') and is heading for the third album in
the 'series'.
There has been a niticeable trend with their albums; sets of four (so far),
After having tickets for the past five years running for their concerts at
our local concert hall (the Capital Centre), I must say that the first I saw
(Hemispheres) was the best. Don't get me wrong, they still put on a helluva
show, but I do like to hear more of their oldies than they deem necessery to
play.
Anyway, thanks for putting up with me, and if anybody has anything to say,
or want to exchange mail/tapes/info, please MAIL me. I do have a modest
collection, comprising of albums, EP's, DJ & promo 45's, tapes (their last
concert here too), video tape, and CD's. If you would like tapes of any of
this, drop me a line.
David Arnold
CSC, Univ. of Md., College Park
Maryland
*** REPLACE DAVIDA@UMD5.ARPA
(301) 937-2260 (after 10 PM)
"Live for yourself, theres noone else more with living for . . ."
jrm1@pyuxh.UUCP (J McKeel) (05/02/85)
RUSH plays some of their old music when on tour, I wish they would play more of it. Lately they have been playing medleys of the their really old stuff; that pisses me off a little, but I don't stop listening. For those of you who are big RUSH fans, you might see a trend building towards another 2112 type album. For instance, P/G directed alot of thought to Communism, just as Farewell To Kings (with somewhat of a super- natural attitude, and forgetting that Cygnus X-1 is the first part) led to Hemispheres. Who knows, I could be wrong (did I say that). I hope I'm right. If they ever do a show at Madison Square, I'll see you at Gus' before the show. John "You can be the captain I will draw the charts"
pat@mtu.UUCP (Pat Waara) (05/03/85)
I feel I must explain myself after all the letters and postings I got in
reply to my posting about Rush. First let me point out that I never said
that Rush was comprised of bad musicians. They are talented in their own
right. Let me also point out that at the time I saw Rush in concert, I
was a big fan of theirs; in fact, they were my favorite band. (Perhaps
I was expecting too much.) Still I found their portion of the concert
boring. Sorry. As to the statement "just sit back and enjoy the show",
where I saw them (typical ice arena concert), there were no seats to use
on the floor, and the sound is horrible from the seats.
It may also be worth pointing out that it was a long time ago that I saw
them (1977?). From what I've heard, their show has changed a lot, because
when I saw them they had virtually none. (This is fine with me, I've never
been overly impressed with light shows.)
All this being said, I still must stand by my opinion (and it is only an
opinion) that their show was flat--the music uninteresting. Since then
my tastes have gone in other directions. I've given up on my older heavy
metal tastes and moved on to different things, such as, jazz, fussion, and
punk. Let's turn the discussion then on to other topics as it would be very
difficult to alter my opinion, and I have no desire to alter yours.
Pat Waara
"Absense makes the heart grow fonder,
So I never want to see you again."jamesp@orstcs.UUCP (jamesp) (05/06/85)
][ <-- Apple Inc. was here.... :-)
I must admit that I, too, am a RUSH fan.
I saw the '84 Grace Under Pressure Tour. While I can honestly say that
the Grace Under Pressure album did not thrill me as much as other works they
have done, the concert was very good. One of the distinguishing features
of RUSH is that they care about the music they play. It is always a
precision performance, unlike Duran Duran (I know, different league, D. D.
is really just pop) which ends up screaming and howling trying to outdo
their crowds.
RUSH had excellent light effects. Particularly inspiring at the concert
were the two large batteries of flood lamps on each side of the stage
(visible in an MTV video... I can't remember which one), which were flashed
on at the crowd. Also I just loved the excellent drum solo in the middle
of Red Lenses -- it had excellent transition into and out of the rest of
the song.
For those of you out there who doubt that RUSH is actually composed of serious
musicians with a lot of creativity, I recommend you listen to 'La Villa
Strangiato' or 'The Trees' off of the Hemispheres album. La Villa' is my
favorite Rush piece, being composed of 12 parts, each different and all
very expressive of the talent of all three musicians.
I feel that Rush has lost momentum lately. Their albums are not as clearly
theme oriented as before, and their music shows less thought and
originality. I hope that it is not a permanent downswing, it happens to
so many good groups, like Styx and Foreigner, to name two. ANyhow, Rush
continues to be inspiring to the Science Fiction lover and Humanist in me,
and the messages in their songs remain meaningful. The lyrics are like
good literature -- always dealing with Human problems like famine, poverty,
and Future Shock.
Rush has always been and will always be one of my favorite rock bands.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
_?_ James T. Perkins
__|__ [___] |` Terror
| | | | | ` on the hplabs!hp-pcd!orstcs!jamesp
+---+ +---+ | ` high
_|___| |___| |___\ seas 226 Poling Hall
/...\_____|___|____`_/ Oregon State University
\ o o o o o o o / Corvallis, OR 97331
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Moving soon (June 16) to tektronix!dadla!jamesp...gj@bubba.UUCP (06/17/85)
Has anyone heard when RUSH will be releasing a new album?
Thanks in advance,
--
George Jenkins, COSI Texas, Inc., 4412 Spicewood Springs #801, Austin TX
78759 USA
uucp: {ihnp4,seismo,ctvax}!ut-sally!cositex!bubba!gj
at&t: (512) 345-2780drforsey@watrose.UUCP (drforsey) (03/20/86)
I too am a big Rush fan from about 2112 to Moving Pictures. The music certainly has changed a lot after MP. Signals is sort of all right, P/G has only a few tunes I like, Power Windows is listen-by-listen getting better, and likely to become really good. Those were my opinions. From what I've read, the critics mainly thought Signals was the pits. Overblown pseudointellectual lyrics, muddled incomplete songs, etc. P/G not much better. But PW is a triumphant return to insightful but not overblown lyrics, melodic vocals, and better arrangements. One critic I read said it was their best since Permanent Waves. (Here I must disagree - Moving Pictures was a better album than Permanent Waves.) I don't think they've "sold out" to anyone. (By this do you mean gone for commercial success? Abandoned carelessly the old fans? What exactly?) According to interviews I've heard with Geddy, they make the music to satisfy themselves as artists first and foremost. They play the old songs in concerts because they know the fans want it, but they would rather not have to do them. They have to progress personally as artists, and if dedicated 2112 fans can't handle stuff like P/G, well, too bad for those fans. I have a few articles and interviews which I'll dig out, and try to provide more details if people care. (This month's "GUITAR For The Practicing Musician" has an interview with Geddy, BTW.) "drforsey" so it would appear. ---------------------------------- "An ounce of perception, a pound of obscure"