The National Midnight Star #188

Errors-To: rush-request@syrinx.umd.edu Reply-To: rush@syrinx.umd.edu Sender: rush-request@syrinx.umd.edu Precedence: bulk From: rush@syrinx.umd.edu To: rush_mailing_list Subject: 03/08/91 - The National Midnight Star #188
** ____ __ ___ ____ ___ ___ ** ** / /_/ /_ /\ / /__/ / / / / /\ / /__/ / ** ** / / / /__ / \/ / / / / /__/ / \/ / / /___ ** ** ** ** __ ___ ____ ** ** /\ /\ / / \ /\ / / / _ /__/ / ** ** / \/ \ / /___/ / \/ / /___/ / / / ** ** ** ** ____ ____ ___ ___ ** ** /__ / /__/ /__/ ** ** ____/ / / / / \ ** The National Midnight Star, Number 188 Friday, 8 March 1991 Today's Topics: mailing list bad lyrics What did he say? Red Sector A (none) Buddy Rich Memorial Concert Beginning noise on "Time Stand Still" Bad copy of Chronicles video? the name of Cygus X-1 (none) ATTN! Neil Peart fans! The new album. "4th Band Member" Stuff ---------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 7 Mar 91 11:37:42 EST From: Derick Cordoba <dcdb_ltd@uhura.cc.rochester.edu> Subject: mailing list HI, I have enjoyed your Midnight Star a lot but I must ask that you take me off your mailing list. Thank You, Derick dcdb_ltd@uhura.cc.rochester.edu ---------------------------------------------------------- Subject: bad lyrics Date: Thu, 7 Mar 91 12:40:43 PST From: Doug Grumann <dougg@hpptc16.rose.hp.com> Dave_K writes: > I've never liked/understood the line "The last immortal man" from Xanadu. > Whenever I hear it, I wonder, "What happened to all the other immortal > men? Did they all die?" > Any comments/clarifications? Comment: I always thought it meant he was the last immortal man to FIND (get trapped in) Xanadu. Alternative: Neil was the last man to use Xanadu in a song, before Olivia Newton-John ruined the word for all eternity. My submittal for bad lyric #353: "We told you before, but you didn't hear us then, and you still question why.. No! you didn't listen again!" Some of these intense lyrics from early in their career should be disqualified from the contest, though, cuz Neil didn't write them. ---------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 7 Mar 91 15:49:05 EST From: Macon N. Pegram <csc8mnp@cabell.vcu.edu> Subject: What did he say? Can anybody tell me what the enigmatic phrase at the end of 'I think I'm going bald' on CoS is? It is spoken just before the song fades out. The Grinch 'when our weary world was young, the battle of heart and mind begun' ---------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 7 Mar 91 10:59:12 +0100 From: tools!fl (Frank Lancaster) Subject: Red Sector A This is my first personal mail to the list. Up to now I only sent two interviews from a British magazine to the list. (Another one with Neil from 1980 is coming up). But as I live in Germany and grew up mostly with German friends, it is quite obvious that I thought of the concentration camps (Konzentrationslager, KZ in German) in Germany during the Nazi regime when I first heard Red Sector A. (I know this has been mentioned before in the list, but e-mail takes its time to reach me in Germany, and I had to think somewhat about this before responding). "All that we can do is just survive All that we can to help ourselves Is stay alive..." Have you ever heard someone, who was held in a KZ, describe the life in it, how the only objective was to survive the next day? "Skeletons they shuffle away" This always evokes in me the pictures of the heaps of dead people and the barely living, who really looked like skeletons when they were freed,. At the end of the song liberation seems to near, but still with a doubting tone: "I hear the sound of gunfire At the prison gate Are the liberators here --- Do I hope or do I fear" This reflects, quite well I think, the feeling of the prisoners when they were liberated. Could they hope again, now that they were freed? Or did they now have to feel the fear for the rest of their lives? Many of the KZ prisoners never recovered from their experiences, they had nightmares all their life, could never return to Germany, had difficulties meeting or speaking with Germans, because of the memories that are connected with Germany. "Are we the last ones left alive? Are we the only human beings To survive?..." This, I find, is not so much a statement about the small number of survivors, but far more shows the feelings towards the Nazis as torturers and captors, and the vast majority of the German population who knew what was going on inside the KZs, but didn't do anything against it. Who could see them still as human beings, after doing what they did? This is not intended as somekind of outlet of hate against Germans, that would be quite impossible as I am myself half German. In Germany the KZs and the prosecution of the Jews is still discussed a lot, especially by the younger population. I also see the problem as it manifests itself in a more general way not as a specifical German problem. The recent events in Kuwait, torture and execution of the innocent people by the Irak army, but also the treatment of the Japanese in America during World War II, show that this kind of behaviour is somehow rooted in every one of us. The only other non-German group, that I know of, which has written a song about the prosecution of the Jews, is Marillion. I wonder if there are other examples? Another item which further strengthens my belief in this interpretation of Red Sector A, is Geddy's family. As far as I know his father and mother were Polish Jews who fled from Poland in World War II. I hope this subject doesn't upset anyone, but Grace Under Pressure is an album where nearly all songs have a somewhat dark and fearful theme. I would like to see more discussion about feelings and interpretations of songs in a more general way, not about single lines in songs ("The Pass" discussion). Surely Neil carefully thinks about every line he writes, but they obviously are not intended to be seen individually but in the whole context of the song. I also appreciate varying interpretations of songs, nobody has to be converted to your own interpretation. I think one can gain a lot by listening to a very different opinion. Frank Lancaster (not always a serious and dull bore) -------------------------------------------------------- BOYS AND GIRLS TOGETHER, PAINT THE MIRROR BLACK! (I just had to place this one here, somebody actually said he didn't like this line!?!?! :-) ---------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 7 Mar 1991 16:39 EST From: KROHN@UCBEH.SAN.UC.EDU 1) About issue 186. The only books I know of that contain a compilation of Rush sheet music are: Rush Anthology (black, with red star, yellow figure (ie 2112), and blue writing. Contains various songs from Rush to Moving Pictures) Rush Complete (same as Anthology except all in gold. I'm not sure on the contents, but I think it contains all songs from Rush to Permanent Waves???) Rush Complete II (also gold. I've only heard about the exsistence of this one. It picks up where Complete I leaves off and goes up to HYF) There are also many separate books containing the music to specific albums. I have only seen Power Windows (it has pictures and what I think are catalog numbers for several other ones in the back cover) and ESL, which contains the music for Broon's Bane (I wish I would have bought it-- haven't seen it since in any stores). I won't even comment about the person who doesn't know who the guitarist for Rush is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [ Now, now, let's be nice. I like Jethro Tull, but can't name the band members... :rush-mgr ] 2) I just bought "The Best of Max Webster Featuring Kim Mitchell" and have a few questions. Who is Kim Mitchell? Max Webster performs Battle Scar but it is written by Mitchell. I assume Mitchell is a person and not the name of another band. [ Kim Mitchell is the driving force behind what was Max Webster, kind of like Ian Anderson is the driving force behind Jethro Tull. :rush-mgr ] Also for those who could not find Max Webster in your favourite music store (this was discussed about 15 issues ago) try looking under "W". Some stores do not know that Max Webster is a group and not a single performer's name, hence it may be under "W" instead of "M". 3) To the person, who, several issues ago, said they owned an album entitled "Red Stars of the Solar Federation", I would like to obtain a copy of it. Please email to me to work someting out. OBRQ: "All at once, the clouds are parted. Light streams down in bright, unbroken beams." --Jacob's Ladder,PW ---------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 7 Mar 91 17:03:23 EST From: joezete@wpi.WPI.EDU (Peter John Chestna) Subject: Buddy Rich Memorial Concert I called the Ritz today, and SRO/Anthem Entertainment, confirming that Neil will indeed be playing at the Buddy Rich concert. If anyone wants to order tickets, call Ticketmaster at (212) 307-7171. The show is on Monday, April 8th, 7:00 pm, at The Ritz in NYC. The tets are $17.00 each, but Ticketmaster adds on a service charge, plus a 2.50 fee for the whole order. This sucks, but such is life. Pete ORQ: "I hear their passionate music Read the words that touch my heart I gaze at their feverish pictures The secrets that set them apart" ---------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 7 Mar 91 17:32 CST From: Blue Steel <UCSKRT@ucs.UWPLATT.EDU> Subject: Beginning noise on "Time Stand Still" A hearty "hey hey!" This has bothered me for a while now. At the beginning of "Time Stand Still," before Alex's guitar kicks in, there's a really low level "hum" on the track. It's on the album and the CD, but not live, so I'm assuming that it was a bad taping job in the studio somewhere. Anyone care to elaborate? ================================================================================ Kevin Tipple, aka Blue Steel, By-tor University of Wisconsin - Platteville Bitnet: ucskrt@uwplatt.bitnet Platteville, Wisconsin USA Internet: ucskrt@uwplatt.edu -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "I'll tell you what's bleedin' wrong with him-- he's dead!" -Monty Python ================================================================================ ---------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Bad copy of Chronicles video? Date: Thu, 07 Mar 91 20:43:29 EST From: mjkobb@media-lab.media.mit.edu Greetings, I've just gotten my SECOND copy of the Rush Chronicles video tape, and they've both had the same problem. In "Closer to the Heart", there's a glitch right in the middle of Neil's solo on the big tubular bells. This kinda spoils the song for me! Have other people seen this? Is this just a bad batch (it says "63" on the back of my tape, if that means anything)? Or, as I'm beginning to suspect, did the store just re-shrinkwrap the one I brought back before (they were out of stock, so they gave me a store credit, and I came back after about five days.)? Email me, please, if there's a definitive answer to this one. Thanks! --Mike ---------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 7 Mar 91 17:39:20 hst From: Hinano Akaka <bigtuna!hinano@uhccux.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu> Subject: the name of Cygus X-1 Good day (again)-- Just a small scientific note for any and all (and none) who are interested: The name Cygnus X-1 is derived from the fact that the black hole is in the constellation of Cygnus (no kidding...) the Swan. The "X" is because black holes are discovered from the x-rays they emit. And "1" because it was the first black hole ever discovered. Just throwing in $0.02 for the day... Puanani Akaka ---------------------------------------------------------- Date: 8th March 1991, 4:50pm EST. From: "Mark Connell" <markcon@sydvm1.vnet.ibm.com> Subject: Through the Camera Eye Video While in Toronto last year I bought every Rush video I could lay my hands on. The Boyz arn't very big here in Oz so it's difficult getting anything apart from their albums. My silly mistake....you guys use NTSC format while we have PAL format TV. So the videos are unplayable !! I've managed to swap some of them but have Through the Camera Eye left. Anybody out there interested in a swap for the same/other videos (PAL) or tour programs, bootlegs etc. I'll consider anything ! If your interested send me a note. Mark Connell Internet: markcon@sydvm1.vnet.ibm.com Melbourne, Australia ---------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 8 Mar 91 00:32:32 hst From: Hinano Akaka <bigtuna!hinano@uhccux.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu> Subject: ATTN! Neil Peart fans! Good day -- O.k.! Someone mentioned that Buddy Rich concert w/ Neil Peart a few days ago, and I'd just like to elaborate on that with the details (thanx to Modern Drummer!): The Second Annual Buddy Rich Memorial Scholarship Concert will be held (as previously mentioned) on April 8. It will feature William Calhoun, Jr. (Living Colour), Peter Erskine, Omar Hakim, and Neil Peart along with the Buddy Rich band featuring Steve Marcus. For those who may be planning to go, it will be held at the Ritz -- 254 W. 54th Street New York, NY 10019 It will start at 7:00 pm (this is a Monday, BTW) Tickets are $17 in advance, $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at: Manny's Music Sam Ash (all stores) L.I. Drum Center (all stores) Drummers Collective, Ticket Master, and Ritz Box Office And the BEST part is -- for all of us who can't make it (a.k.a. we live to damn far to get there...) -- (drum roll, please): It'll be videotaped for commercial release on DCI Music Video!!! If anyone _does_ make it, let the rest of us know how it was, eh! (Drummers Sidenote: does anyone know whatever happened to Omar Hakim's trash can lid?) Another $0.02... hey, that makes $0.04 in one day! Oooh, productivity! Puanani Akaka (BTW, all proceeds from the tape will go the the Buddy Rich Memorial Scholarship Fund) ---------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 08 Mar 91 12:27:32 BRA From: Mauricio Alves <90232275%BRUFSC.BITNET@UICVM.uic.edu> Subject: The new album. Hello Rushians !!!! Lately, I haven't seen at NMS news about the next RUSH album . Is it ready or the boyz are at the Le Studio ?? Mauricio Alves ( One in a thousands brazilian RUSH fans ). " Dont' feed the people, but we feed the machines. " ---------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 8 Mar 91 12:47:34 EST From: pmw3y@calico.cs.Virginia.EDU Subject: "4th Band Member" The last couple of NMSs have had articles explaining away the presence of Jack Secret on the side of the stage loading disks for Geddy's synth setup. I just thought I'd add something - the original poster mentioned seeing a keyboard on "the side of the stage Geddy runs over to during In the Mood" (paraphrased from memory, apologies if i didn't get it right). Well, since Geddy and Alex usually run around to each other's side of the stage during the In The Mood solo section, that would put Geddy on stage right, where Alex is during most of the show. My theory is that the keyboard seen by the original poster is the small one used by Alex during "time stand still", which is pushed aside after they finish that song. anyway, that's MY theory. :) ORQ: "i been down so long, i lost count of the years i sang some sad songs, i drank 12 beers" [ Ok, I have to ask: has this ever been really sung? If so, is it on a tape somewhere? If yes, I WANT A COPY! :-) :rush-mgr ] ---------- Patrick Widener Internet: pmw3y@virginia.edu Department of Computer Science patrick@dirac.physics.jmu.edu University of Virginia ICBM_Net: 38.02 N, 78.30 W "Run DMC first said a DJ could be a band Stand on its own feet - Get you out your seat" ---------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 8 Mar 91 13:30:28 EST From: warsaw@ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (Barry A. Warsaw) Subject: Stuff >>>>> On Wed, 6 Mar 91 16:22:33 CST, buckeye!jes@uunet.UU.NET said: buckeye> Another interesting feature of this song is the key buckeye> changes in the chorus near the end. I think this adds buckeye> something to the song, makes it more dynamic. I thought buckeye> this to be unusual for Rush, since I can't recall them buckeye> doing that before. Well, Marathon comes to mind immediately, and I think they change keys in the ends of more songs, but I can't think of any others off hand. Usually when they do, they'll go up a whole step for a single chorus then back to the original key. [ I call it "The Barry Manilow Effect". :-) :rush-mgr ] >>>>> On Thu, 7 Mar 91 08:20 EDT, "Douglas G. Schwabe" >>>>> <DGSST4@vms.cis.pitt.edu> said: Doug> What was the reason behind Rush's move to Atlantic Records? I believe they felt that Polygram just wasn't giving them the kind of support they wanted, especially with distribution and promotion and such. Apparently Atlantic offered to do a much better job in these respects, hence the switch when their contract with Polygram expired. -Barry ----------------------------------------------------------
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