The National Midnight Star #2146

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** ____ __ ___ ____ ___ ___ ** ** / /_/ /_ /\ / /__/ / / / / /\ / /__/ / ** ** / / / /__ / \/ / / / / /__/ / \/ / / /___ ** ** ** ** __ ___ ____ ** ** /\ /\ / / \ /\ / / / _ /__/ / ** ** / \/ \ / /___/ / \/ / /___/ / / / ** ** ** ** ____ ____ ___ ___ ** ** /__ / /__/ /__/ ** ** ____/ / / / / \ ** List posting/followup: rush@tnms.com Administrative matters: rush-request@tnms.com or rush-mgr@tnms.com (Administrative postings to the posting address will be ignored!) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The National Midnight Star, Number 2146 Monday, 23 Nov 1998 Today's Topics: More comments on DS Re-masters: Worth the money? Rush debut at.....35?!?! Opinion wanted: progressive Rush (none) Tinkerlith/Tinkerlisk DS Cover (Hammersmith photo) RE: Vegetarianism different stages Limelight on DS Seems to me it's geography Portland, 5th Row in Front of Geddy?!? morley NMS convention rush siting Rush in the Charts Vegetarianism Clusterworks PC bashing German DS, Dreamline and Jones Beach Just a post The Different Stages Packaging. Bad Billboard showing & EW review (This is NOT a happy post!) I was there!/ Geddy's bass solo in Driven Miscellany RE:DS, and MTV 11-27-1998 review of "DS" in Entertainment Weekly.... Victor 2 Bravado on DS H.S. Rush enters Billboard at #35 RUSH debuts @ #23 in Vancouver lyrics - RESIST Hammersmith Odeon photo FOUR AND A HALF STARS FROM ROLLING STONE!!!!!!!!!!!!! high E strtings ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Anderson, Chris " <canderso@amp.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 15:52:53 -0500 Subject: More comments on DS Well, DS is out and time is going by. I wonder if Rush will be putting out new material. However, keep one thing in mind. Rush has ALWAYS released new album rather quickly, I for one am not surpized they have slowed a bit (especially concsidering the recent tragedy). I cannot say the same for many more bands outside of Rush. Metallica, for instance, waited pretty darn long between "Load" and "Metallica" before releasing another album. Queensryche is bad about this, even U2 slowed down a bit. I've always put Rush on a pedestal for this reason; they work so hard. They need breaks, too. I think it's fair to say that Rush will get back on it's feet in the time to come, no matter what the circumstances. Another, even longer break for Rush will do them good - again. Just thinking outloud on the NMS.....about Rush's future. To speak of DS, I cannot get over the power of the live Roll The Bones. I've never enjoyed the studio version of RTB too much; mainly because of the weak bass. The bass (and guitar) are cranked a good deal more on DS; I love the song. After a week + with this album, I like The Spirit of Radio the best overall. The pace is a little fast, but that sounds great with this song. Geddy's phrasing (I always talk about his phrasing) is very interesting. It sounds sort of like what I've heard on the "A Show of Hands" video. Speaking of "A Show of Hands", all the stuff that album covered sounds SO classic now that it's not even funny!!!! I hope this material will still be played on a future tour! Someone commented about the guitar during the verses of Tom Sawyer. It sounds like to me that the clean guitar has been turned up (volume-wise) just a notch. I also believe the rythym of the arpeggiated chords (single-notes pciked from the chords) is accented by an added note (previously mentioned by someone else I think) and is also more in step with drums. VERY powerful. The keyboards sound very crisp during TS also. Chris A. ---------------------------------------------------------- From: bj105cd@juno.com (B J C) Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 15:53:15 EST Subject: Re-masters: Worth the money? Dear Rush students, I'm thinking about replacing my Rush albums with the re-masters. Question: is it worth the money? I have purchased thus far Exit...Stage Left and All The World's A Stage, and the only difference I can detect is the volume of each. Remastering seems to have brought the music to the forefront of the volume knob on my cd player. The decision I make will be based solely on what you, good people suggest. I trust your judgement. You are, after all, fellow Rush addicts. Thank you. Barry J. Cook Sandy, Utah ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Scott Deitche STP <DEITCHE_S@epic7.dep.state.fl.us> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 15:28:23 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Rush debut at.....35?!?! Different Stages debuts this week at #35 on the Billboard charts. It's very low, HOWEVER, this is a 3cd set, priced a little higher than normal, and has a lot of competition out there. I'm sure it will, in the long run, go gold. Ahhh, but who really cares where they are in the charts. The more cultish a band the better I like them usually. "The world didn't know of his name, but the chosen few knew of his fame" Pshycomania ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Adrianne Bosco <abosco@connix.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 15:58:54 -0500 (EST) Subject: Opinion wanted: progressive Rush Hey fellow Rush fans, I was just talking to a coworker who likes progressive rock. Basically, he likes all these bands I've never heard of (and Tull). He doesn't think that Rush is progressive, tho he admits that he hasn't heard enough Rush to really know. So this is what I am going to do. He is making me a mix tape or two of his bands that I've never heard of (but would prolly like). So I am going to make him a tape of Progressive Rush. The question is this. What songs do you think are the most "progressive"? I already plan to include Natural Science, The Analog Kid, Limelight, and La Villa. What newer songs do you think I should put on it? I would appreciate any suggestions! Adrianne ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Dan McConnell <dsmcconn@indiana.edu> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 16:08:52 -0500 (EST) OK - I'm sure by now Clusterworks questions are getting tiresome, but this is only a minor detail I'm asking about: I was a little slow in getting CW to work, but now it works fine. I really like the command to add a starry background, plus playing with the number keys does interesting stuff too. Then I found that there is a pop up menu at the bottom of the screen. That did some neat stuff. Anyway, I've read that Mac users are able to sync up the music with the CW display. HOW? I'm using a PowerMac 6500 (system 7.6.1), and when I play the CD via the Apple CD Audio Player, all is fine, but if I start Clusterworks, it interrupts the music and starts in with its own music. What am I doing differently than the rest of you? Dan ---------------------------------------------------------- From: David <questor@bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 17:03:50 -0500 Subject: Tinkerlith/Tinkerlisk Actually, I don't think it could be called a "Tinkerlith" since Lith means stone in Latin. And, as we all know, Tinkertoys were made of wood. So "Tinkerlisk" is probably the our best option here. Best, Dave *************************************************************************** The above message is brought to you by "Presidential". The new cologne for men that will leave you feeling unimpeachable. *************************************************************************** ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Flynn, Jason R" <Jason.R.Flynn@UNISYS.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 13:43:09 -0600 Subject: DS Cover (Hammersmith photo) >From: Nei Wyatt <lminwt@eei.ericsson.se> >Subject: re WEATHER PROBLEMS ON DS COVER (3RD DISC) > >Good point! However it cannot be a 1978 pic because the UK license >plate on the truck 'DYU 502V' is a 1980 registration ... sorry guys! Or the license plate is fake too--doesn't that make more sense? I choose to believe that it's really a February 1978 photo with LOTS of doctoring. Either that or it's really a 1998 photo with no doctoring whatsoever.... Alex got dressed up, Geddy posed as a scalper and Neil went upstairs and looked out the window. Jason ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Flynn, Jason R" <Jason.R.Flynn@UNISYS.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 13:49:58 -0600 Subject: RE: Vegetarianism >From: Cyg7@aol.com >Subject: Vegetarianism > >I don't want to find I have a reason to lose respect for the >best band in the World. They are all intelligent people, and >can't be ignorant of the horrors of factory farming, especially >Mr. (Books) Peart. Can they? Doing my best not to start a food argument.... Perhaps they (expecially Mr. Books) simply arrive at a different opinion than you. After all, one can be aware of the horrors of factory farming and still choose to eat meat without being an ignorant heartless bastard, no? Actually, I think in the Roll The Bones tourbook Geddy mused about eliminating red meat from his diet but I think that was based more on health-related issues than animal rights awareness. Peace and bacon, Jason ---------------------------------------------------------- From: ERICSON02@aol.com Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 17:10:38 EST Subject: different stages Howdy, I recently bought the different stages cd . The problem I'm having is when I put the first cd into my cd-rom drive and hit cancel for the cluster works program ( I did install it by the way but don't want to mess with it every time) I can't find the songs on the cd. The second disc works fine, and the bonus cd. All I want to do is listen to the first cd via my computer. Does anyone have any ideas ?? If so could you please reply to me directly since I don't always have time to read every issue. Thanks in advance. I think Rush did a great job on this one (Then again I think they always do a great job). Eric Ericson02@aol.com ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Skurka, Michael" <michael.skurka@csfb.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 17:51:05 -0500 Subject: Limelight on DS To the guy who was complaining about the infamous "magic note" in Limelight being omitted: (The last note of the solo) At first I agreed with your comment-the magic note is part of the "character" of the song. However, I later realized that Alex made a decision to drop the magic note when played live because of the "underlying theme" of the song-the lower arpeggios that the rhythm guitar plays during that part of the song are more important (obviously Alex played both parts in the studio). When played live, he had to choose one or the other-the magic note or the arpeggios-or overdub the rhythm, which would be totally bogus. Not to mention it would probably be kind of rough on Alex's hands to sustain that note every night on a 150 show tour (no flames, just kidding, I'm sure that wasn't the reason). I also like the way the synths are re-written and/or brought up in the mix at the end of the song. Does anybody else think Ged sounds like he's high when he addresses the crowd after Limelight? Mike ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Joseph Ornelas" <nexthttp@geocities.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 14:55:48 -0800 Subject: Seems to me it's geography >> I'm about 1/2 way through the Hammersmith disc. It's awesome. I especially >> enjoy the "European" recordings (i.e., this, and Side 2 on ESL), as their >> crowds are more respectful of the band... > >Excuse me, but those recordings were made in England - not Europe. So has England always been it's own continent, or is that a recent development? Joseph ---------------------------------------------------------- From: nickb@teleport.com Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 13:22:58 -0800 (PST) Subject: Portland, 5th Row in Front of Geddy?!? > From: "Dan Starelli" <dstarelli@neworld.net> [...] > *Highman T4E shows: > The Rose Garden, Portland, Or 5th row Ged's side My second favorite = No friggin' way! *I* was in front of Geddy, 5th row, maybe 2 or 3 seats in from the aisle, to my right were two tall black guys with whom I had fun singing along with. Do you recall any of this??? Talk about a close encounter of the NMS kind... > show, they we're really animated and having a good time. Great sound. = Agreed, it was an utterly fanTAStic show. I've seen them I dunno, a dozen times, and this was easily the best of all. Though my fading memory of Minneapolis in January '78 (how soon before Hammersmith?) is of a very good show too. > Classic fountain outside for post show entertainment Oregon style. The Rose Garden is very cool, and well located by the light rail line and a bridge across the river. A nice Widmer brewpub in the complex too BTW. Financed by Paul Allen of Microsoft and Trailblazers fame. > Thank your Rush. Indeed. > We love you. Figuratively, at least, yes. > Prayers to Neil. Er, well, condolences anyway. Not sure what prayers would do for an unbeliever like him... > We hope they come = > back. We will be there. Rock on! Oh, my, yes! "Public media should not contain explicit or implied descriptions of sex acts. Our society should be purged of the perverts who provide the media with pornographic material while pretending it has some redeeming social value under the public's 'right to know.'" - Kenneth Starr, 1987, _Sixty Minutes_ interview with Diane Sawyer ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Michael Z. Williamson" <daggers@indy.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1998 19:22:28 -0800 Subject: morley Dan McConnell said: >Thats a Morley pedal - but I'm not sure for which effect? the pedal is >a continuous control pedal, so it could be a volume pedal, sustain >pedal, or maybe vibrato. i notice there are a few buttons on it, too. >Morley makes good distortion pedals, but I don't know how or why a >distortion would have continuous adjustment controls. (could be a wah >wah too, like the old cry baby wah) Morley makes a volume pedal, volume/wah, volume/phase (really bizarre effect--total control of phase shift), and a distortion/wah--very Dr who sounding. They also had a contract with Synclavier to make a control pedal for the 'clav, back when those monsters cost $40,000. 2 years later, Korg and Roland offered almost all the same synth features for $2000. You can by a used 'clav (if you can find one) for about $500.... Alex used the volume/wah, I believe, and the controls indicate that is what it is--the small pedal button at lower left switches from volume to wah, and the dial on the left would be to determine sweep depth. The volume/wah has the same controls, but has twice as thick a base. - mike http://cloak-dagger.com Edged weaponry, from the stone age to the space age. I don't think we should give free room and board to criminals. I think they should have to run twelve hours a day on a treadmill and generate electricity. And if they don't want to run, they can rest in the electric chair that's hooked up to the generator.--William Brannigan ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Lerxst-nj" <lerxst-nj@email.msn.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 19:58:32 -0500 Subject: NMS convention >A suggested date: a year in advance gives lots of time >to plan, so how about December 1999? Toronto in the winter? No way. Make it someplace warm, or have it in the summer. Some of us would have to travel in the cold, dark night. BUT, I like the other ideas. Summer '99 gets my vote. >Ditto! ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Carl Adams <syrinx@mwci.net> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 20:28:39 -0600 Subject: rush siting Hey you guys: How's this for a Rush siting? I was taking class through the ICN (Iowa Communication Network, as in taking clases over the interent), it was a class about 20th century art for Academic Decathlon. The ICN rooms are set up so that there are classrooms all over the state, but you can't see the other students. Someone asked the question, "There is a phrase, 'Art as expression, not as market campaigns, will still capture our imaginations.'" I didn't listen to the rest of the question because I about fell off my chair. Anyway, if the person who was in that room is on this list, hello. If not, oh well. It was neat. Carl Adams http://www.techno2day.net/teamterbo ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Ward Bond <wbond@ibm.net> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 23:02:12 -0500 Subject: Rush in the Charts The Spirit of Radio moved up to #27 in the Mainstream Rock charts. This is its third week in the charts. It debuted at #36, then moved to #33 last week. Different Stages should show up in next week's album charts. Ward Bond ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Cyg7@aol.com Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 04:05:44 EST Subject: Vegetarianism Thanks to all those who replied. I got some great responses. I would just like to add that I would not stop listening to a band's music because of their philosophical beliefs (I bought Metallica's 'Load'). I will always love Rush, if only for what they have given me in the past. However, what I feel can diminish in such circumstances, as I stated before, is RESPECT, since that is inevitably tied to one's personal philosophy. Sorry to those I may have wound-up. Cheers, Cyg ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sean Prophet" <sprophet@earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 04:06:06 -0800 Subject: Clusterworks PC bashing Craig Brennan wrote re: PC users problems with Clusterworks: >Ok, here's what you need to do. Remove the CD from the drive (Be carful not >to damage it) and insert it back into the protective cardboard holder. Turn >off your machine. Unplug the computer. Pick it up and take it to your >nearest Apple retailer and tell them you want to exchange it for something >that actually works (ie. a Mac). How insulting...Why don't you keep these opinions on a computer forum or something. I edit video on AVIDs every day, which run on Macs. I make my living with them--in multiple editing facilities. But I will never own one. They crash daily, and believe me, I work with some of the best service techs in the business. And I can't wait until the day (within the next year) when AVID releases their Windows NT version. BYE BYE MAC!!! Digidesign just released Pro Tools 4.0 (the world standard digital audio workstation) for Windows NT, so you can no longer say that Rush necessarily records their music on a Mac. And should I mention Cakewalk, Cubase VST, Opcode Studio Vision, Ensoniq PARIS, Event Electronics' Layla, Alesis PCR, Sound Forge, Sonic Foundry ACID? All popular music software/hardware, all PC. All the Adobe Programs: Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects have worked flawlessly on PC for years. The list of programs switching over to NT in the entertainment business grows daily. Oh, and PC's are the backbone of corporate America. Without 'em, no double digit stock market growth, no highest US economic productivity in history, and no explosion of internet technology. 95%+ of users just can't be wrong. Macs are an expensive pain in the ass. They could have been fixed and been the world standard (instead of 5% market share), if only Apple management had listened to Bill Gates in 1985 and switched over to an open architecture. Today, Macs would BE windows, and there would be no PCs--and thanks to Bill Gates vision, the Macs would actually WORK! But the reality is that Apple lost the vision and then the momentum. As software support dwindles, and the publishing/entertainment exclusivity fades, Macs will never again be more than a niche market. Macs are Beta to PC's VHS. Remember--Microsoft now owns a good part of Apple. That's reality, no use crying over spilt milk. [ Let's keep the holy wars to a minimum this week shall we? I'm in no mood to hear this... : rush-mgr ] Needless to say, Clusterworks is ABSOLUTELY FINE on my Win98 machine. My kids love it. ***LOVE DS, LOVE THE PACKAGING, LOVE THE RECORDING QUALITY, LOVE HUGH SYME'S ART ***RUSH RULES!!! Y2K and beyond ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Holger Stuhldreier" <stuhldr@uni-muenster.de> Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 13:48:20 +0100 Subject: German DS, Dreamline and Jones Beach Hi folks, greetings from Germany!! 2nd post in 3 years, but I just have throw in my 2 pence: Two weeks back I went to my local record (cd) store (as long as rush is concerned "dealer" would be more suitable) and asked for DS. He said that the release date for Germany would be 11/16/98. So I was there that day and asked again. He replied that it has been pushed back another week. Today is Sat, 8/21 and I just couldn`t wait any longer so I showed up again. This time he recognized me when I came in and I didn´t had to ask again. He said he has it but isn´t allowed to sell it until Monday, 23rd. I said "Come on, I will pay double price no matter what it actually costs". After a few discussions we ended up with 50 DM (30 $) and I listen to it right now. It´s perfect, it´s brilliant, I have no other words for it!! Dreamline blows you away. It´s so powerfull. You really feel that this is raw live power. In the interview with Geddy a view items back the guy asked him which songs they HAD to play in concert and he replied "Tom Sawyer, Spirit of radio and Dreamline". I thought: Yeah, the first two are real classics but I do not concider Dreamline as a Rush classic. Listening to DS totally changed my mind. Dreamline is THE perfect opener for a Rush show. I always liked that song very much, but now I consider it a real classic. Overall I´m very, very pleased with this record, but there are a few things which would have made it even better: 1. I wish they would have taken all songs from the Chicago show. Obviously I don´t know how the other songs from Chicago (which they didn´t take for the album) sound like but I think especially "Bravado" and "Show don´t tell" (which are still great) lack that "raw power" from the Chicago show. Just my opinion, so don´t flame. Maybe I have to listen to DS more often. 2. I would have been very glad if they added some Presto stuff (War Paint, The pass) especially when there´s space left on the CDs. 3. I also have trouble with that Clusterwork stuff. My computer doesn´t recognize the first CD as enhanced. Only the songs are listed. My drive is a new one (six month old) and I think my video card (S3 Virge DX 4MB) is set up correctly. So any help on that problem is appreciated. Besides there is nothing on the cover that states that any of the CDs are enhanced. Maybe the European release isn´t enhanced at all. Some other things: Listening to DS brings back a few memories of the summer of ´97. When I heard that Rush would do no European shows on the TFE Tour I knew that I had to fly to the U.S. to see them (I saw them only once before in Cologne in ´92 on the RTB Tour). I ordered the tickets for the Jones Beach show by phone through Ticketmaster and booked a flight to New York. I wasn´t sure if everything would work out with tickets and so on because Ticketmaster does not send them overseas. You have to grab them up at the venue at the day of the concert. Anyway, it all worked out and I spent 5 fabulous days in New York City. Than I rented a car and drove to Long Island. I was at the venue around 4pm and had the chance to listen to the soundcheck from outside. The weather was perfect that day and the night was very comfortable. You know, Jones Beach Amphitheatre is a perfect venue for an open air show. The stage is set on the water and the audience is seated on the land. Actually nobody sat down that night, at least around my area. I had seats way up high but the bunch around that corner were on their feet the whole show and we all had a great time. Indeed one of the greatest days in my life. I wondered if any other Germans/Europeans attented that show at Jones Beach on June, 25th. Please email privatly about your experience. That´s it for now. Sorry for consuming so much bandwidth. Thanx to BOTH rush-mgrs for their great work which keeps us poor Europeans a little up to date. Take care all, Holger email: stuhldr@uni-muenster.de PS. YEEES. Closer to the heart has double bass. I´m freakin out!! Take me away... "Against the run of the mill static as it seems, we break the surface tension with our wild kinetic dreams" ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Gregory T. Gehrke" <yragaul@valint.net> Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 09:10:19 -0800 Subject: Just a post Fellow Rushians, I feel priveleged to live in an area where they DO play alot of Rush on the radio! KOZE 96.5 in Lewiston Idaho ROCKS!!!! They play a good mix of Rush tunes everyday--4-6 or more a day-the station is about a 1/2 mile from my house across the river(I live in Washington) & the station program director stated that "Rush is one of the CORE BANDS in our Format!!!!" Rush on all! P,S. The show at the Gorge in George WA was Fantastic-wonder a bit why they did'nt use any of it on DS--Oh well........ ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Kurt Smith <earlkese@erols.com> Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 12:30:23 -0800 Subject: The Different Stages Packaging. Greetings All Siblings of Rushland- Okay here's my take on the packaging. I don't know if anyone has pointed this out, but my understanding about the non-jewel case deal was that it is environmentally safer. Okay with me. Regarding the meaning of the tinkertoys, on the back of the CD, there is a yellow dot next to "set one", a red dot next to "set two", and a blue dot next to "set three". So I imagine that the blocks on the front represent each of the CD's-although I would think that the Hammersmith CD would be the separate one. I can't explain that. By the way, can anyone tell me who "H.S." is? (the initials next to 'see attached data' under the blueprint on the back cover) Just my opinion, but the inside photo of the masses surrounding the tinkertoys should have been the front cover (I think that about 'Hold Your Fire', too- I just like the detailed stuff). The inside layout of Rush's history is cleverly done. In fact it would make a great poster, in case anyone with the means is listening. If you are you must not work for Atlantic Records (okay, that was a cheap shot. But if anyone from Atlantic is listening, YOU HAVE A GOLD MINE HERE.) On the inside cover, there is a photo of the band with flames in the background. That's them playing "Double Agent", ironically not on this CD (I'm NOT whining-I'm just pointing out the irony of it. It's still a great shot). I love the picture of the Hammersmith (by the way, since my last name is Smith, you may all feel free to call me HammerSmith). Especially Geddy. It just looks funny watching him scalp tickets. Finally, a tiny, tiny flaw. Next to "Bravado" in the liner notes, it says "Philadelphia, Corestates Center, Counterparts". On the Counterparts tour, Rush played the Corestates Spectrum. Just a minor detail. By the way THANK YOU RUSH for letting me be on your CD. I am one of the many people cheering in the background in "Bravado". Any hidden meaning to other stuff would be greatly appreciated. Till next time, HammerSmith signing off... ---------------------------------------------------------- From: WHO6489@aol.com Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 13:11:10 EST Subject: Bad Billboard showing & EW review (This is NOT a happy post!) Hello all, Well, I just checked the Billboard website and DS debuted at 35! This is the worst showing on the charts since Hemispheres! (I think.) Yes, there was more promotion for DS, but considering it was only promoted semi-regularly for about a week, not enough folks knew about it! THAT SUCKS BIG TIME! Yes, I know that live albums don't sell as well as studio albums, but C'mon! ASOH and ESL both made it in the top 20 (from what I remember) And don't expect DS to move up the charts, since everybody and their brother is releasing CDs this week. Oh well, I guess we ARE an exclusive group. Speaking of "THAT SUCKS BIG TIME"... Here is the review of DS from Entertainment Weekly. Brace yourselves......... It takes chutzpah to put out a forth live album if you're not The DEAD or The STONES, but apparently Canada's most beloved power trio is determined to carry the prog-rock lighter--er, torch -- into the new millennium. This three CD set, from tours in'78 and '97, showcases how adeptly RUSH can replicate masturbatory masterpieces like "2112" and "Natural Science." That said, the band's recent material rings hollow, the drum solo ain't happening, and you can find comparable versions of the halcyon tracks on the other three live discs. C+ DAN SNIETSON Oh my God! What a wise ass! He couldn't just say that RUSH takes it's music seriously, and makes sure to give the best product there is. He also could have just said, some of these songs are on past live efforts, but powerful additions like the first ever complete live version of "2112" and the first live appearances of fan favorite "Natural Science," make it a treat for longtime fans of the band. HOW HARD IS THAT, DAN?! What a punk! The drum solo ain't happening??!! Let's see you do what Neil does Danny Boy! I'm surprised that he actually gave it a C+ ! Yes, I understand that everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but show a little class! Pissed off, Keith ---------------------------------------------------------- From: FlatYer5s@aol.com Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 16:04:17 EST Subject: I was there!/ Geddy's bass solo in Driven My brother and I were at the 6/14/97 show at the New World Music Theater in Tinley Park, IL which eventually ended up comprising most of the fantastic new Different Stages recording. The energy and the atmosphere that night really was fantastic- a more gorgeous evening could not have been asked for. I'm ecstatic to be able to relive that great show with the new album and proud to be able to say to everyone "I was there!". For a short time during a song, which my brother and I believe was Driven, Alex's guitar sound went out. We believe that this is the reason behind the guy saying "shake it off" to Alex- Alex did seem a bit peeved about it when it happened. Geddy's bass solo, we also believe, happened as a direct result of Alex's sound going out- the band needed to do SOMETHING while they fixed Alex's sound. This brings up an interesting question- Did Geddy play a bass solo at other shows than this one during Driven? I'm curious as to if the solo was planned and a regular part of their set on this tour or if was only done out of emergency, as this one appeared to be at the time it happened. Fantastic concert and a fantastic new offering from the band who continue to be the biggest musical inspiration in my life- Rush. Dan Chernow FlatYer5s@aol.com Phoenix AZ Berklee College of Music class of '94 Lead guitarist- the Robies www.robies.com ps- Does anyone else out there miss not having the second guitar solo in Natural Science? ---------------------------------------------------------- From: KDAF39B@prodigy.com (MR MATT C BREFORD) Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 17:47:27, -0500 Subject: Miscellany RE:DS, and MTV Hello all... A few things that crossed my mind after reading the many posts regarding everyone's favorite live album: Who cares if the song is listed as "THE Analog Kid" or merely "Analog Kid"? If you are one of the people who wondered what the "meaning" behind this shattering change in something so phenomenally important was, I think it's safe to say you might need to spend a little more time reading, exericising, practicing, having sex, meditating and/or praying, cooking, drawing relief maps of Nebraska, arguing whether essence precedes existence or vice versa, or carefully reasearching how many angels can succesfully rollerblade on the head of a pin. Sheesh.... It's a goddamn cd, not the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Also, to people who lament the absence of the high, squealy, sustaining guitar note that continues under the vocal at the end of "Limelight", with their protests of "that's how the song goes, you just don't leave shit like that out", I offer this suggestion--get over it. If you had some anal-retentive fanboy berating you for not playing music YOU WROTE just the way he likes to hear it, you'd probably tell him to go get bent. And you'd be right in doing so. When playing music I wrote almost twenty years ago, I invariably mess about with arrangements, just to keep it fresh and interesting. I have no doubt that the members of Rush do the same thing. It could also be that Alex just didn't feel like stepping on his sample-and- hold pedal at that point in the set anymore. It's one note in one song, not a verse in the Book of Psalms. I really don't mean to flame anyone, and I apologize if I sound harsh, but I think that there are some topics that are so irrelevant that I am flabbergasted when I see supposedly intelligent people wasting valuable online time on them rather than discussing things about this band that might actually warrant discussion. Every single one of us is smarter than that... As far as complaining about Rush not getting on MTV goes--just stop. MTV is the music industry's way of wetting on our leg while telling us it's raining. It is a clearing house for bad music, ugly clothes, and bankrupt imagery, and I for one am glad that there is no chance of seeing Rush there. Any excuse I can think of to NOT watch MTV is a blessing. I LISTEN to music. WATCHING music is just another of the powers-that-be's clever ploys to inhibit our imaginations. How else are they going to sell the crap they've been given in the first place? When I think of all the truly fantastic music that doesn't get on MTV, or VH1 for that matter, I just cry... There are many worthy artists who have worked hard for years to get the success they so richly deserve. They have created audiences for themselves without MTV, or in the case of some country performers, TNN. Rather than complain that these institutions don't meet our needs, why don't we abandon them for ones that might do better? It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. Just had to get these matters off my chest, Matt <Prodigy Distribution List> TO: KDAF39B ---------------------------------------------------------- From: jonnyg42@juno.com Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 18:33:43 EST Subject: 11-27-1998 review of "DS" in Entertainment Weekly.... My fellow colleagues..... I got the 11-27 issue of "Entertainment Weekly" and thought you'd like to read the review of DS. Very unflattering. It appears on pgs. 84 and 85. RUSH "Different Stages" (Atlantic) It takes chutzpah to put out a fourth live album if you're not the Dead or the Stones, but apparently Canada's most beloved power trio is determined to carry the prog-rock lighter- er, torch- into the new millennium. This 3-CD set, from tours in '78 and '97, showcases how adeptly Rush can replicate masturbatory masterpieces like "2112" and "Natural Science". That said, the band's recent material rings hollow, the drum solo ain't happening, and you can find comparable versions of the halcyon tracks on the other three live discs. C+. Reviewed by Dan Snierson. So fellow Rush fans...are you surprised :-) If you feel an urge to write to Entertainment Weekly, the address for Letters to the Editor is: letters@ew.com If you write make sure you include your name, address, and a daytime phone number. I've already taken the liberty to write them and voice my displeasure. Exiting Stage Left, Jon Gilsdorf ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "JK74" <JK74@prodigy.net> Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 20:45:27 -0800 Subject: Victor 2 Doesn't this contradict what Alex said on the fancast? Alex's follow-up album to Victor should be released in March of 1999. = Both Edwin (former lead singer of I Mother Earth) and Sarah McLachlan = are featured singers on the album.=20 ---------------------------------------------------------- From: DigitlMn@aol.com Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 21:32:58 EST Subject: Bravado on DS While Bravado is one of my favorite songs on RTB and I do think the extended solo on DS adds to the song, the version found on the Animated bootleg is superior to DS. The solo is completely different between the two shows. On Animated, Alex gets into the solo right away and is very active, while on DS it's much more laid back for the first 30 seconds or so. While I was aware Alex varies the solo from show to show, this was very surprising since the two shows were recorded only a week apart. Maybe they didn't use that version because of some recording problem that's not evident from the bootleg. Anyone else whose heard the Animated version have any feelings on it? Rick ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Kurt Smith <earlkese@erols.com> Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 22:35:12 -0800 Subject: H.S. Kurt answers his own question from the previous post- Hugh Syme, doy. (love, Kurt) ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Drs. Samuel A. and Marta P. Scott" <scott1@uswest.net> Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 09:33:07 -0600 Subject: Rush enters Billboard at #35 Rush entered Billboard at #35 for the week ending November 28th. Springsteen's new "Tracks" entered the same week at #27. Rush's initial entry was its peak position for the last few records including RTB, CP, and TFE. I think this trend will be broken with DS. Either that or Rush will fail to reach the Top 20 (or even 30) for the first time since Hemispheres. Rolling Stone has yet to review either album. Springsteen will certainly get a review, which suggests the same for Rush, since they were released around the same time, not to mention rumors of a "major POSITIVE" review for Rush. Both albums are still in the "Recent Releases" section of RS Recordings online. Sam Scott ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Mike <2themacs@axionet.com> Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 08:41:52 -0800 Subject: RUSH debuts @ #23 in Vancouver RUSH's Different Stages-Live entered the charts @ #23 here in Vancouver!!! It beat out Springsteen and the Rolling Stones. Have a good one. Mike ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "David N. Douglass" <ddouglass@iquest.net> Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 12:21:33 -0500 Subject: lyrics - RESIST Hey gang, I've been here for about a month now, and have yet to see this (although surly it's been debated B4). I am interested in lyrical interpretations of 'resist'. What do you think Neil is saying? I have a few ideas, but I'm also somewhat confused. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. thanks, dave ______ o/______\o Dave Douglass (oo=00=oo) '84 533i []--------[] ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Paul L. Turner" <pault@smart.net> Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 13:07:04 -0500 Subject: Hammersmith Odeon photo >From: Nei Wyatt <lminwt@eei.ericsson.se> >"I was checking present pictures of the Odeon, and I guess it's a real 1978 >picture...but...it never couldn't be February... the t-shirts just don't >fit in" > >Good point! However it cannot be a 1978 pic because the UK license plate >on the truck 'DYU 502V' is a 1980 registration ... sorry guys! I wonder if this picture wasn't an alteration of the photo of the front of the Hammersmith Odeon that appeared in the MP tourbook. Apparently, Rush was there in support of PeW either before or after it was released. Note too that the "RUSH" on the posters is the same lettiering used on PeW, and Joan Armatrading was coming there afterward in the tourbook photo. Can anyone who still has the MP tourbook confirm this? (I'd rather not talk about why I don't still have it :-)) One sighting: Channel 13 in Baltimore had for some time been using "Leave That Thing Alone!" as one (but not the only) background tune for its early AM news segment, "ReWitness News", which looked at noteworthy news segments from one year before. The segment airs at 6:20 AM on Wednesdays. Paul Glen Burnie, MD ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Michael Z. Williamson" <daggers@indy.net> Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 13:50:51 -0800 Subject: FOUR AND A HALF STARS FROM ROLLING STONE!!!!!!!!!!!!! wow!!!! tHAT'S AMAZING. I guess if you smack them over the head enough with a clue-by-four, eventually it sinks in. Speaking of trees, I am preparing to produce for myself, but others are possible, a pair of binoculars with a camera concealed in one side, for concert-going. Price will be in the low hundreds, but think of the possible pictures. Be the envy of your friends in Rushland... jamming to Rhythm Method 97, I remain.... - mike http://cloak-dagger.com Edged weaponry, from the stone age to the space age. I don't think we should give free room and board to criminals. I think they should have to run twelve hours a day on a treadmill and generate electricity. And if they don't want to run, they can rest in the electric chair that's hooked up to the generator.--William Brannigan ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Michael Z. Williamson" <daggers@indy.net> Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 14:21:02 -0800 Subject: high E strtings >Matt Deceunynck asked: >I noticed that the guitar sound on 'Freewill' was a little strange. In >particular, it sounded as though the high E-string had entirly different >tone than the rest of the strings. I think the guitar only sounded like >this in certain sections of the song; everywhere else it just had >standard tone. It sounded as though the guitar had a seperate output >for the E-string and was being sent though the clean guitar patch, and >all the other strings were going through the distorded route.Anybody >know what was going on with Alex's guitar setup that night? There are several possibilities: if he was using particularly light-gauge strings (I think he uses an >.008" high E), it may not have enough mass to generate sufficient signal for more distortion. The pickup may have been a bit set a bit low physically, and too distant to pick it up properly. There are various processors that are frequency-sensitive, and he may have been using one or more of those. I"ll give it another listen and get back to you if I can determine better. - mike http://cloak-dagger.com Edged weaponry, from the stone age to the space age. I don't think we should give free room and board to criminals. I think they should have to run twelve hours a day on a treadmill and generate electricity. And if they don't want to run, they can rest in the electric chair that's hooked up to the generator.--William Brannigan ----------------------------------------------------------
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