The National Midnight Star #2171

Return-Path: <temples@yyz.com> Received: from mx1.gmx.net (qmailr@mx1.gmx.net [195.63.104.81]) by kiwi.icu.unizh.ch (8.9.2/8.9.2) with SMTP id CAA08362 for <mtschann@icu.unizh.ch>; Tue, 9 Feb 1999 02:43:43 +0100 (CET) Received: (qmail 22006 invoked by alias); 9 Feb 1999 01:42:47 -0000 Delivered-To: GMX delivery to mtschann@gmx.net Received: (qmail 21976 invoked by uid 0); 9 Feb 1999 01:42:45 -0000 Received: from yyz.com (192.52.226.212) by mx1.gmx.net with SMTP; 9 Feb 1999 01:42:45 -0000 Received: (from temples@localhost) by yyz.com (8.8.5/8.8.5) id PAA11330 for rush-list-5; Mon, 8 Feb 1999 15:44:29 -0800 Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 15:44:29 -0800 Message-Id: <199902082344.PAA11330@yyz.com> Errors-To: rush-request@yyz.com Reply-To: rush@yyz.com Sender: rush@yyz.com Precedence: bulk From: rush@yyz.com To: rush_mailing_list@yyz.com Subject: 02/08/99 - The National Midnight Star #2171 X-Resent-By: Global Message Exchange <forwarder@gmx.net> X-Resent-For: mtschann@gmx.net X-Resent-To: mtschann@icu.unizh.ch
** ____ __ ___ ____ ___ ___ ** ** / /_/ /_ /\ / /__/ / / / / /\ / /__/ / ** ** / / / /__ / \/ / / / / /__/ / \/ / / /___ ** ** ** ** __ ___ ____ ** ** /\ /\ / / \ /\ / / / _ /__/ / ** ** / \/ \ / /___/ / \/ / /___/ / / / ** ** ** ** ____ ____ ___ ___ ** ** /__ / /__/ /__/ ** ** ____/ / / / / \ ** 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 2171 Monday, 08 Feb 1999 Today's Topics: Administrivia Helmet Neil Peart Re: Collins vs. Peart Re: Placebo Read... If You Dare! Dumb interview questions solution Phil / Peart Collins vs. Peart (and other drummers) Power Windows; Rockline Fly By Night Desktop Theme best guitarist Guitarists (NRC) Re: Scarred Records NeilPeart.com is online Collins V Peart cont. Favourite Album Side Moon Records Juno Award Nominees... Video Game RUSH sighting Rushian Baldur's Gate Re: 01/25/99 - The National Midnight Star #2168 NeilPeart.com clarification... Circus Dances great live album suggestions Re: Cool Ideas fisheye hal Republicans for RUSH JOLLY TEABAG SHIRTS Feesch I-lenzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Guitarists Video Yes or No Homework Help? Phil Collins drum debate. This review is a hoot! worlds fastest guitarist ---------------------------------------------------------- From: rush-mgr@tnms.com (The RUSH Fans Digest Manager) Date: Mon Feb 8 12:57:47 PST 1999 Subject: Administrivia Sorry for the lack of digests last week, I was in Denver all last week! So expect a couple over the next two days to catch up. In other news, the NEW syrinx machine is up and running! Now we begin the long process of moving files over, we now have 10gigs of space to fill! I should be reenabling the realvideo files shortly, and putting up some brand new audio and video files that I didn't have space for. I'll even try to get the TNMS page and web digests back up (they took up ~70mb by themselves). - rush-mgr ---------------------------------------------------------- From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Jukka-Pekka_Ker=E4nen?= <rakath@students.llaky.fi> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 11:31:24 +0200 (EET) Subject: Helmet Neil Peart In the last TNMS somebody found out that www.neilpeart.com is a site of a band called 'Helmet'. I did a little research, and found an interview from www.neilpeart.com that explains everything... (JS is John Stainer of Helmet and KM is Ken Micallef. This interview was in Modern Drummer, October 1994) KM: And yet your biggest influence is...? JS: Neil Peart. I don't care what anybody says and I don't care how unfashionable it is. People say they hear a lot of Bonham in my playing - and I loved Zeppelin - but I think Peart took drumming to another level that no one else has matched yet. But on the other hand, I hate double-bass; it's corny. That's All! Jukka-Pekka Keranen rakath@students.llaky.fi ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Slim Jim <jg@ms.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 10:50:14 +0000 Subject: Re: Collins vs. Peart mmaholch@kusd.kusd.edu wrote: > Neil Peart is the Michael Jordan of drums. I think it would be more appropriate to compare Neil Peart to an international sports star like Ronaldo, rather than someone who plays a sport which is really only popular in one country. But actually this illustrates a strange tendency that Rock music fans have to compare particular musicians as if it was a contest - last time I checked, drumming was not an olympic sport. It's not really possible to say that one musician is better than another in my opinion. It's fun to slag off John Petrucci though ;) Slim ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Slim Jim <jg@ms.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 11:03:19 +0000 Subject: Re: Placebo Jamie wrote : > Ello Peoples, > I haven't been keeping up lately, but was wondering if anyone has heard > a band called "Placebo". The reason I ask is because the vocalist > reminds me a lot of Geddy Lee, whom you all know and love. I was curious > to know if anyone else felt the same way. Yes! In fact their vocalist Brian Moloko is constantly being compared to Geddy Lee in the UK music press. Slim ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Chad M Werner" <Chad.Werner@ReliaStar.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 06:53:50 -0600 Subject: Read... If You Dare! Ralph posted: "I was a little bored so, I was checking out domain names for rush. I typed in http://www.neilpeart.com and it took me to the Helmet home page. What is up with that? Is Helmet Rush fans?" Absolutely. The drummer of Helmet has stated in interviews that he is a big Neil Peart fan. It's funny, I used to check out the very page you specified, Ralph, for tour info (it used to be helmet.com). Helmet was a force to be reckoned with, but, alas, they have parted ways. I think it's hilarious that a Helmet homepage is called neilpeart.com (maybe this says more about the maintainer of the page than the ex-band, but I don't know). I've said it before, but I'll say it again: if Rush chooses to do another studio album, they would be wise to try out Dave Sardy as producer/engineer. He did Helmet's last record, and all of the instruments come across crisp, clear & heavy as all hell. Fastest guitarist thread? Tee hee. Please, this is just an opinion. You don't have to agree, but be gentle with me. Isn't the act of trying to squeeze as many notes/second as possible into a guitar solo a LITTLE juvenile. I'm 26. If anyone tells me, "You gotta check out this guitarist. He plays solos so FAST", I run away. As fast as I can. What about purely talented guitarists? Does anyone listen to Leo Kottke? Billy MacLaughlin? Michael Hedges (sadly, dead)? These are all largely acoustic players that are, indeed, fast at times, but sometimes they are incredibly slow. They simply ooze emotion & talent (especially Leo IMO). I think that when you take into account all of the guitar textures, moods, speeds & styles Mr. Lifeson plays with, he fits into the same category with Leo, Billy & Michael; only Alex is largely electric. Just as impressive. Rockline put me to sleep. There were some good questions, though. For instance, the very first question was something like (paraphrase), "You have done so much in your careers, what do you think you have left to accomplish in music?" I feel that one was very thoughful, and it seeminly took Geddy & Alex by surprise. They talked about musical evolution or something, but that caller asked a good question if you ask me. ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Jonathan Patil" <patilj@hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 08:29:48 EST Subject: Dumb interview questions solution Here is the final solution to those dumb interview questions! Person calls in.. a pre-recorded message asks for the guy to state his question and stay on the line. Some person (rush fan brought in by the station) listens to the answer.. then weeds out the dumb ones that would waste time (does peart have cancer, etc). And answers the common ones. Letting in the occasional relavent question. This way the boys only get the good questions. - | J o n a t h a n J a y w a n t P a t i l | 1330 Richmond Road #619 . Ottawa, Ontario, Canada . K2B-8J6 `----------------------------------------------------------. Personal: patilj@hotmail.com . (613) 726-2968 | Work: patilj@americasm01.nt.com . (613) 765-5956 | .---------------------------------------------------------' | http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Strand/7555/ (home) | http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Stage/4709/ (rush) `--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Dave Huart <dhuart@sinclair.edu> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 11:38:01 -0500 Subject: Phil / Peart Hello Rushdom. Wow. What a firestorm we have here. I'm not sure if drawing a comparison between Peart and Collins is fair to either man. There styles are so divergent, it seems pointless to me. I too have seen both guys play live, obviously Neil many more times than Phil. Both are impressive behind the kit, but I won't compare the two in a "who's better" scenario, it's as pointless as it is subjective. Suffice to say, I am impressed with both guys. When I saw Phil Collins ( 2X -1 with Genisis and 1 without) live, he was great on both times. He is rock solid as a performer, I had a great time at the shows and was thouroughly impressed with his playing, singing, and showmanship, and when the show was over it was far to soon. He is a, like Neil Peart, a consumate professional, and worthy of my respect. Neil seems to be the busier drummer - most of the time, and I would go see Neil before Phil if I could not manage to see both. However I highly recommend checking out Phil Collins should he be in your town. Further I must say that bashing any musician on a list devoted to a band whose members obvioisly respect other musicians greatly, is simply rediculous. I find it hard to imagine any drummer bashing another, let alone a drummer as succesful and talented as PC. Neil even invited Phil to play on the first BFB tribute, but Phil's commitments kept him away, or so I read in Modern Drummer. Dave "Suffice to say it is one of the words the Knights Who Say Ni can no longer here!!" ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Ryan N Waggoner <galahad77@juno.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 01:28:32 -0500 Subject: Collins vs. Peart (and other drummers) <<Neil Peart is the Michael Jordan of drums.>> Oh, come on.....Neil is *FAR* from being an over-rated has-been. *grin* I definitely have to agree with the sentiment that Neil kicks Phil's butt, though. I just wanna toss some more names into the list of drummers being mentioned: Yuri Ruley, from MxPx. Let's just call this guy the Neil of the punk realm. He's actually that good. He's got speed, talent, and can just flow effortlessly from the fastest, hardest punk you've ever heard in your life, to the most laid-back, yet creative, swing you ever thought a non-big band drummer could do. Paul Roraback, formerly of Grammatrain. (Grammatrain fans...need I say more about this guy? BTW, his new band's name is Gideon's Press, and according to Paul himself, they're going to be *WAY* more progressive than Grammatrain was. :) ) Phil Ehart, of Kansas. He hasn't done anything to terribly interesting lately, apart from stealing Neil's "Fly By Night" fill, but you still gotta respect his 70s stuff. Aaron Smith, formerly of both 77's, and Rich Mullins' Ragamuffin Band. A good, solid rudimental drummer. Never gets too funky with the beat usually (unfortunately), but his solos are always awesome. I also gotta throw in another mention of Stewart Copeland. And let's not forget some of the revolutionary stuff that Ginger Baker played in the days of Cream and Blind Faith. And let's not forget the father of all drum gods -- Buddy Rich. That's my list, though. Ryan/Stimpy Oh, and, by the way, I'm pretty sure the "Fish Islands" thing was a joke. But what about Geddy singing "Call me a Commie" in Analog Kid? *grin* ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Joseph Ornelas" <nexthttp@geocities.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 09:54:19 -0800 Subject: Power Windows; Rockline I checked the FAQ, and didn't see anything about this, so here goes. On the Power Windows cover, doesn't it look like our freakish friend is holding the television remote control backwards? Usually the large empty spot is the place for your hand to rest and the batteries to go, not the top. Maybe someone with the LP can see better, I've just got the CD. If he is, I wonder what it means.... People have been complaining about the inherent stupidity of some of the questions asked to Rush on Rockline. How about this: next time we know of a live Q&A type event, all of us on the NMS decide on one or two of the best questions we'd like to ask. Then, if we all have the same question, there's more chance of just one of us getting through to ask it. Just a thought. BTW, did anyone here ask a question on last week's Rockline? Joseph Ornelas nexthttp@geocities.com http://surf.to/nexthttp "Revenge is a dish best served with a choice of soup or salad." -Elias Bacteen, Spaceside ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Hanstones@aol.com Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 13:29:23 EST Subject: Fly By Night Desktop Theme I now have a Fly By Night desktop theme for download at Power Windows (it rocks!). It includes a new animated "owl" cursor which I also offer as a solo- download. I also rescanned the Fly By Night cover image for better quality. Thanks to R.G. Terez at the Rush Desktop Themepark, I have added the live shot of the "Hammersmith Odeon" from the Hemispheres Tourbook, taken on either February 19th or 20th, 1978. The bonus disk of Different Stages was recorded on the 20th, and the CD art features a similar scene with the band members added. http://www.2112.net/powerwindows Downloadable Rush Album Art Wallpaper, Windows Cursors & Desktop Themes "I watch their images flicker, bringing light to a lifeless screen" - Neil Peart, 1987 ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Rushindy@aol.com Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 15:04:28 EST Subject: best guitarist With all this discussion about the best guitarist alive, I'm surprised no one's said anything about Steve Morse. He definitely deserves to be up there. I just got back from seeing him in Dayton, Ohio, and he is just amazing. He could even show John Petrucci and especially Alex a thing or two about playing the guitar. ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Chris Dodd" <bikeman@vol.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 23:28:09 -0500 Subject: Guitarists (NRC) I'd have to agree with David Ayers: >>My personal favorite is Jamie West-Oram of the Fixx, = however. Check out "Deeper and Deeper," "The Fool," and much of the = album Calm Animals. He also did a nice guest shot with Stevie Nicks on = "Long, Long Way to Go" from The Other Side of the Mirror.>> >...It's nice to see someone else who really *listens* to the instrumentation of pop music. Jamie West-Oram is an amazing guitar player. Another personal fave of mine is Ian Chricton of SAGA. He's a great player in his own right. Just adding my .02 to the pot. How much does that make now? Chris THE Bikeman ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Todd Garbarini <tgarbari@ix.netcom.com> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 14:04:39 -0500 Subject: Re: Scarred Records Hello, all. Can someone please post the new URL for Scarred Records? Thanks in advance, Todd ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Ralph Huffnagle" <rhuffnagle@hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1999 15:56:35 EST Subject: NeilPeart.com is online I was a little bored so, I was checking out domain names for rush. I typed in http://www.neilpeart.com and it took me to the Helmet home page. What is up with that? Is Helmet Rush fans? _________________________________________________________________ I looked at the website and found this in one of the interviews. "John Stanier's (Helmet Drummer) staccato drumming is a Helmet mainstay. His style is the result of his combined love of punk, hip hop, and Neil Peart." I haven't heard any of his drumming. Has anyone else? Does he honor Neil's name or not? This same site has a different name also http://www.helmet.org. Same IP different domain name, Virtual domain. So there could also be a site named http://www.geddylee.com or http://www.alexlifeson.com and they could probably be part of that virtual domain. ------------------------------- J. Chris Littlejohn LAN Engineer Guidant Corporation ------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Zahid Hassan <zahid.hassan@bradford.gov.uk> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 12:53:10 +0000 Subject: Collins V Peart cont. Well let me continue on this controversial debate. Some people (namely Frank - issue 2166) have mentioned that Collins has sold out with songs such as Sussudio. OK fair comment - but it doesn't detract from the fact that he is regarded as a top-class percussionist who tries his hand at all percussive challenges (and I don't mean holding the bleedin' sticks differently!). I mean Collins is diverse yet can adjust with the type of music he plays. He's drummed with Clapton, Page et al, BB King and various concerts featuring a multitude of musicians - namely The Prince's Trust concert's & Nelson Mandella concert (in England). Collins can simplify his set up and playing - you only have to listen to Genesis live to hear how good he is. Could Neil do this and Relax ? (if the argument is that Neil has to concentrate due to nature of Rush's music) Somehow I think not! Zed ---------------------------------------------------------- From: johncaulfeild@pmsc.com Date: Thu, 28 Jan 99 10:16:01 -0500 Subject: Favourite Album Side I just had an idea for discussion, since I get the feeling most TNMS subscribers enjoy threads on favourite this & that.... This thread may only appeal to those Rush fans who knew Rush firstly by lp albums. In today's age of CD's, we hear a Rush album from track 1 through to track 7, 8, 9 or whatever. No breaks to turn the CD over! However, if you started listening to Rush on vinyl, you may have defined Rush albums by "side A" and "side B", beacause you'd know that "2112" was side A of the album of the same name, and that "Tom Sawyer" -> "Limelight" was side A of MP. -> What is your favourite Rush album side? I've always been partial to side B of MP. IMO, "Camera Eye", "Witch Hunt", and "Vital Signs" are just incredible examples of Rush at their creative and artistic best. I'd enjoy hearing what other Rush (vinyl-era) fans think. Cheers, John ---------------------------------------------------------- From: johncaulfeild@pmsc.com Date: Thu, 28 Jan 99 09:57:39 -0500 Subject: Moon Records I would appreciate any information fellow Rush fanatics could provide with respect to the first Rush lp on the Moon Record label. ie. how rare it is, any idea of current market value (although that is always subjective!), etc. I understand that there was a single (or 2?) also released on the Moon label ("Not Fade Away" b/w an unreleased Lee/Rutsey track)? What can anyone tell me about this/these singles? Are they hard to find, what would I expect to pay, etc? Cheers and adTHANKSvance, John ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Fred Pinto <FPinto@mzad.com> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 99 09:56:42 -0800 Subject: Juno Award Nominees... Taken from the Juno Awards Website FYI: Best Album Design (Sponsored by Ever-Reddy Packaging LTD.) Andrew McLachlan / Rob Baker / Brock Ostram (Creative Director) , Andrew McLachlan (Graphic Artist) , Bernard Clark / David Ajax (Photographer) Phantom Power, The Tragically Hip (Universal) David Ashcroft (Creative Director/Graphic Artist) , Ivan Otis / Margaret Mandruccolo (Photographer) Three Seeds, New Meanies (Virgin/EMI) Steve Goode (Creative Director/Graphic Artist) , David Anthony (Photographer) Since When, 54.40 (Columbia) Hugh Syme / Geddy Lee (Creative Director) , Hugh Syme (Graphic Artist) , Andrew MacNaughtan (Photographer) Different Stages, Rush (Anthem/Universal) John Rummen (Creative Director/Graphic Artist/Illustrator) , Jay Blakesburg (Photographer) Stunt, Barnaked Ladies (Reprise/Warner) Sorry if this has already been posted. -Fred ---------------------------------------------------------- From: COP42194@aol.com Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 14:52:45 EST Subject: Video Game RUSH sighting http://www.classicgaming.com/rotw/llamatron.shtml Go here. Don't know how long the game (Llamatron: 2112) will be available at that address. John ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "eddy Maxwell" <eddymax@stcl.tamu.edu> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 14:05:32 -0600 Subject: Rushian Baldur's Gate Hey Everyone! How's things? I hope well. My spare time, what little of it there is, has been taken up by a great computer game, Baldur's Gate. It's an AD&D adventure game. You can create whatever kind of character you want and then run around solving mysteries and killing things. It's pretty damn incredible. Anyway, to the point of this post. One thing that you can do in Baldur's Gate is create your own .wav files so you can be the voice of your character at certain points in the game. For example, when it gets dark, my character says "It was a dark and stormy night". Well, being the good li'l Rushians that we are, my hub and I had to include a couple of Rush quotes. Here they are: Night: "The night is black without a moon" City: "The focus is sharp in the city" and "Drawn like moths, we drift into the city" Forest: "There is unrest in the forest" and "There is trouble with the trees" My fondness for MST3K led me to have "Hi-Keeba!" as my battlecry. We have a couple of Simpsons quotes and just some phrases we like of our own. It makes the game more interesting. Anyone else playing BG? Valkyrie - "Go for the eyes, Boo! Go for the eyes! Rusk!!"--Minsc ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Jesse N Zamudio <jessez@U.Arizona.EDU> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 16:08:00 -0700 (MST) Subject: Re: 01/25/99 - The National Midnight Star #2168 last question on th speed round of ESPNs UFL game show? Who is the lead singer of the band Rush? On ---------------------------------------------------------- From: William Hall <wchall@email.unc.edu> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 21:05:28 -0500 Subject: NeilPeart.com clarification... It was written... >>I was a little bored so, I was checking out domain names for rush. I typed in http://www.neilpeart.com and it took me to the Helmet home page. What is up with that? Is Helmet Rush fans? >> Well, I looked it up. The DNS names neilpeart.com and helmet.org refer to the same IP address, they're interchangeable. On the credits page for helmet.org, the webmaster makes this comment: I would like to thank the following: <snipped the first three> Neil Peart of Rush for sparking and fueling my interest in drumming. So, apparently this is the webmasters little way of saying thanks. But why register the domain for neilpeart.com unless you're going to use it? I think he plans to make another site for that domain name, but just hasn't gotten around to it. - William Cary Hall ICQ# 6956498 Homepage @ http://152.19.224.74 Check my Rush/DT tradelists ---------------------------------------------------------- From: DigitlMn@aol.com Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 22:42:19 EST Subject: Circus Dances Greg Sanderson wrote: >Christopher W Lindsay <rushfan.2112@juno.com> wrote: >>"Fate is just the weight of circus dances" >Please, please tell me this guy *knows* that it's 'circumstances' and >not 'circus dances'. The Fish Islands saga was bad enough... I guess you were "Tricked by circumstances, lose our shorts..." On ASOH: >Especially since according to the misprint on the video >tracklisting it includes YYZ as well. Not on mine! One question I have: Ain't Xanadu great?? Rick ---------------------------------------------------------- From: PMKMAN@aol.com Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 11:17:27 EST Subject: great live album suggestions A few that come to mind: Little Feat- Waiting for Columbus Jethro Tull- Bursting Out Simon & Garfunkel- Concert In Central Park also: Odetta- black female (non-rock) vocalist- also has Harry Belafonte I can't remember the name of the album, but recall it fondly from my youth. "With the heart & mind united in a single, perfect sphere." ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Littlejohn, John (C) (HOU)" <jlittle@guidant.com> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 12:03:49 -0800 Subject: Re: Cool Ideas >From: Alvaro Graves <agraves@cec.uchile.cl> >Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1999 13:40:04 -0400 >Subject: Cool Ideas >Yesterday I was thinking about tattoo my arm. What important thing are in my >life worth to be tattooed... my family, my religion, and (guess what... of >course) Rush. So, I was thinking aboutwhat kind of Rush Tatoo would be cool. >I have some ideas >The Rush cover > The owl of FBN >the stone man of T4E >Suggestion? Ideas? Opinions? Anything please email me or post it >Thanx I just had the Starman tattoo'ed on my back. I had to edit the picture and put it on a white background instead of the foreground. I also had the Jimmy Page sign ZOSO tattoo'ed on my arm. Anybody else have any Rush-related Tat's? ------------------------------- J. Chris Littlejohn Desktop/LAN Engineer Guidant Corporation ------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Michael Z. Williamson" <daggers@indy.net> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 15:13:16 -0800 Subject: fisheye hal >Ronald Smith said: >Subject: Fisheye lens defined > Anyway, the fisheye was born with Stanley Kubrick's classic "2001: A >Space Odyssey," almost a quarter century ago. more than 30 years ago, actually. 1968. Anyone else feel old? - mike http://cloak-dagger.com Edged weaponry, from the stone age to the space age. ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Flynn, Jason R" <Jason.R.Flynn@UNISYS.com> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 14:28:27 -0600 Subject: Republicans for RUSH >From: CSmock1962@aol.com > >I would also like to get the last word (HA HA) by proving >conclusively that RUSH is indeed a conservative band! >Would a liberal abandon a senior citizen to violate motor laws >by eluding NATO detection devices to take an outlawed, turbo >charged, 50 year old (65 by now) fossil fuel burning sports >car on an International joy ride across pristine mountain and >riversides? Then after eluding the one world, new order cops >relax at a fire that is burning chopped down trees? I think >not. CSmock, this is genius! Just perfect. Does it occur to anyone that Rush/Neil ought not be categorized politically because they cover the spectrum from The Trees (anti-union--republican) to Nobody's Hero (pro-gay--democrat)? From 2112 (pro-individual--republican) to Subdivisions (anti-white-flight--democrat)? From Anthem (me, me, me!--republican) to Alien Shore (us, us, us--democrat)? Please pardon my sweeping generalizations; I'm just trying to illustrate the point that there's a Rush lyric for most every political issue, and that paints a much more complex picture than left vs. right. What surprises me even more is the gall that some people have in assuming that the band *must* share a particular view because they're smart/sensible/caring/understanding. Rational romantic people are capable of arriving at different and even opposing stances. democrat republican conservative or liberal vegan vegetarian don't kill or eat an animal pro-choice anti-gun supporting right wing left wing lunatics can't you see Rush is a band not interested in politics? You bet your ass. Jason ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Michael Z. Williamson" <daggers@indy.net> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 15:21:52 -0800 Subject: JOLLY TEABAG SHIRTS We are accepting orders now. It took a while to get a decent EMT image for the sleeves. Price will be $15ish, plus shipping ($3 for up to three shirts). 2xl sizes and larger and overseas will be more. Call us with a credit card number, and we'll let you know when they are ready (before I go to Kuwait, I hope), and the total. 317-784-7443 - mike http://cloak-dagger.com Edged weaponry, from the stone age to the space age. ---------------------------------------------------------- From: eg1o@gdeb.com Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 16:32:29 -0500 Subject: Feesch I-lenzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Yo Max: I hope your query as to the location of the Fish Islands has been answered to your satisfaction. I believe the consensus is that they are located roughly between the ignorance of the naive and the arrogance of the experts. As for myself, I am enjoying the refreshing sounds of the crystal blue waves crashing against its rocky shores.... I'll even send a picture... using what kind of lens??... take a guess... that's right!!!! A Fisheye Lens!!!! Hey, isn't that a lyric or something from a Spinal Tap song?!? Quite the stir you've created, senior! Oh yeah, RUSH content: Dude, like, ya know... DS is totally KICK-ASS!! Gnarley, Peace Out, blah, blah, blah, etc. P.S. - I hope this thread never ends! I love geography... ---------------------------------------------------------- From: mmaholch@kusd.kusd.edu Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1999 13:25:07 -0500 Subject: Guitarists Rush Mgr. please forgive me. This post is very long in order to get a point across: There is a lot of absolutely no Rush content that is in TNMS lately. The following are snippets from issue #2169 alone. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In response to Thomas' post regarding DT's keyboard player: I'm happy they made this decision because, quite frankly, I didn't like that keyboardist. His singing parts on Infinity made certain songs unlistenable. Good luck to them with their new memeber. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- "From: maxrich@mindspring.comDate: Thu, 21 Jan 1999 14:10:43 -0600 I read about "The Great Kat" in the last posting, and went to the site =listed <greatkat.com>. Does anyone know what's up with this. I can't tell if this is some sort of joke or not. She is supposedly (according to some comments she had listed) better and faster than anyone including Vai, Malmsteen, and Satriani. She looks like some sort of devil worshipper slut to me, but I'll give it a listen if it's any good. Comments? Info? "You can be the captain, and I will draw the charts. Sailing into = destiny, closer to the heart" Max Richard" I'm an infrequent poster but thought I might chime in on this issue. I work for my college radio station both as a DJ and music reviewer so get my hands on lots of CDs (like Different Stages early, and all the promos etc..) anyway The Great Kat (as I recall) is this woman who basically plays really strange classical music. She is not a technical Guitar Player or anything like that. In my opinion her music is terrible.. but hey who am I to judge for others ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey Rush soulmates- There's been a lot of talk lately about guitarists, and I noticed an interesting post about Steve Vai and Eddie Van Halen last time. Here are some thoughts, what does everyone think? First, I'm informed; I've been playing guitar for 16 years and have been in three bands. I'm not a 15-year old kid with an Electra Les Paul copy in the closet and a Gorilla amp by the bed. :) I used to spend a lot of time comparing and contrasting guitarists, because, like most Rush fans I suspect, I'm a digger and analytical about stuff. I grew up on Townsend, Hendrix, Skynard's guys and all the 80s metal guys. I fell in love with Eddie for life when I heard "Dreams" in 1986 and saw VH at the Worcester Centrum. I then ran out and bought all of Van Halen's albums from 1978-84 and absorbed them. When I went to college I was exposed to Sabbath, Cream, Maiden, AC/DC, ELP, Fripp, Steve Vai, Satriani, et. al. I patiently listened to Yngwie when all my buddies were raving over him but just was not moved. Impressed, oh yes; but not moved. "Crazy Train", now THAT moved me. There are millions of phenomenal guitarists out there who I have not listened to and could never judge anyway. How can I compare the playing of two people? It would be like saying the Soft Watches are better than the Last Supper, or comparing Grieg's Concerto in A minor to Beethoven's Ninth. All artistry is unique, even if you are copying somebody. I can play the solo to "Limelight" note for note. Every time I play it, I play it like ME, not Alex. But I didn't write it! So we have to put creativity into the formula. And when Alex wrote it, he had others helping him. Page, Hendrix, Clapton, Beck, and everyone else he loved growing up. So...all guitarists are extensions of the other players they have learned from. And some guitarists have exceptional creativity. Those with that creativity inspire others. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. When you combine great creativity with great intellectual working knowledge of music theory and technique, you have virtuosos. Joe Satriani, Robert Fripp, Al DiMeola and Les Paul come to mind. But does this make these guys 'the best ever?' That's like saying Jim Brown was better than Walter Payton or Barry Sanders, or Neil Peart is better than Buddy Rich or Keith Moon. All artistry is unique, even when copied from somebody else. Sure, Peart could play the Overture from "Tommy" note for note. But it was Moon's own personal creativity and orchestral style that made it beautiful, just as it's Peart's own creativity and intensity that makes the three sharp tom blasts in "A Farewell to Kings" special, right before the second verse ("the hypocrites are slandering...") So, what I'm saying is this: while comparing and judging guitarist is fun and interesting, it's basically pointless. I love "Stopping by woods on a snowy evening" for what it IS, not because it reminds me of "Do not go gentle into that good night." I love "A Tale of Two Cities" for what it IS, not because it reminds me of "The Red Badge of Courage". When I listen to guitarists play, the beauty of each artist becomes a separate entity to me. I don't WANT the solo from "Johnny B. Goode" to remind me of "Crazy Train." Each is beautiful when left alone. Even more beautiful is how artists give to each other. The very fact that Randy was a rock guitarist means that a little spark of "Johnny B. Goode" was with him when he wrote that magnificent solo, which blends rock, metal and classical styles in a lovely frenzy. Just as Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson and BB King were with Berry when he wrote "Johnny B. Goode." If you want to rate guitarists, I suppose you could rate them for how much influence they had on their genre. On this basis and this basis alone, I would put Hendrix at the top of the rock list. But is Hendrix better than Steve Vai or Eric Johnson? Come on. Each solo is a painting. Some are just haberdash, filled with a thousand notes that don't really say much; most are forgettable and redundant (like mine!) :) But there are solos out there that have inspired and lifted others to copy them- the sincerest form of flattery. When a solo reaches a huge audience, you have a Mona Lisa, a "Henry V", a 55-10 blowout of the Broncos. A master work. My choice for that solo: "Jessica", by the Allman Brothers. Three men playing as one, and smooth as a silk prom dress on the floor of a '67 Mustang. :) By the way, here are my top ten favorite solos of all time: you'll find that some of these guys are in the "Where are they now file". But I like these solos for how they make ME feel, not because they're the fastest or the smoothest or because they did 'point A = point C divided by point B" on some musical theory chart in a Berkeley classroom. Music is not calculus. In no particular order: Eddie Van Halen- "Jump" George Lynch- "Burning Like a Flame" (first solo) Andy Taylor- "Some Like it Hot" Allman Bros.- "Jessica" Alex Lifeson- "A Farewell to Kings" Neil Schon- "Who's Cryin' Now" Chris Hayes (from Huey Lewis & the News)- "Walking on a Thin Line" Robert Fripp (on the Roche Sisters' 1st album)- "Hammond Song" Randy Rhoads- "Crazy Train" Tom Scholz- "More Than a Feeling" and on and on..."Sultans of Swing," "Comfortably Numb", "Celebration Day", "Machine Gun".........................(this was like choosing the ten best diamonds from a DeBeers catalog...) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ok. How long did it take you to scroll through all of that? Imagine that every single time you read TNMS. Oh, that's right, you don't have to imagine that, because it happens entirely too much, in every single issue. I'm asking each and every one of you. Who's the fastest guitarist? Who gives a damn? Who's your favorite Dream Theater keyboardist? Who gives a damn? What's your favorite flavor of jam? I think you all get my point. Let's all think about what we have typed before we hit the send button. Does this have anything to do with Rush, their music, their bandmembers, stagecrew, production crew? If the answer to all of these questions is no, then hit the delete key, not the send key. Thanks for reading, if you did. I hope this works. Rush Mgr. - thanks for allowing me to spew. StillBill ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Edgar <Edgar@tomatoweb.com> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 13:59:28 -0800 Subject: Video Yes or No Does anyone - including our beloved Rush Manager - have a DEFINITIVE answer as to whether there will or will not be a Video (VHS or DVD) released?? And does anyone know if they even videotaped or filmed any shows from TFE? Just "jonesing" for some more new Rush stuff... Edgar ---------------------------------------------------------- From: James Ball <rush2112@TSO.Cin.IX.Net> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 17:02:18 -0500 (EST) Subject: Homework Help? I am doing a presentation on "Equality" for a Lit. Class, with emphasis on lyrical content. I am using "The Trees"...of course but can't think of any other songs to use? Could anyone help me....mabey some of you guys out there have done a similar project. I could really use some help? P.S DS is great....................as if we had any doubt!! rush2112 - yes that is my username, kind cool huh! rush2112@tso.cin.ix.net ---------------------------------------------------------- From: mattvoss@webtv.net (matt voss) Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 17:48:04 -0500 (EST) Subject: Phil Collins drum debate. Like many of you, I used to think that Neil was untouchable. As I got older and wiser, I started listening to Frank Zappa. Folks, Frank Zappa only hired the best musicians in the world. If you think Phil Collins is/was great, do yourself a favor and pick up Zappa's 1988 live show "Make a Jazz Noise Here." Chad Wackerman makes the rhythm method look like chopsticks!! ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "McCauley, Sean (Consultant)" <sean.mccauley@attws.com> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 17:54:44 -0500 Subject: This review is a hoot! > While searching for CD's on CDNow, I ran across this VH1 review of > "Different Stages" by Glenn Haight: > > Canadian rock band RUSH has had an amazing 25-year career with a > loyal audience from the beginning. It seems that Different Stages is > strictly for > them. The 3-disc live package sounds wonderful, but the question is, who > asked them to make it? > > The album, taken from 1997's Test For Echo, is RUSH's fourth live > album, but is it necessary? Granted, they're amazing live -- possibly too > amazing. The songs sometimes come off as sterile, near-perfect live > versions of their studio counterparts, with little improv or spontaneity. > And many of the songs contained here have already shown up on past live > albums, and haven't > changed much since then. > > The third disc -- a supposed lost concert -- taped at the > Hammersmith Odeon in 1978 during the group's A Farewell To Kings tour, > will certainly be sought after by hardcore RUSH fans, but seven out of the > eleven tracks were also performed on their 1976 live album All The World's > A Stage. > > Don't get me wrong, a 25-year career definitely deserves a > milestone, but > with the recent Chronicles, Retrospective I and II and now Different > Stages, it seems like RUSH may be milking it a little bit. > > Glenn Haight > > So I e-mailed the following message to Mr. Haight: > > Dear Glenn, > > I was just visiting CDNow.com for fun and I stumbled across your > review of "Different Stages" by Rush. Needless to say, as an avid Rush > fanatic, I am very disappointed with a few inferences you made. Now I > don't expect you to know anything because most reviewers don't, but two of > your statements are completely irresponsible and are a result of your lack > of knowledge about Rush. The third disk is not a "supposed" lost concert, > it is a lost concert. Geddy actually found the tapes in a box in his > basement and didn't just say that in an effort to make it seem extra > special. Most bands would do that, but Rush is not most bands. They > respect their fans intelligence and have no need to stoop to that level to > sell an album, they do just fine without it. The other remark is in > reference to Rush "milking it". How irresponsible of you to make a remark > like that. Can you name another band that has released albums and toured > those albums with the same consistency as Rush? (roughly a completely new > album, all new songs, every 2 years or less for 25 years).True that 1990 > saw the release of "Chronicles" and 1997 marked the release of > "Retrospective I and II" and "Different Stages" looks like just another > "Best of..." . But with just a little bit of research you would have found > this to be a parallax (you dig?). Mercury/PolyGram, Rush's former record > company, released the "Chronicles/Retrospective" CDs to "milk" Rush > themselves so you have got this part completely backwards. As for > "Different Stages", this album was going to be made after two more studio > albums (which would total 6 studio albums since their last live release). > This would have pushed it's release back to at least 2002 or so which > would be 13 years after their last live album "A Show of Hands". But two > significant events forced "Different Stages" to be created now and neither > one was an effort to "milk" their fans' loyalty. Those two events were the > deaths of Neil Peart's immediate family. An August 1997 car accident > claimed the life of Neil's only child and was followed by the July 1998 > loss of his wife to cancer. Needless to say, the two more studio albums > then live album plan went out the window at this point and forced Rush to > stay the course of their 4 studio then 1 live album history. Hopefully > you can do the math here and conclude that your remarks were > irresponsible. Not that I expect any better from a reviewer. Oh, by the > way, their fans asked them to make the album. As ridiculous as it may > seem, there is a band that exists for it's fans and not for their > eMpTyV/VH1-driven flavor-of-the-month, here today-gone tomorrow, 15 > minutes of fame. And that band is Rush. If you want to charge "milking > it", write some stories about The Rolling Stones, The Who, Fleetwood Mac, > The Eagles and/or Pink Floyd. None of these bands have made a decent song > in 20 years but still find the need to "milk" fan loyalty with ridiculous > reunion tours and then release live albums for these sham tours. End of > rant. Thanks for listening. > > Sean McCauley > inuksean@earthlink.net > ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Ed Brogden <brogdene@erols.com> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 18:35:34 -0500 Subject: worlds fastest guitarist The worlds fastest guitarist is my Uncle Alphonse. All of you must be uneducated deaf-mutes not to see that (and I don't mean just a FORMAL education, this includes even you at-home schoolers and HS dropouts - I now I are a colege alumnis, remember that). This is also displayed by your inability to realize that is is a damn kazoo that's being played. And since no one else seems to know, the Fish Islands are a very exclusive female only string of resorts, near the Virgin Islands, and very close to the Isle of View. And it is a little known fact, but I happen to KNOW that Neil is a very strict Southern Baptist. We should start a new string on this. Isle of View All! ed brogden, some dumb uneducated red-neck conservative brogdene@erols.com PS and the blind man says "Good Morning, ladies" PPS forget loosening up NP's drum kit, how bout loosening up this group? Please? ----------------------------------------------------------
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