They never used backing tracks at any point in their career as far as I know. They used samples later on but those were all triggered by someone on stage.
The song changed from The Trees to Xanadu around the time you hear Neil talk about 'what if'. They have been dubbed, many times, the 'world's smallest symphony orchestra'. You have just seen why....
Awesome to see an attractive younger gal actually GETTING IT! This came out in my high school days. NO gals got RUSH at the time. Seen many gals getting into RUSH finally, reaction videos. Welcome down the rabbit hole! (awesome smile!!)
FANTASIC! The song "XANADU" was inspired by the poem "Kubla Khan", written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1797, but not published until 1816. Coleridge believed that much of the poem came to him in a dream while he was under the influence of an opioid (laudanum). Truth really is stranger than fiction!😄
You will definitely have to listen to 2112 now. They borrow a number of orchestral tricks in this sci-fi rock opera as well. It’s a multi-part suite that opens with a true overture that gives you a taste of all the later movements. They even have an homage to Tchaikovsky. There’s a comic book version that was released for the 40th anniversary, which I recommend to help understand the story. Cheers!
Weeell... to be precise, 'Xanadu' starts a little sooner than that and in the moment that round image appears together with that held low note on the pedal synth, and _then_ Mr Peh-art's voice can be heard! 😁 😉
She needs to do The Fountain of Lamneth too. I feel it goes well with The Necromancer. Obviously because they’re both from COS. My introduction to RUSH back in 1975 as a 15 year old teenage girl. They blew me away and I was immediately a lifelong fan. I am now 66 and have seen them over 30 times live. They STILL blow me away. 🤘🎶💜
Smart Lady!! With any RUSH song and Pink Floyd knowing the lyrics is a must. Way better than struggling to listen to the words, interpret them and the individual instruments! Most don't catch the " Noble law" as the Noble is the fancy Christmas 🎄 tree! Great Job, great sound and great production! I shall scan your channel and see what else you got!! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎
"The Trees ended when you heard Neil say "The question we ask most often is "What if?" Xanadu began after Neil speaks, mostly with Alex using the volume pedal on his guitar.
Their early stuff was pure magic. They were storytellers first and foremost. The music was there only to enhance the story. Their talent was incidental to the story. If you don’t have a story to tell, what do you really have? The beginning of Xanadu you can visualize a traveller making his way through a forest with the wind and animals all around. Once the traveller finds Xanadu the instruments erupt to signify the grand discovery.
The performance of Xanadu is one of the most amazing performances by three guys ever. The multi-tasking they do to pull this off is incredible. One thing they don’t show well is while Geddy is playing bass (and singing) he is often playing synths with his feet. He has as set of Moog Taurus pedals which are essentially like organ pedals. He doing this at 21:25 in your vid - you can see him looking down. And Neil, well he’s a one-man orchestral percussion section. I don’t know if you caught it, but during that keyboard interlude you liked, Neil is doubling it on a glockenspiel. They are still to this day the live band Ive ever heard. Cheers!
As is Alex ... every time (unless he's changing guitar effect) he wanders back to his 'station' he's got a Taurus pedal to play (and he's playing them while doing his reverse "sweet child of mine" riff)
Part of the reason this sounds orchestral is that Neil has so many percussion instruments. Plus Alex is using a volume pedal to 'violin' his guitar playing. And Geddy is using all kinds off keyboard stuff.
I believe Xanadu to be the absolute best live performance by the boys of any Rush song (and really better than almost any live performance by ANY band ever... Yep, it's that great!)...thanks for the fun reaction!
If, heaven forbid, you took away every other piece of music from me, leaving only one thing to listen to for the rest of my sorry existence, THIS album is, easily, and undoubtedly, it(.) Lee, Lifeson, Peart ~ RUSH, the soundtrack of my life! 🤘🏼❤️🔥
Wonderful reaction to two classic Rush songs! If you enjoyed the synths, Rush had a 'synth era' in the 1980s. Some fans didn't enjoy that, but as a child of the '80s (who only recently became a Rush fan) I love it! It's fun to watch Geddy Lee multitask on vocals, bass, keyboards, and synth pedals. For a future reaction, I suggest the live version of 'Analog Kid' from the Clockwork Angels tour.
This is easily one of the best reactions to these songs I've watched so far! 😍 And I've watched oodles of them because this is one of my favourite live performance videos 😊 You get Plus Points for including 'The Trees' (which to me simply can't be omitted when watching this particular 'Xanadu' version), for the lovely shout-out to Mr StickHits, and for also having a look into the lyrics. And of course also for spreading good vibes! 😀 Thank you! 😊🙏 Have a great weekend! 😊👍☀️🎵 PS: Some constructive criticism, if you don't mind: Maybe turn the volume on your mic up a little! 😉
Stickhits does good stuff. I'm more used to the DVD version of that show, and there are a lot of differences. Some different camera angles, and a very different audio mix. Either way it's a fantastic performance and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Per synthesizers, The Beatles were using synths at the end of the 60's. Mellotron was in use in the late 60's as well. I'm not sure which band was known for being "the first" to use them on record but I believe it was during the 60's that they were first used.
Greetings from Canada & TY for MoreRUSH reactions to view & enjoy. I have watched quite few RUSH reacts Vids and U have some of the Gr8est reactions so far on ALL ur RUSH Vid's with smart & astute observations all around. As U dig deeper into their incredible discography U will soon discover that RUSH music is not just listened too but is an actual Auditory & Mind EXPERIENCE that positively stimulates the emotions & intellect, quite simply U feel better & smarter after the closing notes. As U noted Geddy, Alex & Neil sometimes sound "Orchestral", a wall of creative & original Sound created by only 3 guys & that's why I find it hard to peg them in a Music genre, Prog Symth anyone? The hard driven yet melodic music's complexity with its multitude of signature changes, seamless transitions, unmatched instrumentation/Vocals by 3 MASTER Musicians plus intelligent thought provoking Lyrics penned by Neil/The Professor cast a spell on you & propel you on a musical journey like no other band, past or present. When viewing RUSH's immense virtuosity some reactors have questioned if they are normal human beings or Aliens, my theory, neither, they are musical Warlocks that have you spellbound after the first few bars...I first fell under their spell & Broke my RUSH cherry in 1976 with their EPIC album 2112 (A MUST Listen & Experience) cranked up on a sweet Pioneer Stereo in my best Bud's basement. As I got older and my Music tastes evolved over the decades many other Bands have come & gone & fallen out of my musical favor but RUSH has been like my Musical North Star and has been a constant in my life for 48 years & counting...Canada has 2 favorite Bands, Rush who we gave to the world and The Tragically Hip (The Hip 4 short) who we kept for ourselves so I would suggest that maybe U should go down a Canadian music "Rabbit Hole" and of course explore MoreRUSH and also treat urself & definitely check out The Hip, I guarantee U wont be disappointed...P.S. A Good cure for Achy Smile Face, watch some Trump Vids you'll be frowning & crying in terror in no time...
Rush was the tightest band ever live. Judas Priest came close, but Rush's intonation was unparalleled. For really early synthesizer music check out Wendy Carlos - Sonic Seasoning and anything by Tomita.
Am amazed with all the Reactions on Rush. Rush changed a lot of sound in music with some future bands. I saw this live and glad that its saved. I started listening to Rush in 1976 and seen a lot of their concerts. Rush always have great concerts. Sounds from album to live with perfection. 3 guys who had no help from radio play but had a following just on their words and music. They talk to US in ways no other bands really do. I found their words useful in life. I feel sorry for those that couldn't see them live, but with all the reactions I see in your face is the way I felt the 1st time I had the album and went to concert to see it live. I say this is a great song or that a great song but when a Rush song is playing it bring back many memories. Thanks for playing a Reaction and Yes many face hurts from all the sounds and words of smiling when listening. Rush is long time band in future of music. One concert had a visual showing r..US..h as band of the people as We the People. Couple of songs "Anthem" and "Entre nous". but there are a lot when your dealing with life. Thanks and Take Care. "Flowers After Rainfall" speaks a lot about you. Ava.
Every time I see this performance, I'm struck like you were when Geddy was performing the final bit on the keyboards, when he has to hit that one key for a very necessary note. Musically, I'm barely qualified to listen much less play or create anything, so it amazes me that with everything that was going on, he realized that one note would add so much.
@@triadmad - Ooh, but Geddy's actually playing the 12-string guitar there, starting with Alex' solo and all the way till the end, while also briefly throwing in that note on the synth! 😁
Love RUSH!!!! So many fantastic songs. I was fortunate to see them at the Portland Coliseum a couple times in the 80s. Maybe 81? Definitely 84. Trying to remember. It was awhile ago. 🤔😂 Thank you. 💛
No backing tracks, just three master musicians. They wanted to be the smallest orchestra and they succeeded! Fantastic performance of two fantastic songs. Alex Lifeson on guitar Geddy Lee Vocals, Bass and Keyboards. Geddy and Alex have been best friends since they met in junior high school when they were 13. They have been playing music together since they were 16 and they love to have fun on stage. Neil Peart joined the band in 1974 when he replaced John Rutsy their original drummer. John had health issues and there were also musical direction differences. Geddy said they had found a fellow traveller in Neil. Cheers
@@debbieplato5107 - Now now, Debbie! 😄 Geddy on bass, synths, pedal synths and 12-string guitar; Alex on 6-string and 12-string guitars and _also_ on pedal synth; Neil on drums and oodles of percussion. 😁 😉
@@debbieplato5107 - Gotcha! 😊👍 I'd read the instruments part in reference to the "no backing tracks" bit right before! 😉 Have a great weekend, Debbie! 😀👍☀️
@@debbieplato5107 - It looks like this places you in Canada? 😀 I admit I have no idea about football, and neither about rugby - despite living in a rugby-mad country, New Zealand 😅 To my defence: I'm originally German, and Germans prefer a ball to be round! 😄 May 'your' Bombers win, though! 😉👍
I saw Rush when I was 15, my second concert (1st was Alice Cooper), and man, does time go by fast! I was curious about your comment on the first use of synthesized and looked it up. Apparently Vera Lynn had a Novachord, a very early synthesizer, in her song, "We'll Meet Again" in 1939! But I remember when I heard Pink Floyd's Dark Side if the Moon when I was in grade school, wow!
No backing tracks with Rush, sometimes effect triggers but that is it. They are playing everything live both Geddy and Alex make use of foot-keyboards to play keyboard/synth while playing guitars too, making use of pedals for distortions, as well as Geddy playing actual keyboards sometimes when not playing bass, or even playing bass via foot-peddle-boards instead of keyboard by foot. Then, of course Neil has his huge drum set and percussion instruments all around him. plenty of instruments being used by just the three of them to sound very orchestral.
And a couple more things: Rush did later use samplers and backing tracks, but at _that_ point in time, music technology hadn't advanced that far yet, so everything you hear truly is being played in realtime, with all three guys' feet involved, too! 😁 And what I also really like about StickHits' video, aside from the great restoration/remix job: Geddy playing the 12-string guitar half on his double-neck is clearly audible in the Right channel, which he's doing from the start of Alex' solo till the song's end, while also playing a pedal synth with his foot and hitting the occasional note on the synth 🤯 😁 In most other videos of this same performance, Geddy's guitar is hardly audible, and there are no good camera angles of him playing it either, so it flies below many people's radar, too. Just like Alex' swift switch from his 12-string to the 6-string at one point during this performance 😀
No Orchestra or Backing Tracks, just three multi-talented musicians multi-tasking with all hands and feet to get these sounds. You don't see that anymore these days.
If u do studio recordings of Rush, I recommend the lyric videos. Neil Peart wrote the majority of Rush's lyrics and he was a very accomplished and intelligent writer and he wrote about things u would not expect in the context of a rock song, they were very unique in that regard, RIP Professor. Rush was the greatest.
This was my second Rush tour. My first was Permanent Waves. I had never seen a band that could perform to this level ever. Neil was a show in and of himself.
Actually, as soon as the image of the wave came on screen, with Neil Peart's narration, that was the start of Xanadu. Both are the full songs from the album, with nothing added in, except for Neil's narration in between songs, from the album versions. They do extend songs live quite often, but these particular songs needed no extensions, they do that mostly with the shorter 2-3 minute songs in concert. There is one little quick guitar "flourish" from Alex, right after one of the bars Geddy sings, that was changed from the album, just a one or two second bit...both ways sound very cool, but I like the live bit better...
I hope you don't mind, Matt, but that's not entirely correct 😉 They did add a short new bit between the two songs in order to transition from one to the next. It's just guitar though, and then 'Xanadu' starts with the first note from the pedal synth. Followed by that round image appearing on the screen and Neil talking 🙂
28 strings and they use them all. Lovely reaction, I have loved this since it dropped in 81 (yeah. I'm old). I love that you sourced a laser disc, Geddys rhythm guitar is prominent during Alex's solo, which is different from the official version! Keep diving in to Rush... but for me THIS was their creative apex! Well done, cheers!❤
Actually, 34 strings. Geddy’s instrument is a 4 string bass over a 12 string guitar. That particular 12 string has 6 of the tuning pegs on either side of the neck with the remaining 6 on the back of the neck. There are a few times when you can clearly see the rear tuning pegs.
Just love watching you discover this band at the absolute zenith of their progressive era. I've seen them in many of their eras and I have to say, I loved this one the most. So cool, also to see you observe in wonder of their sheer versatility, talent and power in a live setting. I personally think they are an unmatched trio. During this time, they were playing with the following or similar set-up: Geddy Lee - bass guitar, Minimoog synthesizer, Oberheim polyphonic synthesizer, Moog Taurus bass pedals, vocals Alex Lifeson - 6- and 12-string electric and acoustic guitars, classical guitar, Roland guitar synthesizer, Moog Taurus pedals Neil Peart - drums, orchestra bells, bell tree, tympani, gong, cowbells, temple blocks, wind chimes, crotales. Also great hair day today Jessie! Way to kick off the weekend with this!
On this particular song, Geddy is also playing 12-string electric guitar at the very end. His double neck is a 4-string bass on top and 12-string electric on the bottom neck. I know it only looks like six tunic pegs, but that is because of Rickenbacher very weird setup for 12 -strings. Of course, Alex's double neck is 12-string on top and 6 -string on bottom, but it's a Gibson, so all 18 tuning pegs (machine heads) are visible.
I wasn't at this show but my first of many rush concerts was 1981 i was 17 at Madison Square garden the best band ever one of my greatest joys was taking my 2 teenage sons to see them for their 1st concert on the snakes and arrows tour in 2007
Same here, I was 15 and saw them in Los Angeles in 1981. I really wish I had been more famliar with their catalog at the time, but I had only heard Moving Pictures at the time. My buddy and I had advanced tickets to see Led Zeppelin when Bonham died. Ticketmaster (AKA the Devil) told us they could refund us the deposit, or we could switch to a different concert. Tom Sawyer and Limelight were all over the radio so we said 'why not?'. The day after the concert I bought Chronicles (their first 3 albums in a set) and 2112, and my buddy bought Farewell, Hemispheres, Permanent waves and Moving Pictures so combined we had it all. We wore those records out! Saw them their next 5 tours, now knowing every note of every song. Greatest of al time.
Why am I not seeing a playlist for Dimash Qudaibetgen( DeeMOSH KOOdiebergen)? You have missed one of the most amazing vocalists of all time.😮 You MUST react to Stranger and Sinful Passion(no glitch version). You'll never regret it. And he calls his fans Dears.😊
Hello from Brasil! From Rush I recommend the live videos of "Freewill" and "Red Barchetta" from this same show. Also the official videos of "Tom Sawyer", "Subdivisions" and "Afterimage". The live video of "YYZ" from the "Rush in Rio" show. And the live video of "Working Man" Live in Cleveland!
Start a band. You have a good voice for singing. Write songs with other people. Be creative. These guys are amazing, but they started out just as regular folk. Nothing you can't do.
GEDDY LEE on vocals, bass, and keys including foot pedals (Taurus Pedals). ALEX LIFESON on guitars and Taurus Pedals. NEIL PEART (pronounced Pee-rt) on drums.
Your reactions are so incredible. Not just the musical insight, but the pure joy and emotional connection to the music as well. An absolute delight to listen to these songs again with you. This album came out when I was a teenager and a huge fan of Rush, and I played it nearly non-stop. Finally got to see them live during their next tour (Signals) and it was absolutely awe inspiring. Still love going to live shows, particularly the modern psych scene, often playing in small clubs. The magic of live performance is always an experience. Off to see Frankie and the Witch Fingers (big Rush fans) this week. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for realizing and taking the time to listen to what this band really was and will always be… masterfully crafted music from 3 of the best musicians ever, that created this band. Nicest guys also, their journey was always proper and professional.
AO! Wrinkling little bits of your smooth brain! Okay, wonderful. I'm going to have to read those lyrics later myself. Thanks... It's already later... 'The Trees' seems to be about the inevitable revenge of the oppressed. It happens on all scales, from the bullied child to those forced into lower caste social structures. As for 'Xanadu' I have no clue, needs more research than I can do... now. (Rhymes unintended) Take care of that brain!
This version/video is different than the one heard on the Exit Stage Left album which also includes 'Broon's Bane' as an intro to 'The Trees'. I hope you can hear it sometime.
RUSH is definitely one of those bands where you absolutely need the lyrics. That said, it’s not easy to do on the first listen because there is just so much going on in most of their stuff. Definitely read the words, but do it when you’re comfortable. You will be having several listenings to absorb the whole thing. Just go with your gut for your reactions, it’s your channel. Have fun kiddo, they are one of THE BEST bands you will ever come across. Welcome to the club. 😁👍 Also I always like to say no dummies in a RUSH crowd.
Rush-the holy Triumvirate Alex Lifeson-probably the most underrated guitarist EVER Geddy Lee-bass, keys, synths, Moog pedals, vocals-multitasker extraordinaire Neil Peart-The Professor, genius IQ, lyricist, and the Best Drummer to ever walk the planet XANADU starts right after you hear the spoken words. And this is how it sounds on the studio version! I HIGHLY suggest you check out the poem KUBLA KHAN by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Peart got inspired to write XANADU because of this poem! Xanadu-Paradise! Great reaction
Really enjoyed your reaction to this classic performance!!! Great to see your appreciation and understanding of the music!!!! Great audio of this concert performance!!!!
I have heard 'Trees' and 'Xanadu' hundreds of times. It is never boring and the nuances in the tracks are astonishing. This is arguably the finest live performance of any song ever by any band. And I include Comfortably Numb. Three guys. Three.
Xanadu for me was the Apex of Rush as prog rock wizards… I was fortunate to see them live 17x and I met Neil Peart in a diner in Rochester NY in the 80’s. Being a drummer it’s a moment frozen in time for me. Great reaction and review. R.I.P. Neil Peart and long live the spirit of Rush! 👊🏻
As others said, no backing tracks, every sound you heard was either strings, percussion, or foot actuated. Watch again and see why they do very little moving around on stage. Both Geddy and Alex are playing many things along with Alex and the volume peddle making what "sounds" like synth.
I think you would appreciate "The Garden" - their last song off their last album, and kind of a thank-you & farewell to their fans, even though they didn't know it at the time. You might also like my personal favourite Rush song - "The Pass" for a very deep and personal message. Check out their live performances of these two songs - you can see how much passion they have for the music.
So exciting to watch another generation discover the magic of Rush and this era ... And if yourself & the viewers-commenters would like, Xanadu is based on the poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Good time to get the art & calligraphy kits & special texture stationary out ...
In my humble opinion, Xanadu is one of the two greatest live performances ever, along with Nightwish's Ghost Love Score. Perfect in composition and perfect in execution. The multi-tasking going on in Xanadu is unmatched. I call it "Three geniuses and seven necks!" Geddy playing bass, twelve string guitar, synths, synth and bass pedals, plus singing. Neil on a full orchestral percussion set and Alex on Twelve and six string guitars, using a variety of pedals, plus bass pedals. It just doesn't get better. Almost all of the lyrics are from Professor Peart, and you can read them as pure poetry and stilol be blown away. A true lyrical genius. My favorites are "Free Will" and "Something For Nothing." Niel ALWAYS hit the brain in placdes that made you think and feel.
I have Exit… Stage Left on laserdisc. It’s a great concert film. But Stickhits is doing the lords work by taking old Rush performances and remastering them.
The lyrics for The Trees can be taken so many ways, Rich vs Poor, perceived racial inequality, perceived religious inequality and since Rush is Canadian, even country inequality US vs Canada. Neil makes a point of not saying which side is right, it just depends on your perspective, are you an Oak or a Maple. He described himself as a bleeding-heart libertarian which I suppose makes him an empathetic Oak.
Thank you for reading the lyrics! You might also like a lot of other Rush songs. I also recommend the STUDIO version of Iron Maiden's "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" (read the lyrics first!)
I troll RU-vid to vicariously relive the thrill of discovering this amazing band through new eyes and never disappointed in the reactions that take me back to my own 43 years ago!
These are my dudes. I grew up with them as my idols. I saw them live when I was 16 years old, seven months after this recording was made. To this day, I feel so blessed to have seen them play live (a total of five times).
You are amazing!!!! Love !!Psalm 139:13-16 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
