I posted on another reaction video, that when Alex Lifeson is the weakest link in your band, then you might be the greatest trio of musicians ever assembled.
They had to chart)a. Villa strangiato separately) while they were working on it in the studio so each part was played by each musician one at a time and they had know intentions to put it in their set list but obviously they figured out how it might work with backing tracks
I have no idea how to find them, but I know they are out there. I remember seeing them when I was younger and in high school band. I was TOTALLY blown away. Wish I could find them now...
Neil was considered to be one of the best drummers there was. He was so well respected he was called 'The Professor'. Geddy was voted as best bassist by his peers on several occasions. Alex was considered as one of the best by his peers. He wasn't real flashy, but he could play anything. This was probably the best trio ever.
He wasn't called 'The Professor' because of his drumming. It was a nickname given to him by Geddy and Alex referencing a character from Gilligan's Island.
@@NotThatOneThisOne , believe what you want. In an interview with Dave Grohl he said, "He's not called 'The Professor' for nothing, we all learn from him." On a sadder note, I've just read that Neil Peart has passed away. An aggressive brain tumor that he has quietly been battling for 3 1/2 years. Rest in peace, Professor. Now you can jam with Keith Moon and Buddy Rich.
He was called the professor because his intelligence he read anything he could get his hands on and that's how that name came along which had nothing to do with drumming
Hogan Disciple lol. Right! You know those clicks the roller coaster makes before you get to the top? This is it in musical form before it plunges you into an amazing adrenaline rush.
Yes, so true... his style of drumming was one of the key elements that drew me to listening to Rush songs over and over again, I mean his style was just so interesting to listen to! - how many bands of that genre can say the same about their drummer?
"What's that from?" -- It's from the 1936 song "Powerhouse" by Raymond Scott, which Warner Brothers used in several of their cartoons. Rush originally did not pay royalties for use of the song, and by the time Scott's publisher noticed the infringment the statute of limitations on their claim had expired. However, Rush (being the class act they are) offered Scott a one-time "penance" fee, which satisified everyone involved.
I remember this from a Looney Tunes cartoon called, “Mass Production, Mass Consumption”. Sylvester The Cat is after a couple of mice. One was an intellectual mouse explaining economics, “supply and demand”.
THANK YOU! I knew I'd heard it in a Bugs Bunny cartoon when I was a wee lass. And yeah, that was a totally classy thing for Rush to pay a penance fee. I wouldn't expect anything less from those guys. RIP to The Professor! ❤
@@louisnelson7599 Powerhouse was also in a Porky Pig toon where he's a chicken farmer and and the chickens are laying towers of eggs while the song played.
Leddy Gee So you are just getting acquainted with it. I have heard it over 5000 times. But still lacking compared to the over 10000 times I have heard Stairway and Kashmir. But it's catching up. It's my favorite guitar work.
Thanks for this Jamal. This may sound odd but about 4 minutes into the song I began to openly weep, almost uncontrollably. By any measure I'm an old man, heading toward 70 years old. I first saw Rush when they were an opening act for Blue Oyster Cult in the 70's. I sat through their set and honestly I couldn't wait for them to finish so I could hear "Don't Fear the Reaper" (side note: I actually DO fear the reaper now! But I digress...). Rush music back then was, other than their ONLY hit "Tom Sawyer", an acquired taste. And I didn't "get" it. Years pass, no decades pass, it's the late 90's. I've got 4 kids now, ages 8 to 17, and all are into music. I used to go to yard sales with the kids often back then and picked up a Rush CD at one of them. I popped it in and we all listened and once La Villa finished I realized that now, 20 years after that concert in Plattsburgh, New York I began to "get" Rush music and developed a healthy for their talent and genius. In short, I became a Rush fan that day and ever since. I wasn't sure however, how my kids felt about Rush that day. Then a few more years passed and one day while cruising in the car with my kids my middle son, the drummer of the family, said "Hey Dad, if yoiu still have that Rush CD can you play it?" So I did. They loved it! Come to find out that since that first listen many years earlier my kids had developed an interest in Rush and 2 of the 4 were serious fans! So...in 2005, for my drummer son's 16th birthday I bought us tickets for a show in Boston and luckily my daughter was able to come to the show as well. Needless to say, a live Rush concert is f-ing amazing to say the least.In a very special way, as only music can do, I bonded with my son that day in a profound way. Which is why, I guess, that upon the passing of Neal last week, I received a text from my son, now 30 years of age, that said, "Dad, RIP Neil Peart. Thanks for introducing our family to Rush." And I guess that text is why I wept. And while we won't Rush music will live forever.
Steve C - what a great story!!! And, very poetically funny!!! And, to add to it, ALL these guys are probably also "fearing the reaper"...getting up there in years! Rush also used to open for Kiss...can you imagine the similar thought folks were having coming to see Kiss and having to sit though Rush??? That is so awesome to think about. Watch the Netflix documentary "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage".
I hear ya bro.. I make my kids listen to Rush They need to understand that music will never sound the same live, ever again. I've seen over a 100 different bands in my life..I have never heard a band sounds so real, like Rush.. The energy, not forced, just there.. Crazy shit.. It's what you get when you put 3 of the top musicians in the world together.. It's that simple!
Mercury almost dropped them but relented but said if their next record didn't deliver they were done so the next record was 2112 which the label said wtf do we do with this but obviously the public came out in droves after that album which btw made me a rush fan
I still get a knot in my throat listening to the boys. It's amazing how much a part of your life they become. Saved me in my adolescence that's for sure. Still Missing you Neil Peart. Thanks for all the words that helped me to navigate this world.
Seen them 3 times... they reproduce the songs so accurately you'd think it was taped but you know it's real because they improvise on the theme... they are all three very accomplished musicians who have a great repertoire of original songs.
When they were in the studio they had to chart this a half dozen times just to remember where there at and in an interview Alex was worried that they couldn't play it live and he even said they didn't play it for the tour that supports the album
"La Villa" is actually made up of 12 different parts, each with its own subtitle. Each part is a musical interpretation of Alex Lifeson's dreams/nightmares. So you nailed it when you said "So many songs within one." That's exactly it.
The Hemispheres tour was epic. I was really happy to take my 13yo daughter to a Rush show before they retired the band. I was about the same age when I discovered Rush.
I saw the Moving Pictures tour in Ottawa in the 80's... it was my 2nd or 3rd concert - I was blown away and a huge fan of Rush up until the "Signals" album and then my enthusiasm kinda wore off even though I didn't really give them a fair shake on any of their albums afterwards.. still one of my favorite bands of all time!
@@orchestratedincompetence I was that way with every album after Signals; weird thing, for me, was that I'd go back and listen to the albums a few years after they'd come out, to include "Clockwork Angels," and I'd find that I'd like or even love them. It's almost like the music had to percolate for a bit to get through.
@@ex-navyspook you know what? I just may do that! Interesting that we both kinda put them on the back burner after the Signals album - thanks for responding and I think I'll try doing the same as you since they're too good of a band not to explore further!
I saw Rush for the first time on the Hemispheres tour. Maybe their best tour ever because they performed Cygnus X-1 Books 1 & 2 in their entirety plus the entire Hemispheres album, most of A Farewell To Kings, and 2112. As well as other favorites. Wish there was video of it.
@@MorganTrotter You lucky dog!...That would've been an amazing tour to attend! I only found out last week that Neil Peart had passed on very recently - I was quite sad... perhaps one of the greatest drummers that ever lived! Peace and love, brother!
That one song demonstrates the absolute mastery of three men and the instruments they loved. What can you say about a self taught guitar player, Alex you are the man.
Exactly! Early in their careers, Rush used to tour with and open for Kiss. In their documentary on Netflix called "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage" they talk about how Kiss was always trying to get them to come out and party with them, the boys from Rush would go back to the hotel and be in bed by 10 pm! You can't play music like this tweaking out and wasted!!!
"Like I know I'm being set up....it's about to get insane" You can just hear the momentum building up in this classic I'm a proud boomer and so friggin happy I grew up in this era of music.
I’m jealous of you. I grew up in the comparative musical wasteland of the 80’s. Like many kids my age, I only became aware of Rush with Moving Pictures, but then went back and listened to all their 1970’s albums and wished I’d been able to hear them when they first came out. I became a prog rock fan in general, so of course I missed out on so much of that in its heyday.
RUSH is the GOAT. pure and simple. 3 lead artists that meld into a cohesive sound that is unto its own. now Bro, 2112 and Neil's drum solo. he is the heart of the band.
Uhhh....slightly older, mid 20's or so when it was released in 1978...Alex and Geddy both born in 1953...Neil was in 1952. I am pretty sure this particular performance Jamel is jamming to was recorded in 1980 so, later 20's, Neil was 28 or so at this performance.
I thought the same thing, then realized that actually some older bands like Tool do still write great and thought provoking music. No coincidence that Rush is a big influence for them.
There's plenty of great music being made nowadays. It's just not in the mainstream. This wasn't really mainstream, either. Rush were much-maligned back in the day.
This is from the Moving Pictures tour. I was VERY fortunate to attend their concert in Dallas for that tour. Alex is the most underrated rock guitarist. He may be the best ever. He can change styles on a dime. Thank you Jamel for your love of RUSH.
This song is a cardio workout for all of us who play both air guitar and air drums simultaneously! Now give us a reaction video of the song Hemispheres from the Rush album of the same name...it'll blow your mind!
What a pleasure to watch someone with an open mind and a big appreciation of music discover these guys and the "complete package" they present. The music, lyrics and Rush's unique synergy have been a gift and guide for over 35 years, when i first heard Moving Pictures in '81. Thanks for spreading the music!✌
I often hear people say “Alex is so under estimated as a guitarist “ it is my belief that he is over looked by in most people’s opinion, the best rhythm section in the business, when his contemporaries talk about him they talk of what an efficient technique he has, as well his feel and the way he builds a solo, these are the people to listen to not the partisan fans who will always support their team regardless. P.S. love the review. 😜
And decades later this music is still as fresh and awesome as the first time we heard it. Masters. Bless them for sharing their music with us to fill our lives and souls.
💗Rush💗 The group's music writing always reminded me of music pieces written in a classical style (Mozart, etc). I have played piano for years & was trained in classical music. The movements throughout this song illustrate my point perfectly. 💗Rush will always be my favorite along with 💗Pink Floyd. I'm happy that your ears (and mind) approve! ✌
@@mikesmith-ph3qb That is an interesting bit of trivia...not to burst your bubble or be a dick, that's not 100% correct. In 1968, Alex Lifeson was in a band, the black person you are referring to is Jeff Jones (of Red Rider fame), he was the bassist and lead singer of this group. But, he left just before their 2nd appearance, 2 weeks after they formed! They were all only 15 years old and playing "sock hops" in the basement of a local church!! They weren't out touring as "Rush"! And, they certainly weren't playing THIS kind of music. They weren't called "Rush" until 1971, so, although it's true to say, Alex Lifeson performed with someone other than Geddy Lee playing bass and lead vocalist at one time, Alex and Geddy were school friends since they were 13.
💜 Any Rush is good Rush. 💜😁 I remember how blown away we all were when we discovered that there were only three people in this band. Three GENIUSES. 🌟🌟🌟
My life is so better because of Rush. Whatever it was that brought these three together, thank you thank you. They always compliment one another while going the eff off themselves!!!
You'd have to be a STONE to not be completely moved by that song. Their musicianship is unquestionable. And once again, keep telling yourself.....it's only 3 guys Thanks again for the smiles!
Exactly! Raw talent only goes so far, then, it's drive, passion and practice to be perfect! Michael Jordan and Walter Payton didn't become who they were by not working out, practicing and pushing themselves. Unlike so many other rockers who were partying their asses off and screwing as many groupies as they could, these guys where home, with their families, practicing, perfecting and making stellar music!
I love this band. All three members are the best of THE BEST. I especially enjoy watching Geddy Lee. It's like the bass takes over, and plays HIM. I am SO glad I got to see them live a few times. Rest in peace Neil. 💔
Brilliant! There will never be another band like rush. It’s heartbreaking these guys will never share the stage together. I truly enjoy watching Jamel anticipate the transitions much like riding a coaster. Rip Neil you will be missed.
Xa-na-dooooo...omg - one of my fave Rush songs! I smoked many bowls of hash and smoked many joints as I listened to this over and over again in the 80's - Farewell to Kings - what an album!
@@orchestratedincompetence right there with you! Smoking under a glass...hash and opium too...we were such stoners! We "Rode on the train to Bankok" many times!!! Sampling the yields!
@@mikemascow8316 as soon as I read your words, specifically "Bangkok", instantly, that song and the music instantly took me back to those days... and here we are today struggling with cv19... boy, I sure miss those days back in the 80's - cheers, love and peace bro!
@@orchestratedincompetence Haha! Ya...I had some friends in college from Korea and Malaysia...the Royal Malaysian Air Force was sending their mechanics to school where I was going, we had the #1 avionics and aviation mechanics school in the country at SIU Carbondale...which also had a reputation as being a huge "party school"...I always deferred to comment saying, anytime you have 23,000 students in one place, your bound to have a party at any given moment! The guy who owned my dorm my soph year also owned one across town that housed all those foreign students going through the aviation programs as well as others, it was affectionately called "International Hall". I was one of their "suppliers", the guys would call me on the phone, they'd say "Mike, I want to 'walk on the moon'" which meant, get your ass over here with your bong and your stash and sell us some grams of cens! Those boys knew how to party, most of them were already 21 or older, so, lots of booze too...they had money as well, so, they all had kick ass sound systems and wanted to hit the bars, they were buying, so, who wouldn't want to go?! I'd drag some friends along...we'd teach them how to play quarters or poker. It was harmless fun. Learned a lot about their culture, even tried different dishes they'd make, most of them so damn spicy, it would blow the top off your head! You'd sit there and sweat while you ate. I never saw those guys again, but, I sure think about them from time to time and laugh! Yes, the world is a totally different place today! No where near as trusting.
Their music is woven so intricately even after over 4 decades of hearing this I still pick up new things because they are so amazing. Greatest ROCK BAND EVER!!!
3 guys, playing their instruments (& pedals at the same time, which you don't often see) with years of practice & natural talent, a real ear for interesting music, time signature changes, the whole sonic package.....& evolving over the 40 years. Incredible band.
Some late 70s/early 80s for you to enjoy... Billy Thorpe - Children of the Sun Alcatraz - Hiroshima Mon Amour UFO - Lights Out Golden Earring - Radar Love Zebra - Who's Behind The Door or Tell Me What You Want Planet P Project - Why Me Triumph- Fight The Good Fight
Rush was such a masterfully tight and cohesive unit that was personified in what I call the Canadian Trinity!!! Thank you giving the greatest band the attention they deserve. Ive been in mourning over the loss of the heartbeat of Rush and I want to tip my hat to all in the wake of this misfortune!! GREAT REACTION
In case no-one has pointed it out yet, They(Alex and Geddy) play some of the keyboard and bass parts, live, with their feet, while playing other parts with their hands.
Agree, this is one rare instance where I prefer the studio version mostly because I think Alex sounds better on it. Otherwise I listen to exit stage left 80% of the time when listening to rush.
@@markwearne8884 Silly? I think Jamel is doing a great service both for these bands and young people! He's keeping this sound alive and fresh, giving our youth something great to listen to. There are other RU-vid channels doing this too, but none as original and "dead nuts on" with reviews as Jamel. He is GREAT! Plus, he is a fun, cognitive guy. I'd have loved to hung out with him while he was "discovering" this music because, I know we would have had very deep conversations about it.
Going through so many of your videos on Rush. Helping me heal lol So much fun watching someone discover music, just for the sake of music. Masterful musicians doing exactly what *they* want to do.
These three are a world above anyone else! They are literally in a class all their own! They are so in tune with each other. I mean having a job that you thoroughly enjoy and smile and have fun at the whole time.....Love RUSH and have since the first time I heard them so many many years ago!
This is so ridiculously good. It is for sure my favorite performance of the song. As an American I love Canada for two things especially and that is Rush and hockey. There's a lot of other really good stuff as well, but those two things are so freaking good.
I have heard this song so many times over the years I've lost count, yet I still got goosebumps several times during this video. I don't know of many songs that can do that. For me, this is one of the best rock songs of all time.
You are on it today. Great reaction! Unbelievable song and I love how you get to see how great Alex Lifeson(lead guitar and taurus bass pedals) is. So underrated. Much love... Keep the fire burning.
traumaturgist SBI I think the studio version is better than most live versions (live they had to play it slower and were less smooth and sharp generally, but it’s no surprise-it took them longer to record that song than it took them to record the entirety of their album Fly By Night. And it was three different pieces put together. Insane musicianship tho. Chills!
Excellent catch...I thought it sounded different. You are 100% right, on the ESL tour recording they NAILED it! Watch the Netflix documentary "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage"...they all discuss this particular song and how DIFFICULT it is to play! And, to remember all their parts!!! Timing...time-ing...ti-ming!
Three absolute virtuosos, a wall of sound coming at you by 3 guys....3 guys! Who needs lyrics when the playing is beyond comprehension, epic is a word you can apply to RUSH over and over again!
Was inspired by Rush as a child and became a musician and I must say that Rush is the reason I was able to march in a DCI drum and bugle corps because of these transitions and listening to them it helped with learning to count listen across so many boundaries.
Man I just love your reactions & your wide ranging musical exploration. You really are The man. Lifeson's leads almost ALWAYS tell a complete story. They start, they grow & change, there's a grand climactic finish, and the epilogue. Exactly why he's been one of my favorites since I was in jr. high in the 70s!
Jamel, your reviews are dead nuts ON!!! You got it right when you said this is a straight up masterpiece! Their are no words needed to complete this song! The guitars, synthesizer and drums say it all! And, the key, ALL that music is being made by 3 guys. Nobody else hiding behind the stage...no orchestra pit full of instruments, just those 3 dudes you see up on stage! That song first came out in 1978. The sound engineering and automation back then was nothing compared to what it is today. When you consider all those things, 3 guys, limited production, a Masterpiece it truly is! And, you didn't see those guys sneaking a peak at any sheet music either, did you? All that is in their heads! It blows my mind to think of the perfect timing of all that to make it sound that good!!! You and your fans might enjoy watching a GREAT documentary about Rush available on Netflix that was done back in 2010 called "Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage", which Rush fans of course recognize as a lyric from their hit song "Limelight" which came out on their Moving Pictures album from 1981. Not that Rush didn't have great songs on albums after, but, IMHO, "Moving Pictures" was their climax. You listen to their early stuff, right up to this, you can hear it as a big crescendo building. Back to the documentary, it is very cool to hear their stories. Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee have been friends since they were 13 years old, in their first year of Junior HS. They chronicle the early days of them playing together at school dances, their struggles to find a musical "groove" to follow, how they came to be Rush and later bring Neil Peart into the band to replace their drummer, and how bringing Neil in completely changed the band. In particular, in the documentary, they talk about this song, La Villa Strangiato, which, IMHO is one of if not their BEST pieces of work. They talk about the number of cord changes in the song, progressions, etc, and how DIFFICULT it is for them to sit and play it flawlessly beginning to end, and as well, to even REMEMBER the cords and progressions! With that said, my friends and I used to get pretty wasted listening to and enjoying Rush. However, what is even crazier, the members of Rush were NOT partiers! They HAD to keep their minds straight to play all that music, again, just 3 of them on stage, no place to hide!!! Great job on your review! This music needs to be documented like this and stay alive!!! Thanks for doing so.
Dude!!! I watch you and think you are like me! When you hear the core truth of RUSH you close your eyes and take in the sound directly from your ears! The most honest response video I've seen.
A great Rush tune to follow this up with would be Xanadu Live -81. It's quite an experience to say the least. And then at some point set aside some time and react to 2112 in it's entirety. Other cool tunes from Rush are Working Man, Fly By Night, and Closer To The Heart.
The thing I love about Jamel's videos is he is all of us - the first time we heard these songs, marveling at the insane musicianship while wondering where this was all going at the same time.
