I hate you Manny and Surfguy. I've been listening to Moving Pictures all morning, and ENJOYING IT, and sooner or later someone is going to ask me what I've been listening to, and that means someone is going to find out how much of a nerd I am. Thanks a lot.
Nope, Bleyl on the NW side. Was your teacher's name Mrs. Zamora? And was she super hot? Bad ass memorabilia, BTW. I used to have an 8 foot flag that had the 2112 logo on it. It hung right behind my drumset in my room. I felt just like Neil Peart.
I would work backward from Moving Pictures to 2112 (or vice versa). Permanent Waves Hemispheres Farewell to Kings 2112 All the World's a Stage (live album, gives overview of pre-2112 material) The one after _MP_, Signals, is also essential. All of the studio albums following _S_ are not essential (though that is not to say that they are not worth getting eventually). The weakest of the essential bunch imo is _PW_. half.ebay.com will set you free.
The debut album is very different again, because Neil Peart wasn’t with them then, but it contains a song that many people would still say is their favourite Rush song, In the Mood. That was the song that introduced the world to Geddy’s voice. Rush essentials, eh? They’re Canadian, and since you, Manny, definitely have an ear for Canadian music sensibilities that ought to work for you here too. But they developed HUGE followings in many places in the world, most notably Texas. They were panned by the critics for at least the first 10 years of their existence, and still their fans loved them. They were high in testosterone and yet had an artistry that elevated them well above the status of simple metal heads. I’d say they were somewhat Led Zeppelinish in that way. They were also very humble people for their day. This was the era of the “Rock Star” remember (see Joe Walsh’s Life’s Been Good). Rush came across as almost regular guys who played what the felt, and it was what a lot of other people were feeling too. Critics be damned. They spoke to a broad segment of a generation (or two) while defying the critics and rock formulas of the day. You might say that they were coming from a place a little closer to the heart (one of those testosterone filled pockets close to the heart, that is). And because of it they made some truly outstanding music earned a very strong and very loyal following, in Canada, Texas, and around the world.
Also check out Take Off by Bob and Doug Mackenzie. It has a special appearance by Geddy Lee. "How did you come up with the words so fast?" "Well, I'm a professional.."
If you really want a laugh, then find the Trailer Park Boys show with Alex Lifeson in it. I believe it was posted in this forum before. It shows the lighter side of Alex. Besides being a damn fine guitarist, he also is a damn fine comedic talent. This comes out in Rush's live performance in his La Villa rants during the Vapor Trails tour. The Trailer Park Boys episode is freaking hilarious. Something about these Trailer Park guys trying to get into Madison Square Garden to see Rush by sneaking in through the sewer system. Then, they end up with Alex in his dressing room. I'm going to have to watch it again tonite cause it's time and it's funny. Alex was a good sport to do that show. It caps off at the end with Alex and one of these coke bottle glass wearing Trailer Park dudes playing "Closer to the Heart" wile the Trailer park guy sings and plays along. Funny stuff. Alex could barely keep a straight face during that one.
You guys get the Trailer Park Boys down there?! That’s hilarious. That’s a Canadian show out of Halifax, oeilpere’s (Popeye) part of the world. The guy who plays Bubbles used to play in a regionally successful band called Sandbox. Maybe that’s where the connection with Alex came from. The TPBs also toured with Our Lady Peace recently. http://www.fearofthetrailerpark.com/ http://www.trailerparkboys.com/ http://www.trailerparkboys.4t.com/index.html
Here is some excellent Rush goodies...mostly videos, interviews, and the Trailer Park Boys video in small and big versions. You can even get the entire Rush performance from SARSFest. ftp.feck.net It requires a username: rush and password: rushvideo . Regards, Surf
Manny- You cant go wrong with 'Permanent Waves'. It has one of my fav. Rush songs on it - "Natural Science". '2112' is amazing. 'Presto' and 'Test For Echo' are the best albums of the 90's. 'Fly By Night' is one of my favorite older album.....
