You can't have a favorite member of Rush. All three worked hard to be masters at their craft and they were in such a sync that they elevated each other.
I love in the Rush documentary where they talk about Working Man in Cleveland and how people were calling in asking when the new Zeppelin album was coming. You can definitely hear the related tones of the time but for a new band during that time to be held up so high was amazing.
Saw Alex and the boys play that live Phoenix Veterans Memorial Coliseum 1980 on the Hemispheres tour. So bad-ass! Was maybe 30 feet away watching Alex play that intro!
Far Cry is one of my favorites Rush has ever done. That song is such a banger. It's hard, and dirty, and just slams into you. The power and relentlessness of the bass/drum combo throughout, and Alex just filling in every little nook and cranny with guitar. The change from the dark and heavy pounding during the verses to the much lighter feel of the chorus... the whole thing is just perfect. I drive WAY to fast when this comes on.
Great thing about Rush is that they have different musical eras. The 70's they did a lot of proggy material with songs around the 20 min mark. In the mid 80s they introduced a lot of synth sounds and shorter songs and in the 90's they reverted back to straight hard rock and kept on going. The cool thing is… THEY ARE ALL GREAT!!
Alex is the most important person in the band. I’m a drummer and Neil is my favorite drummer, but Alex always gets overlooked and always mentioned last when people talk Rush. Alex is so musical, creative and versatile. He’s the best rock guitar player ever and I think he’s the heart of the band
All I know is that I went through some serious shit several years ago and Far Cry really got me through it. The lyrics carried me through a year of personal hell.
I kinda fell out of the loop when I had my son. I believe the LAST CD I bought was ROLL THE BONES! How many am I missing from my collection??? Someone update me PLEASE!
@@karenduguid3943 Counterparts, test for echo, vapor trails, snakes and arrows and Clockwork Angels. They also did an album of cover songs called feedback
Joie Chitwood I read the same story in comments on a Chicago performance with a twist; someone asked Jimi Hendrix how it felt to be the world’s greatest guitarist, Hendrix said “I don’t know, ask Terry Kath.”
Shallex I don’t believe it. Because Eddie Van Halen dosen’t really respect that many people, and why do I always come across you on comment sections and then we start fighting.
Isn't it absolutely amazing that three men can make this sound? Three people! One of the best bands ever, and they are very smart as well and it reflex in their music. Great choice to explore this band!
In my experience , Neil is your favorite drummers favorite drummer, Geddy is your favorite Bass players favorite Bass player, and oh my God, Alex is your favorite guitar players favorite guitar player... They have and still do influence millions of up and coming musicians... Peace, Man... Don't forget their album Carress of Steel! ✌️
I work asked the line cooks at my job today if anyone likes Rush and the three standing there all shrugged and said, "they're okay?" and I about lost it. I'm becoming truly passionate about this band. My dad would be proud.
I'm sure this has been mentioned a million times by now, but the distance between the original studio version of Working Man and this one is light years apart! I love the original for what it was in it's day. But this version just makes me smile from ear to ear, because I know they continued to grow and change throughout their career! Please go back and listen to the original, and tell me if you believe old dogs can't learn new tricks! ;)
T, Rush is one of the Greatest 3 Peice Bands Ever, if not the Greatest, R.I.P To Mr. Peart The Greatest rock Drummer Ever, This Performance Kicks Royal ASS BRO, The 3 Best Musicians To Ever Walk The Planet, Peace , Cousin Figel
After Far Cry you just described the song Red Barchetta from Moving Pictures. Wind in my hair, shifting and drifting mechanical music ,adrenaline surge. Well weathered leather , hot metal and oil, the scented country air, sunlight on chrome, the blur of the landscape, every nerve aware... You'll like that For Sure.
Love both of these songs immensely. But Red Barchetta is the ultimate “rush” of adrenaline. The music, the LYRICS, their musicianship! It packs more story in it than many movies. It takes my breath away every time I hear it.
The drum kit rotates by the way. He's playing the acoustic set during these songs, but the other side is his electronic kit. For the newer material primarily, it will spin 180° to give him access. FYI, there's an old saying...When Eddie van Halen was asked what it was like to be the greatest guitarist in the world, he said, "I don't know. Go ask Alex Lifeson!" I personally don't have a favorite member, as they are all equally competent. Each member has their own songs that they shine in, or in the longer offerings different movements within the song. Rush had something special in that they didn't let their egos come into play. Everyone's ideas had merit and all band members had to agree before moving forward with something. Not many other bands can say that. Bigger bands suffered from "too many cooks in the kitchen" and fell apart because they couldn't agree. Last comment. GREAT reaction! Thanks for that. If you want to see Rush jam in their prime, anything from Exit Stage Left is amazing. I'll offer up Xanadu as a suggestion: ruclips.net/video/VuHS-gjMiVw/видео.html
@@OriginalMergatroid...Oh I know. That joke is older than that. Might have originally been, Jimmy Page was asked what it was like to be the world's greatest guitarist. He said, "IDK, go ask Eddie van Halen!"
Funny how these three guys were obviously meant to be together. Great individually but magical together. You can tell they really knew each other well.
Rush is AWESOME! When you see them live (five times for me) it REALLY hits home that there are only 3 people! I couldn't take my eyes off the stage. Neil Peart was UNTOUCHABLE! RIP SIR NEIL!! As LAW NATION would say "you're listening to nothing but the best"! Looks like you are about to EXPLODE! I have been a fan for YEARS! My FIRST concert was 2112. All i could do was sitting there in absolute AWE... I've never heard this version of WORKING MAN!
Alex Lifeson is a God level guitarist that has somehow managed to fly under the radar. The man can shred a guitar like very few have ever been able to do. That bit in the middle there, Geddy said once they just let Alex do whatever for that bit and they never really know what he's going to do. But this show was something special. Cleveland is the town in the US that they cracked first. A working class town, and Working Man REALLY reverberated with the people. And RUSH has never ever forgotten that. This was a big thank you to Cleveland for that. And lest we forget, while Alex was smoking that guitar, Neil and Geddy were putting on master classes of their own in the background. Normally you don't play a drum rhythm that damn complex for a solo, yet there's Neil going 110% back there and Geddy's fingers melting the strings on the bass. Somehow they all manage to shine without getting in the way of each other. Far Cry is awesome. The whole of Clockwork Angels is just awesome. Far Cry is relentless. It just hammers without letting up for a second. BU2B is awesome and you HAVE to listen to The Garden. That's Rush's farewell.
Alex is a master at transitioning between rythm and lead in their songs. You need to check out Rush being voted into the rock hall of fame, just the name of Toronto where they are from the crowd goes crazy.
That transition at 4:34 is the perfect example of that. The way he flows the solo back down to the low octave to bring it back in for a soft landing for the bridge is just fucking perfection.
Love this version of Working Man... the juxtaposition of being a slave to the grind while walking on the beach in the Bahamas... just priceless... awesome feel to this very artistic take of the song. Far Cry is a lyrical juggernaut. RIP Neil...Cheers! Peace!
Great reaction! That face when Alex goes ballistic on solo. For myself Lifeson is the soul of this band. People focus so much on Neil and Geddy, many times what's missed is what emotion Alex brings with his sound.
It's not missed. Any true Rush band knows what Alex means to this band. His instrument fills an incredible amount of space and their music. His technique and style and approach to how he plays is just awesome. He is absolutely a one-of-a-kind guitarist. Thank God these three met. And I mean that God.... Thank you! 🤘🏻😝🤘🏻
@@Snowdogkh More this was geared towards those not knee deep in the cult like us. There was enough times I heard how Alex was the weak link of the 3. And me shaking my head saying you arent hearing what he is adding to a hyper active drummer and a fanatical bassist (with all his keyboard toys too). He made that perfect balance. And the moods he create to compliment Neils lyrics and the rythym section, no other guitarist could create such a body of work in his shoes for them. But Im preaching to the choir arent I. Lol
I like to think that, as the new generation of musicians discovers the old stuff, they'll be inspired to mix it and improve on it, including all the lessons from decades of rap and hiphop, and the next generation of music will be just as mind blowing if not more. Despite all the current commercialism, this is an exciting time for music
I live in Toronto and saw these guys many times earlier in their career, and even after all this time, hearing songs I haven't heard in a long time, or even learning of songs I'd never even heard before, they still just leave me speechless every time I hear them play! Appreciate your enthusiasm for the greatest band ever!
Rush is one of the greatest bands to watch live and you'll never a see a dropoff from the studio version to the live version. Working Man was Rush's first ever hit song. There's no reggae in the studio version, they added that for the tour. Yeah Alex was bananas, when you watch again, check Geddy because he's also going nuts with his solo at the same time. In fact I've seen songs where all three are soloing and they never sound disjointed. As you witnessed they are magical on stage and for their age they gave us (Rush Fans) a 3hr show (concert) all the way until they retired in their mid 60's. You'd be lucky if any band in their prime would or could give you that. In regards to Far Cry, a good song but middle of the road Rush song in my opinion.
@@karenduguid3943 RTB tour was in the early 90.s. After RTB there were 8 tours, keep in mind, Rush was on an hiatus for 5 years after the death of Peart's daughter and wife (between 1997 and 2002).
@@karenduguid3943 Unfortunately his daughter passed in a car crash and wife shortly after, unsure of the reason of ailment but according some articles I read, Neil felt she pass because of a broken heart. Neil took a break from Rush after and traveled to Africa I believe. He wrote a book about his journey.
Hope you have a lot of time, T, cuz you have about 40 years of Rush music to throw yourself into. Just WAIT till you get to some of their 20 minute epics. I'd LOVE to see you react to Natural Science, the live versions of Xanadu and La Villa Strangiato.
Thank you, Peter and Ed! Thank you, TNT! You stated that their music makes you think about driving. They have the perfect drive songs. Red Barchetta should be on your next Rush rabbit hole. It is THE perfect drive song and it is a great piece of story telling lyrically and musically. Rush is always gonna make you feel good.
I too was going to suggest Red Barchetta as their best driving song. I usually set the cruise control though, because if you don't, you can find yourself going really, really fast.
I'm so happy to see Rush being discovered today but at the same time incredibly sad that you won't have the opportunity to experience them live. The concert videos out there document them well but there was just no substitute for being there. Enjoy the ride, Brother!
Went to my first Rush show back during the Presto tour. After about 20 concerts in all and having every single album and countless bootlegs I’m still getting chills even watching these reaction videos of people who have never heard or went to a Rush show. Can’t stress how much of a perfectionist they are and please do yourself a favor and go watch some of their concert video releases. It will blow your mind and they do have fun by making skits that get played during their shows. They will forever be one of those bands that I simply will never get tired of listening to.
Three talented men, making amazing thought provoking music with thought provoking lyrics. Unlike a lot of music out today. Neil was an epic story teller.
I'd been watching them perform Working Man since '77. It was always a favorite! What's cool is that I remember the first time I heard Far Cry. They put it up on the internet for streaming, and I played it and instantly fell in love with the song. It's been one of my favorites since. It has so much energy! After all that time, they were still putting out incredible music. I loved how they grew musically.
You have to understand the back story for Working Man to appreciate that they are playing it in Cleveland. It was a Cleveland DJ that @broke@ Rush in the US by playing Working Man over and over and asking listeners to guess who it was. Listen to the original. Real banger.
RUSH IS EVERYTHING! YOU MUST REACT TO RUSH "XANADU" EXIT STAGE LEFT 1981 (LIVE) It'll blow your mind!🤯 It's AMAZING! Thank you my friend! Stay safe! 💥💯🖤🎼🤘 RIP Neil Peart
Just a few things to note: 1) Geddy and Alex have been and remain best friends since grade school. Quite an accomplishment given the amount of time they've spent together in close quarters, through the trials and tribulations of fame, endless touring, personal and professional high's and lows and nearly 60 years of being in each other's lives. 2) "Working Man('s)" reggae/island introduction feel has been in and out of the set since 1981 when they first introduced it on the 'Moving Pictures' tour. But the song itself, was on their very first album before Neil even joined. 3) Nice that you reviewed "Far Cry" as it gets tiring hearing the same 5-6 songs reviewed. If I can offer a small list of ten, for whatever it's worth: 1) Headlong Flight (live) 2) Grand Designs 3) Middletown Dreams 4) The Garden (the final recorded song of Rush which is possibly their most moving) 5) Entre Nous 6) Vapor Trail 7) Available Light 8) Hemispheres Book 2 9) Armor & Sword 10) Secret Touch. Stay safe!!
I wish there was a video of their live recording from "All the World's a Stage" the "Working Man" rendition has an amazing drum solo that show cases the band in their youth and raw energy and power.
Thank you TNT for a great reaction! Since I suggested working man, I wanted to give you a couple of notes on that performance. That song is from very early in their career, but the performance is from late in their career. Geddy's voice was much higher back in the day and in this performance he sings differently and in a lower register. You should check out the studio version on your own time just to hear the difference. Also, the reggae part at the beginning was just them messing around. They actually love reggae and try to infuse it in their music as much as possible. There are several songs where you can hear that influence, the Spirit of Radio being the most notable. They are without a doubt three of the finest musicians to have ever walked the Earth, and fortunately for all of us happened to play together. A couple of suggestions for you as you continue on your journey: - Spirit of Radio (studio version) - Xanadu - Live, Exit Stage Left tour - YYZ - Live in Rio (I know you've already done the studio version) Thank you again! 🙏🏻❤️
What amazes me so much is that the versatility is paired with strong distinctiveness. You can instantly recognize most of their music as Rush, even without Geddy Lee’s instantly recognizable voice.
I'm glad you're doing Rush. You've got so much to discover and enjoy - which is the BEST thing about reaction channels. It's a great time to be a music lover. I envy you, my friend.
I was at the Cleveland show. Floor in front of Geddy. So happy I can relive it through video. Saw them 20 times and that was a special one. And Snakes and Arrows tour with Far Cry was when I had meet and greet with Geddy and Alex. You reaction brought up all kinds of great memories here!!!
ok this reaction made me subscribe. Not that it hasn't been great before but this one showed your excitement for Rush. You really get it man! keep rockin brother!
I'm talking too much, but I saw an interview with Geddy and Alex where they were asked who was the best musician in the band. They looked at each other and chuckled, and simultaneously said Neil.
I'm sure somebody told you this already. But this is a total re-imagination of the original song. If you heard the original song and then listen to this you would have a big smile on your face because that makes this version even more awesome. It just shows you how these guys can take something and give it a whole different life a whole new life it's freaking awesome.
I think this is why I hold Rush to such a high level, not only are they versatile, or that it is only 3 highly talented musicians the best in their instruments, but there is no ego, none of them ever tries to overshadow the other. It is funny though that the most introverted members, Neil, is the most notable. Butt Damn Alex is so underrated. Love these guys. True life long friends.
The most creative band for the longest period of time ever in the world. 42 yrs, and never stopped producing relevant music. They have been the soundtrack to most of my life. Brilliant humans! By the way, Eddie Van Halen said Prince was the greatest guitarist in the world. I feel Alex would want me to clear that up from comment below.
In 1974 RUSH toured through the mid-west of the US, in support of their album, self titled RUSH. Someone sent Donna Halper, the music director of WMMS in Cleveland Ohio, a copy of the record. She felt the songs WORKING MAN and the song HERE AGAIN, would connect with the blue collar workers of Cleveland. And they did. She also sent a copy of the record to a friend at mercury records. Legend has it that within 2 hours of hearing the album RUSH was signed by Mercury. Then in August 1974, one month after Neil Peart replaced John Rutsey on drums, RUSH played the Agora Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio. Which was broadcast live on WMMS and then rebroadcast in December of 1974. And the rest is history. Thus cementing RUSH's roots to Cleveland, even though they are from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. RUSH actually dedicated their next two albums to Donna for all she did for them. If you really want to go down the history road of RUSH here's a link to the 1974 Agora Ballroom Concert from the music soundboard. You'll hear them mention her name when they do Working Man and this version contains riffs that later become BY TOR and the SNOW DOG. Its NOT like anything else out there. ruclips.net/video/CLh4n7c2imo/видео.html Agora Ballroom , Cleveland, Ohio, August 26, 1974 01 - Stage Announcements 02 - Finding My Way 03 - Best I Can 04 - Need Some Love 05 - In the End 06 - Fancy Dancer 07 - In the Mood 08 - Bad Boy 09 - Here Again 10 - Working Man 11 - Drum Solo 12 - What You're Doing 13 - Garden Road Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart Peace from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
What i love about these selections is one from their first album (though very reworked) and one from their 18th. Released 30+ years apart. Still amazing and still killing it.
Seen a bunch of these reaction videos and I must say yours is the best! I love watching people discovering this band, so glad you “get it.” (many don’t) To fully understand them you must invest in their entire catalog because they went through many different versions of themselves. I would certainly suggest from the 70s, “Anthem” (Fly By Night 1975), “2112” (the song from the album of the same name-20 minute epic), “Xanadu” (A Farewell to Kings 1977), “La Villa Strangiato (an exercise in self-indulgence)” (Hemispheres 1978). From the 80s, “Subdivisions” (Signals 1982), “Middletown Dreams” (Power Windows 1985), “Time Stand Still” (Hold Your Fire 1987) “The Pass” (Presto 1989). The 90s “Roll the Bones” (Roll the Bones 1991), “Animate” (Counterparts 1993), “Driven” (Test for Echo 1996) And beyond... “One Little Victory” (Vapor Trails 2002), “The Way the Wind Blows” (Snakes and Arrows 2007) and the entire “Clockwork Angels” album (2012). They saved the best for last. Rarely does a band that’s been around for nearly 40 years release a masterpiece like that at the end of their career. For a different flavor, check out “The Garden”, the album’s final track. They left us with quite a gift! Cheers!
I’m loving your reactions to Rush!! They are the greatest band to come outta the last 40 years!! Alex Lifeson the most underrated guitarist! I think he’s just in a band with two other of the greatest musicians in all of Rock and Roll!! I think it’s time, you really need to check out “Xanadu” from Exit Stage Left and “La Villa Strangiato” from pink pop!! You also have check out “YYZed” live in Rio.. even if you watch it on your own time!! They are greatest to watch LIVE!!! Some of the greatest crowds ever!! Keep it up!!
I’ve been a Rush fan since 81. These guys were largely marginalized until around 2011. They had their core cult following, but critics constantly slammed them for being pretentious, too cerebral, the high register of Geddy’s voice and at one point in the 70’s labeled as fascists. They were eligible for the hall of fame in 1994, but were not inducted until 2013. Now I see them being deservingly heralded as one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
I’m quite envious of you. Having listened to Rush almost my entire life, you are getting experience Rush for the first time and have it fill your heart and soul.
always, Always, ALWAYS start with studio versions of songs. I don't care what anyone says. The studio version is that which the artist envisioned for the song at that point in space and time. That's like saying hey, the Mona Lisa... nah, let's watch it being painted live. It's a different thing entirely. Learn the song first then you can better appreciate the beauty of watching them pull it off live. Rush was AMAZING live but it helps to have context.
Agreed. Their ability to nail the song onstage, the precision involved, is just impressive as hell. And to truly grasp that, you need to know what the track is meant to sound like.
You can't have a favorite member of Rush. All three worked hard to be masters at their craft and they were in such a sync that they elevated each other.
Cleveland was the first city they cracked in the USA and this was the tune that did it. Rush never forgot that city's support of them.
I love in the Rush documentary where they talk about Working Man in Cleveland and how people were calling in asking when the new Zeppelin album was coming. You can definitely hear the related tones of the time but for a new band during that time to be held up so high was amazing.
LA Villa Stangiato - enough said 🎶
Got to listen to the studio version first, then any of the live versions.
Saw Alex and the boys play that live Phoenix Veterans Memorial Coliseum 1980 on the Hemispheres tour. So bad-ass! Was maybe 30 feet away watching Alex play that intro!
@@saguarotreker Dude, that epic
Try "Natural Science" :)
@Gerard
Well, since you're missing the "r" then I would say not quite enough said ....... hehehehehe.
Far Cry is one of my favorites Rush has ever done. That song is such a banger. It's hard, and dirty, and just slams into you. The power and relentlessness of the bass/drum combo throughout, and Alex just filling in every little nook and cranny with guitar. The change from the dark and heavy pounding during the verses to the much lighter feel of the chorus... the whole thing is just perfect. I drive WAY to fast when this comes on.
Great thing about Rush is that they have different musical eras. The 70's they did a lot of proggy material with songs around the 20 min mark. In the mid 80s they introduced a lot of synth sounds and shorter songs and in the 90's they reverted back to straight hard rock and kept on going. The cool thing is… THEY ARE ALL GREAT!!
Alex is the most important person in the band. I’m a drummer and Neil is my favorite drummer, but Alex always gets overlooked and always mentioned last when people talk Rush. Alex is so musical, creative and versatile. He’s the best rock guitar player ever and I think he’s the heart of the band
Exactly!!!
Alex Lifeson is a Guitar 🎸 god
Alex is the versatility therefore the glue to Rush!!!
Alex made it possible for Rush to do anything they wanted to do!!!
G.O.A.T🐐
No one ever left a live RUSH performance without thinking how much Alex kills on guitar.
I appreciate the fact you felt the trance that RUSH is. I have seen them 8 times and have never felt like I paid enough.
The lyrical brilliance of Neil Peart is self evident on Far Cry... That song really applies to what's happening nowadays.
All I know is that I went through some serious shit several years ago and Far Cry really got me through it. The lyrics carried me through a year of personal hell.
@@Seraphim4190 I was going to say exactly the same thing!!!
I kinda fell out of the loop when I had my son. I believe the LAST CD I bought was ROLL THE BONES! How many am I missing from my collection??? Someone update me PLEASE!
@@karenduguid3943 Counterparts, test for echo, vapor trails, snakes and arrows and Clockwork Angels. They also did an album of cover songs called feedback
Lifeson is a helluva comedian in the band as well. He is the guy always pulling practical jokes. Great guitarist, family man, and comedian. ;)
A reporter once asked Eddie Van Halen how it felt to be the worlds best rock guitarist? Eddie said "I don't know, ask Alex Lifeson".
Joie Chitwood I read the same story in comments on a Chicago performance with a twist; someone asked Jimi Hendrix how it felt to be the world’s greatest guitarist, Hendrix said “I don’t know, ask Terry Kath.”
Shallex and of course you had to ruin something that was probably a joke.
Shallex I don’t believe it. Because Eddie Van Halen dosen’t really respect that many people, and why do I always come across you on comment sections and then we start fighting.
Shallex were not but sometimes I find you in these comments sections and then we start going back and forth.
EVH isn't on Alex's level anyway, so what does it matter?
Loved to see how much you enjoyed listening to the best band to ever grace a stage.
Red barchetta must be reacted one of rush’s best
How great is it to stay up late at night and geek on some amazing music as an adult. Makes you feel like a teenager again
Isn't it absolutely amazing that three men can make this sound? Three people! One of the best bands ever, and they are very smart as well and it reflex in their music. Great choice to explore this band!
In my experience , Neil is your favorite drummers favorite drummer, Geddy is your favorite Bass players favorite Bass player, and oh my God, Alex is your favorite guitar players favorite guitar player... They have and still do influence millions of up and coming musicians... Peace, Man... Don't forget their album Carress of Steel! ✌️
Amazingly enough, 3 of the most underrated artists in music.
I work asked the line cooks at my job today if anyone likes Rush and the three standing there all shrugged and said, "they're okay?" and I about lost it. I'm becoming truly passionate about this band. My dad would be proud.
Rush best band ever!!!
Guitar 🎸
Bass 🎸
Drums 🥁
I saw RUSH when I was 12 years old, tonight Im 58 now, watching Working Man with you!
Keep great music alive ,thanks !
I'm sure this has been mentioned a million times by now, but the distance between the original studio version of Working Man and this one is light years apart! I love the original for what it was in it's day. But this version just makes me smile from ear to ear, because I know they continued to grow and change throughout their career!
Please go back and listen to the original, and tell me if you believe old dogs can't learn new tricks! ;)
Don't forget on the original Working Man it was John Rutsey, not Neil Peart.
T, Rush is one of the Greatest 3 Peice Bands Ever, if not the Greatest, R.I.P To Mr. Peart The Greatest rock Drummer Ever, This Performance Kicks Royal ASS BRO, The 3 Best Musicians To Ever Walk The Planet, Peace , Cousin Figel
Too cool. That version of Working Man is what you get when you have three guys doing solos at the same time!
That was the final encore after a 3+ hour show with a short break at the halfway mark. They were simply incredible live.
A sound you get when all 3 are seemingly playing solos simultaneously and synchronizing with perfection.
Half the World, one of my favorite Rush songs. A reminder we are not alone.
After Far Cry you just described the song Red Barchetta from Moving Pictures. Wind in my hair, shifting and drifting mechanical music ,adrenaline surge. Well weathered leather , hot metal and oil, the scented country air, sunlight on chrome, the blur of the landscape, every nerve aware... You'll like that For Sure.
Love both of these songs immensely. But Red Barchetta is the ultimate “rush” of adrenaline. The music, the LYRICS, their musicianship! It packs more story in it than many movies. It takes my breath away every time I hear it.
These guys were one of the best live bands ever! Saw them 3 times and every time it was mind blowing. You have to listen to 2112
The drum kit rotates by the way. He's playing the acoustic set during these songs, but the other side is his electronic kit. For the newer material primarily, it will spin 180° to give him access. FYI, there's an old saying...When Eddie van Halen was asked what it was like to be the greatest guitarist in the world, he said, "I don't know. Go ask Alex Lifeson!"
I personally don't have a favorite member, as they are all equally competent. Each member has their own songs that they shine in, or in the longer offerings different movements within the song. Rush had something special in that they didn't let their egos come into play. Everyone's ideas had merit and all band members had to agree before moving forward with something. Not many other bands can say that. Bigger bands suffered from "too many cooks in the kitchen" and fell apart because they couldn't agree.
Last comment. GREAT reaction! Thanks for that. If you want to see Rush jam in their prime, anything from Exit Stage Left is amazing. I'll offer up Xanadu as a suggestion: ruclips.net/video/VuHS-gjMiVw/видео.html
Incredible
That thing about Eddy V is a myth.
@@OriginalMergatroid...Oh I know. That joke is older than that. Might have originally been, Jimmy Page was asked what it was like to be the world's greatest guitarist. He said, "IDK, go ask Eddie van Halen!"
@@RaymondBCrisp as I recall, Eddie Van Halen said to ask Allan Holdsworth, a jazz guitarist that was a huge influence on him.
Subdivisions with lyrics and also Neil Peart's drum solo from Time Machine...we love your enthusiasm!
Funny how these three guys were obviously meant to be together. Great individually but magical together. You can tell they really knew each other well.
Rush is AWESOME! When you see them live (five times for me) it REALLY hits home that there are only 3 people! I couldn't take my eyes off the stage. Neil Peart was UNTOUCHABLE! RIP SIR NEIL!! As LAW NATION would say "you're listening to nothing but the best"! Looks like you are about to EXPLODE! I have been a fan for YEARS! My FIRST concert was 2112. All i could do was sitting there in absolute AWE... I've never heard this version of WORKING MAN!
I was actually at that concert in Cleveland on the time machine tour when they filmed the dvd..what a great night..I was blown away.
Alex Lifeson is a God level guitarist that has somehow managed to fly under the radar. The man can shred a guitar like very few have ever been able to do. That bit in the middle there, Geddy said once they just let Alex do whatever for that bit and they never really know what he's going to do. But this show was something special. Cleveland is the town in the US that they cracked first. A working class town, and Working Man REALLY reverberated with the people. And RUSH has never ever forgotten that. This was a big thank you to Cleveland for that.
And lest we forget, while Alex was smoking that guitar, Neil and Geddy were putting on master classes of their own in the background. Normally you don't play a drum rhythm that damn complex for a solo, yet there's Neil going 110% back there and Geddy's fingers melting the strings on the bass. Somehow they all manage to shine without getting in the way of each other.
Far Cry is awesome. The whole of Clockwork Angels is just awesome. Far Cry is relentless. It just hammers without letting up for a second. BU2B is awesome and you HAVE to listen to The Garden. That's Rush's farewell.
I was at that show in Cleveland. That was the 5th time I'd seen them.Every show just killed. Great players and song writers.
Alex is a master at transitioning between rythm and lead in their songs. You need to check out Rush being voted into the rock hall of fame, just the name of Toronto where they are from the crowd goes crazy.
That transition at 4:34 is the perfect example of that. The way he flows the solo back down to the low octave to bring it back in for a soft landing for the bridge is just fucking perfection.
Impressive, aren't they. I was honored to see them 9 times in concert.
Loving these Rush reaction videos!
Love this version of Working Man... the juxtaposition of being a slave to the grind while walking on the beach in the Bahamas... just priceless... awesome feel to this very artistic take of the song. Far Cry is a lyrical juggernaut. RIP Neil...Cheers! Peace!
Great reaction! That face when Alex goes ballistic on solo. For myself Lifeson is the soul of this band. People focus so much on Neil and Geddy, many times what's missed is what emotion Alex brings with his sound.
Preach!!!!
It's not missed. Any true Rush band knows what Alex means to this band. His instrument fills an incredible amount of space and their music. His technique and style and approach to how he plays is just awesome. He is absolutely a one-of-a-kind guitarist. Thank God these three met. And I mean that God.... Thank you! 🤘🏻😝🤘🏻
@@Snowdogkh More this was geared towards those not knee deep in the cult like us. There was enough times I heard how Alex was the weak link of the 3. And me shaking my head saying you arent hearing what he is adding to a hyper active drummer and a fanatical bassist (with all his keyboard toys too). He made that perfect balance. And the moods he create to compliment Neils lyrics and the rythym section, no other guitarist could create such a body of work in his shoes for them. But Im preaching to the choir arent I. Lol
@@scottshields113 yes you are my friend!
I like to think that, as the new generation of musicians discovers the old stuff, they'll be inspired to mix it and improve on it, including all the lessons from decades of rap and hiphop, and the next generation of music will be just as mind blowing if not more. Despite all the current commercialism, this is an exciting time for music
I live in Toronto and saw these guys many times earlier in their career, and even after all this time, hearing songs I haven't heard in a long time, or even learning of songs I'd never even heard before, they still just leave me speechless every time I hear them play! Appreciate your enthusiasm for the greatest band ever!
Rush is one of the greatest bands to watch live and you'll never a see a dropoff from the studio version to the live version. Working Man was Rush's first ever hit song. There's no reggae in the studio version, they added that for the tour. Yeah Alex was bananas, when you watch again, check Geddy because he's also going nuts with his solo at the same time. In fact I've seen songs where all three are soloing and they never sound disjointed. As you witnessed they are magical on stage and for their age they gave us (Rush Fans) a 3hr show (concert) all the way until they retired in their mid 60's. You'd be lucky if any band in their prime would or could give you that. In regards to Far Cry, a good song but middle of the road Rush song in my opinion.
Last album and tour for me was ROLL THE BONES! How many am I missing from my collection?
@@karenduguid3943 RTB tour was in the early 90.s. After RTB there were 8 tours, keep in mind, Rush was on an hiatus for 5 years after the death of Peart's daughter and wife (between 1997 and 2002).
@@JeromeDukes Didn't hear about the deaths of his family! Absolutely horrible!
@@JeromeDukes so I'm missing 8 discs??? Holy shit! Can you PLEASE list them for me! Been so long since I had the time to just listen to music.
@@karenduguid3943 Unfortunately his daughter passed in a car crash and wife shortly after, unsure of the reason of ailment but according some articles I read, Neil felt she pass because of a broken heart. Neil took a break from Rush after and traveled to Africa I believe. He wrote a book about his journey.
I absolutely love that you can appreciate Rush, was waiting for you to find out about Getty Lee lol
Learning about the members makes their music more enjoyable
I was at this show on the floor. Was really Great!! Never forget.
The promo video for Rush - Anthem. A great look at the early era, pre prog rock.
Have to say, love watching you reacting to Rush. Great stuff!!
Hope you have a lot of time, T, cuz you have about 40 years of Rush music to throw yourself into. Just WAIT till you get to some of their 20 minute epics. I'd LOVE to see you react to Natural Science, the live versions of Xanadu and La Villa Strangiato.
With Rush you don’t have to have a favorite band member, it’s ok to love them all equally.
This has to be Lerxt's best live solo I've ever seen, for somebody in his 60s with arthritis in his fingers? he KILLED it
He was 57 so was Geddie and Neil was a year older.
Thank you, Peter and Ed! Thank you, TNT! You stated that their music makes you think about driving. They have the perfect drive songs. Red Barchetta should be on your next Rush rabbit hole. It is THE perfect drive song and it is a great piece of story telling lyrically and musically. Rush is always gonna make you feel good.
I too was going to suggest Red Barchetta as their best driving song. I usually set the cruise control though, because if you don't, you can find yourself going really, really fast.
@@scotttolson8179 truth
I'm so happy to see Rush being discovered today but at the same time incredibly sad that you won't have the opportunity to experience them live. The concert videos out there document them well but there was just no substitute for being there. Enjoy the ride, Brother!
There are a lot of good bands, but none of the band members are as talented as each one of these Rush men. They are magical live.
Went to my first Rush show back during the Presto tour. After about 20 concerts in all and having every single album and countless bootlegs I’m still getting chills even watching these reaction videos of people who have never heard or went to a Rush show. Can’t stress how much of a perfectionist they are and please do yourself a favor and go watch some of their concert video releases. It will blow your mind and they do have fun by making skits that get played during their shows. They will forever be one of those bands that I simply will never get tired of listening to.
He’s feeling the true emotions of a great rock band🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣tears are flowing .
Three talented men, making amazing thought provoking music with thought provoking lyrics. Unlike a lot of music out today. Neil was an epic story teller.
Camera Eye or Natural Science
I'd been watching them perform Working Man since '77. It was always a favorite! What's cool is that I remember the first time I heard Far Cry. They put it up on the internet for streaming, and I played it and instantly fell in love with the song. It's been one of my favorites since. It has so much energy! After all that time, they were still putting out incredible music. I loved how they grew musically.
The best band that has ever walked the planet....
You're in the Rush Rabbit Hole with us now and no going back.
You have to understand the back story for Working Man to appreciate that they are playing it in Cleveland. It was a Cleveland DJ that @broke@ Rush in the US by playing Working Man over and over and asking listeners to guess who it was. Listen to the original. Real banger.
Absolutely check out the original version of Working Man it will blow your socks off. Total Zepplin type rocker.
RUSH IS EVERYTHING!
YOU MUST REACT TO
RUSH
"XANADU"
EXIT STAGE LEFT
1981 (LIVE)
It'll blow your mind!🤯
It's AMAZING!
Thank you my friend!
Stay safe!
💥💯🖤🎼🤘
RIP Neil Peart
I agree 1000%! It is an otherworldly experience!
@@RaymondBCrisp
Absolutely!😁🤘
SheRa17 by far the best version of Xanadu, they were at the top of their game then
@@sureimhappy
Most definitely!
I LOVE it! I watch it all the time & I am still amazed every time I watch it!
This is important t know. STC started the poem, .... Rush finished it with a TWIST . en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kubla_Khan
They are the best bud no question. I've known since 1976... they have so many great songs... keep listening to RUSH. GREAT REACTION
Just a few things to note: 1) Geddy and Alex have been and remain best friends since grade school. Quite an accomplishment given the amount of time they've spent together in close quarters, through the trials and tribulations of fame, endless touring, personal and professional high's and lows and nearly 60 years of being in each other's lives. 2) "Working Man('s)" reggae/island introduction feel has been in and out of the set since 1981 when they first introduced it on the 'Moving Pictures' tour. But the song itself, was on their very first album before Neil even joined. 3) Nice that you reviewed "Far Cry" as it gets tiring hearing the same 5-6 songs reviewed. If I can offer a small list of ten, for whatever it's worth: 1) Headlong Flight (live) 2) Grand Designs 3) Middletown Dreams 4) The Garden (the final recorded song of Rush which is possibly their most moving) 5) Entre Nous 6) Vapor Trail 7) Available Light 8) Hemispheres Book 2 9) Armor & Sword 10) Secret Touch. Stay safe!!
On this tour, Working Man was the LAST song of the show, done in encore. They had already been playing for 2 hours before this.
A reactor who learns about the band they react to... Impressive. Saw this band in '80 was a magical experience.
I just finished watching the netflix documentary. These guys are fucking phenomenal.
I wish there was a video of their live recording from "All the World's a Stage" the "Working Man" rendition has an amazing drum solo that show cases the band in their youth and raw energy and power.
Bigass Fosters!!! Love it...
Thank you TNT for a great reaction!
Since I suggested working man, I wanted to give you a couple of notes on that performance.
That song is from very early in their career, but the performance is from late in their career. Geddy's voice was much higher back in the day and in this performance he sings differently and in a lower register. You should check out the studio version on your own time just to hear the difference. Also, the reggae part at the beginning was just them messing around. They actually love reggae and try to infuse it in their music as much as possible. There are several songs where you can hear that influence, the Spirit of Radio being the most notable. They are without a doubt three of the finest musicians to have ever walked the Earth, and fortunately for all of us happened to play together.
A couple of suggestions for you as you continue on your journey:
- Spirit of Radio (studio version)
- Xanadu - Live, Exit Stage Left tour
- YYZ - Live in Rio (I know you've already done the studio version)
Thank you again! 🙏🏻❤️
Bro this was an excellent request! Alex literally blew me away!
What amazes me so much is that the versatility is paired with strong distinctiveness. You can instantly recognize most of their music as Rush, even without Geddy Lee’s instantly recognizable voice.
I'm glad you're doing Rush. You've got so much to discover and enjoy - which is the BEST thing about reaction channels. It's a great time to be a music lover. I envy you, my friend.
Great reactions - keep them coming! BTW - they are all your favorite band members and ours too. Welcome aboard!
NICE fOSTERS!!!! I remember way back enjoying Fosters!
Mind blowing 😱 Musical 🎼 Geniuses! 🥰
Cracking up at this Jamaican version of Working Man. The original is straight-up rock.
I was at this Killer show! Miss the guys and the albums they surprised us with every time.
I was at the Cleveland show. Floor in front of Geddy. So happy I can relive it through video. Saw them 20 times and that was a special one. And Snakes and Arrows tour with Far Cry was when I had meet and greet with Geddy and Alex. You reaction brought up all kinds of great memories here!!!
ok this reaction made me subscribe. Not that it hasn't been great before but this one showed your excitement for Rush. You really get it man! keep rockin brother!
Great reactions and intelligent commentary on the best band ever. Loved this video man.
I watched
Geddy Lee play bass left hand only, sing, play mini Moog with his right hand and Taurus midi pedals with his feet.
AT THE SAME TIME!
T My favourite band member in Rush is Rush 😜, All three of them were generous maestros that created phonemail music.
I'm talking too much, but I saw an interview with Geddy and Alex where they were asked who was the best musician in the band. They looked at each other and chuckled, and simultaneously said Neil.
Well Neil used to practice to practice so...
I'm sure somebody told you this already. But this is a total re-imagination of the original song. If you heard the original song and then listen to this you would have a big smile on your face because that makes this version even more awesome. It just shows you how these guys can take something and give it a whole different life a whole new life it's freaking awesome.
I actually was at that show. It was the last of six times I’ve seen them live stating in 1975. They only got better over time
I think this is why I hold Rush to such a high level, not only are they versatile, or that it is only 3 highly talented musicians the best in their instruments, but there is no ego, none of them ever tries to overshadow the other. It is funny though that the most introverted members, Neil, is the most notable. Butt Damn Alex is so underrated. Love these guys. True life long friends.
The most creative band for the longest period of time ever in the world. 42 yrs, and never stopped producing relevant music. They have been the soundtrack to most of my life. Brilliant humans! By the way, Eddie Van Halen said Prince was the greatest guitarist in the world. I feel Alex would want me to clear that up from comment below.
In 1974 RUSH toured through the mid-west of the US, in support of their album, self titled RUSH. Someone sent Donna Halper, the music director of WMMS in Cleveland Ohio, a copy of the record. She felt the songs WORKING MAN and the song HERE AGAIN, would connect with the blue collar workers of Cleveland. And they did. She also sent a copy of the record to a friend at mercury records. Legend has it that within 2 hours of hearing the album RUSH was signed by Mercury. Then in August 1974, one month after Neil Peart replaced John Rutsey on drums, RUSH played the Agora Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio. Which was broadcast live on WMMS and then rebroadcast in December of 1974. And the rest is history. Thus cementing RUSH's roots to Cleveland, even though they are from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. RUSH actually dedicated their next two albums to Donna for all she did for them. If you really want to go down the history road of RUSH here's a link to the 1974 Agora Ballroom Concert from the music soundboard. You'll hear them mention her name when they do Working Man and this version contains riffs that later become BY TOR and the SNOW DOG. Its NOT like anything else out there.
ruclips.net/video/CLh4n7c2imo/видео.html
Agora Ballroom
, Cleveland, Ohio, August 26, 1974
01 - Stage Announcements
02 - Finding My Way
03 - Best I Can
04 - Need Some Love
05 - In the End
06 - Fancy Dancer
07 - In the Mood
08 - Bad Boy
09 - Here Again
10 - Working Man
11 - Drum Solo
12 - What You're Doing
13 - Garden Road
Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart
Peace from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
What i love about these selections is one from their first album (though very reworked) and one from their 18th. Released 30+ years apart. Still amazing and still killing it.
RUSH live WAS A THING! It really was a very special night when it was RUSH night. Too much fun!!
Nice! The Rush rabbit hole is very large and a truly extraordinary pleasant trip...enjoy...too many outstanding projects to recommend!
They were in their 60s here. It makes me proud to be an old dude!
Not quite 60's, but close.
When I saw Rush live for the first time in my life, I literally, wept while listening to Alex's solo on Working Man. These boys are my loves!!!
Seen a bunch of these reaction videos and I must say yours is the best! I love watching people discovering this band, so glad you “get it.” (many don’t) To fully understand them you must invest in their entire catalog because they went through many different versions of themselves. I would certainly suggest from the 70s, “Anthem” (Fly By Night 1975), “2112” (the song from the album of the same name-20 minute epic), “Xanadu” (A Farewell to Kings 1977),
“La Villa Strangiato (an exercise in self-indulgence)” (Hemispheres 1978). From the 80s, “Subdivisions” (Signals 1982), “Middletown Dreams” (Power Windows 1985), “Time Stand Still” (Hold Your Fire 1987) “The Pass” (Presto 1989). The 90s “Roll the Bones” (Roll the Bones 1991), “Animate” (Counterparts 1993), “Driven” (Test for Echo 1996) And beyond... “One Little Victory” (Vapor Trails 2002), “The Way the Wind Blows” (Snakes and Arrows 2007) and the entire “Clockwork Angels” album (2012). They saved the best for last. Rarely does a band that’s been around for nearly 40 years release a masterpiece like that at the end of their career. For a different flavor, check out “The Garden”, the album’s final track. They left us with quite a gift! Cheers!
I’m loving your reactions to Rush!! They are the greatest band to come outta the last 40 years!! Alex Lifeson the most underrated guitarist! I think he’s just in a band with two other of the greatest musicians in all of Rock and Roll!! I think it’s time, you really need to check out “Xanadu” from Exit Stage Left and “La Villa Strangiato” from pink pop!! You also have check out “YYZed” live in Rio.. even if you watch it on your own time!! They are greatest to watch LIVE!!! Some of the greatest crowds ever!! Keep it up!!
That Rush Rabbit Hole runs very very deep lol they have so much material! And all of it is amazing
I’ve been a Rush fan since 81. These guys were largely marginalized until around 2011. They had their core cult following, but critics constantly slammed them for being pretentious, too cerebral, the high register of Geddy’s voice and at one point in the 70’s labeled as fascists. They were eligible for the hall of fame in 1994, but were not inducted until 2013. Now I see them being deservingly heralded as one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
4:24 "They just got real dirty with this"
Rush fans: Oh, it's gonna get a lot dirtier.
Never apologize for being in the RUSH zone! You are untouchable there! No compromise! All integrity, all the time!!
I’m quite envious of you. Having listened to Rush almost my entire life, you are getting experience Rush for the first time and have it fill your heart and soul.
Alex goes scorched EARTH on that Working Man solo! FLAWless!
I was on 2010 in Globen Stockholm Sweden and saw This Consert was Pure Magical ❤️
I'm so happy and glad I get to share in your love of Rush and re-live what it was like to discover them for myself
always, Always, ALWAYS start with studio versions of songs. I don't care what anyone says. The studio version is that which the artist envisioned for the song at that point in space and time. That's like saying hey, the Mona Lisa... nah, let's watch it being painted live. It's a different thing entirely. Learn the song first then you can better appreciate the beauty of watching them pull it off live. Rush was AMAZING live but it helps to have context.
Agreed. Their ability to nail the song onstage, the precision involved, is just impressive as hell. And to truly grasp that, you need to know what the track is meant to sound like.
Or at least, the producer's vision.
I agree 100% the studio version 1st is an absolute must!
Fully agree