Hi Josh. I'm perhaps a little late to the party but over the past few weeks I've been watching many many musicians' Rush reaction videos and they give me a great satisfaction that I made a good choice by liking Rush when I discovered them back in the early 80's. Of all the reaction videos I've watched, this one Josh, is by far the best. So good that I've bookmarked it, watched it over and over again and shared it with friends. It's impressive that you focus on all the musicians talent and not just Neil. If I were to pick a favourite moment it would be around 17:12 where your reaction is so genuine. My reaction to your reaction was quite emotional. Brilliant video. Thanks :)
@@tsfallout8178 Yep. On some occasions Alex also stepped on the bass synth pedals. I introduced them to my line up, I haven't played them out anywhere, but I have a lot of fun with them in my studio.
RUSH is THE PERFECT EXAMPLE of the fluidity of MASTERING TIME SIGNATURES! I play drums and there are a few things that you need to know about Neil Peart’s ( pronounced PEER-T) character: First he writes the lyrics so he knows in advance what TYPE of song it’s meant to be ie ballad, driver, etc. Second he COMPOSES on the drums… like a carpenter who looks at a set of blueprints before building the object. Neil lays out a SKETCH in his mind of the VOICES of the drumset and builds the song from there. He is also a great LISTENER knowing when NOT to step over Geddy’s singing or Alex’s solos! Finally, he had perfect timing and fluidity of time changes. He said himself that it’s not about COUNTING the time signatures as much as fluid motion to change the tempo without counting: in other words it should FLOW! He hates repeating the same drum patterns in the same song meaning if he plays a fill one way the first time around he will play it differently the second time around. IE. Rolls down the toms the first time around and triplets or quads (all four limbs) the second time around. In short there will NEVER be another like him on planet earth 🌍 🌏 🌎! REST IN PEACE PROFESSOR! With heart felt admiration and sincerity! Gary
The version on the actual 'Exit...Stage Left' _album_ (recorded during a different show) is even better still! 😊👍 The section with 'Jacob's Ladder', 'Broon's Bane' / 'The Trees' / 'Xanadu' and 'Freewill' on that album is my absolute favourite Rush recording 🤩
Dude, this guy is a fraud. He got called out on not knowing what he is talking about, by a REAL drummer. This guy refused to show a clip of himself playing drums. He is clueless. Dont let kids watch this and get false advice on how to play drums. Spread it around, man
i used to worship geddy ... then the internet was invented and i saw him speak that was clearly an early interview... fucker cost me a fortune ( walks away muttering )
[Corrected] Alex and Geddy are so good that they can joke and jostle on stage while playing some of the most complex melody and harmony in the business.
They did it the right way, they toured endlessly, especially in their beginning years, and that paved the way for their steadfast talent and die hard fan base.
14:17 - Alex does an amazing fast and flawless transition from 12 to 6 string, which included hitting the neck selector switch. Don't blink - you'll miss it.
Neil really was one history's drumming giants. He was not only incredibly skilled, he was incredibly musical and compositional. Every strike he made served a purpose. When you combined the incredible talent of all three of them, you had magic in the making.
No intro's are like RUSH intro's, you’re pulled all the way in. By the time the lyrics kick in you are already at a ten. Three men, three outrageously talented brothers come together to create more than we deserve. 17 times since the 70’s I was “the girl” in the audience, what a journey since my teens when I was too green to appreciate the greatness I was experiencing. Thank you for your reverence to “MY” band 😊
I must have seen this video a thousand times and can replay it in my head at will. I have NEVER noticed that Neil switches to traditional grip for the fills at 18:25. I didn't know he did that at all before he trained under Freddie Gruber in the 90s. Excellent analysis. Watching people get their minds blown by Rush is one my true pleasures.
I wish I could experience this for the first time again. I'm suddenly nostalgic for road trips with my dad where we'd crank Exit Stage Left and other Rush albums. I've moved out and all that, but I miss that bond of enjoying music with my dad.
The power and orchestral fullness these three put out is beyond duplication. Imagine, 3 guys not only being able to PLAY this, but to WRITE it! Wow! This music is to be felt. 12” subs, mid bass drivers, clean crisp tweeters, loud as hell and clean. Only thing better is live. So lucky to have experienced it. Thanks for everything gentlemen.
I love to see a drummers reaction to Neil Peart. He was called "The Professor". You have to watch his drum solo in Frankfurt. He died of brain cancer a few months ago sadly.
Josh great insights into all the instruments and how they’re being performed. This for me sounds like an orchestra at times and always amazes me that 3 guys are creating that much music and nailing it live like this video shows.
If only everyone could be as passionate about something as you are. The joy and exploration of this song in your demeanor brings joy to me as much as the music.
And with all the incredible music, don't lose sight that this is based on the classic Samuel Taylor Coleridge's 1797 (pub in 1816) poem, "Xanadu" Who else does this sort of thing, with 3 guys, and sounds so incredible, even live?
Yep. I did a report on Kubla Khan in high school (1984) and the teacher asked what drew me to that poem and I said the rock group Rush's song Xanadu! Coleridge wrote the poem after waking up from an opium fueled dream. Of course he tweaked it a bit to make it better, as any good poet does. :-)
I noticed that at the end of the chorus, after Geddy sings "Xanadu..." Neil does a really fast fill punctuated by clicking his sticks together. The first time through, I thought it was a mistake because they were playing live for the video and that fill is impossibly fast. Then I heard him do it again the second time through... What a master! I'm guessing he just throws that stick click in for time keeping... or just because he can.
I heard that first stick click and didn't know what to think. I just thought he was flying through the fill so fast that the sticks clicked at the end of it because he wanted them to. He could do whatever he wanted to do do, right!! :)
I've been a Rush fan for over 35 years now, and Xanadu has been one of my favorite songs of theirs. During this tour, Rush was totally on their game. Probably at their best musically! I love the Exit Stage Left tour about as much as anything they have ever done. And this reviewers reaction was priceless! Bravo Josh! You reacted the way a true musician would to Xanadu being played live back in 1981! Thank you! That was, as you put it, FUN!
Rush is well-known for the crazy time signature changes that they make sound so effortless. Neil Peart is God. Again, that cymbal work is simply sublime. His fills are the best in the music industry. His run down on the toms is incredible.
I think I might’ve mentioned it but those concert toms are something else. Such a unique and well done sound that is just one outstanding piece of what I call “The Neil Peart Sound.”
@@JoshCastillo I can't remember what interview it was in but there is one where Neil talks about playing different time signatures with his hands and feet at the same time. RIP Professor
His limb independence was crazy! I can't even manage the pat your head and rub your stomach thing (that's why I studied voice). With Rush, there is NOTHING haphazard. They are all such exquisite musicians and composers! Love this band. Yes, one of the odd women who does, Lolz. I think it's because I am a musician that I've loved them so much. I can appreciate the intricacies of the music and the command each man has of his instruments.
Your knowledge of music and expertise with percussion really is impressive. Your caught everything on 1 listen. Theres so much going on in this piece. Great job!
Thats why he's never heard this song and doesn't know what tubular bells are. Seriously? And I don't even play the drums, I'm a guitar player. C'mon...
Geddy and Alex have keyboard pedals they play with their feet at different times. Its how they can add keyboards without faking it or having added. Ive seen them in concert.
I really love hearing a drummer's/percussionist's point of view on this. And yes, Geddy was playing the 6-string towards the end. I'm glad you caught that - it's kind of hard to see it because the camera doesn't frame it so you can see Geddy's hands on the lower neck so well. So yeah, he was playing rhythm guitar and using Taurus pedals for bass.
Unfortunately (and for some unknown reason), in this video you can't hear Geddy strumming the 6-string and using the bass pedals while Alex plays his solo. But, on the CD, you can definitely hear Geddy playing rhythm during this part....
Finally a great reaction to this song/band. Usually I don't like the stops in a song but it was done at the best time if you have to do it and the comments are not only entertaining but educational!
I like reactions from people who are able to, at least somewhat, analyze *what* they're reacting to and *why* they're reacting to it. This is a great one.
Pay very close attention to Alex changing from the top neck to the bottom neck 7:28 to 7:34, he literally does not miss a single beat, that should shake you to your core.
Alex and Geddy are both self described "goofballs". One of the great thing about Neil is that he was never satisfied with where he was at as a drummer. He was always willing to learn and be taught and seek out ways to improve. I don't believe he grew up using classical percussion instruments, but you just know that if he was going to use them he was going to learn how to do it right. Even after he was well established as one of the greatest drummers of all time he took the time to take drum lessons to improve his technique.
Yup! Cornelius was a lifelong "match" drummer (identical stick grip in both hands) that took lessons to learn "traditional" or "jazz" grip a la Gene Krupa. MUCH respect and thanks for his inspiration to excel at all endeavors.
This entire time I thought Geddy was the best musician of the holy three. And I'll still say that the combo of Neil and Ged are the reason they are as good as they are. In Rock, no other Rhythm combo even comes close. Maybe Bruford and Squire. It literally took me years to finally realize that Neil was the Teacher. I love Ged as a musician, I mean easily a pure genius. But Neil transcended Percussion that is just about indescribable..
I saw a documentary I think it was, all about Neil. One thing different was he was more of a recluse than Geddy and Alex. Example; over the years he did not go to meet fans, he started keeping to himself more, and he would go ride his motorcycle for miles and then meet up with Geddy and Alex. I would guess it was after the tragedy of losing his wife and daughter.
@@metalmike570 He was never comfortable being idolized or treated like a public figure. In all the interviews with him, though, you can see he was actually a pretty personable and friendly person. I believe he started riding his motorcycle on tour before he lost his wife and daughter. It helped him deal with the monotony of being on the road. Geddy liked to watch baseball games to fight the boredom. lol
@@zkeletonz001 What a band; never in it to abuse rock star status... Like the pitfalls of being a rock star. Drugs - all these guys are clean minus a little weed in the early days. Women - not a mention of getting groupies or young vulnerable ladies. And shame on you Gene Simmons!! well he was younger then.... Class A rockers just the best all the way around there should be a Rush award given out to other great bands if they can earn it. Once again I'll say RIP Neil Peart the best example of a rock musician / writer / drummer / percussionist / and humble person.
So fun to watch YOU sir, listening, watching & enjoying. Thanks for your informative comments on musicianship, playing dinner theater, your educational style is very fun & accessible.
I love how they don’t play time in a way that anyone else would think, in the final solo, Alex plays in 4/4, but the bass part plays it as a group of 3 and then a group of 5, while Neil is riffing off of both the bass and guitar parts, not entirely following a proper time, they were absolutely legendary, and to keep time with each other and themselves so immaculately is just immense, can’t say I’ve seen that level of pure musical prowess from any other rock/prog band ever
Josh, first time on your channel. Xanadu is one of my favorite Rush songs along with Rush being one of my favorite bands. So when I saw this my "reaction" was . . . wait . . . what? You nailed it, Neil, Alex and Geddy are masters. I subscribed due to your expertise analysis. Do more Rush please. Also as suggestion - ELP, Pink Floyd, and maybe Black Sabbath. Keep up the good work. My first ever concert was Rush at the Montreal Forum(March 31, 1978). I was hooked!!
Great job Josh keep up these reaction videos, I like your analytical-breakdown approach! Ignore the haters. There seems to be some confusion on Geddy's guitar let me provide some insight for everyone. Geddy does occasionally play rhythm guitars when the songs require 2 guitars during live performances. Alex is awesome but it's not humanly possible for even him to play 2 guitars at once! Geddy Lee's custom double-neck Rickenbacker 4800/12 Black = 4 string bass & 12 string guitar. Geddy also has a custom double-neck Rickenbacker 4800/6 White = 4 string bass & 6 string guitar. Geddy's Black Doubleneck was used for the song Xanadu. 4-string bass over a 12-string guitar. Liner notes from Exit Stage Left . . . Geddy Lee - lead vocals, bass guitar, synthesizers, bass pedals, rhythm guitar on "A Passage to Bangkok" and "Xanadu" Liner Notes from A Farewell to the Kings . . . Geddy Lee - vocals, bass, and twelve-string guitar, Minimoog, bass pedal synthesizers.
First and foremost I want to thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I'd be lying if I said that the comment section of some of my videos haven't been... interesting to say the least. But comments like these really help me find the drive to continue something that I really enjoy doing. That being said, I also would like to thank you for such an informative and well crafted comment on the gear that the band is using! I'm sure that it wasn't just educational for me but for many others as well so thank you very much for commenting and providing such great support. I hope you have a great day and stay safe out there during this crazy time!
I've already responded to this, years ago. But I have to add that you're the only reaction to notice and appreciate the incredible percussion performance by Neil and his many sonic tools. He can truly "music," and I appreciate your perceptive reaction.
@@kimmieess6171 Astrotama a poster on YT plays Rush drum tracks. He just does it to let off steam (edit well probably a bit more than that lol) but he does a pretty good job I must say. iirc he's an astronomer and probably likes Tama drums. I think he won a contest or was runner up in a drumming contest and the prize was to play one of Neil's old drum kits. He mentions it in one of his vids. Here's a vid of his Cygnus X1 (you may have seen): ruclips.net/video/C4jwYaJ30_0/видео.html
His kits actually got smaller in later years. One bass drum with a double pedal. All those percussion instruments were replaced with electronic triggers.
@@Rimshot1120 I was glad to see the tubular bells (the tall ones right behind Neil) return during their "R40" tour. He played them on Xanadu at R40 and for Jacob's Ladder, among other songs.
Alex Lifeson is Rush. I’m a drummer and Neil is my favorite drummer, but Alex is the most valuable and always gets ignored. You’re 1 of the 1st to make a point of Alex
Back in the 80s I watched a interview of Eddie VanHalen , he was asked by the interviewer what it's like to be the best guitarists in the world Eddie's answer was I don't know ask Alex Lifeson.
Alex gets slept on by a lot of people because unlike a lot of other bands that put the guitar on center stage he usually lets Geddy and Neil take the spotlight, and he isn’t as much of a shredder as a lot of other guitarists but in terms of skill he is absolutely among the best of all time just like Geddy and Neil are for their respective instruments. It’s a shame he is so underrated
@@goodspeed5817 No you didn't. That's been going around since interviewers supposedly asked Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix the same question. Of course they each came up with a different answer.
I love to see people react to Rush and came across this one today. Brilliant, simply brilliant. I hope that you have had a chance to check out more of these musical geniuses. In 2 years time I am guessing that you have, and I will be checking out your channel. I love how you were able to discuss the time changes etc that many miss.
I was blessed with being able to see Rush in Concert at Market Square Arena here In Indianapolis, Indiana during Their Moving Pictures Tour. In short, it was EPIC! They are every bit as good live as Their music would denote - simply awesome! :€)
Josh, me again. You have given me a new perspective to this song. Your Channel deserves 1 Million subscribers! You really understand music and musicians. Ehrfurchtgebietend (awesome in English). Cheers from Germany!
Each Rush song is a sonic thread in a beautiful musical tapestry which takes a lifetime of devoted listening, to enable you to see. The tapestry is rich, complex, beautiful, impossible but yet for some of us, there it is, and we are forever gifted by the majesty, magnificence and sonic brilliance of Rush. RIP Neil / I miss you, Darren
My guy....you said it. I was born in 1985 and I've been listening to RUSH literally from the womb. They still awe me to this day. RIP to the greatest percussion player to ever live and his musical storytelling is next dimension stuff.
As a wind player, hearing you break down his drum set, explaining specific parts, the multiple time sets, and even seeing your interpretation was both enjoyable and educational at the same time. I've seen ten percussionists not be able to do what Peart does in one song, much less an entire concert. There's a reason Rush is known as the Gods of the North!
@@JoshCastillo tenor sax is my primary, though I can and have played almost every kind of reed instrument there is. I own a tenor, a C melody, and a soprano sax...(all Armstrong's)
@@cvonantz That's awesome! I've never played sax but I did take a course on double reed instruments where I got to play Oboe and Bassoon. I hear that Soprano is difficult though
@@JoshCastillo soprano sax is actually the easiest of the saxophone line to play, but the hardest to keep in pitch. Now most people don't realize there are actually two versions of the same instrument, yet both play the exact same notes. There's a traditional curved soprano sax, and a straight soprano sax similar in style to a clarinet. Now the hardest of all the reeded instruments (for me) is the contra-bass since it takes the most wind to sustain a note.
A great breakdown of this song. I saw the band in 1980, probably a year and before this concert. Neil's percussion kit looked the same as in this video. One of the things I most remember of the concert; was being in the dark and looking at the shiny large drum kit on the semi-lit stage just before the band came on. Of course Neil made excellent use all of that gear to amaze us with Xanadu, 2112, Cygnus-XI etc. What a great band!
My god they are so synched. Check out at 13:29 how none of them place the downbeat until the end of Geddy's consonant (the z sound in xanadu) so that it can be heard. That's textbook classical singing style, downbeat on the vowel, but they're doing it totally outside the tempo. That's really hard, and such a small detail. Unbelievable levels of musicianship.
Neil Peart’s drum set in the 70’s and 80’s was the entire percussions section including the xylophone. If you want to see Alex Lifeson’s personality watch Rush is inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Interestingly, as a then 15 year old lad I just listened to this and new very little about time signatures but it all sounded perfectly reasonable and I soon hummed along and knew it off by heart. It is only later as an older player I start counting it and think wtf??!!
I was 11 years old in 1981 when this tour took place. I was 12 when I saw the first Rush show of my life on the 'Exit Stage Left' Tour in the Meadowlands, NJ and saw this drum-kit. It was the most intimidating thing I had ever seen. It was enormous, it was a show-stopper and it opened up my twelve year old brain and just made me think. It was the start of my drumming journey and I'll never be able to thank him enough for the influence the body of work he had left me (and us). I ended up never missing a tour again and saw them 49 times from ages 12-45. While there are more technical drummers and certainly drummers with a better 'groove' or 'feel', few have been a creative and forward thinking. His compositions both drum-wise and lyrically are timeless. His loss remains huge, but his footprint remains as large as ever.
He switched to traditional grip at 18:30 to have the right hand position to do the chokes given what else was going on and where he needed to be for those. He immediately changed back after those chokes.
@@Leonhavenify In my opinion Geddy doesn't suck. Many people like it, some deal with it, and other hate Rush for it. He's got a very distinct voice and I couldn't imagine Rush with any other singer.
@@Leonhavenify it doesn't suck. It's like cilantro. You either love it or hate it. I can't say I've ever heard anyone who is so-so on cilantro or Geddy
This guy is a "Drum Instructor" and he's never tuned into Xanadu? He says at the start that he's heard La Villa Strangiata but was he never enthused enough to check out perhaps their most recognised song in Xanadu? Seriously?
Wonderful job! I just came from a metal musician's reaction to this same performance and, not surprisingly, you both showed the same amount of humble respect for Rush. It's so inspiring to see musicians of all genres discovering new, or revisiting old music and sharing their experience with us fellow musicians. Music is awesome!
Awesome reaction I like your break downs nice Natural Science off Permanent Waves 1980 is a song I think u will enjoy and the lyrics are awesome stay safe
Thank you for this. You're the first reaction video to actually notice the intricacies of a Rush song. The time signatures, the instrumentation, the song structures...so great. Thank you thank you.
AH! First reaction that I've seen that caught Alex's shred burst after "frozen in an everlasting view". That's not on the studio recording. He added that for the live show and it is a total in-your-face moment from him.
My first Rush concert was the A Farewell To Kings tour 1/7/1978 at the Aragon Ballroom, Chicago. You can see the outside of the Aragon on the opening video of the R40 dvd. And that little balcony in front is where Rush stood out and waved to us fans after the show. Now remember, this is Chicago in January, it was a remarkable gesture, and Rush has been a Chicago fan favorite for all these years. I've only seen Rush 15 times, but every one of them was such an extraordinary experience!
Really enjoyed your reaction! Anyone can enjoy the music, but knowing what these guys are actually doing, and seeing you point it out, takes it up a notch. I kept wanting to tell you to "watch this", because I knew Neil was about to do something new and awesome.
Nothing beats the the sound of a Rickenbacker Bass! As you can tell by my icon :). Excellent analysis of my favorite rock group of all time. I’m subscribing now. RIP Neil.
That smile on your face... I’ve had that smile on my face for 40 years. Listen to it again. And then again. For 40 years. You’ll keep discovering that New little thing Every fucking time
What a great reaction! This was my 1st time watching your channel & I had so much fun watching you thoroughly enjoying this incredible masterpiece! My absolute favorite live performance of all time! Thank you for making me smile my friend! Subscribed! 💥💯🖤🎶🤘
Thank you so much! That really means a whole lot because I genuinely have a lot of fun watching great musicians! And ditto to you for me making ME smile!
@@JoshCastillo Aww...you're welcome! Isn't music just the best thing in the world! It sure gets me through alot! And now I get to meet new people bcuz of it! Yeah, thank God for kick ass music! Hope you have a great day & stay safe!😎🤘
"Did I see Geddy on the other neck?" Yup. He's playing bass synth with his feet, while playing on the 12-string neck. He doesn't switch back to the bass neck for the rest of the song.
@@ashleygraham8781 For sure Alex is playing the Taurus pedals after he's done with the guitar solo and Geddy is playing the little melody on the 12-string while Neil plays along on the glockenspiel.
@@JoshCastillo Neil can most definitely "music" Watch his drum solo "Live in Frankfurt" or "Rush Live in Rio" ...and I only say solo because he's playing by himself, when in reality its actually a song unto itself.
Rush means a lot their fans, not only due to the amazing musical pieces they have given us during decades. They have shown a lot of respect to their art and to their public too , it was always there, always clear to us . I haven't lost the opportunities to watch them twice here in São Paulo/Brazil. They only came twice 😕. I round your Reaction by accident and have to tell you that it was a great surprise. You somehow put into words a little bit of the respect and admiration we fans have for these 3 amazing musicians. I also spent some time reading the comments people left you. Be sure that vou gave a good time to some old Rush fans there.
Very nice reaction. I would love you to analyze this whole concert 😄. One song at the time. Ok, I sub and wait here. I doubt anyone coming here for Xanadu minds the length. Prog songs are long. Very good content.
![Rush ~ Xanadu ~ Exit Stage Left [1981] The Wolf HunterZ Reactions](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/P2FLmpcb1Lw/mqdefault.jpg)
Great reaction. Best reactor on Rush thus far with attention to music theory and the genius of their musical nuances.
Thanks so very much, that really means a lot! I really try to bring something meaningful to my videos so it's nice to hear that it’s appreciated!
Neil played traditional at times because he was training with Buddy Rich!
@@ironwolfgaming9632 Influenced by Buddy but never trained with him. He did train with Freddy Grubber and Peter Erskin later in his career.
Now he needs to go watch Spinal Tap.
@@JoshCastillo if you haven't watched " rush in rio" yet the track
" O Baterista" is one of Neil's most incredible performances
"He's hitting them right." Of course, cuz he's the fookin' Professor! If he hit them "wrong," the universe was out of balance, not him.
Andrew Watts Brilliantly said!!!
😂😁
absolutely! well said!
Original on Farwell the kings album is better than this imo
R30 DVD is good as well if ya want to see cameras on Neil
If he hit them “wrong”, it would be the new right.
Hi Josh. I'm perhaps a little late to the party but over the past few weeks I've been watching many many musicians' Rush reaction videos and they give me a great satisfaction that I made a good choice by liking Rush when I discovered them back in the early 80's.
Of all the reaction videos I've watched, this one Josh, is by far the best. So good that I've bookmarked it, watched it over and over again and shared it with friends.
It's impressive that you focus on all the musicians talent and not just Neil. If I were to pick a favourite moment it would be around 17:12 where your reaction is so genuine. My reaction to your reaction was quite emotional.
Brilliant video. Thanks :)
"Is Geddy playing it with his feet?" Yes, sir. Yes he is.
Like an absolute boss.
@@tsfallout8178 Yep. On some occasions Alex also stepped on the bass synth pedals. I introduced them to my line up, I haven't played them out anywhere, but I have a lot of fun with them in my studio.
And singing, and lugging around and double-neck just so he can play the six-string neck for about 30 seconds at the end.
Geddy and Alex both use peddles for their guitars and synths!
@@VerkingKerng ...while singing...and playing the bass
RUSH is THE PERFECT EXAMPLE of the fluidity of MASTERING TIME SIGNATURES! I play drums and there are a few things that you need to know about Neil Peart’s ( pronounced PEER-T) character: First he writes the lyrics so he knows in advance what TYPE of song it’s meant to be ie ballad, driver, etc. Second he COMPOSES on the drums… like a carpenter who looks at a set of blueprints before building the object. Neil lays out a SKETCH in his mind of the VOICES of the drumset and builds the song from there. He is also a great LISTENER knowing when NOT to step over Geddy’s singing or Alex’s solos! Finally, he had perfect timing and fluidity of time changes. He said himself that it’s not about COUNTING the time signatures as much as fluid motion to change the tempo without counting: in other words it should FLOW! He hates repeating the same drum patterns in the same song meaning if he plays a fill one way the first time around he will play it differently the second time around. IE. Rolls down the toms the first time around and triplets or quads (all four limbs) the second time around. In short there will NEVER be another like him on planet earth 🌍 🌏 🌎! REST IN PEACE PROFESSOR!
With heart felt admiration and sincerity!
Gary
Exit Stage Left’s Zanadu is the greatest single most amazing live recording ever captured. Absolute brilliance. Masters...say it!
That whole medley is sublime!
@diver69 That was Xanadu...from Exit Stage Left.
I can't really argue with that.
I agree best prog rock song of all time.
The version on the actual 'Exit...Stage Left' _album_ (recorded during a different show) is even better still! 😊👍 The section with 'Jacob's Ladder', 'Broon's Bane' / 'The Trees' / 'Xanadu' and 'Freewill' on that album is my absolute favourite Rush recording 🤩
Q: "How many wind chimes does he have?'
A: All of them
This has been my favorite comment thus far! You win! 😂
LOL
this is the correct answer
Lmao!
Drum technician:
“So... How many wind chimes we’ll be putting in the kit?”
Neil: *Yes*
The only 3 guys who sound like they’re each playing a solo simultaneously while synchronizing with one another.
Dude, this guy is a fraud. He got called out on not knowing what he is talking about, by a REAL drummer. This guy refused to show a clip of himself playing drums. He is clueless. Dont let kids watch this and get false advice on how to play drums. Spread it around, man
@@archangelz4457 It's even funniesr when you know that's bullshit.
The Who did that but with 4 people.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer...
Geddy did a great interview with Dan Rather. In it he says that early on they would say their goal was to become the world's smallest orchestra.
I'd say they certainly accomplished that goal!
i used to worship geddy ... then the internet was invented and i saw him speak
that was clearly an early interview... fucker cost me a fortune ( walks away muttering )
“The Big Interview” wasn’t it great!
[Corrected]
Alex and Geddy are so good that they can joke and jostle on stage while playing some of the most complex melody and harmony in the business.
I actually thought the same!
Geddy*
They did it the right way, they toured endlessly, especially in their beginning years, and that paved the way for their steadfast talent and die hard fan base.
Who is Getty?
@@libertasaudits4965 - I always have to think of Estelle Getty from 'Golden Girls' when I see his name misspelled like that 😊
Love your enthusiasm and wonder. Welcome to what us Rush fans have felt every day for 40+ years
Thank you so much!
I agree - knowing this song so well already, it is awesome to anticipate the joy that will cross your face at the next fill, choke, or time change
@@JoshCastillo Next time just listen to it - no video; different ballgame!
You’re right, it does sound like there are 6 people on stage 😂
Neil switching from matched to traditional while playing all that percussion blows my mind
Love to watch this guys face as he watches Neil Peart!! lol You're watching the best!
14:17 - Alex does an amazing fast and flawless transition from 12 to 6 string, which included hitting the neck selector switch. Don't blink - you'll miss it.
Whow! I just watched that part like 10 times! Amazing!
Good eyeballs.
Yep. I showed my nephew and he was like, WTF?
Suuuuper quick, had to replay it to see it! Thanks...
Great call - thanks!
he was and always will be THE PROFESSOR ON THE DRUM KIT, R.I.P.
What about his lyrics...second to none!
Neil really was one history's drumming giants. He was not only incredibly skilled, he was incredibly musical and compositional. Every strike he made served a purpose. When you combined the incredible talent of all three of them, you had magic in the making.
Couldn’t agree more about Mr. Neil Peart. And as for Rush as a music magic making triumvirate machine, it’s like lightning in a bottle!
As another guy who did a reaction video to Xanadu said "Is it possible that this is only 3 people??"
His drum Set was a cathedral to percussion and Neil Peart was the Pope.
RIP
Call him "The Pontiff"
So many feels......
No intro's are like RUSH intro's, you’re pulled all the way in. By the time the lyrics kick in you are already at a ten. Three men, three outrageously talented brothers come together to create more than we deserve. 17 times since the 70’s I was “the girl” in the audience, what a journey since my teens when I was too green to appreciate the greatness I was experiencing. Thank you for your reverence to “MY” band 😊
Amen brother. These guys kept me alive, no joke. Highest respect and admiration.❤️
3 of the the best musicians ever to have formed a band..the stars collided and the best rock band formed..just a little known band known as RUSH..
I must have seen this video a thousand times and can replay it in my head at will. I have NEVER noticed that Neil switches to traditional grip for the fills at 18:25. I didn't know he did that at all before he trained under Freddie Gruber in the 90s.
Excellent analysis. Watching people get their minds blown by Rush is one my true pleasures.
Watching you nerd out to this was a total joy.
I wish I could experience this for the first time again. I'm suddenly nostalgic for road trips with my dad where we'd crank Exit Stage Left and other Rush albums. I've moved out and all that, but I miss that bond of enjoying music with my dad.
This is one of the best live performances I've ever seen by any band!
I absolutely agree. It's astonishing, even without the climax he didn't watch! I've watched this many times and it does not age or bore me as a fan.
I think Rush was in their prime here, because they were young didn't hurt - incredible energy.
When the professor got to heaven John Bohnam and Keith Moon met him to carry his drums and to learn from him.
Actually Bohnam took off his shoes and started to "kick" the double bass while Moon the Loon threw the hardware in the pool and blew up some toms.
I heard when he got there. John Keith and God all dropped to their knees crying. Were not worthy were not worthy. Neil. I know I know
@@2112paulyg2 Get outta here God doesn't drop to his knees!
@@metalmike570 don't worry bud. Neil Peart was an atheist so if there's a god he didnt meet him anyway
@@metalmike570 although Neil may or may not be the new ruler of hell
The power and orchestral fullness these three put out is beyond duplication. Imagine, 3 guys not only being able to PLAY this, but to WRITE it! Wow! This music is to be felt. 12” subs, mid bass drivers, clean crisp tweeters, loud as hell and clean. Only thing better is live. So lucky to have experienced it. Thanks for everything gentlemen.
Thanks for making me cry.
I miss them so much. It’s so good to see someone appreciate Rush for what they were.
Great artists.
Oh no, I hope they were good tears! Thanks very much for your kind words!
I love to see a drummers reaction to Neil Peart. He was called "The Professor". You have to watch his drum solo in Frankfurt. He died of brain cancer a few months ago sadly.
Check out Rick Beato, What makes this song Great episode 63 Rush (#2) on RUclips GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR ALL YOU MUSICIANS
YYZ from Exit Stage Left. Mind blowing drum solo.
@@mde944 Exit Stage Left was and still is one of the best live concerts recorded.
This was probably THE best review ever !! Great job. Love your knowledge, there is so much going on. Proudly Canadian
Thanks so much, that means a lot!
Yep, best review on RUclips and believe me I’ve seen them all
That is incredibly kind of you, thank you so much
Josh great insights into all the instruments and how they’re being performed. This for me sounds like an orchestra at times and always amazes me that 3 guys are creating that much music and nailing it live like this video shows.
I've compared their composition as something akin to orchestral scores but in the rock genre, so I certainly agree!
@@JoshCastillo I believe Niel also wrote much of their music.
@@javabeanz8549 Neil wrote the lyrics, Alex and Geddy wrote the music.
Nobody did it better.
drop the mic.
Exit. (Stage left)
I see what you did there.
I see what you did there.
What all does Neil Peart have in his drum set?
Answer: Yes
If only everyone could be as passionate about something as you are. The joy and exploration of this song in your demeanor brings joy to me as much as the music.
And with all the incredible music, don't lose sight that this is based on the classic Samuel Taylor Coleridge's 1797 (pub in 1816) poem, "Xanadu"
Who else does this sort of thing, with 3 guys, and sounds so incredible, even live?
The poem is named "Kubla Khan".
Kublai Khan
Kublai sir. DAMN
Yep. I did a report on Kubla Khan in high school (1984) and the teacher asked what drew me to that poem and I said the rock group Rush's song Xanadu! Coleridge wrote the poem after waking up from an opium fueled dream. Of course he tweaked it a bit to make it better, as any good poet does. :-)
Alex never got the level of recognition that he so well deserved. Eddie Van Halen idolized Alex.
You should listen to 2112, that’s great of you want to hear the drums!
Robert Myrick Try LaVilla Strangiato
Any Rush song has amazing drums. Maybe the best.
there's a live drum solo Neil did in Frankfurt that's about 15 min or more long and usually amazes drum instructors
I noticed that at the end of the chorus, after Geddy sings "Xanadu..." Neil does a really fast fill punctuated by clicking his sticks together. The first time through, I thought it was a mistake because they were playing live for the video and that fill is impossibly fast. Then I heard him do it again the second time through... What a master! I'm guessing he just throws that stick click in for time keeping... or just because he can.
I heard that first stick click and didn't know what to think. I just thought he was flying through the fill so fast that the sticks clicked at the end of it because he wanted them to. He could do whatever he wanted to do do, right!! :)
You forgot to mention that Alex and Geddy also both play the Moog Taurus pedal synths in this song.
I've been a Rush fan for over 35 years now, and Xanadu has been one of my favorite songs of theirs. During this tour, Rush was totally on their game. Probably at their best musically! I love the Exit Stage Left tour about as much as anything they have ever done. And this reviewers reaction was priceless! Bravo Josh! You reacted the way a true musician would to Xanadu being played live back in 1981! Thank you! That was, as you put it, FUN!
I'm an old guy,( 68 soon) and I love watching the reaction of young people checking out RUSH for the first time.
Rush is well-known for the crazy time signature changes that they make sound so effortless. Neil Peart is God. Again, that cymbal work is simply sublime. His fills are the best in the music industry.
His run down on the toms is incredible.
I think I might’ve mentioned it but those concert toms are something else. Such a unique and well done sound that is just one outstanding piece of what I call “The Neil Peart Sound.”
I love how in that one article many years ago, that they called it haphazard time changes. They know exactly what they are doing.
@@JoshCastillo I can't remember what interview it was in but there is one where Neil talks about playing different time signatures with his hands and feet at the same time. RIP Professor
His limb independence was crazy! I can't even manage the pat your head and rub your stomach thing (that's why I studied voice). With Rush, there is NOTHING haphazard. They are all such exquisite musicians and composers! Love this band. Yes, one of the odd women who does, Lolz. I think it's because I am a musician that I've loved them so much. I can appreciate the intricacies of the music and the command each man has of his instruments.
It's crazy isn't it?? Ditto to everything that you said about studying music and being able to really appreciate what it is that they are each doing.
Your knowledge of music and expertise with percussion really is impressive. Your caught everything on 1 listen. Theres so much going on in this piece. Great job!
Thats why he's never heard this song and doesn't know what tubular bells are. Seriously?
And I don't even play the drums, I'm a guitar player. C'mon...
Geddy and Alex have keyboard pedals they play with their feet at different times. Its how they can add keyboards without faking it or having added. Ive seen them in concert.
Keep going man! Really enjoying your Rush commentary
Thanks very much!
I really love hearing a drummer's/percussionist's point of view on this. And yes, Geddy was playing the 6-string towards the end. I'm glad you caught that - it's kind of hard to see it because the camera doesn't frame it so you can see Geddy's hands on the lower neck so well. So yeah, he was playing rhythm guitar and using Taurus pedals for bass.
Unfortunately (and for some unknown reason), in this video you can't hear Geddy strumming the 6-string and using the bass pedals while Alex plays his solo. But, on the CD, you can definitely hear Geddy playing rhythm during this part....
The bottom neck on Geddy's doubleneck is actually a 12 string.
Steven Roach Is the bottom neck of Geddy's guitar a 6 string baritone?
@@rattan3793 not on that was a 6 string
Finally a great reaction to this song/band. Usually I don't like the stops in a song but it was done at the best time if you have to do it and the comments are not only entertaining but educational!
I like reactions from people who are able to, at least somewhat, analyze *what* they're reacting to and *why* they're reacting to it. This is a great one.
Dude's nearly in tears watching this for the first time. I feel ya, Josh. I feel ya.
Pay very close attention to Alex changing from the top neck to the bottom neck 7:28 to 7:34, he literally does not miss a single beat, that should shake you to your core.
Alex and Geddy are both self described "goofballs". One of the great thing about Neil is that he was never satisfied with where he was at as a drummer. He was always willing to learn and be taught and seek out ways to improve. I don't believe he grew up using classical percussion instruments, but you just know that if he was going to use them he was going to learn how to do it right. Even after he was well established as one of the greatest drummers of all time he took the time to take drum lessons to improve his technique.
Yup! Cornelius was a lifelong "match" drummer (identical stick grip in both hands) that took lessons to learn "traditional" or "jazz" grip a la Gene Krupa. MUCH respect and thanks for his inspiration to excel at all endeavors.
This entire time I thought Geddy was the best musician of the holy three. And I'll still say that the combo of Neil and Ged are the reason they are as good as they are. In Rock, no other Rhythm combo even comes close. Maybe Bruford and Squire. It literally took me years to finally realize that Neil was the Teacher. I love Ged as a musician, I mean easily a pure genius. But Neil transcended Percussion that is just about indescribable..
I saw a documentary I think it was, all about Neil. One thing different was he was more of a recluse than Geddy and Alex. Example; over the years he did not go to meet fans, he started keeping to himself more, and he would go ride his motorcycle for miles and then meet up with Geddy and Alex. I would guess it was after the tragedy of losing his wife and daughter.
@@metalmike570 He was never comfortable being idolized or treated like a public figure. In all the interviews with him, though, you can see he was actually a pretty personable and friendly person.
I believe he started riding his motorcycle on tour before he lost his wife and daughter. It helped him deal with the monotony of being on the road. Geddy liked to watch baseball games to fight the boredom. lol
@@zkeletonz001 What a band; never in it to abuse rock star status... Like the pitfalls of being a rock star. Drugs - all these guys are clean minus a little weed in the early days. Women - not a mention of getting groupies or young vulnerable ladies. And shame on you Gene Simmons!! well he was younger then....
Class A rockers just the best all the way around there should be a Rush award given out to other great bands if they can earn it.
Once again I'll say RIP Neil Peart the best example of a rock musician / writer / drummer / percussionist / and humble person.
So fun to watch YOU sir, listening, watching & enjoying. Thanks for your informative comments on musicianship, playing dinner theater, your educational style is very fun & accessible.
Thank you very much! Teaching is certainly one of my passions and I'm glad to know that others appreciate my style!
I love how they don’t play time in a way that anyone else would think, in the final solo, Alex plays in 4/4, but the bass part plays it as a group of 3 and then a group of 5, while Neil is riffing off of both the bass and guitar parts, not entirely following a proper time, they were absolutely legendary, and to keep time with each other and themselves so immaculately is just immense, can’t say I’ve seen that level of pure musical prowess from any other rock/prog band ever
Josh, first time on your channel. Xanadu is one of my favorite Rush songs along with Rush being one of my favorite bands. So when I saw this my "reaction" was . . . wait . . . what? You nailed it, Neil, Alex and Geddy are masters. I subscribed due to your expertise analysis. Do more Rush please. Also as suggestion - ELP, Pink Floyd, and maybe Black Sabbath. Keep up the good work. My first ever concert was Rush at the Montreal Forum(March 31, 1978). I was hooked!!
Thanks very much for your kind words! Also, welcome aboard and great suggestions!
Great job Josh keep up these reaction videos, I like your analytical-breakdown approach! Ignore the haters.
There seems to be some confusion on Geddy's guitar let me provide some insight for everyone.
Geddy does occasionally play rhythm guitars when the songs require 2 guitars during live performances. Alex is awesome but it's not humanly possible for even him to play 2 guitars at once!
Geddy Lee's custom double-neck Rickenbacker 4800/12 Black = 4 string bass & 12 string guitar.
Geddy also has a custom double-neck Rickenbacker 4800/6 White = 4 string bass & 6 string guitar.
Geddy's Black Doubleneck was used for the song Xanadu. 4-string bass over a 12-string guitar.
Liner notes from Exit Stage Left . . . Geddy Lee - lead vocals, bass guitar, synthesizers, bass pedals, rhythm guitar on "A Passage to Bangkok" and "Xanadu"
Liner Notes from A Farewell to the Kings . . . Geddy Lee - vocals, bass, and twelve-string guitar, Minimoog, bass pedal synthesizers.
First and foremost I want to thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I'd be lying if I said that the comment section of some of my videos haven't been... interesting to say the least. But comments like these really help me find the drive to continue something that I really enjoy doing.
That being said, I also would like to thank you for such an informative and well crafted comment on the gear that the band is using! I'm sure that it wasn't just educational for me but for many others as well so thank you very much for commenting and providing such great support. I hope you have a great day and stay safe out there during this crazy time!
I've already responded to this, years ago. But I have to add that you're the only reaction to notice and appreciate the incredible percussion performance by Neil and his many sonic tools. He can truly "music," and I appreciate your perceptive reaction.
That was Neil's starter kit. He adds to it over the years.
😂😂The starter kit. You got that right. The kits he uses later are a full symphony's percussion section and then some!
@@kimmieess6171 Astrotama a poster on YT plays Rush drum tracks. He just does it to let off steam (edit well probably a bit more than that lol) but he does a pretty good job I must say. iirc he's an astronomer and probably likes Tama drums. I think he won a contest or was runner up in a drumming contest and the prize was to play one of Neil's old drum kits.
He mentions it in one of his vids.
Here's a vid of his Cygnus X1 (you may have seen):
ruclips.net/video/C4jwYaJ30_0/видео.html
His kits actually got smaller in later years. One bass drum with a double pedal. All those percussion instruments were replaced with electronic triggers.
@@Rimshot1120 I was glad to see the tubular bells (the tall ones right behind Neil) return during their "R40" tour. He played them on Xanadu at R40 and for Jacob's Ladder, among other songs.
From what I saw it looked like he would have to be lowered from above into the middle of his kit... 😊
How much does Neil have back there?
oh, he's got a whole room.
The joy on your face watching this was quite a delight, thank you!
Alex Lifeson is Rush. I’m a drummer and Neil is my favorite drummer, but Alex is the most valuable and always gets ignored. You’re 1 of the 1st to make a point of Alex
Back in the 80s I watched a interview of Eddie VanHalen , he was asked by the interviewer what it's like to be the best guitarists in the world Eddie's answer was I don't know ask Alex Lifeson.
Alex gets slept on by a lot of people because unlike a lot of other bands that put the guitar on center stage he usually lets Geddy and Neil take the spotlight, and he isn’t as much of a shredder as a lot of other guitarists but in terms of skill he is absolutely among the best of all time just like Geddy and Neil are for their respective instruments. It’s a shame he is so underrated
@@goodspeed5817 No you didn't. That's been going around since interviewers supposedly asked Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix the same question. Of course they each came up with a different answer.
I love to see people react to Rush and came across this one today. Brilliant, simply brilliant. I hope that you have had a chance to check out more of these musical geniuses. In 2 years time I am guessing that you have, and I will be checking out your channel. I love how you were able to discuss the time changes etc that many miss.
I was blessed with being able to see Rush in Concert at Market Square Arena here In Indianapolis, Indiana during Their Moving Pictures Tour. In short, it was EPIC! They are every bit as good live as Their music would denote - simply awesome! :€)
I seen them July 5,1981 east troy,Wisconsin (alpine valley) In row "H" best concert of my life!
One of the best live bands ever in the history of the world.
Josh, me again. You have given me a new perspective to this song. Your Channel deserves 1 Million subscribers! You really understand music and musicians. Ehrfurchtgebietend (awesome in English). Cheers from Germany!
Each Rush song is a sonic thread in a beautiful musical tapestry which takes a lifetime of devoted listening, to enable you to see. The tapestry is rich, complex, beautiful, impossible but yet for some of us, there it is, and we are forever gifted by the majesty, magnificence and sonic brilliance of Rush.
RIP Neil / I miss you, Darren
My guy....you said it. I was born in 1985 and I've been listening to RUSH literally from the womb. They still awe me to this day. RIP to the greatest percussion player to ever live and his musical storytelling is next dimension stuff.
As a wind player, hearing you break down his drum set, explaining specific parts, the multiple time sets, and even seeing your interpretation was both enjoyable and educational at the same time. I've seen ten percussionists not be able to do what Peart does in one song, much less an entire concert.
There's a reason Rush is known as the Gods of the North!
Thank you so much for your comment! I love hearing from other concert players. What instrument do you play if you don’t mind my asking?
@@JoshCastillo tenor sax is my primary, though I can and have played almost every kind of reed instrument there is. I own a tenor, a C melody, and a soprano sax...(all Armstrong's)
@@cvonantz That's awesome! I've never played sax but I did take a course on double reed instruments where I got to play Oboe and Bassoon. I hear that Soprano is difficult though
@@JoshCastillo soprano sax is actually the easiest of the saxophone line to play, but the hardest to keep in pitch. Now most people don't realize there are actually two versions of the same instrument, yet both play the exact same notes. There's a traditional curved soprano sax, and a straight soprano sax similar in style to a clarinet.
Now the hardest of all the reeded instruments (for me) is the contra-bass since it takes the most wind to sustain a note.
He got tubular bells wrong...
Glad you paused it with the bell tree shot...you'll also notice he's playing traditional grip right there. Ah, you caught it as well.
A great breakdown of this song. I saw the band in 1980, probably a year and before this concert. Neil's percussion kit looked the same as in this video. One of the things I most remember of the concert; was being in the dark and looking at the shiny large drum kit on the semi-lit stage just before the band came on. Of course Neil made excellent use all of that gear to amaze us with Xanadu, 2112, Cygnus-XI etc. What a great band!
"It seems like a lot of practice went into this" Uh, ya think?
And no, the starts and stops and tempo changes aren't strange... Its RUSH
I do think, thanks for noticing 👍🏼
My god they are so synched. Check out at 13:29 how none of them place the downbeat until the end of Geddy's consonant (the z sound in xanadu) so that it can be heard. That's textbook classical singing style, downbeat on the vowel, but they're doing it totally outside the tempo. That's really hard, and such a small detail. Unbelievable levels of musicianship.
Neil Peart’s drum set in the 70’s and 80’s was the entire percussions section including the xylophone. If you want to see Alex Lifeson’s personality watch Rush is inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
That was CLASSIC Alex!!
Let's not forget about getting "borrowed" (kidnapped) by Ricky so Alex could play with Bubbles!!!🇨🇦🇨🇦
And you know what's really funny? EVERY Rush fan on the planet understood every Blah Blah he said. Quite possibly the best acceptance speech ever
ohhh...BLAH BLAH BLAH........BLAH...BLAHBLAH
Or check out their induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Stupendous.
Awesome review. One of my favorite Rush songs. I listen to this song far too much.
Interestingly, as a then 15 year old lad I just listened to this and new very little about time signatures but it all sounded perfectly reasonable and I soon hummed along and knew it off by heart. It is only later as an older player I start counting it and think wtf??!!
I was 11 years old in 1981 when this tour took place. I was 12 when I saw the first Rush show of my life on the 'Exit Stage Left' Tour in the Meadowlands, NJ and saw this drum-kit. It was the most intimidating thing I had ever seen. It was enormous, it was a show-stopper and it opened up my twelve year old brain and just made me think. It was the start of my drumming journey and I'll never be able to thank him enough for the influence the body of work he had left me (and us). I ended up never missing a tour again and saw them 49 times from ages 12-45. While there are more technical drummers and certainly drummers with a better 'groove' or 'feel', few have been a creative and forward thinking. His compositions both drum-wise and lyrically are timeless. His loss remains huge, but his footprint remains as large as ever.
Q: How many wind chimes does Neil have?
A: All of them.
He switched to traditional grip at 18:30 to have the right hand position to do the chokes given what else was going on and where he needed to be for those. He immediately changed back after those chokes.
So much interesting informations in your reviews! Many thanks. I'm curious of what you would say about YYZ.
Thanks very much for you kind words! YYZ is certainly on my list!
And a bell tree!
Love watching the reactions of people who never heard these songs. Rush is the equivalent of multiple EARGASMS.
It's too bad their vocalist sucks.
@@Leonhavenify In my opinion Geddy doesn't suck. Many people like it, some deal with it, and other hate Rush for it. He's got a very distinct voice and I couldn't imagine Rush with any other singer.
@@Leonhavenify it doesn't suck. It's like cilantro. You either love it or hate it. I can't say I've ever heard anyone who is so-so on cilantro or Geddy
I hate when the ‘reactions’ are from songs they’ve already heard before. . . You’re the man.
This guy is a "Drum Instructor" and he's never tuned into Xanadu? He says at the start that he's heard La Villa Strangiata but was he never enthused enough to check out perhaps their most recognised song in Xanadu? Seriously?
Wonderful job! I just came from a metal musician's reaction to this same performance and, not surprisingly, you both showed the same amount of humble respect for Rush. It's so inspiring to see musicians of all genres discovering new, or revisiting old music and sharing their experience with us fellow musicians. Music is awesome!
Awesome reaction I like your break downs nice Natural Science off Permanent Waves 1980 is a song I think u will enjoy and the lyrics are awesome stay safe
Thank you for this. You're the first reaction video to actually notice the intricacies of a Rush song. The time signatures, the instrumentation, the song structures...so great. Thank you thank you.
AH! First reaction that I've seen that caught Alex's shred burst after "frozen in an everlasting view". That's not on the studio recording. He added that for the live show and it is a total in-your-face moment from him.
My first Rush concert was the A Farewell To Kings tour 1/7/1978 at the Aragon Ballroom, Chicago. You can see the outside of the Aragon on the opening video of the R40 dvd. And that little balcony in front is where Rush stood out and waved to us fans after the show. Now remember, this is Chicago in January, it was a remarkable gesture, and Rush has been a Chicago fan favorite for all these years. I've only seen Rush 15 times, but every one of them was such an extraordinary experience!
You are having a good week. Neo & Rush - Loving it
Really enjoyed your reaction! Anyone can enjoy the music, but knowing what these guys are actually doing, and seeing you point it out, takes it up a notch. I kept wanting to tell you to "watch this", because I knew Neil was about to do something new and awesome.
Thanks so much! It feels great knowing that you appreciated the video! 🙌🏼
Check out the live version (same concert) of Jacob's Ladder.
Nothing beats the the sound of a Rickenbacker Bass! As you can tell by my icon :). Excellent analysis of my favorite rock group of all time. I’m subscribing now. RIP Neil.
Yeah, Geddy is doing all the synth work during the intro.
Im your fan, man... you were the best reaction of this amazing Rush´s song
Aw man that's awesome, thanks so much! Now I'm YOUR fan too!
I love how Neil incorporates cymbol & hi hat into his rolls & fills
I think the orchestration of his fills are simply masterful!
That smile on your face...
I’ve had that smile on my face for 40 years.
Listen to it again.
And then again.
For 40 years.
You’ll keep discovering that New little thing Every fucking time
Person: How long's the intro?
Rush: 5
Person: Oh, just 5 seconds?
Rush: Duh...
What a great reaction! This was my 1st time watching your channel & I had so much fun watching you thoroughly enjoying this incredible masterpiece! My absolute favorite live performance of all time! Thank you for making me smile my friend!
Subscribed!
💥💯🖤🎶🤘
Thank you so much! That really means a whole lot because I genuinely have a lot of fun watching great musicians! And ditto to you for me making ME smile!
@@JoshCastillo
Aww...you're welcome! Isn't music just the best thing in the world! It sure gets me through alot! And now I get to meet new people bcuz of it! Yeah, thank God for kick ass music! Hope you have a great day & stay safe!😎🤘
It’s a lifestyle! You also be safe out there!
"Did I see Geddy on the other neck?" Yup. He's playing bass synth with his feet, while playing on the 12-string neck. He doesn't switch back to the bass neck for the rest of the song.
I was thinking he stayed there for the remainder of the song as well! Thanks so much for all your comments btw, they were fun to read!
I was reacting to your reaction. ;)
I'm almost certain Alex is playing the Taurus bass pedals at the end of this, while Geddy plays rhythm and keyboards.
@@ashleygraham8781 For sure Alex is playing the Taurus pedals after he's done with the guitar solo and Geddy is playing the little melody on the 12-string while Neil plays along on the glockenspiel.
@@JoshCastillo Neil can most definitely "music" Watch his drum solo "Live in Frankfurt" or "Rush Live in Rio" ...and I only say solo because he's playing by himself, when in reality its actually a song unto itself.
Rush means a lot their fans, not only due to the amazing musical pieces they have given us during decades. They have shown a lot of respect to their art and to their public too , it was always there, always clear to us . I haven't lost the opportunities to watch them twice here in São Paulo/Brazil. They only came twice 😕.
I round your Reaction by accident and have to tell you that it was a great surprise. You somehow put into words a little bit of the respect and admiration we fans have for these 3 amazing musicians. I also spent some time reading the comments people left you. Be sure that vou gave a good time to some old Rush fans there.
Very nice reaction. I would love you to analyze this whole concert 😄. One song at the time. Ok, I sub and wait here.
I doubt anyone coming here for Xanadu minds the length. Prog songs are long. Very good content.
Thanks so very much! It's very nice to feel appreciated, I will do my absolute best to try and cover as much of the concert as I can!
Watched your review again because it was so ensightful, love it, more Rush please, love you perspective on the music.
Welcome to the magic of Rush.
Josh I love your enthusiasm bro. It blew my young mind the 1st time I heard Rush. Epic!!
Josh, finish the video!