And, the Professor was a composer in his own right as well. Still can't believe he's gone, but am so grateful for the many gifts he gave us through his music, his writing, and - in spite of his shyness and just wanting to be "a guy on a bike" - through sometimes sharing snippets of himself with us through documentaries and interviews.
When I was 13. my Dad came into my room and sat and listened to this tune with me. I desperately wanted him to understand why i loved Rush so much. I didn't want him to think all I listened to was stoner music. It meant more to me than that. I didn't know why.....it just did. He sat quietly and listened to this and explained what recapitulation of theme was in music and how they used it. He thought it was very good. Very smart. These were musicians that must care about their composition. He came from a jazz and classical music lovers background but would give any melody a try. Flash forward 30 years and I'm riding to the Rush R30 show with my wife and 17 year old daughter. It was to be my daughters first live rock show of any kind. This tune is playing on the car stereo. I was so nervous that she wouldn't get it. What I loved so much. The music written with such care for the composition. I looked in the rear view mirror and she was singing every word. She knew all the key changes....all the drum fills. I was amazed that she paid that much attention to this music she'd heard blasting occasionally in the house and car while growing up. I spent 3 blissful hours sharing my 13 year old rock fan with my teenage daughter. We had a ball. Air guitar, air drumming with thousands of other Dads and Moms....and their kids too. I bought her all the concert swag. If only for one night I got to share that joy with her. To me, a highlight of my life. I'm 57 now. Unfortunately she's gone too soon. Somewhere with my Dad and Neil Peart I hope. Discussing recapitulating theme in musical composition and laughing about her dorky dads air drumming skills. Apologies in advance for the ramble. I guess sometimes memories flash by and I have nowhere to articulate them. Long live RUSH!
Good on you dad for forging those memories - they are etched into the fabric of time and RUSH is a thread. Sorry for your loss, but thanks for sharing.
The purpose of a double neck guitar: 1. It looks badass 2. In this case, Alex Lifeson has a 12 string on top and 6 string on bottom....the 12 string has a different "shimmery" sound that makes open chords sound fuller. 3. It looks badass 4. You can have different tunings on each neck...for instance top neck tuned to regular 440 and bottom neck tuned to an open tuning like DADGAD 5. Did anyone notice how badass it looks? 6. You use one neck for open string ringing while playing other stuff on the other neck...basically 2 guitars at once. 7. Volume and Tone pots can be set differently for each which could give you radically different sounds without having to change guitars 8. It looks badass
Doug, m'friend, lemme give you a free clue: Neil Peart *IS* a percussion section all by himself. The reason for both necks is simple: They ALL use EVERYTHING they've got. Geddy plays bass. He plays rhythm guitar. He plays pedals. He plays keys. He triggers effects. He sings. Alex plays 6 and 12 string guitars. And acoustic guitars (6 or 12) And mandolin, And pedals. And triggers sequencers and effects. Neil plays EVERYTHING you see in that set. And adds triggering samples and sequencers as needed. They're a 3 man band that plays like a 9 (or more) piece. And if you compare live versus studio versions of their songs, you'll find that their live performances are close to being a note-for-note match for the studio version. They were the best there's been, and the best there ever will be. Out of their 40 year catalog, you'll be hard-pressed to find more than 3-4 "clinkers" - They're top-shelf all the way.
One of the minute minority of bands that not only can reproduce live their studio recordings, but actually sound better live. I'm so glad we had them while we did, even though I never got to see them in concert (they never made it to Australia, unfortunately), I'm forever grateful for the music they gave us. RIP Neil Peart.
It's not shown clearly in the video, but at the end, during the lighter section with all the percussion sounds, Geddy is playing the melody on the six-string neck.
Alex and Geddy walk out with doublenecks, you see Neil's collection of percussion and fog begins to roll. At this point you definitely know, "this shit is going to get real".
Geddy Lee is one of the most underrated musicians off all time --- what he can pull off in concert with just two hands and two feet while singing is nothing short of mind-blowing
Even at the R40 show, they played with this level of intensity for almost 3 hours. We're so fortunate to have walked the earth with 3 of the most talented musicians to ever take the stage.
I was there in Raleigh and it still is one of the most memorable rock shows I've ever been to. Got to take my wife and two teenage boys to show them what real musicians looked and played like! To this day they are all fans of Rush.
As I said in an earlier post, my son, 15 at the time, and already a Rush fan and great drummer, came with me to R40 and was blown away, by the band, and Peart. Great father/son moment, I had seen them 15 (or so) times since the Farewell to Kings tour. Best live band ever, (son agrees,) so sad that the magic will never happen again. Such is life...
Check out Alex at 10:22 where he switches from the 12 to 6 string in between the beat, and to think in this whole song there's no added sound track, no cheating. At one point Geddy is singing, playing keyboards and working the bass pedals at his feet. Towards the end of the song you can see Geddy is on the bottom neck which is a 6 string guitar and he's supplying some rhythm while Alex is playing his guitar part. These are seriously dedicated highly skilled professionals.
This song was the first Rush song I ever heard. My brother got me into Rush when I was in the 8th grade with this very song, and the live version to boot. Then, in high school, my English teacher passed out these fat Norton Anthologies of English literature and had us read Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem "Kubla Khan." As I was reading, I came across, dining on honey dew, milk of paradise, caves of ice, palace of Xanadu, etc., and I was like, wait a minute...this is Rush's "Xanadu." I informed my teacher, Mr. Painter, who promptly corrected me and said that Rush's "Xanadu" is like Coleridge's "Kubla Khan." LOL. He asked me to bring the album in, and during the next class period, we listened to the song and analyzed it in relation to Coleridge's poem. Mr. Painter noted that the opening instrumental intro follows the same tonal qualities of the three main sections of the poem. Cool! Because of this experience, I continued studying the Romantic poets and eventually got my PhD in English literature, writing a dissertation on Coleridge's poetry. Love Rush! Thank you for your musical analysis!
That was fantastic! I remember once eons ago, a teacher in high school brought in a Pink Floyd album and played it. I don't remember what it was but early Pink Floyd. I thought, this isn't music, it's just instrumentation. Don't care for it. Well...10 years or so later, I started buying Pink Floyd albums. The Wall, Wish You Were Here & DSOTM are my favourites.
Now, _that_ is a great teacher! Me, I had to do it the hard way. I heard the Rush song, then randomly found out that "Xanadu" was from Coleridge, and since our high school didn't teach us that depth of poetry (Emily Dickinson was the most esoteric poet we covered), I had to hit the local library and browse every poetry collection they had before I found "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge! What impresses me most about the Rush interpretation is how they highlight the danger of such a place. The peril is inherent in the poem, but Rush put a name to it: Immortality without change, which is not really life at all.
Rush is simply jaw dropping, when I listen to the tightness and quality of their music, it transports me elsewhere. I'm a musician myself, and guitarist. And it amazes me "still" after all these years what those three musicians did together on a stage!!! Once in a life time band, no one can come close to what these wonderful musicians shared with us...
RUSH - “La Villa Strangiato” (An Exercise in Self-Indulgence) Instrumental I. Buenas Noches, Mein Froinds! (0:00-0:26) II. To sleep, perchance to dream... (0:27-1:59) III. Strangiato Theme (2:00-3:15) IV. A Lerxst in Wonderland (3:16-5:48) V. Monsters! (5:49-6:09) VI: The Ghost of the Aragon (6:10-6:44) VII. Danforth and Pape (6:45-7:25) VIII. The Waltz of the Shreves (7:26-7:51) IX. Never turn your back on a Monster! (7:52-8:02) X. Monsters! (Reprise) (8:03-8:16) XI. Strangiato Theme (Reprise) (8:17-9:20) XII. A Farewell to Things (9:20-9:35)
Glad you recognized Alex's solo. He's the king of tasteful solos. That's why he's underrated, he's not showy, he does exactly what the song needs and his solos add some of the most extraordinary textures (see: Limelight).
If Lerxst is king of tasteful soloing, David Gilmour is god of it. Alex Lifeson was inspired in many ways by Gilmour and PF. I am a big fan of both Rush and PF.
The day will come when historians and musicians alike will come to the inevitable conclusion that Rush was the greatest rock band in history. If you watch this live version and tears don't come to your eyes or at the very least, goosebumps breakout on your arms, you're not alive.
prolly the best version of Xanadu. goose bumps. simply amazing that these guys did all of that BEFORE they used sequencers. RIP Professor. You are missed
Definite tears of absolute amazement that three musicians of their talent were put on this earth together and I was lucky enough to be here at the same time
don't forget geddy, the bassist is playing moog taurus pedals with his feet at 7:38 as well as playing bass and singing :) great video man, look forward to hearing more from you.
Actually, during the guitar solo, Geddy is playing bass line with feet on pedals and carrying the rhythm guitar on his double. Remember, Geddy's instrument was bass on top and 6-string guitar on bottom.
@@sulley722 12-string actually, but he did also have the Bass & 6 string double neck as well. The 4080 & 4080-12 I believe was Rickenbacker's designations for those instruments.
No other band can ever like Rush because those three guys do SO MUCH more than guitar, bass, and drums. The reason for the double neck guitars is so they can augment each other in areas while they are doing something different. Alex has both a six and twelve string on his because he switches back and forth. Geddy has a six string/bass combo so he can help out Alex when he does that. He also handles the keyboards and pedals. And Neil... Well he writes almost everything and plays drums like a demigod. They aren't just a rock band, they are serious music professionals. I think I heard Geddy call themselves "Nerds". Haha.
To me, this performance has 'Nerds' written all over it! 😄 The two double-neck guitars alone are nerdy as! 😁 I love it! 🤩 Easily my most-watched music clip on YT 😊 By the way, that is a 12-string guitar on Geddy's instrument, not a 6-string. And Alex too plays pedal synths, during the 7/8 part after the intro and also when it repeats towards the end 🙂
One of the best days in high school in the 80's was when we studied the poetry of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. We listened to Xanadu by Rush and Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Iron Maiden. Awesome day!
"Is that drummer playing orchestral bells?" OMG that is the funniest innocent question I have heard about Rush in a long time...lol. To drummers everywhere, the late great Neil Peart is like...1 part Thor, 2 parts Socrates and one part Shakespeare. He is sorely missed. Welcome to Rush... musicians music.
I’m no musician - can’t play a note on anything, don’t understand time signatures... despite this, I’ve loved Rush since I first heard them at 14 years of age 33 years ago. Their music just sounds cool af and that’s good enough for me.
And note Geddy starts playing his guitar at around 15:20. You also did not notice both Alex and Geddy have pedals too! That deep bass comes from Geddy's pedals
Alex "Lerxst" Lifeson on guitar is extremely underrated. His brilliance really shines in your previously reviewed "La Villa Strangiato", as well as hos solos in Limelight, Freewill and Kid Gloves. His performance shines also in YYZ, named for the three character code for Toronto's (their hometown) Lester B. Pearson Airport. Looking forward to your sharing more Rush discoveries, Thoufg I know nothing about music, my reactions were as animated as yours, when I first heard (experienced), Rush's numerous masterpieces. Thank you for your fresh, honest assessment of Xanadu and LVS.
@@TurkShowFan Neil was one of my first influences when I got into drumming (1977). Since then, I have discovered a LOT of drummers of similar qualities and some that are better in terms of chops. Research...
I’ve always been curious to get a classical composer’s perspective on Rush, particularly this song. I think their music is conducive to a classical ensemble performance, although the instances I’ve seen of that have been, I hate to say it, but mediocre. In the hands of a great conductor, I can only imagine what a composition like Xanadu might sound like. Another track that may peek your interest is La Villa Strangiato (either the studio version from their album, Hemispheres, or the live promo performance from 1979) as others have probably already commented here. But also, Jacob’s Ladder, also from Exit Stage Left or the studio version from their album, Permanent Waves, although there is no video for that one.
Doug is correct though that this song is actually very simple in its basic elements, its really about how they execute their parts and how they seam disparate sections together. But yeah the harmonic structures behind it is nothing particularly interesting except for Alex (guitarist) signature suspended chords arpeggiated, which defined the Rush sound as much as anything. This band's growing into richer songwriting as far as chord progressions and harmony really got interesting in their mid to late 80s albums, although a lot of people write off that period because of the heavy synthesizer role.
Alex has a Gibson EDS 1275 12 string/6 string double. Geddy is using a Rickenbacker 4080/12 bass and 12 string. He plays lead outro on 12 string while Alex plays the complicated rhythm. He also had a white 4080/6 string that he used for A Passage to Bangkok where he played rhythm guitar and bass pedals. The synth stack is: Oberheim OB-1 Oberheim OB-X Oberheim OB-8 Moog Taurus Bass Pedals (2) - interfaced with the OB-8 Moog Mini-Moog Roland MC-8 Digital Sequencer
I saw RUSH 6 times and always from 6th row, center stage. The most impressive thing I've ever seen was Geddy Lee playing the keyboards with one hand, plucking a drone note on his bass, playing the foot pedals with his foot and singing all at the same time.
Yeah, there is a fine line between "WOOOW" and "Simplistic chord progression, the drummer is doing sort of ok, singer sings too high, the guitar player is not that technical. Basically just a band with tons of instruments."
haha. Truth. Fan since the late 70's/early 80's. And I'm often annoyed at reviews because they so often fail to grasp the composition of the piece. Like the story behind YYZ (Alex was actually flying the plane when Neil and Ged picked up on the cool rhythm of the airport call in Morse code)... and how the song covers the hustle and bustle of travel, then the waiting around (and more hustle-bustle, and more waiting around), and the emotions of reunions and saying good-byes, and the exotic places to which one may be headed. I think Doug did a pretty good job here. He got that they make a huge sound for 3 guys, and they did it live. This 'rabid' Rush fan cringed a little over the bit about not having available to them in 1981 the types of stuff they'd have available today, because they STILL did their own stuff. No click tracks on stage. They made it all happen. I would love a review of YYX by Doug, and see if he picks up on all that stuff never mind the notes it's in.
First of all I want to thank Doug for his open minded approach and humble quality for his videos. Declining to listen to some horror bands and still have a great positive thing to say is very hard for a classical composer. As a professional classical musician myself I understand how difficult it is to accept any other form since nothing gives the same mind buggling feel like classical music. YET RUSH is a totally different story. Three amazing musicians grow together during years becoming not only one but also developing as true composers. Never surrender to popular clichés of rock they never stop to excel, move up, do better, but most of all they bring such extraordinary music one forget instruments or details and hear only beautiful music, so melodic, rich, elegant, polyphonic, coherent! So many influences yet no one sounds like them. Even their fans are different. Choosing an album is simply impossible. They will probably accompany me the next forty years not shied by the great composers past and present
Doug; to answer your question about the double necked guitar and bass. Each neck is a seperate instrument. Look closely and you'll see that on the guitar the top neck is a 12 string and the bottom is a six string. Additionally, the bass has a four string upper and a six string lower. It allows the player to have access to the fullness of sound on the extra strings and the precision of the fewer strings. On the bass, it allows Getty to have access to a much wider range. All of this is achiived without the need to switch instruments, which would otherwise be required. Also, note that Getty has an organ keyboard on the floor, under the synthesizer, that he plays with his foot. Efficiencies. That's how three guys sound like a band of eight or more. Just inspiring to me when I was studying using in high school. Their willingness to constantly challenge themselves as musicians drove me to do the same in all aspects.
The late great Neil Peart. The only time I've seen that amount of percussion was at a concert of the Rotterdam Philharmonic playing the 1812 Overture...
@@Jangocat Agree. They used the same instruments everyone else was using during that era but the way they integrated them into their unique compositional style made them timeless.
I love how you just cannonballed into the deep end of the prog rock/metal pool! You’re the Rick Beato of reaction videos. Keep up the great work, Doug!
how effortlessly they ROCK in odd time...been a RUSH fan since just before this concert was filmed...i was 13 then...I'm still a RUSH fan and always will be. RIP Neil Peart, may Geddy and Alex continue to live long and prosper.
Yes, you'd probably enjoy La Villa Strangiato. The official music video is played live but in an empty theater. If you prefer to just listen, the cut from the album Hemispheres is exceptional. BTW , it's an instrumental, in 11 movements.
One of my favorites! I've been a RUSH freak for over 40 years and have always known how good Neil Peart was, but recently i watched a youtube video with isolated drums for LVS, and it was awe inspiring. I had no idea how busy Neil was with the rest of the band playing. It should be required listening for any RUSH or drumming fans.
the chemistry between geddy and alex is incredible; friends since gradeschool ... and then they found neil ... what a fortuitous event ... it was meant to be
Geddy Lee has a 750 cfm double pumper for a nose. He can sing to the heavens and not break a sweat :)P Love me some Rush, one of the most talented bands in the last 50 years. Easy. RIP N, Peart. We miss you.
I really enjoyed watching the video and your comments. I don't know who you are, but I sure know who they are. Thanks for doing this Doug. I'm inspired. I play drums, and played Xanadu in my band in 1980, over 40 years ago. Rest in peace Neil. You were the heart of Rush.
Doug won me over. He is the real deal. He shouts out the notes and instruments and tells us Geddy's vocal pitch is perfect and effortless. Doug KNOWS his shit, and RUSH is the top of the mountain. The Xanadu...
When I was 14 I had piano lessons and bought a catalog of Rush songs for piano. I learned how to play Fly By Night and my 70 year old piano teacher was shocked that how rich and complex Rush's compositions were.
I grew up listening to KISS but when I bought home Fly By Night and put it on, my dad walked in, and instead of saying "turn it down", he said "that's more like it", and carried on with his day.
It's especially amazing when you consider Geddy Lee is not only an incredible singer, but also a mind-blowing bass player (none better, IMO) and keyboardist. Not to mention the talent of Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson. Such sound from a three-person rock band. Over forty years later and still powerful enough to cause goosebumps.
Rush has so many incredible songs, but Xanadu has always been the most impressive for me. The whole band is at absolute peak performance, Geddy with the vocals two-instrument play, Alex with the 18-string, and Neil with that amazing percussion, plus the lyrics so beautifully crafted from Coleridge's poem. It's a true epic.
You are exactly the right kind of person to react to RUSH. They absolutely put that level of thought, care, and dedication into the composition. Yes the long intro is very much a part of the story. Neil, the drummer (percussionist) is an incredibly well read person and writes their lyrics. He has a mastery of words that few bands can match. Each of them is a monstrously talented musician. And there isn't an ounce of ego between them. They work together so flawlessly. Like Mozart, not a single note wasted or skipped. Exactly what the song needs. And they did this for decades. Growing, changing, expanding, exploring. But never giving less than 150% on every single song.
I'm 52 years old and Rush has been a huge part of my life since 7th grade. It mystifies me how there are people around my age who have very little knowledge of Rush. I feel sad that they missed out.
For me it was Grade 8 but then I'm a little older. Saw them on the Hemispheres tour when Max opened. Max played my high school the night before they opened for RUSH on that tour. My first Rush show was in Buffalo in the US. I would have been in Grade 11 at the time. A few of my buddies and I slipped across the border to see them.
My thought exactly... I can't believe that anyone that has been involved with music in the past 50 years hasn't had an opinion or at least listened (critically) to RUSH. RUclips makes money for people making videos that people watch... we all watched this, but I do question the authenticity. In the end... I'll listen to RUSH any way that I can. RIP, Professor.
Xanadu is the definition of "epic". Playing the drums in a Rush tribute band, I am taken aback by the amount of work Neil put into this tune. Percussion used to detail the mood all around different sections of the song. Just one of the reasons Rush is my favorite band of all time.
I remember back in the late 70's - early 80's when CHUM-FM 104.5 in Toronto was a rock station. They would interview the band for each album premiere and go track by track with Ged, Alex and Neil in studio commenting before each track was played. In one interview Geddy was introduced by the DJ as "Geddy, how many instruments can I play at once, Lee"
The live performance of "YYZ" in Rio is a personal favorite. Rush sounds as great live as in the studio (with the exception of Geddy struggling to hit a few notes as he aged, which doesn't matter in an instrumental), and that crowd is amazing. Tens of thousands of people singing along with an instrumental is something I never thought I'd see.
I've watched a ton of reactions to this song, and this one was the best by far. You were very thoughtful in the way you deconstructed the music down to the keys they were playing in. It was almost like a music lesson. I'd love to hear you break down La Villa Strangiato.
Omg. I saw this tour. First time I saw them. Holy crap. At their PRIME. Almost all of Rush’s songs are words by Neil Peart.(drummer) His nickname is “The Professor”. A very well read man. Arguably the best drummer to walk the earth. My favorite band ever next to Electric Light Orchestra.
I picked up playing bass 2 years ago. 6 months ago i started taking lessons. 2 days ago my teacher liked the fact ,that I really enjoy RUSH, so much he told me we where gonna start learning what youre doing. When my dad saw the album cover of what I was playing while doing the dishes he immediately fell face first onto memory lane and requested i started the album over. Thanks to the awesomeness of my teacher, the spirit of my father and the genious of this band Ive never felt more inspired in my short life of 19 years. Ive never felt so inspired to create and to choose to really follow my own opinions and interests. Thank you rush for all you do and have done. Rest in piece Neil.
Awesome, Albin! 😀👍 With such great inspiration, you'll be enjoying to play bass for many more years to come 😊 Let's wish Neil to rest in _peace_ , though! 😉😁
It's been almost a year now Doug, and I am back once again to watch your reaction and review of this song. Never gets old. Thanks Doug! .. wishing you and your family a fantastic 2022 !!!
Yeah, he throws his stick up, doesn't look for it, and catches it just in time to use it when needed. He'll do that all nite and never miss. I've seen him live myself.
The white double-neck is a 12 string on top and a 6 string on the bottom. The black double-neck is a bass on top and a guitar on the bottom. Geddy Lee plays the guitar towards the end of the song when Alex Lifeson is playing lead guitar. Geddy Lee is also playing the bass pedals at that time for the bottom end. (By the way, I recommend the studio version of Xanadu, from the album “A Farewell to Kings”, as it’s a cleaner, more defined production sound.)
I miss these guys so much. They were one of my first musical memories as a child and they've been with me through thick and thin ever since. God bless you, boys:) and RIP Professor.
Alex Lifeson is using a 12-string/6-string largely using the 12-string in the rhythm parts. Geddy on the other hand has a bass guitar/12-string double neck. At around 14:00, Alex switches to his lower 6-string neck to play the solo while Geddy switches to the lower 12-string neck and covers the rhythm guitar part while playing simple drone bass notes on the Moog Taurus pedals. As you rightly pointed out with Neil's drumkit and percussion zone (glockenspiel too!), multi-necked guitars and synths, these three guys are covering a LOT of sonic territory over this song. Never ceases to amaze. Great reaction video BTW - subscribed!!
@@OriginalMergatroid - That's correct, it's a 12-string at the bottom. And he switches from bass to 12-string when Alex starts his solo and first strums chords and later plays the same melody Neil plays on the glockenspiel; Too bad you can't really tell from the video because the camera stays on Alex during most of the ending.
This was a three piece band Doug. Foot pedals on the bass and synthesizers - many hands - being a musician in those days they are actually 70's synthesizers - he has a guitar and a bass on the double neck - it's one thing to watch and talk and react , and another to play - :)
It's not a double neck bass but a 4 string bass with a 6 string guitar underneath it. He plays it at the ending of the song... cue the Heavy Moog pedals / last 30 seconds or so. Descending 'lead' at very end was Geddy on guitar. GREAT VIDEO! .. yours too : )~
Rush filled a unique spot in the music world. You won't see a band like this again. I was lucky to see them 2 or 3 times over the years. Last time was the time machine tour in London. So many good tracks to choose from. Pick a handful from the moving pictures album and you won't go wrong.
This is a GREAT song for people to get a feel for what Rush was in the 70s, and because you see this live performance you get to understand how 3 people create so much sound. This is in my top 10 of Rush songs, and the song before this on the album, A Farewell to Kings to me has to be played before this. I need both the songs together.
Interesting! 😀 To me, it's 'The Trees' that was missing in this video, as that's the song that segues into 'Xanadu' on both the 'Exit...Stage Left' album and DVD 😊 'A Farewell To Kings' is a great song too, though! 😉👍
Fun to see a composer get into the band I fell in love with when I was 12, let’s just say now I’m looking at retirement, RIP Neal, you are missed & thanks for all the great shows.
We don't know who interrupted him. Coleridge identified him only as "a person on business from Porlock." Many have doubted the veracity of the story. Coleridge wrote the poem under the influence of opium, which had been prescribed by a doctor but to which he unfortunately became addicted. He abandoned the poem until he showed it Lord Byron about 17 or 18 years later. Byron told him it was great and he should publish it. Coleridge did so, but he introduced it with a bizarre apology in which he said it was "a psychological curiosity" and was only publishing it because "a poet of great and deserved celebrity" asked him to. He didn't mention Byron by name (or title, rather) because he was concerned Byron would be mocked for it. Few great poets have had such a vexed relationship with their own work.
For a "classical" review, he knows his keys, seems to have perfect pitch, knows his timing, but then states the composition was not really that difficult. As a former bass player, and sometimes lead singer, its probably more difficult to do both than other instruments due to the fact you play in time with the drummer but same notes as the rest of the band, staying in Key. To sing on top of that albiet with a different rhythm sometimes than the beat is extremely difficult. Just remember, he said this composition, with a drummer, guitar player and bassist sounds like six or seven people. Neil Peart, the "Maestro" is also the percussionist. Geddy Lee, the bassist, also plays bass pedals, keyboards, guitar and bass, AND sings. Alex Lifeson, the rhythm and lead guitarist, I also like to think of him as the Texturist with some of the things he plays. Now, go back and listed to the keys, the changes, the difficulty of what they are doing, much less how it sounds and remember, THEY ARE ONLY THREE PEOPLE!!!. You can take ANY three musicians of one's choice, put them together, and they probably could do what these three do, but will never sound like six to seven people. THAT'S why they are one of the best bands EVER!!
Great video. Interesting take on things, Doug! Welcome to Rush nation. No better three man band has ever graced a stage. Truly when Giants walked the earth.
“Such a fat synthesizer for the bass” Moog Taurus pedals have such a deep, penetrating sound. You don’t hear them in a live setting, you feel them. Love it.
I adore those 2 tracks too. Saw them twice on the Permanent Waves tour aged 17. Only recently have I realised how fortunate I was. Shit, wish I'd seen them again on other tours.
For a virgin listen of Xanadu, good eye and ear Doug, actually great ear. If you could only see Geddy Lee's feet playing the Taurus Pedals at the same time you think even higher of them. Thanks for doing this video as it has spawned some amazing and informational comments. As you can read, us rush geeks sometimes need a place to share life experiences. I found myself crying while reading @Jim Duffy's eloquent story, I hope he writes for a living. Keep on!
Thanks for this reaction! Very interesting, although its not one of their more complex songs, as a musician I Would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear your reaction and analysis of Rush's prog masterwork Hemispheres (Cygnus X1 Book 2)
40 years ago April 4, 1981 I saw Rush Moving Pictures tour in Phoenix, AZ about a week before I turned 15. Every time I've watched this video... I'm right there again. Warm memories. RIP Neil Peart.
Alex is using his left hand vibrato combined with volume swells with his pinky in that intro, great technique. All three masters of their craft. What a privilege to grow up with this band and never grow weary of listening to all their music. I was at the R40 concert in St. Paul, MN they were spot on. I had seen them in 1982 on the Exit Stage Left Tour at the Orange Dome in Syracuse, NY and they were great, no let down decades later at R40. All time favorite band,
![Rush ~ Xanadu ~ Exit Stage Left [1981] The Wolf HunterZ Reactions](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/P2FLmpcb1Lw/mqdefault.jpg)
He's not "the drummer", he's not "the percussionist" - he's "the Professor".
BAM BAM
And, the Professor was a composer in his own right as well. Still can't believe he's gone, but am so grateful for the many gifts he gave us through his music, his writing, and - in spite of his shyness and just wanting to be "a guy on a bike" - through sometimes sharing snippets of himself with us through documentaries and interviews.
And the 'Gov.' "more gov"
Beat me to it
He is the guy with ALL the drums ... and "stick played instruments".
It was something like 350 drums/instruments in a later setup IIRC.
When I was 13. my Dad came into my room and sat and listened to this tune with me. I desperately wanted him to understand why i loved Rush so much. I didn't want him to think all I listened to was stoner music. It meant more to me than that. I didn't know why.....it just did. He sat quietly and listened to this and explained what recapitulation of theme was in music and how they used it. He thought it was very good. Very smart. These were musicians that must care about their composition. He came from a jazz and classical music lovers background but would give any melody a try. Flash forward 30 years and I'm riding to the Rush R30 show with my wife and 17 year old daughter. It was to be my daughters first live rock show of any kind. This tune is playing on the car stereo. I was so nervous that she wouldn't get it. What I loved so much. The music written with such care for the composition. I looked in the rear view mirror and she was singing every word. She knew all the key changes....all the drum fills. I was amazed that she paid that much attention to this music she'd heard blasting occasionally in the house and car while growing up. I spent 3 blissful hours sharing my 13 year old rock fan with my teenage daughter. We had a ball. Air guitar, air drumming with thousands of other Dads and Moms....and their kids too. I bought her all the concert swag. If only for one night I got to share that joy with her. To me, a highlight of my life. I'm 57 now. Unfortunately she's gone too soon. Somewhere with my Dad and Neil Peart I hope. Discussing recapitulating theme in musical composition and laughing about her dorky dads air drumming skills. Apologies in advance for the ramble. I guess sometimes memories flash by and I have nowhere to articulate them. Long live RUSH!
Very touching comment.
You deserve a like for such a good story
Lovely moments. Thank you for sharing with us about your daughter.
Good on you dad for forging those memories - they are etched into the fabric of time and RUSH is a thread. Sorry for your loss, but thanks for sharing.
Sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing those moments.
The purpose of a double neck guitar:
1. It looks badass
2. In this case, Alex Lifeson has a 12 string on top and 6 string on bottom....the 12 string has a different "shimmery" sound that makes open chords sound fuller.
3. It looks badass
4. You can have different tunings on each neck...for instance top neck tuned to regular 440 and bottom neck tuned to an open tuning like DADGAD
5. Did anyone notice how badass it looks?
6. You use one neck for open string ringing while playing other stuff on the other neck...basically 2 guitars at once.
7. Volume and Tone pots can be set differently for each which could give you radically different sounds without having to change guitars
8. It looks badass
Did you say it looks badass?
@@whippoorwill910 Don't put words in my mouth LMAO
I think you forgot that it looks badass.
@@winter_silhouette My bad, thanks for the reminder! I knew I was going to forget something about it.
It looks badass
Doug, m'friend, lemme give you a free clue: Neil Peart *IS* a percussion section all by himself. The reason for both necks is simple: They ALL use EVERYTHING they've got. Geddy plays bass. He plays rhythm guitar. He plays pedals. He plays keys. He triggers effects. He sings. Alex plays 6 and 12 string guitars. And acoustic guitars (6 or 12) And mandolin, And pedals. And triggers sequencers and effects. Neil plays EVERYTHING you see in that set. And adds triggering samples and sequencers as needed. They're a 3 man band that plays like a 9 (or more) piece. And if you compare live versus studio versions of their songs, you'll find that their live performances are close to being a note-for-note match for the studio version. They were the best there's been, and the best there ever will be. Out of their 40 year catalog, you'll be hard-pressed to find more than 3-4 "clinkers" - They're top-shelf all the way.
Absolutely!
For Doug, Alex's double neck is a 12-string and a 6 string. Right at 10:22 you can see him switch from the 12 to the 6.
Neil’s kit is by far my favorite out of all his others 🤩
Geddy's dbl neck is a 4 string bass/6 string guitar. So much fun to watch and listen to...right?!
One of the minute minority of bands that not only can reproduce live their studio recordings, but actually sound better live. I'm so glad we had them while we did, even though I never got to see them in concert (they never made it to Australia, unfortunately), I'm forever grateful for the music they gave us. RIP Neil Peart.
It's not shown clearly in the video, but at the end, during the lighter section with all the percussion sounds, Geddy is playing the melody on the six-string neck.
Alex and Geddy walk out with doublenecks, you see Neil's collection of percussion and fog begins to roll.
At this point you definitely know,
"this shit is going to get real".
I'm a Brit and a massive Rush fan, I'm 56 now and to me and many people rush are the greatest rock band that ever lived. R.I.P. Neil.
Same here min 😊
@James Hodson 🤣🤣😍 wee toon Park bairns boots in the trees
@James Hodson aye indeed
@James Hodson am in Fife Scotland min
And the men who hold pint glasses must be the ones who drink 🍻
"Is the drummer playing orchestral bells?" Welcome to Rush, Doug.
And the bassist is playing the keyboards, with his foot
:)
If it can be percussed, Neil played it. Mastered it. Then took it further.
The guy can tell all chord changes and time signatures on the spot. Fuck him
"He's playing orchestral bells" Mate, that's Neil Peart, he plays everything....
Yep
All the percussions!
The one and only "Professor" Neil Peart....
First time I read the credits on Moving Pictures I saw that Neil even played plywood!
Not anymore,,, unfortunately...
Lifeson doesn’t get the respect he deserves and it’s a damn shame!!
The most underrated guitarist of all time...He stands on his head every song
@@chiefjayhox Actually, he's not at all underrated. The truth is he's in masterclass. Neil and Alex are better though. That's the quality of the band.
I AGREE!!!
@@reliantncc1864 It's all great, but guitar is the main thing for me.
Lifeson for life--in every sense! I could hear his genius from the first listening, and it takes a lot to impress me!
Geddy Lee is one of the most underrated musicians off all time --- what he can pull off in concert with just two hands and two feet while singing is nothing short of mind-blowing
2 hands, feet and nose*
The long running joke when watching Rush live "Where are the other three guys hiding?"
I thought the long-running joke about Rush concerts was "damn, still no girls!"
@@stevegreen7706 You’re both right! Lol
@@stevegreen7706 xD and that one...
I saw this tour. I was convinced they were miming :)
"Lies lies lies"
"What you talkin about man?"
"There's eight people in this band. Ya'll got a sweat shop or something underneath the stage"
Even at the R40 show, they played with this level of intensity for almost 3 hours. We're so fortunate to have walked the earth with 3 of the most talented musicians to ever take the stage.
I was there in Raleigh and it still is one of the most memorable rock shows I've ever been to. Got to take my wife and two teenage boys to show them what real musicians looked and played like! To this day they are all fans of Rush.
Yep, saw that tour, they were as great as when I saw them in the late 80's.
I am so, so glad I got to see the R40 show. Clockwork Angels was amazing.
luvin that chris.. just how i feel.
As I said in an earlier post, my son, 15 at the time, and already a Rush fan and great drummer, came with me to R40 and was blown away, by the band, and Peart. Great father/son moment, I had seen them 15 (or so) times since the Farewell to Kings tour. Best live band ever, (son agrees,) so sad that the magic will never happen again. Such is life...
Check out Alex at 10:22 where he switches from the 12 to 6 string in between the beat, and to think in this whole song there's no added sound track, no cheating. At one point Geddy is singing, playing keyboards and working the bass pedals at his feet. Towards the end of the song you can see Geddy is on the bottom neck which is a 6 string guitar and he's supplying some rhythm while Alex is playing his guitar part. These are seriously dedicated highly skilled professionals.
That's when he kicks in the distortion. Only a madman plays a 12-string through distortion (cf. the band Space Opera).
This song was the first Rush song I ever heard. My brother got me into Rush when I was in the 8th grade with this very song, and the live version to boot. Then, in high school, my English teacher passed out these fat Norton Anthologies of English literature and had us read Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem "Kubla Khan." As I was reading, I came across, dining on honey dew, milk of paradise, caves of ice, palace of Xanadu, etc., and I was like, wait a minute...this is Rush's "Xanadu." I informed my teacher, Mr. Painter, who promptly corrected me and said that Rush's "Xanadu" is like Coleridge's "Kubla Khan." LOL. He asked me to bring the album in, and during the next class period, we listened to the song and analyzed it in relation to Coleridge's poem. Mr. Painter noted that the opening instrumental intro follows the same tonal qualities of the three main sections of the poem. Cool! Because of this experience, I continued studying the Romantic poets and eventually got my PhD in English literature, writing a dissertation on Coleridge's poetry. Love Rush! Thank you for your musical analysis!
Great story!
That was fantastic!
I remember once eons ago, a teacher in high school brought in a Pink Floyd album and played it. I don't remember what it was but early Pink Floyd. I thought, this isn't music, it's just instrumentation. Don't care for it. Well...10 years or so later, I started buying Pink Floyd albums. The Wall, Wish You Were Here & DSOTM are my favourites.
Now, _that_ is a great teacher!
Me, I had to do it the hard way. I heard the Rush song, then randomly found out that "Xanadu" was from Coleridge, and since our high school didn't teach us that depth of poetry (Emily Dickinson was the most esoteric poet we covered), I had to hit the local library and browse every poetry collection they had before I found "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge!
What impresses me most about the Rush interpretation is how they highlight the danger of such a place. The peril is inherent in the poem, but Rush put a name to it: Immortality without change, which is not really life at all.
👍👍👍
I turned my comm. Coll. Humanities teacher on to Hemispheres. Wrote my paper In reference to it. Got an A+. Renaissance stuff.
Rush is simply jaw dropping, when I listen to the tightness and quality of their music, it transports me elsewhere.
I'm a musician myself, and guitarist. And it amazes me "still" after all these years what those three musicians did together on a stage!!!
Once in a life time band, no one can come close to what these wonderful musicians shared with us...
Yep and this fuckin guy, who admits he can't even sing and play piano at the same time, calls it straight forward and uncomplicated.
:::smfh:::
Starting with "Finding my way".
RUSH - “La Villa Strangiato”
(An Exercise in Self-Indulgence)
Instrumental
I. Buenas Noches, Mein Froinds! (0:00-0:26)
II. To sleep, perchance to dream... (0:27-1:59)
III. Strangiato Theme (2:00-3:15)
IV. A Lerxst in Wonderland (3:16-5:48)
V. Monsters! (5:49-6:09)
VI: The Ghost of the Aragon (6:10-6:44)
VII. Danforth and Pape (6:45-7:25)
VIII. The Waltz of the Shreves (7:26-7:51)
IX. Never turn your back on a Monster! (7:52-8:02)
X. Monsters! (Reprise) (8:03-8:16)
XI. Strangiato Theme (Reprise) (8:17-9:20)
XII. A Farewell to Things (9:20-9:35)
Huge rush fan la villa is by far best instrumental song. So awesome
This! From the same Exit Stage...Left live album.
Best guitar solo ever
I second this! Great, great instrumental piece!
A great choice!
Glad you recognized Alex's solo. He's the king of tasteful solos. That's why he's underrated, he's not showy, he does exactly what the song needs and his solos add some of the most extraordinary textures (see: Limelight).
If Lerxst is king of tasteful soloing, David Gilmour is god of it. Alex Lifeson was inspired in many ways by Gilmour and PF. I am a big fan of both Rush and PF.
@@mc12358 yeah the two best , Alex takes #1 spot in my book though. Take care.
Alex serves the song, not his ego, which is the hardest thing to do.
i totally agree with you since i buyed rush on cd, it was a rush, 4 cd in a Week i was folgorated
RUSH is quoted saying that they are THE WORLD'S SMALLEST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Fucking A, I concur
That's good stuff there!
I'm stealing that quote...
It's always a Musical feast with these guys. Didactics & narpets, man.
Three absolute masters, greater than the sum of the parts. Immense, phenomenal, unmatched.
The day will come when historians and musicians alike will come to the inevitable conclusion that Rush was the greatest rock band in history. If you watch this live version and tears don't come to your eyes or at the very least, goosebumps breakout on your arms, you're not alive.
prolly the best version of Xanadu. goose bumps. simply amazing that these guys did all of that BEFORE they used sequencers. RIP Professor. You are missed
I dont think Doug really got what Xanadu is on this listen. Perhaps in time he was able to understand them, but not on this listen.
They will be though of as are Mozart and Tchaikovsky. Genius.
Definite tears of absolute amazement that three musicians of their talent were put on this earth together and I was lucky enough to be here at the same time
don't forget geddy, the bassist is playing moog taurus pedals with his feet at 7:38 as well as playing bass and singing :) great video man, look forward to hearing more from you.
I was just going to say that very thing. :-)
Actually, during the guitar solo, Geddy is playing bass line with feet on pedals and carrying the rhythm guitar on his double. Remember, Geddy's instrument was bass on top and 6-string guitar on bottom.
I believe that's a Rickenbacker Bass.
@@sulley722 12-string actually, but he did also have the Bass & 6 string double neck as well. The 4080 & 4080-12 I believe was Rickenbacker's designations for those instruments.
@@MikeKiker I have a 4080/6 the most unwieldly instrument but it's just cool especially playing through Ampeg amps with the Sansamp Geddy Lee 2112
Neil Peart(RIP), the drummer, wrote all their lyrics and was an absolute poet!
Doug just chilling talking about key changes while Neil is straight murdering those drums. RIP LEGEND.
No other band can ever like Rush because those three guys do SO MUCH more than guitar, bass, and drums. The reason for the double neck guitars is so they can augment each other in areas while they are doing something different. Alex has both a six and twelve string on his because he switches back and forth. Geddy has a six string/bass combo so he can help out Alex when he does that. He also handles the keyboards and pedals. And Neil... Well he writes almost everything and plays drums like a demigod.
They aren't just a rock band, they are serious music professionals. I think I heard Geddy call themselves "Nerds". Haha.
To me, this performance has 'Nerds' written all over it! 😄 The two double-neck guitars alone are nerdy as! 😁 I love it! 🤩 Easily my most-watched music clip on YT 😊 By the way, that is a 12-string guitar on Geddy's instrument, not a 6-string. And Alex too plays pedal synths, during the 7/8 part after the intro and also when it repeats towards the end 🙂
Alex and Geddy walking on stage both holding a double-neck had to have been the greatest sight ever.
Legendary.
One of the best days in high school in the 80's was when we studied the poetry of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. We listened to Xanadu by Rush and Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Iron Maiden. Awesome day!
We did too, mate. And indeed, it was an Awesome day!
"Is that drummer playing orchestral bells?" OMG that is the funniest innocent question I have heard about Rush in a long time...lol. To drummers everywhere, the late great Neil Peart is like...1 part Thor, 2 parts Socrates and one part Shakespeare. He is sorely missed. Welcome to Rush... musicians music.
I’m no musician - can’t play a note on anything, don’t understand time signatures... despite this, I’ve loved Rush since I first heard them at 14 years of age 33 years ago. Their music just sounds cool af and that’s good enough for me.
on the Alex's guitar, one is a 6 string, one is a 12 string. On Geddy's bass one is a 4 string bass, the other neck is a 12 string guitar
Beat me to it!
And note Geddy starts playing his guitar at around 15:20. You also did not notice both Alex and Geddy have pedals too! That deep bass comes from Geddy's pedals
The bottom one on Geddy's double neck is a 6-string.
@@1RungAtATime Nope, it's a 12 string. See Geddy's book of bass page 385. It's well documented.
@@1RungAtATime
The headstock of the Rickenbaker 12 string guitar can easily be mistaken for a 6 string.
Alex "Lerxst" Lifeson on guitar is extremely underrated. His brilliance really shines in your previously reviewed "La Villa Strangiato", as well as hos solos in Limelight, Freewill and Kid Gloves. His performance shines also in YYZ, named for the three character code for Toronto's (their hometown) Lester B. Pearson Airport. Looking forward to your sharing more Rush discoveries, Thoufg I know nothing about music, my reactions were as animated as yours, when I first heard (experienced), Rush's numerous masterpieces. Thank you for your fresh, honest assessment of Xanadu and LVS.
Even after 50 years, Rush is still the most underrated band ever.
RIP Neil Peart, one of the greatest drummers of all time.
The.
End
One of the greatest??...THE greatest!!!
@@TurkShowFan Neil was one of my first influences when I got into drumming (1977). Since then, I have discovered a LOT of drummers of similar qualities and some that are better in terms of chops. Research...
He's not only playing the bass, the keyboard and singing he's playing the base synthesizer notes with his feed aswell. It's insane.
Moog Taurus pedal bass
It's an incredible display of musicianship.
Don't want to slight Alex, because he plays them with his feet as well...
I’ve always been curious to get a classical composer’s perspective on Rush, particularly this song. I think their music is conducive to a classical ensemble performance, although the instances I’ve seen of that have been, I hate to say it, but mediocre. In the hands of a great conductor, I can only imagine what a composition like Xanadu might sound like. Another track that may peek your interest is La Villa Strangiato (either the studio version from their album, Hemispheres, or the live promo performance from 1979) as others have probably already commented here. But also, Jacob’s Ladder, also from Exit Stage Left or the studio version from their album, Permanent Waves, although there is no video for that one.
Doug is correct though that this song is actually very simple in its basic elements, its really about how they execute their parts and how they seam disparate sections together. But yeah the harmonic structures behind it is nothing particularly interesting except for Alex (guitarist) signature suspended chords arpeggiated, which defined the Rush sound as much as anything.
This band's growing into richer songwriting as far as chord progressions and harmony really got interesting in their mid to late 80s albums, although a lot of people write off that period because of the heavy synthesizer role.
Q: Is the drummer playing a...
A: Yes
Best response ever.
Lol
😂😂😂
Probably.
Awesome comment!!
This music may be old, but it never gets old.
Like a good bottle of liquor/wine. Only gets better as it ages.
Alex has a Gibson EDS 1275 12 string/6 string double.
Geddy is using a Rickenbacker 4080/12 bass and 12 string. He plays lead outro on 12 string while Alex plays the complicated rhythm.
He also had a white 4080/6 string that he used for A Passage to Bangkok where he played rhythm guitar and bass pedals.
The synth stack is:
Oberheim OB-1
Oberheim OB-X
Oberheim OB-8
Moog Taurus Bass Pedals (2) - interfaced with the OB-8
Moog Mini-Moog
Roland MC-8 Digital Sequencer
I saw RUSH 6 times and always from 6th row, center stage. The most impressive thing I've ever seen was Geddy Lee playing the keyboards with one hand, plucking a drone note on his bass, playing the foot pedals with his foot and singing all at the same time.
I so wish I could see them live. unfortunately I'm only a teenager as of now and was a child when they did their R40 tour. RIP Neil
Yep, I saw that also. You can also see him do it on "A Show of Hands".
this is a work of a genius!
Don’t forget moving the mic stand w his nose. Maybe the most iconic move.
I think he was Satanist.
Doug: "How long is this intro? We're two and half minutes in".
Rick Wakeman: "Hold my beer!".
Chick Corea: "Mine too"
Don't forget Keith.
Yeah and he was very dismissive of that intro too. It's one of Rush's finest moments, imo.
I saw the title of this and was like "ooooo...uh-oh. Be careful, us Rush fans are rabidly protective", but you did great.
Yeah, there is a fine line between "WOOOW" and "Simplistic chord progression, the drummer is doing sort of ok, singer sings too high, the guitar player is not that technical. Basically just a band with tons of instruments."
ROFL True.
haha. Truth. Fan since the late 70's/early 80's. And I'm often annoyed at reviews because they so often fail to grasp the composition of the piece. Like the story behind YYZ (Alex was actually flying the plane when Neil and Ged picked up on the cool rhythm of the airport call in Morse code)... and how the song covers the hustle and bustle of travel, then the waiting around (and more hustle-bustle, and more waiting around), and the emotions of reunions and saying good-byes, and the exotic places to which one may be headed. I think Doug did a pretty good job here. He got that they make a huge sound for 3 guys, and they did it live. This 'rabid' Rush fan cringed a little over the bit about not having available to them in 1981 the types of stuff they'd have available today, because they STILL did their own stuff. No click tracks on stage. They made it all happen. I would love a review of YYX by Doug, and see if he picks up on all that stuff never mind the notes it's in.
@@u.v.s.5583 Ha! What utter rot.
@@Katehowe3010 Actually, these are Neil's words describing the different parts of YYZ.
First of all I want to thank Doug for his open minded approach and humble quality for his videos.
Declining to listen to some horror bands and still have a great positive thing to say is very hard for a classical composer.
As a professional classical musician myself I understand how difficult it is to accept any other form since nothing gives the same mind buggling feel like classical music. YET RUSH is a totally different story. Three amazing musicians grow together during years becoming not only one but also developing as true composers. Never surrender to popular clichés of rock they never stop to excel, move up, do better, but most of all they bring such extraordinary music one forget instruments or details and hear only beautiful music, so melodic, rich, elegant, polyphonic, coherent! So many influences yet no one sounds like them.
Even their fans are different. Choosing an album is simply impossible.
They will probably accompany me the next forty years not shied by the great composers past and present
Doug; to answer your question about the double necked guitar and bass. Each neck is a seperate instrument. Look closely and you'll see that on the guitar the top neck is a 12 string and the bottom is a six string. Additionally, the bass has a four string upper and a six string lower. It allows the player to have access to the fullness of sound on the extra strings and the precision of the fewer strings. On the bass, it allows Getty to have access to a much wider range. All of this is achiived without the need to switch instruments, which would otherwise be required. Also, note that Getty has an organ keyboard on the floor, under the synthesizer, that he plays with his foot. Efficiencies. That's how three guys sound like a band of eight or more. Just inspiring to me when I was studying using in high school. Their willingness to constantly challenge themselves as musicians drove me to do the same in all aspects.
Geddy's doubleneck here is a 4 string bass on top and 12 string guitar on the bottom.
The late great Neil Peart. The only time I've seen that amount of percussion was at a concert of the Rotterdam Philharmonic playing the 1812 Overture...
Neil never did figure out how to add cannons to his kit, did he?
"It kind of sounds like the 80s, doesn't it?"
No. It sounds like forever.
So true, over analyzed!
No joke, they sounded like future music when this was released.
Actually 70's anyways
@@Jangocat Agree. They used the same instruments everyone else was using during that era but the way they integrated them into their unique compositional style made them timeless.
Some moments in time are simply.......timeless.
Neil's drum set was a cathedral to percussion and he was the Pope.
RIP Professor
Well crafted words to describe the Professor - RIP .
Exactly, WELL SAID...
I love how you just cannonballed into the deep end of the prog rock/metal pool! You’re the Rick Beato of reaction videos. Keep up the great work, Doug!
how effortlessly they ROCK in odd time...been a RUSH fan since just before this concert was filmed...i was 13 then...I'm still a RUSH fan and always will be. RIP Neil Peart, may Geddy and Alex continue to live long and prosper.
Yes, you'd probably enjoy La Villa Strangiato. The official music video is played live but in an empty theater. If you prefer to just listen, the cut from the album Hemispheres is exceptional.
BTW , it's an instrumental, in 11 movements.
Triple thumbs up here!!!
One of my favorites! I've been a RUSH freak for over 40 years and have always known how good Neil Peart was, but recently i watched a youtube video with isolated drums for LVS, and it was awe inspiring. I had no idea how busy Neil was with the rest of the band playing. It should be required listening for any RUSH or drumming fans.
the chemistry between geddy and alex is incredible; friends since gradeschool ... and then they found neil ... what a fortuitous event ... it was meant to be
A devine plan is the only explanation
Fortuitous indeed, especially after that control freak Rutzy. Hmm, wonder what he's doing these days...
H to O... No flow without the other.
@@axchisler Sadly, he's been pushing up the daisy for the last 13 years.
@@eccehomer8182 Mmm that's a bummer, I guess there will be no reunion...
This song is clearly the reason why Dream Theater exists today.
don't blame rush for that
@@danmorrissey5725 Hahahahahaha
Dream Theater still exits?
Jajajaja Dream Theater is a Joke...!! and DT dies when Portnoy left the band...!
Unfortunately
Geddy Lee has a 750 cfm double pumper for a nose. He can sing to the heavens and not break a sweat :)P Love me some Rush, one of the most talented bands in the last 50 years. Easy.
RIP N, Peart. We miss you.
I really enjoyed watching the video and your comments. I don't know who you are, but I sure know who they are. Thanks for doing this Doug. I'm inspired. I play drums, and played Xanadu in my band in 1980, over 40 years ago. Rest in peace Neil. You were the heart of Rush.
Ok, it’s official. You did Rush and you are stuck with me as a fan.
Especially when he’s telling you what the notes are that Neil (especially Neil) is playing on the tubular bells
Doug won me over. He is the real deal. He shouts out the notes and instruments and tells us Geddy's vocal pitch is perfect and effortless. Doug KNOWS his shit, and RUSH is the top of the mountain. The Xanadu...
When I was 14 I had piano lessons and bought a catalog of Rush songs for piano. I learned how to play Fly By Night and my 70 year old piano teacher was shocked that how rich and complex Rush's compositions were.
I grew up listening to KISS but when I bought home Fly By Night and put it on, my dad walked in, and instead of saying "turn it down", he said "that's more like it", and carried on with his day.
This song takes me on a journey , every time. Best band ever.
Bravo very well put!And there lyrics tell you the story!
@@alana9832 exactly
It's especially amazing when you consider Geddy Lee is not only an incredible singer, but also a mind-blowing bass player (none better, IMO) and keyboardist. Not to mention the talent of Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson. Such sound from a three-person rock band. Over forty years later and still powerful enough to cause goosebumps.
Rush has so many incredible songs, but Xanadu has always been the most impressive for me. The whole band is at absolute peak performance, Geddy with the vocals two-instrument play, Alex with the 18-string, and Neil with that amazing percussion, plus the lyrics so beautifully crafted from Coleridge's poem. It's a true epic.
AND, the PROFESSOR, considered the greatest rock drummer ever, WROTE ALL THE LYRICS ALSO!!!
You are exactly the right kind of person to react to RUSH. They absolutely put that level of thought, care, and dedication into the composition. Yes the long intro is very much a part of the story. Neil, the drummer (percussionist) is an incredibly well read person and writes their lyrics. He has a mastery of words that few bands can match. Each of them is a monstrously talented musician. And there isn't an ounce of ego between them. They work together so flawlessly. Like Mozart, not a single note wasted or skipped. Exactly what the song needs. And they did this for decades. Growing, changing, expanding, exploring. But never giving less than 150% on every single song.
I'm 52 years old and Rush has been a huge part of my life since 7th grade. It mystifies me how there are people around my age who have very little knowledge of Rush. I feel sad that they missed out.
Could he just be down playing his RUSH knowledge?
Eh, screw em. Leaves more beer for us 😂
Right with you. I’m 57 and they were bloody awesome. This track still gives me goosebumps
For me it was Grade 8 but then I'm a little older. Saw them on the Hemispheres tour when Max opened. Max played my high school the night before they opened for RUSH on that tour. My first Rush show was in Buffalo in the US. I would have been in Grade 11 at the time. A few of my buddies and I slipped across the border to see them.
My thought exactly... I can't believe that anyone that has been involved with music in the past 50 years hasn't had an opinion or at least listened (critically) to RUSH. RUclips makes money for people making videos that people watch... we all watched this, but I do question the authenticity. In the end... I'll listen to RUSH any way that I can. RIP, Professor.
I couldn't even imagine being there and experiencing it, amazing
Xanadu is the definition of "epic". Playing the drums in a Rush tribute band, I am taken aback by the amount of work Neil put into this tune. Percussion used to detail the mood all around different sections of the song. Just one of the reasons Rush is my favorite band of all time.
7:45 Geddy simultaneously plays bass, sings and triggers synth pedals with his feet. Sometimes you just have to stay Busy!
Just dropped in to make the same point. He’s raving about Geddy singing and playing keys and I’m like “Dude, he’s also playing bass with his feet!”
@@Zorn2Largent also moves the mic with his nose
I remember back in the late 70's - early 80's when CHUM-FM 104.5 in Toronto was a rock station. They would interview the band for each album premiere and go track by track with Ged, Alex and Neil in studio commenting before each track was played. In one interview Geddy was introduced by the DJ as "Geddy, how many instruments can I play at once, Lee"
Try "La Villa strangiato" or"YYZ" from Rush.
I was about to say both of those as well!
The live performance of "YYZ" in Rio is a personal favorite. Rush sounds as great live as in the studio (with the exception of Geddy struggling to hit a few notes as he aged, which doesn't matter in an instrumental), and that crowd is amazing. Tens of thousands of people singing along with an instrumental is something I never thought I'd see.
I've watched a ton of reactions to this song, and this one was the best by far. You were very thoughtful in the way you deconstructed the music down to the keys they were playing in. It was almost like a music lesson. I'd love to hear you break down La Villa Strangiato.
Omg. I saw this tour. First time I saw them. Holy crap. At their PRIME. Almost all of Rush’s songs are words by Neil Peart.(drummer) His nickname is “The Professor”. A very well read man. Arguably the best drummer to walk the earth. My favorite band ever next to Electric Light Orchestra.
I picked up playing bass 2 years ago. 6 months ago i started taking lessons. 2 days ago my teacher liked the fact ,that I really enjoy RUSH, so much he told me we where gonna start learning what youre doing. When my dad saw the album cover of what I was playing while doing the dishes he immediately fell face first onto memory lane and requested i started the album over. Thanks to the awesomeness of my teacher, the spirit of my father and the genious of this band Ive never felt more inspired in my short life of 19 years. Ive never felt so inspired to create and to choose to really follow my own opinions and interests.
Thank you rush for all you do and have done.
Rest in piece Neil.
Awesome, Albin! 😀👍 With such great inspiration, you'll be enjoying to play bass for many more years to come 😊 Let's wish Neil to rest in _peace_ , though! 😉😁
Wait until you see Geddy play bass with his left hand, synth with his right, the Moog pedal with his foot and sing at the same time.
Alex play Moog Taurus pedals to here.
@@geneharland Sorry, but I saw it.....so....not sorry
"I think I'm gonna go listen to some more Rush ..."
Yep ... like the rest of us always do when we hear Rush. :D
10:20 -->>> 10:23 Why they are double neck guitars and why Alex Lifeson is so great... the transitions from instrument to instrument!
Love, love , love your thoughts on the his. Thanks for sharing you’re expertise. Greetings from Edinburgh Scotland.
It's been almost a year now Doug, and I am back once again to watch your reaction and review of this song. Never gets old. Thanks Doug! .. wishing you and your family a fantastic 2022 !!!
The song was actually recorded in 1977 for the album, A Farewell to Kings
Yeah, he throws his stick up, doesn't look for it, and catches it just in time to use it when needed. He'll do that all nite and never miss. I've seen him live myself.
The Professor - may he rest in peace.
The white double-neck is a 12 string on top and a 6 string on the bottom. The black double-neck is a bass on top and a guitar on the bottom. Geddy Lee plays the guitar towards the end of the song when Alex Lifeson is playing lead guitar. Geddy Lee is also playing the bass pedals at that time for the bottom end. (By the way, I recommend the studio version of Xanadu, from the album “A Farewell to Kings”, as it’s a cleaner, more defined production sound.)
I miss these guys so much. They were one of my first musical memories as a child and they've been with me through thick and thin ever since. God bless you, boys:) and RIP Professor.
Peart was simply on a different plane the rest of us. What an incredible, uncompromising musician he was. He also makes a white polo look pretty cool.
Alex Lifeson is using a 12-string/6-string largely using the 12-string in the rhythm parts. Geddy on the other hand has a bass guitar/12-string double neck. At around 14:00, Alex switches to his lower 6-string neck to play the solo while Geddy switches to the lower 12-string neck and covers the rhythm guitar part while playing simple drone bass notes on the Moog Taurus pedals. As you rightly pointed out with Neil's drumkit and percussion zone (glockenspiel too!), multi-necked guitars and synths, these three guys are covering a LOT of sonic territory over this song. Never ceases to amaze. Great reaction video BTW - subscribed!!
Geddy literally carries around the heavy ass Rich double neck (bass on top, 6 string on the bottom), just to strum the big ending on the 6 string.
Actually, as I just learned, it's a 12 string. Apparently six of the tuning pegs face the back of the neck.
@@OriginalMergatroid - That's correct, it's a 12-string at the bottom. And he switches from bass to 12-string when Alex starts his solo and first strums chords and later plays the same melody Neil plays on the glockenspiel; Too bad you can't really tell from the video because the camera stays on Alex during most of the ending.
This was a three piece band Doug. Foot pedals on the bass and synthesizers - many hands - being a musician in those days they are actually 70's synthesizers - he has a guitar and a bass on the double neck - it's one thing to watch and talk and react , and another to play - :)
It's not a double neck bass but a 4 string bass with a 6 string guitar underneath it. He plays it at the ending of the song... cue the Heavy Moog pedals / last 30 seconds or so. Descending 'lead' at very end was Geddy on guitar.
GREAT VIDEO! .. yours too : )~
Geddy's doubleneck is actually 4 string bass and 12 string guitar, documented in his Book of Bass p.386.
Rush filled a unique spot in the music world. You won't see a band like this again. I was lucky to see them 2 or 3 times over the years. Last time was the time machine tour in London. So many good tracks to choose from. Pick a handful from the moving pictures album and you won't go wrong.
They are so in-sync with each other and the friendship bond is so strong! RUSH FOREVER!!!
Saw this live back then- last year of high school- was AMAZING
Lucky you, James! 😀
This is a GREAT song for people to get a feel for what Rush was in the 70s, and because you see this live performance you get to understand how 3 people create so much sound. This is in my top 10 of Rush songs, and the song before this on the album, A Farewell to Kings to me has to be played before this. I need both the songs together.
Interesting! 😀 To me, it's 'The Trees' that was missing in this video, as that's the song that segues into 'Xanadu' on both the 'Exit...Stage Left' album and DVD 😊 'A Farewell To Kings' is a great song too, though! 😉👍
Fun to see a composer get into the band I fell in love with when I was 12, let’s just say now I’m looking at retirement, RIP Neal, you are missed & thanks for all the great shows.
This is inspired by Coleridge's unfinished (or interrupted by Dirk Gently) poem "Kubla Khan".
Beer N Metal is correct.
We don't know who interrupted him. Coleridge identified him only as "a person on business from Porlock." Many have doubted the veracity of the story. Coleridge wrote the poem under the influence of opium, which had been prescribed by a doctor but to which he unfortunately became addicted. He abandoned the poem until he showed it Lord Byron about 17 or 18 years later. Byron told him it was great and he should publish it. Coleridge did so, but he introduced it with a bizarre apology in which he said it was "a psychological curiosity" and was only publishing it because "a poet of great and deserved celebrity" asked him to. He didn't mention Byron by name (or title, rather) because he was concerned Byron would be mocked for it.
Few great poets have had such a vexed relationship with their own work.
rush, the world's smallest symphonic orchestra.
I was watching the Dan Rather interview with Geddy only about an hour ago, and this was mentioned there also
For a "classical" review, he knows his keys, seems to have perfect pitch, knows his timing, but then states the composition was not really that difficult. As a former bass player, and sometimes lead singer, its probably more difficult to do both than other instruments due to the fact you play in time with the drummer but same notes as the rest of the band, staying in Key. To sing on top of that albiet with a different rhythm sometimes than the beat is extremely difficult. Just remember, he said this composition, with a drummer, guitar player and bassist sounds like six or seven people. Neil Peart, the "Maestro" is also the percussionist. Geddy Lee, the bassist, also plays bass pedals, keyboards, guitar and bass, AND sings. Alex Lifeson, the rhythm and lead guitarist, I also like to think of him as the Texturist with some of the things he plays. Now, go back and listed to the keys, the changes, the difficulty of what they are doing, much less how it sounds and remember, THEY ARE ONLY THREE PEOPLE!!!. You can take ANY three musicians of one's choice, put them together, and they probably could do what these three do, but will never sound like six to seven people. THAT'S why they are one of the best bands EVER!!
Well said!
Great video. Interesting take on things, Doug! Welcome to Rush nation. No better three man band has ever graced a stage. Truly when Giants walked the earth.
“Such a fat synthesizer for the bass”
Moog Taurus pedals have such a deep, penetrating sound. You don’t hear them in a live setting, you feel them. Love it.
Genesis used them all the time too to punch up the bass
Check out Natural Science or Jacobs Ladder from the Permanent Waves album, both are classic Rush masterpieces.
My two favourite Rush songs. In fact, the whole of the album is great.
I adore those 2 tracks too. Saw them twice on the Permanent Waves tour aged 17. Only recently have I realised how fortunate I was. Shit, wish I'd seen them again on other tours.
He has perfect pitch that's how he's able to pick out the cord structures what a great guy reviewing this
Don't forget he's also playing the high pitched Moog sounds with his feet with Taurus Bass pedals.
ah, watching Neil brought a tear to my eye today. Thanks for the great video!
For a virgin listen of Xanadu, good eye and ear Doug, actually great ear. If you could only see Geddy Lee's feet playing the Taurus Pedals at the same time you think even higher of them. Thanks for doing this video as it has spawned some amazing and informational comments. As you can read, us rush geeks sometimes need a place to share life experiences. I found myself crying while reading @Jim Duffy's eloquent story, I hope he writes for a living. Keep on!
"It's a long tune"
It's obvious he hasn't seen 2112 if he thinks this is long...
Pfft, it was only 66% of the album side. :)
But he did listen and react to LVS....nearly 20 minutes of virtuosity.
jajajajajaja hes not hear "A pleasent shade of grey" from Fates Warning.... 60 minutes from awesome pinkfloyrian prog!!
Thanks for this reaction! Very interesting, although its not one of their more complex songs, as a musician I Would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear your reaction and analysis of Rush's prog masterwork Hemispheres (Cygnus X1 Book 2)
Yeah, but you kinda have to take both Books, just for context. That's somewhat over 30 mins. Worth every second.
You say it sounds like the 80's. This song was from the 70's.
40 years ago April 4, 1981 I saw Rush Moving Pictures tour in Phoenix, AZ about a week before I turned 15. Every time I've watched this video... I'm right there again. Warm memories. RIP Neil Peart.
Alex is using his left hand vibrato combined with volume swells with his pinky in that intro, great technique. All three masters of their craft. What a privilege to grow up with this band and never grow weary of listening to all their music. I was at the R40 concert in St. Paul, MN they were spot on. I had seen them in 1982 on the Exit Stage Left Tour at the Orange Dome in Syracuse, NY and they were great, no let down decades later at R40. All time favorite band,