They never used backing tracks at any point in their career as far as I know. They used samples later on but those were all triggered by someone on stage.
Well, not a backing track per se but they did play with a string ensemble backing them on the Clockwork Angels tour. All the same your point is generally valid.
The song changed from The Trees to Xanadu around the time you hear Neil talk about 'what if'. They have been dubbed, many times, the 'world's smallest symphony orchestra'. You have just seen why....
These are my dudes. I grew up with them as my idols. I saw them live when I was 16 years old, seven months after this recording was made. To this day, I feel so blessed to have seen them play live (a total of five times).
I wanted to tell you that watching your reaction was a complete privelege for me. Especially during Alex Lifesons solo near the end of Xanadu. You said "wow" twice during that solo and both words, for such small words, the tone in which you spoke them and the look on your face was genuinely gigantic. I felt that you likely felt the same feelings I felt the first time I heard Rush. Standing outside a friends older brothers bedroom door. It was the song Working Man, and the year was 1975. I was thirteen years old. I was hooked in that very moment. They are just so damn good, aren't they? ✌️
I have heard 'Trees' and 'Xanadu' hundreds of times. It is never boring and the nuances in the tracks are astonishing. This is arguably the finest live performance of any song ever by any band. And I include Comfortably Numb. Three guys. Three.
Wow. The heartfelt pleasure i get watching a young person, a woman at that, enjoying so much the experience of listening to music that, quite frankly, changed the way i see the world is......well.... it makes me think i made some of the right choices in life.
Xanadu started at the mark where Neil was answering a question… (@ about the 12 minute mark) the orchestral sound was Xanadu EDIT::: When Xanadu was recorded in the studio in 1977, they did a one-time run through to make sure everything was tuned correctly - then they hit the record button…played it again in its entirety as a live performance… and the recording engineer Paul Northfield said “That’s a Take” He mentioned that he had never known anyone to do that before for a song so complicated
FANTASIC! The song "XANADU" was inspired by the poem "Kubla Khan", written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1797, but not published until 1816. Coleridge believed that much of the poem came to him in a dream while he was under the influence of an opioid (laudanum). Truth really is stranger than fiction!😄
This is all done live, with only a late-1970s sequencer that came as an option on the mini-moog and the Oberhiem, 8-voice synthesizer, which he had built together into one cabinet. Geddy often had foot pedal keys hooked into the keyboard setup and played them with his feet while playing bass and singing.
Keith Emerson was arguably the first keyboardist to really bring the synthesizer into rock music. So, ya may wanna check out some Emerson Lake and Palmer. And, your inquisitive nature really catches on to what's going on, whether it's looking into the lyrics or recognizing how this band of 3 were able to create some of the biggest sounds on the stage.
Just reading your comment brings ELP's Pictures at an Exhibition to my mind! I believe it was recorded in 1970, when Carl Palmer was only 19, or 20 years old. I saw ELP live a few times, and they were always my favourites when I was younger! Now its a toss up between them, and my fellow Canadians, Rush! But I agree4 with your statement that Keith Emerson was arguably the first keyboard player to use synthesizers...
Smart Lady!! With any RUSH song and Pink Floyd knowing the lyrics is a must. Way better than struggling to listen to the words, interpret them and the individual instruments! Most don't catch the " Noble law" as the Noble is the fancy Christmas 🎄 tree! Great Job, great sound and great production! I shall scan your channel and see what else you got!! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎
You will definitely have to listen to 2112 now. They borrow a number of orchestral tricks in this sci-fi rock opera as well. It’s a multi-part suite that opens with a true overture that gives you a taste of all the later movements. They even have an homage to Tchaikovsky. There’s a comic book version that was released for the 40th anniversary, which I recommend to help understand the story. Cheers!
Hemispheres also opens with a true overture. With both of them there’s so much to unpack it’s probably best to listen for the music at first, then the lyrics on a subsequent listen.
Xanadu for me was the Apex of Rush as prog rock wizards… I was fortunate to see them live 17x and I met Neil Peart in a diner in Rochester NY in the 80’s. Being a drummer it’s a moment frozen in time for me. Great reaction and review. R.I.P. Neil Peart and long live the spirit of Rush! 👊🏻
Am amazed with all the Reactions on Rush. Rush changed a lot of sound in music with some future bands. I saw this live and glad that its saved. I started listening to Rush in 1976 and seen a lot of their concerts. Rush always have great concerts. Sounds from album to live with perfection. 3 guys who had no help from radio play but had a following just on their words and music. They talk to US in ways no other bands really do. I found their words useful in life. I feel sorry for those that couldn't see them live, but with all the reactions I see in your face is the way I felt the 1st time I had the album and went to concert to see it live. I say this is a great song or that a great song but when a Rush song is playing it bring back many memories. Thanks for playing a Reaction and Yes many face hurts from all the sounds and words of smiling when listening. Rush is long time band in future of music. One concert had a visual showing r..US..h as band of the people as We the People. Couple of songs "Anthem" and "Entre nous". but there are a lot when your dealing with life. Thanks and Take Care. "Flowers After Rainfall" speaks a lot about you. Ava.
Love RUSH!!!! So many fantastic songs. I was fortunate to see them at the Portland Coliseum a couple times in the 80s. Maybe 81? Definitely 84. Trying to remember. It was awhile ago. 🤔😂 Thank you. 💛
Every time I see this performance, I'm struck like you were when Geddy was performing the final bit on the keyboards, when he has to hit that one key for a very necessary note. Musically, I'm barely qualified to listen much less play or create anything, so it amazes me that with everything that was going on, he realized that one note would add so much.
@@triadmad - Ooh, but Geddy's actually playing the 12-string guitar there, starting with Alex' solo and all the way till the end, while also briefly throwing in that note on the synth! 😁
Great to see someone of your age enjoy this. Your smile is tearing me up. Rush means the world to me since I was a little kid. I brought my oldest son to a Rush concert at the age of 10 and he had that same smile on his face the whole concert.
Oh the highs back in the day. Experiencing this new and live. Like shots of the unexpected pummelling your senses into submission and at once pure joy. I am oddly proud that I was able to be so affected by this in my teens. Having been able to meet Geddy and Alex in later years makes it almost dreamlike. Yet it all was very real. Still hair racing to this day. Thanks for sharing.
If, heaven forbid, you took away every other piece of music from me, leaving only one thing to listen to for the rest of my sorry existence, THIS album is, easily, and undoubtedly, it(.) Lee, Lifeson, Peart ~ RUSH, the soundtrack of my life! 🤘🏼❤️🔥
I'm a retired musician with a lot of time on my hands, and I watch a lot of reaction vids. Keep doing them, because you have an honest appreciation for this classic stuff.....and that's pretty fresh.✌️
The performance of Xanadu is one of the most amazing performances by three guys ever. The multi-tasking they do to pull this off is incredible. One thing they don’t show well is while Geddy is playing bass (and singing) he is often playing synths with his feet. He has as set of Moog Taurus pedals which are essentially like organ pedals. He doing this at 21:25 in your vid - you can see him looking down. And Neil, well he’s a one-man orchestral percussion section. I don’t know if you caught it, but during that keyboard interlude you liked, Neil is doubling it on a glockenspiel. They are still to this day the live band Ive ever heard. Cheers!
As is Alex ... every time (unless he's changing guitar effect) he wanders back to his 'station' he's got a Taurus pedal to play (and he's playing them while doing his reverse "sweet child of mine" riff)
This is easily one of the best reactions to these songs I've watched so far! 😍 And I've watched oodles of them because this is one of my favourite live performance videos 😊 You get Plus Points for including 'The Trees' (which to me simply can't be omitted when watching this particular 'Xanadu' version), for the lovely shout-out to Mr StickHits, and for also having a look into the lyrics. And of course also for spreading good vibes! 😀 Thank you! 😊🙏 Have a great weekend! 😊👍☀️🎵 PS: Some constructive criticism, if you don't mind: Maybe turn the volume on your mic up a little! 😉
Not bad at all for a 3 man band. All so very very talented. Our Canadian icons who we are so proud of. Hit the subscribe and liked :) Loved your take on this ....
She needs to do The Fountain of Lamneth too. I feel it goes well with The Necromancer. Obviously because they’re both from COS. My introduction to RUSH back in 1975 as a 15 year old teenage girl. They blew me away and I was immediately a lifelong fan. I am now 66 and have seen them over 30 times live. They STILL blow me away. 🤘🎶💜
Hello friend! First time checking your channel out, love your reaction and vibe. This really takes me back, I saw this tour and was just blown away. I was 15 at the time and it was just stunning to see up close. Thanks for taking me back, you know like a time machine. Keep up the good work, cheers!
Wonderful reaction to two classic Rush songs! If you enjoyed the synths, Rush had a 'synth era' in the 1980s. Some fans didn't enjoy that, but as a child of the '80s (who only recently became a Rush fan) I love it! It's fun to watch Geddy Lee multitask on vocals, bass, keyboards, and synth pedals. For a future reaction, I suggest the live version of 'Analog Kid' from the Clockwork Angels tour.
I believe Xanadu to be the absolute best live performance by the boys of any Rush song (and really better than almost any live performance by ANY band ever... Yep, it's that great!)...thanks for the fun reaction!
"The Trees ended when you heard Neil say "The question we ask most often is "What if?" Xanadu began after Neil speaks, mostly with Alex using the volume pedal on his guitar.
Their early stuff was pure magic. They were storytellers first and foremost. The music was there only to enhance the story. Their talent was incidental to the story. If you don’t have a story to tell, what do you really have? The beginning of Xanadu you can visualize a traveller making his way through a forest with the wind and animals all around. Once the traveller finds Xanadu the instruments erupt to signify the grand discovery.
Thank you for realizing and taking the time to listen to what this band really was and will always be… masterfully crafted music from 3 of the best musicians ever, that created this band. Nicest guys also, their journey was always proper and professional.
Awesome to see an attractive younger gal actually GETTING IT! This came out in my high school days. NO gals got RUSH at the time. Seen many gals getting into RUSH finally, reaction videos. Welcome down the rabbit hole! (awesome smile!!)
And a couple more things: Rush did later use samplers and backing tracks, but at _that_ point in time, music technology hadn't advanced that far yet, so everything you hear truly is being played in realtime, with all three guys' feet involved, too! 😁 And what I also really like about StickHits' video, aside from the great restoration/remix job: Geddy playing the 12-string guitar half on his double-neck is clearly audible in the Right channel, which he's doing from the start of Alex' solo till the song's end, while also playing a pedal synth with his foot and hitting the occasional note on the synth 🤯 😁 In most other videos of this same performance, Geddy's guitar is hardly audible, and there are no good camera angles of him playing it either, so it flies below many people's radar, too. Just like Alex' swift switch from his 12-string to the 6-string at one point during this performance 😀
This was my second Rush tour. My first was Permanent Waves. I had never seen a band that could perform to this level ever. Neil was a show in and of himself.
Stickhits does good stuff. I'm more used to the DVD version of that show, and there are a lot of differences. Some different camera angles, and a very different audio mix. Either way it's a fantastic performance and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
This sound completely live made by three guys with nothing behind them... just them. I saw them live on this tour in 7 or 8 more times throughout the 80s and 90s and then again in 2015 and they're just unbelievable
Just love watching you discover this band at the absolute zenith of their progressive era. I've seen them in many of their eras and I have to say, I loved this one the most. So cool, also to see you observe in wonder of their sheer versatility, talent and power in a live setting. I personally think they are an unmatched trio. During this time, they were playing with the following or similar set-up: Geddy Lee - bass guitar, Minimoog synthesizer, Oberheim polyphonic synthesizer, Moog Taurus bass pedals, vocals Alex Lifeson - 6- and 12-string electric and acoustic guitars, classical guitar, Roland guitar synthesizer, Moog Taurus pedals Neil Peart - drums, orchestra bells, bell tree, tympani, gong, cowbells, temple blocks, wind chimes, crotales. Also great hair day today Jessie! Way to kick off the weekend with this!
On this particular song, Geddy is also playing 12-string electric guitar at the very end. His double neck is a 4-string bass on top and 12-string electric on the bottom neck. I know it only looks like six tunic pegs, but that is because of Rickenbacher very weird setup for 12 -strings. Of course, Alex's double neck is 12-string on top and 6 -string on bottom, but it's a Gibson, so all 18 tuning pegs (machine heads) are visible.
Rush-the holy Triumvirate Alex Lifeson-probably the most underrated guitarist EVER Geddy Lee-bass, keys, synths, Moog pedals, vocals-multitasker extraordinaire Neil Peart-The Professor, genius IQ, lyricist, and the Best Drummer to ever walk the planet XANADU starts right after you hear the spoken words. And this is how it sounds on the studio version! I HIGHLY suggest you check out the poem KUBLA KHAN by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Peart got inspired to write XANADU because of this poem! Xanadu-Paradise! Great reaction
Have seen them a few times, beautiful music, Alex Lifeson, great guitar player, your smile is infectious and the way you expressed your enjoyment was awesome. Can't wait to see you do more RUSH.
Part of the reason this sounds orchestral is that Neil has so many percussion instruments. Plus Alex is using a volume pedal to 'violin' his guitar playing. And Geddy is using all kinds off keyboard stuff.
Really enjoyed your reaction to this classic performance!!! Great to see your appreciation and understanding of the music!!!! Great audio of this concert performance!!!!
Huge fan of Rush and have watched a lot of reactors reacting to rush and I really enjoy your take on things and the way you react and these redone live videos from MTV or the stickits remastering are awesome
Oh, you definitely need to develop a playlist for RUSH!!!!! you'll absolutely love it! I've followed RUSH from when I was a pre teen, I'm 62 now and still have MAD RESPECT FOR RUSH!!!! please play more from them! You're witnessing historic musical genius at work!!!! Thanks for this wonderful piece of history! Your reaction says alot!💖
Weeell... to be precise, 'Xanadu' starts a little sooner than that and in the moment that round image appears together with that held low note on the pedal synth, and _then_ Mr Peh-art's voice can be heard! 😁 😉
I wasn't at this show but my first of many rush concerts was 1981 i was 17 at Madison Square garden the best band ever one of my greatest joys was taking my 2 teenage sons to see them for their 1st concert on the snakes and arrows tour in 2007
Same here, I was 15 and saw them in Los Angeles in 1981. I really wish I had been more famliar with their catalog at the time, but I had only heard Moving Pictures at the time. My buddy and I had advanced tickets to see Led Zeppelin when Bonham died. Ticketmaster (AKA the Devil) told us they could refund us the deposit, or we could switch to a different concert. Tom Sawyer and Limelight were all over the radio so we said 'why not?'. The day after the concert I bought Chronicles (their first 3 albums in a set) and 2112, and my buddy bought Farewell, Hemispheres, Permanent waves and Moving Pictures so combined we had it all. We wore those records out! Saw them their next 5 tours, now knowing every note of every song. Greatest of al time.
It's a story about a man who was chasing immortality but when he found it he realized it wasn't all it was cracked up to be because he was all alone. Hopefully you'll do a ton more of Rush reactions probably the greatest band that's ever been they've got 19 Studio albums plus all the great greatest of and live and everything else and they were the best of friends for 45 years with all the Egos and the money they were really best friends which is the coolest thing of all. The guitar player and bass player vocalist met in grade school and went to grade school together starting in 5th grade in Canada then they added the drummer when he was 17
No Orchestra or Backing Tracks, just three multi-talented musicians multi-tasking with all hands and feet to get these sounds. You don't see that anymore these days.
Xanadu stared about 6 minutes ago, when the funky backdrop appeared (and if you noticed, it's also when both Geddy and Alex switched their single necked guitars for double necks). Cheers from 🇨🇦.
These three unbelievably talented musicians always strived for perfection in their concerts. Additionally, Neil, "The Professor", was an intellect and avid reader and was responsible for writing 99% of their lyrics. I mention this for new listeners of the band as a forewarning and let them know you won't hear songs like "Girls Girls Girls" or "Hot for Teacher". 😁RUSH didn't write songs; they composed musical masterpieces that told stories and took you on journeys of the mind. I hope you continue to discover and listen to their catalog of musical greatness.
It is really pleasant to see a girl appreciate Rush that much! You have great taste lady! Xanadu is one of the most impressive pieces of art in modern music! Even Stairway to heaven doesn't compare! I would classify it in the same range as Bohemian Rhapsody! That's what we call "Chef-d'oeuvres" in french!
No backing tracks, just three master musicians. They wanted to be the smallest orchestra and they succeeded! Fantastic performance of two fantastic songs. Alex Lifeson on guitar Geddy Lee Vocals, Bass and Keyboards. Geddy and Alex have been best friends since they met in junior high school when they were 13. They have been playing music together since they were 16 and they love to have fun on stage. Neil Peart joined the band in 1974 when he replaced John Rutsy their original drummer. John had health issues and there were also musical direction differences. Geddy said they had found a fellow traveller in Neil. Cheers
@@debbieplato5107 - Now now, Debbie! 😄 Geddy on bass, synths, pedal synths and 12-string guitar; Alex on 6-string and 12-string guitars and _also_ on pedal synth; Neil on drums and oodles of percussion. 😁 😉
@@debbieplato5107 - Gotcha! 😊👍 I'd read the instruments part in reference to the "no backing tracks" bit right before! 😉 Have a great weekend, Debbie! 😀👍☀️
@@debbieplato5107 - It looks like this places you in Canada? 😀 I admit I have no idea about football, and neither about rugby - despite living in a rugby-mad country, New Zealand 😅 To my defence: I'm originally German, and Germans prefer a ball to be round! 😄 May 'your' Bombers win, though! 😉👍
Greetings from Canada & TY for MoreRUSH reactions to view & enjoy. I have watched quite few RUSH reacts Vids and U have some of the Gr8est reactions so far on ALL ur RUSH Vid's with smart & astute observations all around. As U dig deeper into their incredible discography U will soon discover that RUSH music is not just listened too but is an actual Auditory & Mind EXPERIENCE that positively stimulates the emotions & intellect, quite simply U feel better & smarter after the closing notes. As U noted Geddy, Alex & Neil sometimes sound "Orchestral", a wall of creative & original Sound created by only 3 guys & that's why I find it hard to peg them in a Music genre, Prog Symth anyone? The hard driven yet melodic music's complexity with its multitude of signature changes, seamless transitions, unmatched instrumentation/Vocals by 3 MASTER Musicians plus intelligent thought provoking Lyrics penned by Neil/The Professor cast a spell on you & propel you on a musical journey like no other band, past or present. When viewing RUSH's immense virtuosity some reactors have questioned if they are normal human beings or Aliens, my theory, neither, they are musical Warlocks that have you spellbound after the first few bars...I first fell under their spell & Broke my RUSH cherry in 1976 with their EPIC album 2112 (A MUST Listen & Experience) cranked up on a sweet Pioneer Stereo in my best Bud's basement. As I got older and my Music tastes evolved over the decades many other Bands have come & gone & fallen out of my musical favor but RUSH has been like my Musical North Star and has been a constant in my life for 48 years & counting...Canada has 2 favorite Bands, Rush who we gave to the world and The Tragically Hip (The Hip 4 short) who we kept for ourselves so I would suggest that maybe U should go down a Canadian music "Rabbit Hole" and of course explore MoreRUSH and also treat urself & definitely check out The Hip, I guarantee U wont be disappointed...P.S. A Good cure for Achy Smile Face, watch some Trump Vids you'll be frowning & crying in terror in no time...
Excellent!! Very enjoyable watching your reaction to 3 of the most talented musicians ever! RIP Neil.. I’ve seen Rush 4 times in concert. Amazing talent! This Xanadu live version, is one of my favorites. Love the “growl” of the old “Moog” Taurus bass pedals at the end!! My home stereo system has 2 12” Subs.. Enjoy making the room rattle with this song!!
In a way, I miss all the instruments that Neil had to get up to play, like the Tubular Bells. And his amazing lyrical abilities (and rhyme book, lol). RIP Neil.
28 strings and they use them all. Lovely reaction, I have loved this since it dropped in 81 (yeah. I'm old). I love that you sourced a laser disc, Geddys rhythm guitar is prominent during Alex's solo, which is different from the official version! Keep diving in to Rush... but for me THIS was their creative apex! Well done, cheers!❤
Actually, 34 strings. Geddy’s instrument is a 4 string bass over a 12 string guitar. That particular 12 string has 6 of the tuning pegs on either side of the neck with the remaining 6 on the back of the neck. There are a few times when you can clearly see the rear tuning pegs.
Your reactions are so incredible. Not just the musical insight, but the pure joy and emotional connection to the music as well. An absolute delight to listen to these songs again with you. This album came out when I was a teenager and a huge fan of Rush, and I played it nearly non-stop. Finally got to see them live during their next tour (Signals) and it was absolutely awe inspiring. Still love going to live shows, particularly the modern psych scene, often playing in small clubs. The magic of live performance is always an experience. Off to see Frankie and the Witch Fingers (big Rush fans) this week. Keep up the great work!
![The Trees/Xanadu/La Villa Strangiato LIVE [Rush Reaction] 4K 2160p UHD 5.1 surround, Exit Stage Left](/img/n.gif)
These are two of the greatest live Rush performances ever caught on video they could do no wrong in 1981. 😊
I think Xanadu is the greatest live performance by any band not just Rush IMHO.
Yes......81 was a very good year!
@@gritter2112 I'm 64 and have yet to find one any better.
They had no backing track then. This is all live! The most incredible live performance ever!
They never used backing tracks at any point in their career as far as I know. They used samples later on but those were all triggered by someone on stage.
@@erikboris5029 Exactly.
Well, not a backing track per se but they did play with a string ensemble backing them on the Clockwork Angels tour.
All the same your point is generally valid.
The song changed from The Trees to Xanadu around the time you hear Neil talk about 'what if'. They have been dubbed, many times, the 'world's smallest symphony orchestra'. You have just seen why....
Love how giddy you are, it's infectious 😊, it really is remarkable, I'm 59, when this came out back in 1982 it was mind boggling 😮.
When we saw them live, we stood with our mouths open the whole show.....stunned. Great reaction by you also!
One thing I can never get enough of watching them live is they are all at once consummate professionals but also the best of friends. And it shows.
the best and most "real" Rush reaction!
it is the best matching reaction everytime i listen to or watch them, for the last 35 years.
You're going to love Rush lyrics....looking forward to watching you discover more Rush!
You are wrong Xanadu started 2+ minutes before you realized it😅 you are now witnessing the greatest live performance by 3 men ever❤🇨🇦
These are my dudes. I grew up with them as my idols. I saw them live when I was 16 years old, seven months after this recording was made. To this day, I feel so blessed to have seen them play live (a total of five times).
Yay I have been waiting a long time for someone to finally react to this remaster lol, thank you, your reaction was worth every second!
Wow, JJ Jackson, one of the five original MTV VJs. Brings back memories.
When MTV was good. That brought back memories.
It's great to see someone so young appreciate this. Welcome to the RUSH family :)
I’m 18 and they’re my favourite band
I wanted to tell you that watching your reaction was a complete privelege for me. Especially during Alex Lifesons solo near the end of Xanadu. You said "wow" twice during that solo and both words, for such small words, the tone in which you spoke them and the look on your face was genuinely gigantic. I felt that you likely felt the same feelings I felt the first time I heard Rush. Standing outside a friends older brothers bedroom door. It was the song Working Man, and the year was 1975. I was thirteen years old. I was hooked in that very moment. They are just so damn good, aren't they? ✌️
I have heard 'Trees' and 'Xanadu' hundreds of times. It is never boring and the nuances in the tracks are astonishing. This is arguably the finest live performance of any song ever by any band. And I include Comfortably Numb. Three guys. Three.
Wow. The heartfelt pleasure i get watching a young person, a woman at that, enjoying so much the experience of listening to music that, quite frankly, changed the way i see the world is......well.... it makes me think i made some of the right choices in life.
Xanadu started at the mark where Neil was answering a question… (@ about the 12 minute mark) the orchestral sound was Xanadu
EDIT::: When Xanadu was recorded in the studio in 1977, they did a one-time run through to make sure everything was tuned correctly - then they hit the record button…played it again in its entirety as a live performance… and the recording engineer Paul Northfield said “That’s a Take” He mentioned that he had never known anyone to do that before for a song so complicated
FANTASIC! The song "XANADU" was inspired by the poem "Kubla Khan", written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1797, but not published until 1816. Coleridge believed that much of the poem came to him in a dream while he was under the influence of an opioid (laudanum). Truth really is stranger than fiction!😄
Yep , STC was a great poet.. If one read the poem before listening it just adds an extra later of coolness to the whole Xanadu experience
Yeah, this music is amazing and beautiful, it is emotional and I get chocked up again!
Xanadu began when the wave symbol was on the screen and the drummer was speaking. At 11:56 Xanadu began.
This is all done live, with only a late-1970s sequencer that came as an option on the mini-moog and the Oberhiem, 8-voice synthesizer, which he had built together into one cabinet.
Geddy often had foot pedal keys hooked into the keyboard setup and played them with his feet while playing bass and singing.
Keith Emerson was arguably the first keyboardist to really bring the synthesizer into rock music. So, ya may wanna check out some Emerson Lake and Palmer. And, your inquisitive nature really catches on to what's going on, whether it's looking into the lyrics or recognizing how this band of 3 were able to create some of the biggest sounds on the stage.
Just reading your comment brings ELP's Pictures at an Exhibition to my mind! I believe it was recorded in 1970, when Carl Palmer was only 19, or 20 years old. I saw ELP live a few times, and they were always my favourites when I was younger! Now its a toss up between them, and my fellow Canadians, Rush! But I agree4 with your statement that Keith Emerson was arguably the first keyboard player to use synthesizers...
You are just like me 40 years ago, when I was watching this from a VHS 😊 Loved Rush ever since ❤ Greetings from 🇫🇮
Smart Lady!! With any RUSH song and Pink Floyd knowing the lyrics is a must. Way better than struggling to listen to the words, interpret them and the individual instruments! Most don't catch the " Noble law" as the Noble is the fancy Christmas 🎄 tree! Great Job, great sound and great production! I shall scan your channel and see what else you got!! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎
You will definitely have to listen to 2112 now. They borrow a number of orchestral tricks in this sci-fi rock opera as well. It’s a multi-part suite that opens with a true overture that gives you a taste of all the later movements. They even have an homage to Tchaikovsky. There’s a comic book version that was released for the 40th anniversary, which I recommend to help understand the story. Cheers!
Hemispheres also opens with a true overture. With both of them there’s so much to unpack it’s probably best to listen for the music at first, then the lyrics on a subsequent listen.
Xanadu for me was the Apex of Rush as prog rock wizards… I was fortunate to see them live 17x and I met Neil Peart in a diner in Rochester NY in the 80’s. Being a drummer it’s a moment frozen in time for me. Great reaction and review. R.I.P. Neil Peart and long live the spirit of Rush! 👊🏻
Am amazed with all the Reactions on Rush. Rush changed a lot of sound in music with some future bands. I saw this live and glad that its saved. I started listening to Rush in 1976 and seen a lot of their concerts. Rush always have great concerts. Sounds from album to live with perfection. 3 guys who had no help from radio play but had a following just on their words and music. They talk to US in ways no other bands really do. I found their words useful in life. I feel sorry for those that couldn't see them live, but with all the reactions I see in your face is the way I felt the 1st time I had the album and went to concert to see it live. I say this is a great song or that a great song but when a Rush song is playing it bring back many memories. Thanks for playing a Reaction and Yes many face hurts from all the sounds and words of smiling when listening. Rush is long time band in future of music. One concert had a visual showing r..US..h as band of the people as We the People. Couple of songs "Anthem" and "Entre nous". but there are a lot when your dealing with life. Thanks and Take Care. "Flowers After Rainfall" speaks a lot about you. Ava.
In my view, one of the best performances, by any band, of all time! .. Absolutely amazing individuals. So talented, so creative. Just amazing.
Love RUSH!!!! So many fantastic songs.
I was fortunate to see them at the Portland Coliseum a couple times in the 80s. Maybe 81? Definitely 84. Trying to remember. It was awhile ago. 🤔😂
Thank you. 💛
Every time I see this performance, I'm struck like you were when Geddy was performing the final bit on the keyboards, when he has to hit that one key for a very necessary note. Musically, I'm barely qualified to listen much less play or create anything, so it amazes me that with everything that was going on, he realized that one note would add so much.
@@triadmad - Ooh, but Geddy's actually playing the 12-string guitar there, starting with Alex' solo and all the way till the end, while also briefly throwing in that note on the synth!
😁
Best rock lyricist ever period ! And a kick ass drummer of course ! RIP Neil Peart ❤❤
La Villa Strangiato & Working Man from Cleveland 2011 concert!
I was in Cleveland for the Great show for free. Thanks to my Brother in law 😊😊
Nah, watch LA Villa from Pink Pop.
Great Reaction, so happy you truly Appreciated it.
So awesome! Glad you've found Rush!
So happy young folks are discovering RUSH
Great to see someone of your age enjoy this. Your smile is tearing me up. Rush means the world to me since I was a little kid. I brought my oldest son to a Rush concert at the age of 10 and he had that same smile on his face the whole concert.
Oh the highs back in the day. Experiencing this new and live. Like shots of the unexpected pummelling your senses into submission and at once pure joy. I am oddly proud that I was able to be so affected by this in my teens. Having been able to meet Geddy and Alex in later years makes it almost dreamlike. Yet it all was very real. Still hair racing to this day. Thanks for sharing.
Appreciate ya. Thanks for sharing. (Was a youngster back when these songs - and plenty more - were released. Lifelong fan...)
If, heaven forbid, you took away every other piece of music from me, leaving only one thing to listen to for the rest of my sorry existence, THIS album is, easily, and undoubtedly, it(.) Lee, Lifeson, Peart ~ RUSH, the soundtrack of my life! 🤘🏼❤️🔥
Always good to have lyrics up when listening to RUSH thats part of the fun of the band
Even after seeing them 49 times it's not enough. I miss them dearly. RUSH FOREVER
Love! your reaction! Thanks so much this. Rush is the best and I’m so glad you enjoy them too. 🤗
I'm a retired musician with a lot of time on my hands, and I watch a lot of reaction vids. Keep doing them, because you have an honest appreciation for this classic stuff.....and that's pretty fresh.✌️
Your smile make me smile. So glad you liked it.
Xanadu was inspired by the poem 'Kubla Khan' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Great reaction x
The performance of Xanadu is one of the most amazing performances by three guys ever. The multi-tasking they do to pull this off is incredible. One thing they don’t show well is while Geddy is playing bass (and singing) he is often playing synths with his feet. He has as set of Moog Taurus pedals which are essentially like organ pedals. He doing this at 21:25 in your vid - you can see him looking down. And Neil, well he’s a one-man orchestral percussion section. I don’t know if you caught it, but during that keyboard interlude you liked, Neil is doubling it on a glockenspiel. They are still to this day the live band Ive ever heard. Cheers!
As is Alex ... every time (unless he's changing guitar effect) he wanders back to his 'station' he's got a Taurus pedal to play (and he's playing them while doing his reverse "sweet child of mine" riff)
@@chalfo - I was going to add this myself 🙂 Alex also playing the Taurus seems to be flying under most people's radar 😊
This is easily one of the best reactions to these songs I've watched so far! 😍 And I've watched oodles of them because this is one of my favourite live performance videos 😊
You get Plus Points for including 'The Trees' (which to me simply can't be omitted when watching this particular 'Xanadu' version), for the lovely shout-out to Mr StickHits, and for also having a look into the lyrics. And of course also for spreading good vibes! 😀 Thank you! 😊🙏
Have a great weekend!
😊👍☀️🎵
PS: Some constructive criticism, if you don't mind: Maybe turn the volume on your mic up a little! 😉
The wood blocks, bell pipes and the symbols are insane. Neil Peart is the best in the business hands down.
Not bad at all for a 3 man band. All so very very talented. Our Canadian icons who we are so proud of. Hit the subscribe and liked :) Loved your take on this ....
Yep RUSH makes you think. Cant wait for The Necromancer.
She needs to do The Fountain of Lamneth too. I feel it goes well with The Necromancer. Obviously because they’re both from COS.
My introduction to RUSH back in 1975 as a 15 year old teenage girl.
They blew me away and I was immediately a lifelong fan.
I am now 66 and have seen them over 30 times live. They STILL blow me away. 🤘🎶💜
Hello friend! First time checking your channel out, love your reaction and vibe. This really takes me back, I saw this tour and was just blown away. I was 15 at the time and it was just stunning to see up close. Thanks for taking me back, you know like a time machine. Keep up the good work, cheers!
Wonderful reaction to two classic Rush songs! If you enjoyed the synths, Rush had a 'synth era' in the 1980s. Some fans didn't enjoy that, but as a child of the '80s (who only recently became a Rush fan) I love it! It's fun to watch Geddy Lee multitask on vocals, bass, keyboards, and synth pedals. For a future reaction, I suggest the live version of 'Analog Kid' from the Clockwork Angels tour.
I got to see them in concert 20 times, mostly in the 70's and 80's,Never ever did they fail to put on an awesome show.
I believe Xanadu to be the absolute best live performance by the boys of any Rush song (and really better than almost any live performance by ANY band ever... Yep, it's that great!)...thanks for the fun reaction!
Pink Floyd playing Comfortably Numb live on the Pulse DVD is right up there, PF Echoes Live at Pompeii blows me away as well.
Supper’s Ready on Seconds Out. Genesis at their finest. Maybe equivalent to Xanadu…
I'm 72 and just became a hughe super Rush fan 2 years ago. This vidio was amazing!
🤗 Great reaction to a great band playing a great song! Saw them earlier open for Kiss in NJ when I was in JHS! 🥰🐰
"The Trees ended when you heard Neil say "The question we ask most often is "What if?" Xanadu began after Neil speaks, mostly with Alex using the volume pedal on his guitar.
Their early stuff was pure magic. They were storytellers first and foremost. The music was there only to enhance the story. Their talent was incidental to the story. If you don’t have a story to tell, what do you really have? The beginning of Xanadu you can visualize a traveller making his way through a forest with the wind and animals all around. Once the traveller finds Xanadu the instruments erupt to signify the grand discovery.
Thank You, It's so nice to see the younger generation enjoying a quality 3 piece band.
That entire 3 minutes in the beginning with the Chimes and the bells and the synthesizer is all part of Xanadu
Stick Hits does amazing work, all their restorations are great, and they're RUSH fans too.
😍✌🙏
Awesome reaction and keep smiling! Keep doing Rush reactions and I'm sure you will!!
Thank you for realizing and taking the time to listen to what this band really was and will always be… masterfully crafted music from 3 of the best musicians ever, that created this band. Nicest guys also, their journey was always proper and professional.
Thank you to Rush and all the people that filmed this for us to watch.
Awesome to see an attractive younger gal actually GETTING IT! This came out in my high school days. NO gals got RUSH at the time. Seen many gals getting into RUSH finally, reaction videos. Welcome down the rabbit hole! (awesome smile!!)
No kidding a hard sell in 1978
And a couple more things:
Rush did later use samplers and backing tracks, but at _that_ point in time, music technology hadn't advanced that far yet, so everything you hear truly is being played in realtime, with all three guys' feet involved, too! 😁
And what I also really like about StickHits' video, aside from the great restoration/remix job: Geddy playing the 12-string guitar half on his double-neck is clearly audible in the Right channel, which he's doing from the start of Alex' solo till the song's end, while also playing a pedal synth with his foot and hitting the occasional note on the synth
🤯 😁
In most other videos of this same performance, Geddy's guitar is hardly audible, and there are no good camera angles of him playing it either, so it flies below many people's radar, too. Just like Alex' swift switch from his 12-string to the 6-string at one point during this performance 😀
This was my second Rush tour. My first was Permanent Waves. I had never seen a band that could perform to this level ever. Neil was a show in and of himself.
Stickhits does good stuff. I'm more used to the DVD version of that show, and there are a lot of differences. Some different camera angles, and a very different audio mix. Either way it's a fantastic performance and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Love your honesty! Great reaction.
This sound completely live made by three guys with nothing behind them... just them. I saw them live on this tour in 7 or 8 more times throughout the 80s and 90s and then again in 2015 and they're just unbelievable
Just love watching you discover this band at the absolute zenith of their progressive era. I've seen them in many of their eras and I have to say, I loved this one the most. So cool, also to see you observe in wonder of their sheer versatility, talent and power in a live setting. I personally think they are an unmatched trio. During this time, they were playing with the following or similar set-up:
Geddy Lee - bass guitar, Minimoog synthesizer, Oberheim polyphonic synthesizer, Moog Taurus bass pedals, vocals
Alex Lifeson - 6- and 12-string electric and acoustic guitars, classical guitar, Roland guitar synthesizer, Moog Taurus pedals
Neil Peart - drums, orchestra bells, bell tree, tympani, gong, cowbells, temple blocks, wind chimes, crotales.
Also great hair day today Jessie! Way to kick off the weekend with this!
On this particular song, Geddy is also playing 12-string electric guitar at the very end. His double neck is a 4-string bass on top and 12-string electric on the bottom neck. I know it only looks like six tunic pegs, but that is because of Rickenbacher very weird setup for 12 -strings. Of course, Alex's double neck is 12-string on top and 6 -string on bottom, but it's a Gibson, so all 18 tuning pegs (machine heads) are visible.
That's just all Rush, no orchestra. Nice reaction selection! The boys are the greatest rock band ever!, imo 🤩
Rush-the holy Triumvirate
Alex Lifeson-probably the most underrated guitarist EVER
Geddy Lee-bass, keys, synths, Moog pedals, vocals-multitasker extraordinaire
Neil Peart-The Professor, genius IQ, lyricist, and the Best Drummer to ever walk the planet
XANADU starts right after you hear the spoken words. And this is how it sounds on the studio version!
I HIGHLY suggest you check out the poem KUBLA KHAN by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Peart got inspired to write XANADU because of this poem!
Xanadu-Paradise!
Great reaction
The transition from the Trees to Xanadu is flawless.
Have seen them a few times, beautiful music, Alex Lifeson, great guitar player, your smile is infectious and the way you expressed your enjoyment was awesome. Can't wait to see you do more RUSH.
Part of the reason this sounds orchestral is that Neil has so many percussion instruments. Plus Alex is using a volume pedal to 'violin' his guitar playing. And Geddy is using all kinds off keyboard stuff.
@@kentgreer1079 - And both Alex and Geddy also play pedal synths with their feet! 😀
Really enjoyed your reaction to this classic performance!!! Great to see your appreciation and understanding of the music!!!! Great audio of this concert performance!!!!
Huge fan of Rush and have watched a lot of reactors reacting to rush and I really enjoy your take on things and the way you react and these redone live videos from MTV or the stickits remastering are awesome
Most (all?) of Rush lyrics are thought provoking. 40 years later a I still wonder about the meaning of those and other Rush songs. Great video!
Oh, you definitely need to develop a playlist for RUSH!!!!! you'll absolutely love it! I've followed RUSH from when I was a pre teen, I'm 62 now and still have MAD RESPECT FOR RUSH!!!! please play more from them! You're witnessing historic musical genius at work!!!! Thanks for this wonderful piece of history! Your reaction says alot!💖
Your big smile says it all. You are now a RUSH GIRL. 😄
Xanadu started at the beginning of the Orchestra part you were speaking of. Right after the spoke words "What If".
thank you :)
@@flowersafterrainfall6 minute instrumental intro, like the album.
Weeell... to be precise, 'Xanadu' starts a little sooner than that and in the moment that round image appears together with that held low note on the pedal synth, and _then_ Mr Peh-art's voice can be heard!
😁 😉
@@mightyV444Mr. Peh-art: is that my sandwich?
Lol
@@Indo1030 - You got it!
😄👍
I wasn't at this show but my first of many rush concerts was 1981 i was 17 at Madison Square garden the best band ever one of my greatest joys was taking my 2 teenage sons to see them for their 1st concert on the snakes and arrows tour in 2007
Same here, I was 15 and saw them in Los Angeles in 1981. I really wish I had been more famliar with their catalog at the time, but I had only heard Moving Pictures at the time. My buddy and I had advanced tickets to see Led Zeppelin when Bonham died. Ticketmaster (AKA the Devil) told us they could refund us the deposit, or we could switch to a different concert. Tom Sawyer and Limelight were all over the radio so we said 'why not?'. The day after the concert I bought Chronicles (their first 3 albums in a set) and 2112, and my buddy bought Farewell, Hemispheres, Permanent waves and Moving Pictures so combined we had it all. We wore those records out! Saw them their next 5 tours, now knowing every note of every song. Greatest of al time.
It's a story about a man who was chasing immortality but when he found it he realized it wasn't all it was cracked up to be because he was all alone. Hopefully you'll do a ton more of Rush reactions probably the greatest band that's ever been they've got 19 Studio albums plus all the great greatest of and live and everything else and they were the best of friends for 45 years with all the Egos and the money they were really best friends which is the coolest thing of all. The guitar player and bass player vocalist met in grade school and went to grade school together starting in 5th grade in Canada then they added the drummer when he was 17
No Orchestra or Backing Tracks, just three multi-talented musicians multi-tasking with all hands and feet to get these sounds. You don't see that anymore these days.
Xanadu stared about 6 minutes ago, when the funky backdrop appeared (and if you noticed, it's also when both Geddy and Alex switched their single necked guitars for double necks). Cheers from 🇨🇦.
Best band ever. Never be another.
Best band...ever. Hands down. 😁 #Rush #RushReaction #TheTrees #Xanadu
These three unbelievably talented musicians always strived for perfection in their concerts. Additionally, Neil, "The Professor", was an intellect and avid reader and was responsible for writing 99% of their lyrics. I mention this for new listeners of the band as a forewarning and let them know you won't hear songs like "Girls Girls Girls" or "Hot for Teacher". 😁RUSH didn't write songs; they composed musical masterpieces that told stories and took you on journeys of the mind. I hope you continue to discover and listen to their catalog of musical greatness.
Their live shows were simply magical.
It is really pleasant to see a girl appreciate Rush that much! You have great taste lady! Xanadu is one of the most impressive pieces of art in modern music! Even Stairway to heaven doesn't compare! I would classify it in the same range as Bohemian Rhapsody! That's what we call "Chef-d'oeuvres" in french!
No backing tracks, just three master musicians. They wanted to be the smallest orchestra and they succeeded!
Fantastic performance of two fantastic songs.
Alex Lifeson on guitar
Geddy Lee Vocals, Bass and Keyboards.
Geddy and Alex have been best friends since they met in junior high school when they were 13. They have been playing music together since they were 16 and they love to have fun on stage.
Neil Peart joined the band in 1974 when he replaced John Rutsy their original drummer.
John had health issues and there were also musical direction differences.
Geddy said they had found a fellow traveller in Neil.
Cheers
@@debbieplato5107 - Now now, Debbie! 😄 Geddy on bass, synths, pedal synths and 12-string guitar; Alex on 6-string and 12-string guitars and _also_ on pedal synth; Neil on drums and oodles of percussion.
😁 😉
@@mightyV444 I gave the abridged version as she didn't know Neil or Geddy's names 😀
@@debbieplato5107 - Gotcha! 😊👍 I'd read the instruments part in reference to the "no backing tracks" bit right before! 😉
Have a great weekend, Debbie!
😀👍☀️
@@mightyV444 Thanks, I am just going to watch the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Edmonton Elks game. Go Bombers! 💙💛💙💛
@@debbieplato5107 - It looks like this places you in Canada? 😀 I admit I have no idea about football, and neither about rugby - despite living in a rugby-mad country, New Zealand 😅
To my defence: I'm originally German, and Germans prefer a ball to be round! 😄
May 'your' Bombers win, though!
😉👍
Greetings from Canada & TY for MoreRUSH reactions to view & enjoy. I have watched quite few RUSH reacts Vids and U have some of the Gr8est reactions so far on ALL ur RUSH Vid's with smart & astute observations all around. As U dig deeper into their incredible discography U will soon discover that RUSH music is not just listened too but is an actual Auditory & Mind EXPERIENCE that positively stimulates the emotions & intellect, quite simply U feel better & smarter after the closing notes. As U noted Geddy, Alex & Neil sometimes sound "Orchestral", a wall of creative & original Sound created by only 3 guys & that's why I find it hard to peg them in a Music genre, Prog Symth anyone? The hard driven yet melodic music's complexity with its multitude of signature changes, seamless transitions, unmatched instrumentation/Vocals by 3 MASTER Musicians plus intelligent thought provoking Lyrics penned by Neil/The Professor cast a spell on you & propel you on a musical journey like no other band, past or present. When viewing RUSH's immense virtuosity some reactors have questioned if they are normal human beings or Aliens, my theory, neither, they are musical Warlocks that have you spellbound after the first few bars...I first fell under their spell & Broke my RUSH cherry in 1976 with their EPIC album 2112 (A MUST Listen & Experience) cranked up on a sweet Pioneer Stereo in my best Bud's basement. As I got older and my Music tastes evolved over the decades many other Bands have come & gone & fallen out of my musical favor but RUSH has been like my Musical North Star and has been a constant in my life for 48 years & counting...Canada has 2 favorite Bands, Rush who we gave to the world and The Tragically Hip (The Hip 4 short) who we kept for ourselves so I would suggest that maybe U should go down a Canadian music "Rabbit Hole" and of course explore MoreRUSH and also treat urself & definitely check out The Hip, I guarantee U wont be disappointed...P.S. A Good cure for Achy Smile Face, watch some Trump Vids you'll be frowning & crying in terror in no time...
Fight Fight Fight 😂
Excellent!! Very enjoyable watching your reaction to 3 of the most talented musicians ever! RIP Neil.. I’ve seen Rush 4 times in concert. Amazing talent! This Xanadu live version, is one of my favorites. Love the “growl” of the old “Moog” Taurus bass pedals at the end!!
My home stereo system has 2 12” Subs.. Enjoy making the room rattle with this song!!
Rush has performed Xanadu 966 times in their career. In 1981, Xanadu was only the half - way point of a Rush concert.
Rush paints the best musical soundscapes than any other band. The Trees and Xanadu are two great examples.
In a way, I miss all the instruments that Neil had to get up to play, like the Tubular Bells. And his amazing lyrical abilities (and rhyme book, lol). RIP Neil.
Image getting this as a young stoned teenager in the late 70’s, early 80’s! 🤯
28 strings and they use them all. Lovely reaction, I have loved this since it dropped in 81 (yeah. I'm old).
I love that you sourced a laser disc, Geddys rhythm guitar is prominent during Alex's solo, which is different from the official version!
Keep diving in to Rush... but for me THIS was their creative apex!
Well done, cheers!❤
Actually, 34 strings. Geddy’s instrument is a 4 string bass over a 12 string guitar. That particular 12 string has 6 of the tuning pegs on either side of the neck with the remaining 6 on the back of the neck. There are a few times when you can clearly see the rear tuning pegs.
This may have been the best reaction i've ever seen. 💙
you're too kind 😊 thank you!
Your reactions are so incredible. Not just the musical insight, but the pure joy and emotional connection to the music as well. An absolute delight to listen to these songs again with you. This album came out when I was a teenager and a huge fan of Rush, and I played it nearly non-stop. Finally got to see them live during their next tour (Signals) and it was absolutely awe inspiring.
Still love going to live shows, particularly the modern psych scene, often playing in small clubs. The magic of live performance is always an experience. Off to see Frankie and the Witch Fingers (big Rush fans) this week.
Keep up the great work!