This came out over 4 years before My Favorite Headache. After the Counterparts tour ended in 1994 the whole band wanted to take time off. Neil tutored under Freddie Gruber and did the Buddy Rich tribute project and wrote his first book, Geddy had a daughter and spent time with her, and Alex decided to use his time to make an album. He and his wife were going through a bit of a hard time and that inspired a lot of the dark stuff but it deals with all aspects; love, hate, humor, sadness, etc.
What happened was, Geddy and his wife knew they were expecting another child, so Geddy asked the band for a year off to be with his family (so as not to have to be working and touring and away from them). Neil then finished the Buddy Rich tribute recording, which led directly to him working with Freddie Gruber, as he knew he had a year away from Rush. Alex decided to use that year to assemble Victor (the band) as a solo project and to record an album. Toward the end of that year off, Neil asked for six more months to keep working with Freddie. This gives Alex ample time to finish Victor's album. So yeah, if it hadn't been for Geddy's daughter being born, Neil might not have had time to study under Freddie (or at least not right then, though he was feeling discontent with his playing at the time, regardless, which is why he sought Freddie out), Alex wouldn't have done Victor and what became Test For Echo might have been a very different album, released a year or so earlier than it was.
it is the only musical collection that never leaves my 8gig iPod. it is an amazing array of music. the lounge act makes search for concept easy. and I Mother Earth is one of the best bands ever. one more astronaut.
8 gigs!? Holy crap! Everybody watch out! I kid, I kid. My first mp3 player only had 4 gigs of storage. Man did I learn fast just how inadequate that was!
Yeah, his wife Charlene is in that along with her friend. What's more amazing is that if you watch the longer clips of Alex in the 1970 "Come On, Children" movie the girl he's complaining about in that is also Charlene, he really badmouths her in that and they were only in their teens then. Overall though it's clearly been a good relationship, it's great to see them laughing and having fun with each other in the Rush in Rio documentary.
I agree, but it's the best (and only) copy I've been able to find. For those who don't know the video version of the song is also abbreviated as are many other videos.
I know, this is the only copy I've been able to find although admittedly I haven't searched in a long time. Hard to believe there's not a better copy around somewhere.
Indeed. This video version is shorter than the full version though so if you're new to the song I would suggest you listen to the full version on youtube. It's in the sidebar. The quality's better, too. This is the only copy I could find of the video and the quality is obviously not very good. Thanks for the comment!
This album was a sleeper. Most songs are at least good, and some are great. As an aside, I have to point out the exchange between UA-camrs xxxx15us, Nocturne2112, Kennyplay, and Ty Anderson is perhaps the longest straight string of intelligent dialogue I've yet seen on YT--devoid of insults, or flaming, and not riddled with spelling errors. Refreshing.
I bought 2 Victor CDs back in the 90s when it was released. One I played and the other I kept in its original wrapping. It still has the price tag on it. $17.99. I thought it was cool. Geddy’s “My Favorite Headache” is easier to listen to though.
REDISCOVER VICTOR LP from 1996. NOW THE WORLD IS READY AS THE RUSH COMEDIC VIDEOS GOT YA READY FOR THE MADCAP MIND OF AL 'STRANGIATO RANTER' LIFESON: the fleet-fingered guitar prodigy of RRRUUUSSSHHH RRROOOAAARRR!!! - (VOIVOD - thnx)
It wasn't a huge deal but he did talk about it at the time but that's been over 15 years ago now. There's not enough room in comments for details but here's one quote from Alex: "As for the anger on the album, there were relationships breaking down all around me, I was having problems in my relationship. My wife and I realised that we'd started to take each other for granted". Go to the excellent PowerWindows archive site for more, it's the biggest Rush "library" around. It's awesome.
This is way late, but I like the "single" version of this song better than the album track. The other has a too long guitar solo. This is the second best song on the album, but the only one I heard on the radio around the Detroit area where I am from. Start Today is the winning track on the album and I wished there was an official video for that. I think it would have done better on the radio than this song.
Thanks for the nice comment! Sadly, you're right about what normally passes for "conversation" on youtube. Luckily, my channel seems to have a better than average level of interaction. Of course that has nothing to do with me, I'd like to think it's because I have nothing but rare Rush vids and it attracts like-minded people. But there are certainly plenty of idiots everywhere. If you'd like I can call you something hateful though or stop punctuating if it would make you feel more at home, haha!
Be sure to check out tour info for the return of Edwin! His 2016 reunion with I Mother Earth will include openers Our Lady Peace and The Standstills! I saw their show in St. Catharines, ON --- *PHENOMENAL*!
I Agree! I think Alex's guitar work is amazing
This came out over 4 years before My Favorite Headache. After the Counterparts tour ended in 1994 the whole band wanted to take time off. Neil tutored under Freddie Gruber and did the Buddy Rich tribute project and wrote his first book, Geddy had a daughter and spent time with her, and Alex decided to use his time to make an album. He and his wife were going through a bit of a hard time and that inspired a lot of the dark stuff but it deals with all aspects; love, hate, humor, sadness, etc.
What happened was, Geddy and his wife knew they were expecting another child, so Geddy asked the band for a year off to be with his family (so as not to have to be working and touring and away from them). Neil then finished the Buddy Rich tribute recording, which led directly to him working with Freddie Gruber, as he knew he had a year away from Rush. Alex decided to use that year to assemble Victor (the band) as a solo project and to record an album. Toward the end of that year off, Neil asked for six more months to keep working with Freddie. This gives Alex ample time to finish Victor's album.
So yeah, if it hadn't been for Geddy's daughter being born, Neil might not have had time to study under Freddie (or at least not right then, though he was feeling discontent with his playing at the time, regardless, which is why he sought Freddie out), Alex wouldn't have done Victor and what became Test For Echo might have been a very different album, released a year or so earlier than it was.
Love this song. Alex and this group stand alone as awesome.
it is the only musical collection that never leaves my 8gig iPod. it is an amazing array of music. the lounge act makes search for concept easy. and I Mother Earth is one of the best bands ever. one more astronaut.
8 gigs!? Holy crap! Everybody watch out!
I kid, I kid. My first mp3 player only had 4 gigs of storage. Man did I learn fast just how inadequate that was!
Mine was 2 gigs if I remember right. That was almost pointless.
Freaking epic album! I just love this song.
We need a better copy of this awesome song!
sometimes i prefer this album to rush, or some RUSH albums... thanks Alex for this work... nobody can reach his top... with respect from RUSSIA
I found my CD at Goodwill for 3.99, never knew he had a pet band. Best $4 I've spent!
Awesome song..It's just friggen awesome !
The thing about this song, as is in many Rush songs, hard at start, lulls you a little, then blasts at the end.
Had the album. Seen the video. Still happy.
Yeah, his wife Charlene is in that along with her friend. What's more amazing is that if you watch the longer clips of Alex in the 1970 "Come On, Children" movie the girl he's complaining about in that is also Charlene, he really badmouths her in that and they were only in their teens then. Overall though it's clearly been a good relationship, it's great to see them laughing and having fun with each other in the Rush in Rio documentary.
I agree, but it's the best (and only) copy I've been able to find. For those who don't know the video version of the song is also abbreviated as are many other videos.
I wish there was a better quality version of this ,somewhere :(
I know, this is the only copy I've been able to find although admittedly I haven't searched in a long time. Hard to believe there's not a better copy around somewhere.
Thanks for posting this - have been looking for it for a long time...Cheers
Glad you enjoyed it. I wish I could find a better copy of it but it seems to be impossible.
Indeed. This video version is shorter than the full version though so if you're new to the song I would suggest you listen to the full version on youtube. It's in the sidebar. The quality's better, too. This is the only copy I could find of the video and the quality is obviously not very good. Thanks for the comment!
This album was a sleeper. Most songs are at least good, and some are great.
As an aside, I have to point out the exchange between UA-camrs xxxx15us, Nocturne2112, Kennyplay, and Ty Anderson is perhaps the longest straight string of intelligent dialogue I've yet seen on YT--devoid of insults, or flaming, and not riddled with spelling errors. Refreshing.
Sup
I bought 2 Victor CDs back in the 90s when it was released. One I played and the other I kept in its original wrapping. It still has the price tag on it. $17.99. I thought it was cool. Geddy’s “My Favorite Headache” is easier to listen to though.
The man known only as EDWIN
I wish someone discovered more about this one. There's no high quality!!!
REDISCOVER VICTOR LP from 1996.
NOW THE WORLD IS READY AS THE RUSH
COMEDIC VIDEOS GOT YA READY FOR THE MADCAP MIND OF AL 'STRANGIATO RANTER' LIFESON: the fleet-fingered guitar prodigy of
RRRUUUSSSHHH
RRROOOAAARRR!!! - (VOIVOD - thnx)
It wasn't a huge deal but he did talk about it at the time but that's been over 15 years ago now. There's not enough room in comments for details but here's one quote from Alex: "As for the anger on the album, there were relationships breaking down all around me, I was having problems in my relationship. My wife and I realised that we'd started to take each other for granted". Go to the excellent PowerWindows archive site for more, it's the biggest Rush "library" around. It's awesome.
Isn't Charlene one of the women in "Shut up shutting up"? Funny for her to take part if they were having problems....
This is way late, but I like the "single" version of this song better than the album track. The other has a too long guitar solo. This is the second best song on the album, but the only one I heard on the radio around the Detroit area where I am from. Start Today is the winning track on the album and I wished there was an official video for that. I think it would have done better on the radio than this song.
is there a better quality video of this ?
What inspired this album? Did Alex have to do one because Geddy came out with My Favorite Headache?
Thanks for the nice comment! Sadly, you're right about what normally passes for "conversation" on youtube. Luckily, my channel seems to have a better than average level of interaction. Of course that has nothing to do with me, I'd like to think it's because I have nothing but rare Rush vids and it attracts like-minded people. But there are certainly plenty of idiots everywhere. If you'd like I can call you something hateful though or stop punctuating if it would make you feel more at home, haha!
is that the singer from I Mother Earth?
+Quentin Raffensperger It is. Edwin from IME's first two CD's.
Brian Genack ok thx.. is he related to Alex Lifeson?
+Quentin Raffensperger No, but they have collaborated on other things together.
Be sure to check out tour info for the return of Edwin! His 2016 reunion with I Mother Earth will include openers Our Lady Peace and The Standstills! I saw their show in St. Catharines, ON --- *PHENOMENAL*!
Sounds like the song Barriers from Screaming Trees
Aha
going through a bit of a hard time with his wife? never heard that, not that it's not true. what was going on?
I like the girl in the purple pants 0:22
Who's she?
BRO SHE LOOKS TOO YOUNG
Dan was right
Hello there, fellow grump
Sounds pretty crap