I'm very grateful that Rush made a point of recording and releasing their live performances. They were so good live that if you were going to see Rush, you knew it would be mind-blowing.
Fun fact I was 12 and we were playing in the park near some factories and we heard cool sounds coming from a building and we went and climbed on the garbage dumpsters and watched them recording. They noticed us watching and came out. We thought we were in trouble but they came out and spent a half hour with us talking about music and Hockey cause that's what Canadians do😂 Geddy and Alex gave us guitar picks and Neil gave us drumsticks they were really Amazing and down to earth. And yes I saw them twice in 87 and 2003 they are incredible. The sounds they create are mind blowing 🤯♥️
Back in 77 my family lived just outside Monmouth in south Wales in a place called Trellech and Rockfield Studios was a stones throw from where we lived. You may have seen the area in the Netflix series Sex Education. Any way maybe 77 or 78 we would go through the fields and sneak up to the farm and hide behind the hedge rows where the studios were and would see various famous people on occasion just hanging around chatting and smoking in the farm yard. Pretty sure Rush was one of the bands we saw as I was convinced ( being 12 years old ) that one was a ‘red indian’ due to long black hair and a big nose. It was maybe a year later I first saw a picture of Rush on the back of 2112 and was sure as could be it was GL.
I met Geddy and Alex in Kansas City the day after a show at a restaurant I worked at. They were just the nicest dudes. Nothing but great things to say about how they treated everyone around them. This was after the time machine tour. Like 37 years in of the band...and STILL they were that nice to strangers.. love them.
Alex Lifeson: RUSH guitarist and Guru Extraordinaire! The HEART ❤️ AND SOUL OF RUSH! THE FUNNIEST MAN ON THE PLANET AND GREATEST SPEECH GIVER OF ALL TIME!!! BLAH…BLAH…BLAH! HATS 🎩 OFF TO ALEX LIFESON 😎😎😎👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎸🎸🎸
Alex started out on the lower(6 string) guitar and was back and forth to the upper(12 string) guitar. Geddy had an upper bass and a lower 12 string guitar. Neil just had everything!!
That absolutely seamless transition from 12 string to 6 string at 8:42 in this video gets me every time. The sheer raw talent needed to pull that off and 90% of the people that see this never even catch it.
This is my essay to people who may not know RUSH or who Neil was professionally and his contributions to the art of drumming and lyrical writing! Enjoy! RUSH is THE PERFECT EXAMPLE of the fluidity of MASTERING TIME SIGNATURES! I play drums and there are a few things that you need to know about Neil Peart’s ( pronounced PEER-T) character: First he writes the lyrics so he knows in advance what TYPE of song it’s meant to be ie ballad, driver, etc. Second he COMPOSES on the drums… like a carpenter who looks at a set of blueprints before building the object. Neil lays out a SKETCH in his mind of the VOICES of the drumset and builds the song from there. He is also a great LISTENER knowing when NOT to step over Geddy’s singing or Alex’s solos! Finally, he had perfect timing and fluidity of time changes. He said himself that it’s not about COUNTING the time signatures as much as fluid motion to change the tempo without counting: in other words it should FLOW! He hates repeating the same drum patterns in the same song meaning if he plays a fill one way the first time around he will play it differently the second time around. IE. Rolls down the toms the first time around and triplets or quads (all four limbs) the second time around. In short there will NEVER be another like him on planet earth 🌍 🌏 🌎! REST IN PEACE PROFESSOR! With heart felt admiration and sincerity! Gary
From my memory, in the poem Xanadu is a mythical place where, if you can find it, you can attain immortality, which sounds awesome. Our protagonist, wishing to be immortal, goes in search of this place. After many trials and travails he does find it but discovers that immortality isn't all it's cracked up to be. He grows weary of the endless passing years and yearns for death so he can escape from the world.
The same Samuel Coleridge who wrote 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', Having 2 legendary bands turn 2 of your poems into epic musical monuments is not a bad way to be remembered.
Is it weird that has a rush fan since 1976 and seeing them 34 times that it brings tears of joy to my eyes in 2024 when people discover their greatness for the first time?
No, it is not weird at all. What good is discovering the finer things in life if not shared with others, especially music which transcends all boundaries. Blessed to have witnessed Rush live many times and the appreciation of them just continues to grow….
Brilliant performance of an amazing song. Geddy and Alex have been best friends since they were 13 and have played together since they were 16 and they enjoy having fun on stage. Three geniuses in one band! Cheers 🇨🇦
Xanadu was released on Rush’s fifth album called A Farewell To Kings. Exit Stage Left was the name of their second live album which featured Xanadu on it. I went to see them on this tour, which was actually the tour for Moving Pictures, their 8th studio album. The live album, Exit Stage Left was recorded during the Moving Pictures tour. This was only my second time seeing them live. I had seen them a year earlier for their Permanent Waves tour. I never missed another Rush tour after that. I seen them 32 times lives and every show was a gem. Their concerts were like no other concert. Just seeing three guys on stage creating all of that sound was mesmerizing. They made so much great music that it takes years to go down that rabbit hole. I began following them since high school in the 70s, so it’s a lot easier for me to catalogue all of that music, since it was over many years and as each album came out. Great reaction. I’m glad you enjoyed this masterpiece.
The concert name was Exit, Stage Left and the song was Xanadu. If you would go back and listen to the first part of this double sone, The Trees/Xanadu, it will blow your mind!! The double neck guitar is one 6 string and one 12 string guitars for lead and a 4 string bass along with a 6 string bass for Geddy. They offer different tonal qualities.
Must see RUSH in Rio, YYZ live!!! Strap yourself in! The first time I saw RUSH live was May 7, 1977. The last unfortunately was July 4, 2014. It was my son's first and last RUSH concert BUT his favorite concert ever. We were so blessed to share that show.
My intro to these guys was at the age of 15 and the purchase of 2112 in 1976 bought with lawn mowing money...promptly went back and bought the rest...and have never missed a release and yes was the quintessential 70's nerd.
Great reaction y’all! I always thought of this song like this.. the magical place is also a fountain of youth. He finds Xanadu, eats and drinks, becomes immortal and after a 1000 years he is so tired of being alive he just wants it to end! I think this is another one of Neil’s “be careful what you wish for” lessons! Enjoyed the reaction! Be well and God bless.. from Texas!!
This is off the A Farewell To Kings album released in 1977 as the follow up album to the 2112 album this was recorded in 1981 on their Moving Pictures tour filmed in either Toronto or Montreal ( I have heard both cities) as part of their Exit Stage Left live album. RUSH is still huge here in Canada we share them with the world these guys make this Toronto boy proud as this is their hometown
Toronto boy here seen all three nights of The MOVING Pictures Tour with the band FM backing them up was amazing March 23rd 24th and 25th parents went away that week I skipped high school all week to take it all in. Lol Still have the program and ticket stubs from all three nights at Maple Leaf Gardens.
From a Gary to Geddy your one of the most talented musician of all time! No one touches your talent on bass, keyboards, and singing! You are the definition of Unique and RUSH is not RUSH without your playing and vocals! To quote the movie: I LOVE YOU MAN! Alex and Neil as well!!
I was 18, when I saw this exact concert in Montreal, Canada 1981. I live in Neil's hometown, they played at my school, when John Rutsey was the drummer.
The lyrics are based on the poem you looked up. Basically, man looks for immortality....finds it...maybe not the best thing to seek out...lol This era of music is mostly lost unfortunately. People have no patience so sitting through a slow beginning that builds up and has multiple changes doesn't sit with many people's brains these days. The newer prog rock can have long songs but it is about number of notes and not melody. This performance, imo, is one of the greatest I have ever seen. 3 guys making all this sound is incredible. Neil on drums puts on a clinic for any drummer to be amazed by. Alex on the 6 and 12 string double neck effortlessly moving between them and Geddy sporting the bass/guitar double neck is an iconic site. Glad people are rediscovering this because it represents the best of what music is. A combination of great song writing/structure and mastering your instruments. We seem to either get people who can write great songs but use computers for all the actual music or people who can play like crazy but have no idea how to construct a song. Not saying great bands don't exist but you have to dig deep to find them as they are not popular. Anything Steven Wilson, Haken, Riverside....they are some that are continuing on with the legacy that Rush, Pink Floyd and others set for us a long time ago. And always looking for more bands like them so anyone who has suggestions, my ears are open!
Coheed & Cambria are a good prog rock band! IMO. I saw RUSH 6 times live, relatively early in their career. First time in late 1974 & the last time about the time this was recorded, 1981. I never saw any other bands/artists more then twice! Testament to their greatness! I enjoy watching later tours of RUSH with YT now, The Garden live with the strings onstage is really good!
My favorite version of my favorite Rush song. IMO the solo by Alex is one of the greatest because of how well it connected the emotions of the lyrics with the music.
RUSH IS: Geddy Lee - Bass guitars, Oberheim polyphonic; OB-X; Mini-Moog; and Taurus pedal Synthesizers, vocals Alex Lifeson - Six and twelve string electric and acoustic guitars, Taurus Pedals Neil Peart - Drums kit, timbales, gong bass drums, orchestra bells, glockenspiel, wind chimes, bell tree, tubular bells, crotales, cowbells, plywood, tympani, and Gong!
XANADU TIER BEST SONG EVER IN MY OPINION!!! & NEIL PEART IS & WILL BE THE BEST DRUMMER 2 EVER SIT BEHIND A DRUM KIT!! R.I.P. NIEL, THE WORLD LOST AN INCREDIBLE MISSION WHEN YOU WERE CALLED HOME TO HEAVEN!!!! YOU ARE A TRULY A GREATEST DRUMMER OF ALL TIME!!!!
Hey my friends, great video, I am a lifelong RUSH fan, only got to see Rush in the late 80s(Power Windows Tour) in Halifax, Nova Scotia,Canada, Waited to see Rush for 20 years. They played this song live! Best band ever!!😁👌👍✌
Xanadu was a real place on the Alf River - it's a World Heritage site. Xanadu was also an unfinished poem of English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (about Kublai Khan's pleasure palace at, you guessed it, Xanadu). But for Neil Peart's lyrics, Xanadu was about the misbegotten quest for life everlasting. He makes the point that if it were ever possible, endless life would be a punishment, not a gift. In the end, the character in the song wishes to escape eternity and embrace death. Genius, indeed.
To be clear, Rush were inspired by the poem Xanadu by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. They sing lyrics referencing Kublai Khan and many references lifted from and paying tribute to that poem.
Subbed for more Rush. Masters of Progressive Rock. Alex is playing a six string and a twelve string, Geddy is playing a bass and a twelve string. Geddy is also playing keyboard and singing, and I think both guys are using pedals. Xanadu was a summer pleasure palace built by Kulba Khan, grand son of Gingus Khan who's mongol army almost took over the known world at the time. It is currently known as Shangdu and is a world heritige site. The song is about a fellow, dreaming of immortality, searching for Xanadu. However, once found he is trapped there and immortal because time does not pass there and he becomes a prisoner of the lost Xanadu, praying for the night to end.
Alex's double guitar had a 12 string on the upper and a standard 6 string lower, Geddy's had his bass on the upper, and a 6 string guitar lower, you can see him using the 6 string right at the end, but i think there is at least 1 section where he plays rhythm guitar in support of Alex
12 string lower on Geddy's. (six of the tuning pegs are hidden behind) He uses it to continue the 12 string part when Alex is playing the solo at the end
@@gregsteele806 Geddy played a Rickenbacker model 4080 which consisted of a 4001 bass guitar upper and a 408 SIX string guitar lower. Finding one today will set you back roughly $15,000. 👍
@@shawnhurley3815 Geddy's doubleneck here is indeed a bass and 12 string, Rickenbacker model 4080/12. Always was when he used the doubleneck for playing Xanadu. He did have one with a 6 string bottom neck but was painted white and was only used for playing Passage to Bangkok on the Permanent Waves tour.
actually you got me to thinkin what an amazing ride that would be for a roller coaster theme. go through areas with Zanadu themed background with this Rush version slammin away on the ride.
You finally got to this one. I have seen Rush 9 times first in 74 at my high school. This version I saw live in Calgary the best one they did, Neil is amazing here temple blocks, triangles everywhere, wind chimes, glockenspiel, bell tower, tubular bells and his huge drum kit, Alex the most underrated guitarist ever a goat also and Geddy organ, synthesizers, bass, rhythm guitar and vocals . Alex did play the 6 string tons in that song. The 12 string is more for acoustic
This album, playing over and over again, listening thru headphones, while reading Return of the King. Also Yes Relayer. And yes, there were mushrooms involved. Ah, to be young again. 🙂 Amazing how much music these guys could produce.
How the music mirrors the emotion of the lyrics. Peaceful notes give way to more pronounced energy as the speaker relates hearing about Xanadu and then actively searching. Once found the music is frantic as he is overcome with desire for immortality but once he achieves it he finds that it’s not what he thought but a prison of frozen time he can never escape. Musical genius.
Neil reflected on the period after '2112' ("Xanadu" is on the following album) as an "experimental phase" for the band. With the introduction of synthesizers and new musical technology like bass pedals, they explored ambitious orchestrations on albums like 'A Farewell to Kings' and 'Hemispheres.' Neil said that he looked back on that time with "an indulgent smile" and "a certain fond appreciation for our youthful earnestness and energy." He acknowledged that they had a lot to learn but were improving as they went along, paving the way for their future musical endeavors in the '80s and beyond. "From a band point of view, we certainly worked on our musicianship first, then - armed with that increased facility and confidence in our individual instruments - expanded into paying more attention to songwriting, arranging, and production."
I saw RUSH 6 times, first time in late 1974, the last time about the time this was recorded, 1981. 1978 I saw them in LR, AR, with Max Webster opening, & UFO next, then RUSH, definitely one of the best concerts I ever attended. This was the time they were really pushing the new intruments/sounds into their music!
They’re definitely one of the greats! I love a lot of their songs and I definitely recommend you guys reacting to a lot of their live performances. They’re one of the very few bands that sound better live 😁 Check out Working Man live 1974 with John Rutsey on the drums.. they’re really young in that video.
Alex actually switched guitars several times throughout the song, and Geddy had a 6 string below his bass in order to play the moledy behind Alex's solo near the end - ALL THE WHILE PLAYING BASS NOTES WITH HIS FEET ON A PEDAL BOARD! These guys have always been off the charts!
While they’re all multitasking(overachievers😂)on their individual instruments, Geddy gets the MOTS Award(Multitasker of the Song)playing no less than FIVE🤯different instruments AND singing😬on top of it all!🥇🇨🇦🎼🤘🖖✌️🥁🎸🎤🎹
Based on a poem written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, completed in 1797 In Xanadu, a stately pleasure dome, did Kubla Khan decree, where Alph, the sacred river ran, through caverns measureless to man, down to a sunless sea
The twekve string guitar is usually tunes so the that the botton four pairs of strings are tuned in octaves, and the top two are tuned in unison. This creates a huge, subtly shifting sound.
Alex is switching between 6 string and 12 string guitar throughout the song. Geddy is playing bass, bass pedals with his feet, keyboards, and 12 string guitar toward the end of the song, and of course singing. And Neil is just being Neil. Once in a lifetime band.
Hi guys, thankyou for this video of Rush "Xanadu" You both have done both you and me a big favor. This is what Progressive rock sounds like. There is probably no need to hear the studio version since this is a Perfect live version showcasing the ability to tell a story with exciting musical parts to make up one song. The top neck on the white twin neck one has 12 strings, the bottom a standard 6 strings. Thankyou again, React To The World. Great.
Zanadu in this context is directly inspired by the Coolridge poem based upon Kublai Khans legend of his pleasure palace. Written by Coolridge after an opium dream.
Rush has been described as the biggest 'cult band' in the world. They sold more consecutive Gold and Platinum selling albums than any other band other than The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Rush fans are some of the most loyal and enthusiastic you will find anywhere. I saw them live at least once every single tour they had from 1986 until their last in 2015. Still upset I didn't catch them on this tour, I was just too young.
Yes you got it !!!! Magical place ,he sings,for i have dined on honey do and drunk the milk of paradise!!! All 3 are virtuosos on their instruments!!!!!!! Musically and lyrically no one is better!!! Try whole first side of 2112. Use the anamated version, helps you understand a little better, then whole album of a Farwell to kings, hemispheres whole album, off the charts!!! They take you on a journey on a ride ,thought-provoking, inspiring, motivating
“Exit, Stage Left” is their live album and was recorded from two tours of two albums….Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures. Videos you find on UA-cam are not necessarily the same night as the one chosen for the live album of the same name…. I can tell when I listen…I have had the Exit, Stage Left album and have listened to it many times! Rush is known as “progressive rock.”
On the double necks, I'm sure someone has already answered, Alex is playing a 12 string on top and a 6 strong below, he constantly switches between them. Geddy has a 4 string bass on top and a 6 string rythum guitar below, quite often he plays rythum whilevplaying bass on the foot peddles. Geddy's role in this can not be understated he plays; bass guitar, rythum guitar, key boards, bass foot paddles, and synth foot paddles, often two instruments at once while singing. And Neil, drum kit, wind chimes, orchestral bells, glockenspiel, cow bells, wood blocks. Honestly with this in mind, go back through again watch how seamlessly Alex changes necks, watch Geddy's body movements you can see hes using his feet. Just insane musicianship.
There's a lot of curiosity regarding double-neck guitars, so I thought I would shed some light. In the most basic example, different guitars have different sounds, and if there are parts of the song where you want a different sound, you can either have another guitarist playing alongside you, or you could hang two different guitars around your neck at the same time. Alex, the guitar player has a 12-string guitar on the top, and a regular 6-string on the bottom, which he does go back and forth between playing them. Geddy, the bass player, doesn't have two basses like some think. He has a bass on the top, and a guitar on the bottom. You can always look at the top of the neck of the guitar being played and count the amount of tuning knobs on them, silver in this case. A bass guitar will usually have four, and a regular guitar will usually have six and sometimes 12 as shown here. There are variations, but that's the norm. With regards to different tunings, it is common for a guitarist to change guitars several times during a show. The next song they play may be a in a different key and they will have another guitar backstage that has already been tuned to that key, so they aren't standing on stage tuning their guitars like amateurs. When they play double necks, it's usually for a different sound, not a different tune, as they still want both guitars to be tuned to the song they're currently playing. And finally for those who think they're only for show, try putting one on and see if you change your mind. They're really heavy and not very comfortable.
Alex switched between necks several times during the performance, not just at the end. The thing is, he did it so seamlessly that unless you are watching for it, you won't notice. Go back and watch it again, and pay attention to Alex, you'll be like, "Dang, he switched necks and didn't miss a note!" "Dang! He did it again." "Dang! Why didn't I see all the switches before?!?"
Alex's double neck guitar is a 12-string on top and a 6-string on bottom. Geddy's guitar is a 4-string bass on top and a 6-string guitar on bottom. And yes, both of them play both necks during this song. If you notice, Alex trades back and forth during particular sections of the song. Geddy only plays the 6-string guitar neck at the closing of the song while he is playing notes on a synthesizer and operating MOOG Taurus bass peddles with his feet. Likewise, Alex is also playing MOOG Taurus bass peddles in some sections, including the ending. In some sections, Geddy is singing, playing bass guitar with his left hand, playing synthesize with his right hand and MOOG Taurus bass peddles with his feet, all at the same time, and perfectly in sync (mind blowing!!!).
@@squidly2112 No, there are 12 on that small headstock. Look up images of Ric 12 string guitars to see how they do it. There are 6 tuners mounted standard and another 6 mounted on the sides of the head classical style. The paired strings are wound onto pegs that are inside slots cut into the face of the head. Besides it's been well documented in Geddy's Book of Bass p. 386. Whenever Geddy used the doubleneck for Xanadu it was always a bass/12. He did have a 6 but it was painted white so as not to be confused with the black 12. The white 6 was only used for playing Passage to Bangkok on the Permanent Waves tour and can be heard on the Exit Stage Left album.
Welcome to the greatest band of all time lyrically and musically,!!!,all 3 are virtuosos on their instruments!!!! Rush is a album band in my opinion any Rush is good Rush!!! Ypu can go back to the 1st album it's great for the times and a 1st album, try fly by night, bytor and the snow dog,,in the end, beneath,between and behind, then lakeside park bastille day ,whole 1st, side 2112, whole side A Farwell to kings really whole album to then whole hemispheres album whole moving pictures album ,you may have heard Tom Sawyer anyway try driven, mission, marathon, big money, lock and key, turn the page, Animate, Xanadu!!! Half the world, dreamline, bravado, mystic rythems, cut to the chase,roll the bones, I could go on and on ,,,,,,,,,,,For me any Rush is good Rush!!! Music is a journey a ride they take you on ,thought provoking, inspiring, Only 3 guys making ALlTHAT MUSIC!!!lyrically and musically no one is better
Alex is playing a 12 string on top, and a 6 string on the bottom, they have totally different sounds. Alex is ripping that 12 string really hard in parts, not an easy task!
This album is outstanding! Just want to suggest Genesis Abacab from Three sides live album. A better version than the video version from same album. Phil Collins on drums with Chester Thompson. Or Genesis Cinema Show from Seconds Out album 1977, Phil Collins on drums with Bill Bruford... With that said, Exit, Stage Left album is fantastic. ❤️❤️❤️
Subscribe for more Rush reactions!
Lulu's Fantasy Show: linktr.ee/clueless_lulu
John X Lulu Wicked Fun: linktr.ee/johnxlulu
You've just witnessed the greatest live performance in Rock music history. 😊
agreed
Totally agree! a close 2nd would be Working Man, Live in Cleveland!
YYZ live in Rio? There are multiple correct answers to the question.
Rush, the greatest 3 piece band in history, no debate, over.
You are correct
Agreed. Other great 3 piece outfits, but none can top Rush. Just nope.
ELP and Cream just said "hold our Beers"....
Greatest 3 piece?? Greatest 3 piece, 4 piece, 5 piece!!
Exactly
It's 3 guys but they play 4 guitars, keyboard, drums, xylophone, chimes, almost all at the same time.
It's like magic.
And both play taurus pedals with their feet, to fill in bass notes as required, when their hands are too busy 😊
You forgot the vocals!
I'm very grateful that Rush made a point of recording and releasing their live performances. They were so good live that if you were going to see Rush, you knew it would be mind-blowing.
Saw the Moving Pictures tour here in Scotland - best gig I ever saw
The best live band.
Was lucky enough to see them live 5 times. Best live band ever!
I really envy you, I saw them only twice...
Fun fact I was 12 and we were playing in the park near some factories and we heard cool sounds coming from a building and we went and climbed on the garbage dumpsters and watched them recording. They noticed us watching and came out. We thought we were in trouble but they came out and spent a half hour with us talking about music and Hockey cause that's what Canadians do😂 Geddy and Alex gave us guitar picks and Neil gave us drumsticks they were really Amazing and down to earth. And yes I saw them twice in 87 and 2003 they are incredible. The sounds they create are mind blowing 🤯♥️
I’m jealous
Back in 77 my family lived just outside Monmouth in south Wales in a place called Trellech and Rockfield Studios was a stones throw from where we lived. You may have seen the area in the Netflix series Sex Education. Any way maybe 77 or 78 we would go through the fields and sneak up to the farm and hide behind the hedge rows where the studios were and would see various famous people on occasion just hanging around chatting and smoking in the farm yard. Pretty sure Rush was one of the bands we saw as I was convinced ( being 12 years old ) that one was a ‘red indian’ due to long black hair and a big nose. It was maybe a year later I first saw a picture of Rush on the back of 2112 and was sure as could be it was GL.
I met Geddy and Alex in Kansas City the day after a show at a restaurant I worked at. They were just the nicest dudes. Nothing but great things to say about how they treated everyone around them. This was after the time machine tour. Like 37 years in of the band...and STILL they were that nice to strangers.. love them.
Alex Lifeson: RUSH guitarist and Guru Extraordinaire! The HEART ❤️ AND SOUL OF RUSH! THE FUNNIEST MAN ON THE PLANET AND GREATEST SPEECH GIVER OF ALL TIME!!! BLAH…BLAH…BLAH! HATS 🎩 OFF TO ALEX LIFESON 😎😎😎👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎸🎸🎸
Alex started out on the lower(6 string) guitar and was back and forth to the upper(12 string) guitar. Geddy had an upper bass and a lower 12 string guitar. Neil just had everything!!
Geddy has a bass on top and a 12 string on bottom. Rickenbacker. 4080-12.
Actually, Geddy plays the upper bass, the lower 12 string guitar, the Mood synth and the synth pedals. Impressive!
That absolutely seamless transition from 12 string to 6 string at 8:42 in this video gets me every time. The sheer raw talent needed to pull that off and 90% of the people that see this never even catch it.
This is my essay to people who may not know RUSH or who Neil was professionally and his contributions to the art of drumming and lyrical writing! Enjoy!
RUSH is THE PERFECT EXAMPLE of the fluidity of MASTERING TIME SIGNATURES! I play drums and there are a few things that you need to know about Neil Peart’s ( pronounced PEER-T) character: First he writes the lyrics so he knows in advance what TYPE of song it’s meant to be ie ballad, driver, etc. Second he COMPOSES on the drums… like a carpenter who looks at a set of blueprints before building the object. Neil lays out a SKETCH in his mind of the VOICES of the drumset and builds the song from there. He is also a great LISTENER knowing when NOT to step over Geddy’s singing or Alex’s solos! Finally, he had perfect timing and fluidity of time changes. He said himself that it’s not about COUNTING the time signatures as much as fluid motion to change the tempo without counting: in other words it should FLOW! He hates repeating the same drum patterns in the same song meaning if he plays a fill one way the first time around he will play it differently the second time around. IE. Rolls down the toms the first time around and triplets or quads (all four limbs) the second time around. In short there will NEVER be another like him on planet earth 🌍 🌏 🌎! REST IN PEACE PROFESSOR!
With heart felt admiration and sincerity!
Gary
Actually, this song is based on the poem "Kublai Khan", by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Based on the unfinished Poem.
It's actually Neil's completion of the poem. Very ambitious, but well done.
Yep, Neil Peart was an uber nerd for sure RIP
From my memory, in the poem Xanadu is a mythical place where, if you can find it, you can attain immortality, which sounds awesome. Our protagonist, wishing to be immortal, goes in search of this place. After many trials and travails he does find it but discovers that immortality isn't all it's cracked up to be. He grows weary of the endless passing years and yearns for death so he can escape from the world.
The same Samuel Coleridge who wrote 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', Having 2 legendary bands turn 2 of your poems into epic musical monuments is not a bad way to be remembered.
Is it weird that has a rush fan since 1976 and seeing them 34 times that it brings tears of joy to my eyes in 2024 when people discover their greatness for the first time?
No, it is not weird at all. What good is discovering the finer things in life if not shared with others, especially music which transcends all boundaries. Blessed to have witnessed Rush live many times and the appreciation of them just continues to grow….
Brilliant performance of an amazing song. Geddy and Alex have been best friends since they were 13 and have played together since they were 16 and they enjoy having fun on stage.
Three geniuses in one band!
Cheers 🇨🇦
Xanadu was released on Rush’s fifth album called A Farewell To Kings. Exit Stage Left was the name of their second live album which featured Xanadu on it. I went to see them on this tour, which was actually the tour for Moving Pictures, their 8th studio album. The live album, Exit Stage Left was recorded during the Moving Pictures tour.
This was only my second time seeing them live. I had seen them a year earlier for their Permanent Waves tour. I never missed another Rush tour after that. I seen them 32 times lives and every show was a gem. Their concerts were like no other concert. Just seeing three guys on stage creating all of that sound was mesmerizing.
They made so much great music that it takes years to go down that rabbit hole. I began following them since high school in the 70s, so it’s a lot easier for me to catalogue all of that music, since it was over many years and as each album came out. Great reaction. I’m glad you enjoyed this masterpiece.
The concert name was Exit, Stage Left and the song was Xanadu. If you would go back and listen to the first part of this double sone, The Trees/Xanadu, it will blow your mind!! The double neck guitar is one 6 string and one 12 string guitars for lead and a 4 string bass along with a 6 string bass for Geddy. They offer different tonal qualities.
RIP Neil....miss you as if you were a friend.😢
Must see RUSH in Rio, YYZ live!!! Strap yourself in! The first time I saw RUSH live was May 7, 1977. The last unfortunately was July 4, 2014. It was my son's first and last RUSH concert BUT his favorite concert ever. We were so blessed to share that show.
I saw them twice too, 2004 and 2013
You saw the tightest trio in history. We who were blessed enough to see them live, if only one time, will never forget that show.@@kariy2187
My intro to these guys was at the age of 15 and the purchase of 2112 in 1976 bought with lawn mowing money...promptly went back and bought the rest...and have never missed a release and yes was the quintessential 70's nerd.
Diving down the Rush rabbit hole! Been a fan since 1977 and attended at least one show per tour from 1980 to the end. Best band ever!
Great reaction y’all! I always thought of this song like this.. the magical place is also a fountain of youth. He finds Xanadu, eats and drinks, becomes immortal and after a 1000 years he is so tired of being alive he just wants it to end! I think this is another one of Neil’s “be careful what you wish for” lessons! Enjoyed the reaction! Be well and God bless.. from Texas!!
This is off the A Farewell To Kings album released in 1977 as the follow up album to the 2112 album this was recorded in 1981 on their Moving Pictures tour filmed in either Toronto or Montreal ( I have heard both cities) as part of their Exit Stage Left live album. RUSH is still huge here in Canada we share them with the world these guys make this Toronto boy proud as this is their hometown
Toronto boy here seen all three nights of The MOVING Pictures Tour with the band FM backing them up was amazing March 23rd 24th and 25th parents went away that week I skipped high school all week to take it all in. Lol Still have the program and ticket stubs from all three nights at Maple Leaf Gardens.
From a Gary to Geddy your one of the most talented musician of all time! No one touches your talent on bass, keyboards, and singing! You are the definition of Unique and RUSH is not RUSH without your playing and vocals! To quote the movie: I LOVE YOU MAN! Alex and Neil as well!!
I was 18, when I saw this exact concert in Montreal, Canada 1981. I live in Neil's hometown, they played at my school, when John Rutsey was the drummer.
Xanadu is where he found immortality, a thousand years had come and by.. He became the mad immortal man and Xanadu became his prison.
The lyrics are based on the poem you looked up. Basically, man looks for immortality....finds it...maybe not the best thing to seek out...lol
This era of music is mostly lost unfortunately. People have no patience so sitting through a slow beginning that builds up and has multiple changes doesn't sit with many people's brains these days. The newer prog rock can have long songs but it is about number of notes and not melody.
This performance, imo, is one of the greatest I have ever seen. 3 guys making all this sound is incredible. Neil on drums puts on a clinic for any drummer to be amazed by. Alex on the 6 and 12 string double neck effortlessly moving between them and Geddy sporting the bass/guitar double neck is an iconic site.
Glad people are rediscovering this because it represents the best of what music is. A combination of great song writing/structure and mastering your instruments. We seem to either get people who can write great songs but use computers for all the actual music or people who can play like crazy but have no idea how to construct a song. Not saying great bands don't exist but you have to dig deep to find them as they are not popular. Anything Steven Wilson, Haken, Riverside....they are some that are continuing on with the legacy that Rush, Pink Floyd and others set for us a long time ago.
And always looking for more bands like them so anyone who has suggestions, my ears are open!
Coheed & Cambria are a good prog rock band! IMO. I saw RUSH 6 times live, relatively early in their career. First time in late 1974 & the last time about the time this was recorded, 1981. I never saw any other bands/artists more then twice! Testament to their greatness! I enjoy watching later tours of RUSH with YT now, The Garden live with the strings onstage is really good!
Check out Crown Lands. They are a newer rock duo that are huge Rush fans.
Lady of Lake
White Buffalo
Mountain
to name a few.
Cheers
My favorite version of my favorite Rush song. IMO the solo by Alex is one of the greatest because of how well it connected the emotions of the lyrics with the music.
So good!
Xanadu is like Eden, Utopia, or Shangri-la, an ideal place where everything is perfect and everyone is happy.
RUSH IS:
Geddy Lee - Bass guitars, Oberheim polyphonic; OB-X; Mini-Moog; and Taurus pedal Synthesizers, vocals
Alex Lifeson - Six and twelve string electric and acoustic guitars, Taurus Pedals
Neil Peart - Drums kit, timbales, gong bass drums, orchestra bells, glockenspiel, wind chimes, bell tree, tubular bells, crotales, cowbells, plywood, tympani, and Gong!
You should really check out The Fountain of Lamneth
XANADU TIER BEST SONG EVER IN MY OPINION!!! & NEIL PEART IS & WILL BE THE BEST DRUMMER 2 EVER SIT BEHIND A DRUM KIT!! R.I.P. NIEL, THE WORLD LOST AN INCREDIBLE MISSION WHEN YOU WERE CALLED HOME TO HEAVEN!!!! YOU ARE A TRULY A GREATEST DRUMMER OF ALL TIME!!!!
I put this song on recently and when I told the kids there were only 3 people in the band they didn't believe me!!! 😂❤
Welcome to the RUSH rabbit hole. Most underrated band in the world. Need to listen to 2112.
It's infinitely more amazing when you realize it's only 3 guys......greatest power trio ever.
Hey my friends, great video, I am a lifelong RUSH fan, only got to see Rush in the late 80s(Power Windows Tour) in Halifax, Nova Scotia,Canada, Waited to see Rush for 20 years. They played this song live! Best band ever!!😁👌👍✌
Saw them twice in the 90s, incredible band , one of the best of all time. Rip to The Professor. ❤
Alex switched from 12 to 6 string and back about 5 times throughout this song. His transition is seamless and mind blowing.
Lulu is gorgeous and fun.....RUSH was my favorite band all through my life.
It shows how talented they were, the best trio musicians of all time!
I was lucky , I saw RUSH 1975 in San Diego. I never have forgotten. Thanks . Texas.
Oh, I still have long hair. Lol
Their BEST and magical version of this song is on their R30 Tour CD from Frankfurt...... AWESOME!
"Exit Stage Left"was the Tour, live album name. They released a VHS video of their concert in Toronto around 1981. The live album was awesome.
The majority of the concert footage was recorded at the Montreal Forum, with a song or two taken from a show in London (UK).
Xanadu was a real place on the Alf River - it's a World Heritage site.
Xanadu was also an unfinished poem of English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (about Kublai Khan's pleasure palace at, you guessed it, Xanadu).
But for Neil Peart's lyrics, Xanadu was about the misbegotten quest for life everlasting. He makes the point that if it were ever possible, endless life would be a punishment, not a gift. In the end, the character in the song wishes to escape eternity and embrace death. Genius, indeed.
Unbelievable performance-thank you!
To be clear, Rush were inspired by the poem Xanadu by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
They sing lyrics referencing Kublai Khan and many references lifted from and paying tribute to that poem.
XANADU IS OFF THE ALBLUM EXIT STAGE LEFT AND IS ONE OF THIER GREATEST SONGS IN MY OPINION!!!! I LOVE IT
As you know, it's even better when played as part of a three-part medley of Broon's Bane, The Trees, Xanadu.
I've enjoyed your kitty brought to the world. Thank you from a subscriber...
Subbed for more Rush.
Masters of Progressive Rock.
Alex is playing a six string and a twelve string, Geddy is playing a bass and a twelve string. Geddy is also playing keyboard and singing, and I think both guys are using pedals.
Xanadu was a summer pleasure palace built by Kulba Khan, grand son of Gingus Khan who's mongol army almost took over the known world at the time. It is currently known as Shangdu and is a world heritige site.
The song is about a fellow, dreaming of immortality, searching for Xanadu. However, once found he is trapped there and immortal because time does not pass there and he becomes a prisoner of the lost Xanadu, praying for the night to end.
I still get goosebumps everyone I see this performance. Everyone is at their peak performance and Geddy’s voice is so perfect on this one.
Alex's double guitar had a 12 string on the upper and a standard 6 string lower, Geddy's had his bass on the upper, and a 6 string guitar lower, you can see him using the 6 string right at the end, but i think there is at least 1 section where he plays rhythm guitar in support of Alex
12 string lower on Geddy's. (six of the tuning pegs are hidden behind) He uses it to continue the 12 string part when Alex is playing the solo at the end
@@gregsteele806 Geddy played a Rickenbacker model 4080 which consisted of a 4001 bass guitar upper and a 408 SIX string guitar lower. Finding one today will set you back roughly $15,000. 👍
At 8:41 of the video Alex switched from the 12 to the 6 midstream. I'm not a guitar player but that appears to be impressive.
@@shawnhurley3815 check at 9:18 You can clearly see the other.6 tuning pins on the back of the neck.
@@shawnhurley3815 Geddy's doubleneck here is indeed a bass and 12 string, Rickenbacker model 4080/12. Always was when he used the doubleneck for playing Xanadu. He did have one with a 6 string bottom neck but was painted white and was only used for playing Passage to Bangkok on the Permanent Waves tour.
This isn’t just a song, it’s a story of a man who sought to be immortal and regretted it.
"These boys, they've got talent. I think they got potential." actually made me LOL. Well played!!
actually you got me to thinkin what an amazing ride that would be for a roller coaster theme. go through areas with Zanadu themed background with this Rush version slammin away on the ride.
You finally got to this one. I have seen Rush 9 times first in 74 at my high school. This version I saw live in Calgary the best one they did, Neil is amazing here temple blocks, triangles everywhere, wind chimes, glockenspiel, bell tower, tubular bells and his huge drum kit, Alex the most underrated guitarist ever a goat also and Geddy organ, synthesizers, bass, rhythm guitar and vocals . Alex did play the 6 string tons in that song. The 12 string is more for acoustic
This album, playing over and over again, listening thru headphones, while reading Return of the King. Also Yes Relayer. And yes, there were mushrooms involved. Ah, to be young again. 🙂
Amazing how much music these guys could produce.
How the music mirrors the emotion of the lyrics. Peaceful notes give way to more pronounced energy as the speaker relates hearing about Xanadu and then actively searching. Once found the music is frantic as he is overcome with desire for immortality but once he achieves it he finds that it’s not what he thought but a prison of frozen time he can never escape. Musical genius.
Neil reflected on the period after '2112' ("Xanadu" is on the following album) as an "experimental phase" for the band. With the introduction of synthesizers and new musical technology like bass pedals, they explored ambitious orchestrations on albums like 'A Farewell to Kings' and 'Hemispheres.' Neil said that he looked back on that time with "an indulgent smile" and "a certain fond appreciation for our youthful earnestness and energy." He acknowledged that they had a lot to learn but were improving as they went along, paving the way for their future musical endeavors in the '80s and beyond. "From a band point of view, we certainly worked on our musicianship first, then - armed with that increased facility and confidence in our individual instruments - expanded into paying more attention to songwriting, arranging, and production."
I saw RUSH 6 times, first time in late 1974, the last time about the time this was recorded, 1981. 1978 I saw them in LR, AR, with Max Webster opening, & UFO next, then RUSH, definitely one of the best concerts I ever attended. This was the time they were really pushing the new intruments/sounds into their music!
Your smiles say everything. Love it! Rush Army.
Actually, it was three bands. ELO also adapted the Kublai Khan poem into their song called Xanadu, which was covered by Olivia Newton John.
They’re definitely one of the greats! I love a lot of their songs and I definitely recommend you guys reacting to a lot of their live performances. They’re one of the very few bands that sound better live 😁 Check out Working Man live 1974 with John Rutsey on the drums.. they’re really young in that video.
Alex actually switched guitars several times throughout the song, and Geddy had a 6 string below his bass in order to play the moledy behind Alex's solo near the end - ALL THE WHILE PLAYING BASS NOTES WITH HIS FEET ON A PEDAL BOARD! These guys have always been off the charts!
You played the right Xanadu video, thank you.
While they’re all multitasking(overachievers😂)on their individual instruments, Geddy gets the MOTS Award(Multitasker of the Song)playing no less than FIVE🤯different instruments AND singing😬on top of it all!🥇🇨🇦🎼🤘🖖✌️🥁🎸🎤🎹
Based on a poem written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, completed in 1797
In Xanadu, a stately pleasure dome, did Kubla Khan decree, where Alph, the sacred river ran, through caverns measureless to man, down to a sunless sea
The twekve string guitar is usually tunes so the that the botton four pairs of strings are tuned in octaves, and the top two are tuned in unison. This creates a huge, subtly shifting sound.
The drummer is fantastic!
Alex is switching between 6 string and 12 string guitar throughout the song. Geddy is playing bass, bass pedals with his feet, keyboards, and 12 string guitar toward the end of the song, and of course singing. And Neil is just being Neil. Once in a lifetime band.
SUPER INCREDIBLE ROCK GROUP ❤❤❤
A fun little ride The best!!!
Hi guys, thankyou for this video of Rush "Xanadu" You both have done both you and me a big favor. This is what Progressive rock sounds like. There is probably no need to hear the studio version since this is a Perfect live version showcasing the ability to tell a story with exciting musical parts to make up one song. The top neck on the white twin neck one has 12 strings, the bottom a standard 6 strings. Thankyou again, React To The World. Great.
Love that top your wearing! The black shirt is cool
Zanadu in this context is directly inspired by the Coolridge poem based upon Kublai Khans legend of his pleasure palace. Written by Coolridge after an
opium dream.
This was my first Rush concert in Munich. Was much better then youtube.
The song is based on the poem, "Kubla Khan", written by English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1797, and later published in 1816.
Their Drummer, Neil Peart, read books everyday and he wrote close to 100% of the lyrics to all of their songs.
Rush has been described as the biggest 'cult band' in the world. They sold more consecutive Gold and Platinum selling albums than any other band other than The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Rush fans are some of the most loyal and enthusiastic you will find anywhere. I saw them live at least once every single tour they had from 1986 until their last in 2015. Still upset I didn't catch them on this tour, I was just too young.
Yes you got it !!!! Magical place ,he sings,for i have dined on honey do and drunk the milk of paradise!!! All 3 are virtuosos on their instruments!!!!!!! Musically and lyrically no one is better!!! Try whole first side of 2112. Use the anamated version, helps you understand a little better, then whole album of a Farwell to kings, hemispheres whole album, off the charts!!! They take you on a journey on a ride ,thought-provoking, inspiring, motivating
“Exit, Stage Left” is their live album and was recorded from two tours of two albums….Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures.
Videos you find on UA-cam are not necessarily the same night as the one chosen for the live album of the same name…. I can tell when I listen…I have had the Exit, Stage Left album and have listened to it many times!
Rush is known as “progressive rock.”
I saw Rush 18 times ! Also the top guitar is a 12 string. The bottom one is a 6 string. Different tones
On the double necks, I'm sure someone has already answered, Alex is playing a 12 string on top and a 6 strong below, he constantly switches between them. Geddy has a 4 string bass on top and a 6 string rythum guitar below, quite often he plays rythum whilevplaying bass on the foot peddles. Geddy's role in this can not be understated he plays; bass guitar, rythum guitar, key boards, bass foot paddles, and synth foot paddles, often two instruments at once while singing. And Neil, drum kit, wind chimes, orchestral bells, glockenspiel, cow bells, wood blocks. Honestly with this in mind, go back through again watch how seamlessly Alex changes necks, watch Geddy's body movements you can see hes using his feet. Just insane musicianship.
Geddy's doubleneck here is bass and 12 string, Rickenbacker model 4080/12.
The best part of your reaction is that you actually listened to the song, instead of jibber-jabbin' all over top of it.
Welcome to the magic of RUSH......and the only time you will ever see Geddy Lee play a 6 string......
You guys should check Neil Peart's drum solo - look up Live in Frankfurt. Then you'll see why Neil is considered the God of drums.
There's a lot of curiosity regarding double-neck guitars, so I thought I would shed some light. In the most basic example, different guitars have different sounds, and if there are parts of the song where you want a different sound, you can either have another guitarist playing alongside you, or you could hang two different guitars around your neck at the same time. Alex, the guitar player has a 12-string guitar on the top, and a regular 6-string on the bottom, which he does go back and forth between playing them. Geddy, the bass player, doesn't have two basses like some think. He has a bass on the top, and a guitar on the bottom. You can always look at the top of the neck of the guitar being played and count the amount of tuning knobs on them, silver in this case. A bass guitar will usually have four, and a regular guitar will usually have six and sometimes 12 as shown here. There are variations, but that's the norm. With regards to different tunings, it is common for a guitarist to change guitars several times during a show. The next song they play may be a in a different key and they will have another guitar backstage that has already been tuned to that key, so they aren't standing on stage tuning their guitars like amateurs. When they play double necks, it's usually for a different sound, not a different tune, as they still want both guitars to be tuned to the song they're currently playing. And finally for those who think they're only for show, try putting one on and see if you change your mind. They're really heavy and not very comfortable.
Go out & get the albums "Signals" & "Grace Under Pressure". You'll love them.
Nobody brought it like Rush!
Keep smiling!!
Your about to go down a "Huge" Rabbit hole ....enjoy the ride !! We all have. 1974 an on n on
Alex switched between necks several times during the performance, not just at the end. The thing is, he did it so seamlessly that unless you are watching for it, you won't notice. Go back and watch it again, and pay attention to Alex, you'll be like, "Dang, he switched necks and didn't miss a note!" "Dang! He did it again." "Dang! Why didn't I see all the switches before?!?"
Kind of like their constantly changing time signatures. Seamless.
More RUSH please and live is better❤🇨🇦
I remember seeing them in the 70s we went to a concert every week at least,most a ticket ever costed my was 12 bucks.
Alex double is a 12 string on top and 6 string, that's why it sounds different...yeah, they know what they're doing.
One take...just ONE TAKE in the studio when they recorded this song for FAREWELL TO KINGS
40 years they shared with me. 3 hardworking men
Sounds like one epic odyssey!
Best 3 piece band of all time .
Alex's double neck guitar is a 12-string on top and a 6-string on bottom. Geddy's guitar is a 4-string bass on top and a 6-string guitar on bottom. And yes, both of them play both necks during this song. If you notice, Alex trades back and forth during particular sections of the song. Geddy only plays the 6-string guitar neck at the closing of the song while he is playing notes on a synthesizer and operating MOOG Taurus bass peddles with his feet. Likewise, Alex is also playing MOOG Taurus bass peddles in some sections, including the ending. In some sections, Geddy is singing, playing bass guitar with his left hand, playing synthesize with his right hand and MOOG Taurus bass peddles with his feet, all at the same time, and perfectly in sync (mind blowing!!!).
Geddy's doubleneck here is bass and 12 string, Rickenbacker model 4080/12.
@@rattan3793 - I don't think so, I think it is a 1976 Rickenbacker 4080 4/6 Doubleneck .. there are only 6 tuning pegs on the head, not 12.
@@squidly2112 No, there are 12 on that small headstock. Look up images of Ric 12 string guitars to see how they do it. There are 6 tuners mounted standard and another 6 mounted on the sides of the head classical style. The paired strings are wound onto pegs that are inside slots cut into the face of the head. Besides it's been well documented in Geddy's Book of Bass p. 386. Whenever Geddy used the doubleneck for Xanadu it was always a bass/12. He did have a 6 but it was painted white so as not to be confused with the black 12. The white 6 was only used for playing Passage to Bangkok on the Permanent Waves tour and can be heard on the Exit Stage Left album.
Welcome to the greatest band of all time lyrically and musically,!!!,all 3 are virtuosos on their instruments!!!! Rush is a album band in my opinion any Rush is good Rush!!! Ypu can go back to the 1st album it's great for the times and a 1st album, try fly by night, bytor and the snow dog,,in the end, beneath,between and behind, then lakeside park bastille day ,whole 1st, side 2112, whole side A Farwell to kings really whole album to then whole hemispheres album whole moving pictures album ,you may have heard Tom Sawyer anyway try driven, mission, marathon, big money, lock and key, turn the page, Animate, Xanadu!!! Half the world, dreamline, bravado, mystic rythems, cut to the chase,roll the bones, I could go on and on ,,,,,,,,,,,For me any Rush is good Rush!!! Music is a journey a ride they take you on ,thought provoking, inspiring, Only 3 guys making ALlTHAT MUSIC!!!lyrically and musically no one is better
Alex is playing a 12 string on top, and a 6 string on the bottom, they have totally different sounds. Alex is ripping that 12 string really hard in parts, not an easy task!
As for the double neck guitar. The lower neck is a 6 string. The upped neck is a 12 string.
Our boy is a lucky boy
This album is outstanding!
Just want to suggest Genesis Abacab from Three sides live album. A better version than the video version from same album. Phil Collins on drums with Chester Thompson. Or Genesis Cinema Show from Seconds Out album 1977, Phil Collins on drums with Bill Bruford...
With that said, Exit, Stage Left album is fantastic. ❤️❤️❤️