Rush, La Villa Strangiato - A Classical Musician’s In-Depth Analysis
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- #rush
There’s a whole lot to explore in this piece, from compositional techniques, to musical and literary references, to interpretive imagination! Join me as I dive in and share my thoughts and perspectives after spending some time with La Villa Strangiato, and let me know if you have anything to add to it!
Here’s the link to the original song by Rush:
• La Villa Srangiato (An...
Here are the other links:
Gheorghe Zamfir:
• André Rieu ft. Gheorgh...
Raymond Scott, Powerhouse:
• powerhouse
Julian Bream, playing Albéniz:
• Julian Bream | Granada...
Carlos Montoya, guitar:
• Carlos Montoya - Malag...
Paco de Lucia, playing Rogdrigo:
• Paco de Lucía Conciert...
Pepe Romero, playing Torroba:
• Pepe Romero: Suite Cas...
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Amy Shafer, LRSM, FRSM, RYC, is a classical harpist, pianist, and music teacher, Director of Piano Studies and Assistant Director of Harp Studies for The Harp School, Inc., holds multiple degrees in harp and piano performance and teaching, and is active as a solo and collaborative performer. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, she teaches privately, presents masterclasses and coaching sessions, and has performed and taught in Europe and USA.
Extra bit of trivia: the song was the most complicated thing they had both written and recorded at this point of their career. It took as long to record as their entire 2nd album did
Yes! They had first been trying forever to record it all live and in one go but eventually had to admit defeat and record it in several separate sections.
Or, 14x as long as it took Neil to record his parts for Roll the Bones, one day! 🤣🤘
This is why I love hearing trained musicians react to Rush. I’ve listened to this song thousands of times over the last 30+ years, and I learn something new. Thank you so much!
Ditto, Sir!
I agree to a point, but there were no samples of the composition in discussion used in this analysis. I believe that to be a great disappointment.
This was my favorite analysis yet. More Rush, please!
Yes, this was great indeed! 🤩👍 If she ends up also checking out 'Xanadu', I hope it'll be the live version from 'Exit...Stage Left' = my favourite Rush recording 😊
@@mightyV444 Yes for sure. I had requested a listen to YYZ, but the the live version of Xanadu is indeed phenomenal. I hope she goes down the Rush rabbit hole.
@@davidbubbins5348 - Me too! 😊 And this was a promising start already! 😁 'YYZ' _also_ rocks! 😀👍
On The History of Rock with Amy and Karl I preserntly have 7 Rush songs listed. I have recommended that Amy actually do an indepth of Rush due to their diversity and song writing abilities. I can assure you that she will. know Rush well before she is done with me! LOL
Good man, @@karlsloman5320! 😊👍
So glad you listened to the studio version prior to your analysis. And what an outstanding analysis it is! This is one of the reasons this channel (along with Rick Beato's) has quickly become one of my favorite music-related channels.
This wasn't the studio version. The intro should have given it away. The line is usually acoustic not electric with distortion
@@christianwilliamson9752 Yes, the version she listened to with Karl at her side was a live version (possibly from a soundcheck). I even posted a comment about that under that particular video. But as Amy points out in the description to *this* video, she's since listened to the studio version and that's what her present comments are in reference to.
I watch reaction videos, probably to live vicariously [again] through others hearing music for the first time.
For instance, watching young African Americans experience Progressive Rock and Metal for the first time, is a novel human experience, especially when in many cases, you know they grew up listening to mostly Rap and Hip Hop. It makes me envious of their obliviousness being wiped away in much the same way mine was when I first heard the music they are experiencing. It really is a lot of fun and it can be extremely emotionally evocative, at times.
With this Analysis, you achieved something that has never been done in (to) my experience; That is to give me new ears for this piece of music. I first heard this tune when I was eight years old. I've heard it what seems like 500,000 times. I've seen Rush live well over ten times, also. Many of those concerts included this song. It was a favorite staple song which I have revered as "on high" for 45 years. I almost have no need to ever hear the song again. I can almost hear a perfect recital of it in my mind's ear with not too much effort at all. This video, as you might hope, has given me a new appreciation for a song that couldn't possibly (so I thought) be appreciated any more than I've already spent most of my life doing. Bravo to you for that! Thank you.
Thank you for another thoughtful analysis! "Xanadu" next, please! Think you'll both appreciate and bring a unique perspective to the piece.
I love your analysis of this. Also, your analysis and commentary about "a farewell to things." Another thing to know is that "things" rhymes with "kings." A Farewell to Kings was a song and album title that was released the year before.
Also I could have just been a play on the song coming to an end. I wouldn't put it past them to have multiple layers of humor and fun involved - especially in a piece with "self-indulgence" in the title. A kind of self-referential humor would fit... :)
@@obiwanbenobi4943 Agreed. I'm sure there were multiple layers involved in the coming up with the names of these sections. That's part of their brilliance.
Thank you for taking the time to break down this beloved Rush instrumental. I love your insights and analysis. After listening to this song for nearly 40 years, I learned from you about the "Danforth and Pape" reference today for the first time. Natives of Toronto have known that for decades but for a kid from the US growing up in a time before the internet, I had never heard that before. As you listen to more of their work, you will undoubtedly come across the album (and title track) which preceded this album, called "A Farewell to Kings" (1977) and their naming of the final "movement" of "La Villa" - A Farewell to Things - is a nod to (and a play on) the name of that 1977 tune.
Amy, this is the most In-depth review of this song I've ever heard or seen on CZcams. As you make your way Into their catalog, you'll soon realize Rush is a lot more than they seem to be...
Regarding the association of human voice and musical content (even when purely instrumental) - Rush is the only band I know of where fans sing along with one of their most well-known instrumentals. This can be plainly seen and heard on the "Rush in Rio" DVD - where about 40,000 Brazilian fans are captured on video singing along to the instrumental "YYZ"!
Regarding the end of the piece - "A Farewell to Things" - I've always thought it was a reference to the times when we wake suddenly from a dream - and know we were dreaming, but can't quite remember what we were dreaming. This is also musically represented by the ending chord being an unresolved 7th from the tonal center - leaving us wondering "what happened" just as we might after a sudden waking from a dream!
PS - I find it amusing that this is the first time that I've noticed your in-depth video being *shorter* than your first listen! 😀
I thought a farewell to things was just a reference to farewell to kings
I agree with nearly everything you're saying here, but the part about the voice. Having sung in an acappella group professionally. I can tell you that the human voice is one of the greatest imitators in the world. Drums, guitars, bass, horn and so on are being done today in groups all across the world. Maybe some time down the line you can experience the genre yourself. It's simply amazing what the community of accappella musicians are doing today. Nearly all the college campuses have at least one group. Please explore this all for yourself. Thanks again to you and Vlad for your hard work in putting all this together. 👏
Yes! I once heard the human voice described as "the ultimate synthesizer." It's astounding to me the variety of sounds that can be made by the human voice! So many colors and textures! We are blessed to possess such a subtle and powerful means of expression!
Your analysis alludes to being musical itself. Much in the way that this instrumental alludes to being lyrical and poetic, even though there are no lyrics at all. Excellent work. You gave this piece (finally) the attention, breakdown, analysis and treatment it has always deserved. Thank you for that.
The instrument you were trying to think of during the listen may be A Balalaika. Alex Lifeson's real name is Alexadar Zivojinonic. His parents are immigrants from Yugoslavia. This analysis is so enjoyable!!!
Danforth and Pape is an intersection in their hometown of Toronto.
A Farewell to Things is a play on A Farewell to Kings, which is the album that preceded this one, and is really a companion album to this (Cygnus X1 spans both albums). Getting a little meta, and reading intent where there likely wasn't any, this album also marked an end to an era of Rush's sound. This song in particular was so complicated and took so many takes in the studio they vowed never again. Their compositions and sound definitely changed after this album, and would again several times throughout their careers.
I just came to tell her. Lol
I just got to that part of the video and was coming in to say just exactly this. 😆
farewell to kings has a lo
@@julianortiz4151 Yep, same here, LOL!
As usual, please write here your questions only. Also, in this in-depth I refer to time-points on the studio version.
When will The Wall videos come back, if it's ok to ask
Was that drum sitting behind you a care package from your friend from Canada ?
I'm curious if he gave you a homework assignment ?
@@steveh7108 More details about that will soon come!
@@GarrettEulett VERY soon!
@@VirginRock 👍🏻❤️
Rush has been my favorite band for most of my life. Not only are they each world class musicians, they're thoughtful and decent people. You don't see stories of drug abuse, fighting and drama from these guys. They are brilliant at what they do and managed to stay true to who they were through the years. Just pick any song from any era, it doesn't matter. I have my favorite albums, like we all do, but they never disappoint.
I wanted to come here and say my piece about my appreciation of Rush as a band and Rush as individual people, but you've said all I could with grace and succinctness. They're just good guys who were always focused towards doing the best they could.
I always heard (and saw in my mind’s eye) Gossamer packmg after Bugs Bunny. It makes me happy that it was so. That they paid the original compose brings tears of joy.
Speaking of monsters and prog rock, try Tarkus by Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. Great review.
If I had world and time enough I could take in all of your knowledge. Thanks for helping me build my respect for a band I'd never really paid much attention to before now.
Oh, just hearing you say "Alex Lifeson" makes me grin ear to ear! It's honestly one of my favorite names in the world. What a brilliant and monumental musician is Alex Lifeson. What a towering inspiration for so many.
Just started watching but am already being distracted by the vintage Tama 'Superstar' drum on the right! 😍😄
I adored this break down so much! I’m always ecstatic when someone gets Rush. Out of all of Rush catalogs I can highly recommend, Losing it off of the signals album.
Very articulate & informative. 🎶 🎵 🎼
Excellent analysis. It truly lives up to the title of being in-depth. A very fascinating angle on this piece, since I wasn't aware that it was based on Alex's dream. My own dreams have fascinated me. I occasionally get these very vivid and memorable dreams that go on for hours. They are far more creative and bizarre than anything I can come up in my waking hours. I wish I had the talent to translate them into something as creative in the "real" world, as Alex and the guys do here. I'm sure many are suggesting their 2112 piece/album for its creativity musically and in telling a powerful sci-fi like story, showcasing the brilliance of Neil Peart as a lyricist and story teller.
Exit Stage Left version is the best. Excellent song. A real showpiece for the entire band...
Also _my_ favourite version! 🤩 The version she had listened to was a different live one though; Because, there _are_ some vocals in the 'Exit...' one! 🙂
I would love to hear this performed as a solo Spanish guitar performance by Alex. Don't know if he ever tried that but at its heart, that's what La Villa is, Spanish guitar, with a prog rock twist (albeit a big twist).
I'm at a loss for words. I loved every minute of it.
Great, just great!
I've enjoyed all of your reactions Amy, though not all of the music. I'm more prog rock than metal as, like you, I need melody and am not keen on hard aggressive sounds. Now showing my ignorance of the band, the only Rush I am familiar with is the album Signals. Despite not being very keen on Geddy's vocals I do like that album. This track, La Villa Stangiato, has been an education and I am now interested in the rest of Hemispheres. Some of the guitar work reminds me a little of Gilmour and some of the dynamics, Genesis. But I can see Rush have their own incredible virtuosity and quality. So thank you both!
'Signals' is great, and one of the things I like a lot about it is the fact that Geddy is singing in a lower register; I do love their previous albums also, but I've never been too keen on the super-high vocals 😅
Thanks for the link to Powerhouse - that nailed it. Also grew up to all those Looney Tunes musical influences which exposed me to classical music influences well before Rush came into my life.
An exercise in self indulgence I think referred to how they played so wildly with all the bass flourishes, drum fills and guitar solos. Neil Peart was the lyricist and by that time was pretty well read (due to free time and book stores on every corner), so he may have heard of Strangiato.
A reaction to - Rodrigo y Gabriela is a must
16:05 A Lerxst in wonderland. She did her homework! Nice!
This is a DELIGHTFUL review and analysis of La Villa Strangiato! Well done! Bravo!
A quick (simple) insight to the last movement - A Farewell to Things.
This could also be a light hearted reference to the previous album - A Farewell to Kings. The two albums are so akin to one another, there is a story that is started on A Farewell to Kings which is finished on Hemispheres.
Who else writes stories about flying spacecrafts into blackholes? A trip that ends in meeting and befriending gods from history? Young boys who are having fun of course!
Thank you again for your very thoughtful and in-depth review.
I can't wait to hear more. Take care. Peace.
This is an amazing analysis, You brought out so much detail and meaning. Thank you. I appreciate the link to Powerhouse, that brings back memories. Cartoon music and monster themes resonates with childhood memories.
When I saw them in 78 they played this. Alex played the intro on a nylon string guitar.
As you learn more about Neil Peart you will find that references in any song he wrote weren't just coincidence, he in fact was very well read even as a young man and put deep thought into his lyrics.
Yes, I was going to post a comment along the same lines as yours but since you have beaten me to it I will merely reply (add) to your comment.
When Neil Piert replaced the original drummer he brought an intelligent and well-read education to the band that the other members who were highly intelligent and highly skilled musicians, they were highschool dropouts. Their lyrics, names and titles are never coincidental or accidental. Neil knows exactly what he writes about, even if it is just the names for chapters or movements in a piece of music.
I'm sure you have heard of Rock Operas that were popularized in the 60's and 70's. Fuzing Rock music with operatic story telling and staging. Well, that is NOT what Rush does or creates. Rush creates Rock Symphonies and Rock Chamber Music.
The 20 minute Rock "symphony" by Rush, titled 2112 is a must listen, from the album of the same name. As well as other of a similar vein as music others mentioned, by Rush.
And wrote several books worth the attention of fans - and others.
When they were touring with Kiss, Gene went to their hotel room to find the party and all 3 were sitting there reading. Geddy's "answer" to this story was that yeah, but they were REALLY high while they were doing it!
Of course, you understand that, at some point, you must choose your favorites.
Great band am blessed to have seen them on permanent waves and moving pictures tour thank you for posting
It seemed like you really had fun with this analysis. I certainly had fun watching it. Keep up the excellent work!
I was very fortunate to see Rush 3 times and every show was truly fantastic! Next to a tool show this is by far one of my favorites to see live. Great break down of this song. I knew nothing of how it was penned and why, I really like this channel and what your doing. 👍You should listen to Joe Satriani's music.... He can tell a story with his guitar that can be truly incredible.
I used to teach drums a couple of decades ago, and a fair amount of my more advanced students struggled mightily with strange time-signatures (although there were those who took to it like ducks to water). I wish I had stumbled upon your "kangaroo" explanation of odd time-signatures back then because it's a brilliant visualization. [edit] That is SO funny about the "Monsters" section! Even as a kid it sounded SO familiar to me, but I could never put my finger on it. Rush also did this little trick on their piece 2112, where one of Alex's solos mimics Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture "cannon" theme, which fits the story-line of the song VERY well and inserts a bit of Rush's love of musical "cheeky-ness".
As I commented on part one of your analysis, the Live in Rio version of this song has integrated into the performance giving Alex the stage to give his band mates an of the cuff nickname. Watching the video you can see the anticipation and apprehension of his band mates waiting for their new nicknames. As I said, channel, no channel, it’s worth seeing/hearing the seasoned difference between the original version and the later live version.
They ran the notation for this in Guitar World magazine, I believe in 1991, the year I started playing guitar, the individual parts are mostly simple, but the way they weave together was something that while I never quite got it down (or cared to really, this is their music), it affected the way that I write with different melodies bridging into each other. Thanks for the analysis.
I always believed that the subtitle of the piece was a self deprecating nod to the fact that this was stretching the limits of their skills. Being Canadian, they don’t want to appear to be showing off…
😊
I also believe that is exactly what they meant.
You guys are like the English in that way, aren't you?
Danforth and Pape intersection is not downtown Toronto, but the heart an area called Greektown, East of the Don River. The River Dawn, a play on words found in The Necromancer from 1975.
Thank you for analyzing this song!
Speaking of Raymond Scott. I would love a breakdown of 'The Penguin' or 'Dinner Music for a Pack of Hungry Cannibals' or 'The Quintet Plays Carmen'.
This is great. Rush was a very creative band.
I really would love to see you do an In-Depth on some Supertramp. Please start with Fools Overture from the album Even In The Quietest Moments.
If you like this Prog Rock style, you must try Yes and Emerson Lake and Palmer.
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
I am happy you had a chance to listen to "Rock" that is something to think about, and has complexity. When you do go back to Rush... try "The Trees"... it is beautiful.
'The Trees' together with 'Xanadu' on the 'Exit...Stage Left' live album are my favourite Rush recordings 🤩👍
This is great. Rush music absolutely deserves this level of classical analysis. I love how you instinctively absorb and understand the emotional impact and intent of the musicianship and composition. Hemispheres is my favorite Rush album, and it's because of this high level of progressive technical proficiency in service to wonderfully expressive compositions. Rush often had those elements over the years, but on Hemispheres it was on peak display. The title track is also a stunning work of classical brilliance, and I'd enjoy seeing your reaction to it as well. The chordal and harmonic expression are far beyond the normal pale of rock music.
For three guys with virtually zero musical training--all self-taught--Rush really had some lofty aspirations for classical expressiveness in rock music, really stretching the genre. Seminal stuff. Archetypal.
I truly enjoy your in-the-moment yet analytical reactions! Keep up the good work, and keep having fun with discovery! The spice of life!
I've been in love with this song since I 1st heard it as an awkward teenager. I felt like it was written just for me. I went on to be a huge Rush fan as well as YES and Pink Floyd. Finally I found music that I could relate to.
I found this fascinating as well as (no offense) quite humorous to watch a classically trained musician go so in depth into a song I love so much.
"A Farewell to Things" is also a reference to their album "A Farewell to Kings".
I came here specifically to find this comment and back it up.
Glad you enjoyed that so much! Those guitar notes sound beautiful on the harp!👏I never made that connection before, regarding "monsters". Thinking back, that does sound like something I heard watching Bugs Bunny when I was a kid. I still remember buying Hemispheres the day it came out. October of '78. My 1st semester at Mizzou. I was anxiously awaiting that one. After being so very impressed with every album before. Hope you find time to listen to the title track.
Wow! You cannot have more In-Depth Analysis than this! You are so smart person!
Rare example of a song whose office music video is an actual live performance of the song. While the original benefits from some studio work, the band was always careful to not call up, that which they couldn't put back down....er, record on an album, what they couldn't recreate live. I don't they ever used backing tracks.
This song and his ability to make all the changes needed, is my strongest evidence that Alex is more talented than most folk are qualified to even speculate at.
Quite possibly the best rock guitar player, bar none. While my favorites remain Gilmour and Buckethead, Alex's versatility is unique.
I'm glad this was your introduction to Rush. IMO probably the best choice.
🤘🧙♂️🤘
They regularly went out of their way to have a studio production number where they wouldn't constrain themselves with "we have to be able to play this live". "Different Strings" on Permanent Waves (though perhaps mostly because of Hugh Syme's piano) is an example. Of course, once MIDI and sampling technology advanced, they could trigger anything they needed.
can't wait for lyric's and Geedys voice reaction. their last song the garden live is a masterpiece
Your analysis does not disappoint. The details and careful review adds a richness that is easily overlooked. What I perceived as repetitious is in fact a subtle development section at the beginning. How music can create certain intended moods and change subtly into much different scenes purely with the choice of chords and rhythm is a wonderful revelation. It takes nothing away, but adds. Showing the complexity of Rush's music only brings more admiration for the band. Still the music can be appreciated even without it, but thank you for sharing this educational moment!
(exploring more Rush will be an enjoyable experience for all)
Amy... I'm so glad you enjoyed this particular piece from three guys mind you. Rush has always been in my heart from the beginning and always were at the epitome of their craft.
Rush. The thinking person's rock n roll band. My favorite since I first discovered them as a 10 year old in 1979. "And the words of the prophets were written on the studio wall...concert hall."
Shreves is in fact what they called their roadies. It was borrowed from the old radio serial The Shadow where Shreve (pron Shrevvy) is the Shadow's chauffeur.
Congrats on family developments! At the end of the day, this pice is simply lifted and rebranded, with clever packaging. That’s not to say it was without some imagination or creativity, but it does subtract the value of composition from the band for me. Extremely skillful arranging was used to a high degree. Fun listening and an educational video. Thaks.
Doesn't surprise me one bit that Rush paid the Scott family strictly out of respect. Class acts indeed.
Because of course they did.
Yeah, no other band would do that.
Alex Lifeson took flamingo guitar lessons when he was very young while living in northern Toronto, not far from where I grew up.
Alex loves Looney Tunes, and probably picked up the "Monsters" theme watching it as a kid.
As a teenager (now long ago), I taught myself this song on piano. Hemispheres was one of the first albums I ever bought.
Strangiato is indeed a made-up name.
Danforth and Pape is indeed a key intersection in eastern Toronto, famous for Greek food. Stays open very late, well past most of Toronto -- at least it did back 1970s-1990s. A very street-level, pedestrian-friendly area on a bus and subway line. Great food and fun. The progression here also moves between C and F#.
There was a theatre (the Roxy) in the area which played The Rocky Horror Picture Show in the late evening for years. It also, for years, played Led Zepplin's The Song Remains the Same concert movie. People would flow from those shows and attend the local Greek restaurants into the morning. I did so may times. Great fun.
Did Alex spend many late nights there, where, after, his stomach pleasantly swollen with food, he went home to a deep, long satisfying sleep, perhaps to dream?
Thanks for the insight, and congratulations on your coming baby.
LOVE the story about Powerhouse! Respect and dignity. Absolute core foundational elements of Rush music. This band treated everything with respect and dignity. AND humor and irreverence! They found that rarest state of grace in rock music, where all the musicians are such good friends, have such respect for each other and the music, and are so devoid of destructive ego, that they coexist in creative brilliance and peaceful harmony for 50 years. In my view it's unprecedented in the world of rock.
I don't believe that there were no conflicts. I want to remember Geddy saying something like, "We've had lots of the same problems as other bands. We just never talked about it."
Yes, more please. "Jacob's Ladder".
'A Farewell to Things' also references their previous album, 'A Farewell to Kings'.
To me Things = Monsters. So waking up is a farewell to those things from the dream, as you said. And the album preceding Hemispheres was A Farewell to Kings.
Excellent review - Congratulations.
Thank you so much, as a choral singer & huge Rush fan your analysis makes me so happy!
Hopefully Amy has listened to the studio recording so that she hears that the opening figure is played on a classical guitar, where the "Spanishness" really comes through.
I've always interpreted "Buenos Nochas, Mein Froinds!" as a nod to the Spanish style intro and the glockenspiel (a German instrument) figure played by Neil.
She did listen to the studio version> I spoke to her this evening about it. I told her she HAD to listen to the studio version, as it is so amazing and you can hear all the instruments so much more clearly. She loved the studio version as well.
Oh yes, and also She told me that all the references in the analysis were done using the studio recording.
The amount of work and research you do on those analysis is really phenomenal! Helps even an old fan like me right to get back to when I first times I’ve heard this song, decades ago, and learn all over again about a song I have heard so many times that it has become pretty much part of my DNA…
that lead on harp was cool.
"A Farewell To Things" is a play on words. The album released prior to this one was entitled "A Farewell To Kings"
If you want a small sample of early Rush, check out 'RUSH Live In 4K - Opening Medley / Spirit Of Radio - Frankfurt 2004 - AKA "Best Intro Ever"., This is the start of their R30 tour in 2004 and contains a sample of one song from each of their first 6 albums that lead into The Spirit of Radio, one of their biggest hits.
I think that the section “A Farewell To Things” was also a throwback to the title of the album that proceeded “Hemispheres” (the album that La Villa Strangiato is on) which was entitled “A Farewell To Kings”. That was also the name of the first song of the A Farewell To Kings album.
The members of Rush are very kind of goofy with a great sense of humor, typical Canadian type of humor. They’re real easy going and down to earth, unlike most rock stars and are all really good friends. Alex and Geddy became best friends in high school and spent the next 40 years on tour with drummer Neil Peart.
The media never like Rush very much because they were bad for the tabloids, considered boring. That’s because they had no inner drama within the band. They all remained the best of friends with only the death of Neil in 2020 putting a separation between the members.
So many other legendary bands had so much hatred between some members that they couldn’t stand to be on the same stage together. Sort of like the way that John Lennon and Paul McCartney couldn’t stand the sight of each other. Rush was very unique by having no ego that would tear them apart from the inside. That is how they lasted so long and gave us 40+ years of great music.
Rush music goes through many different phases and styles from album to album, because they weren’t afraid to experiment with different sounds and layers they could add to their music. Some of it has become dated, but it is still always made with the most imagination.
Drummer Neil Peart was also the bands lyricist and you will find their lyrics very unique for rock songs. Neil was an avid reader and always wrote lyrics that were thought provoking.
Wow! Koooool!🎼
Interestingly, Alex played the introductory classical bit with a pick. Very unclassical, but it really worked here. Genius!
Enjoyed this reaction...you seemed to have had fun researching and reacting to it! Nice.
I feel you should have done the studio version
Another part of 'Powerhouse' is sampled and sped up by the band Soul Coughing in their song 'Bus To Beelzebub! :)
Love the Concert Tom in the background!
This was fabulous. Thank you so much.
There are a number of rock songs that incorporate spanish guitar. I suggest Queens' Innuendo, though you'd want to listen to Led Zeppelins' Kashmir first.
As an unrelated point, Pape and Danforth is the main intersection of Greek Town (where I live!).
I mainly just want to say that this was a live version recorded for the video. If Alex has long hair, look closely at his fingers, he had badly injured a finger tip and still pulled this off. The one difference is that the opening solo was originally recorded on an acoustic guitar (classical or Spanish).
For fun, try the sing Atom Heart Mother from Pink Floyd's 1970 album of the same name. A side long epic, and a rare experiment with an orchestra.
I cannot stress enough to listen to the newly remastered version of the entire album Days of Future Passed (1967) by The Moody Blues. The recently recovered 1967 mix is the essential one. The record label wanted to show off their new high tech (for 67) stereo recording equipment. They want to show of its use in rock and vlassical so they hadvthe band and producer work with an orchestra. The results are amazing.
You might want to throw a towel over that floor tom when you’re recording to avoid that sympathetic ringing in your recording :)
Great analysis!
I think that's actually coming from the harp!? I'm pretty sure I'd noticed it also in previous videos where there wasn't a drum around (Doesn't bother me, though 🙂)
The the little echoes of the instruments in sympathetic vibration to her voice is kinda sweet to me.
Enjoyed your in-depth analysis very much! Whenever you choose to explore another Rush song, do yourself a favor and give a listen to Xanadu and/or Jacobs Ladder. Hope you'll do one (or both) of those songs in the future!
Never doubt Neal Peart’s brain. If something called La Villa Strangiato existed in real life,Neal knew about it. The man was a genius. Otherwise very well done deep dive. Thank you.
A genius? He was an Objectivist. That disqualifies him right there lol. At least he eventually denied Mizz Rand's ideas.
@@floepiejane what he did was took ideas from Ms. Rands short story and wrote the lyrics to arguably the best progressive rock opus of all time. Then continued to write a catalog of hundreds of songs over 40 years. Became the greatest rock drummer of his era and then completely changed his style and technique because he wanted to. He wrote seven non fiction books, he also collaborated on several award winning science fiction series novels. Never judge a mans intelligence by his philosophical view. Genius.
@@dpall38 thus spreading her horrible ideas. Are you an Objectivist?
@@floepiejane No just a Rush fan. Please tell me how Bitor and the Snow dog or Natural Science, Tom Sawyer, Roll the Bones, Cameras Eye, Anagram, or a hundred other Rush songs have anything to do with this objectivist thing. Sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder.
@@dpall38 I do. Objectivism has contributed greatly to inequality in our society. I'll call it out every time. And I'm not saying that he's talentless, but we throw around genius far too easily. The word is related to gene, genesis, generate. Did he create something new? No. I guess it's the hyperbole that gets me as well. I'll cop to it all.
lord that thing has MASSIVE sustain ..
Rush's previous release album was titled "A Farewell to Kings" hence I think the "Farewell to Things"... just a reference point for ya!
Oh the notes that harp has played. Appreciate the deep dive. ❤
Julian Bream - one of my all-time favorites - and his rendition of Sevilla (composed by Isaac Albeniz). He introduces so much precise vigor into the piece, I've never heard a better interpretation. That you point out a reminiscence of such an artist within a Rush composition is interesting, but certainly there!
I'm 64, and have been listening to Rush through their entire history, and there is much to enjoy!
Your analysis of La Villa was absolutely fabulous! Thank you!!💜
32:11 - well, here's plugging for Tom Sawyer as a future piece to explore. I'm sure there are more-die-hard Rush fans (and/or folks with more musical training) who'll have other ideas, and I'll enjoy those explorations as well, I'm sure. Tom Sawyer just somehow always captured my attention... partly for musical reasons, and partly for lyrical ones. I somehow imagine you'll find it less interesting than this one?? But, differently so. And then of course lyrically, I'm also a big fan of The Trees. :) Anyway, just one of many inputs into the decision-making process. :)
Good luck! Yes, life is about to change a great deal. :)
I don't think there's much in albums 2 - 11 that is bad to hear and uninteresting. A few songs some people don't like but I'm fine with them and consider them sweet and fitting for where they were on the albums. That is a part of what is important about their music. It wasn't meant as an isolated song but a part of a whole in the series of songs on the album. They put some effort into figuring out which order was best and there weren't many songs I felt were "out of place" or didn't fit at all.
For their later music, it became a different thing for me. I still liked a lot of their songs, but they were not being as progressive and so i felt they were also not being as creative. Still some great songs. There's not an album of theirs I don't like, but their debut album is very raw in comparison to the rest. The lyrics are also quite different since they were written fairly quickly and not by Neil who came along for the 2nd album and took over the lyrics part (for most of their songs but not all).
Cheers and happiness and thanks for the review of my favorite rock band. :)
Segovia is hugely important to me, as well as the flamenco music of Paco de Lucia. I’m not sure if you realize the piece you heard was live…as the audience noise was not included. The album version is far more intricate as you can clearly hear the dynamics. Indeed, Alex actually plays the opening on a classical guitar. I wish that was the version you heard…as fantastic as Rush were live…it’s impossible to capture some intricacies in that setting.
Segovia! March 11, 1984, I saw him in Dallas. Just him on a stool with his guitar. I was 15.
Jeff Beck - ‘Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers
Well, it’s really a Stevie Wonder song.
Isn't this is what you get out of a collaboration of best friends..? I can't read - (dyslexic or something) but 'to sleep per chance to dream ...' has stayed with me my whole life.
La Villa Strangiato is my absolute favourite Rush track ... BUT...it 'has' to be the live version from Exit Stage Left.
Rush were a live band. Studio was what it was, but live, Rush became ALIVE ..& therefore so, so much better.
Watching someone break down Rush with a Harp was amazing in its own right. Very well done.