The National Midnight Star #2088

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** ____ __ ___ ____ ___ ___ ** ** / /_/ /_ /\ / /__/ / / / / /\ / /__/ / ** ** / / / /__ / \/ / / / / /__/ / \/ / / /___ ** ** ** ** __ ___ ____ ** ** /\ /\ / / \ /\ / / / _ /__/ / ** ** / \/ \ / /___/ / \/ / /___/ / / / ** ** ** ** ____ ____ ___ ___ ** ** /__ / /__/ /__/ ** ** ____/ / / / / \ ** List posting/followup: rush@tnms.com Administrative matters: rush-request@tnms.com or rush-mgr@tnms.com (Administrative postings to the posting address will be ignored!) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The National Midnight Star, Number 2088 Thursday, 20 Aug 1998 Today's Topics: Administrivia Pics from 11-1-96 Milwaukee show? Also, comments/?'s about Dream Theater review The Red Star kazoo? vocals? WoW What a Show!!!!!!!! signals without flames embarrassing here we go again ARRGH not pentacles again Hallo............There Tom Sawyer added to Skipable Songs? Rush Songs that Hook You rush and dt Shania Twain - Rush fan? tom sayer, one more time for the old folks in back. wearing asbestos shorts Setlist, Jackie, Neil Re: Rush at Radio City, 1983 Yet another reason why Rush isn't on the radio Other RUSH news thanks Live List Wrong Again My 1st Row Rush Experience At MSG Re: Points to ponder Rush tunes with no relations to actual events... Setlist live album Still More Impertinent Thoughts on Pertinent Topics rtb shirt live album thoughts Reason for possible Boxset possible TO show (none) Issue 2112 The Best of Rush prism records ---------------------------------------------------------- From: rush-mgr@tnms.com (The RUSH Fans Digest Manager) Date: Thu Aug 20 09:51:26 PDT 1998 Subject: Administrivia A clarification for the live album: THE SETLIST HAS NOT CHANGED. Although the promo sampler *DOES* have Analog Kid & The Pass, these two songs are *NOT* on the live album. (Like the New World Man single w/"Vital Signs" that didn't make ESL). - rush-mgr ---------------------------------------------------------- From: jonnyg42@juno.com (Jonathan A Gilsdorf) Date: Sat, 8 Aug 1998 19:45:54 Subject: Pics from 11-1-96 Milwaukee show? Also, comments/?'s about Hello there everybody... I was just wondering if anyone out there might have some good snapshots from the November 1, 1996 show at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, WI. If so, I'd like to purchase some reprints from you at a reasonable price. Please contact me at this email address if you do. I also have some comments and questions about the "Time to Roll" CD. It is a collection of live performances from Rush's 1992 "Roll the Bones" tour. 1. Why is "Freewill" cut short? 2. As for the "Spirit of Radio"/"Anthem"/"Red Barchetta" medley at the end of the CD, was this the way Rush performed it, or was that a medley invented by the makers of the CD? 3. It is kinda interesting to hear the clapping in "Spirit of Radio." That's it for now, L8r on. Jon G. ---------------------------------------------------------- From: greg cormier <cormier_greg@isus.emc.com> Date: Mon, 17 Aug 98 13:22:19 EDT Subject: Dream Theater review I had the opportunity to catch DT in concert 2 weeks ago at Great Woods in Mansfield, Ma. They were part ofa three band concert along with ELP and Deep purple. It seemed that a great many in attendance were unfamiliar with the band and were there to see either of the other of the other two bands. DT opened up and it didn't take long for people to quiet down and get to their seats and witness what was a very impressive performance by this unknmown band. They played a few from their recently released album, Falling to infinity, and a few from their impressive break through album, Images and Words. By the time they had finished with their short set the audience was very much in to it and it set the tone for the remainder of the concert. DT reminds me of early Rush in that they are relatively unknown but winning new fans at every show they do They sounded very true to their studio sound but weren't afraid to mix things up a little and improvise on occasion. Overall I was very much impressed with both their musicianship and stage presence and thought they were the best band at the concert. I would encourage any Rush fan to give DT a try. A good place to start would be with their studio album called "Images and Words". Sorry for the lack of Rush content but I think there is plenty of Rush influence in DT's ---------------------------------------------------------- From: JJP4@mead.com Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 13:34:46 -0400 Subject: The Red Star I thought the red star on the cover of 2112 was supposed to be given the appearance of being projected over water. Someone stated earlier that it was too have the look of being on fire. Any thoughts? Also, what is the offical symbolism of the naked man against the star in the classical 70's icon they used. I had the impression it was the nakedness and purity of mankind resisting conformity and oppression of self opinion. Any offical explanations? And why is Red used so much in many of their songs? [ Hm, hasn't this come up before. Straight from the NMS web page (on the page for 2112), here's Hugh's quote: "The man is the hero of the story. That he is nude is just a classic tradition ... the pureness of his person and creativity without the trappings of other elements such as clothing. The red star is the evil red star of the Federation, which was one of Neil's symbols. We basically based that cover around the red star and that hero. "Now, that hero and that kind of attitude about freedom of expression and the band having that kind of feeling ... at the time, it never ready occurred to me, to be honest with you, that they would adopt it quite so seriously as a logo. Because it's appeared just about everywhere, thereafter." -- Hugh Syme : rush-mgr ] "Just one more, who's looking for, the world that ought to be." Neil ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Michael Z. Williamson" <daggers@indy.net> Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 16:58:14 -0700 Subject: kazoo? vocals? >"Jean-Simon" asked: >in In The End at 4:23, the backing sound behind the guitar? It seems >like that Geddy is following the guitar with his own voice modified >though some effect! I was just wondering if somebody had the real >explanation. This is the same sound someone previously thought was a kazoo. It is a guitar massively distorted through a Fuzz Face distortion and a stack of Marshalls, then overdubbed on the main riff. By clipping the peaks of the waveform, one gets a raspy, voice-like effect. It can be done with any instrument or voice by using lots of distortion. all you are hearing is fuzzed harmonics. - mike "Transported to a surreal landscape, a young girl kills the first woman she meets, then teams up with three complete strangers to kill again." -- TV listing for "The Wizard of Oz" ---------------------------------------------------------- From: David Bernard <dbernard@authentix.net> Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 15:16:04 -0700 Subject: WoW What a Show!!!!!!!! ANTHEM - A TRIBUTE TO RUSH I saw Anthem, a Rush Tribute band, perform Friday night at Pinky's in Tucson Arizona, What an incredible experience! This three man trio put on a show that would give goose bumps to even the most avid Rush fan. I went to the show skeptical yet very hopeful. I had never heard or seen Anthem perform. I had heard they were good but I was a pretty tough critic, especially when it comes to covering Rush tunes. I was very anxious to see what songs they would choose to do. Being a drummer myself, I was also very anxious to see how well the drummer would play and how accurately he would follow Neil's complicated drum riffs. The band played everything from Dreamline to Workingman. I couldn't believe how awesome each band member played. The guitarist was incredible, he sounded so much like Alex it was crazy. I mean note for note, he nailed it!!!!!!! The Bass player was great too, like Geddy, he sang and played the keys too. His vocals wailed and sounded pretty damn close to Geddy's, and what a great bass player he was, his fingers were flaming. I kept catching myself becoming nostalgic about past Rush concerts. At one point I closed me eyes and I swear it was just like I was listening to Rush themselves play. That's how great the band was playing. The best part was the drummer. He played so amazingly well. I think Neil himself would have been impressed. When the band played YYZ and he broke into a drum solo, I thought I was going shit! He wasn't trying to play Neil's drum solo, it was his own but you could definitely here strong Neil influence. What a performance! The songs they choose to play were great. Here are the songs they played: Dreamline Big Money Anthem Spirit of the Radio Freewill Closer to the heart Analog Kid Passage to Bangkok Stick it Out Lakeside Park Something for Nothing Side one of 2112 (in its entirety) Zanadu YYZ (with drum solo) La Villa Strangiato The Trees Natural Science Red Barchetta The Camera Eye Half the World I think I'm going bald Test for echo Vital Signs Working Man/Finding my way Subdivisions Limelight What a set list! If you ever have the chance to see these guys, do yourselves a favor, check them out!!! Anthem is truly a great Rush tribute band. Dave Bernard Tucson, Arizona ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Michael Z. Williamson" <daggers@indy.net> Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 17:18:46 -0700 Subject: signals without flames >Craig Branham >When it came out I thought it was the weakest thing they had produced to >date. > IMHO, the use of keyboards is what tainted Signals for me and a lot of people at first. I'm aware of this but never understood it. How is a keyboard less of an instrument? How is Geddy less talented a composer by nature of the instrument he uses? >First, I don't think Geddy Lee has ever been much of a keyboard player, well, he's not Rick Wakeman, but he ain't bad and is getting better. >and he was just experimenting with keyboard based compositions at the time. I disagree--this was when the keyboards came into their own. AFTK and HEm were the experimental era. >Secondly, sequencers weren't too sophisticated at the time, and since >the band's philosophy has always been to produce music that can be >faithfully reproduced live, Geddy Lee often put away his bass in order >to play keyboards. The loss of bass fundamentally changes the feel of >the music. I've heard this, too. but there is no lack of killer bass in Subdivisions, AK, NWM, among others. And the Synth bass is pretty heavy, too. Now RTB was lacking in bass. Who was that producer? the tone-deaf one? >With Alex Lifeson's switch from his more traditional lead guitar >approach to the 80's U2/Simple Minds "atmospheric" approach, the sound >of the band was transformed to something a lot of people weren't used to >or prepared for, especially following MP, which was a "classic" hard >rock album. there were hints of that, and it was hard to hear on the original mix. So go back, crank up the CD or remaster, put on headphones, crank it up until your eyes bleed, and play AK and the Weapon. Hear that? That's distortion, son! That's a guitar wailing. Listen to the outro of Sub, listen to the verses of Chemistry, listen to Digital man. PLENTY of guitar, and it's one of my favorite albums. I think it has a nice balance of components. Washes of textural keys, booming bass, screaming axe, oddball drums. On another note, finally listened to Victor. Anyone else think that "Shut Up Shuttin Up" compares well to Stu Hamm's "If You're Scared, Stay Home!"? A duet with Al and Stu? That would be cool. And Strip and GO Naked is very Parsony and Floydy. COOOLLL!!!! A very versatile album from the most underrated guitarist in rock. - mike "Transported to a surreal landscape, a young girl kills the first woman she meets, then teams up with three complete strangers to kill again." -- TV listing for "The Wizard of Oz" ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Michael Z. Williamson" <daggers@indy.net> Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 17:28:27 -0700 Subject: embarrassing >"Catherine Brissette said: >everyone brought in the CD they were most embarrased to own. it was >pretty hilarious. so how about it, TNMSers? Anybody got a Neil Diamond >or Hanson CD? ;) I have early ABBA. Before they committed the unforgiveable sin of creating disco, they did some really decent guitar-screaming rock. Bjorn Ulvaeus can wail. The only problem is, they were aiming for the radio market. None of the songs are long enough. But "Eagle" and "Hole in your Soul" and "Marrionette" come to mind as good guitar bits, with bass that I can't identify--probably synth, but really cool. And then the eighties hit. sigh. But Anifrid Lynstadt had a good solo album produced by Phil Collins. Agnetha Faltskog did something tht I've never been able to find, and Benny and Bjorn did a soundtrack for "Ches," which I understand was a lame movie, but the music is a hoot. - mike http://www.2112.net/daggers rush-related stickers. and the counter no longer points to a porno site (don't ask me, I didn't request that little extra from the counter provider.) "Transported to a surreal landscape, a young girl kills the first woman she meets, then teams up with three complete strangers to kill again." -- TV listing for "The Wizard of Oz" ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Michael Z. Williamson" <daggers@indy.net> Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 17:33:20 -0700 Subject: here we go again Scott McDow said: >Did anybody ever noticed, in In The End at 4:23, >the backing sound behind the guitar? > "Jean-Simon" <bolj01@gel.usherb.ca> >I still think it's a kazoo! :-) here we go again! That's because you don't play guitar. ;) I'm cranking up that sound right now, so I can play it at midwest tabcon this weekend. - mike "Transported to a surreal landscape, a young girl kills the first woman she meets, then teams up with three complete strangers to kill again." -- TV listing for "The Wizard of Oz" ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Michael Z. Williamson" <daggers@indy.net> Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 17:40:56 -0700 Subject: ARRGH not pentacles again >galahad77@juno.com said: >if it's made of 5 unbroken lines, and it's completely within a >circle, it's "evil"...it it's pointing one way, it's considered satanic, >and if it's pointing the other way, it's considered witchery (or >whatever the word is I'm lookin' for...something to do with witches and >witchcraft and Wicca and that crap...). hey, bigot, I won't criticize Christianity, you don't criticize my wife's faith, OK? Witches are not evil by definition. And keep in mind that one cannot be a devil worshipper without belonging to the only faith with a unified devil: Christianity. We all have our crosses (and pentacles) to bear. And the pentacle was also a Christian symbol for several centuries. Try the forgiveness and understanding christians are rumoured to have. I haven't seen much of it this decade. subject dropped. click. - mike "Transported to a surreal landscape, a young girl kills the first woman she meets, then teams up with three complete strangers to kill again." -- TV listing for "The Wizard of Oz" ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "DJ Benjamin" <cygnus_71@hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 17:07:04 PDT Subject: Hallo............There Well, I am pleased that a live album is coming out... regardless of the track listing and whatever date it is released. I feel that we all should be grateful that we get one last release from the band (I honestly feel it is the last one) I am looking forward to more VICTOR coming out and for Alex to be more involved in that project --- maybe the next concert we will be attending will be a Victor one ---- hmmmmmm ???? CYGNUS-X1@bigfoot.com ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Hanstones@aol.com Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 23:14:51 EDT Subject: Tom Sawyer added to Skipable Songs? Do I sense some possible additions to many of your "skippable songs" lists? Possibly Different Stages' "Tom Sawyer" and "Closer to the Heart"? Remember that a live album must have something for everyone, and many buyers of that album will love having those songs on there. Also, don't be too hard on the band and remember that they put that third disk on there for US, the lifelong fans! Celebrate!!! Of course, I can hear "Analog Kid" and "Cold Fire" on some great boots I have, but that's another thread..... Hanstones http://www.2112.net/powerwindows ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Hanstones@aol.com Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 23:14:43 EDT Subject: Rush Songs that Hook You denimking@juno.com said "my opinion on rush haters is that they haven't heard the right songs to get them started." I can vividly remember listening for the first time to a 90 Maxell tape of Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures, the first dupe my Rush "benefactor" duped for me (hey kid, check this out, and pay attention!). To this date, those two albums blend together as a perfect double album. Anyway, "Freewill", "Jacob's Ladder", "Witch Hunt" & "Red Barchetta" epitomize Rush in my mind. Those four songs have it all, besides incredible musicianship and song writing, they include Neil's sermon on freewill (obviously), the tapping our dreams, the danger in blindly putting our faith in others, and one of their classic science fiction tales. Anyway, those songs were my hook, and I swallowed it whole. Just a suggestion for your friendly neighborhood Rush haters. Hanstones http://www.2112.net/powerwindows ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Michael Z. Williamson" <daggers@indy.net> Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 23:15:01 -0700 Subject: rush and dt Slim Jim said: > In five years, DT will be just an unpleasant memory. In > ten years they will be forgotten. funny. that's what they said about Rush in '75. Of course, the same people raved about Buns n' Poses. [ Read the late '74 article from the Los Angeles Times about Rush for a good laugh. : rush-mgr ] - mike "Transported to a surreal landscape, a young girl kills the first woman she meets, then teams up with three complete strangers to kill again." -- TV listing for "The Wizard of Oz" ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Basokla@aol.com Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 00:34:25 EDT Subject: Shania Twain - Rush fan? Found the following quote while reading the Rolling Stone (no flames please) cover story about country/pop artist Shania Twain (again, no flames): When talking about her high school years in Canada she stated, "But I was so high on music, and the music was so good - Supertramp and Rush and Pink Floyd". Something for us to ponder I guess. Brad A. Scheidt ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Michael Z. Williamson" <daggers@indy.net> Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 23:39:04 -0700 Subject: tom sayer, one more time for the old folks in back. >Brandon Erickson said: > I love the newer songs, and the ones that never made it onto live >albums in the past, too. Obviously that was a corporate decision out of the >hands of the band members; actually, they have total creative control. That's why they split with mercury. perhaps they like the refinements they've made to the songs. Or maybe it's a bogus setlist to appease the masses and get attention--the record company might do that, now. I can't say I'd be impressed by another version of Tom Sawyer--between the videos and discs I think there's 4 of them out there. GUP video, ESL, ESL video, and maybe ASOH video. c'mon, guys! and this retrospective effect with old photos--are they trying to act as old as the joint-Rolling Stoners or Yes ( a good band that is gradually losing focus)? - mike http://www.2112.net/daggers rush-related stickers "Transported to a surreal landscape, a young girl kills the first woman she meets, then teams up with three complete strangers to kill again." -- TV listing for "The Wizard of Oz" ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Michael Z. Williamson" <daggers@indy.net> Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 23:59:12 -0700 Subject: wearing asbestos shorts >bytor said: >Assuming that Rush indeed still has any plans to release another studio >album (my personal opinion is that it won't happen), on the oft >mentioned date of January 1, 2000, I would have to say that if the Year >2000 computer problems come to fruition as many have speculated, then >the release would have to be delayed. 1) the album will be on the shelves by then, so Y2K can't affect it. 2) I've been listening to Y2K paranoia for months--some idiot is even claiming 60% of the world will die. since less than 20% use any form of computing system directly, that is obviously silly. My programmer friends aren;t worried, and I've been running 01/00 credit card expiration dates through my terminal for months. they've all cleared. The only danger in Y2K is the people who are hoping for masochistic vindication by its occurence. I wouldn't put it past the conspiracy/Y2K/UFO/Ancient Astronaut types to CREATE a problem or six. And I think Neil knows it, which is why he selected that date. As far as there not being another album, let's look at the record: 1974: Rutsey quits, the band breaks up 1975: COS flops, the band breaks up 1977: they get arty, and use synths, the band breaks up 1980: Geddy Lee is rumoured to have throat cancer, the band breaks up 1981: With the prophetically titled "exit...Stage Left," the band breaks up. 1983: They seek a new producer, it is rumoured the band is breaking up 1984: 2 years after the typical radio listening moron hated Signals, the band has yet to release another album, because they broke up 1985: Neil's friend Robbie Whelan dies, the band breaks up 1986: Ged and AL start producing other bands, because Rush has broken up 1988: Al talks about a solo album, because the band is breaking up 1989: With the new live album prophetically entitled "A Show of Hands" the band breaks up 1996: Alex releases Victor, because the band has broken up 1997: There is a death in Neil's family, the band breaks up 1998: There is another death in Neil's family, the band breaks up 1998: With the release of the prophetically titled "Different Stages" and retrospective pictures, the band breaks up I've got 50 more, but the clue-by-four should be apparent. sorry to take up so much bandwidth--I've been gone for 6 weeks National Guard, Pennsic, Gencon, Worldcon, Michigan Shakespeare Festival. I can sleep in September. - mike "Transported to a surreal landscape, a young girl kills the first woman she meets, then teams up with three complete strangers to kill again." -- TV listing for "The Wizard of Oz" ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Amy Moseley Rupp <amy@ece.utexas.edu> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 01:53:45 -0500 (CDT) Subject: Setlist, Jackie, Neil I couldn't help but wonder if Neil didn't WANT some songs (eg Ghost of a Chance) on the live album. Live. Alive. Or perhaps wanted some songs on it because of a positive connotation. Rush has always been a democracy and doubtless Neil had the opportunity for input, or at least veto power. They may also feel that the "new live" versions have something to offer, to better themselves, than the older versions, and may want us to have what they feel is their best recorded rendition. I agree, I'd have liked to see more not-yet-released-live stuff, but hey, at this point you gotta hand it to Geddy and Alex. Alex has always loved music and recording, never taking a break up til now, and I think Geddy is really stepping up to the plate in a much more cerebral and active role in the band's business to get this record out. My heart goes out to Neil because I too have suddenly found myself lower than I ever thought possible and I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel. The ache doens't stop. Every song Neil has written must have a thousand memories based on when and where it was composed -- what was going on in his life then -- maybe songs which were particular favourites of his family's -- and these he may not want included or may want included. I'm just curious what form of cancer Jackie had -- because I'd like to give money to that group. Breast cancer took Linda McCartney this year too. I'm sure Jackie's will to fight must have been taxed by Selena's death and I myself was wondering if they might have another child ... she was not too old to do so. But if she couldn't due to the cancer... And I wonder if Selena might have been distracted thinking about her mother and at the same time wanting to leave the nest on time and start college. I'm sure Neil is rethinking or thinking about his beliefs in many things right now -- these are times that trust one's faith, whether it's in a higher power or in yourself or both or neither. There are some who would be devastated to die childless without their spirit or genes or whatever carried on through their children -- this is what has happened to Jackie, and may happen to Neil. These are all really powerful things here that no one even wants to consider hapening to them, must less have carved in stone the way they'll react. When I say "I'll pray for Neil" I mean I will, in my own way, include him and his family in my contemplation in a focussed way. I prayed for the TWA flight victims, the Oklahoma City bombing victims, etc. and I don't know them and they will never be famous. It ain't about just that, folks. "Every man's death diminishes me..." I haven't written in quite a while due to Life sucking so badly for me since lsat year. No one died or anything, but still, life has taken some rotten turns. I wouldn't be offended if you want to pray for me in whatever way you cared to do, despite the fact that I have definite beliefs in place. With love to my Rush family, remembering and celebrating the music, Amy (who needs a good listen to a certain song on _Presto_ to keep going sometimes) ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Paul Mitchell <mnspbm@management.bath.ac.uk> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 12:27:26 +0100 Subject: Re: Rush at Radio City, 1983 Rush did play 5 nights at Radio City in New York back in 1983, but they previewed Grace Under Pressure tracks (from memory of a tape I have there were 3, including Kid Gloves, with a radically different Alex solo, Red Sector A and one other). I have tapes from two or three of the nights, okay quality, but not as good as we'd wish for! ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "eddy Maxwell" <eddymax@stcl.tamu.edu> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 09:22:02 -0500 Subject: Yet another reason why Rush isn't on the radio Hi! This isn't specifically Rush related, but it explains one possible reason that Rush isn't getting the airplay many of think they deserve. Plus, They Might Be Giants is an interesting band. > From the They Might be Giants snail mail newsletter, and also on their > website (www.tmbg.com): > > The Manager's Corner > with Jamie Lincoln Kitman > > What makes a song a hit? A good song always helps, but wait, as they say on > tv, there's more. Way more. And most of it every right-thinking music fan > doesn't really want to know about, because most of it is depressing. Because > most of it involves money. > > Back in the 1950s, a Cleveland disk jockey named Alan Freed helped put rock & > roll music on the map, but he was soon stripped of his glory when it was > revealed that he -- along with other radio programmers -- was accepting cash > imoluments (i.e, money) from record companies to play their artists' records. > An high-profile investigation by the U.S. Congress exposed the practice, known > as payola, and the careers of Freed (who really wasn't such a bad guy) and > many others went down in flames. > > Crude, cash-in-the-envelope payola is no longer the rule nowadays, but over > the last forty years, many, er, monetary exchange programs and payola > equivalents have been devised. You could write a book on the subject of > corrupt practices related to radio and, indeed, several have (to learn more, > read Frederick Dannon's Hit Men or, on the more general subject of business > and rock, Fred Goodman's Mansions on the Hill,) although the specific > practices change, like the fly-by-night operator's business address, most > every year. > > Nowadays, according to a recent report in The New York Times, independent > radio promotion people (who are hired by record companies to work specific > records) actually pay money to radio stations at the beginning of the business > year; large amounts, like $100,000 and more, for big stations. Because the > payments go on the radio stations' books, it is "legal." The indie promo guy > then gets his records played and, better yet (or worse, depending on your > perspective,) he can stop someone else's -- someone who hasn't paid him -- > from getting played. A still more recent innovation has seen record companies > actually buy time on radio broadcasts in which to play their records, kind of > like an info-mercial. > > From my seat, managing a band that has more outstanding songs than money, > that's the bad news. The good news is that there are some upstanding citizens > out there in radioland who also want to play what people want to hear. One of > the best ways they have of determining what people want to hear is telephone > calls from listeners. This has, in fact, been instrumental in the success of > They Might Be Giants' biggest hits, several of which are found on the new > "Severe Tire Damage" album. Speaking for myself, the boys' new single Doctor > Worm is one of their best ever. So why not deputize yourself and join the > honest side of the music business for a few minutes each day, by calling your > favorite local radio station (see list) and requesting Doctor Worm?> Tell your > friends, too. But don't forget to be nice. Because money isn't everything. Made me think. I've read Hit Men and if you're a musician, you may want to read it. It explains how hit songs really happen. Later, Valkyrie - "What do you want from life? What do you want from love? What do you want from me?"--Tommy Shaw ---------------------------------------------------------- From: rushfan.2112@juno.com (Christopher W Lindsay) Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 10:53:42 -0400 Subject: Other RUSH news On the Geocities RUSH page (the home away from home page), it said something about a orchestra tribute to RUSH (including Mission, Subdivisions, Big Money, etc.). Has anyone heard this? How did an orchestra do that one Metallica tribute that came out awhile ago? Live CD: Yeah, I'm kinda bummed about no PRESTO representation on "Different Stages", but remember it is NOT a greatest hits album. It is a live album that has songs chosen for a reason, including "Tom Sawyer" "The Spirit of Radio" because it has to appeal to more than hard core fans. It needs to be enjoyed by the casual RUSH fan too. Important Request: Please post rush manager: Big time "Triumph fans" e-mail me, got a question I have Acoustic live album by Fish (from Marillion) I have "Walking into Clarksdale" by Page/Plant Anyone interested? ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Rocky Landsverk <landsverkr@krause.com> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 08:08:47 -0700 Subject: thanks thanks to all who have sent in questions or inquiries about my upcoming feature story in goldmine. honestly, i've had so many responses, i haven't had time to read them yet. there must be 40-50 of them in my mailbox. but they are all appreciated. i'll be in touch. Rocky Landsverk - Associate Editor / Sports Krause Publications http://www.krause.com/sports ---------------------------------------------------------- From: sberrett <sberrett@worldnet.att.net> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 12:11:32 -0400 Subject: Live List Wrong Again Looks like the latest "final" list is wrong too. Doug Maher posted to amr that he received a promo-radio disc featuring some tracks from the live album and it did contain Analog Kid and The Pass! I give up on seeing the real list until the album is in my hands.ZW ---------------------------------------------------------- From: RVELEZ@webtv.net (ROBERT VELEZ) Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 14:12:21 -0400 (EDT) Subject: My 1st Row Rush Experience At MSG I have always dreamed of seeing Rush from the 1st row but never could get those "Row A" tickets even when camping out all night. During the Roll The Bones tour I again got 20th row tickets to see them in Madison Square Garden; close but not the first row...About 30 minutes into the show the only usher in my aisle walked passed me; now was my chance, should I cut to the chase and go for the first row? I ran down the aisle driven by forces unknown and grabbed the wooden plank separating Rush from me. The seats belonged to these two pimple faced kids next to me and they realized I was now their permanent neighbor. Everybody was on their feet and when they started playing Xanadu I was jumping so high I almost touched the ceiling!!! Alex was making eye contact and knew I was a diehard and he seemed to enjoy coming over when his solo's came up. Was this happenning to me ? It's still hard to believe to this day but afterwards I did think that should be the last time I ever saw Rush. I skipped the Counterparts tour and I had been a regular since Signals. I had to catch them on T4E to see 2112 and was in total awe seeing them do it from start to finish along with Natural Science. Every Rush Fan's dream, being in the 1st row, who says your dreams never do come true? BobbyV ---------------------------------------------------------- From: galahad77@juno.com (Ryan N Waggoner) Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 13:37:20 -0500 Subject: Re: Points to ponder <<For years, I use to listen to the many RUSH tunes, and at times, some observations would enter my mind and cause me to always think of them whenever I hear a particular song. For the sake of variety (after all, it's the spice of life), here are some thoughts...>> [snip] What about that one moron during 2112 on ATWAS who insists on whistling in *EVERY* *SINGLE* *SPACE* in Overture? (Now, look -- he's probably on the list, and I'll have yet *ANOTHER* fan...) Ryan/Stimpy KYA + KGC "Someday we'll find it: the rainbow connection; the lovers, the dreamers, and me." Kermit the Frog ("The Rainbow Connection") Visit my page!! < http://members.xoom.com/rstimpyw/ > ---------------------------------------------------------- From: galahad77@juno.com (Ryan N Waggoner) Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 13:43:33 -0500 Subject: Rush tunes with no relations to actual events... <<OK, so what RUSH song takes you back to a time or place that has absolutely no relation to the song whatsoever? I can't think of a weirder one for me, although "The Fountain of Lamneth" always conjures up images of a memorable mushroom trip, but we wont go there....>> "Working Man" always reminds me of the first chick I made out with. "Yyz" reminds me of just about every marching band trip I've ever been on (but that *does* have some relation -- I would always *insist* on stealing a CD player from a guard member and shutting of their rap/hip-hop/whatever it is, and putting on MP) (or, all the members of the drumline, at some point in the trip, would tap out the "Yyz" intro on the back of the seat in front of them.). Ryan/Stimpy KYA + KGC "Someday we'll find it: the rainbow connection; the lovers, the dreamers, and me." Kermit the Frog ("The Rainbow Connection") Visit my page!! < http://members.xoom.com/rstimpyw/ > ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Smith,James" <jsmith@sota.com> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 12:55:17 -0700 Subject: Setlist I have to agree with all the opinions I've read so far on the poor song selection for Stages, at least as far as hardcore fans are concerned. We've all played these songs to death and we're craving something new and fresh. For most of us that does not include a new version of TS or CTTH. In the event that someone with influence may read this. Please change the setlist!!! To take an optimistic look at this situation, this album does live up to it's title of "Different Stages". If you have all the live albums (like anyone reading this doesn't) then you can truly hear the stages the band has passed through since so many songs on Stages have been on past live albums. However, I would gladly forego this wonderful educational device and live eternally in ignorance to hear something new. Jim ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Rocky Landsverk <landsverkr@krause.com> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 12:59:41 -0700 Subject: live album a few things on this whole live album uproar 1. is the setlist a joke? i don't think so. i have the promo disks, and the songs are in a different order than the setlist our peerless rush manager listed, but the songs are all correct. they might change one song off the promos, but i doubt they'll even do that. i believe the setlist we have is the one we're going to have to live with. 2. should we be ticked off? i'm disappointed, particularly about the absence of analog kid and half the world. how in the world could you leave off half the world? the new versions of the "repeats" are good, but not significantly different than what we've heard before. however, to be ticked off does nobody any good. let's count our blessings: an absolutely spine-tingling version of bravado-extended, a great opening version of dreamline, a 20-year old concert boot that most of us couldn't afford otherwise, their best-ever version of 2112 (great work, alex!) and natural science. if somebody told you 10 years ago that rush would put natural science on a live album in 1999, you would have told them they were nuts. 3. what were they thinking with these repeats? i don't know. they was probably record company pressure for the old stand-bys, but i think a more likely explanation is that they wanted to follow the theme "different stages," and they couldn't possibly illustrate their different stages without including those repeated songs. i think the boys have done us too well to be ticked off at them at this point. they're coming off a tour where they played without an opener so they could play for over two and a half hours. they're planning another studio album. let's get over it. there is three hours of music on this release. THREE HOURS. if you don't like the repeats, you're left with two hours of music. use your "program" mode on the cd player and enjoy the show. disappointed by certainly not downhearted ... Rocky Landsverk - Associate Editor / Sports Krause Publications http://www.krause.com/sports ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Eric J Staley" <ejstaley@ashland.com> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 16:24:12 -0400 Subject: Still More Impertinent Thoughts on Pertinent Topics 1. I, for one, am looking forward to the latest live version of CTTH. The new extended jam at the end will conjure up images of the entire house at Polaris jumping up and down along with Geddy and Alex. 2. For my money, the live version of Roll the Bones features the coolest ending of any Rush tune. 3. The Buckeyes are ranked #1 in the preseason polls. Sure hope they end the season that way! 4. This post is too long. ---------------------------------------------------------- From: denimking@juno.com (z z z) Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 16:10:06 -0500 Subject: rtb shirt okay, let's try and do this like an auction. everyone that's interested, send me an exact offer (to the dollar) and every morning and evening i'll reply with the highest offer. if i don't recieve any higher offers after three days, the last highest offer will be the one that gets the shirt, ok? adam "If at first you don't succeed, it's probably someone else's fault." ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Greg Maksinchuk <75762.402@compuserve.com> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 17:43:15 -0400 Subject: live album thoughts Yep, you spend hard earned money going to these last 4 Rush tours and buy every album, spend $$$ on the t-shirts, the whole thing. When the time rolls around for the new live album, you would hope that you are a little rewarded and get to hear A LOT of your favorite songs not yet available live (Bravado, The Pass, Cold Fire, Scars, ...). But no, you get CTTH for the 3rd straight time. I really like the song, but COME ON! And I refuse to lecture you guys with this dribble: "Well, you people should just be glad that they're putting out another record..." Screw that. These guys are making tons of money because of us: the die hard Rush fan. So here's my idea: Why not make the live set 4 discs instead of three? So what if I have to spend an extra 10 bucks? I'd gladly pay it to get songs like Double Agent. Do you really think that the casual Rush listener is going to pay $25-$30 for a 3-disk live set anyway? Stop kidding yourself. Put anything and everything you can from Presto on there, everyone on this list would probably buy 2 copies. Now that I think about it, Atlantic Records probably knows that they're going to sell at least 500,000 copies anyway (thanks to us), so why bother? I also heard a rumor (I think from RushMgr) that a boxed set may be in the works? Great, another attempted money-maker. This MUST be a Mercury records idea (would you buy a remastered copy of the Scorpions' "Lovedrive" album?) I'm so tired of seeing boxed sets that contain 95% previously released material. I refuse to buy this crap anymore! The best $55 I've ever spent on a boxed set was for Bruce Springsteen's 1975-1985 Live 3 disc set. I believe this contained ALL previously unreleased live songs. I can tell you that it was definately released for the fans. If Rush would ever do this, maybe I'd even buy 2 copies. Chukster ---------------------------------------------------------- From: buff2112@ix.netcom.com Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 17:18:34 -0500 (CDT) Subject: Reason for possible Boxset Hello all, Long time listener, first time poster (if u will).Anyway, I have a hunch that this 'possible' Rush boxset is going to come out sometime in 1999. Why, you ask? I think it's to commemorate (did i spell that right??) there 25 year anniversary as a band. I also think that this is where you will find the T4E concert video. Think about it. Add a disk or two in there of live songs that didn't make it on "Different Stages", along with some rare photos and maybe even that CD-ROM we keep hearing about, and you have marketing genius! (not that we wouldn't buy ANYTHING that Rush puts out anyway!) It does make sense. Just think how awsome that would be! I just hope that Red Barchetta makes it on there (some GREAT geddy bass playing on the end of that classic tune!) Anyway, this is just my humble thought. What do you think? All the Best, Buff P.S. How about a Rush 25th Anniversary T-shirt in that Boxset? Anything can happen! ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Jeffrey Balog <JBALOG@drew.edu>: Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 18:23:58 -0400 Subject: possible TO show >A local NJ radio station is giving away a Toronto concert weekend (Aug 22 >23). One day is a day of music from Canadian artists. The other is a >really "big" Canadian band. Could it be Rush? WDHA plays a decent amount On August 23rd the "Summersault Festival" is playing Molson Park (not to be confused with the Molson Amphitheatre) in Barrie north of Toronto. Among the bands on the bill are Our Lady Peace (headliners, it's their festival) & I Mother Earth. The only other "big" shows that weekend are Pearl Jam on the 22nd (same park in Barrie) and The Allman Brothers at the Amphitheatre on the 23rd. Personally I've heard nothing in terms of rumours or official about a Rush show that weekend. The Rush Manager wrote: >[ If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say your "big" Canadian band is The >Tragically Hip. They're going out on tour very shortly to support their >new album... : rush-mgr ] Actually The Hip has already been on tour right across the US for a number of weeks promoting their new disc in the US. On the weekend in question they'll be playing in Ohio and then have a show in Maryland on the 24th. At this point they have no scheduled Canadian shows. [ Ah, I knew they were coming to SD sometime in October, hadn't realized they were already on tour! Doh! : rush-mgr ] Mike Doran ---------------------------------------------------------- From: "Brandon Erickson" <erickson_brandon@hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 16:21:54 PDT Here is my dream list for a live album: The Analog Kid Emotion Detector Chain Lightning Chemistry Open Secrets The Pass Cold Fire Ghost of a Chance Color of Right Presto Too bad it'll never happen. I guess I'll have to raid the bootlegs in town to get a close approximation! ---------------------------------------------------------- From: kgmacrae@not.intended.as.flamematerial.com (Ken MacRae) Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 20:09:44 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Issue 2112 Hey, an idea for upcoming TNMS issue 2112. Why not make it the last issue of TNMS ? Let's face it the list is getting kind of stale, and the Rush-Mgr must be getting tired. Consider it a fitting time to end ? >...Ken, the Rushosapien "Why push for perfection when I'm making successful mistakes ?" >...The Tragically Hip ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Fred Pinto <FPinto@mzad.com> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 98 17:56:08 -0700 Subject: The Best of Rush okay, my thoughts on the new live album setlist. i agree with all the "(fill in the song) again" and "closer to the heart for the 3rd time" comments (except 2112, which will be a very evolved interpretation of epic material and quite different from the version on ATWAS). 2112 notwithstanding, i couldn't be more disappointed with this setlist if i tried. and the notion that this will be marketed as the best of rush is asinine. if the forthcoming album is really "the best of rush" then where the fu*k is la villa, barchetta, vital signs, witch hunt, camera eye, ladder, passage, lakeside park, in the end, finding my way, subdivisions, new world man (the highest charting rush song in the u.s.), distant early warning, red sector a, big $, mystic rhythms, project, presto, the pass, show don't tell, hand over fist, superconductor, available light, time stand still, mission, turn the page and force fucking 10????? GIMME A FREAKIN' BREAK SRO!!!! this album is missing an entire era of the band, signals-presto are absent from the setlist and your telling me this is the best of rush? we smell the dung you're shoveling. it stinks. that says a lot about what they think of rush in the 80's. moving pix (released in early 1981) is represented and roll the bones (released september 1991) is represented. 10 years of rush is missing--40% of their career, and this is going to be marketed as the best of rush? i guess we know who this album is being released for--it's not the real fans, as we have been led to believe with the inclusion of this so-called bonus show that is more or less a carbon copy of ATWAS. this album is for the pussies who will only buy a compilation album and recognize songs like ts, sor, and ctth. the fact that they are including a gift for the fans who have stuck with them for all the years is a joke. come on geddy, the fans that have stuck with you already bought the best of rush when they bought archives, atwas, esl, asoh, chronicles, retro 1, and retro 2. and along with that, the real fans have all the albums and the remasters. we have closer to the heart on aftk, aftk remaster, esl, esl remaster, asoh, asoh remaster, and retrospectives 1 (7 times already). and now we're getting it for the eighth time, not the 3rd time as many have stated. even if you eliminate the remasters, retrospectives 1 is still a best of compilation that counts as a separate release for closer to the heart (so at least 4 times already ctth has been released). if anyone cares what the real fans really want on the live album then keep reading. we just want the standard "here is our latest stuff live every fourth studio album" like we've gotten in the past. i respected the balls it took to ditch sawyer and spirit on asoh. where are those balls now??? we want the pass, cold fire, double agent, show don't tell, superconductor, virtuality (i guess), half the world, time and motion, where's my thing, scars, and war paint. we also want the old shit that was played live that never made the previous live albums like the body electric, countdown, lock and key, the enemy within, chemistry, digital man, new world man, grand designs, territories, middletown dreams, red lenses, hemispheres, camera eye, vital signs, ladder, between the wheels, and goddammit we still want the fucking ANALOG KID!!!!! i'm sorry for the rant here, but i am so pissed off, i just had to get this off my chest. i apologize for missing some songs that were played live that we want on a live album. but i just feel like the real fans are getting SCREWED BIG TIME on this live album, and rush is selling out to the mainstream which is something we have loved them for not doing for the past 28 years. please post your thoughts on this matter. ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Fred Pinto <FPinto@mzad.com> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 98 18:18:12 -0700 Subject: prism records someone wrote "Mike Bahr, where the hell are you? I'm still waiting on my copy of Virtual Songs. It was sent out over a month ago according to your webpage. I've sent three e-mails in the last month and haven't heard from you. Please write back. " in case you didn't know, prism is closed. but that's no excuse for the lack of attention this guy is paying to his emails. he runs a business and is blowing off everyone. his website updates are full of shit. he has not sent out almost all the orders, or people like you and me would have gotten them. it's been six weeks since i ordered and mike says he's sent basically everything received outside 2-3 weeks ago. NOT! i've been emailing him for 2 weeks with no reply. i'm quite upset about it, and i have good reasons for emailing him, but he just doesn't answer cuz he's wrapped up in his new game store. it's a sad affair. just thought i'd let you know you aren't alone in getting dissed by prism. later. ----------------------------------------------------------
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