I really love how you stay factual, Peter. It’s not the standard spin-and-hype writing, and the more widely I read, the more I value your grounded insightfulness. Thank you!
Presto is an album that really showcased just how much Rush had matured, both musically and lyrically.
Vapor Trails is another unappreciated album of theirs (although the 2013 remix is much to be preferred over the original mixing, which was not up to their usual technical standards). That's the first album after Neil Peart took time off to grieve the loss of his wife and daughter within the space of a year in 1997 and 1998. In its own little way, it's a triumph of life over loss.
That’s the next album I’ll listen to. I was not enamored with Rush when they first hit the airwaves in the 70s, because of the singer. There was some high-pitched screeching in their first hits, which is why I’ve never warmed up to opera, either. (Although, like yourself, my musical tastes are eclectic.) “Presto” shows they have indeed matured as musicians. I appreciate you steering me into giving them another chance!
In the 1970s, Geddy Lee sang a lot in a high falsetto in the manner of Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant (one of the many ways Led Zeppelin influenced bands such as Rush at the time).
Although Lee’s vocal range shines on Presto’s “Available Light”. Jumping up an octave in the refrain adds a nice texture to the song.
There’s a lot to like on the whole album - complexity, authentic originality, and so on. As you are a musician, I’m sure you’ve been as disappointed in formulaic rock and pop as I’ve been. And it’s not about pyrotechnics, it’s about having something to say. For many bands, their radio hits weren’t their best stuff. (Steely Dan comes to mind.) I see that I’ve been missing out regarding Rush.
You know I’ve liked much of Jethro Tull’s work (although there were entire eras of regrettable stuff). Here’s a gem from 1969, when Ian was just a self-taught lad:
Self taught but with excellent taste, basing the flute melody on Johann Sebastian Bach's "Suite in E Minor for Lute"!
It's been well established that modern pop and "rock" music today is a good deal less complex and less innovative than music of just a quarter century ago. Multiple time signatures such as were a staple of Rush at their creative peak are rarely done.
Of course, such conformity and lack of originality is antithetical to the very essence of rock music. People forget that rock's origins are in the fusion of the rhythm and blues music of black communities with the folk and country traditions of rural white communities. From its very beginnings rock has always been about breaking the rules and rebelling against the established order.
Rush lived out this rebellion especially during the 1970s. Much of their work off albums such as Caress of Steel and their classic rock oratorio 2112 was never intended to be "radio friendly" (which likes songs in the 3-4 minute range). Instead of pandering to radio station management, Lee, Lifeson, and Peart made intelligent, introspective music, exploring musical and lyrical themes in their own way.
That's what good music is supposed to be--original, personal, inquisitive. Music which does that lasts. Music which doesn't is soon forgotten.
So much of the media commentariat likes to dwell on what "will" happen, on what Trump "will" do, or what is "really going on" presumably behind the scenes.
Most of it turns out to be total crap. These self-anointed "experts" have not got one blessed clue what is happening in the Middle East, what is happening in the economy, or what bizarre thing Congress is going to do next. Hell, Congress does not know what Congress is going to do next.
So while all the "experts" pollute the ether with their craptacular delusions and ignorant illiterate opinions, I make a point of focusing on what is documented. What is established. What is known and knowable.
I'll put my track record up against anyone out there. My work so far has stood the test of time. That's not a claim many can make, I've noticed.
(And yes, the foregoing is shameless self promotion!) ;)
I really love how you stay factual, Peter. It’s not the standard spin-and-hype writing, and the more widely I read, the more I value your grounded insightfulness. Thank you!
By the way, I’m listening to “Presto” right now - an album I’d never heard. I like it! Thanks for turning me on to new music, dear man!
Presto is an album that really showcased just how much Rush had matured, both musically and lyrically.
Vapor Trails is another unappreciated album of theirs (although the 2013 remix is much to be preferred over the original mixing, which was not up to their usual technical standards). That's the first album after Neil Peart took time off to grieve the loss of his wife and daughter within the space of a year in 1997 and 1998. In its own little way, it's a triumph of life over loss.
I will be buying their albums.
And I’m constantly amazed that you daily give me more reasons to hold you in highest esteem, dear Peter.
That’s the next album I’ll listen to. I was not enamored with Rush when they first hit the airwaves in the 70s, because of the singer. There was some high-pitched screeching in their first hits, which is why I’ve never warmed up to opera, either. (Although, like yourself, my musical tastes are eclectic.) “Presto” shows they have indeed matured as musicians. I appreciate you steering me into giving them another chance!
In the 1970s, Geddy Lee sang a lot in a high falsetto in the manner of Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant (one of the many ways Led Zeppelin influenced bands such as Rush at the time).
Although Lee’s vocal range shines on Presto’s “Available Light”. Jumping up an octave in the refrain adds a nice texture to the song.
There’s a lot to like on the whole album - complexity, authentic originality, and so on. As you are a musician, I’m sure you’ve been as disappointed in formulaic rock and pop as I’ve been. And it’s not about pyrotechnics, it’s about having something to say. For many bands, their radio hits weren’t their best stuff. (Steely Dan comes to mind.) I see that I’ve been missing out regarding Rush.
You know I’ve liked much of Jethro Tull’s work (although there were entire eras of regrettable stuff). Here’s a gem from 1969, when Ian was just a self-taught lad:
https://youtu.be/N2RNe2jwHE0?si=znA9547sgL2qMd14
Self taught but with excellent taste, basing the flute melody on Johann Sebastian Bach's "Suite in E Minor for Lute"!
It's been well established that modern pop and "rock" music today is a good deal less complex and less innovative than music of just a quarter century ago. Multiple time signatures such as were a staple of Rush at their creative peak are rarely done.
Of course, such conformity and lack of originality is antithetical to the very essence of rock music. People forget that rock's origins are in the fusion of the rhythm and blues music of black communities with the folk and country traditions of rural white communities. From its very beginnings rock has always been about breaking the rules and rebelling against the established order.
Rush lived out this rebellion especially during the 1970s. Much of their work off albums such as Caress of Steel and their classic rock oratorio 2112 was never intended to be "radio friendly" (which likes songs in the 3-4 minute range). Instead of pandering to radio station management, Lee, Lifeson, and Peart made intelligent, introspective music, exploring musical and lyrical themes in their own way.
That's what good music is supposed to be--original, personal, inquisitive. Music which does that lasts. Music which doesn't is soon forgotten.
I'm glad you find my work useful.
So much of the media commentariat likes to dwell on what "will" happen, on what Trump "will" do, or what is "really going on" presumably behind the scenes.
Most of it turns out to be total crap. These self-anointed "experts" have not got one blessed clue what is happening in the Middle East, what is happening in the economy, or what bizarre thing Congress is going to do next. Hell, Congress does not know what Congress is going to do next.
So while all the "experts" pollute the ether with their craptacular delusions and ignorant illiterate opinions, I make a point of focusing on what is documented. What is established. What is known and knowable.
I'll put my track record up against anyone out there. My work so far has stood the test of time. That's not a claim many can make, I've noticed.
(And yes, the foregoing is shameless self promotion!) ;)
As they say, “It ain’t bragging if you can do it”, Magnificent Man!