Good Rockin
I bought the first Rush record from a used record store back when the deposit on a beer bottle was two cents. "Working Man" may contain the very essence of Canadian rock as passed down from the hard rock of England.
I remember seeing Rush and Mahogany Rush on my tv when I was a teenage lobotomy. As with Rush, Frankie Marino's first couple of records mixed well with sex, drugs and alcohol.
I had forgotten until just now but I saw Rush on their 2112 tour in the house Andre Boudrias built in the East End. They started their show at precisely 2112. How far out is that, man? Hardcore punk rocking me was impressed by Rush that night. I only went as an excuse for a drug experience.
Who can forget "(Fly Away To) The Great White North" from the incomparable Bob and Doug MacKenzie record. I have like two copies you hoser.
About the time I read Hunter's "Hells Angels" Rush played my junior high. Someone was murdered in the parking lot that night. The blood and the chalk were still there for everybody to see the next Monday morning. The guy who pulled the blade was high on all kinds of shit. Rush ought to write an album's worth of songs about that night.
I was only "aware" of Rush until Moving Pictures, when I actually heard them for the first time. YYZ, Tom Sawyer, Red Barchetta. The fondness of discovery remains with me despite the monument that 2112 is. Just a little while back, I had thumbed through the bin, going past the Rio set for the umpteenth time and I said, What the hell, and took it. As if by instinct, I went straight to YYZ and Tom Sawyer before anything else. Instinct, bad habit, poseur, take your pick but it seems to keep me happy 8P
Actually, it's called "Take Off" (to the Great White North, but the best parts of that song are the banter between Bob & Doug and Geddy, especially Geddy's "Take off... you hosers!" Takes me back to my first year of college.
My favorite Rush would be All the World's a Stage - the side (vinyl flashback!) with Bytor and the Snow Dog and In the End - awesome riffage!
I like Moving Pictures the best myself. Although I like 2112, Farewell To The King and Hemispheres as well. My cousin at one point had on his website a photo of me and him with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson but he seems to have taken it down.
Nothing is better than Fly By Night. That album changed the way I look at music.
Rush deserves more credit than they get, they are a Great Band!
My favorite recording is Hemispheres, but this is a totally subjective opinion. Although my favorite song is Time Stand Still.
I really like most of their stuff, like you said...
"It's safe to say that most of us old farts own everything Rush did in it's first ten years of existence."
Yep, very safe to say.
I love all 70s Rush, but especially Fly by Night and Caress of Steel. They just don't make it like that anymore ...
Good post!
-- david
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