Just watched Rush Replay X3

[SlavaF]

It's amazing, as expected

Well, so far I've only seen Exit... Stage Left and A Show Of Hands so far, and I've never been so impressed with 3 musicians in my life!

I'm still in awe of the power, intensity and heart these boys put into every show (at least the ones I've seen on DVD ) Especially ASOH - I love how Geddy and Alex screw with each other while in mid-song, in the 2112 Overture Geddy is consoling Alex when he's pretending to cry, then times the shot perfectly and fake punches Alex in the face, you have to see it to know what I'm talking about and I love how the end the show with a short part of the Cheech And Chong song Earache My Eye... it's an inspiring show to say the least.

So far, my highlights are from ESL, Xanadu, Red Barchetta and the INSANE drum-and-bass break in Freewill, and in ASOH, the big ride-out on Closer To The Heart, and especially the big medley of 2112/La Villa Strangiato/In The Mood that closes out the show. Watching Alex and Geddy duel it out on their doublenecks in Xanadu is one of the craziest things you'll ever see

The packaging is something else - 3 complete booklets corresponding to the 3 live shows included here, with little introductions by Neil for each one talking about the recording of each album, and various fun/crazy stuff they did while on tour. Neil is a great writer, so his stories are fascinating to read.

Before I gush any more about this amazing set, go out and buy it RIGHT NOW - even if you're not that big a Rush fan. Like Rush In Rio, the musicianship and live interaction of the band makes it a must-see for any musician!

Anyone else seen it yet? What do you think?

[bassmonkeee]

The three booklets are replicas of the Tour books from the respective years.


I have many fond memories of Exit...Stage Left on VHS from high school. I'll need to pick up this set in the near future.

[johnvice]

Geddy Lee was the reason I took up electric bass when I heard the world premier of their "Permanent Waves" album in 1979. Wow, time flies

Forgive my ignorance but is Rush Replay X3 a video collection ?

*LOL* at the VHS from high school. I remember pleading with a friend who had a Sony Betamax video recorder to tape a TV special on the Rush to coincide with "Exit....Stage Left".

[bassmonkeee]

Originally Posted by johnvice

Geddy Lee was the reason I took up electric bass when I heard the world premier of their "Permanent Waves" album in 1979. Wow, time flies

Forgive my ignorance but is Rush Replay X3 a video collection ?

*LOL* at the VHS from high school. I remember pleading with a friend who had a Sony Betamax video recorder to tape a TV special on the Rush to coincide with "Exit....Stage Left".

Replay X3 is the official DVD release of the Exit...Stage Left, Grace Under Pressure, and A Show of Hands concerts. It also comes with the premiere audio cd of the Grace Under Pressure show. It retails for $39.99, but I know Best Buy has it for $27.99 this week.

[Essex_Nick]

its not out in England yet

[SlavaF]

wow, I bought it for $27.99 at HMV in Great White North dollars

oh well, don't worry it's worth every penny no matter how much it costs

[BassGod]

But how is the production/mix?

Graeme

[SlavaF]

I'm pretty happy with the sound, I mean, ESL and the Grace Under Pressure show sound awesome, but I don't like the bass tone on ASOH. and you can't hear Alex too well.

I don't have a 5.1 system or anything though, so it would probably sound even better if you do, I had to watch it on the PCM setting.

[westland]

I just ordered it from Amazon for $24.99 ... they ship anywhere (even UK)

[Pacman]

I'm watching ESL right now - I got this set for Father's Day. I'm underwhelmed with the mix on this - especially the vocals...They're a bit hot and dry for my taste. However, it does make it easy to hear where Geddy has to work harder to keep all those parts together! So far, so good!

[Rush]

Originally Posted by BassGod

But how is the production/mix?

Graeme

TONS of fans over at therushforum.com are pissed about Alex's new mix. Lots of people say that he 'destroyed' Geddy's Ric tone for Exit... Stage Left. I think that's crap.

His tone on ESL is amazing. Just the right amount of punch, gain, and boom. Since I'm really a guitarist, I'm really amazed at the way Alex goes from Hiwatt stacks and a bit of chorus to Jackson guitars, GK amps, tons of DSP and active pickups, and STILL sounds like Alex Lifeson.

It's nice to finally see Closer to the Heart again. I know Rush definitly got tired of it, but I like the cool jams they do.

Favorite moments:

Xanadu
Limelight
Ending Medlies
The Enemy Within
YYZ
La Villa Strangiato!!!

[musicman5string]

I wore all VHS copies of those out in high school, so I will be getting this soon.

[BassGod]

I finally got it. These are some amazing concerts. The mixing wasn't too bad, but I didn't like the way 'The Trees' was mixed (from ESL). That really cool bass part in the acoustic intro was barely audible. I had to listen to it with PCM Stereo though.

Graeme

[SamJ]

I ordered my copy, can't wait for it to come...

Well.. it came in, and I'm watching now... my favorite is the Exit State Left.. I got that on VHS when it was a "new release"

[Kink Rimson]

Originally Posted by Rush

TONS of fans over at therushforum.com are pissed about Alex's new mix. Lots of people say that he 'destroyed' Geddy's Ric tone for Exit... Stage Left. I think that's crap.

!!

I think the new mix is very poor, Geddy's bass has been reduced to a very boomy tone, you have to struggle to hear the trebly clang he is known for. I have both the original ESL vhs and a japanese dvd and they both have a far superior sound, Geddy's incredible Rick sound in all it's glory.

To make matters worsse the 5.1 mix seems to mean all the guitars, really loud, in the rear speakers.

I'm very disappointed.

[Kink Rimson]

Originally Posted by Kink Rimson

I think the new mix is very poor, Geddy's bass has been reduced to a very boomy tone, you have to struggle to hear the trebly clang he is known for. I have both the original ESL vhs and a japanese dvd and they both have a far superior sound, Geddy's incredible Rick sound in all it's glory.

To make matters worsse the 5.1 mix seems to mean all the guitars, really loud, in the rear speakers.

I'm very disappointed.

Surprise surprise, it's the same on ASOH!
Whats' going on, Rush?!

[Kink Rimson]

Originally Posted by Kink Rimson

I think the new mix is very poor, Geddy's bass has been reduced to a very boomy tone, you have to struggle to hear the trebly clang he is known for. I have both the original ESL vhs and a japanese dvd and they both have a far superior sound, Geddy's incredible Rick sound in all it's glory.

To make matters worsse the 5.1 mix seems to mean all the guitars, really loud, in the rear speakers.

I'm very disappointed.

I'm now somewhat repentant...
I've just watched ESL on a normal tv, PCM stereo, and it sounds MUCH better. The mix is still different, the bass a little lower, but Geddy's trademark tone is there, untampered.

It must just be the 5.1 mix that lets it down.

[SlavaF]

I see what you're saying about Geddy's tone on the DVDs, but come on, the sound quality is still pretty awesome, i don't see what all those turds on therushforum.com are complaining about! For a concert adapted from VHS onto DVD, the finished product doesn't sound too bad, especially on the Grace Under Pressure DVD, which is by far the most powerful 3 piece sound I've ever heard.

Like always, some people will bitch about anything... The one dude I noticed was complaining on the rush forum was TheCaskOf43, who said, and I quote, "I DO speak a truth for those intelligent enough to realize the following observations and truths for themselves, with factual manner and an objective ear." Apparently if you think Replay sounds good, you're a dumbass fanboy.

But I probably am, so I'm just gonna stop right here

[Rush]

Haha same. I could never find the "horribleness" in recent mixes like Vapor Trails, RIR, R30 and Replay. I think it's balogna, and just accept it as Rush!!

[SlavaF]

Originally Posted by Rush

Haha same. I could never find the "horribleness" in recent mixes like Vapor Trails, RIR, R30 and Replay. I think it's balogna, and just accept it as Rush!!

Well, let's be honest... Vapor Trails sounds about as good as St. Anger to my ears