Saw RUSH last Night At MSG

[lijazz]

The guys were absolutely amazing as usual. Geddy's tride and tru '72 sounded a bit twangier to me than on the last first leg of the Time Machine Tour, not sure if something is different or if it was just the acoustics of MSG. Seems like he is changing it up more with the basses, used the sunburst a few times and the black/tort one on Stick It Out. It still awes me how these guys are a year or two away from 60 and siound as good (maybe even better it could be argued) than ever.

I have to say that the thing that stood out to me more than anything about the show was actually Neil's playing. We were seated on Alex's side of the stage with a nice view toward across the stage rather that facing at the stage, and from my vantage point it seemd that Neil was really pounding away like I have never seen before. And at the same time as precise as ever. By the end of the show he looked like he could have played another 3 hours with no problem.

Like I said earlier, unbelievable for a few guys approaching 60 years old.

[coronado3]

endlessly rocking!

[Relayer71]

Huge RUSH fan since 1985 but surprisingly, have NEVER seen them live. For some reason, I always miss them!!!! Last year I said I would finally see them whenever they played NYC again... didn't find out until last week they were playing here!!!!!

Looks like it's not meant to be!!! That being said, I wish I could take a time machine and just see them circa 1981! The Exit Stage Left DVD is one of my favorite filmed concerts of all time.

[scowboy]

Exit Stage Left is amazing - I've been a huge fan since the release of Moving Pictures and I love the '72 Jazz but I like the Ric days even more. On the Snakes and Arrows tour he played it on "Bangkok" and it was just so dark and gnarly!

But Neil is a very self admitted hard hitter. I'm going in June and I can't wait either!!!

[Freez]

Originally Posted by lijazz

The guys were absolutely amazing as usual. Geddy's tride and tru '72 sounded a bit twangier to me than on the last first leg of the Time Machine Tour, not sure if something is different or if it was just the acoustics of MSG. Seems like he is changing it up more with the basses, used the sunburst a few times and the black/tort one on Stick It Out. It still awes me how these guys are a year or two away from 60 and siound as good (maybe even better it could be argued) than ever.

I have to say that the thing that stood out to me more than anything about the show was actually Neil's playing. We were seated on Alex's side of the stage with a nice view toward across the stage rather that facing at the stage, and from my vantage point it seemd that Neil was really pounding away like I have never seen before. And at the same time as precise as ever. By the end of the show he looked like he could have played another 3 hours with no problem.

Like I said earlier, unbelievable for a few guys approaching 60 years old.

How is Geddy's live sound now that he's using the Orange amps? While I loved the performances on R-30 and Rio, I don't really dig the ampless sound; just seems a little too "processed" to me when compared with Exit Stage Left, et al.

[Catbuster]

It was twangy when I saw them Tuesday in Louisville. He played a black/white inlays/ white pearl gaurd bass mainly, with the black/tort bass for "Stick It Out" and the Sunburst Jazz for a little bit of stuff.

Alex has an ungodly number of guitars, doesn't he? And yes, Neil does hammer his kit. I really liked "Caravans"

[lijazz]

Originally Posted by Freez

How is Geddy's live sound now that he's using the Orange amps? While I loved the performances on R-30 and Rio, I don't really dig the ampless sound; just seems a little too "processed" to me when compared with Exit Stage Left, et al.

His sound on the first leg of theTime Machine Tour was much more crisp than in the past decade, somewhat like his tone on Different Stages. On this latest leg of the tour his tone seems more metallic, sort of like a cross between the first leg of this tour and Rush in Rio.

[AcidFripp]

I saw them on the first leg, in Toronto.

It was truly glorious. They're all so good at what they do, it's brilliant.
That tone is probably one of the best Geddy Lee's ever had.

[74jazzbass]

I saw them Friday night in Hershey PA for the first time since 1995ish. Great show. I really like Geddy's live sound on this tour. I think his rig is giving his J basses a Ron of life and full tonal range. Things were bright but also very heavy when called for. I really like the raw power trio sound of the songs from Snakes and Arrows.

The venue was great and the crowd was really into the show. I hope I can catch them again soon!

[Bullitt5135]

I lucked out yesterday when I scored a 5th row seat for Toledo just a few hours before the show. All through the concert, I kept saying to myself "these guys are just MONSTERS." Since we're talking about Geddy, I'll say that it's mind-blowing to see him up close: power, agility, finesse, groove. Nothing he plays looks easy or conventional to me, yet he makes it look effortless. I have no idea how anyone can play at that level of complexity and diversity, and sing lead on top of it... and be engaged with the audience 100% of the time. I was perhaps a little too close to the stage to enjoy the fullness of the sound from the huge PA, but it sounded great nonetheless. I also took note that that Ged's tone seemed a little more metallic and percussive than usual -- in a good way. At times, he was just thunderous. Kind of like the glorious cacophony when a big commercial garbage truck empties a steel dumpster -- CLANG! BOOM!

[Mike M.]

I'm going to see Rush this coming Sunday at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan. Very much looking forward to it. Last time I saw Rush was for thier "Vapor Trails" tour and they were amazing. That show was outdoors at DTE (the old Pine Knob) and every nuance of Geddy's tone came right thru. Takes one hell of a soundman to pull that one off!

My God, but it was one of the loudest concerts I ever went to! I forgot to bring ear plugs and my ears rang insanely for the next three days! Very loud but very clear if that makes sense. But it was so loud you couldn't hear the differance when Alex went from one humbucking equipt guitar to the next. LP's, 335's, PRS....no differance. I know he could tell but I couldn't. Not knocking, just more of an observation of fact.

But still, they're one of the best bands you'll every hear live.

[PlaytheRoot]

It's a real shame, Geddy's bass had almost no low-end that night.

[OPBASSMAN1994]

Geddy's live tone is better than I've heard it since he started using Jazzes (apart from Different Stages, of course). I've seen them on this tour, and it was LOUD, and AWESOME!! Best show of my life. I loved every second of it, and I can't wait to see them again.

[Musiclogic]

Going to The Palace of Auburn Hills Sunday also, looking forward, will be the 42nd time I have seen Rush. Geddy's sound took a drastic jump into upper mids and Treble when he started using the Jazz basses religiously(Counterparts or T4E can't remember) but the tone became a lot thinner and more grating than the Wal sound and the Steinbergers. I really enjoyed his tone back in the late 70's and the early 80's. the Rick's with the "Dinosaur Rig"(Ashly pre's and BGW 7500 powers) just seemed to cut through without the harshness of the Jazz sound. As much as I love the classic Rick sound with Rush, I think his best live sound was with the Wals, it was the best of the Ricks with a smoother attack, and rounder bottom end, really great, and personally I hate the feel and sound of Wals in general, but Geddy had it nailed.

[mam1862]

Just saw them last night at the Q in Cleveland. They taped the entire show for an upcoming DVD. Giddy sounded fantastic! You could here everything he was doing crystal clear. Great overall tone and sound. IMO those are three of the best musicians you will ever hear.

[JoeCBass]

All Hail! The Holy Trinity!

[john turner]

i saw msg open for rush . iirc that was hold your fire.

just thought i'd add that - first thing i thought of when i saw the title.

[tlr1293]

Originally Posted by Catbuster

It was twangy when I saw them Tuesday in Louisville. He played a black/white inlays/ white pearl gaurd bass mainly, with the black/tort bass for "Stick It Out" and the Sunburst Jazz for a little bit of stuff.

Alex has an ungodly number of guitars, doesn't he? And yes, Neil does hammer his kit. I really liked "Caravans"

Same show - I missed the low-end on Geddy's playing - so... waaay upper mids and 'grindy'. Orange is not his best tone.

Now that being said - he made that unappealing (to me) tone actually work in the mix very well.

Great show and my first live one with Rush (been waiting about 30 years to go). The choice of songs through the years was quite good and no, they can't please everyone's fave's, but they did a good job covering everything of consequence and what is playable 'live'.

And the humor? Simply amazing, the mini movie - can't wait to buy this DVD.

[phall2112]

Originally Posted by Catbuster

It was twangy when I saw them Tuesday in Louisville. He played a black/white inlays/ white pearl gaurd bass mainly, with the black/tort bass for "Stick It Out" and the Sunburst Jazz for a little bit of stuff.

Alex has an ungodly number of guitars, doesn't he? And yes, Neil does hammer his kit. I really liked "Caravans"

I was at that show, it was my 12th show. His tone was thin. at least from my seats. closer to the rio sound (wich i hate) than the recording's of caravan. I thought the crowd was lame If it wasnt tom sawyeee, or subdivisions. they just stood there.

[GM60466]

Heard them earlier this week in Chi-town. I agree that Orange isn't his best tone. I guess he is trying to keep it fresh.