From Deseret News archives:

Rush is nothing short of excellent

Published: Thursday, July 1, 2004 1:01 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
RUSH, USANA Amphitheatre, Wednesday.

For three decades the three-man band known as Rush has taken its unique blend of intellectual progressive rock out to the world.

Wednesday night, bassist/keyboardist/vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson and percussionist Neil Peart brought Rush's 30th anniversary tour to the USANA Amphitheatre, and it was a set nothing short of excellent.

In a set packed with songs that went all the way back to the Canadian group's 1974 self-titled debut to the most recent release "Feedback" (which hit stores on Tuesday), Rush held nothing back for the celebration.

The power trio walked into the sunshine and opened the set with an overture comprised of bits and pieces of various songs, including "Passage to Bangkok" and "Cygnus X-I." Without a word, they effortlessly slipped into the staccato introduction of "Spirit of the Radio" and "Force Ten."

The studio-quality mix was crisp. Lee's bass lines and Lifeson's leads, even backed by Peart's relentless, syncopated drumming, were clear and clean.

Story continues below
While all the ingredients for a classic Rush show were intact — a fabulous drum solo, heavy guitar leads, percussive bass lines — the band also threw in a couple of surprises.

First was the gliding "Subdivisions" and the dreamy "Mystic Rhythms." Next came the epic "Xanadu," based on Samuel Taylor Coleridge's fantasy poem. And then, the intense keyboard-laden "Between the Wheels."

The band pumped out "One Little Victory" and "Earthshine" from its 2002 album "Vapor Trails," and played the trademark "Tom Sawyer" and "Red Barchetta" from 1981's "Moving Pictures."

Following Peart's obligatory but powerful drum solo, Lifeson and Lee emerged with acoustic guitars for the Yardbirds' "Heart Full of Soul," lifted from "Feedback," and "Resist," from "Test for Echo."

"La Villa Strangiato" showed off Lifeson's on-the-spot "pirate" humor, and the condensed version of "2112" had the audience cheering approval.

"By-Tor and the Snow Dog," "Working Man," a remake of Blue Cheer's "Summertime Blues," Cream's "Crossroads" and the show's finale "Limelight" helped make this the ultimate set for a perfect celebration.


E-mail: scott@desnews.com

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

previousnext

Latest comments

So are you saying that women's soccor should evolve into this type of...

The Church has never been about hating gays, or any other group. It has only...

Hatch empathizes with Muslims

To which I add Amen, and Amen! [Thank you!]

RSL in win-Windy City situation

this is going to so much fun? Gee who do i cheer for if REAL plays Galaxy? ...

Hall would rather take a hit

The great QBs make defenses pay for bringing pressure. Hall offers up...

I completely concur, this exhibition game was supposed to be easy and a blow...

Maybe we should just back up 50 years and do away with all laws etc. passed...

So does Hall enjoy absorbing the contact as Call says, or in Hall's own...

Well put, let it die. A lot people who want the health care bill haven't...

D-Will, Price sit out Jazz practice

If Jerry studies "game tape" he will see how to beat the Celtics, see Phoenix...

Advertisements
Advertisement