Alex Lifeson

Ps. 37

Ps. 37

Well-Known Member
I admit that while admiring their musicianship, I have never been a Rush fanatic, but this interview with Alex Lifeson was fascinating to me.

On top of the interesting stories and observations he makes, he comes across as an incredibly humble, decent, and really nice guy.

May be time for me to revisit some Rush material.

 
Ps. 37 said:
I admit that while admiring their musicianship, I have never been a Rush fanatic, but this interview with Alex Lifeson was fascinating to me.

On top of the interesting stories and observations he makes, he comes across as an incredibly humble, decent, and really nice guy.

May be time for me to revisit some Rush material.

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Was never a Rush fan boy either. Didn't dislike their music, just never purchased any. Seemed my record/8-track/cassette/CD budget was going on other bands. Then I got laid off in 2009 and spent some time with nothing to do except job search. At the time there was a cable channel called VH1 Classics. Played a lot of concerts. Short story. Late bloomer here.. Got to see several Rush concerts as well as KISS. Not sure one could still call me an official Fanboy, but I did grow to appreciate both bands and have since purchased some albums from each.
 
Geddy Lee is similarly humble and generous. They both are hilarious too. " Golf ruined my life." Alex Lifeson

It seems that there was a reason I have been a fan ever since getting 2112 as my first Rush album when I was around 14 or so.

 
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1974 got Rush first LP the only good song was working man at the same time got UFO phenomenon every song was great
seen UFO in concert at least 12 times Rush once 2112 not into it to each his own.
 
67plexi said:
1974 got Rush first LP the only good song was working man at the same time got UFO phenomenon every song was great
seen UFO in concert at least 12 times Rush once 2112 not into it to each his own.
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Steve, yup, we all like different things.
For me, it was not RUSH or UFO, but RUSH AND UFO. Both Alex, and Schenker rule in my enjoyment and appreciation for their works.

If anyone asks me why I still like album 1, even though my intro to RUSH was 2112 as a boy of around 14-15 when I got it as my first album of theirs, Archives came next with RUSH, Fly By Night and Caress of Steel contained in a 3 pack. I wore all these albums out while doing my drafting homework projects in the kitchen of our mom's small apartment.

I'd say my favorite song on RUSH would be Here Again. I know it is not technical wizardry or difficult chops, but the vibe is what hooks me.
Alex's solo is so emotive.

On Fly By Night, I totally dig songs like Making Memories, and Rivendell, talk about polar opposite spectrums of talent displayed.

While Caress was critically scoffed at and hated, I freaking love it. Necromancer being one of my favorite cuts.
 
Ps.37, I know this is an Alex Lifeson thread, but I want to post an illustration of some of the tasty bass stuff Geddy has on display from 0-1:44 in this song, THEN Mr Lifeson joins the party at like 1:45+. To me, this album has a way of ending and making me long for MORE. I could listen to Alex's solo @ 4:00+ on a loop and hear new things every time through.

 
chilipeppermaniac said:
Ps.37, I know this is an Alex Lifeson thread, but I want to post an illustration of some of the tasty bass stuff Geddy has on display from 0-1:44 in this song, THEN Mr Lifeson joins the party at like 1:45+. To me, this album has a way of ending and making me long for MORE. I could listen to Alex's solo @ 4:00+ on a loop and hear new things every time through.
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@chilipeppermaniac, thanks for the link. I enjoyed that quite a lot.

As I mentioned, other than Limelight which I really like a lot, the Rush stuff that I usually encountered on the radio never really drew me in (stuff like Tom Sawyer for some reason I found grating).

I assume the track you posted would be considered more of a "deep cut" (I hadn't heard it before) and I really enjoyed the listen.

Thanks for that. :)
 
I think my favorite album is R30. And yes I know for all practical purposes, the nature of the beast makes it a "best of" album. But I really like Live albums. And this one ranks right up there with the best of them. I did not pursue the R40 album since its pretty much a repeat of the R30.
 
I watched the entire Alex interview. If nothing else, watch 34:00 to 36:00. He hits on the point about why it's important to be in the same room as your amp when recording. Also, the best energy is when the entire band is in the same room. That's what baffles and barriers are made for. You can always throw the bass rig in an isolation booth, but guitar and drums always need to be in the same room (with some sort of barriers to stop bleeding of sound) to rattle your teeth when recording.
 
Ps. 37 said:
I admit that while admiring their musicianship, I have never been a Rush fanatic, but this interview with Alex Lifeson was fascinating to me.

On top of the interesting stories and observations he makes, he comes across as an incredibly humble, decent, and really nice guy.

May be time for me to revisit some Rush material.

Click to expand...
I am preparing for a long drive to see them very soon. Rush fans are some of if not the most die hard fans in 50 years.
The music of Rush is directly connected to my youth, in the early years , it was the soundtrack of my life.

I was really upset that I didn’t go see Neil before he died. I did have the chance to go.
I do like Alex however, I don’t care much for Rick Beato and I scrolled past the interview.
 
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SG John said:
I watched the entire Alex interview. If nothing else, watch 34:00 to 36:00. He hits on the point about why it's important to be in the same room as your amp when recording. Also, the best energy is when the entire band is in the same room. That's what baffles and barriers are made for. You can always throw the bass rig in an isolation booth, but guitar and drums always need to be in the same room (with some sort of barriers to stop bleeding of sound) to rattle your teeth when recording.
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Totally agree. My only studio experience I wanted ro record with drums for the energy but he wasn't set up for that. All my guitar tracks were done in the room with tne amp. Need that energy, tne sound, the chance for feedback and overtones...
 
Another great but probably underrated in their catalog is “Caress of Steel”
The concept side of the album is so good, starting with this song.
 
Lerxst, Rush...what can I say? They were one of my first favorite bands, right up there with LZ, Aerosmith, Kiss, etc. I'd also have to say that if there was one guy that made me want to play guitar more than any other it was Alex Lifeson. I've been a huge fan for 50 years, and I can't wait to see them at the Forum two weeks from today.
 
ibmorjamn said:
Another great but probably underrated in their catalog is “Caress of Steel”
The concept side of the album is so good, starting with this song.
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Ibmor, YOU nailed the essence of part of what I tried to convey to 67plexi and Ps.37

Not meaning any criticism of 67 or anyone else who mention that Rush or heck, any band is not their fancy. I can definitely relate to 67's statement when he said he preferred UFO over RUSH and how Working Man was the only good song on their first LP.

For instance, when I was growing up, I really didn't dig Steely Dan but grew to appreciate their work as I got older. Another example, I liked the Police music, but due to something that their drummer may or may not have said about Neil Peart's drumming, it soured my impression of Stuart Copeland from the 80's until 2000 when I began to play my own first kit at age 36. When I dove into learning drums and all about drummers from the 60's to 2000's, I got to view Copeland in a different light and appreciation for his level of talent.

On a world wide viewpoint regarding Caress of Steel, I had 0 knowledge of it having such a bad rep, record company displeasure, and essentially a potential straw tat broke the camel's back on if Rush would be a viable and ascending band, or did they drop the proverbial Cyanide pill if their next album turned out to earn the same rejection.

Fountain of Lamneth, Bastille Day, and Lakeside Park, too, ALL amazing works in my eyes/ears.

Thank got for how I learned to enjoy the first 4 albums. Found and bought 2112 to launch the rocket. then as I waited for it to return to orbit, I ate the appetizers known as RUSH, Fly by Night and Caress of Steel.

I can never thank Geddy, Alex, John and Neil enough.

FYI, As much as I like all styles of guitar, Prog, Metal, Thrash, and even Reggae type stuff, I totally dig just about every song that Alex Lifeson plays on his nylon string Classical guitars. Here is a " deep cut" as Ps. 37 calls it. And as I must confess, the song segues perfectly into Baccus Plateau, and they follow it up with a real blasting driving redux of how the chapters began with that beast of a song, The Fountain.



 
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In this video clip, I will pull one spot and comment on some background info I learned not too long ago.
@ 44:04+ is Limielight, The white guitar that Alex is playing, is NOT a Strat. It is a custom Strat Style guitar called a Hentor Sportscaster.


 
As long as Alex is being mentioned playing acoustic.... and I have posted this several times.... but this is my favorite Alex Lifeson acoustic song.

 
I still can't get past where someone might have a distaste for Rick Beato, and I won't have the audacity to vocalize why they don't.
However, in my appreciation of all things in the music world, I don't think I could swap out having Rick or his channel not exist vs. having it so, and the gems, treasures, actual legends and musical heroes sharing their insights into many nuances of music history. To me, something like THE actual Terry Brown telling the stories, are priceless. Just WOW.


 
chilipeppermaniac said:
I still can't get past where someone might have a distaste for Rick Beato, and I won't have the audacity to vocalize why they don't.
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Guess I may be living under a rock or something. Till this thread, I had no idea who Rick Beato is. I may have heard his name somewhere, but had no idea what it was he did. {Insert Shoulder Shrug}
 
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