Xanadu - Rush

Mouse

Mouse

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After learning YYZ, I went down a Rush listening rabbit hole and thought I'd give one of my favorite Rush songs a try. I'll admit that this is probably for Rush die-hards only as it's Geddy at his screechiest best in addition to being 11 minutes long. ;)

I like to records these as much of a performance as possible so this one required a bit of real time pedal tap dancing to go from dirty to clean to dirty as well as toggling the chorus and delay on/off at various points. I picked a decent clean tone on the BR-800 and then plugged in my ME-80 as well as a volume pedal for the intro. The ME-80's expression pedal can be set to volume but I prefer the feel of a proper pedal.

There's plenty for me to improve upon as always but I was happy to get through it fairly unscathed.

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Xanadu - Rush

 
Mouse said:
After learning YYZ, I went down a Rush listening rabbit hole and thought I'd give one of my favorite Rush songs a try. I'll admit that this is probably for Rush die-hards only as it's Geddy at his screechiest best in addition to being 11 minutes long. ;)

I like to records these as much of a performance as possible so this one required a bit of real time pedal tap dancing to go from dirty to clean to dirty as well as toggling the chorus and delay on/off at various points. I picked a decent clean tone on the BR-800 and then plugged in my ME-80 as well as a volume pedal for the intro. The ME-80's expression pedal can be set to volume but I prefer the feel of a proper pedal.

There's plenty for me to improve upon as always but I was happy to get through it fairly unscathed.

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Xanadu - Rush
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Mouse, you said it precisely in my opinion.

GEDDY was at his best when he was his Screechiest. Granted his playing, bass, synth, etc was masterful during his entire career, the songs such as Xanadu, Temples of Syrinx, and everything from the RUSH album to Moving Pictures and Permanent Waves were the Ultimate Rush sound for me.

Now to check out your version. Edit, 3m 40 seconds in and I think we have Alex Lifeson as our forum member. You are killing it, Mouse
 
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chilipeppermaniac said:
Mouse, You slayed the section at 9:25-10:30 till the end of the song. HAIL YEAH,. GREAT JOB
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Thanks so much! I was anxiously waiting your response as I know you're a huge Rush fan. Lifeson's fast playing can be a bit chaotic so I was aiming more for the spirit than note for note which for me would be impossible. Thanks for listening and the nice comments.
 
chilipeppermaniac said:
Mouse, don't sell yourself short, THAT was one of the best jobs doing justice to Alex as I have ever seen by ONE man.

Bravo, bro.
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Ha! Thanks bud. Believe me, I'm happy to be able to get through it all but I guess I tend to compare myself to these YouTubers who play this stuff flawlessly. Unfortunately that's not me but hopefully close enough for rock and roll!
 
Since we are diggin on some RUSH, I figured I would share some obvious RUSH fanboys. I Stumbled upon these guys and thoroughly enjoyed their efforts and fun ways, especially the little son singin and doing his thing.



I love his methods of Keyboard playing here on By Tor!


 
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Yes, I knew the "Spirit" was there. One would have to really PORE over and study Alex's exact demo's to get a note for note rendition. Heck, I am sure that even Alex seldom does a note for note.
 
chilipeppermaniac said:
Since we are diggin on some RUSH, I figured I would share some obvious RUSH fanboys. I Stumbled upon these guys and thoroughly enjoyed their efforts and fun ways, especially the little son singin and doing his thing.

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Nice! Pretty good jam there. I've done that one myself but I really want to try the entire side at some point if I can work up the nerve. Karaoke-Version has the full backing track.
 
chilipeppermaniac said:
Jacob's Ladder, Natural Science, Entre nous, Different Strings, Camera Eye, Witch Hunt and Vital Signs are all killer songs for me.
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Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes and yes for me as well.

I suspect I'm not unlike a lot of Rush fans. I discovered them around Permanent Waves and then began to buy up the back catalogue. Like many, Signals left me a bit cold with the change in direction (although Subdivisions is still an all time favorite). Post Signals they lost me until the last couple of albums. I've tried to revisit those albums but I just can't bond with them.
 
Mouse said:
Don't do that! My playing is at it's best when heard from a healthy distance. :D
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My distance listening is my big stereo I have set up in the unheated garage. Not fit for man nor beast out there this time of year in northern Illinois.
 
Mouse said:
After learning YYZ, I went down a Rush listening rabbit hole and thought I'd give one of my favorite Rush songs a try. I'll admit that this is probably for Rush die-hards only as it's Geddy at his screechiest best in addition to being 11 minutes long. ;)

I like to records these as much of a performance as possible so this one required a bit of real time pedal tap dancing to go from dirty to clean to dirty as well as toggling the chorus and delay on/off at various points. I picked a decent clean tone on the BR-800 and then plugged in my ME-80 as well as a volume pedal for the intro. The ME-80's expression pedal can be set to volume but I prefer the feel of a proper pedal.

There's plenty for me to improve upon as always but I was happy to get through it fairly unscathed.

View attachment 105016

Xanadu - Rush
Click to expand...
Officially. That was awesome.
 
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