John Rutsey played drums on this album. Check out this version from their final concert in Cleveland 2011 with Neil on drums. Alexs' solo was recognized as one of the greatest live guitar solos by Rolling Stone.
I was an 18 year old military policeman in the U.S. Army in 1974. Back then AM radio was so predictable that you could set your watch to their playlists. For quite a time when the alarm clock went off at 5:00 a.m. to wake me for the day shift, this song was playing. This song was so real to me at that time.
I was 10 years old when the Beatles first came to America. They arrived here in New York City on February 7th 1964. two nights later they made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. Three months before, we lost a President and our country was in deep mourning. In December of 1963, Phil Spector, (nicknamed the 5th Beatle), introduced their new hit I want To Hold Your Hand. It sold out almost overnight. By the time the boys arrived here, they were already the number 1 group in America. It was their unique sound their fresh youth, their humor and most of all, their hair style that drove this country and eventually the world absolutely crazy. Why you ask, because they lifted us out of a deep state of mourning and gave us hope. The Beatles had a certain magic that was so captivating, they were close to being worshipped by millions of teenage girls. In fact, one reporter asked a young fan why she loved them so much, she couldn't understand why, she just knew she did. Syed, it was a time like no other and will never be repeated again. You thought you knew why they stopped touring, yes, part of it was because it was hard to hear themselves, but the real reason was they were just tired, it wasn't fun anymore. Three years of endless touring, being cramped up in hotel rooms like prisoners, no privacy, no peace, constantly under scrutiny, and so many other factors, plus the endless screaming. after the last concert in San Francisco, in 1966, John walked out and he said, "I'm done", and that was it.
Oh I love your videos! Please do a deep dive into Rush, it is pretty flipping incredible and also you will probably get heaps of new viewers ;-) Keep up the great work Syed, cheers!
An absolute banger and groovy song! You can hear their influences here (Zeppelin, Sabbath, etc.) - actually, the radio station that played this got flooded with calls asking about the new Zeppelin track just played!! Others have mentioned, this was not Neil Peart on this. First and only album with John Rutsey (RIP) on skins, and let me say, he did an incredible job on this album! Sure it wasn't the progressive, technical brilliance of Neil, but if you listen to the whole album, John could lay down some fantastic rhythm, groove and intricate fills! Between his health (he was diabetic, and the touring life was not good for him), and his swaying to pure rock oriented music, where Geddy and Alex were already leaning towards the experimental & prog path, meant that he didn't stay beyond this first outing. Had he stayed, I don't think Rush would have become what it did. It was missing that final piece, which was The Professor! But I still LOVE spinning this album from time to time! Great reaction my man.
I recommend the first song from their second album. (First album with Neil Peart) Original drummer had health issues for touring, but I also saw an interview with Geddy Lee saying he and Alex wanted to play more progressive rock, but John just wanted basic rock. Look at the talent from 21 year olds on this song... "Anthem"
You are not alone Syed in having difficulty adjusting to Geddy's voice. I was already well established in the 60s and 70s rock sound when Rush came on the scene. I would hear brilliant tracks like this and think, "if they only had a different singer." In the end, it didn't take me that long to adjust to Geddy's voice. Now after decades of listening to their music, I can't imagine another singer. His voice is so integral to the Rush sound. As a bass player myself, I can tell you that Geddy is a brilliant player. All three of them are amazing musicians, and since I also play drums I can tell you that Neil Peart is near the top most drummer's list of greatest drummers. Although, not Neil on this one.
The vocals did take some time to adjust to but high pitch vocals really sit well in the mix, it’s in that guitar solo range, lower pitched vocals can clash with instruments and players need to get out of the way.
@@Hartlor_Tayley Hey Hartlor. You know how much I love Neil Young, and have since the late 60s, so I don't think it was just that they were higher pitched that took me a bit of time to adjust to. Although, I bet my love of Neil and his music made it easier.
@@Hartlor_Tayley Yeah, I think it may be the unusual timbre or texture. It may be that we get accustomed to and have expectations for voices to sound a certain way, and when it doesn't fit the typical expectations it can be harder to adjust. Speaking of Geddy, I caught the YES Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performance of Roundabout on the Charismatic Voice yesterday that has Geddy on bass. Geddy was a huge Chris Squire fan, so it was good he got to take his part. Incredible performance from a bunch of old men. Jon Anderson's voice has held up extremely well with time.
@@LeeKennison Jon’s voice I always liked. I think the thing about singers is that the listener mirrors or has some sympathetic nerve impulses from the singer as if you are also singing like that. So yes I agree with you, it’s not the pitch its the way they sing and it being high for me would be a bigger strain. I was listening to Son House singing “people grinning in your face” And my throat got clenched up a little. Oh it was Son House that taught Robert Johnson and he maybe the origin of the crossroads story, as he said Johnson left town as a not too good guitarist and came back a short while later with fiery skills.
I've always enjoyed listening to the version of Working Man / Finding My Way from Rush's first live album All The World's A Stage. This recording includes Neil Peart's drum parts plus a drum solo. Both songs are originally from Rush's debut album.
This is their first album and you can hear their raw energy. The drummer on this album is John Rutsy who was the original drummer but he had health issues and couldn't tour. That was when Neil Peart joined the band in 1974. Alex Lifeson the guitarist wrote this song about his father who had two to three jobs at a time when Alex was growing up. I will suggest Caravan from the Time Machine Tour live in Cleveland. Caravan is off their last album Clockwork Angels. Lots of music in between but I thought that it would be interesting to hear something from their last album after you heard something from their first. Cheers
I think of this as Rush's "Dazed and Confused." Sort of the same structure as Zeppelin's classic long-form jam. Two verses with power chords/cool sonics & blistering guitar solo(s)/back to the verse and power chords/dramatic close. I dont know musical terminology, but hopefully this makes sense, heh! Great , satisfying reaction as always!
Even as 'kids' (19/20 years old) Alex and Geddy were already crazy talented. This isn't Neil. The original drummer (for this album only) is John Rutsey.
This isn’t Neil Peart on the drums on their debut album Neil Peart didn’t join the band until they released their second record and then he’s been in the band every since their original drummer was a guy named John Rutsey.
Check out the live video titled Best intro ever from the time machine tour. This is pre- Neil Peart so the lyrics are not as well written but still one of their best songs and played at every show.
Like John said beloe me you have to listen to the Cleveland version of this song.. I was there and it is the greatest live rendition of this song you will ever hear.
I always love your analytical insight. One slight correction, however, Neil Peart was not on this debut album. That's John Rutsey. You can hear Neil on the live album, 'All the World's a Stage'.
Awesome Syed, great debut song, energized those who heard it and they were off and running. This song was always featured the many times I saw them. For another early gem, this from the next album, try Anthem for a great Rocker or Bytor and the Snow Dog for a rocking prog epic. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶
Cleveland radio of the 50's through 70's, got many groups going in America...Todd, Rush, Bruce, Roxy Music, David Bowie, ...more probably. By the way Midwest and East knew these acts first, not at all west coast of America early on...of course they had great music to get lost in as well, different Cleveland coined there Alan Freed , first rockdrill concert....factories and foundries about until 1980 made Cleveland and Detroit audiences stamp, feet, like the sound of press's or background noise in and around the work Working man built this
what i find fascinating from this little snapshot of the early 1970s is what counted as a VERY hard life: he doesn't get up until 7am, has two hours to prepare and get to work, and then has an evening with enough time/money to chill with a tall one. that sounds like luxury nowadays when everyone has at least two jobs and we still cannot afford to relax when we get off the second job because the laundry/cleaning/shopping STILL needs doing. (even if it is 1am and you have to be to work for your day job in three hours...) we have de-evolved as a nation economically, imho. shame on us for letting our federal budget go to poop that does nothing for the working man.
You should do some songs from their "Moving Pictures" album. I think it's their best. It was certainly the album that brought them into the "Limelight". 🤙😎 There are videos of them in the studio for some of those tracks. I'm not sure if the videos are of them recording the actual album tracks, but it appears to be.
I suspect Geddy Lee prefers his high-ish voice because it's a good counterpoint to his bass guitar. That way when he sings and plays he's covering a wide frequency range.
I feel so sorry for John Rutsey. He was a solid rock drummer in his own right, of course he gets replaced by one of the most skilled humans ever. Sucks. More John Rutsey love!
Frying electricity is a sound a lot of us like when it comes to rock guitar. You can basically turn it up until it blows your head off before it over distorts. This album has great sound production. This song blew a lot of us away when it came out and when we got the album we were hooked. Not Neil on drums. 🙂
Not Neil on the drums. The original drummer had medical issues and didn't want to tour. Neil was hired after this album and wrote most of the rush songs afterwards.
Yea bro this song is awesome But the live version watching them smiling playing off each others talents is really something to C. I know u do the studio version 1st witch is exactly what u should b doing. Ure spot on with almost all ure stuff bro. Great fuck.. Job!!!!
I'm sure someone corrected you about the drummer so no need. But this was the first album I had gotten by Rush and there is not a bad song on this album. It's quiet different from other Rush albums
Still waiting for reacts to the violent femmes, traffic’s “low spark of high heeled boys” and genesis “the musical box” Now that you’ve got the classics under your belt, you’ve got to move into progressive rock so you can ride Yes, then Bowie and iggy pop (the stooges) into new wave and punk. Just a suggestion of course. Either that or trace Neil young’s live shows as he becomes “the grandfather of grunge” and you’ll see his influence on nirvana, soundgarden, Pearl Jam and the seattle sound
Rutsey was a pretty tasty drummer. The thick guitar sound you describe is partly due to the guitar he's playing: a Les Paul with humbucker pickups, which sound grubbier, in a good way, than the clean tones of the single-coil Stratocaster. It also helps that Lifeson is the one playing it!
John Rutsey played drums on this album. Check out this version from their final concert in Cleveland 2011 with Neil on drums. Alexs' solo was recognized as one of the greatest live guitar solos by Rolling Stone.
I was an 18 year old military policeman in the U.S. Army in 1974. Back then AM radio was so predictable that you could set your watch to their playlists. For quite a time when the alarm clock went off at 5:00 a.m. to wake me for the day shift, this song was playing. This song was so real to me at that time.
Gotta carve out some space for 2112. Very spacey. A musical and lyrical journey. Looking forward to it!
This is actually one of my favorite Rush songs. The solo on her is a hard rock destroyer.
Rush is an acquired taste. You like it when you acquire taste
Love me some Rush!! Peace and Love from Canada.
First drummer (John Rutsey), not Neil. Neil started on the next album.
yep, Neil was the new guy.
This is not their normal style, but I love this old school rock vibe. It is banger. One of the best endings ever.
Also, NOT Neil on the drums.
I was 10 years old when the Beatles first came to America. They arrived here in New York City on February 7th 1964. two nights later they made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. Three months before, we lost a President and our country was in deep mourning. In December of 1963, Phil Spector, (nicknamed the 5th Beatle), introduced their new hit I want To Hold Your Hand. It sold out almost overnight. By the time the boys arrived here, they were already the number 1 group in America. It was their unique sound their fresh youth, their humor and most of all, their hair style that drove this country and eventually the world absolutely crazy. Why you ask, because they lifted us out of a deep state of mourning and gave us hope. The Beatles had a certain magic that was so captivating, they were close to being worshipped by millions of teenage girls. In fact, one reporter asked a young fan why she loved them so much, she couldn't understand why, she just knew she did. Syed, it was a time like no other and will never be repeated again. You thought you knew why they stopped touring, yes, part of it was because it was hard to hear themselves, but the real reason was they were just tired, it wasn't fun anymore. Three years of endless touring, being cramped up in hotel rooms like prisoners, no privacy, no peace, constantly under scrutiny, and so many other factors, plus the endless screaming. after the last concert in San Francisco, in 1966, John walked out and he said, "I'm done", and that was it.
Oh I love your videos! Please do a deep dive into Rush, it is pretty flipping incredible and also you will probably get heaps of new viewers ;-) Keep up the great work Syed, cheers!
An absolute banger and groovy song! You can hear their influences here (Zeppelin, Sabbath, etc.) - actually, the radio station that played this got flooded with calls asking about the new Zeppelin track just played!!
Others have mentioned, this was not Neil Peart on this. First and only album with John Rutsey (RIP) on skins, and let me say, he did an incredible job on this album! Sure it wasn't the progressive, technical brilliance of Neil, but if you listen to the whole album, John could lay down some fantastic rhythm, groove and intricate fills! Between his health (he was diabetic, and the touring life was not good for him), and his swaying to pure rock oriented music, where Geddy and Alex were already leaning towards the experimental & prog path, meant that he didn't stay beyond this first outing. Had he stayed, I don't think Rush would have become what it did. It was missing that final piece, which was The Professor!
But I still LOVE spinning this album from time to time! Great reaction my man.
If Ozzy was the vocalist on this you'd call it Black Sabbath. Sounds like a medley of Sabbath songs. Great lyrics, great tribute to Sabbath.
I recommend the first song from their second album. (First album with Neil Peart)
Original drummer had health issues for touring, but I also saw an interview with Geddy Lee saying he and Alex wanted to play more progressive rock, but John just wanted basic rock. Look at the talent from 21 year olds on this song...
"Anthem"
You are not alone Syed in having difficulty adjusting to Geddy's voice. I was already well established in the 60s and 70s rock sound when Rush came on the scene. I would hear brilliant tracks like this and think, "if they only had a different singer." In the end, it didn't take me that long to adjust to Geddy's voice. Now after decades of listening to their music, I can't imagine another singer. His voice is so integral to the Rush sound. As a bass player myself, I can tell you that Geddy is a brilliant player. All three of them are amazing musicians, and since I also play drums I can tell you that Neil Peart is near the top most drummer's list of greatest drummers. Although, not Neil on this one.
The vocals did take some time to adjust to but high pitch vocals really sit well in the mix, it’s in that guitar solo range, lower pitched vocals can clash with instruments and players need to get out of the way.
@@Hartlor_Tayley Hey Hartlor. You know how much I love Neil Young, and have since the late 60s, so I don't think it was just that they were higher pitched that took me a bit of time to adjust to. Although, I bet my love of Neil and his music made it easier.
@@LeeKennison I know what you mean. It’s not just the pitch.
@@Hartlor_Tayley Yeah, I think it may be the unusual timbre or texture. It may be that we get accustomed to and have expectations for voices to sound a certain way, and when it doesn't fit the typical expectations it can be harder to adjust. Speaking of Geddy, I caught the YES Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performance of Roundabout on the Charismatic Voice yesterday that has Geddy on bass. Geddy was a huge Chris Squire fan, so it was good he got to take his part. Incredible performance from a bunch of old men. Jon Anderson's voice has held up extremely well with time.
@@LeeKennison Jon’s voice I always liked. I think the thing about singers is that the listener mirrors or has some sympathetic nerve impulses from the singer as if you are also singing like that. So yes I agree with you, it’s not the pitch its the way they sing and it being high for me would be a bigger strain. I was listening to Son House singing “people grinning in your face” And my throat got clenched up a little. Oh it was Son House that taught Robert Johnson and he maybe the origin of the crossroads story, as he said Johnson left town as a not too good guitarist and came back a short while later with fiery skills.
I've always enjoyed listening to the version of Working Man / Finding My Way from Rush's first live album All The World's A Stage. This recording includes Neil Peart's drum parts plus a drum solo. Both songs are originally from Rush's debut album.
Took my family to see R40! Amazing live version of this song. Used to be my ringtone.
The very end of this song is from Zeppelin's "Communication Breakdown". 🤘😎
This is their first album and you can hear their raw energy. The drummer on this album is John Rutsy who was the original drummer but he had health issues and couldn't tour.
That was when Neil Peart joined the band in 1974. Alex Lifeson the guitarist wrote this song about his father who had two to three jobs at a time when Alex was growing up.
I will suggest Caravan from the Time Machine Tour live in Cleveland. Caravan is off their last album Clockwork Angels. Lots of music in between but I thought that it would be interesting to hear something from their last album after you heard something from their first. Cheers
Rush was amazing, playing at my high school in 1975.
I think of this as Rush's "Dazed and Confused." Sort of the same structure as Zeppelin's classic long-form jam. Two verses with power chords/cool sonics & blistering guitar solo(s)/back to the verse and power chords/dramatic close. I dont know musical terminology, but hopefully this makes sense, heh! Great , satisfying reaction as always!
John Rutsey did a great job on this track. He deserves credit and love for helping RUSH get over the hump. RIP
Great choice. The live version is awesome.
Great reaction, next Rush review should be a track called Anthem!
Definitely my favorite song from them...they just straight up jam out!!!
Even as 'kids' (19/20 years old) Alex and Geddy were already crazy talented.
This isn't Neil. The original drummer (for this album only) is John Rutsey.
For a more subtle song try The Trees, you will love it.
Fantastic album, heard them play this one live in England mid 1970’s - let’s start again! There is no bad RUSH- listen to that bass….
This isn’t Neil Peart on the drums on their debut album Neil Peart didn’t join the band until they released their second record and then he’s been in the band every since their original drummer was a guy named John Rutsey.
Check out the live video titled Best intro ever from the time machine tour. This is pre- Neil Peart so the lyrics are not as well written but still one of their best songs and played at every show.
This song,,,Live in Cleveland,,,,BEST Rush on TH-cam,,,💥💥💥👍😎
My favorite RUSH song.
Like John said beloe me you have to listen to the Cleveland version of this song.. I was there and it is the greatest live rendition of this song you will ever hear.
5:29 did you notice it's a different drummer than the other Rush tracks you've heard?
6:12 I reckon not
I always love your analytical insight. One slight correction, however, Neil Peart was not on this debut album. That's John Rutsey. You can hear Neil on the live album, 'All the World's a Stage'.
Awesome Syed, great debut song, energized those who heard it and they were off and running. This song was always featured the many times I saw them. For another early gem, this from the next album, try Anthem for a great Rocker or Bytor and the Snow Dog for a rocking prog epic. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶
I have loved them since I first saw them in 1974
What an awesome song
Cleveland radio of the 50's through 70's, got many groups going in America...Todd, Rush, Bruce, Roxy Music, David Bowie, ...more probably.
By the way Midwest and East knew these acts first, not at all west coast of America early on...of course they had great music to get lost in as well, different
Cleveland coined there Alan Freed , first rockdrill concert....factories and foundries about until 1980 made Cleveland and Detroit audiences stamp, feet, like the sound of press's or background noise in and around the work
Working man built this
Fantastic song
what i find fascinating from this little snapshot of the early 1970s is what counted as a VERY hard life: he doesn't get up until 7am, has two hours to prepare and get to work, and then has an evening with enough time/money to chill with a tall one.
that sounds like luxury nowadays when everyone has at least two jobs and we still cannot afford to relax when we get off the second job because the laundry/cleaning/shopping STILL needs doing. (even if it is 1am and you have to be to work for your day job in three hours...)
we have de-evolved as a nation economically, imho. shame on us for letting our federal budget go to poop that does nothing for the working man.
Rush "Anthem" is another you may enjoy.
Early on, Alex Lifeson was mainly influenced by Jimmy Page and you can really hear it on this song.
This is before Neil’s arrival
Oh, man, when you can always do Rush LI VE.............the LIVE is amazing on this.
You should do some songs from their "Moving Pictures" album. I think it's their best. It was certainly the album that brought them into the "Limelight". 🤙😎
There are videos of them in the studio for some of those tracks. I'm not sure if the videos are of them recording the actual album tracks, but it appears to be.
Please react to Hard Rain's Gonna Fall by Bob Dylan
I suspect Geddy Lee prefers his high-ish voice because it's a good counterpoint to his bass guitar. That way when he sings and plays he's covering a wide frequency range.
love subdivisions!
I feel so sorry for John Rutsey. He was a solid rock drummer in his own right, of course he gets replaced by one of the most skilled humans ever. Sucks. More John Rutsey love!
Fly by night is were neil entered Rush.
Frying electricity is a sound a lot of us like when it comes to rock guitar. You can basically turn it up until it blows your head off before it over distorts. This album has great sound production. This song blew a lot of us away when it came out and when we got the album we were hooked.
Not Neil on drums.
🙂
Please do Rush - Xanadu from the live Exit Stage Left performance
Not Neil on the drums. The original drummer had medical issues and didn't want to tour. Neil was hired after this album and wrote most of the rush songs afterwards.
Not neil peart, John Rutsey.
Yea bro this song is awesome But the live version watching them smiling playing off each others talents is really something to C. I know u do the studio version 1st witch is exactly what u should b doing. Ure spot on with almost all ure stuff bro. Great fuck.. Job!!!!
Got to react to the band Yes, cheers
My theme song.
Based on your preferences you might like La Villa Strangiato best.
You should do 25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago
I'm sure someone corrected you about the drummer so no need. But this was the first album I had gotten by Rush and there is not a bad song on this album. It's quiet different from other Rush albums
Neil Peart didn’t play on this Album he wasn’t in the band at this time John Rutsey was on the kit on this album, Neil Peart replaced John in 74
Still waiting for reacts to the violent femmes, traffic’s “low spark of high heeled boys” and genesis “the musical box” Now that you’ve got the classics under your belt, you’ve got to move into progressive rock so you can ride Yes, then Bowie and iggy pop (the stooges) into new wave and punk. Just a suggestion of course.
Either that or trace Neil young’s live shows as he becomes “the grandfather of grunge” and you’ll see his influence on nirvana, soundgarden, Pearl Jam and the seattle sound
React to la villa strangiato
^^
There's no x in espresso!
NOT NEIL!!
Here is that exact same live version 1974:
th-cam.com/video/SZYr_J9H54I/w-d-xo.html
👍👍👍👍👍
Did you just pause during a solo ?! isn't that a no no ? lol
R4O version is better IMO, and not cause I was there!
that's why they call Neil the professor.
The lyrics are pretty good-which gives you an indication of how good Neil was as a lyricist, by how much better they immediately got after this.
Rutsey was a pretty tasty drummer. The thick guitar sound you describe is partly due to the guitar he's playing: a Les Paul with humbucker pickups, which sound grubbier, in a good way, than the clean tones of the single-coil Stratocaster. It also helps that Lifeson is the one playing it!