As a musician its awesome to hear earlier versions of these songs. We only get the finished product and various live versions. The process from idea to jam session to organization before it gets to the level of final arrangement and production is magic. I hope Geddy and Alex get bored and put some woodshed stuff out
The thing about demos is that sometimes you may prefer how it sounds when it is a little more raw, without too many keyboards; and anyway, it's great to hear how a band arrives at an arrangement of a song. I wish there was a lot more of this kind of thing out there. And as far as Andy Summers' influence on Alex, I read articles back in the day that have Alex discussing that very thing. What could be wrong with that? Rush has never been afraid to credit others for their influence.
WOW. How wonderful to hear a different version of these tunes. Wonderful to be able to see the progression. Many thanks for sharing. Oh, and it would be great to be able to read through people's posts without all the name-calling and derogatory terms. If you're going to disagree, be crafty about it please.
I just discovered these demos today. I've listened to them all, but I keep returning to this one. I don't care that Alex's guitar sounds a lot like The Police. I love it! Too many keyboards on the studio version.
If you like this version better than the original, than you will absolutely love the live version of this. Look for it, "Rush Middletown Dreams Live Pre Release". Best version of Middletown Dreams on youtube, besides 3-3-86 of course ;D
Yes and I have a few bootlegs from that show...somewhere. It wasn't unusual for them to play a set of new tunes at a concert immediately before recording them in the studio.
When I saw Rush in 84 at Radio City Music Hall they played what was then going to be the first side of Grace Under Pressure. At that show they called Red Sector A by a different name, it was called THE PLOT. Does anyone know anything about this?
That was my first Rush show. I believe they played multiple nights? But yes, they previewed / debuted Grace Under Pressure. As a teenage drummer, I was probably the most excited I’ve ever been about a concert. Cheers to great experiences and memories!
The guitar tone is more akin to signals, I prefer the final version as the tone is much brighter as in the outro part 'they dream in...' section which my favourite Lifeson moment of all. Out of all of them the big money is the only demo version which is think is better.
@ipomoea88 Plus Lifeson used chorus on his guitar since 1977. Way before Summers. Alex was the first to use chorus on a recording as far as I know. But he did really like The Police. I agree with you too there's too much keys on Power Windows in general.
You can’t buy it anywhere but it’s readily available online. It was leaked online about 15 years ago by the guy who acquired the original tape. The story goes that Alex’s son ran down the street in Toronto telling people to listen to the new album. He got the tape from Alex and held onto it for the next 22 years before he released it.
Just to clear this up...This is Alex's tape that he gave to his son (pre-release)... little did he know that the boy ran down a street howling about this new rush cd...and he had a demo copy. Luckily a real fan got a hold of it from his kid
. McMaster A sucker is born every minute. There is no proof this is a Rush demo - merely an audio someone altered and posted on the internet. Regarding your story - bogus.
CR Brooks yeah you're dumb. There are differences at minimum with arrangement, guitar pattern, and vocal take. Listen to 1:25. There are a few extra measures from the finished song.
CR Brooks These are demos. They were thought to have been lost for years until they were eventually found. And if they were the same, they wouldn’t sound so radically different compared to the album releases, so please refrain from speaking about something you have no knowledge over.
This song prepared me for life...
The guitar on this version is so brilliant 🎸
What an unpolished gem. Love it. Goes to show how they crafted an album before it's release.
I can picture Neil pressing record on a boombox sitting on the floor behind his drums for this. love it!
As a musician its awesome to hear earlier versions of these songs. We only get the finished product and various live versions. The process from idea to jam session to organization before it gets to the level of final arrangement and production is magic. I hope Geddy and Alex get bored and put some woodshed stuff out
I REALLY like this Version
The thing about demos is that sometimes you may prefer how it sounds when it is a little more raw, without too many keyboards; and anyway, it's great to hear how a band arrives at an arrangement of a song. I wish there was a lot more of this kind of thing out there. And as far as Andy Summers' influence on Alex, I read articles back in the day that have Alex discussing that very thing. What could be wrong with that? Rush has never been afraid to credit others for their influence.
Keyboards ARE NOT evil. I love the rich synths on this song.
you can hear the rough panning of left and right soo good and always different
I like the guitar on this one more than the studio version
2:09 is the only part from the demo which is better than the original. more groovy and more punch. i absolutely love it.
WOW. How wonderful to hear a different version of these tunes. Wonderful to be able to see the progression. Many thanks for sharing.
Oh, and it would be great to be able to read through people's posts without all the name-calling and derogatory terms. If you're going to disagree, be crafty about it please.
I just discovered these demos today. I've listened to them all, but I keep returning to this one. I don't care that Alex's guitar sounds a lot like The Police. I love it! Too many keyboards on the studio version.
No. Andy sounds like Alex.
absolute timepiece! almost spooky love it!
The Excellent Pop Song Version
Lembranças boas do walkman. Aí era quando as pilhas estavam ficando fracas kkk.
If you like this version better than the original, than you will absolutely love the live version of this. Look for it, "Rush Middletown Dreams Live Pre Release". Best version of Middletown Dreams on youtube, besides 3-3-86 of course ;D
It’s awesome
This was indeed a treat...
Great album people!!
Yes and I have a few bootlegs from that show...somewhere.
It wasn't unusual for them to play a set of new tunes at a concert immediately before recording them in the studio.
9 years until a remark.. you may be in luck love your comment!!
Rush e tudo de bom !
Very cool
Geddy’s vocals sound stronger on this version IMO
When I saw Rush in 84 at Radio City Music Hall they played what was then going to be the first side of Grace Under Pressure. At that show they called Red Sector A by a different name, it was called THE PLOT. Does anyone know anything about this?
That was my first Rush show. I believe they played multiple nights? But yes, they previewed / debuted Grace Under Pressure. As a teenage drummer, I was probably the most excited I’ve ever been about a concert. Cheers to great experiences and memories!
It wasn’t 84. I was there as well. Believe it was Sept 83. Five shows sold out. We are getting old.
Haha. You're right. I remember the time if year so well. Just forgot the year. 😁
The guitar tone is more akin to signals, I prefer the final version as the tone is much brighter as in the outro part 'they dream in...' section which my favourite Lifeson moment of all. Out of all of them the big money is the only demo version which is think is better.
Super !!!
@ipomoea88 Plus Lifeson used chorus on his guitar since 1977. Way before Summers. Alex was the first to use chorus on a recording as far as I know. But he did really like The Police. I agree with you too there's too much keys on Power Windows in general.
What do you mean too many keys.
holy shit dude this is real cool!!!! I wish i owned this!!!! Where did you get this?
wonder what guitar this was...def a single coil!
@osar2009 there are other bands that sound like this besides the police. I would say that it was more an influence of the producer.
Pretty cool ;)
Where can I buy this tape?
You can’t buy it anywhere but it’s readily available online. It was leaked online about 15 years ago by the guy who acquired the original tape. The story goes that Alex’s son ran down the street in Toronto telling people to listen to the new album. He got the tape from Alex and held onto it for the next 22 years before he released it.
Where's that link?
good
Just to clear this up...This is Alex's tape that he gave to his son (pre-release)... little did he know that the boy ran down a street howling about this new rush cd...and he had a demo copy. Luckily a real fan got a hold of it from his kid
. McMaster A sucker is born every minute. There is no proof this is a Rush demo - merely an audio someone altered and posted on the internet. Regarding your story - bogus.
I like this middletown deeams better than the one that was released
This album always seemed over layered with synth, muddy and washed out. These slimmed down “demos” allow you to hear the primary instruments better.
This is not a demo. The songs are the same. Somebody merely altered the pitch.
CR Brooks
This is obviously a different version. The album version has WAY more synths in it.
A sucker is born every minute.
It's hilarious if we were all duped, but I don't remember the bass being this off in the end product.
CR Brooks yeah you're dumb. There are differences at minimum with arrangement, guitar pattern, and vocal take. Listen to 1:25. There are a few extra measures from the finished song.
I might just be a humble guitarist but if altering the pitch can actually change the actual guitar lines being played I'd pretty impressed.
:(
I hate being “that guy” but the sound really sucked.
of course it did
Folks - this is a hoax. A sucker is born every minute. Especially the source of these audios is laughingly hysterical: Alex' son.
CR Brooks These are demos. They were thought to have been lost for years until they were eventually found. And if they were the same, they wouldn’t sound so radically different compared to the album releases, so please refrain from speaking about something you have no knowledge over.
No, these are obviously alternate versions of the album tracks. Geddy's phrasing is even different in spots.
Lol. You’re the hoax dude.