The first tour I saw them on was in 1982 on the 'Exit Stage Left' tour which was really just an extension of the 'Moving Pictures' tour promoting their then live album. As a then 12-year-old drummer just beginning to dip my toe in the water, that drum-kit opened the door for me musically. I saw every following tour through all of the stages of my life, middle-school, getting interested in girls, the drama and craziness of puberty and voice-cracking, getting into high school, girls (good and bad), learning how to drive, gaining independence, the insecurity of being a teenager, college, getting my life in order, ups and down's, mid to late 20's, becoming an "adult" into my 30's, becoming a father, a partner, semi-responsible, becoming a man and now at 54, a part-time, weekend warrior drummer who's still pretty good, a dad with a son serving his country, a career, but not as great a player as I used to be. On this final tour, when they began the second set of their show and Neil reverted back to that 'classic' double bass drum kit with the tubular bells behind him, I'm not ashamed to say I got very choked up because I saw my life before me come full circle. I never met the man and never wanted to. He was the performer, and I was the customer and never did I want to intertwine the two. But as I got older, the guys in Rush became more like high school friends whom you'd see every couple of years when they came to whatever town I was living in and you'd kind of catch up. They with the new music and wondering what older songs they'd pull out of the filing cabinet. We all aged, lost some hair, gained some weight and the divide between they as the teenaged me thought of as superheroes and them simply becoming human. And we can always relate to humans more than we can superheroes. But man, I do miss these guys. So, so important in my development.
Not many people notice this, but in this take, ALEX is also playing keyboards with his feet, along with Geddy. Lerxst is almost criminally underrated, having to share a band with two of the GOATs on their respective instruments.
I Seen RUSH live twice, and I wish I could have seen every one of their venues. Amazing musicians, they are also so humble. I have never had a band that I can listen to over & over and yet never get tired of. They are amazing!! Also, they were NOT sellouts, they never sold their souls for a dollar, but focused on what they loved. They said F**K YOU to the corrupt music industry and blazed their own paths. R.I.P Neil, you will be forever missed.
You mentioned the stack of Marshal amps behind Alex. The R40 tour was set to the bands travel through their career. So they decided to have the stage and songs change from the present to the past. So the set list started at the newest songs to the oldest. So as the concert went on and the songs got older the set reflected what the concerts looked like back then. By the end of the concert there was only two small amps on folding chairs and a disco ball.
Hearing Rush played live is a whole other level of enjoying their music. For a 3 piece band to bring the studio tracks live is another art form in itself. I believe they learned lessons from touring with KISS on how to treat an audience and they sure do- every live show I have seen them is not just watching a performance, it is being in the performance with them, along on the musical journey! Permanent Waves is one of my favorites from them, every track is Killer :)
"Follow men's eyes as they look to the skies. The shifting shafts of shining weave the fabric of their dreams." It's like somebody HAD to say it. But if not Neil Peart, who would have EVER put that on paper? He was and will always be a unique, singular talent, both as a drummer and as a writer. May he rest in peace.
there is something organic about rush. they have always felt connected to the earth, stars and our universe. it's hard to get over how deep they form the music and lyrics that give meaning to my soul and so much more.
Red, you are my favorite Rush reaction person on TH-cam. Your reactions are priceless. This song is about the meteorological phenomenon called crepuscular rays, rays of light as others have alluded to. The rays are visible because of small particulates in the air being illuminated by the sun in breaks between clouds. The contrast with a dark background makes these rays of light quite striking. Someone a long time ago thought these looked like what was described in the Bible as Jacob’s Ladder and the name stuck. (By the way, I am a meteorologist by trade.) I look forward to more of your Rush reviews.❤
Thank you again for doing your reaction! RUSH never disappointed on stage. I've seen them 5 times live and I've seen other like Pin Floyd etc. but no show ever compared to RUSH!
The lyrics to This are stupendous and remember this is on the R40 tour the last time they toured live when they were all in their 60s and this is dead on to the studio version
There's an old saying...'you know how to get to Carnegie Hall?.....practice'. You know how Rush got so good.......practice. They are self described as the most rehearsed band in the world.
There is a point in the song where each guy is playing to their own time signature. Yet they all meet up eventually. (after the quiet part) Still blows my mind.
The song is about the "Jacob's Ladder", that can sometimes be seen when rays of light from the sun spill out from behind heavy dark clouds. In this case, heavy thunderclouds build up, and turn the entire sky dark, but then open up enough to allow rays of light to appear.
Absolutely one of their best songs. Beautifully invokes the imagery of Jacob's Ladder - beams of lights stretching down from storm clouds to the ground below.
This track followed Natural Science at the Denver show setlist, what a back to back... just unbelievable how tight and fantastic they were on the R40 tour. It followed The Spirit of Radio at the Phoenix show... just so glad i was able to see them twice on that final tour.
Like you, I took my son (now 21) to see them on the R40 tour, in May of 2015. He was 11 (almost 12 at the time). On the way home from the concert, he said he liked "Fly By Night" (which they didn't play) the best. So, we played FBN in the car as we rode home. But he said he really loved the entire show. One of the coolest things about that show was seeing parents, like me, and even grandparents there, with their kids and grandkids. And everyone was in such a happy and friendly mood. It felt like "family." Those of us who had been fans for decades I think had come with a deep appreciation for the fact that we were witnessing a historic night. Jacob's ladder was a highlight for me, along with Xanadu. (Before that night, I don't think I had ever seen them perform either song live.) Sadly what I had hoped might become a tradition, turned into a once-in-a-lifetime memory for the two of us, which now makes me treasure it all the more. Rest easy "Professor." 🙏🙏🙏
This is one of my favorite live performance videos! I read that they hadn't performed "Jacob's Ladder' live for decades but decided to do it on their final tour. I especially love the instrumental jam session in the middle, where it has that dark, foreboding intensity. The keyboard seems to represent the sun finally breaking through the clouds. This is a truly magical Rush performance.
As I feel the outer bands of Hurricane Helene pass over my island, I listen to Jacobs Ladder and it just fits. For some strange reason, probably one of my favorite Rush songs. Thanks Red!
Finally... been waiting for you to do this one! This is one of my absolute favourite of all time Rush songs next to La Villa Strangiato. The studio version is also worth listening to... as you get the perspective of the younger Geddy vocals.
There are bands like for example Dream Theater, that do odd rhythms and melodies too, but Rush makes them FLOW so naturally, that is what impresses me always (besides all the talent). Jacob's ladder is a perfect example for this. Where else can you just close your eyes and enjoy ODD rhythms and weird chord progressions??? Maybe you should react to my 2nd favourite band too one day. They are called Babymetal and are too a band where you keep asking yourself: How does this work?- Greets from Germany, enjoy!
The effect that you honed in on, was a harmonizer. He could've used one from around the time this song was originally recorded. Those didn't track as well as the ones we have now, so it would create artifacts that don't sound natural. If he didn't step on the switch himself, which would've been very subtle with the switching system he had here, then his tech offstage did it. Sadly, none of those amps were real. Part of the reason this was the perfect tour for them to go out on was the fact that the crew was in constant motion for the entire show. The stage began as it was on Clockwork Angels, and regressed through time all the way back to when they played High School dances. The real amps were offstage. (Mostly digital models in his AxFx processor.) Who writes a song that tells a story of a thunderstorm, and makes it awesome? These guys. that's who.
i read alex used Chorus, flanger, analog delay and of course a roland tape echo... that was his rig back in the day on permanent waves.. today, like you said.. it's all in the processor/modeler and switched by a tech... i've been in coverbands all my life.. started with a few pedals and a combo amp, to pedals/processors and a stack.. then i used to drag around 8 or 10 guitars.. a huge rack of effects.. multiple amps, preamps, midi switchers, pedals.. cabs.. etc.. then i streamlined to just a huge pedal board/switcher.. stack... lol.. now, i'm down to just 3-4 guitars, a helix right into the board and in-ears.. sometimes i use a 2x12 FRFR on stage for a little mix feel/feedback.. but not too often..
@@DrMackSplackem I agree.. Alex is a "hands" on kind of player... I wouldn't doubt he has control himself... Alex is way underrated... I have both the real Gibson Alex lifeson axcess les paul... And the epiphone ruby version too.. And i have his H&K Triamp MKII... Im not usually a bass player... But i also have a geddy Lee Jazz bass in my collection.. Thought as much a si love rush, I shoukd have some of their signature gear on my walls.. Well.. Actually they are in their cases... But i have ha them on my walls before.. Lol.. Enjoy
@@texastyrannyresponseteam794 On his live rig, back then, he wouldn't have used one. But in the studio, he likely used one, unless he double-tracked the solo.
Always love how in sync the 3 of them are at the end of the song right before Geddy's final vocal. Permanent Waves was simply one of life's great albums.
I love the way you describe your experience listening to music. It’s very vivid and on the mark. This is one of my favorite songs to play on the drums. Rush changes their songs slightly for concerts and I had not heard this iteration before. Thank you for that. When I was younger I played to the Exit Stage Left version. That’s a Live album. ✌️😉💕
I usually prefer live songs by Rush, but the studio version has the best, yes I said it, the best guitar crying sound ever recorded. I said it, and stand by it! During the first guitar outro, the live version just can’t get that same texture. Love your work, more live Rush please.
Hi 'Red', Jacob's Ladder is another one of RUSH' SUPERB ABSOLUTE TREMENDOUS MASTERPIECES. As I see you're really enjoying this song, may I suggest searching TH-cam for a 1980 RUSH interview session; it was during Permanent Waves; the 3 of them (so very young musicians: oh, what was to come) discussing a bit of Hemispheres, but a whole lot of the new stuff. I think you'll love it.
Thank you for all your Rush reactions. It is wonderful to watch someone go down the Rush rabbit hole. If you get a chance, I recommend watching the entire R40 concert. I saw this final tour and consider it the best concert I'd ever been to. The setlist seemed like a love letter to the fans. They dug out fan favorites like Jacobs Ladder and didn't simply play all radio hits. If possible, try to avoid looking at the setlist if you ever do watch the concert.
I actually named my first son after this song and when he heard it for the first time when he was 6 years old he has been a fan since plus studied up on his name sake. When he has a son, he will name him Jacob as well. I guess I did good!👍🌹
I always thought it was a bout the birth middle and end of a storm , first the dark clouds the wind rain then the calm end with beams of light shining through the clouds. It could also refer to the storms of life. That’s how I’ve always seen it.
You are so right about this song and that the music in the building intensity of it told the story with very few lyrics. The depth of the song was not lost on us even though the lyrics were few and far between.
You mentioned Alex’s stack of amplifiers, it was interesting to see Geddy also went back to stacks of amps as well, ditching the clothes dryers and chicken fryers 😂
Quick sub facts about this one. Kirk and Lars of Metallica have acknowledged coping a lick or passage or something from it for a song on Master of Puppets. The last time they played it in concert was the Exit Stage Left tour in 1982ish. It was always the number one song picked on all the rush fan sights for them to bring back and they listened to the fans and did. Effin’ class act all the way to the end.🤘🖖✌️🎸🥁🎹🎤
It's finally here 👏👏👏 Lovely as our neighbor! 💖💖💖 Technically known as “crepuscular rays,” they are sometimes called “Jacob’s Ladder,” so named for the vision experienced by Jacob in the book of Genesis. This song however, according to Neil, simply describes the phenomenon of the sun breaking through the clouds in visible rays, as it sometimes does after a rain or on a cloudy day.
You like story songs? Album versions of Cygnus X-1, Books 1 and 2 are a must. It's about a guy traveling into a black hole. The Fountain of Lamneth is also a must. Love your content!!
go I Love you! RUSH "Tai Shan" next??? :) ♥ “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Neil was fascinated by weather, and this isn't the only song he wrote about it. Chain Lightning from Presto is another. I will always regret not seeing them on this tour. I didn't know it was the last chance.
That Rush retrospective article I copied and pasted for you earlier has an interesting passage in it where Geddy says of all the 19 original albums they did the one that they wish they could do over as far as a production of it was Presto because it was such a strong album but he didn't feel like the final production was optimal. It is still an absolutely great album where they finally got back more into the guitars and less on the synthesizers and keyboards and you really ought to go through the songs on that album. Chain Lightning, War Paint, Anagram, Hand Over Fist, Show Don't Tell etc "Anagram (for Mongo)", every line contains one or more words that are formed by using letters in another word from that same line (e.g. "There is no safe seat at the feast"), and certain lines contain anagrammed words (e.g. "Miracles will have their claimers"). Its title was inspired by the character Mongo from the 1974 film Blazing Saddles.[13] Lifeson spoke about the lyrics: "It doesn't mean anything, it was just a fun thing, but there are some great twists in there."[10] "Hand Over Fist" was originally an instrumental that Rush had intended to include on Presto, but Peart continued to submit lyrical ideas to Lifeson and Lee; one in particular fit the music well enough and the plan for an instrumental was scrapped.[13] In the album's tour book, Peart used the symbolism that the hand game "rock, paper, scissors" represents, which was made into a nursery rhyme and used as a lyrical chant in "Hand Over Fist."[13]
The R40 tour concept was something special. They started with Clockwork Angels and worked backwards until they ended with Working Man. Meanwhile, the roadies were actually tearing down the stage so that the stage resembled the stages used when the songs being played were new. In addition, the lighting also changed. It was awesome to see.
"Bell things", how cute! 😊 Those are called Tubular Bells 😉 Mike Oldfield had named his debut album after them, too! 😊 And this has always been one of my Rush favourites and also is one of my 18-year-old Son's seven Rush songs he likes 😀 I'd have more to say about it, but no doubt it all has already been said in the other Rushians' comments! 😁👍
Note: there are organ trigger pedals that both Alex and Geddy use when their hands are busy playing their guitars. The pedals are placed near their section of the stage.
With the possible exception of Pink Floyd, I think Rush had the best light shows ever -- and their music is a WHOLE lot more engaging. (I enjoy PF too, but here is just no comparison.)
I love coming home from work to see your reactions to Rush, I was like, which one do I watch first! I love this song so much, yeah I know, I sound like a broken record, but then, how can it be any other way with Rush? This performance is so good! It's a story about a storm. Jacob's ladder is the beams of sunrays that come through after the storm dissipates, the rays look like a ladder to heaven.
Glad you like this, I enjoy playing it. Basic story is a thunder storm comes and goes. The Shining Shafts of Sunlight at the end climb to the heavens like Jacob's Ladder. I think there are more time changes in this song than any other. Certainly any comparable length song.
If it's any consolation: Mine is to not have grabbed what would turn out to have been the 1 and only opportunity to see them in concert in person, during their 'Roll The Bones' tour 😏
@@DrMackSplackem - Awesome! 🤩 I'm always happy for _anyone_ who'd had the pleasure of attending Rush shows 😊👍 Yes, _this_ was the show in Cologne, Germany, also with Primus opening for them. I was determined to not miss the next show but found out eventually that they come to Germany only every ten years or so. So by the time they did return (which must've been the Frankfurt show from the 'R30' DVD), I'd meanwhile moved to New Zealand - where they'd _never ever_ toured! 😭 😅
@@mightyV444 That's why the crowd in the Rush in Rio Tour is so fired up. It was their first time performing in Brazil and maybe first time in South America, period. I was fortunate to see them on Power Windows, Hold Your Fire (A Show of Hands), and then 3 of their last 5 tours (R30, Snakes and Arrows, and R40 - two of which were at Charlotte's Verizon Amphitheater - now PNC Pavilion. So fun to see them at an outdoor venue).
I was there!....my 10th Rush show at the time...id get to see one more ..... but when they went into Jacobs Ladder I lost my mind...they didnt do it live very often and hadnt for years at this point.....and we that were there (and those that listen now on video) did "win" something that night... it was mu-gasmic....
For your personal pleasure, check out the video created by @STILL-KICKIN for this song. It's a visual masterpiece. He has several others that he created for or posted from Rush that you may consider for another Rush Day on your channel.
The mid-section of this is perfection; very smooth. Like Xanadu, it's better than the studio version. Since you like story songs.... HEMISPHERES is an 18 min. Story.
Great suggestion. That's a "two-parter" though. So, to do that justice, she would need to react to Cygnus X-1 Book I (The Voyage) from A Farewell to Kings (1977) and follow it up with Cygnus X-1 Book II (Hemispheres) from Hemispheres (1978).
Rush used Moog Taurus pedals. Geddy had a set under his keyboards and a set by his mic out front. Alex has a set beside his guitar pedal board setup. These were just another tool in their tool box for creating and performing the way they could as a 3 member band (don't even get me started on Neil's entire orchestral percussion section haha) . You have done several videos from the Exit Stage Left tour and that really showcases their multi-tasking ability with keyboards and pedals especially in Xanadu. Geddy is singing, playing bass and playing the bass pedals all at the same time. Alex also playing his guitar and intermittent bass pedals at the same time. Red, this is why I appreciate you sooooo much. You notice these details. You are a TRUE Rush fan!!!!
This song has nothing to do with the story in the Bible. It is about the meteorological phenomenon in which beams of sunlight pierce through a heavy overcast sky giving the illusion of a ladder.
I think I've noted here before that Alex uses (used) a modified guitar with two outputs, and that he could switch from one to the other or use both together. One feed went to his "stack" for signal processing, through his pedal rack, and the other to the house P.A. for surround sound throughout the arena. Thus, when he solo-ed, the audience would "suddenly" be enveloped by an all-encompassing guitar sound. But when he wanted to sound "acoustic" he'd go through the ack and switch to specific pickup on his modded axe and it would "fool the ear."
The first tour I saw them on was in 1982 on the 'Exit Stage Left' tour which was really just an extension of the 'Moving Pictures' tour promoting their then live album. As a then 12-year-old drummer just beginning to dip my toe in the water, that drum-kit opened the door for me musically. I saw every following tour through all of the stages of my life, middle-school, getting interested in girls, the drama and craziness of puberty and voice-cracking, getting into high school, girls (good and bad), learning how to drive, gaining independence, the insecurity of being a teenager, college, getting my life in order, ups and down's, mid to late 20's, becoming an "adult" into my 30's, becoming a father, a partner, semi-responsible, becoming a man and now at 54, a part-time, weekend warrior drummer who's still pretty good, a dad with a son serving his country, a career, but not as great a player as I used to be. On this final tour, when they began the second set of their show and Neil reverted back to that 'classic' double bass drum kit with the tubular bells behind him, I'm not ashamed to say I got very choked up because I saw my life before me come full circle. I never met the man and never wanted to. He was the performer, and I was the customer and never did I want to intertwine the two. But as I got older, the guys in Rush became more like high school friends whom you'd see every couple of years when they came to whatever town I was living in and you'd kind of catch up. They with the new music and wondering what older songs they'd pull out of the filing cabinet. We all aged, lost some hair, gained some weight and the divide between they as the teenaged me thought of as superheroes and them simply becoming human. And we can always relate to humans more than we can superheroes.
But man, I do miss these guys. So, so important in my development.
Not many people notice this, but in this take, ALEX is also playing keyboards with his feet, along with Geddy. Lerxst is almost criminally underrated, having to share a band with two of the GOATs on their respective instruments.
I Seen RUSH live twice, and I wish I could have seen every one of their venues.
Amazing musicians, they are also so humble.
I have never had a band that I can listen to over & over and yet never get tired of.
They are amazing!!
Also, they were NOT sellouts, they never sold their souls for a dollar, but focused on what they loved.
They said F**K YOU to the corrupt music industry and blazed their own paths.
R.I.P Neil, you will be forever missed.
think those are just guitar filter pedals
@@bbaff8622 - At th-cam.com/video/O3Q_Mx2s3BA/w-d-xo.html you can plainly see him triggering the synth part with his feet.
@@jtorch1 to me looks like guitar filter pedals Maybe I am wrong.
@@bbaff8622 - Yeah, he does have a million of those as well. This was more of an "and" observation than an "or" one.
Seeing this song performed live really makes me appreciate the Permanent Waves album even more!
Jacob's ladder is the phenomenon of sun breaking through rainclouds in beams of light
That series of songs with natural science and hemispheres was an epic as you can possibly imagine!
Atmospheric is the word you are looking for. RUSH are atmosphere experts. ⛈️
You mentioned the stack of Marshal amps behind Alex. The R40 tour was set to the bands travel through their career. So they decided to have the stage and songs change from the present to the past. So the set list started at the newest songs to the oldest. So as the concert went on and the songs got older the set reflected what the concerts looked like back then. By the end of the concert there was only two small amps on folding chairs and a disco ball.
Uau!😮
Rush started and "ended" with Traynor amps (from Canada) th-cam.com/video/1pFprTxJiao/w-d-xo.html
I’ve heard the Marshall cabinets were empty and they typically ran through the house PA system.
@@mltorrefranca true. It started with Geddy playing through the Pa, that's what started the the dryers, vending machines, etc.
@@daviddelollis245 Gotta have something on stage.
Hearing Rush played live is a whole other level of enjoying their music. For a 3 piece band to bring the studio tracks live is another art form in itself. I believe they learned lessons from touring with KISS on how to treat an audience and they sure do- every live show I have seen them is not just watching a performance, it is being in the performance with them, along on the musical journey! Permanent Waves is one of my favorites from them, every track is Killer :)
"Follow men's eyes as they look to the skies. The shifting shafts of shining weave the fabric of their dreams." It's like somebody HAD to say it. But if not Neil Peart, who would have EVER put that on paper? He was and will always be a unique, singular talent, both as a drummer and as a writer. May he rest in peace.
This is one of my all-time favorite songs. So visual and thought provoking. Just love the lyrics so much.
'Yeh that was really cool', hit the nail on the head there, another master piece
there is something organic about rush. they have always felt connected to the earth, stars and our universe. it's hard to get over how deep they form the music and lyrics that give meaning to my soul and so much more.
Red, you are my favorite Rush reaction person on TH-cam. Your reactions are priceless. This song is about the meteorological phenomenon called crepuscular rays, rays of light as others have alluded to. The rays are visible because of small particulates in the air being illuminated by the sun in breaks between clouds. The contrast with a dark background makes these rays of light quite striking. Someone a long time ago thought these looked like what was described in the Bible as Jacob’s Ladder and the name stuck. (By the way, I am a meteorologist by trade.) I look forward to more of your Rush reviews.❤
Damn I love this song!! Thanks for posting! :)
Thank you again for doing your reaction! RUSH never disappointed on stage. I've seen them 5 times live and I've seen other like Pin Floyd etc. but no show ever compared to RUSH!
How do they do that with just three people... that is the question? That is why they are the greatest band ever...Rush
The progression in Alex s lead is phenomenal .The and Natural Science are two of RUSH's best ,
The lyrics to This are stupendous and remember this is on the R40 tour the last time they toured live when they were all in their 60s and this is dead on to the studio version
There's an old saying...'you know how to get to Carnegie Hall?.....practice'. You know how Rush got so good.......practice. They are self described as the most rehearsed band in the world.
Nothing to see here. Just three of the greatest musicians ever to walk our planet.
Hi, who else rush can tell musically a story about the process of a storm. genius.
Alex's playing can be relentlessly hypnotic, he is the Wall of Sound RUSH is known for
There is a point in the song where each guy is playing to their own time signature. Yet they all meet up eventually. (after the quiet part) Still blows my mind.
The song is about the "Jacob's Ladder", that can sometimes be seen when rays of light from the sun spill out from behind heavy dark clouds. In this case, heavy thunderclouds build up, and turn the entire sky dark, but then open up enough to allow rays of light to appear.
So reminiscent of the onset of a typical summer thunderstorm and the return of light at its conclusion. #CanadianSummers
Always here for Rush, my favorite band since 1979
Awesome! 😀👍 Myself, I became a Rushian only 10 years later, via 'Grace Under Pressure 🙂
@@mightyV444 Heh. I say Rushian too
These older, longer songs are something they excel at. Something you could just sit back, close your eyes, and get lost in.
Indeed...2112... Fountains Of Lamneth...
Absolutely one of their best songs. Beautifully invokes the imagery of Jacob's Ladder - beams of lights stretching down from storm clouds to the ground below.
Hey! Scriggles! Brand new RUSH word! I approve. RUSH can definitely scriggle Hard! 😆👍 You are awesome Neighbor!
Plain and simple 3 masters.
This track followed Natural Science at the Denver show setlist, what a back to back... just unbelievable how tight and fantastic they were on the R40 tour. It followed The Spirit of Radio at the Phoenix show... just so glad i was able to see them twice on that final tour.
This is a gem treat, have not heard this live since 1981 on Exit Stage Left.
Story time from Rush, always a good time.
Cheerz!!!
What a show! I was there in Toronto with my boys who were 9 & 11 at the time!!😊
Their one and only time to see their favourite band❤🇨🇦
Like you, I took my son (now 21) to see them on the R40 tour, in May of 2015. He was 11 (almost 12 at the time). On the way home from the concert, he said he liked "Fly By Night" (which they didn't play) the best. So, we played FBN in the car as we rode home. But he said he really loved the entire show. One of the coolest things about that show was seeing parents, like me, and even grandparents there, with their kids and grandkids. And everyone was in such a happy and friendly mood. It felt like "family."
Those of us who had been fans for decades I think had come with a deep appreciation for the fact that we were witnessing a historic night. Jacob's ladder was a highlight for me, along with Xanadu. (Before that night, I don't think I had ever seen them perform either song live.) Sadly what I had hoped might become a tradition, turned into a once-in-a-lifetime memory for the two of us, which now makes me treasure it all the more. Rest easy "Professor." 🙏🙏🙏
This is one of my favorite live performance videos! I read that they hadn't performed "Jacob's Ladder' live for decades but decided to do it on their final tour. I especially love the instrumental jam session in the middle, where it has that dark, foreboding intensity. The keyboard seems to represent the sun finally breaking through the clouds. This is a truly magical Rush performance.
I love this song ,its a great rendition of Neals .. I often wonder what inspired it , this song is very powerful.it was more than a storm.
As I feel the outer bands of Hurricane Helene pass over my island, I listen to Jacobs Ladder and it just fits. For some strange reason, probably one of my favorite Rush songs. Thanks Red!
Story of a strom. The build up, the storm, and the aftermath. Only Rush can tell the story of a strom.
Finally... been waiting for you to do this one! This is one of my absolute favourite of all time Rush songs next to La Villa Strangiato. The studio version is also worth listening to... as you get the perspective of the younger Geddy vocals.
There are bands like for example Dream Theater, that do odd rhythms and melodies too, but Rush makes them FLOW so naturally, that is what impresses me always (besides all the talent). Jacob's ladder is a perfect example for this. Where else can you just close your eyes and enjoy ODD rhythms and weird chord progressions??? Maybe you should react to my 2nd favourite band too one day. They are called Babymetal and are too a band where you keep asking yourself: How does this work?- Greets from Germany, enjoy!
Glad you finally reacted to Jacob's ladder 😊
The effect that you honed in on, was a harmonizer. He could've used one from around the time this song was originally recorded. Those didn't track as well as the ones we have now, so it would create artifacts that don't sound natural. If he didn't step on the switch himself, which would've been very subtle with the switching system he had here, then his tech offstage did it.
Sadly, none of those amps were real. Part of the reason this was the perfect tour for them to go out on was the fact that the crew was in constant motion for the entire show. The stage began as it was on Clockwork Angels, and regressed through time all the way back to when they played High School dances. The real amps were offstage. (Mostly digital models in his AxFx processor.)
Who writes a song that tells a story of a thunderstorm, and makes it awesome? These guys. that's who.
i read alex used Chorus, flanger, analog delay and of course a roland tape echo... that was his rig back in the day on permanent waves.. today, like you said.. it's all in the processor/modeler and switched by a tech... i've been in coverbands all my life.. started with a few pedals and a combo amp, to pedals/processors and a stack.. then i used to drag around 8 or 10 guitars.. a huge rack of effects.. multiple amps, preamps, midi switchers, pedals.. cabs.. etc.. then i streamlined to just a huge pedal board/switcher.. stack... lol.. now, i'm down to just 3-4 guitars, a helix right into the board and in-ears.. sometimes i use a 2x12 FRFR on stage for a little mix feel/feedback.. but not too often..
@@texastyrannyresponseteam794 I believe this is mostly correct but also Alex had quite a switchboard of his own on stage for accessing effects.
@@DrMackSplackem I agree.. Alex is a "hands" on kind of player... I wouldn't doubt he has control himself... Alex is way underrated... I have both the real Gibson Alex lifeson axcess les paul... And the epiphone ruby version too.. And i have his H&K Triamp MKII... Im not usually a bass player... But i also have a geddy Lee Jazz bass in my collection.. Thought as much a si love rush, I shoukd have some of their signature gear on my walls.. Well.. Actually they are in their cases... But i have ha them on my walls before.. Lol.. Enjoy
@@texastyrannyresponseteam794 On his live rig, back then, he wouldn't have used one. But in the studio, he likely used one, unless he double-tracked the solo.
@@texastyrannyresponseteam794 Nice collection!
❤❤❤❤ love it 🇨🇦
You are PRICELESS!!! Priceless - KING & COUNTRY ♥ ♥ ♥
Always love how in sync the 3 of them are at the end of the song right before Geddy's final vocal. Permanent Waves was simply one of life's great albums.
This song is the calm before the storm.
Such a classic. The timing of the drum hits and guitar notes simultaneously are spot on. They do this in other sons too.
Yes, in 'By-Tor And The Snowdog' and at the start of '2112' 😀👍
Everyday glory
Prog rock rules!!!😊
I love the way you describe your experience listening to music. It’s very vivid and on the mark.
This is one of my favorite songs to play on the drums. Rush changes their songs slightly for concerts and I had not heard this iteration before. Thank you for that. When I was younger I played to the Exit Stage Left version. That’s a Live album.
✌️😉💕
My favourite version on my favourite Rush album! 😊
Whoop more Rush :)
I usually prefer live songs by Rush, but the studio version has the best, yes I said it, the best guitar crying sound ever recorded. I said it, and stand by it! During the first guitar outro, the live version just can’t get that same texture. Love your work, more live Rush please.
Hi 'Red', Jacob's Ladder is another one of RUSH' SUPERB ABSOLUTE TREMENDOUS MASTERPIECES. As I see you're really enjoying this song, may I suggest searching TH-cam for a 1980 RUSH interview session; it was during Permanent Waves; the 3 of them (so very young musicians: oh, what was to come) discussing a bit of Hemispheres, but a whole lot of the new stuff. I think you'll love it.
Thank you for all your Rush reactions. It is wonderful to watch someone go down the Rush rabbit hole. If you get a chance, I recommend watching the entire R40 concert. I saw this final tour and consider it the best concert I'd ever been to. The setlist seemed like a love letter to the fans. They dug out fan favorites like Jacobs Ladder and didn't simply play all radio hits. If possible, try to avoid looking at the setlist if you ever do watch the concert.
great reaction!
I actually named my first son after this song and when he heard it for the first time when he was 6 years old he has been a fan since plus studied up on his name sake. When he has a son, he will name him Jacob as well. I guess I did good!👍🌹
Great song. I prefer the studio version of this one
I always thought it was a bout the birth middle and end of a storm , first the dark clouds the wind rain then the calm end with beams of light shining through the clouds. It could also refer to the storms of life. That’s how I’ve always seen it.
You are so right about this song and that the music in the building intensity of it told the story with very few lyrics. The depth of the song was not lost on us even though the lyrics were few and far between.
You mentioned Alex’s stack of amplifiers, it was interesting to see Geddy also went back to stacks of amps as well, ditching the clothes dryers and chicken fryers 😂
What a great song! I think that might be my favourite so far. At least for now. 😂
You know what I heard, from a *very* reliable source, Rush...is the best band, ever. 😁
Great to watch a super band like Rush who became masters of their art who were so in influenced by Yes and early Genesis.
Is it Wednesday? Every day is Rush Wednesday! Freaking love it!
I'd asked myself the same! 😄
I'm not complaining, though! 😁
What an amazing song... Mesmerizing to say the least.
I Love you! “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Such an amazing song, eh? LOVE IT!!!!!! Now you know why it's been requested so much. Cheers from 🇨🇦.
Quick sub facts about this one. Kirk and Lars of Metallica have acknowledged coping a lick or passage or something from it for a song on Master of Puppets. The last time they played it in concert was the Exit Stage Left tour in 1982ish. It was always the number one song picked on all the rush fan sights for them to bring back and they listened to the fans and did. Effin’ class act all the way to the end.🤘🖖✌️🎸🥁🎹🎤
I've been a Rush fan since 1983 and they are my favorite band of all time!
It's finally here 👏👏👏 Lovely as our neighbor! 💖💖💖 Technically known as “crepuscular rays,” they are sometimes called “Jacob’s Ladder,” so named for the vision experienced by Jacob in the book of Genesis. This song however, according to Neil, simply describes the phenomenon of the sun breaking through the clouds in visible rays, as it sometimes does after a rain or on a cloudy day.
🏆🏆🏆🏆
You like story songs? Album versions of Cygnus X-1, Books 1 and 2 are a must. It's about a guy traveling into a black hole. The Fountain of Lamneth is also a must. Love your content!!
go
I Love you! RUSH "Tai Shan" next??? :) ♥ “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Just close your eyes and enjoy the journey. More excellent story telling.
The Musical Genius of Rush. I can't wait for your reaction to the instrumental "The Main Monkey Business" Live R30 from Rotterdam. 💜
These Bell things.... you're killing me
Neil was fascinated by weather, and this isn't the only song he wrote about it. Chain Lightning from Presto is another. I will always regret not seeing them on this tour. I didn't know it was the last chance.
Well, is considered the greatest drummer in the world. 😁👍
IT is Monday here hi Red Rushed over to say g'day Bluey lol😂❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Yes, Monday also over here in NZ! 😊☀️
thank you thank you thank you😍😍
That Rush retrospective article I copied and pasted for you earlier has an interesting passage in it where Geddy says of all the 19 original albums they did the one that they wish they could do over as far as a production of it was Presto because it was such a strong album but he didn't feel like the final production was optimal. It is still an absolutely great album where they finally got back more into the guitars and less on the synthesizers and keyboards and you really ought to go through the songs on that album. Chain Lightning, War Paint, Anagram, Hand Over Fist, Show Don't Tell etc
"Anagram (for Mongo)", every line contains one or more words that are formed by using letters in another word from that same line (e.g. "There is no safe seat at the feast"), and certain lines contain anagrammed words (e.g. "Miracles will have their claimers"). Its title was inspired by the character Mongo from the 1974 film Blazing Saddles.[13] Lifeson spoke about the lyrics: "It doesn't mean anything, it was just a fun thing, but there are some great twists in there."[10]
"Hand Over Fist" was originally an instrumental that Rush had intended to include on Presto, but Peart continued to submit lyrical ideas to Lifeson and Lee; one in particular fit the music well enough and the plan for an instrumental was scrapped.[13] In the album's tour book, Peart used the symbolism that the hand game "rock, paper, scissors" represents, which was made into a nursery rhyme and used as a lyrical chant in "Hand Over Fist."[13]
The R40 tour concept was something special. They started with Clockwork Angels and worked backwards until they ended with Working Man. Meanwhile, the roadies were actually tearing down the stage so that the stage resembled the stages used when the songs being played were new. In addition, the lighting also changed. It was awesome to see.
Now I think today is Wednesday. I'm so confused.
Lol
"Bell things", how cute! 😊 Those are called Tubular Bells 😉 Mike Oldfield had named his debut album after them, too! 😊
And this has always been one of my Rush favourites and also is one of my 18-year-old Son's seven Rush songs he likes 😀
I'd have more to say about it, but no doubt it all has already been said in the other Rushians' comments!
😁👍
Note: there are organ trigger pedals that both Alex and Geddy use when their hands are busy playing their guitars.
The pedals are placed near their section of the stage.
With the possible exception of Pink Floyd, I think Rush had the best light shows ever -- and their music is a WHOLE lot more engaging. (I enjoy PF too, but here is just no comparison.)
I love coming home from work to see your reactions to Rush, I was like, which one do I watch first! I love this song so much, yeah I know, I sound like a broken record, but then, how can it be any other way with Rush? This performance is so good! It's a story about a storm. Jacob's ladder is the beams of sunrays that come through after the storm dissipates, the rays look like a ladder to heaven.
Jacobs Ladder was originally a instrumental, the lyrics were added after the song was composed. I guess they just wanted to make the concept clearer.
Interesting! I had not known that! I do like that there's only fairly little singing in this one 🙂
Interesting! I had not known that! I do like that there's only fairly little singing in this one 🙂
The strangest song from rush (tears) I would like your take on that thank you
Glad you like this, I enjoy playing it. Basic story is a thunder storm comes and goes. The Shining Shafts of Sunlight at the end climb to the heavens like Jacob's Ladder.
I think there are more time changes in this song than any other. Certainly any comparable length song.
Listen to the studio version! That's where you find the nuance.
@redheadedneighbor in case it hasn't been said, this song is about observing a storm. The title is a play on the biblical Jacobs Ladder.
One of the great regrets in my life is missing this tour.
If it's any consolation: Mine is to not have grabbed what would turn out to have been the 1 and only opportunity to see them in concert in person, during their 'Roll The Bones' tour 😏
@@mightyV444 I did catch that one actually in Seattle, with Primus. It was my second Rush show, after 'Presto'.
@@DrMackSplackem - Awesome! 🤩 I'm always happy for _anyone_ who'd had the pleasure of attending Rush shows 😊👍
Yes, _this_ was the show in Cologne, Germany, also with Primus opening for them. I was determined to not miss the next show but found out eventually that they come to Germany only every ten years or so. So by the time they did return (which must've been the Frankfurt show from the 'R30' DVD), I'd meanwhile moved to New Zealand - where they'd _never ever_ toured!
😭 😅
@@mightyV444 That's why the crowd in the Rush in Rio Tour is so fired up. It was their first time performing in Brazil and maybe first time in South America, period.
I was fortunate to see them on Power Windows, Hold Your Fire (A Show of Hands), and then 3 of their last 5 tours (R30, Snakes and Arrows, and R40 - two of which were at Charlotte's Verizon Amphitheater - now PNC Pavilion. So fun to see them at an outdoor venue).
I was there!....my 10th Rush show at the time...id get to see one more ..... but when they went into Jacobs Ladder I lost my mind...they didnt do it live very often and hadnt for years at this point.....and we that were there (and those that listen now on video) did "win" something that night... it was mu-gasmic....
For your personal pleasure, check out the video created by @STILL-KICKIN for this song. It's a visual masterpiece. He has several others that he created for or posted from Rush that you may consider for another Rush Day on your channel.
Its a Storm..
The mid-section of this is perfection; very smooth. Like Xanadu, it's better than the studio version. Since you like story songs....
HEMISPHERES is an 18 min. Story.
Great suggestion. That's a "two-parter" though. So, to do that justice, she would need to react to Cygnus X-1 Book I (The Voyage) from A Farewell to Kings (1977) and follow it up with Cygnus X-1 Book II (Hemispheres) from Hemispheres (1978).
Rush used Moog Taurus pedals. Geddy had a set under his keyboards and a set by his mic out front. Alex has a set beside his guitar pedal board setup. These were just another tool in their tool box for creating and performing the way they could as a 3 member band (don't even get me started on Neil's entire orchestral percussion section haha) . You have done several videos from the Exit Stage Left tour and that really showcases their multi-tasking ability with keyboards and pedals especially in Xanadu. Geddy is singing, playing bass and playing the bass pedals all at the same time. Alex also playing his guitar and intermittent bass pedals at the same time.
Red, this is why I appreciate you sooooo much. You notice these details. You are a TRUE Rush fan!!!!
This song has nothing to do with the story in the Bible. It is about the meteorological phenomenon in which beams of sunlight pierce through a heavy overcast sky giving the illusion of a ladder.
A smaller stack of Dirk amps behing Geddy.
I think I've noted here before that Alex uses (used) a modified guitar with two outputs, and that he could switch from one to the other or use both together. One feed went to his "stack" for signal processing, through his pedal rack, and the other to the house P.A. for surround sound throughout the arena. Thus, when he solo-ed, the audience would "suddenly" be enveloped by an all-encompassing guitar sound. But when he wanted to sound "acoustic" he'd go through the ack and switch to specific pickup on his modded axe and it would "fool the ear."