Alex was doing those volume swells with a simple volume pedal. Geddy is playing the Moog Taurus pedals, which are like a set of organ pedals. The Taurus is an analog synth, but can be connected to other synths and trigger effects. Geddy will play bass tones with the pedals while playing keyboard, and he can play simple synth parts while on bass. Looking forward to 2112!
This song is based on a series of Nightmares that Alex Lifeson was having. It's actually Divided into 12 segments, as follows: I-- Buenos Nochas, Mein Froinds!, II-- To Sleep, Perchance To Dream, III-- Strangiato Theme, IV-- A Lerxst in Wonderland, V-- Monsters!, VI-- The Ghost of the Aragon, VII-- Danforth and Pape, VIII-- The Waltz of the Shreves, IX-- Never Turn Your Back on a Monster!, X-- Monsters! (Reprise), XI- Strangiato Theme (Reprise), XII-- A Farewell To Things. The last section, "A Farewell To Things," is actually a play on the title of their previous album title, "A Farewell To Kings. A Farewell To Kings ends with an epic 10:25 prog masterpiece "Cygnus-X1 Book 1 The Voyage" about flying into a black hole. At the end, you know there's more to come. You then had to wait a full year until the "Hemispheres" album came out to hear the conclusion in the 18:07 epic prog opening track Cygnus-X1 Book 2 Hemispheres". "La Villa Strangiato" closed out the 1st side of the album with that play on the tile of the previous album. After 2112, you'll have to do both of the Cygnus-X1 books.
Great reaction, dude!! Fun Facts: They wrote this song in their early 20’s! They actually wrote beyond their capabilities, as getting this song to work really took a toll on them! Also the song is subtitled “An Exercise In Self Indulgence” I think that’s funny! One of the few songs Neal is penned for the writing of the music (normally only the lyrics)! There is a version of this song at Pink-Pop that is really good that really shows Alex’s use of the Taurus bass pedals that you can’t see on here! He also played that show with a smashed ring finger that had previously cancelled 3 shows! For all those “Geddy’s voice” people out there, the more you hear it, the more it becomes like another instrument of theirs… “their sound” would never “be” with anyone else!! Be well and God bless… from Texas!!
By the way, decades after writing this song, Rush realized that they had unintentionally copied the Melody of a segment called monsters from a man who wrote it for Looney Tunes cartoons. The trademark had lapsed many years ago, but they sent him a check for royaltis anyway, just because they felt it was the right thing to do.❤
The Monsters segment is an adaptation of Raymond Scott’s Powerhouse recorded in 1937. It wasn’t adapted by Warner Brothers for use in cartoons until the mid ‘40s. But yeah, that’s a true story about Rush paying royalties even after the copyright had expired. They are definitely a class act.
@@t0dd000 Yes, it was intentional. It seems strange that Rush wouldn't know because the copyright on that song is in force until 2032. But, to me It seems more likely that Rush was ignorant of copyright law rather than intentionally stealing. They are not that type of people. What actually occurred though, was that nobody noticed that the violation had occurred until after the statute of limitations had already expired, so Rush was no longer prosecutable. But as a gesture of goodwill Rush paid the royalties anyway.
As a musician, and knowing what I know about Rush, they practiced this incessantly before playing it live, and by that point, they probably weren't counting . . . but at one point early they might've been.
Alex is a master of effects. His work with the volume swell pedal here to soften the attack and decay of each individual note is just so emotive. This song has my favorite guitar solo of all time…
A lot of musicians cite this song as the one that when you learn to play it you know you have become master of your instrument, as you say a 'tour de force' in musicianship. Listening to it for 45 years now and it never stops to enthral me. Worth listening to the studio version as he plays the intro on Spanish guitar which sounds fabulous. Great review.
You are correct: Geddy and Alex both play synth parts with their feet. The camera doesn't always capture it, but if you watch closely, you can see them looking down and the slight body movement as they tap the pedals. Sometimes it's synth, other times it's Taurus Bass pedals so that Geddy (or Alex) can keep the bass line while Geddy plays the keys.
And - 1978 - they had only been working together for 3.5 yrs at this point - crazy - this is as tight, seamless - - utterly insane - they were meant to come together and create - all of them - simply genius -
Geddy played keys, but be also playing the Taurus pedals with his feet while playing bass guitar. Taurus pedals are basically keyboards for your feet, like the pedals under your gran’s organ
What’s truly incredible is they did all this in the late 70’s when there wasnt the computer technology that bands use now too create these nuances… with trigger pads an such These 3 guys were virtuosos in their craft!
Alex's volume swells are being done with a volume pedal. The synths you heard at one point were being played by Alex on synth pedals. Geddy has bass pedals he's playing while his hands are busy with the keyboard (in this song - there's at least one video where he can be seen playing the keyboard with his left hand and open strings on the bass with his right).
I'm loving your reactions to RUSH. This is in my top 5 favorite RUSH songs - I had a full on spiritual experience the first time I heard it. It has inspired countless musicians. You nailed why Alex is underrated...he plays rhythm and lead. He is happy to contribute by setting the mood and structure without having to shred or be in in the spotlight. Yet, a trained ear can hear his genius while Geddy and Neil steal the show (esp in late a 80's and 90's RUSH). IMO, he is in the top tier of rhythm guitarists. Alex is still writing and recording music and when asked says, "I don't care if I ever play another solo." For another great instrumental check out WHERE'S MY THING? HERE IT IS LIVE AT DALLAS (INCLUDES AN AWESOME SOLO) Reacting to 2112???? Get ready for full on Geddy vocals. 🤣🤣🤣
Interesting story. When they did this video, the video director wanted the band to play or lip sync to the track. Neil refused, so they played it live. The track was recorded in parts in the studio. So the video shoot was the first time the band played La Villa all the way through.
Both Alex and Geddy have bass/taurus pedals, which accounts for the synth sound. If you look at Alex carefully (particularly his legs/feet) you can see his movements correlate with the synth background drone changes. When he's looking down, it's at those pedals, not his guitar.
I gave up years ago trying to count or understand the music theory of Rush, and just said f*ck it and sit back and enjoy the incredible talents of RUSH !!!! Cheerz !!!!
Fun fact; during the studio recording of this song they tried in vain to lay it all down in one take. In the end they had to record the song in two parts. When they filmed this live version they were pleasantly surprised that it all worked out well in just one go. You can see some of their relief in the last few seconds.
This song was the finale of the 𝐻𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠 album, the band's artistic peak. Yeah, I said it. 𝐻𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠 was their most creative, most artistic musical project of their four-decade run. That record was an absolutely perfect achievement. 𝐴 𝐹𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 set them up for this album. 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑊𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑠 may have given Rush their first big hit with "The Spirit of Radio," and 𝑀𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑃𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑠 launched them into superstardom (Side One: "Tom Sawyer," Red Barchetta," "YYZ," and "Limelight" was incredible), but they never reached for higher aspirations than they did with 𝐻𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠. In a five-year span of time, Rush released 2112 (1976), 𝐴 𝐹𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 (1977), 𝐻𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠 (1978), 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑊𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑠 (1980), and 𝑀𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑃𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑠 (1981). The quality of that output rivals any four-album run by any rock band, ever. But make no mistake: 𝐻𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠 was their pinnacle. The rest of their careers as a group was a slow, managed decline from that lofty height.
(I'm gonna double-dip on the comments here...) That ONE sustained note that Geddy plays during Alex's solo adds SO much to the color scheme of the section they're in, and showcases their use of restraint. The subtitle to this work, *An exercise in self-indulgence* says it all...
The most insightful point that I think needs to be made about La Villa Strangiato was done so by Geddy Lee in an interview. He said that this song was so complicated to record, they had to do so in three different parts. What other band in history can say that? It's especially incredible when you consider the FACT that RUSH IS the most talented band in music history!!! Simply amazing...
You mentioned the changing time signatures. Neil said once that he didn't count the beats in his head. He used the feel of the song and obsessive rehearsing to get the song right. One more high point in the brilliance of Neil Peart. This also helps to explain why the changes in time signatures sound so smooth. Neil always found a way to lead the listener through the next time change without feeling like you fell off your bike.
Welcome to the fold my friend. These three guys are true masters of their craft! You won’t find a better 3 man band. Ever heard of Dream Theater? They are huge Rush fans. Where Rush is Prog. Rock, Dream theater is Prog. Metal. Songs to check out. As I Am, Pull me under, and a slower song… Forsaken. If you like these?, feel free to ask me for more of their greats. Because not every song is liked, no matter what band you like. But they do have tons of likeable songs.
@@domperignon778 haha, that’s not half of the story, I was out and about driving when listening to it on twitch, almost ran my car off the road laughing so much
In a pretty recent interval Geddy was asked what he really thought about Alex Lifeson, without any hesitation Geddy replied " he's the best rhythm guitar player in the world.
The best, most complex of Rush's instrumentals and a staple of most concerts, you should check out their later versions like the one from The Time Machine tour in Cleveland (the first encore from that show leading into Working Man) where they are 58 and 59 years old and are so comfortable performing this that they can play around with it adding a polka intro and changing the tempo in parts and still make it sound awesome and look easy. Another favorite is their performance of this in Rio where Alex goes off on one of his epic rants towards the end of it, introducing Neil and Geddy as his backup band. They got better as they got older and even a piece as complicated as this the boys could knock off in their sleep and have fun while doing it. 😊
If you go back and watch it again at some point, watch Alex when you're hearing the synth at the beginning. You can actually see his body moving up and down as he plays the pedal of each note. The next time there's a major synth part Alex steps back to enjoy some guitar only and Geddy steps up and hits the pedals while playing the bass.
This was one of, if not the most challenging task Rush gave themselves. Reportedly, it took over 40 takes as they tried to nail it in one go. Split into 12 sections and based on nightmares that Alex was having. Its a killer track and up there with their best. Be interested to see what you think of 2112, not sure you will like all of it. As has been saidcbefore do your homework on its importance to the band and try an use the cartoon that is out there as it will help make sense of it.
Yes, pedals at the feet of both Alex and Geddy could trigger different sounds. Look at the video again and you'll see those big pads at their feet. This is my favorite guitar solo. Better than any David Gilmore for sound, it's a mix of great sound, feel and virtuoso playing. I've heard a lot of people talking about the changing of time signatures as if it's really hard to keep up with where you're at. I disagree. They created this music knowing they were changing time signatures but they got really good at changing time signatures and making it sound pretty seamless, and to play this you just have to know the song and not worry about time signature. And I believe that's what they did. They just knew the songs and you constantly run the song in your head as you play it, so you don't get lost, but even if you do you get back to where you are in the song and go from there.
If you want a look at the comradery of these three, then watch the video called "Dinner with Rush". It's the three them getting together for dinner and shooting the shit. It is a fantastic watch.
I dont know if anyone told him 😂 im sure someone did- but Rush is known to have one of the most brutal rehearsal routines and thats how they are just so in sync with one another.
@@markabusireactions sorry about that. I obviously am a huge Rush fan. So glad you are listening to the library of one of the great bands. Alex in my mind was always underrated. I think that song changed your mind a little. Keep listening there is so much more. Enjoyed your video
Geddy goes back and forth between playing the keyboards and the bass on a set of pedals, and visa versa, playing the actual bass while playing the keyboards on pedals with his feet.
Yeah, most Rush fans will cite that as one of their most impressive works. And for sort of overall movement (notably the many transitions, all of which are unique), it's hard to argue that it isn't their best. 2112 is a great story. Jacob's Ladder has more complex time changes. The Cygnus cycle is more epic. But they push their skills (including the composition itself) harder on Strangiato probably more than in any other song. Lifeson for sure, hitting some amazingly empathic notes on par with, say, David Gilmour. You figured out most of the effects correctly. Lifeson and Lee both play synth pedals in this, and Lifeson uses a volume pedal to take the pick sounds off of the notes (same technique he uses at the beginning of Xanadu. But, yeah, one of the thing that puts Lifeson up there as a great guitarist is how he can kick pedals even in the middle of a solo, as he does here, and change tones a tremendous amount, and make that an essential part of the composition's feel. Few other guitarists do this mid song as much as he does, and very rarely as much as he does in a song like this one.
Alex was using the Taurus pedals, you will notice, just barely, but there are 3 sets of the Taurus pedals on the stage. One under Alex's mic, one under Geddy's front stage mic and a third under his keyboards. As they progressed later on, they added additional pedals to control various effects and sounds. If I am remembering right, during their 35th anniversary tour, Alex's "Pedal Board" including the various Taurus pedals and triggers was almost 5 feet wide. Geddy's front stage pedal setup was almost as wide. I am trying to remeber the song where both Alex and Geddy were using doublenecks. Alex had his Gibson SG doubleneck with a 6 string and a 12 string, and Geddy had a Rickenbacker doubleneck with a 4 string bass and a 12 string guitar. I think it was Xanadu and Geddy also used a double neck 4 string bass/ 6 string guitar on A Passage to Bangkok.
Yup Xanadu and Neil plays triangles, tubular bells, a glockenspiel, temple blocks and a bell tree to go along with the world's biggest drum kit. These guys really were like a mini symphony orchestra with the amount of sound they could create. 😊
Rush are top-notch.. Best tunes: Trees.. Best I Can.. Xanadu.. Cinderella Man.. Lakeside Park.. and the whole "Permanent Waves" album.. Neil best tech drummer, Bonzo best rock drummer.. speaking of Danny Carey, was at the last TOOL show in Toronto and Alex joined on stage for a few tunes.. Cheers
if you listen to other concerts live performance of this song - it is like Xanadu is slightly different - they are simply symbiotic players - this is their genius - every live recording is slightly different and using different affects - it is a genius experience to listen to their expansion within every live session -
NOW you're talkin'! I could see you mouthing "okay" on the opening shred - looking forward to seeing his solo LMFAO. Whenever I join the Cosmos, I hope to be listening to Alex's work in La Villa....
Both Alex and Geddy have used synthesizer pedals (originally Moog Taurus bass pedals, but they were later converted to MIDI for general synth control.) Alex is a master at using dynamics, as well as a volume pedal. Regarding drummers, Neil was a huge influence for many of the very best rock drummers, including Danny Carey of Tool and Mile Portnoy of Dream Theater. In fact, Mike was quoted as saying that if you could play "La Villa" accurately, you've really accomplished something!
If you look you can see Geddy using his foot on the pedals. During guitar solo he's playing bass pedals with hands on the keys. This performance was the first time they had played it all the way through. Even when they recorded it they did it in three parts.
Geddy plays synth pedals while playin the bass as well as plays base pedals when playing actual keys on synth… Alex mostly uses peddles for loops to get in rhythm guitar as well as lead guitar
Neil. My opinion. Greatest rock drum arranger of all time and it’s not close. Innovator. First drummer to write such intricate parts but really hit the drums hard in a hard rock style. His play style is almost always forward and aggressive and driving. But that’s rock isn’t it? He spent a lot of time on feel late in his career and got much better at it. Some drummers just flow. Neil attacks. I like it.
try la villa Strangiato live in Cleveland 2011 video next time that latest version is really good also the guitar solo is pure you'll hear it its yeah this is the sound that best fits this song worth watching. I never watch this video after 2011 performance I feel they have reached the peak although they all are great, like this one they about mastered it in 2011. Great honest reaction
This song is about a weird dream one of then\m had one night...makes sense:) BTW they were so good in concert it should be against the law that everyone did not see them!
Niel Pert is keeping all the timing changes. Alex and Geddy are following along his drumbeat. This was considered one of their most complex songs to play live
There is an absolute top tier of Rush songs. Around half a dozen to ten. Xanadu is up there. 2112 too. La Villa Strangiato is as well. (the rest in my opinion are Subdivisions, Tom Sawyer, SoR, Cygnus I/II, Limelight, The Big Money and Time Stand Still).
Like the 7#9 chord is known as the Hendrix chord, the F #major add 4 b7 is known as the lifeson chord. The more you check out, Rush, the more you'll see how unique a player he is
Alex is so great in this, but man ... Neil! I'm not sure which song had my favorite drumming in it, maybe this, maybe Subdivisions. But wow, it's so subtly great here.
If you look carefully, you’ll see that Alex is also playing low notes on the Taurus pedals while also picking that beautiful arpeggiated chord during the intro.
This is the song that "broke" them from playing long, complicated pieces of music. It was so hard to play they decided they had reached their limits and proceeded to embark on their next phase, starting with the album Permanent Waves.
This one was the first Rush song I ever heard, not this version though, so it's the one that first caught my attention and made me listen to more stuff from them and perhaps for that reason is my favourite (also I'm one of those who don't really like Geddy's voice hehe)
Alex was a bit of a guitar hero when he was younger.............. pre Moving Pictures was a whole different 'era' in their sound and general approach...........
The synth parts are played with synth pedals that are basically a big keyboard for the feet. The slide in volume effect on the guitar are done with a simple volume pedal which is like a wah pedal but volume instead. I play 7 different instruments including drums & I find counting bars & beats just distracts me. It's a feel thing.
LVS was/is one of their all-time masterpieces. I don't if it's been said here yet, but the main reason Alex is prominent is because the themes were/are based on a series of dreams/nightmares he was having at the time.
Alex was doing those volume swells with a simple volume pedal. Geddy is playing the Moog Taurus pedals, which are like a set of organ pedals. The Taurus is an analog synth, but can be connected to other synths and trigger effects. Geddy will play bass tones with the pedals while playing keyboard, and he can play simple synth parts while on bass. Looking forward to 2112!
This song is based on a series of Nightmares that Alex Lifeson was having. It's actually Divided into 12 segments, as follows: I-- Buenos Nochas, Mein Froinds!, II-- To Sleep, Perchance To Dream, III-- Strangiato Theme, IV-- A Lerxst in Wonderland, V-- Monsters!, VI-- The Ghost of the Aragon, VII-- Danforth and Pape, VIII-- The Waltz of the Shreves, IX-- Never Turn Your Back on a Monster!, X-- Monsters! (Reprise), XI- Strangiato Theme (Reprise), XII-- A Farewell To Things.
The last section, "A Farewell To Things," is actually a play on the title of their previous album title, "A Farewell To Kings.
A Farewell To Kings ends with an epic 10:25 prog masterpiece "Cygnus-X1 Book 1 The Voyage" about flying into a black hole. At the end, you know there's more to come. You then had to wait a full year until the "Hemispheres" album came out to hear the conclusion in the 18:07 epic prog opening track Cygnus-X1 Book 2 Hemispheres".
"La Villa Strangiato" closed out the 1st side of the album with that play on the tile of the previous album.
After 2112, you'll have to do both of the Cygnus-X1 books.
Great reaction, dude!! Fun Facts: They wrote this song in their early 20’s! They actually wrote beyond their capabilities, as getting this song to work really took a toll on them! Also the song is subtitled “An Exercise In Self Indulgence” I think that’s funny! One of the few songs Neal is penned for the writing of the music (normally only the lyrics)! There is a version of this song at Pink-Pop that is really good that really shows Alex’s use of the Taurus bass pedals that you can’t see on here! He also played that show with a smashed ring finger that had previously cancelled 3 shows! For all those “Geddy’s voice” people out there, the more you hear it, the more it becomes like another instrument of theirs… “their sound” would never “be” with anyone else!! Be well and God bless… from Texas!!
This is such an incredible song!!!!!!!!!!…!!
Greatest Instrumental Of All Time
Yup.
i don't know, mozart had a few cool tunes.
By the way, decades after writing this song, Rush realized that they had unintentionally copied the Melody of a segment called monsters from a man who wrote it for Looney Tunes cartoons. The trademark had lapsed many years ago, but they sent him a check for royaltis anyway, just because they felt it was the right thing to do.❤
The Monsters segment is an adaptation of Raymond Scott’s Powerhouse recorded in 1937. It wasn’t adapted by Warner Brothers for use in cartoons until the mid ‘40s. But yeah, that’s a true story about Rush paying royalties even after the copyright had expired. They are definitely a class act.
Oh! Wow. I just thought that was intentional
Wow did you mess up this anecdote
@@scott4482 you strike me as a rather odd fellow.
@@t0dd000 Yes, it was intentional. It seems strange that Rush wouldn't know because the copyright on that song is in force until 2032. But, to me It seems more likely that Rush was ignorant of copyright law rather than intentionally stealing. They are not that type of people.
What actually occurred though, was that nobody noticed that the violation had occurred until after the statute of limitations had already expired, so Rush was no longer prosecutable. But as a gesture of goodwill Rush paid the royalties anyway.
as a musician of over 25 years I can guarantee you that NONE OF THEM are ever counting while playing. this kind of music is all about feel 🤘
As a musician, and knowing what I know about Rush, they practiced this incessantly before playing it live, and by that point, they probably weren't counting . . . but at one point early they might've been.
Alex is a master of effects. His work with the volume swell pedal here to soften the attack and decay of each individual note is just so emotive. This song has my favorite guitar solo of all time…
A lot of musicians cite this song as the one that when you learn to play it you know you have become master of your instrument, as you say a 'tour de force' in musicianship. Listening to it for 45 years now and it never stops to enthral me. Worth listening to the studio version as he plays the intro on Spanish guitar which sounds fabulous. Great review.
You are correct: Geddy and Alex both play synth parts with their feet. The camera doesn't always capture it, but if you watch closely, you can see them looking down and the slight body movement as they tap the pedals. Sometimes it's synth, other times it's Taurus Bass pedals so that Geddy (or Alex) can keep the bass line while Geddy plays the keys.
And - 1978 - they had only been working together for 3.5 yrs at this point - crazy - this is as tight, seamless - - utterly insane - they were meant to come together and create - all of them - simply genius -
Geddy played keys, but be also playing the Taurus pedals with his feet while playing bass guitar. Taurus pedals are basically keyboards for your feet, like the pedals under your gran’s organ
If you look closely you can see Geddy's feet on the Taurus pedals at the 7:30 mark. He actually kind of slurs one of the transitions.
@@schafn what an incompetent loser he is. drop him.
What’s truly incredible is they did all this in the late 70’s when there wasnt the computer technology that bands use now too create these nuances… with trigger pads an such
These 3 guys were virtuosos in their craft!
Alex's volume swells are being done with a volume pedal. The synths you heard at one point were being played by Alex on synth pedals. Geddy has bass pedals he's playing while his hands are busy with the keyboard (in this song - there's at least one video where he can be seen playing the keyboard with his left hand and open strings on the bass with his right).
I'm loving your reactions to RUSH. This is in my top 5 favorite RUSH songs - I had a full on spiritual experience the first time I heard it. It has inspired countless musicians.
You nailed why Alex is underrated...he plays rhythm and lead. He is happy to contribute by setting the mood and structure without having to shred or be in in the spotlight. Yet, a trained ear can hear his genius while Geddy and Neil steal the show (esp in late a 80's and 90's RUSH). IMO, he is in the top tier of rhythm guitarists. Alex is still writing and recording music and when asked says, "I don't care if I ever play another solo."
For another great instrumental check out WHERE'S MY THING? HERE IT IS LIVE AT DALLAS (INCLUDES AN AWESOME SOLO)
Reacting to 2112???? Get ready for full on Geddy vocals. 🤣🤣🤣
Interesting story. When they did this video, the video director wanted the band to play or lip sync to the track. Neil refused, so they played it live. The track was recorded in parts in the studio. So the video shoot was the first time the band played La Villa all the way through.
You just got Rushed ! Best three band rock group ever! Close, April wine and triumph ! Simple!
Both Alex and Geddy have bass/taurus pedals, which accounts for the synth sound. If you look at Alex carefully (particularly his legs/feet) you can see his movements correlate with the synth background drone changes. When he's looking down, it's at those pedals, not his guitar.
Saw them play this in Spokane in 1979. It’s a musical masterpiece disguised as an endurance trial. That was a great show.
I love the sound of a volume pedal. Especially the way Alex uses it. I wish more songs used them.
I gave up years ago trying to count or understand the music theory of Rush, and just said f*ck it and sit back and enjoy the incredible talents of RUSH !!!!
Cheerz !!!!
LONG LIVE RUSH ❤
Fun fact; during the studio recording of this song they tried in vain to lay it all down in one take. In the end they had to record the song in two parts.
When they filmed this live version they were pleasantly surprised that it all worked out well in just one go. You can see some of their relief in the last few seconds.
Honestly the best review of this song I've heard. Thanks!
This song was the finale of the 𝐻𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠 album, the band's artistic peak.
Yeah, I said it. 𝐻𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠 was their most creative, most artistic musical project of their four-decade run. That record was an absolutely perfect achievement.
𝐴 𝐹𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 set them up for this album. 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑊𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑠 may have given Rush their first big hit with "The Spirit of Radio," and 𝑀𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑃𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑠 launched them into superstardom (Side One: "Tom Sawyer," Red Barchetta," "YYZ," and "Limelight" was incredible), but they never reached for higher aspirations than they did with 𝐻𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠.
In a five-year span of time, Rush released 2112 (1976), 𝐴 𝐹𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 (1977), 𝐻𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠 (1978), 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑊𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑠 (1980), and 𝑀𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑃𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑠 (1981). The quality of that output rivals any four-album run by any rock band, ever.
But make no mistake: 𝐻𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠 was their pinnacle. The rest of their careers as a group was a slow, managed decline from that lofty height.
(I'm gonna double-dip on the comments here...) That ONE sustained note that Geddy plays during Alex's solo adds SO much to the color scheme of the section they're in, and showcases their use of restraint. The subtitle to this work, *An exercise in self-indulgence* says it all...
Great reaction. Now you believe they are ALL great musicians.
The most insightful point that I think needs to be made about La Villa Strangiato was done so by Geddy Lee in an interview. He said that this song was so complicated to record, they had to do so in three different parts. What other band in history can say that? It's especially incredible when you consider the FACT that RUSH IS the most talented band in music history!!! Simply amazing...
You mentioned the changing time signatures. Neil said once that he didn't count the beats in his head. He used the feel of the song and obsessive rehearsing to get the song right. One more high point in the brilliance of Neil Peart. This also helps to explain why the changes in time signatures sound so smooth. Neil always found a way to lead the listener through the next time change without feeling like you fell off your bike.
Such a great find, before subscribing to your channel Mark I hadn’t heard of Rush before. 👍👍
Welcome to the fold my friend. These three guys are true masters of their craft! You won’t find a better 3 man band. Ever heard of Dream Theater? They are huge Rush fans. Where Rush is Prog. Rock, Dream theater is Prog. Metal. Songs to check out. As I Am, Pull me under, and a slower song… Forsaken. If you like these?, feel free to ask me for more of their greats. Because not every song is liked, no matter what band you like. But they do have tons of likeable songs.
@@scottlaughlin9897 cool, thanks mate, I’ll take a look
Let's face it my man, we were all living in the dark ages before Year Zero (The Agust D Reaction) graced us with its presence.
@@domperignon778 haha, that’s not half of the story, I was out and about driving when listening to it on twitch, almost ran my car off the road laughing so much
In a pretty recent interval Geddy was asked what he really thought about Alex Lifeson, without any hesitation Geddy replied " he's the best rhythm guitar player in the world.
Good to see and hear black beauty again.
Los mejores del Mundo!!!!
Don't miss Xanadu, the Exit Stage Left tour...and YYZ, live in Rio (if you haven't already watched them)
Check his Classic Rock Reactions playlist. I think he has a reaction to it already in there.
@@nostromo526 to both?
@@catherineday951 I just checked. Both Xanadu live Exit Stage Left and YYZ live Rio are in there. Enjoy! 😊
The best, most complex of Rush's instrumentals and a staple of most concerts, you should check out their later versions like the one from The Time Machine tour in Cleveland (the first encore from that show leading into Working Man) where they are 58 and 59 years old and are so comfortable performing this that they can play around with it adding a polka intro and changing the tempo in parts and still make it sound awesome and look easy. Another favorite is their performance of this in Rio where Alex goes off on one of his epic rants towards the end of it, introducing Neil and Geddy as his backup band. They got better as they got older and even a piece as complicated as this the boys could knock off in their sleep and have fun while doing it. 😊
If you go back and watch it again at some point, watch Alex when you're hearing the synth at the beginning. You can actually see his body moving up and down as he plays the pedal of each note. The next time there's a major synth part Alex steps back to enjoy some guitar only and Geddy steps up and hits the pedals while playing the bass.
This was one of, if not the most challenging task Rush gave themselves. Reportedly, it took over 40 takes as they tried to nail it in one go. Split into 12 sections and based on nightmares that Alex was having. Its a killer track and up there with their best. Be interested to see what you think of 2112, not sure you will like all of it. As has been saidcbefore do your homework on its importance to the band and try an use the cartoon that is out there as it will help make sense of it.
🤗 Glad you liked the tune! Rush can be amazing at times! 🥰🐰
Yes, pedals at the feet of both Alex and Geddy could trigger different sounds. Look at the video again and you'll see those big pads at their feet.
This is my favorite guitar solo. Better than any David Gilmore for sound, it's a mix of great sound, feel and virtuoso playing.
I've heard a lot of people talking about the changing of time signatures as if it's really hard to keep up with where you're at. I disagree. They created this music knowing they were changing time signatures but they got really good at changing time signatures and making it sound pretty seamless, and to play this you just have to know the song and not worry about time signature. And I believe that's what they did. They just knew the songs and you constantly run the song in your head as you play it, so you don't get lost, but even if you do you get back to where you are in the song and go from there.
none can say they were not divinely meant to play together and bring what they Brought -
If you want a look at the comradery of these three, then watch the video called "Dinner with Rush". It's the three them getting together for dinner and shooting the shit. It is a fantastic watch.
I dont know if anyone told him 😂 im sure someone did- but Rush is known to have one of the most brutal rehearsal routines and thats how they are just so in sync with one another.
These are 3 masters of their craft. Don’t forget it.
Okay buddy, little threatening but I’m glad you like the band
@@markabusireactions sorry about that. I obviously am a huge Rush fan. So glad you are listening to the library of one of the great bands. Alex in my mind was always underrated. I think that song changed your mind a little. Keep listening there is so much more. Enjoyed your video
@@lancemarteen86 it’s all good! I always thought he was a great guitarist if it helps lol
Geddy goes back and forth between playing the keyboards and the bass on a set of pedals, and visa versa, playing the actual bass while playing the keyboards on pedals with his feet.
Fantastic reaction Mark. Thank you. ❤
Yeah, most Rush fans will cite that as one of their most impressive works. And for sort of overall movement (notably the many transitions, all of which are unique), it's hard to argue that it isn't their best. 2112 is a great story. Jacob's Ladder has more complex time changes. The Cygnus cycle is more epic. But they push their skills (including the composition itself) harder on Strangiato probably more than in any other song. Lifeson for sure, hitting some amazingly empathic notes on par with, say, David Gilmour.
You figured out most of the effects correctly. Lifeson and Lee both play synth pedals in this, and Lifeson uses a volume pedal to take the pick sounds off of the notes (same technique he uses at the beginning of Xanadu. But, yeah, one of the thing that puts Lifeson up there as a great guitarist is how he can kick pedals even in the middle of a solo, as he does here, and change tones a tremendous amount, and make that an essential part of the composition's feel. Few other guitarists do this mid song as much as he does, and very rarely as much as he does in a song like this one.
This is a great song to see them play it live over the years.
Timeless, Unrivalled, undeniably the best musicianship 3 peice in the universe…..
Alex was using the Taurus pedals, you will notice, just barely, but there are 3 sets of the Taurus pedals on the stage. One under Alex's mic, one under Geddy's front stage mic and a third under his keyboards. As they progressed later on, they added additional pedals to control various effects and sounds. If I am remembering right, during their 35th anniversary tour, Alex's "Pedal Board" including the various Taurus pedals and triggers was almost 5 feet wide. Geddy's front stage pedal setup was almost as wide.
I am trying to remeber the song where both Alex and Geddy were using doublenecks. Alex had his Gibson SG doubleneck with a 6 string and a 12 string, and Geddy had a Rickenbacker doubleneck with a 4 string bass and a 12 string guitar. I think it was Xanadu and Geddy also used a double neck 4 string bass/ 6 string guitar on A Passage to Bangkok.
Probably Xanadu for the double necks.
Yup Xanadu and Neil plays triangles, tubular bells, a glockenspiel, temple blocks and a bell tree to go along with the world's biggest drum kit. These guys really were like a mini symphony orchestra with the amount of sound they could create. 😊
Enjoyed your commentary. It's obvious you understand what great music is.
Rush are top-notch.. Best tunes: Trees.. Best I Can.. Xanadu.. Cinderella Man.. Lakeside Park.. and the whole "Permanent Waves" album.. Neil best tech drummer, Bonzo best rock drummer.. speaking of Danny Carey, was at the last TOOL show in Toronto and Alex joined on stage for a few tunes.. Cheers
Alex also played bass pedals and pedal synths. A few keyboard sounds were Neil hitting synth drums with samples (2 organ chords in Roll the Bones).
I was fortunate to see RUSH twice in the 80s 😅😊Gr8 show
saw them on this tour. they were fantastic. also saw them on the very first US tour, and the last, and a few more times in between.
if you listen to other concerts live performance of this song - it is like Xanadu is slightly different - they are simply symbiotic players - this is their genius - every live recording is slightly different and using different affects - it is a genius experience to listen to their expansion within every live session -
Just ANOTHER reason why rush is the greatest and most talented rock group of all time! Next topic of conversation...
Alex needs more credit for his work. So impressive in concert
NOW you're talkin'! I could see you mouthing "okay" on the opening shred - looking forward to seeing his solo LMFAO.
Whenever I join the Cosmos, I hope to be listening to Alex's work in La Villa....
Repetition is the mother of success
Both Alex and Geddy have used synthesizer pedals (originally Moog Taurus bass pedals, but they were later converted to MIDI for general synth control.) Alex is a master at using dynamics, as well as a volume pedal. Regarding drummers, Neil was a huge influence for many of the very best rock drummers, including Danny Carey of Tool and Mile Portnoy of Dream Theater. In fact, Mike was quoted as saying that if you could play "La Villa" accurately, you've really accomplished something!
I love how you explain the bar changes, just fantastic!😊
RIP Neil🤘🎸
If you look you can see Geddy using his foot on the pedals. During guitar solo he's playing bass pedals with hands on the keys. This performance was the first time they had played it all the way through. Even when they recorded it they did it in three parts.
Great reaction - to appreciate really how good they were you should watch them do this song 40 years later in Rio
5:45 both lee and lifeson play taurus pedals, basically, keyboards for feet.
Great reaction. I liked the details you picked up on a first listen. One of my favorite Alex solo's 3 min in. Very emotional.
Looking forward to 2112.
They both use Moog Taurus Pedals. Geddy actually has two sets, one under the keys/synths, and one by his other mic closer to the center of the stage.
You try to tell me a better rock drummer, bass player, guitar then these three! Real simple!😳😉👍
Volume pedal😊. Simple easy to use, he does often, great effect!
it's not for nothing it's named the greatest rock guitar solo ever.
Geddy plays synth pedals while playin the bass as well as plays base pedals when playing actual keys on synth…
Alex mostly uses peddles for loops to get in rhythm guitar as well as lead guitar
Alex has a volume pedal which creates the effect in the first quiet section.
Masterpiece !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Neil. My opinion. Greatest rock drum arranger of all time and it’s not close. Innovator. First drummer to write such intricate parts but really hit the drums hard in a hard rock style. His play style is almost always forward and aggressive and driving. But that’s rock isn’t it? He spent a lot of time on feel late in his career and got much better at it. Some drummers just flow. Neil attacks. I like it.
Always a great listen, thanks dude!!
try la villa Strangiato live in Cleveland 2011 video next time that latest version is really good also the guitar solo is pure you'll hear it its yeah this is the sound that best fits this song worth watching. I never watch this video after 2011 performance I feel they have reached the peak although they all are great, like this one they about mastered it in 2011. Great honest reaction
This song is about a weird dream one of then\m had one night...makes sense:) BTW they were so good in concert it should be against the law that everyone did not see them!
Taurus pedals, you play with your feet, both Alex and Geddy have them😊
Niel Pert is keeping all the timing changes. Alex and Geddy are following along his drumbeat. This was considered one of their most complex songs to play live
There is an absolute top tier of Rush songs. Around half a dozen to ten. Xanadu is up there. 2112 too. La Villa Strangiato is as well. (the rest in my opinion are Subdivisions, Tom Sawyer, SoR, Cygnus I/II, Limelight, The Big Money and Time Stand Still).
Best and hardest song ever!
Thought you would like that!
Like the 7#9 chord is known as the Hendrix chord, the F #major add 4 b7 is known as the lifeson chord. The more you check out, Rush, the more you'll see how unique a player he is
Alex is so great in this, but man ... Neil! I'm not sure which song had my favorite drumming in it, maybe this, maybe Subdivisions. But wow, it's so subtly great here.
If you look carefully, you’ll see that Alex is also playing low notes on the Taurus pedals while also picking that beautiful arpeggiated chord during the intro.
He was playing a taurus pedal synthesizer with his feet just like Geddy plays.
Geddy's doing both synth and bass at several points. When he's playing one with his hands, he's playing the other with his feet :)
Check out their song Freewill. I like the original version but the later ones are great too with better production values.
This is the song that "broke" them from playing long, complicated pieces of music. It was so hard to play they decided they had reached their limits and proceeded to embark on their next phase, starting with the album Permanent Waves.
Small bit of trivia; when Rush recorded this for the album, they had to do it in three parts due to its complexity. 😅
This one was the first Rush song I ever heard, not this version though, so it's the one that first caught my attention and made me listen to more stuff from them and perhaps for that reason is my favourite (also I'm one of those who don't really like Geddy's voice hehe)
Once you hear Alex's solo in 2112, your life will be forever changed.
Xanadu is a must. Off the Farewell To Kings album. You gotta check that one out.
Already on the channel!
Welcome to Rush.
I would say the live version of Exit...Stage Left is one of their 10 best performances.
The keyboards is Geddy playing with his feet
Alex was a bit of a guitar hero when he was younger.............. pre Moving Pictures was a whole different 'era' in their sound and general approach...........
The synth parts are played with synth pedals that are basically a big keyboard for the feet.
The slide in volume effect on the guitar are done with a simple volume pedal which is like a wah pedal but volume instead.
I play 7 different instruments including drums & I find counting bars & beats just distracts me. It's a feel thing.
Alex has not shown you anything🤣🤣🤣
LVS was/is one of their all-time masterpieces. I don't if it's been said here yet, but the main reason Alex is prominent is because the themes were/are based on a series of dreams/nightmares he was having at the time.
Did you catch the 9/8 bit in there? That parts called, "The Monster"