Michael Hepworth
RUSH – Is the “Lighted Stage” Dimming for the last time?
By Michael Cohan
Irvine(Perfect Music Today)8/3/15/–The legendary Canadian rock group Rush landed their epic R40 tour on the sold out Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre July 30. They ran on all cylinders blistering through three hours of entertainment and 27 songs. But this show was not for the faint of heart or the newcomers. Even for this group, it’s hard not to appreciate the musicianship of this multi-talented trio. Lead guitarist Alex Lifeson’s signature riffing and unorthodox chord structure couples perfectly with lead singer Geddy Lee’s high register voice and spanking bass are cemented by drummer extraordinaire Neil Peart’s nuanced style.
Their brilliance and creativity are just captivating. The live performances are exquisitely complex. Peart, the lyricist of the band, engages in science fiction based words that become poetry when melded together projecting their iron cast synthesized and progressive rock sound.
The R40 tour commemorates the 40th anniversary of Peart joining the band in 1974. Actually formed in 1968 with former drummer John Rutsey Rush began developing their unique sound. In 1974 they released their first album simply titled “Rush” with Peart. Over the years they have acquired an extensive catalogue containing variances of music of what was going on in that particular decade.
Opening the action and bringing the crowd to their feet was a collection of songs from their most recent endeavor, “Clockwork Angels” (2012) then working backwards as expected. Highlights of the first set included a rousing rendition of “Roll the Bones” (1991), the lyrical “Animate” (1993), and the ironic “Subdivisions” (1982). This song worked perfectly as they reference the Irvine’s beige housing tracts of non-conformity. Lee emphasizes to “Be cool or be cast out”.
The beginning, intermission, and end of the show showcased video parodies of themselves. The introduction was entitled “The world is..the world is” as cartooned band members traveling around the world coming to your city to perform. The intermission featured another cartoon entitled “No country for old hens”. The encore began with Eugene Levy playing a variety show host introducing the band in a customized South Park scene, “Mel’s rock pile”.
The short 15 to 20 minute break between sets brought us another cartoon parody of a polka version of one of their biggest hits “Closer to the heart” called “Polka to the Heart”. This was actually written for the 2007 tour.
Continuing with the second half of the show Rush comes out with a concert staple, “Tom Sawyer” and “YYZ” from 1981. The eclectic festivities provide us with “The Spirit of Radio” (1980) and their virtual singalong “Closer to the Heart” (1977). The set finishes with a stellar performance of the title track from “2112” (1976).
The encore finds Rush again going back to their first few albums. They delivered the goods with “Lakeside Park, “Anthem”, and “What You’re Doing”. The artistry of Rush stands out with each note representing a different facet of guitar playing, bass thumping, and thunderous drum pounding. The final song “Working Man” (1974) is a testament to the prowess of Rush, leaving all of their talents on the “Lighted Stage” for us to enjoy, for now.
Michael Hepworth
287 S.Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
http://alquimie.com.au/publicatio
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