Rush, Tom Sawyer - Amy’s First Listen And Analysis
Added 2025-01-31 12:38:49 +0000 UTCYet another impeccable piece of music from Rush. It truly fits in the Neoclassical or Neo-Baroque style with its clarity, precision, and formal design.
Comments
Yup 🤷🏻♂️
Pete Sattler
2025-02-05 01:25:32 +0000 UTCyeah I would throw cygnus X-1 bk1 Farewell to kings and cygnus X-1 bk2 Hemispheres
Michael T.B
2025-02-04 19:11:45 +0000 UTCNo, I haven’t heard 2112 yet. I thought I’d heard Geddy in one of the two songs I already heard (LVS and YYZ) but after making this video and several people asking me about that statement, I went back and listened to them and realized neither one had him singing! How did I come up with the idea that I’ve heard him? I really have no clue! Unless, perhaps, since Karl talked about his voice so much while I was visiting him a couple years ago, maybe I just got the idea I’d heard it by building a mental image of what I THOUGHT it would be like.
Amy Shafer
2025-02-04 02:37:20 +0000 UTCElizabeth definitely did. I thought Liz showed Amy 2112 but I maybe wrong. But still can't remember where she would have heard Getty's voice? Most likely she already listened to a rush song with vocals and has yet to put it out and just spoke out of line. Maybe.
Michael T.B
2025-02-03 01:19:05 +0000 UTCIt would have surprised me greatly to know that Amy listened to 2112. Elizabeth did? I like Rush, but didn't care much for that particular album, although many of my friends of the day did.
DJ Marquis Marc Rambeau du Tacoma
2025-02-02 23:44:45 +0000 UTCI have such admiration for the musicians in this band, had roommates who loved them - but I gave up trying to listen to them long ago. This song has so much appeal that I can't resist it, though. I guess this is what mix-tapes were invented for.
George Brady
2025-02-02 14:52:35 +0000 UTCOh I just read you have answered this question I'm wondering though my memory might be wrong here but didn't you listen to 2112 with Elizabeth?
Michael T.B
2025-02-01 20:53:46 +0000 UTCIf you've only listened to La Villa Strangiato and YYZ when did you hear Getty Lee's voice before? As both of those are instrumentals.
Michael T.B
2025-02-01 20:51:33 +0000 UTCMust listen: 2112; the album that saved the band. Their first masterpiece.
Pete Sattler
2025-02-01 18:25:33 +0000 UTCJust listen to THE SPIRIT OF RADIO... and particularly the intricate introductions starting at about 13 seconds in... it's just impossible (for me) to replicate... https://youtu.be/BTbuYjJVc9Q And also listen to XANADU, live in concert, from 1981: https://youtu.be/RTwLi35hGvE
DJ Marquis Marc Rambeau du Tacoma
2025-02-01 16:56:00 +0000 UTCWow. I have no point of reference for most of the things you're talking about.
George Brady
2025-02-01 16:23:48 +0000 UTCSPIRIT OF RADIO was my very first Rush song too. Damned song! I could never nail down the drum intro...
DJ Marquis Marc Rambeau du Tacoma
2025-02-01 13:59:23 +0000 UTCWell, SPIRIT OF RADIO is the Rush song that always befuddled me as an amateur drummer.
DJ Marquis Marc Rambeau du Tacoma
2025-02-01 13:57:49 +0000 UTCAmy liked FIRTH OF FIFTH a lot. I think SUPPER'S READY would blow Amy's socks off (is that good, or bad,I wonder). THE MUSICAL BOX is another good one.
DJ Marquis Marc Rambeau du Tacoma
2025-02-01 13:56:28 +0000 UTCWhat an insane song! Put it together with SPIRIT OF RADIO and XANADU and you've got the very best of Rush! I was in a college band in 1982 and Rush was THE band that every other band in the L.A. area was emulating. I'm still a little miffed at drummer Neil Peart, as the intro to SPIRIT OF RADIO has always been beyond my ability to perform correctly. However, I didn't feel quite so bad, as SO MANY other local bands sounded pretty damned sloppy when attempting it. TOM SAWYER is probably their most popular song. My favorite Rush song, however, is the live (Exit Stage Left) version of XANADU - the video of which is pretty popular in YouTube among reactors.
DJ Marquis Marc Rambeau du Tacoma
2025-02-01 13:47:51 +0000 UTCFritz? You have German ancestors? 😄
Frits van Voorst
2025-02-01 11:27:41 +0000 UTCGreat reaction Amy! I love watching the expressions on your face change with the music. Another Rush song where the music embodies the lyrics is "Losing It". My favourite drumming in that piece. Geddy's voice is mostly in its softer modes too. A hidden gem IMO.
Digibirder
2025-02-01 04:23:10 +0000 UTCHi Fritz! I think I must’ve confused him with another singer somehow, because I thought that I’d heard him in one of those pieces but it turns out I seem to have imagined it. Somebody else wrote to me about that too so I looked back at those two pieces and, sure enough, no Geddy Lee singing in either of them! So it turns out this was my first exposure to his voice…
Amy Shafer
2025-02-01 02:34:24 +0000 UTCEpic song. Glad you’re getting back to more Rush. They were an awesome group, and I’m so happy I was able to see them perform live a couple of times before they retired and ended the band due to Neil Peart’s passing. I would strongly recommend a few more songs from the Moving Pictures album. Red Barchetta, Limelight, and The Camera Eye are all worthy of a first listen and analysis, but the same could be said for several more Rush songs. Though I am a fan, I have to admit their albums always seem to be a bit lopsided and inconsistent. They always tend to have a handful of standout tracks on every album though. There’s lots and lots of material to discover and I look forward to more.
Julian Ortiz
2025-02-01 02:28:23 +0000 UTCSpeaking of Kansas, when are we going to react to Carry on my wayward son? One of the biggest rock anthems of the 70’s. I feel like Amy is missing out..
todd morrison
2025-02-01 01:58:54 +0000 UTCCan't believe I missed that one, I'll check it out. I love those videos on Drumeo. So great to watch professionals do their thing.
Jason Murray
2025-01-31 22:11:11 +0000 UTCyes, Spirit of the Radio was the ONE song by Rush that I knew before I started delving deeply into music on Youtube
Evelyn
2025-01-31 22:01:02 +0000 UTCdon't know if you ever watch Drumeo on YouTube...but watching the young drummer from Mars Volta trying to work out a drum part to this was very interesting....
Evelyn
2025-01-31 21:55:57 +0000 UTCOutside my usual wheelhouse, but at the risk of being asked to turn in my punk rock card, I have to admit that I really like this particular Rush album. Compared to their earlier stuff, the songs are concise, Geddy's squealing is kept to a minimum, and there are no references to the philosophy of Ayn Rand.
Ye_Humble_Scrivener
2025-01-31 19:26:42 +0000 UTCNot a Rush fan but absolutely love this song so much. Enjoyable song throughout with great technical abilities on display. Especially those drums. But it’s the feel of the song I love. And those sound effect placing it is a certain period of, have aged well and sound great. I knew you’d enjoy this one Amy . It’s a fun song.
Siôn Hewitt
2025-01-31 18:51:26 +0000 UTCI think I'm coming to terms with the idea that Rush just doesn't do it for Amy the way it does for so many of us. I can see it in her eyes. Oh well, we can't have it all. I still have hope for classical Genesis though (ahem, Vlad).
gplpatreon
2025-01-31 18:40:27 +0000 UTCWatching them playing live is outstanding. They are just three and sound like an orquestra. Their music is more complex that at first listening we can appreciate
Rafa Tintoré
2025-01-31 18:13:47 +0000 UTCAnother hit song, at least in Spain, was Spirit of the Radio
Rafa Tintoré
2025-01-31 18:08:00 +0000 UTCRegardless of Geddy's voice, one must be in awe of his ability to sing on key while playing complex rhythms with bass and synths with hands and also feet using an organ like foot controller. Their live shows do not disappoint. Here's a picture of Geddy's complex stage setup: https://www.reddit.com/r/BassGuitar/comments/1ic2gnx/everyones_bass_idols_ill_start_with_mine/#lightbox
RAD1
2025-01-31 18:01:52 +0000 UTCJust curious: you mentioned that you only listened to La Villa Strangiato and YYZ, which are both instrumentals. Yet you appreciate his voice here more than earlier. Did I miss something?
Frits van Voorst
2025-01-31 17:39:53 +0000 UTCThis is probably their most challenging piece to play on the drums. Not only is it technically difficult but it requires a lot of endurance. He plays those 1/16th notes on the hi-hat with 1 hand.
Jason Murray
2025-01-31 17:35:07 +0000 UTCKansas, America's response to; Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Yes, Genesis and Gentle Giant. 🤘🧙♂️🤘
Rich Peltier
2025-01-31 17:35:02 +0000 UTCOne of my favorite stories I've heard Geddy tell in interviews, is about how other bands would tease him about his voice when they were just starting out. While touring Europe with the band UFO, the guys in UFO used to call him Glee. There are several bands that you've reacted to, that for many fans the main draw of the band is the drummer. Bands like Rush and TOOL are driven by the drums and while the music that they support is also very good, for drummers is mostly about the techniques being developed by these ICON drummers. The down side is that while your training allows you to recognize the odd and interesting patterns that drummers like Neil and Danny devise, your lack of experience with this style of music makes appreciating the full extent of their contribution. The more subtle techniques that are only noticed by drummers. That said, you're picking up on the new stuff at an impressive rate. Your insight on the structures of the music, balanced by your experiences in learning about the new approaches is a big part of what I enjoy so much about your reactions. Tom Sawyer is about as close to a big hit single as Rush ever had. It's the one song that most people know, if they only know one Rush song. Neil was very proud of his arrangement. It's hard to play and he claimed in interviews that he made it so intentionally, to keep him interested. The guy was beyond unique. His lyrics are absolute genius. Now, I'm not one for threats.... but I'm gonna hold my breath until we get Outside the Wall. (jk, I'm in no hurry for that ride to end) 🤘🧙♂️🤘
Rich Peltier
2025-01-31 17:32:41 +0000 UTCWe were so spoiled from the late sixties to the early eighties that I just felt I didn't have to put up with Geddy Lee, nor Jon Anderson, both of whose vocals were unappealing for me, and in fact kept me away from prog for years. There was SO much else going on, we were buried in new music month after month after year. Today, I have an enthusiasm for Yes' "Close to the Edge" album, and for Rush, this one song. I can appreciate the precision you speak of, Amy, but I honestly enjoy the looser complexity of Jimmy Page or Pete Townsend (or The Beatles, for that matter). I hear the Rock from Lifeson and Howe, but I I'm not drawn to playing their albums. Thanks!
George Brady
2025-01-31 16:39:05 +0000 UTCEnjoyed that. Probably my favorite Rush tune. Makes me think of Karl.
TONY SURRATT
2025-01-31 14:15:48 +0000 UTCThank you for your analysis Amy. Rush is a great band with solid musicianship guys, but I definitely don’t appreciate Geddy Lee voice. I have tried many times, but I can’t get to like Rush’s music.
Pedro Macedo
2025-01-31 13:54:38 +0000 UTCFinally!!!
gplpatreon
2025-01-31 13:17:27 +0000 UTCHappy to see you back to some Rush. Now it's time to close a major hole and listen to Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas :)
Eric (bucketfootbaseball)
2025-01-31 13:13:59 +0000 UTC
