RUSH - Cygnus-X1.Net

complete.After my initial reservations about some of the ~roduction qualitiesand choice of tracks on t~e album, it has indeed soared to the top ofmy most played record list. I still have th@sa doubts about it, butsomehow it's slight imperfections lend weight to the fact that it iswithout doubt the best vinyl representation of a live performance thatRush have achieved. That alleviateG my worries about the video - quiterightly. This is, without doubt the best concert video I have everseen. From the band's cartoon entrance to their animated finale it deliverson nearly every level, both covering much the same ground as thealbum and boldly treading where it's vinyl counterpart feared to go. Ifyou thought the 'GUP' video was miles above 'Exit••• Stage Left', then'A Show Of Hands' is practictically on the' other side of the galaxy'.ferhaps the biggest surprise on the video (apart from the inclusionof 'YYZ' - which isn't included on the track listing on the box) is the'presence of Peart's, masterful drum solo. Admittedly only half of it iahere and, admittedly, some of the best effects in the concert we re d'uringthe second half of the aolo (the laser pyramid that surrour:.ded thekit as he revolved springs immediately to mind). Nevertheless, watchingjust four and a half minutes of Mr Feart's agile-wristed dexterity iaenough to reduce the viewer to a state of breathless wonder.' }rime Mover' and 'Territories' also turn up after their failure toreach even the CD version of the album. Notable omi.ssions are 'Subdivisions'and 'Time Stand still' well ••• perhaps Aimee Mann didn't wantto make a second video appearance with the band. The video's greateststrength is that it is a true representation of a concert, not merelya compilation like the album. What you see is what actually occurredon that one night, and consequently the last forty minutes of the filmis magnificent. Neil's solo is foll owed by all the old raves; 'The SpiiLOf P r,(J io', t'rom Sawyer, Overture/Templ es. Of Syrinx t, La Villa Strangiato'and 'In The Mood' - all blistering renditions that are destinedto be watched time and time again. .The photography and sound quality are both top notch, as is the generalquality of the picture, far above the grainy visuals of the lasttwo videos. The camera is a restless viewpoint, rarely still for more·than a few seconds, roving the stage, the band and the arena. Anyonewho witnessed the concerts last year will know h ow loose the band were;Alex and Geddy chasing each other around the stag~, Neil pulling facs~at them during the most complex of drum fills. All this is representedhere, from Alex's antics to Geddy's skippy impression. There's also amarvellous touch of humour at the beginning of 'La Villa Strangiato'.It made me laugh so much I nearly missed the end of the show. See it,You'll understand.All this from a band supposedly devoid of humour, life and character,and are notorious for tightening up in front of the cameras. As Neilso rightly points out in his liner notes, it isn't as good as actuallybeing there - but it comes damn close. This film is testament to thefact that Rush are currently producing the best music of their careers.The beauty of it is that now we can enjoy it with them.",--"STEVE DAMARELL ( STANMORE )