Rush - Grace Under Pressure 1984 Tour

Place: Madison Square Garden.  Date: September 17, 1984. I will always remember because this was the first the RUSH concert that I ever saw.  Oddly enough it was easier for a 15 year old kid to get to MSG than Brendan Byrne Arena, so I did not see RUSH a second time twelve days later.  I know that this blog is design to bring the ignored and underappreciated music to the forefront but I would be remiss if I did not review this CD.  The concert was originally released only on VHS and Laserdisc (remember these?) over Christmas 1984.  I was unaware of the release until I saw the video played on Mtv (again back when they played music instead of idiot shows like "Jersey Shore") and purchased it immediately.  From the VHS, I recorded the audio onto a "high density" metallic tape that at time gave the "clearest" recordings available but it still sounded like crap.  When Mercury Records began its "Chronicles" brand in the '90's this concert was mentioned to be one of the first to be released but unfortunately the CD version would not see the light of day until 2006 as part of the RUSH X-3 DVD package which re-released and remastered the three '80's/'90's concert videos; Exit...Stage Left, Grace Under Pressure and A Show of Hands.  If you purchased the set from Best Buy, there were four previously unreleased tracks included.  Two of which were the Exit...Stage Left tour and two from the Hold Your Fire tour.

So, there I was sitting in Section 124 Row 5 Seat 6 with heightened anticipation and going through the motions of listening to the opening act (Fastway) which they thankfully dropped for the Test for Echo tour.  Finally, the lights dropped and the Three Stooges Introduction began and they immediately launch into "The Spirit of Radio" and after that it was all a blur.  I do remember seeing Geddy Lee play his Steinberger bass and synthesizer simultaneously while singing, Alex playing and jumping around like a lunatic, staring in sheer amazement at the Professor on his Candy Apple Red Tama set (still my favorite drum kit) and watching it rotate for "Witch Hunt". This CD does bring back alot of memories.  My only gripe with this release is that it is a straight soundtrack of the DVD and not a complete concert.  Everything I have read is that RUSH has kept a substantial collection of their concert performances and I am sure that they have a complete recording of the shows that they played at Maple Leaf Gardens.  One can only hope that when RUSH eventually retires, they will release a career retrospective of live performances that have not  been previously available.  The entire set is listed below with the songs that appear on the CD in italics. 

Madison Square Garden Set List

1. Three Stooges Introduction
2. The Spirit of Radio
3. Subdivisons
4. The Body Electric
5. The Enemy Within (Part 1 of the Fear Trilogy)
6. The Weapon (Part 2 of the Fear Trilogy)
7. Witch Hunt (Part 3 of the Fear Trilogy)
8. New World Man
9. Between The Wheels
10. Red Barchetta
11. Distant Early Warning
12. Red Sector A
13. Closer to the Heart
14. Kid Gloves
15. YYZ/Temples of Syrinx/Tom Sawyer
16. Red Lenses/Drum Solo/Red Lenses
17. Vital Signs
18. Finding My Way
19. In the Mood

While there has been a large quantity and quality of live RUSH material released inthe past five years, this CD does serve an excellent time capsule for wher the band was in1984, their musicianship and the sonic sound that they employed at that time.  It is a good listen but would probably only interest the tried and true RUSH fan RUSH - Grace Under Pressure: 1984 Tour

Richie Sambora - Stranger in this Town

I am going out on a ledge and admit that I am a Bon Jovi fan.  Being from New Jersey, it is a prerequisite that you either like Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi or both.  I first saw Bon Jovi open for Ratt at the Hemisfair (1983) in San Antonio and have been a fan every since.  In 1990, after seven years of recording and touring non-stop the band went on hiatus and most believed premanently.  While Jon Bon Jovi ventured into acting and recording the soundtrack to "Young Guns II" with a lot of fanfare and the distinctive Bon Jovi sound (complete with Sambora like backing vocal), Richie Sambora quitely released "Stranger In This Town" in 1991.  From opening track "Rest in Peace", you quickly realize that this is not a Bon Jovi record and in fact is a whole lot more.   The combination of keyboards and guitar emit mood that sets the pace for the entire record.  The other thing that immediately strikes you is that Richie can sing and sings better than his lead bandmate.  On "Church of Desire", the bass line kicks right and plows right into a straight forward rocker that highlights Richie's superior guitar playing.  Upon reading the liner notes, the primary musicians that recorded this album were follow Bon Jovi alumni David Bryan (keyboards) and Tico Torres (drums) but the difference is the bass player (Tony Levin).  Tony is a legend the music community and is known for his work with Peter Gabriel and King Crimson but has a porfolio of work that is nearly endless Tony Levin's Website.  As a bass and a Chapman stick player, he tightens up this band and proves that Tico Torres can play more than 4/4 "bang/pop" on the drums.  On "Stranger in this Town", the song is a quiet ballad that is accented by David Bryan's keyboards and synthesizer orchestrations.  While the lyrics are about someone who is down of their proverbial luck, if you read into the lyrics it can interpreted as Richie's unease with the mass popularity that he had experienced over the preceding six years.  On "Ballad of Youth", you get another straight forward rocker that has no hint of being a Bon Jovi song.  The song is tight and richly textured and avoids the trappings that define a Bon Jovi album.  On the front cover of the CD booklet, Richie writes the recommended listening instructions for this album "Turn Down the Lights, Light a Candle...Welcome..." which I would suggest for "One Light Burning".  "One Light Burning" is my favorite song on the album and offers a introspective side of Richie that had not been represented before and is, in my opinion, a love song to his then-wife Heather Locklear who was his "One Light Burning" throughout the darkness of constant recording and touring.  "Mr. Bluesman" is an ode to the traveling blues players and the song his highlighted by the guitar playing of Eric Clapton.  Eric Clapton provides the guitar solo and guitar accents throughout the song and clearly shows why he is among the Top 5 greatest guitar players of all time.  The 7th track "Rosie" is the only disappointing track on the CD because it songs like a Bon Jovi song which is no surprise because it is co-written with Jon Bon Jovi, Desmond Child and Diane Warren.  While "Rosie" is a competent song, it is clearly not in step with the other songs and mood of the CD.  Diane Warren should be banned from the music business for introducing and popularizing the rock ballad (see Aerosmith's "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing") and inundating listeners with sugar coated/sappy crap.  "River of Love" get things back on track with the rest of the album and is again highlighted by Tony Levin's stick playing which is emphasized throughout the track especially during the musical interlude/guitar solo portion of the song.  "Father Time" is another ballad that puts David Bryan's keyboard playing up in front.  The song is a lament on apparently how quickly Richie's life seems to be passing him by and the relationships that he has either missed or neglected.  It is interesting that 18 years after this song is written the different perspective that his career has.  Currently, Bon Jovi records and releases an album every 2-3 years and does a tour (not a 2 year marathon) but they do it because they want it and not because they have to.  It seems that Richie has taken control of his "Father Time".  The last song "The Answer" is an acoustic ballad that could easily be mistaken for a lullaby that is sung to a child.  David Bryan's synthesized effects give off an ethereal mood.  The lyric of "Come Along With Me/Come Along With Me/Seek The Truth/and You Will Find Another Life" seemingly accentuate the inviting feeling that this whole album has presented.  Solo albums are usually interpreted a couple of ways; the "I am sick of my band,so I will make a solo record as a statement (David Lee Roth)", "there is nothing else going on, so I will make a solo record (Joe Perry)" or "I want to make a solo record that showcases my talents and offers a different and more rounded perspective of my musicianship".  Stranger in this Town falls into the third category and is one of those albums that you buy because you recognize the name but are not sure what to expect.  It is the lack of expectations that allows you to listen with an open mind and truly be blown away by its quality and his performance.  This CD will be an excellent addition to any collection, large or small.  You will not be disappointed Richie Sambora - Stranger in this Town

The Masterpiece (Bruce Hornsby - Harbor Lights)

Bruce Hornsby had initial mass success with his debut album "The Way It Is" with single "Mandolin Rain", "Every Little Kiss" and the title track.  His second album "Scenes from the Southside" was a strong follow up with "Valley Road" and Jacob's Ladder" (also recorded by Huey Lewis & the News) receiving airtime.  By the time his third CD, A Night on the Town, was released musical tastes had changed but quality of work had not diminshed.  During that time Bruce was also writing/recording with the likes of Bonnie Raitt and Don Henley (The End of the Innocence).  In 1992, he stepped in as a part-time keyboard player for the Grateful Dead after the death of Brent Mydland and I believe the improvisational style and allowing the songs to breathe musically had an effect for his fourth CD, Harbor Lights, which Bruce considered to be his turning point in many areas.  From the opening notes of the first and title track "Harbor Lights" you come to realize that Bruce Hornsby is not only an excellent pianist and superb song craftsman.  The music immediately setting the tone that is not a "pop album" but a "jazz album with pop sensibilities".  The syncopation of the rhythm section of Jimmy Haslip (Bass) and John Molo (Drums & the only hold over from "the Range" band) sets an easy going pace that is highlighted by Bruce piano and the extraordinary guitar playing of Pat Methany.  The "Talk of the Town" starts off with a funky drum loop and a bass line that bluesy and sounds like its either being played on an upright or fretless bass.  The song is about relationships and the difficulty maintaining them.  The true highlight is the soprano sax of Branford Marsalis.  On "Long Tall Cool One" the unmistakable voice of Phil Collins accents the background vocals.  The songs is all about getting involved in situation and getting in over your head.  Again, the tenor & soprano sax of Branford Marsalis accents the song and lengthy sax solo on top of Bruce's piano accent their virtuosity.  The fourth song, "China Doll", Bruce's piano takes a more prominant role and the jazz guitar of Pat Methany are a outstanding. In the middle of the song, there is no mistaking that you are listening to a jazz album and this is Bruce's true calling.  "Fields of Gray" shows Bruce's pop abilities and this songs could have easily been any of his first albums which is not a bad statement.  The orchestration of the violins, viola and cello coupled with a fretless bass give an atmosphere of song craft rarily heard today.  On "Rainbow's Cadillac" the opening notes tell you that Bruce is finished with the pop song and states "let's go back to jazz".  Again, the smooth and easy style that Bruce employs shows off his excellent.  The background vocals of Bonnie Raitt are a perfect addition.  The 7th song, "Passing Through" continues the tone and mood with synthesizers playing more prominant role.  The guitar accents and solos of Jerry Garcia shows his talent and his greatness.  These recordings also represent some of his last recordings before his death in 1995.  The CD is rounded out with "The Tide Will Rise", "What a Time" and "Pastures of Plenty", all have an uptempo that keeps your foot (or fingers) consistently tapping.  Again, the extraordinary drumming of John Molo is on display through "What a Time".  On "Pastures of Plenty", Jerry Garcia is again featured and Bruce's piano takes a move to the forefront and then coupled with Jerry's guitar.  The song lyrics offers optimism "Where are you going to my friend/Said I'm going out to find/The pastures of plenty/I believe they're out there somewhere" only to dashed by mild indifference "Hanging around just to see what could happen/Hanging on by oh, the thinnest thread/Sometimes Isee the faintest glimpse/Sometime I feel I'd Be better off in bed".  The instrumental exercise to end the songs acts a perfect bookend to "Harbor Lights" opening.  The Emperor termed this album "The Masterpiece" and everyway it is.  There is not any weakness in any one track and the flow from song to song is such that the 52 minutes that the CD runs feels like only a couple of minutes.  It also shows an artist that is comfortable in his own shoes, the path his musical career is going to go towards and the talent to get there.  The CD is highly recommended and would be an instant favorite to any collection.  It is available through CD Universe: Bruce Hornsby: Harbor Lights.

Welcome Back My Friends...

As the Emerson, Lake and Palmer lyric goes " to the show that never ends, come inside, come inside".  As mentioned on the sidebar, this blog was created as a response to the current state of the music business and not necessarily the music itself.  As Neil Peart mentioned on his webiste "The importance of “the album” is not what it was, and there is currently a reversion to a musical climate rather like the 1950s, when only “the song” matters.  Radio, downloads, and "shuffle" settings are inimincal to collected works".  If this is truly the case, the avid music listener looses.  The record companies will decide what is the best song for the listener and not the listener itself. The "American Idolization" of music has precipitated this and not the emergence of digital downloading of music. Personally I like shuffle settings, it allows me to play "producer", be creative and sequence an album to liking.  That being said, we plan to introduce you to albums and artists that either been ignored because they did not appeal to the mass audience or had brief commerical success but what the radio playlists considered to be "Popular" had changed but still have outstanding artistic quality that should be shared.  In addition to the Czar and Emperor, we plan on having guest reviewers who enjoy other genres of music and/or have more diverse music collections to give the best representation possible.

So, enjoy and welcome.  Step inside, Step inside.

The Czar