Rush R40 Live HDTracks

Hi Harry,

Listening now on Tidal.

I had hesitated as Geddy's voice sounds a bit odd live these days and because I'm upset that the R40 tour didn't come to Europe. All the World's a Stage is one my favourite live albums and the first record of theirs I owned. They've never come close since.

Sure enough, that yelping, pleading vocal is present. I've only got as far as Headlong Flight, but I suspect I will buy the Blu-Ray and pass on the audio-only.

In my defence, I have sprung for all the 2015 vinyl reissues!

Keith

I hear you Keith. Ged's voice seems to have gone somewhat, or perhaps more accurately has developed into something more appropriate for someone of pensionable age. Ian Anderson has lost his too. I think the first signs were on the Time Machine Tour. Like Anderson's more soft and breathless delivery I regard it as par for the course and if you stay with the album you will hear that he can still use what's left effectively. You could say it's sad but it's just time. I think this will be as good a reason as any for them to stop or at least do some long duration studio projects in the future. Who knows?

It is probably no coincidence that instrumental passages are longer and not uncommon in this set. And what a set. Hemispheres live and fused with X1 (as I've always personally regarded them), extended length 2112, Anthem, Lakeside Park..... brilliant!

But yes, it has been an expensive Rush year. More so for you. I am greatly encouraged as to the quality of the concert footage. Here's hoping.

It does rock, though, doesn't it. I'm now at Natural Science.

I know what you mean about Ian Anderson. I saw him on the Aqualung tour at least ten years ago at the Bristol Colston Hall and the rot had already set in.

I wish they could have come here one more time. I saw the Clockwork Angels tour at the O2 and the sound was not good, but suspect that was because we were sitting in the wrong place as friends sitting elsewhere said it was ok. The sound on the Time Machine tour in Birmingham was really good and Geddy's vocals are less of an issue when you're in his presence.

Xanadu 

Oh yeah.

Gets better.

It is a good 'un.

KRM,

Alex and Geddy were interviewed for Classic Rock magazine earlier this year. The reason for no UK/European tour was Alex is suffering with arthritis in his hands and Neil has tendinitis in his arms. Before committing to a tour they wanted to rest after the North American tour. They would rather not tour than do below par shows as Rush fans expect and get perfection.

Being a fan and seen them on every UK tour since Permanent Waves they have always been great live. I think they will tour Europe sometime next year

I'll have a listen to it but I'm with KRM, I've found Geddy's voice irritating for probably three albums now although I thought it was better than expected live on the angels tour.  I'm also sulking because they didn't come over here this time too.

This time around Geddy's voice is as weak as I've ever heard it. For me it didn't detract but you couldn't ignore it. I saw the interview which mentioned the arthritis (in hands and feet - ouch!) and tendinitis. In retrospect, not to mention ignorance, maybe the voice is as great an issue? Don't know.

I've given it a spin on the lounge system and the compression is more obvious than I had hoped. But it's not awful. Exit Stage Left has got nothing to lose any sleep over on sound quality.

"Exit Stage Left has got nothing to lose any sleep over on sound quality." Still my fave Rush live album.  I remember listening to it repeatedly in my friends dad's garage before we went to see them on the Signals tour and saying we would be pleased if they were anywhere near as good and they were way better.  Probably the best I have ever seen them even though there have been highs since, they were still on the way up and at the height of their powers whilst Geddy still had all of his voice for those high notes.  Good days

High Iron Cobra,

Yes, I had read that interview, so I knew the reason for the lack of European dates. I was just less inclined to buy this because I wasn't there, but I'm sure it will be under the tree on Xmas day.

I've not been as consistent as you, but I have been to a few - AF2K, Hemispheres, Exit Stage Left, Roll the Bones, Time Machine and Clockwork Angels. I would dearly love to go to another.

Keith

Hi Dayjay,

The Exit Stage Left tour was amazing. Stafford Bingley Hall. They had to stop the gig at one point due to crushing at the front - it was pretty wild. The best was AF2K - Hammersmith Odeon, which was recorded and appeared on disc 3 of Different Stages.

Keith

That's a good live album too. Still gotta give it to Exit.

I've never seen them live. I used to religiously attend a minimum of one gig per week (even if it was five people in a pub). Saw most of the big stuff more than once but always missed Rush for some reason. Since retiring from attending gigs I have never regretted it but I do collect a lot of DVDs. Which I probably would anyway, come to think of it.

I've been to every tour since Signals and was very very tempted to go stateside for this last one, mainly because they played Losing It which I have never heard live and which I really love.  Even if they come to Europe next year Ben certainly won't so I doubt they will play it again.  Tickets were like gold dust at some venues though and the overall cost was just too much. Fingers crossed for a future UK tour

We can never say never. Although unlikely seems likely.

I heard something, his voice did detract in my opinion, but I still might go for it - as it's musically good...

After listening via Tidal to R40 tour album, I'll probably get the DVD for christmas. I do agree that Geddy's voice is giving up, and it did make for a distraction, in so much as the expected highs or power were curtailed.

In some ways I'm glad we didn't get to see this tour and I can just remember the great tours we have been fortunately to see.

KRM,

the "Exit... tour was also the Moving Pictures tour. I also was at Stafford, we queued all day in the freezing cold. Lets hope for one last tour next year.

For me the best/first was Permanent Waves ,June 1980, 4th night at the Hammersmith Odeon  "Five night marathon"

The BluRay came today and has been consumed end to end.

It’s a storming concert with “Triumphal Farewell” written all over it. Ged’s voice struggles are as evident as they are on the music album of the concert but for me the visual spectacle masks it more. This won’t be the same for everyone. The set is IMO superb, they look and sound on top of their game and when you look at the visual presentation, instruments employed (Ged used a different bass for nearly every song and Alex wasn't miles behind) and the general feel, I don't think this was a half way good bye. But who knows? 

Picture quality is good and the sound quality is good also. Not superb but Rush fans have to take what they can get and this one is listenable.  On about a par with Time Machine on my modest AV system although there are some in line dips and humps in the soundtrack. Compared to the Clockwork Angels Tour BlluRay/DVD it’s good if a bit inconsistent.

Notwithstanding average but good by Rush standards sound quality and Ged’s voice, this is a fan must. If you are cogitating or thinking you might ask for it as a seasonal gift, do it!