Alex lifeson

[Brian Baker]

In keeping with my "prog-related" thread regarding Steve Howe...

So I was reading some reviews of the new Rush studio album, "Snakes and Arrows" on progarchives.com, and someone's post mentioned that Alex plays a mandolin solo on track 3.

I haven't heard this CD yet (Amazon says its release date is May 1st, so I'm not sure how these folks have reviewed it already).

Has anyone heard this song? Is it true that Alex has seen the light and busted out a mando solo? Could this be the beginning of RGPMAS (Rush Guitar Player Mando Acquisition Syndrome)?

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

Brian Baker

[jefflester]

I haven't heard this CD yet (Amazon says its release date is May 1st, so I'm not sure how these folks have reviewed it already).
I'm not sure in what manner, but the album was leaked last week.

[mandopete]

Today's Tom Sawyer
He gets high on you
And the space he invades
He gets by on you

[JeffS]

Has anyone heard this song? Is it true that Alex has seen the light and busted out a mando solo? Could this be the beginning of RGPMAS (Rush Guitar Player Mando Acquisition Syndrome)?
I've listened to the CD twice and never caught it but now that I am listening for it I noticed it. It isn't the most exciting solo but it is there.

[Keith Erickson]

I know that Alex Lifeson played Mandola on Test for Echo but I didn't know hat he even played the mandolin.

I didn't know that a new album was out!!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif
Sounds like I need to pick this one up....

Thanks for the heads up http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Santiago]

Today's Tom Sawyer sings half an octave lower.

[John Hill]

Yep. On the song "Workin' Them Angels" there is a mandolin solo. But it's hard to tell from the way it's mixed. The liner notes say he also plays a bouzouki on this CD.

The CD's already on sale in England plus the whole thing got leaked last week so a lot hardcore Rush fans have already heard it.

[mandopete]

Today's Tom Sawyer sings half an octave lower.
What a drag it is getting old!

[Santiago]

They were making a big deal out of that on New York radio the other day. Hey, I had a full head of black hair back then! Perhaps I should let he who is without wrinkles cast the first stone.

[Keith Erickson]

I've been a Rush Fan since 2112 back in 1976.

Snakes and Arrows shows that Rush still hasn't lost their groove http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

Neil Peart:

drums, cymbals, electronic percussion, tambourine

Geddy Lee:

bass guitar, bass pedals, mellotron, vocals

Alex Lifeson:

six- and twelve- string electric and acoustic guitars, mandola, mandolin, bouzouki

How cool is this!!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Santiago]

Alex has always been underrated.

[mandolooter]

[QUOTE]Alex has always been underrated.

I think a few folks may like him tho... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I still remember when I first heard "Workin Man" way back when...I had to have it so I recorded it off the radio onto a, get this, 8-track tape...what ...me, old? Only in body http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

[John Hill]

I think that Snakes & Arrows is a very solid work from Rush. I'm a hardcore fan (drummer turned mandolin player) from wayback, first album was Grace Under Pressure.

Never thought I'd talk Rush on the Cafe though.

[Keith Erickson]

I think that Snakes & Arrows is a very solid work from Rush. I'm a hardcore fan (drummer turned mandolin player) from wayback, first album was Grace Under Pressure.

Never thought I'd talk Rush on the Cafe though.
I agree totally John.

Not only did I ever think that I would be talking Rush on the Mandolin Cafe....

....who would have thought that any of us would ever pick a mandolin? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Lóók at us now... .......we're completely addicted to this instrument http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[John Hill]

Here's Alex playing what looks like a Garrison mandola w/capo:


http://www.rushisaband.com/graphics/ti/full/104.jpg

[John Hill]

One more:

http://www.rushisaband.com/graphics/ti/full/125.jpg

[Keith Erickson]

John,

That picture reminds me of that song off of the 1975 release "Caress of Steel".

Do you know what song I'm talking about? "I think I'm going bald" http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Do you have any info about this picture? What song was he playing?

[John Hill]

Got that at Rushisaband.com in the tour section from their Tampa show. I think he's using it on Workin' Them Angels but I've heard that he plays the mandola on a couple of tunes along with alot of acoustic guitar. Cool stuff.

[tkdboyd]

WOW, he is looking old....I guess that means I am getting old!
I think Rush ought to do a Canadian rooted folk/Celtic album. Geddy Lee with a mandocello in his hands would be awesome!

[John Hill]

Do you know what song I'm talking about? "I think I'm going bald" http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Oh yeah! That song is much maligned but once you get past the goofy lyrics that song is a rocking tune. Love it.

[Keith Erickson]

Okay, #I love this album...

...now for slight criticism #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif #

I don't hear as much of those Lifeson lead solo's that we've all come to know and love over the years.

Don't get me wrong, this is a great album.

In a way it reminded me of Signals when Lifeson's work took a back seat to the Synth's.

The Plus Side.... well it's obvious that the use of mando family instruments is definitely a plus and adds to the character and quality of this album. #However this is nothing knew for Rush.

If I recall the 1996 release of "Test for Echo" had the mandola and even the hammer dulcimer.

[John Hill]

Okay, I love this album...

...now for slight criticism http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

I don't hear as much of those Lifeson lead solo's that we've all come to know and love over the years.

Don't get me wrong, this is a great album.

In a way it reminded me of Signals when Lifeson's work took a back seat to the Synth's.

The Plus Side.... well it's obvious that the use of mando family instruments is definitely a plus and adds to the character and quality of this album. However this is nothing knew for Rush.

If I recall the 1996 release of "Test for Echo" had the mandola and even the hammer dulcimer.
Yeah, I'm with you in that there aren't many guitar solos on S&A. But it's better than on Vapor Trails where there were zero solos, Alex said it was intentional to have that wall of sound rather than solos. But after 30 years I'll take what I can get from them.

Looking at the liner notes from Snakes & Arrows, it looks like he even used a balailaika (sp?). A lot of acoustic work on the CD.

[Keith Erickson]

Yeah, I'm with you in that there aren't many guitar solos on S&A. But it's better than on Vapor Trails where there were zero solos, Alex said it was intentional to have that wall of sound rather than solos.

Come to think of it.....you're right. Vapor Trails didn't have that any solo's. Don't get me wrong... ...there really isn't a Rush Album that I can say that I despise but I have my favorites over others.

With Vapor Trails, it seemed as if the music was much more dark and moody. Considering what Neil Peart came out of, who can blame him.


Looking at the liner notes from Snakes & Arrows, it looks like he even used a balailaika (sp?). A lot of acoustic work on the CD.

I wasn't aware of that!!! WOW!!!! I'm surprised but then again I guess I shouldn't be http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[hoffmannia2k7]

Just saw Rush last week, and that half octave lower comment is garbage. They are still rockin!

[John_Bennett]

Kewl Man,

Now I have a new wallpaper for my computer!! Thanks for the pics.

Has anyone noticed...in the liner notes from the Rascal Flats CD...Feel's Like Today..., "whats his name" is wearing a "Signals" concert tee-shirt ?? Just thought I would throw that in.

The more Rush tab that can be located and posted the better!! Without a doubt, my practice time would go way up, being able to jam with these guys CDs.

So... you older, experienced guys...help us out. Transpose and post... for us newbies!!!

I am thinking "La Villa Strangiato" would be an excellent choice, although way above my skill level, I am sure.

Also, I saw Rush, in Boston, on the Vapor Trails tour. Alex had a big bald spot then, but nowhere near as large a spot as he has now. (Sat front row, stage left, in front of Geddy.)

[John Hill]

Just saw Rush last week, and that half octave lower comment is garbage. They are still rockin!
I know at least Circumstances is dropped a step or two on the new tour.

[Keith Erickson]

Just saw Rush last week, and that half octave lower comment is garbage. #They are still rockin!
It is garbage!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

The last time I saw Rush was on the Test for Echo tour in 1996 here in El Paso.

That night they played the whole 1st side of 2112. Okay, it might have been tuned down a step or two but they played it much better than it appeared on "All the Worlds a Stage".

[Patrick Market]

Well, the mandola made one appearance last night for "Workin' Them Angels" in St. Louis during the Time Machine tour. Not enough of it or Lifeson on it. A superb show all around, musically, visually, etc.

Just thought I'd resurrect this thread. Rush is as deserving of the notice as we are of more mandola (or, dare I say it, mandolin?) in the future. Rush? Are you listening?

[John Hill]

It will be interesting to see (or hear I guess) if any 'dola work shows up on the new album whenever it gets released. The new material is as heavy/hard-edged as anything they've done.

[Patrick Market]

Indeed. They played both "BU2B" and "Caravan" last night, and that is hard core rock.