Jammit Launches On The Mac

Yesterday Rush announced on Facebook that they have continued their partnership with Jammit with the release of "2112", "Limelight", "YYZ" and "Tom Sawyer" on Jammit for Mac (with the note "coming soon for Windows").  Jammit gives you access to the original Rush multi-track masters, with instrument-specific versions available for drums, bass, guitar and vocals, with the precise notation and tablature.

"Most music over the last 50 years was recorded to a multi-track format, allowing individual volume control over each instrument in the band. Those tracks are blended together into the mix that we’ve all become very familiar with over the years. Jammit has partnered with Rush to give you access to those separate elements of classic Rush songs so you can hear every nuance of Geddy's bass and vocals, Neil’s drums, and Alex’s guitar performances.  Jammit also gives you synchronized notation and tab, section looping, variable slow mode and a performance recorder so you can interact with 2112, Limelight, YYZ and now Tom Sawyer in ways that were not possible…until now. Travel back in time to when these classic Rush songs were born, and experience Rush like you have never before!" - jammit.com/artist/rush

RUSH To Receive 'Ronnie James Dio Lifetime Achievement Award' At 'Revolver Golden Gods' April 11th

"New honorees, presenters, performers and special guests have been announced for the fourth annual Revolver Golden Gods, presented by Epiphone, America's only hard-rock and heavy-metal award show. The event will take place Wednesday, April 11, at Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles and is almost sold out. Fans without tickets can still watch the show though, as it will be broadcast live in its entirety on XBOX LIVE, as well as on the XBOX and Revolver Facebook pages. The award show live broadcast is the first ever of its kind and kicks off globally at 6 p.m. PDT/9 p.m. EDT.

"The Ronnie James Dio Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by XBOX LIVE, will go to prog-rock pioneers RUSH, who will release their highly anticipated 19th studio album, "Clockwork Angels", this year on Roadrunner Records. (Previous honorees include hard-rock and metal legends MÖTLEY CRÜE, Lemmy Kilmister of MOTÖRHEAD and Ozzy Osbourne.) The award will be presented by Jack Black and Kyle Gass of TENACIOUS D, whose new record, "Rize Of The Fenix", hits stores on May 15. RUSH's Neil Peart commented, "We are honored and delighted to receive this honor — especially because it will be presented by Jack and Kyle. Our 'lifetimes' are not over yet, and we dearly hope our 'achievements' are not either, so I suppose you could say that to us this is the 'So Far, So Good' award." Of presenting the award, Black commented, "RUSH was the most impressive band, musically, when I was just learning about rock. Weirdly, they got your body moving in interpretive-dancing ways, but it was still aggressive. Their stuff was just so complex and so tasty!" - Blabbermouth.net, March 12, 2012 (Thanks to Frank Ray and RushFanForever for the headsup!)

Rush Makes Billboard's "Top 40 Money Makers 2012"

Rush has made Billboard magazine's list of "Music's Top 40 Money Makers 2012", coming in at number 32 with $5,819,304 in earnings:

The Canadian prog-rock power trio remains a mighty draw on the road, thanks to the band's deep catalog of anthems like "Tom Sawyer," "Closer to the Heart" and "The Spirit of Radio," and the chops of bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peart. The band's Time Machine tour continued through the first half of 2011, grossing $14.1 million in the United States and netting $4.8 million. Rush also made noise at retail, generating U.S. album sales of 431,000 units. Adding to the revenue mix: a concert recording titled "Time Machine: Live in Cleveland 2011" debuted and peaked at No. 54 on the Billboard 200 in November, with the live show kicking off a new deal with Roadrunner Records. - Billboard.biz, March 9, 2012 - Thanks to squintyt4e for the headsup!

Rush On "Archer", yet again!

Rush was referenced yet again on FX's Archer.  During yesterday's episode "Skin Game", in the opening scene Krieger brings Archer to his lab which holds a large Neil Peart-esque drumkit, replete with double bass drums with "Thunder" and "Dome" written in the font from the debut album. Archer says "Wow, amazing, you can play 'YYZ'", to which Krieger replies "First of all, it's YY-zed. And second of all, no I can't get it, it's impossible."  Later, in the next scene (after the opening credits), in regards to creating an android of Katya, Krieger says "How dare you fail to recognize my greatest accomplishment to date?", and Pam replies "What, you finally nailed YYZ?"  Krieger shouts "It's Zed, and...no, Neil Peart (Pert) stands alone..." - Thanks to Benny Prince for the headsup!

This is the third Rush reference on Archer. Last April, Dr. Krieger's van was painted with an "Exit Stage Left" mural.  And during this year's season premier in January, Dr. Krieger had a new van sporting a mural featuring a recreation of the Hemispheres cover, with the words "Krieger Vanispheres" as the headline.

Neil Peart Featured In Ginger Baker Documentary "Beware of Mr. Baker"

UPDATE: A second preview of the Ginger Baker documentary has been posted at HollywoodReporter.com, and this one includes a couple of shots of Neil Peart discussing Ginger and Cream. Check it out here. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Neil Peart is one of a host of musicians featured in the new Ginger Baker Documentary Beware of Mr. Baker. Rollingstone.com has posted the first trailer of the film (click here to view), and although Neil is not featured in the clip, he is listed as one of the featured artists.

If you've got a problem with Ginger Baker, go ahead and hit him in the nose. He'd welcome it. "I ain't gonna sue you. I'm gonna hit you back," the crazy drummer tells the camera in this trailer for the new documentary Beware of Mr. Baker, which screens multiple times at SXSW in Austin beginning March 10th. Eric Clapton, Johnny Rotten, Carlos Santana, Charlie Watts and Neil Peart are just a few of the legendary musicians who attest to the musical gift of the drummer, best known for playing in Cream and Blind Faith before discovering the Afrobeat of Fela Kuti. Most of them can also vouch for Baker's ferocious approach to life. "Maybe you have to be a little mad to play the way he does," says Marky Ramone. - RollingStone.com, March 1, 2012

Sonic Reality Update: Additional Neil Peart Library in the Works?

There have been two Sonic Reality libraries featuring the sampled drums of Neil Peart: "Neil Peart Drums Vol. 1: The Kit" and "Vol. 2 The Grooves".  On Sunday the Sonic Reality Progressive Rock Project updated their Facebook page with the following.

"Right now I'm working on an extra Neil Peart kit from the original session that was never released. This will be part of a stereo kit library for Reason, SampleTank, Battery and some other formats we're going to be supporting. Sounds great! Some other cool unreleased things like a Queen style kick and snare from the British rock sessions. I've been going through the sessions to find things we missed the first time around."

Stay tuned for more!

Neil Peart Artist Calendar from Drum Workshop

Neil Peart is one of the featured Artist Calendars offered as a print resolution download from DW Drums.  For the full collection of Artist Calendars visit DWDrums.com. - Thanks to Mark Rosenthal for the headsup!

No More "Limbo" for "Limbaugh" - Rush Pulls Music From Limbaugh Show

According to the Huffington Post, Rush has formally demanded that Rush Limbaugh cease and desist using the band's music as bumper music on his show.  Here is the full text of their lawyer's letter to the show:

The Rush Limbaugh Show 1270 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 RushLimbaugh.com Premiere Radio Networks.

Ladies & Gentlemen:

I am the attorney for Rush, their management company, S.R.O. Management Inc., their music publishing company, Core Music Publishing and their record company, The Anthem Entertainment Group Inc.

According to media reports, Rush Limbaugh, Premiere Radio Networks and The Rush Limbaugh Show have been using Rush's recorded music as part of what is essentially a political broadcast.

The use of Rush's music in this way is an infringement of Rush's copyrights and trademarks. The public performance of Rush's music is not licensed for political purposes and any such use is in breach of public performance licenses and constitutes copyright infringement. There are civil and criminal remedies for copyright infringement, including statutory damages and fines.

(see sections 501-513 of Title 17 of the United States Code http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html)

In addition, the use of Rush's music in this manner implies an endorsement of the views expressed and products advertised on the show, and is in breach of not only copyright and trademark rights, but also, of section 51 of the New York Civil Rights Law (excerpt attached).

Accordingly, we hereby demand that you immediately stop all use of Rush's music and confirm that you will do so.

Yours very truly,
Robert A. Farmer
Director of Legal Affairs
S.R.O. Management Inc.,
Core Music Publishing
The Anthem Entertainment Group Inc.

- Thanks to Ed Dobbins for the headsup!

Related Links

• Rush (The Band) Yanks Music From Limbaugh Show, Huffington Post, March 6, 2012
• Rush Becomes Second Musical Act To Demand That Rush Limbaugh Stops Using Their Music, Ultimate Classic Rock, March 7, 2012
•  Rush to Rush Limbaugh STOP USING OUR MUSIC ... or Else, TMZ.com, March 7, 2012
• When Liberal Musicians Don't Like Their Conservative Fans, American Spectator, March 9, 2012

Geddy Lee referenced on "Switched At Birth"

Geddy Lee was referenced during last week's episode of ABC Family's Switched At Birth (Tuesdays at 8/7c).  Late in the episode "Write A Lonely Soldier", Daphne (who is deaf) is making out in a car with a boy named Wilke when she stops him and says she wants to communicate with him in sign language.  Wilke responds "Alright, what's the sign for Wilke's the greatest bass player since Geddy Lee?"  The episode is online at ABC Family's website. - Thanks to Giraldo Perez for the headsup!

Books on Tape: The Top 10 Collabs Between Authors and Musicians

The new Clockwork Angels novelization is the impetus behind a new story from Spinner.com:

"Can you imagine a world where, instead of fossil fuels, modern machinery runs on the power of steam and everyone's favourite band is Rush?  If so, you've glimpsed into the alternate reality that unfolds in the forthcoming steampunk novel from sci-fi author Kevin J. Anderson. The best-selling scribe of over 100 genre books, including titles for the 'Star Wars,' 'Dune,' and 'X-Files' franchises, is writing a companion novel to 'Clockwork Angels,' the upcoming studio album from Canadian prog-rock giants Rush.

"'I take my inspiration from many sources, but music has always been a key to my literary imagination, more than just a soundtrack but a trigger for images, scenes, and strange worlds,' Anderson tells Spinner.  In fact, he dedicated his first novel, 'Resurrection, Inc,' to the Rush album 'Grace Under Pressure,' a nod that spawned a friendship with Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart which eventually led to the 'Clockwork Angels' collaboration. Spinner.com, March 2, 2012 (click here for the full story) - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Rush Cover Versions Update

I've recently added four cover versions to the Discography's Rush Covers page and thought I would share them.  All four are unique and worth checking out:

• "Subdivisions", performed by Anita Athavale on In The Noise, January 11, 2007.  This version has a soft rock/adult contemporary vibe; just a female vocal with piano accompaniment.  Hear it here (begins at the 0:30 mark).
  

  "Making the album, I was in a place where I was about to put music down: try something else, be normal, make some money, buy a house, whatever else I was supposed to do. That song made me think about choosing that other life." - Anita Athavale

• "Losing It", performed by the Maurizio Rolli Big Band on Rolli's Tones, August 4, 2009.  An import from Italy, this is an extremely well done jazz band performance which is fairly true to the original arrangement.  A saxophone solo takes the place of Ben Mink's violin.  Hear it here.
• "Subdivisions", performed by Artok on Above Ground, December 28, 2010.  From Canada, this version pointedly does not include keyboards; that part is faithfully reproduced on guitar.  Hear it here.
• "Bravado", performed by Gregorian on Masters Of Chant Chapter VIII, September 30, 2011.  Another import, Gregorian is a German band headed by Frank Peterson that performs Gregorian chant-inspired versions of modern pop and rock songs.  Again, a very interesting version.  Hear it here.

- Thanks to Joe Pesch, RushFanForever and Nik Ramone for the headsup!

Did Rush suffer from the Sophomore Slump?

Music journalist Jeff Wagner discusses how the "Sophomore Slump" has affected various "metal" bands, and includes Rush in his discussion:

"Easy call. 'Rush' is like Led Zeppelin and Cream jamming and eating back bacon together. It's fully capable and crammed with energy. But it's derivative. 'Fly by Night,' however, adds Neil Peart to the mix, widens the musical scope, and offers monumental songwriting efforts like 'Anthem' and 'By-Tor and the Snow Dog.' No contest here. 'Fly by Night' wins." - Jeff Wagner, Noisecreep.com, March 1, 2012 - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Neil Peart Featured in April "Motorcyclist" Magazine - Article Now Online

UPDATE: The article "Workin' Them Angels" is now available online at Motorcyclistonline.com.

The April 2012 issue of Motorcyclist Magazine contains the feature article "Workin' Them Angles" written by executive editor Brian Catterson.  Brian, a long-time Rush fan who has written about his rides with Peart in the past (see Cycle World, February 2003), talks about how he had always hope to meet Neil, how he eventually did - and also discusses riding with Neil during the final leg of the Time Machine Tour. In addition to the main article, there are two sidebars, "The Bike That Changed My Life: 2006 BMW R1100GS" with Neil Peart, and a short final article, "How We Roll". - Thanks to John at Cygnus-X1.net for the headsup!

"Site Updates" Page Addition

There is a new addition to the Power Windows website, the "Site Updates" page.  You'll find it on the Menu under the "News" button.  This page has been created to document additions to this website which might not necessary be worthy of sharing on the main "News" page, such as additions to the "Inspirations", "References" or "Downloads" pages, or the occasional historical addition to the "Tour" page.  More notably, it will document the frequent ongoing updates to the "Transcript Archive".  To be notified of updates, you can also subscribe to my Twitter feed, and/or "Like" us on Facebook.

New Yorker Satire References Rush

Here's a bit of satire just in from The New Yorker on the "newer, sexier constitutions":

Canada has ratified the first update to its Charter of Freedoms and Rights since its adoption in 1982. Based on the song “Limelight” by its most famous native sons, the prog-rock band Rush, it protects Canadians’ pursuit of “the universal dream”—provided that, as the song says, citizens “put aside the alienation, get on with the fascination, the real relation, the underlying theme.” Ratification was briefly in jeopardy due to a heated debate in Ottawa’s House of Commons over whether singer Geddy Lee in fact sings “theme” or “spleen,” but Prime Minister Stephen Harper saved the day; he cast the deciding vote after checking the correct lyrics on the Internet. Afterward Harper told a relatively (for Canada at least) anxious nation, “that’s why you get an iPhone.” - New Yorker.com, February 29, 2012

"Working Man" heard in "Goon"

Rush's "Working Man" is heard in the new movie Goon starring Seann William Scott which was just released in Canada this past Friday, February 24th.  The film will have a limited run in the US starting March 30th; for more details visit imdb.com. - Thanks to Paul Dryer for the headsup!

"2112" Featured on BBC 2's "Sound of the 70s"

2112 was the featured album on BBC Radio 2’s "Sound of the 70s Show" with Johnnie Walker today, February 26th.  This is a national radio station and the program was broadcast during prime-time. Check out the BBC iplayer in the next few days to hear it online.  While not a particularly informative show from a Rush point of view, simply being played on the UKs most popular radio station is a pretty big deal! - Thanks to David Cooke for the headsup!

Masterdisk Chief Engineer Andy VanDette On Remastering Rush for iTunes

Masterdisk Chief Engineer Andy VanDette, who recently remastered Rush's Mercury catalogue for the Sectors boxed sets, spoke to Arstechnica.com about the creation of compressed versions of each song specifically for the iTunes Store.

"VanDette explained how mastering varies depending on the age of the original recordings as well as the final output format. Many master recordings for Rush albums are from vinyl's heyday, he said. 'Back then we would try and hide as much top end as possible, knowing that the end users' styli would be crap.  Most listeners today swear they love the bottom end on vinyl, but I remember in the heyday of vinyl, it was all about top end.  If we could only have a clear top end without all those pops and clicks' we thought,' he said, noting the tendency of low-end record players to introduce unwanted noise. 'Back then, bottom was the enemy. It made the grooves [in the vinyl] too wide, and forced us to turn down the overall level of the disc.'"

"The constraints of vinyl aren't a concern when mastering for a CD, so it's possible to boost overall levels as well as low frequencies without ruining the rest of the mix. 'While remastering the classic Rush albums, I added as much LF as I could, always aware not to cloud the classic 'ping' on Neil's snare, muddle Geddy's voice, or bury Alex's guitar,' he said.  'These are some finely balanced mixes, even 35 years later,' VanDette said. 'I wanted to make sure the listener still heard the classic album come through, without it being too loud, boomy, or modern sounding.  Mastering for iTunes was a different challenge.  You can't get around it-when you throw away 80 percent of the data, the sound changes. It was my quest to make the AAC files sound as close to the CD as possible; I did not want them to be any more loud, hyped, or boomy sounding than the CD.'"

"Because iTunes tracks are typically played back on decidedly average earbuds or computer speakers, there is a tendency for some producers to boost bass frequencies to make up for the tinny sound. However, VanDette said, doing so is not really the answer. For one thing, there's no guarantee that playback will always happen on sub-par equipment...Creating iTunes-specific masters for Rush's albums required a more nuanced approach than just boosting the bass. 'The delicate mix balances of a Rush album dictated that I could only 'nudge' the bottom, not really boost it.  For iTunes mastering I focused on making up for the losses created by the iTunes AAC algorithm. Generally, I heard changes in level, bottom, top, punch, and imaging.'  But not every album, or even every song, could be treated the same way. 'On a live album I found the center image was lower, making Geddy's vocal too low in the mix,' VanDette said. 'It was rare to be able to use one static setting for an entire album.'"

 For the full article visit arstechnica.com. - Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand for the headsup!

Rush Beyond The Lighted Stage Coming to Israel

The Israel premiere of Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage will take place on Sunday at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque at 10 p.m. The debut will be followed by midnight screenings on March 2, 9, 23 and 30.

"...it’s only fitting that it’s a fan of the Canadian progressive rock heroes who’s bringing the film Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage to Israel.  'I first started listening to Rush when I was in Israel on a Youth Aliya program in 1981,' says New York native Alex Gutman, who immigrated to Tel Aviv in 2009...Ever since he arrived in Israel, where he works as a 'technology evangelist' by day, Gutman has been in touch with promoters and with Rush’s management about bringing the band here to perform.  But when he heard about the film, he decided to begin with a more modest venture and get the buzz going about the band."

For more info visit jpost.com.

"Changing Hemispheres" Transcript Online

Last November 22nd, a new documentary was released from the UK titled "Changing Hemispheres" which you can order here.  The package includes four all region DVDs, a 116 page book with "masterful and comprehensive text packed with great photographs of the band" as well as "audio interviews with the band members compared and contrasted with the views of a leading team of music journalists, insiders and musicologists."

John with Cygnux-X1.net was taken the time to transcribe the 166 page book for your reading pleasure, which you can read here. - Thanks John for the headsup!