Neil Peart's "Far And Near ... On Days Like These" Now Shipping

As previously announced, Neil Peart's next book, "Far And Near; On Days Like These, his second collection of blog posts originally posted to his website, is set for release from ECW Press on October 14th, 2014. However, there are reports that the book is already shipping.

Don't delay, the book can be ordered in hardback and ebook options.

Whether navigating the backroads of Louisiana or Thuringia, exploring the snowy Quebec woods, or performing onstage at Rush concerts, Neil Peart has stories to tell. His first volume in this series, Far and Away, combined words and images to form an intimate, insightful narrative that won many readers.

Now Far and Near brings together reflections from another three years of an artist’s life as he celebrates seasons, landscapes, and characters, travels roads and trails, receives honors, climbs mountains, composes and performs music. With passionate insight, wry humor, and an adventurous spirit, once again Peart offers a collection of open letters that take readers on the road, behind the scenes, and into the inner workings of an ever-inquisitive mind.

These popular stories, originally posted on Peart’s website, are now collected and contextualized with a new introduction and conclusion in this beautifully designed collector’s volume.

- Thanks to Vagner Cruz for the headsup!

“Clockwork Angels” Comic Book #5 of 6 now available

The fifth of the six part Clockwork Angels comic book series is released today, September 17th.  The standard comic store cover series can be ordered directly from Boom! Studios at this link, and the limited edition cover featuring key lyrics from Rush songs that are tied to the comic is also available via BOOM! Studios as well as the Rush Backstage Club.

Alex Lifeson guest appearance on Wilderness of Manitoba's album "Between Colours" coming September 16

Toronto atmospheric folkies the Wilderness of Manitoba latest album, Between Colours, was released September 16 on Pheromone Recordings.  Guests include Alex Lifeson who plays a guitar solo on the track "Shift" which you can preview below, as well as Rheostatics member Michael Phillip Wojewoda on theremin.  For more info visit exclaim.ca.

Durrell Bowman's "Experiencing Rush: A Listener's Companion" Coming In November

Author Durrell Bowman, who previously published Rush And Philosophy, has now written Experiencing Rush: A Listener's Companion.  Part of the "Experiencing, A Listener's Companion" series, the book is set for both hardcover and ebook release in November.  You can preorder your copy here.

"In Experiencing Rush: A Listener’s Companion, music scholar Durrell Bowman guides readers through Rush’s long career, explaining through the artful combination of biography, history, and musical exegesis how to listen to this unique act. From Rush’s emergence as an early blues-rock power trio of guitar, bass, and drums into the godfathers of progressive hard rock, Bowman marks the band’s first breakthrough with its landmark, sci-fi/individualist album 2112. From there, readers explore Rush’s movement from “prog rock” extended compositions into shorter, potential-radio-play “post-prog” songs, leading to Rush’s most successful album Moving Pictures in 1981. In its later career, Rush adventurously mixed progressive hard rock and music technology, generating a new power trio sound that featured further stylistic evolutions. As Bowman makes clear, it is the band’s stalwart path and many influences on fans, musicians, and others that resulted in Rush’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2013."

- Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand for the headsup!

R40 6-disc Blu-ray box set coming in November

The R40 boxed set, containing blu-ray or dvd editions of Rush's five most recent live videos (Rush in Rio, R30, Snakes & Arrows Live, Time Machine, Clockwork Angels Tour) plus an R40 bonus disc containing oft-requested items from the vault, is coming November 11.  The box will also include a 56 page hardback book.

It's worth mentioning that this will contain the first release of Rush in Rio on blu-ray, and in addition this edition of the R30 blu-ray does include the bonus features, which were left off the original R30 blu-ray edition.

The bonus disc is purported to include the complete Laura Secord Secondary School 1974 footage of which only three tracks have been previously available, Lock And Key 88 (outtake previously only available on select versions of the A Show of Hands laserdisk), the Passaic NJ Capitol Theatre show from 1976 (previously seen in Beyond The Lighted Stage), and Rush at the Molson Amphitheatre in 1997 (the previously shelved Different Stages video[?]), as well as the I Still Love You Man video from the Time Machine Tour and footage of the the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction in 2013.

From the product description:

2014 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of Rush's eponymous debut album in 1974. This superb collector's box set brings together live performances by Rush from each decade of their career. It includes "Rush In Rio", "R30", "Snakes & Arrows Live", "Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland" and "Clockwork Angels Tour" plus a bonus disc of previously unseen live material stretching from 1974 to 2013. Rush are renowned for the energy and excitement of their live concerts and this set brings together some of their finest performances. The 6 Blu-ray discs are contained in a stunning 56 page hardback book measuring 305mm x 225mm with the 6 discs contained in 5 additional rigid insert pages. The 56 pages of the book are filled with memorabilia and photographs documenting 40 years of Rush live in concert. This is the ultimate collection of Rush live performances, beautifully presented.

And here are the bonus disc details:

Disc Six - R40 Bonus Disc
Laura Secord Secondary School 1974
1) Need Some Love 2) Before and After 3) Best I Can 4) I’ve Been Runnin’ 5) Bad Boy 6) The Loser 7) Working Man 8) In the Mood (partial)
Capitol Theatre 1976
1) Bastille Day 2) Anthem 3) Lakeside Park 4) 2112 5) Fly By Night/In The Mood
Lock and Key 1988
Molson Amphitheatre 1997
1) Limelight 2) Half the World 3) Limbo 4) Virtuality 5) Nobody's Hero 6) Test for Echo 7) Leave That Thing Alone/Drum Solo 8) 2112 (all seven parts)
I Still Love You Man 2011
Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction 2013

The UK release date is given as Monday, November 17th so the North American release will likely by the following Tuesday, November 18th. Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand for the heads up.

"The Spirit of Radio" makes BBC's 'Greatest Guitar Riffs Ever'

On Thursday, BBC Radio 2 released their list of the top 20 'Greatest Guitar Riffs Ever'.  The songs were not ranked, but "The Spirit of Radio" did make the top 20. More importantly, the BBC posted a short audio clip of Geddy Lee where he thanks the fans for voting, and also gives a short description of how Alex created the songs' signature introductory riff. - Thanks to Martin Goodfellow for the headsup!

Billy Corgan expresses the ongoing inspiration of Rush

It's no secret that Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) is a Rush fan.  He is a self proclaimed "fanboy", and besides expressing his love of the band in Beyond The Lighted Stage, spoke at Rush's Hollywood Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony.

In a new interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Corgan discusses how "his inspirations are now bands that continue to make music but without artistic pretense, such as Neil Young, Iggy Pop, and particularly Rush. He says the Canadian rock giants have taught him that 'the right way to get older is no apologies, do your thing, and when you get out there, you can still walk off the stage feeling you’re one of the best at what you do.  You don’t feel they’re leaving anything on the table or phoning it in,' he says. 'That’s the spirit that made you love them in the first place.'”  Check out the full interview here. - Thanks to David Cooper for the headsup!

"Alex Lifeson On John Wesley" in Guitar Player, October 2014 issue

The new October issue of Guitar Player magazine (featuring Slash on the cover) includes a major feature on John Wesley (Porcupine Tree) titled "Dose Of Reality; John Wesley's No-Holds-Barred Rock Reflections".  Wesley's new album, Disconnect (cd/itunes), includes a guest appearance by Alex Lifeson on the track "Once A Warrior".  The Guitar Player feature includes the sidebar "Alex Lifeson On John Wesley" written by Alex himself. - Thanks to Anil Prasad for the headsup!

Rush Referenced Again on FX's "The Bridge"

As explained in my previous update, the season premier of FX's "The Bridge" (aired July 9) included a scene where Daniel (Matthew Lillard), goes to see his AA sponsor Gary (Brian Baumgartner) who is wearing a Grace Under Pressure t-shirt and the two discuss Rush. 

In the followup episode "Lamia" (aired August 20), Daniel is at his apartment (wearing the Grace Under Pressure shirt from the previous episode) with Gary (who is wearing a Rush explosion t-shirt), doing cocaine and listening to "The Spirit of Radio".

- Thanks to everyone who alerted me, and to RushIsABand for the sceenshot.

Alex Lifeson in His Own Words - Gibson.com

Today is Alex Lifeson's 61st birthday!  Take a break from celebrating and check out Gibson.com's "Alex Lifeson in His Own Words", a collection of "what Alex has said over the years about his guitar craft and worldview to other websites and magazines. Words of wisdom, wit and fun." - Thanks to Kevin Nash for the headsup!

Vertical Horizon's Matt Scannell Talks Peart in new Guitar Player Interview

In a new interview with GuitarPlayer.com posted last Tuesday, Vertical Horizon's Matt Scannell talks about his collaborations with Neil Peart and their ongoing friendship:

"Recording with Neil Peart, the legend, is actually just like recording with Neil Peart, one of your best friends. He’s one of my favorite human beings. But what you quickly realize with Neil is that he’s just a guy who has a job, and he’s really good at his job. When we were doing our last record, Burning the Days, he and I decided to try to write a song together. It was a song called 'Even Now' and it went really well and he ended up playing drums on it. On Echoes From The Underground he plays on 'Instamatic' and 'South for the Winter.' One thing people might not realize about Neil’s drumming is how much he plays for the singer. It’s uncanny how sensitive he is to the voice. He wants to build you up as a singer and build up the vocal performance. As the singer in the band, it’s really incredible to hear him propel me forward and raise me up. 'Instamatic,' to me, is one of the greatest performances of his incredible career. It’s a master class in rock drumming and I was thrilled beyond belief to have him appear on our record."

Kevin J. Anderson announces new Anthology of Rush Short Stories

Kevin J. Anderson announced on Saturday that he will be putting together an anthology of Rush-based stories he will be coediting with John McFetridge for ECW (publishers of Clockwork Angels). "We have a gang of award-winning and bestselling authors already lined up to contribute stories based on Rush songs". In addition, he will be writing a novella called "2113". 

Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - August 2014

Neil Peart has updated his website with the latest edition of News, Weather & Sports titled "Magnetic Mirages".  Neil tells us of his detailed visits to the Channel Islands off the California coast this past spring on Michael Mosbach's boat, the SS Obtuse.

Geddy Lee's ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Geddy Lee of accepts "Les Claypool"'s ice bucket challenge - and in The Spirit of the ALS Ice Bucket challenge, puts it forward to musician Ed Robertson of BNL, actor Jay Baruchel and baseball legend Randy Johnson.

Don't forget to donate!
http://www.alsa.org/

"The Stoic Wisdom of Neil Peart" - Progarchy.com

Progarchy.com has posted the essay "The Stoic Wisdom of Neil Peart", a thoughtful analysis on how Neil's lyrics follow the teachings of Stoicism.  Without knowing it I think I'm a Stoic!

Neil Peart to participate in Music Radar's Drum Expo 2014

Music Radar has announced that Neil Peart will participate in the Drum Expo 2014, which will go live this Wednesday and Thursday.  The Expo will feature a number of online interviews, drum lessons and more from a some of rock's biggest drummers including Rush's Neil Peart.  Visit Music Radar for details.

"Rush: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Excellence" by Robert Freedman

Robert Freedman, author of the Rush Vault website, is a journalist and communications professional who has just announced the publication of his book Rush: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Excellence.  The book is Freedman's analysis of the Aristotelian philosophy embedded in Rush's lyrics over their 40-year recording career, and can be purchased directly from the publisher here.

"Rush is often referred to as a libertarian rock band, but really what the band is channeling is an Aristotelian individualism, a philosophy that strongly resonates with today's 40-somethings. This helps explain the band's resurgence in popularity, culminating in its 2013 induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 'Rush: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Excellence' brings together the excitement of the band's progressive music, performed by three musicians whose mastery of their instruments has won them the admiration of their peers, and the surprising philosophical sophistication of their music's lyrics.  The book is a systematic look at the Aristotelian philosophy embedded in the band's lyrics over its 40-year recording career.

Although the topic of the book is academic, the writing is sharp, down-to-earth, and leavened with a dry wit. Anyone interested in the band's music, popular culture, and philosophical ideas simply explained will enjoy this entertaining and thought-provoking work.

As a cultural phenomenon, Rush is worthy of serious study, and although other books have looked at the philosophical character of the band's music, this is the first time the music over the band's entire 40-year career is demonstrated to fall under a single, unified theory: Aristotelian individualism.

Even readers who have pored over earlier books on Rush will enjoy this unifying theme. 'Rush, Rock Music and the Middle Class' (by Chris McDonald), says Rush is an avatar of middle class values. While the work ethic and value structure of the middle class is part of the band's philosophy, that is just a subset of the band's Aristotelianism, as shown by Robert Freedman here. The unified Aristotelian philosophy is also different from what's discussed in 'Rush and Philosophy' (edited by Durrell Bowman and Jim Berti) looks at the band's music through multiple philosophical filters and no attempt is made to look at the music through a single, unifying lens. Another book that studies Rush lyrics, 'Mystic Rhythms' (Carol Selby Price ad Robert M. Price), provides an interpretation of selected lyrics but does not systematically look at any philosophy. Rather, it approaches the lyrics as literary analysis and provides no overarching theoretical framework."

For more info, visit the author's book page here. - Thanks Robert for the headsup!

“Clockwork Angels” Comic Book #4 of 6 now available

The fourth of the six part Clockwork Angels comic book series is released today, August 6th.  The standard comic store cover series can be ordered directly from Boom! Studios at this link, and the limited edition cover featuring key lyrics from Rush songs that are tied to the comic is also available via BOOM! Studios as well as the Rush Backstage Club.

Rush 40th Anniversary Reissue Box Set Nominated for Prog's "Storm Thorgerson Grand Design Award"

Rush have been nominated for an award at this year’s Prog Awards in the following category: STORM THORGERSON GRAND DESIGN AWARD, for the Rush 40th Anniversary Reissue Box Set.

This year the Awards take place at the prestigious Underglobe beneath Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, on Thursday September 11.

Voting closes Friday, August 8th... you can vote via the website here: http://awards.prog.teamrock.com

Rush Featured in Prog's "100 Greatest Prog Albums Of All Time"

Today Prog magazine shared the fact that on Wednesday the latest issue of Prog magazine is coming out, featuring the 100 Greatest Prog Albums Of All Time - as chosen by the readers and a host of prog stars. As you can see, Hemispheres, 2112 and Moving Pictures are pictured on the cover!