Boatload of Rush Video From ‘Retrospective 3’ on VH1 Classic Site

This past weekend, VH1 Classic aired a special program featuring the latest release from Canadian rock trio Rush. The show, entitled Rush: Retrospective 3 Box Set Special, appropriately enough, aired on Saturday night at 10:00 PM.

For those who do not have access to the VH1 Classic channel (like myself), content from the special has been posted on the VH1 Classic website.

The bulk of the content is footage of Rush performances and accompanying commentary from Geddy Lee which fills in some interesting details on some well-known Rush favorites.

Lee provides some interesting background on some of their material and what inspired them to do it and also talks a little about some of the technical aspects of working in the studio and getting the sound that they want.

Considering all the albums they have done, Lee does an impressive job of recalling the details of the group’s experiences creating, recording and performing. After that many albums and tour dates, one might think it would all be a blur by now.

If, for whatever reason, you are a dedicated Rush fan who does not have your own copy of the new box set, it’s well worth your time to check out this special online.

Thanks to the Rush Is A Band blog for calling attention to this.

Tags: Geddy Lee, Retrospective 3, Rush, Special, VH1 Classic, Video

Rush Audio Special Features Tracks From Retrospective 3

In an audio special that is billed as an exclusive by Boston-area rock radio station WAAF, Rush fans can hear comments from each member of the group and a number of tracks from the latest release, a compilation entitled Rush Retrospective 3.

From the band’s humble beginnings where they had hoped to achieve five or so years of success to the present day which bassist and lead vocalist Geddy Lee refers to as “hyper reality,” when the group shares an onstage moment of realization that they have achieved a level of success they had not dared imagine more than three decades ago.

No comprehensive examination of the group’s history can avoid the tragic events in drummer Neil Peart’s life in the late 1990’s which nearly disbanded the group permanently. Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson talk about the series of events that led up to the group’s reformation after five years apart as Peart found his own unique way of dealing with tragic loss of both his daughter and wife in a relatively short span of time.

Among more recent topics covered included comments from Geddy Lee regarding their rare television appearances on Comedy Central’s Colbert Report last summer. Although the group has historically shied away from television appearances through the years, Lee says that they have softened their position on that issue and are now much more open to those kinds of opportunities.

This special is obviously very professionally-produced and sounds as if it was intended for syndication purposes, although, as mentioned earlier it is referred to as exclusive by WAAF.

The content of the special is mostly tracks from Retrospective 3 with comments and stories from the band in between. Although much of the information presented will not be new to Rush fans, it seems there is always a new tidbit or two that has not surfaced before and casts new light on the inner workings and thoughts behind the music that has earned the trio a fan base whose dedication is second to none.

The three-part special is available on WAAF’s website.

Tags: Alex Lifeson, Audio Special, Geddy Lee, Neil Peart, Retrospective 3, Rush

Rush Retrospective III Announced

Anthem/Atlantic recording group Rush has announced details of the upcoming third volume in its continuing compilation series. "RETROSPECTIVE III (1989-2008)" arrives in stores on March 3rd.

The collection – available as both individual CD and two-disc CD/DVD set – features tracks culled from the legendary trio’s two decades with Atlantic Records, spanning such acclaimed studio works as 1989’s "PRESTO," 1991’s "ROLL THE BONES," 1993’s "COUNTERPARTS," 1996’s "TEST FOR ECHO," 2002’s "VAPOR TRAILS," and 2007’s "SNAKES & ARROWS" (see attached track listing). In addition, "RETROSPECTIVE III" features a previously unreleased live version of the classic "Ghost of a Chance," recorded live in Atlanta during Rush’s 2008 "Snakes & Arrows Tour," as well as two tracks – "One Little Victory" and "Earthshine" – newly remixed by the band’s Alex Lifeson and master mixer Richard Chycki (Aerosmith, Mick Jagger, P. Diddy).

The "RETROSPECTIVE III" DVD gathers the band’s 10 stunning music videos during the Atlantic years, including clips for fan favorites such as "The Pass," "Roll The Bones," "Stick It Out," "Driven," and the Grammy Award-nominated "Malignant Narcissism." What’s more, the DVD includes a trio of live videos filmed in Frankfurt, Germany during Rush’s 2004 "R30: 30th Anniversary World Tour," highlighted by a masterful performance of The Who’s classic "The Seeker" (originally recorded by Rush for 2004’s "FEEDBACK"). As an added bonus, the band has included a rare televised performance of the classic "Tom Sawyer" and an on-camera interview featuring all three members.

Both the CD and CD/DVD versions of "RETROSPECIVE III" are available now for pre-order at www.rush.com/preorder. A "Deluxe Rush Fan Pack" is also being offered, combining the CD/DVD package with a limited edition lithograph highlighting the albums featured on "RETROSPECTIVE III." The first 100 orders will receive an ultra-rare signed lithograph. It is also available for pre-order at Amazon.com.

In other news, Rush has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Rock Instrumental Performance for the track, "Hope (Live For The Art Of Peace," the band’s contribution to the "SONGS FOR TIBET: THE ART OF PEACE" compilation.

CD:

• One Little Victory (Remix)
• Dreamline
• Workin’ Them Angels
• Presto
• Bravado
• Driven
• The Pass
• Animate
• Roll the Bones
• Ghost of a Chance (Live)
• Nobody’s Hero
• Leave That Thing Alone
• Earthshine (Remix)
• Far Cry

DVD:

• Stick it Out
• Nobody’s Hero
• Half the World
• Driven
• Roll the Bones
• Show Don’t Tell
• The Pass
• Superconductor
• Far Cry
• Malignant Narcissism
• The Seeker (Live)
• Secret Touch (Live)
• Resist (Live)
• Interview & Tom Sawyer (Live)*

  *bonus material

Tags: CD, DVD, March 3, Retrospective 3, Rush