chron.com | tubular tv | comics | games | horoscopes | iPhone | Quick Search
It was quite a week for Hugo Hinojosa and his brother Hector. They saw Rush in San Antonio on Wednesday, Houston on Saturday, and Dallas on Sunday. Since 1997, they haven’t missed one Rush show in the state of Texas.
"My wife told me, 'I don't understand, but go,'" Hugo said prior to seeing the band at the Cynthia Wood Mitchell Pavilion on Saturday.
Rush performed their Time Machine tour to a nearly sold-out crowd in the Woodlands, tearing through a three-hour mix of material spanning the band's 40-year career, including the multi-platinum album Moving Pictures in its entirety.
photo by Dave Rossman
Not content to live off of past glories, Rush played half of the songs in the set from records released well after the band’s heyday as they ping-ponged back and forth between old and new, echoing the theme for the night.
Fans, a diverse mix that included middle-aged men in golf shirts with their sons and teenage girls with nose rings in concert tees, were as responsive to new material --including BU2B (short for Brought Up to Believe) and Caravan, two songs from Rush’s yet-to-be-released new album -- as they were to hits like Spirit of Radio, Freewill and Tom Sawyer. To say they’re devoted to the prog-rock outfit is an understatement.
Rush is known for dexterous instrumental skills and complex musical arrangements. That may not have led to critical acclaim or recognition (despite the group having more platinum albums than anyone save the Beatles, they have yet to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), but it has inspired an incredibly loyal following among fans who seem to share not just a love of music, but a similar sense of humor.
Two videos displayed on a massive screen behind the stage featured bassist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peart as characters in the telling of the “real story of the band, Rash.” A third video included Paul Rudd and Jason Segal reprising their characters from the movie I Love You Man, sneaking backstage at a Rush concert with phony all-access passes. The final video gave the guys in the band a chance to poke fun at themselves, discussing how the nine women they saw in attendance “must be a record.”
But it wasn’t all fun and games. This is a well-oiled machine, and the skills of each member were on full display. The high point was clearly Peart’s extended drum solo, Love 4 Sale, complete with up-close video displays of his hands and feet that had the feel of an instructional video.
Peart, Lifeson and Lee, all three pushing 60 years old, are boundlessly energetic and clearly have not seen their talents wane. Peart, widely considered one of the best drummers of all time, is arguably better now than ever, having re-tooled his drumming method over the last decade much the way a golfer overhauls his swing.
photo by Dave Rossman
The skills of all three were particularly evident on instrumentals Leave That Thing Alone, YYZ and La Villa Strangiato, which they ripped through with frightening precision. Very few Rush songs are without intricacy, and songs like Far Cry and Subdivisions were flawless. Even the often-requested, 11-minute Camera Eye felt fresh despite the fact that it hasn’t been performed by the band since 1983.
Even for casual fans not impressed by musical wizardry, the layered videos like the high speed black and white montage of London and New York for Camera Eye and the vintage magician footage during Presto provided plenty of eye candy.
Rush closed out the set with a reggae-style Working Man that quickly morphed into the classic rock anthem before finishing in typical Rush fashion, with the members huddled together in the center of the stage egging each other on and laughing before pounding out the final notes. If it wasn’t clear before this point in the show, it became obvious that these middle-aged rockers remain very good – and still love the hell out of what they do.
photo by Dave Rossman
As fans filed out to a polka version of Closer to the Heart playing over the loud speakers, it was clear that pyrotechnics, high tech lighting and loud guitars aside, this was not your average rock show. It was more than that, and fans like the Hinojosas knew it.
Yet critics still don’t like Rush.
“Yeah,” said Hugo Hinojosa, “and we don’t care.”
Fantastic freakin' show. I'm glad I went!
Word has spread...the crowd was proof to me and to the band that we share something special. They'll be back in a year supporting their new CD...better get your tickets EARLY.
defintely a badas show!
It was like having an old friend for dinner. Talked about ol' times and new stuff. Great show. I was glad my boys got to see them .
I now want an album of the polka versions of their songs.
ROck on!!!
Simply put, Rush is the greatest rock and roll band still taking the stage.
Awesome show, as usual! It was my 6 year old's 2nd time seeing Rush!
Nicely done, Jeff. It was kinda weird hearing (what I call) "Polka to the Heart" during the exit!
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE SHOW!!! ROCK ON GUYS!!!
(Awesome review Jeff ;)
Great review, Jeff. Now my own take. Rush always puts on a great show, but Saturday was incredible. I love the subtle changes to Presto, the different beginnings to La Villa Strangiato and Working Man and Geddy's voice. At the beginning my friend leaned over to me and said, "I wonder if Geddy has a cold or allergies?" because he seemed to be having trouble hitting the high notes. That was proven false when they played Freewill and in 4 shows that is the highest I have ever heard him sing. He was also ripping the bass all night long - that was sick. Alex playing his guitar with a drum stick for a bit and his mic stand another time just added more color to an already great performance. Peart's new drum solo was incredible. Most of his drum solos have sounded pretty similar since the A Show of Hands tour in the late 80's. There are still a few familiar elements, but for the most part the drum solo was completely retooled. I will find a way to go to the 2nd leg of this tour. My first Rush show (R30 in Tampa) was unbelievable. Then I saw Snakes and Arrows in Houston, the second leg of Snakes and Arrows in Austin and Time Machine here in Houston. This show was superior to all the others I have seen - not to say any of the other shows were bad - just this one was absolutely amazing.
JEFF.... You better tell Hugo & Hector RUSH didn't play in San Antonio on Wednesday night...it was Thursday night!! (per your review below)....
"It was quite a week for Hugo Hinojosa and his brother Hector. They saw Rush in San Antonio on Wednesday, Houston on Saturday, and Dallas on Sunday. Since 1997, they haven’t missed one Rush show in the state of Texas."
I know because my husband which as seen 37 RUSH concerts and I have seen 21 myself, was both in San Antonio on Thursday night and in Houston on Saturday night as we do everytime they come to Texas on tour.
Friday late morning we even ran into (LITERALLY) NEIL PEART at a IHop outside San Antonio on our way back to Houston. He gave us a autograph too!! =) We were so excited!!! What a AWESOME WEEK WE HAD!!! This is the best ROCK group EVER!!!!
Give Jeff a break, we know that those guys were in San Antonio on Thursday not Wednesday. No big deal, great article.
Hi Tabitha. I'm Hector, and we did attend the show on Thursday. It was an honest mistake by the writer, no need to tell us, we were there.
awesome! was he on his motorcycle?
I hate I missed them. I've been going to see them since 2112 came out but had to sit this one out. Best band out there. Bar none.
As my 15 year old son and I were walking back to the car he asked me. "So, was this the best concert you have ever seen? More of a statement than a question. Nuf said.
Tabithalynn - Thanks. Actually, he told me they went to the show in San Antonio and I looked up the tour date, which was listed as Wednesday, not Thursday. Thanks for the head's up.
Went as a favor to my husband, as I was not a fan. However, the music was very good and watching the band perform was the best part. The reviewer was spot on when he said that it appears that they still love what they are doing -- and to me that was what made the concert so enjoyable. I thoroughly enjoyed the couple of songs that I knew and enjoyed listening to the others. It was fun being surrounded by lots of BIG RUSH fans. Great concert! They truly are awesome musicians.
TabithaLynn, give Jeff a break. We know that Hugo & Hector saw the show on on Thursday not Wednesay.
The best show I have ever seen. I look forward to their return. I will gladly pay for better seats for the next show. The lawn seats weren't that bad though.
And the men who hold high places, must be the ones to start, to mold a new reality, closer to the heart.
Working man had an un-friggin-believable guitar solo by Lifeson. I'd pay to have a live copy of that, incredible!
The blacksmith, and the artist, each must do his part, to mold a new reality, closer to the heart. Closer to the heart!
This was my 11th RUSH show and I have yet to be disappointed. These gentlemen are the best musicians in the world bar none. Geddy has NO peers when it comes to pounding the lead bass the way he does. Alex is so gifted on the axe that I have no words to describe his talent. Neil Peart, that says it all. I will not miss another of their shows as you never know when they may call it quits and I don't ever want to say "I missed RUSH last tour." Rock on guys!
Rush never ceases to impress. I've seen them 10+ times since the 1983 New World Man tour at The Summit. Each show has been flawless and this one was no different. Intense, erudite, exciting, even funny. Rush is "rockin!"
Screw the Billboard and Rolling Stone crowd. The fraternity of Rush fans know you either "get it" or you don't. There is not room for tepid in-betweeners. As for the infamous Rock & Roll HOF, who cares... it's in Cleveland for gawd's sake and with it's complete lack of standards on who is granted admission is a total Cultural Irrelevancy.
Time Machine was my 5th show. The difference between this one and others, for me, was that I didn't go with the intent of drinking and rocking out... I took my 11 year old nephew to create a memory of his 11th birthday that he would NEVER forget. I would like to thank Alex, Getty and Neil for making that show THE most unbelieveable concert I've ever witnessed. At one point in the show, my nephew, Cameron looked up and said, "I feel sorry for the Eagles. This is the best show EVER!". (I had taken him to the Eagles' show 2 years ago) I can't wait to get Rush: Behind the Lighted Stage to watch with Cameron, this weekend and I hadn't even THOUGHT about the new cd being the doorway for yet, ANOTHER show!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for creating musical magic.
"Rush played half of the songs in the set from records released well after the band’s heyday"
Newsflash---RUSH is STILL in their Heyday after 40 years, they still sell out Stadium sized venues worldwide....While other bands from that era are doing the "Oldies Nostalgia Tour" at Racetracks and Nightclubs with nothing new to offer, RUSH still Cranks out High Quality New original Material every two years....other than that slight, a nice review.
Unparalleled Staging and Lighting....No One does it better. Best Rock Show you'll ever see.
It's Tuesday and I'm still getting goosebumps while reflecting on the show. My daughter vows never to miss a Rush concert ever again! Truly amazing!
Have been to every tour since Hold Your Fire which came out when I was in high school in the late 90s, and this had to be the best show I've seen, or at least right up there at the top. They were probably the most energized I've ever seen them. Geddy's voice was great. He hit notes he had not hit in years...decades, lol. And he was truly "Slappin' dat bass!" There were tours in the past they would play older songs in a lower register so he could hit the highs, but not this time. Alex's was just ripping the solo on Working Man! I liked that Neil changed up his drum solo. He also seems to be back to a level we had not seen since he had taken time off with the family tragedies. The newer material sounded great. I listen to Caravan all the time. Best new song in a long time. Also glad they played Faithless from Snakes and Arrows, which they called their one of their favorites (mine too), yet they strangely did not play last time they were in Houston on the S&A tour. There was a lot of focus on material from Rush's "modern era" - i.e. Power Windows through Test for Echo, which might have upset fans of "Classic Rush," but it was right up my ally, where I was going to school. I think fans of Rush tend to gravitate to when they were most impressionable with their music...high school and college/early 20s. So I had a blast.
In closing,here are the 2011 nominees to the RnR Hall of fame:2011 Alice Cooper, Beastie Boys, Bon Jovi, Chic, Neil Diamond,Donovan, Dr. John, J. Geils Band,LL Cool J, Darlene Love, Laura Nyro,Donna Summer, Joe Tex, Tom Waits, Chuck Willis
...sigh.
Not ONE mention in ROLLING STONE of RUSH on tour this summer. The leaders of the music media seem to ignore RUSH on purpose.
It giles me, but doesn't really get me down.
I and thousands like me are IN THE KNOW.
Too bad for them ignorant others.
Osage
I have to been to several Rush shows the past 20 years, and they seem tighter now than ever! Man, how do they do it?
Best show ever! (even though this is my first live concert)
well..technically, the band was good in Philly and Houston, but the crowd itself was better in Houston
I was really glad I went, and was excited when they played Moving Pictures!!!
this is by far the BEST. BAND. IN. THE. WORLD!!!!
Great review , which reflects the reviews of all the other tour stops this year.
This is number 12 for me , number 7 for the wife. First time was All the World's a Stage Tour , 1977 , in the old Music Hall in downtown Houston.
The music is as good now as then and still as relevant , which not many bands can say. What an awesome set list they assembled , but ,they could have taken 10 of those songs out and put another 10 songs in and it would have been just as good , especially for those of us " In the Know" ( OSAGE ).
Performance wise they are as good as I have ever seen them and I attribute that to simply , they care. They care about the music , about the fan's and their responsibilty to both , they obviously enjoy still making music and touring and the humor is over the top.
Almost makes you feel sorry for what the RRHOF is missing........
Post new comment