REPLAY X 3

As the name implies, this live set DVD comprises three major, and significant to the band's career, concerts have ever been made to video: "Exit . Stage Left", "Grace Under Pressure Tour", and "A Show of Hands". Each individual concert I've already had them all on LD (laser disc) format. They are all true gems of the band's progression in rock music industry.

Exit . Stage Left

"Exit .. Stage Left" was the first live concert by Rush that really blew me away after I was not quite satisfied with previous live set (audio only) of "All The World A Stage". I remember vividly when this live video was first launched early eighties, I had the beta version of this. I liked this set and it was in competition with my other collection: Genesis "Three Sides Live" which was issued around the same period. I watched this video altogether with friends as I did not have the video player (pity me). It's an excellent show with all members had a long hair. My favorite tracks were "Tom Sawyer", "The Trees - Xanadu" and "YYZ". It's regretful that my other favorite La Villa Strangiato which was featured in the CD version of the show is not featured in this video. But overall, it's a good performance by the band. Geddy Lee moves his positions frequently while singing and playing his bass guitar. Neil Peart doing his machine-gun drumming. Alex is rocking the stage.

Grace Under Pressure Tour

All songs were performed excellently and almost flawlessly. From the opening audience crowd with sort of candle lights followed with Lifeson's inventive (and difficult! - my guitar player friend did mention to me) guitar work that brings me to the energetic "The Spirit of Radio", augmented with machine-gun drumming by Peart followed with powerful vocal of Lee "Begin the day with a friendly voice ...". Yeah man ... it's rocking!!

My adrenalin really EXPLODES when the second track "The Enemy Within" is performed. WOW! What an attractive performance! I don't really know why I love this song very much even though there is a reggae component in it. But who cares? Even if I don't like reggae, why should I dislike this song? Well, it's probably I like this song because of its energy and rocking performance by Geddy Lee. He moves back and forth between front stage to the position where he plays keyboard. I like the lyrical passage where Lee sings "Pou, Pou, Pou Pounding in your temples And a surge of adrenalin. Every muscle tense to fence. The enemy within." and the musical passage that follows. Oh man ... it's a true adrenalin exploder! "I'm not giving in. To security under pressure. I'm not missing out. On the promise of adventure. I'm not giving up. On implausible dreams. Experience to extremes Experience to extremes."

"The Weapon" is also an interesting track which demonstrates Neil Peart's great work with his drum set. "Distant Early Warning" is also another favorite followed with the band's classics : "Closer to the Heart"; medley: "YYZ / Temples of Syrinx / Tom Sawyer" and medley: "Vital Signs / Finding my Way / In the Mood". "Vital Sign" is my favorite especially during intro part with ambient keyboard sound. Terrific!

"I'm not giving in To security under pressure I'm not missing out On the promise of adventure I'm not giving up On implausible dreams Experience to extremes Experience to extremes Hey, hey, hey yeah."

A Show of Hands

It's an attractive show and later I found out that there is a different setlist because in the video setlist there is no "Subdivisions" from "Signals" album which has become my all-time favorite of Rush track. When I realized it I can not let myself not owning the audio CD as it's here at track 2. So I purchased the CD. It's no regret at all having this format. The show starts off with powerful song "The Big Money" from "Power Windows" album. There is practically no major difference between studio version as the band performs excellently- it seems like they record the song in the studio but actually in front of audience. Another great thread is when "Distant Early Warning" is played. It reminds me as well to the live version under "Grace Under Pressure Tour" live video. Again, Geddy Lee shows his skills in playing bass guitar and at the same time sings the song in a relax manner. Alex Lifeson gives his hard edge guitar solo and fills in a song which has modern sounds of digital era. Neil Peart - the drummer and lyrics writer - seems to play exactly the same with the studio version.

"Mystic Rhythms" which has a slow part at the beginning helps provide a musical break from heavy songs. In this performance there is a nice works between keyboards, bass guitar and electric guitar in a bit atmospheric nuance - especially when Geddy sings "Mystic Rhythms .!!!" . it's a nice music segment. As was the case with previous live recordings, this time Neil Peart gives again his solo augmented with orchestrated sounds under "The Rhythm Method (Drum Solo)". The show closes with their classic song "Closer To The Heart".

Conclusion

Overall, this live set is highly recommended. You can see the different live atmospheres from one show to another because each was performed at different era of the band's career. As a band, Rush is pretty disciplined in the way they play the music. But obviously you still can see the different nuance from one show to another. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW