News

Times Union: July 8, 2002

Rush spins a big night of rock

by Michael Eck

A rested and renewed Rush made its debut at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center Saturday night, a stop on their first U.S. tour in five years.

The 34-year-old Canadian power trio offered a sampling of stuff from their spring release, "Vapor Trails," and dedicated the rest of its two sets to a retrospective of their best-known tunes, as well as a few rarities.

"Secret Touch" was the ripsnorting highlight from "Trails."  In its midsection, the band even made a little nod to its riffing cousins, Led Zeppelin.  "Earthshine" was a bit trippier than most Rush efforts, reflecting the ever-increasing influence of alternative rock on the pioneering group -- who frankly laid the groundwork for much of the alt-rock style.

"Trails'" "One Little Victory" opened the second set like firecrackers, and "Ghost Rider" finished off the new material.

Longtime fans certainly were tickled by the first live tour appearance of "Between Sun and Moon," which debuted on record with 1993's "Counterparts."

Most fans, however, wanted to hear some old favorites -- and they got them.

Rush opened with "Tom Sawyer" from their most popular album, 1981's "Moving Pictures."  They also took "Limelight," "Vital Signs" and the sizzling instrumental "YYZ" from the landmark "Pictures."

Other instrumentals included a bizarre, but entrancing run through the aptly named "La Villa Strangiato" and a crowd-pleasing "Leave That Thing Alone," which was capped by an eight-minute drum solo from percussionist par excellence, Neil Peart.  (Peart ended the workout with a blast of triggered big band music, with accompanying Lindy Hop video).

Midperiod faves included "New World Man," "Natural Science" and the impressive pair of "Distant Early Warning" and "Red Sector A" from 1984's "Grace Under Pressure."

Bassist Geddy Lee (who performed in front of a trio of clothes dryers) and guitarist Alex Lifeson even sat down for a bit in the second set, strumming out "Resist" before launching into "Overture" and "Priests of Syrinx" from the band's breakthrough effort, "2112."

Lifeson's signature, circular introduction to "Spirit of Radio" signaled the end of the concert proper, but the band returned for an encore filled with genuine chestnuts -- including "By-Tor and the Snow Dog" and "Working Man."

The latter, from the band's pre-Peart debut, remains as sludgy and Black Sabbathlike as ever, making it a perfect closer for a big night of big rock.

RUSH

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs

Highlights: "Secret Touch," from the trio's latest album, "Vapor Trails," was the best of the new tunes. And fans ate up the instrumentals "Leave That Thing Alone" and "La Villa Strangiato."

The crowd: About 9,500 fans played air guitar and air drums throughout the show.

Length: First set 65 minutes; second set 90 minutes.