A little while back, I asked people on the Neil Peart News Facebook page some questions about the setlist for the R41 tour. This post includes the results of the first question: Which Rush song do you most want to hear on the R41 tour?
Note: For those who care about statistics, I'll be the first to say that this survey isn't statistically relevant. This was just a way for me to find out what other fans are thinking.
Results
1. "Jacob's Ladder" was the runaway winner with 17 votes (10%), which isn't really a big surprise. Fans have been expecting to see this song show up on the past few tours -- especially since we know it was included on the Time Machine tour setlist at one point. Unless the band has a problem with this song, I fully expect it to show up on the next tour.
2. Tie between "Lakeside Park," "Losing It," and "Xanadu" - 8 votes (5%) each:
"Lakeside Park" - This was somewhat surprising, given Rush's extensive back catalog, but I think there are a few reasons. First, fans of Caress of Steel are a passionate bunch -- and this happened to be the song on that album that got the most votes. But I also think "Lakeside Park" represents a unique, hard rock/ballad approach. Plus, it hasn't been played live since "A Farewell to Kings" tour.
"Losing It" - It's interesting that Rush didn't try to play this on the the Clockwork Angels tour, since they had the string section available. "Losing It" was written as a studio piece, featuring Ben Mink on electric violin (who would go on to be a producer for, among others, Geddy Lee's solo album My Favorite Headache). In many ways, it's a modern counterpart to "Lakeside Park" with its rock/ballad approach. Plus, it includes a solo section in 11/8 time that approaches the complexity and energy of "Freewill." It's hard to say whether Rush will ever transition this to a live song.
"Xanadu" - After all these years of Rush playing "Xanadu" on multiple tours, it's still one that the fans want to hear. The last time Rush played this was on the 30th Anniversary Tour in 2004, so it would be nice to hear it again.
3. "Cygnus X-1 Book 1" and "Cygnus X-1 Book 2" - 7 votes (4%). Even though this is technically two songs, this pair got enough votes to put it into third place. During the Hemispheres tour, Rush played these two songs back-to-back. Since that time, they've played these as individual songs or abbreviated versions. The last time Rush played "Hemispheres Prelude" was on the R30 tour during the "R30 Overture," although it didn't include vocals. Rush did play "Prelude" on the Counterparts tour with vocals, but it was clearly outside of Geddy Lee's range (which makes sense, since it was outside of his range when they recorded Hemispheres). Because of this reason alone, we probably shouldn't ever expect to see Hemispheres with vocals on R41, unless the band tunes down like they did with "2112" during the Test for Echo tour.
4. Tie between "Countdown" and "The Fountain of Lamneth" - 6 votes (3.7%)
"Countdown": This one was a surprise to me, but maybe it shouldn't have been. "Countdown" shares many similarities with Rush's more cinematic songs, including "Cygnus X-1: Book 1," "The Camera Eye," and "Jacob's Ladder." Plus, after seeing the treatment "Dreamline" received on the Clockwork tour, imagine the video and lighting design that would accompany this song today.
"The Fountain of Lamneth": Again, the Caress of Steel fans have been asking for this one for years. Personally, I can't ever see Rush playing this song in its entirety again, although I felt that way about "2112" during the Test for Echo tour, too. In other words, anything can happen.
5. Tie between "Cygnus X-1: Book 1: The Voyage," "Cygnus X-1 Book 2: Hemispheres" "Kid Gloves" "La Villa Strangiato" - 4 votes (2.5 %)
"Cygnus X-1: Book 1: The Voyage" and "Cygnus X-1 Book 2: Hemispheres." Even though some people wanted to hear "Cygnus X-1" and "Hemispheres" back-to-back, some people voted for these as individual songs as well. Either way, fans clearly want to hear Rush play some of their more progressive numbers.
"Kid Gloves" - One of my favorites, and also one that's long overdue to be played live. Now that Rush brought out much of Power Windows catalog on the Clockwork Angels tour, I think they might be more willing to try out "Kid Gloves" again. The last time they played it was on the Grace Under Pressure tour.
"La Villa Strangiato" - This is one of those Rush songs that's been played on many tours since Hemispheres, and, like "Xanadu," one that fans can't get enough of.
6. Tie between "Afterimage" " "Afterimage" - As many people pointed out in the Facebook comments, this song will most likely never be played live again due to its emotional significance. " "The " 7. The songs that received 2 votes each (1.2%) include: "Available Light" " Of all these, I'd personally like to see "Available Light," "Beneath, Between, and Behind," "Chain Lightning," or "Fly By Night." And even though members of Rush has stated how much they dislike "Tai Shan," it's probably my wife's favorite Rush song. Here's another view showing how many song votes each album received. Here are all the songs (or songs) that received only 1 vote each. Some of these have never been played live before. Some of these aren't even Rush songs! 2112Cut to the Chase" "The Necromancer" and " The Camera Eye" - 3 votes (2.4%)
Cut to the Chase" - Like "Kid Gloves," I think this song could be another great B-side choice for Rush -- and it's never been played live before. Necromancer" - Another rarity from Caress of Steel. This might have a better chance than the longer "The Fountain of Lamneth," but I'd still be very surprised if either showed up. The Camera Eye" - Ever after this song being played during both legs of The Time Machine tour, some fans still want to hear it. Beneath, Between, and Behind," " By-Tor and the Snow Dog," " Chain Lightning," " Cold Fire," " Everyday Glory", " Fly By Night," " Garden road," " I Think I'm Going Bald," " Natural Science," " Tai Shan," " The Pass," and " Tom Sawyer." Count of votes by album
Long tail
Animate Best I Can Between the Wheels Chemistry Cinderella Man Closer to the Heart Different Strings Distant Early Warning Double Agent Entre Nous Fancy Dancer Fear suite (Witch Hunt, The Weapon, The Enemy Within, Freeze) Freeze Here Again High Water Making Memories Manhattan Project Marathon Middletown Dreams Mystic Rhythms Nocturne Out of the Cradle Open Secrets A Passage to Bangkok Peaceable Kingdom Red Barchetta Red Tide Show Don't Tell Something for Nothing Take Off (To the Great White North) The Body Electric The Trees The Weapon Time Stand Still Vital Signs War Paint Where's My Thing? (Part IV, "Gangster of Boats" Trilogy) Witch Hunt YYZ The Color of Right Temples of Syrinx
Prime mover !
ReplyDeleteOk I must comment on this. SInce I hear that Rush is doing a special 41st anniversary tour, and according to Alex Lifeson this tour is suppose to be very special and they plan on playing material that hasnt been played in a long time. Well I would like to take this opportunity to give my suggestion on a songlist. I think it would be absolutely astounding if Rush truly did a setlist for all of us diehard fans. Instead of playing for the radio rush fans play the songs that most of us diehards have been longing to see live like myself and many others. I was too young to see the Hemispheres tour or even the Permanent Waves tour. This tour should be special and therfore if it truly is for the diehards please retire some of the popular songs that always seem to get played. I know its risky, but when has Rush ever did anything that wasnt risky? I think its time to shelve at least this tour the following songs: Tom Sawyer, Spirit of Radio, Closer to the Heart, Limelight, YYZ, Bravado, The Big Money, ForceTen, Subdivisions, Time Stand Still. they need to look at the setlist of the past several tours and play stuff completely different. Im 44 years old now and I would love to hear them play alot of their older material which is timeless and most of us have never seen before! I understand that Geddy cant sing the songs the way he use to, but I say sing it an octive lower! most of us wont care and most of us will be singing along anyways with tears streaming down our faces. WE just want to see it live, and if its sung a little differently I think I speak for most diehards, we wont complain.
ReplyDeleteSo since the Clockwork Angels Tour had a setlist that was dominated by their albums in the 80's and 90's, here is a setlist that I would recommend for the guys to at least think about.
1.The Bastille Day
2.A Passage to Bangkok
3.Beneath Between & Behind
4.The Camera Eye
5.The Enemy Within
6.The Weapon
7. Witch Hunt
8. The Main Monkey Business
9. Earthshine
10. Freewill
11. Cygnus X-1 Book 1
end of first set and intermission
2nd Set
12. Hemispheres or cygnus x-1 book 2
13. Anthem
14. A Farewell to Kings
15. JAcobs Ladder
16. Digital Man
17. Cut to the Chase
18. Something For Nothing
19. Xanadu
20. Lakeside Park
21. Fly By Night
22. By-Tor & The Snow Dog (the whole song)
encores
24. The Necromancer
25. Before & After
26. Working Man
No major drum solos, and if there is time to squeeze in Natural Science so be it. thats my list. I dont think people would be disappointed in that and when say people, I mean true Rushfans and at the shows there are plenty!
Eddy Mitchell
I would also like to mention if there was any time or maybe another suggestion would be to add In the End into the set along with Natural Science if there could be more time added possibly to the first set. THis tour needs to be about exposing the younger generation of some of the great music that they virtually ignore every tour and they are timeless songs, anytime they play something really old everyone gets all excited and I just remember seeing them do 2112 during the Test For Echo tour and that was such an experience but noticbly I didnt have it on this set list because we here the Overture and Temples every tour it also can use a rest to make room for other material that hasnt been seen before or for at least a very long time!
DeleteEdward,
DeleteAs much as I love your set list, I think it would kill them.
I think that would require at least two intermissions.
Thanks Jay but I think they can handle it. I figure the first set would be only 1 hour and 15 minutes and the 2nd set would be 1 hour and 25 minutes then 25 minutes of encores. I think they have the rest of this year to practice and get themselves ready. they can do it Jay they are the dream team of musicians!
DeleteThat's a killer setlist Edward!
ReplyDelete