Rush Cygnus X-1: Book 1 and Hemispheres (entire album) - Extended Play Lounge (Ep. 2)
Added 2021-08-15 13:01:02 +0000 UTCVimeo Link: https://vimeo.com/587338149/d336a9a46f
For our second episode of the Extended Play Lounge, I'm diving into the Cygnus saga by Rush followed by the rest of their Hemispheres album. I very much enjoyed Cygnus X-1...especially Neil's brilliant lyrics.
DO NOT SHARE THIS LINK ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR OUTSIDE OF THIS PATREON. YOU'VE PAID FOR THIS SPECIAL ACCESS. PLEASE HELP US KEEP THESE PERKS SPECIAL.
Comments
Hi there, new to the channel - the link to this video is broken. YouTube only has the Cygnus X-1 saga, and La Villa Strangiato in a separate video. No Trees, no Circumstances. Please help!
Margaret Barnes
2024-01-07 07:08:13 +0000 UTCNeil was a genuine, bona fide, modern poet. Moved me to tears many times, even more so now.
Steeleye 2112
2022-04-15 01:35:23 +0000 UTCLink not working for me in the UK any ideas?
John Ariss
2022-03-20 23:34:30 +0000 UTCJust getting around to checking this out. I've never heard this album. It's pretty well known that Geddy Lee's favorite bassist is Chris Squire, so his tone is very similar, except that Geddy plays with his fingers while Chris played with a pick. If I remember correctly, at least Geddy mentioned how The Yes Album was among his favorite albums as well. Being a huge Yes fan myself, I grew to like Rush, but for some reason, I never got too much into them. Maybe it was Geddy's voice? i don't know for sure. Anyway, this was an interesting listen.
Bryan Sheehan
2022-03-09 18:28:20 +0000 UTCThere are good musicians, there are great musicians and then there musicians who are gods. Finally, there are musicians who are Rush
Glenn Wo
2022-01-01 17:08:24 +0000 UTCThe Side Two songs were not recorded live in concert. It was indeed a live video recording, but taped in a studio, not in front of any audience. These were the band's "official music videos," recorded (I believe) by Anthem, their production company, and released to support the 'Hemispheres' album. That said, they aren't overdubs; the lads are really performing the songs.
Dave Vick
2022-01-01 05:25:59 +0000 UTCLate to the party, but only just subscribed to your Patreon. This was wonderful, thank you. La Viila Strangiato has been a long term favourite. For me, the videos of the live performance added something new, since I am so familiar with the studio recording.
Les Mable
2021-12-31 19:00:21 +0000 UTCGeddy Lee said himself that he idolized Chris Squire. Geddy played a Rickenbacker in Rush because he loved the sound Chris Squire got out of his. Geddy was talking about this stuff a couple years ago, when Yes got inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Geddy had to fill in for the late Chris Squire. He was so nervous going into it, hoping he was going to do a good job. The space journey reminds me again and again of Van Der Graaf Generator's "Pioneers Over C", in which a group of astronauts make the harrowing journey beyond the speed of light, and transform into disembodied spirits. Ah, man. Ya lost me at "live versions". It's like "Here are the recordings you all know and love and want to share with me. Let's ignore those and listen to some less polished live recordings instead."
Ray Sincere
2021-12-31 14:49:59 +0000 UTCI pretty much heard this not long after it came out,maybe a year or so and being only just into my teens I never had a bloody clue what it was about🤣
Brian Rushford
2021-11-18 11:30:19 +0000 UTCThe last section of Cygnus ends with the perfect sphere, which is composed of two "Hemispheres": Emotion and reason. Love and truth. Of course the allusion is also led to the two hemispheres of the brain, and the two longings and yearnings of the human condition, and how one cant be balanced without both. The mentioned duality of the hemispheres is initially introduced, thought, by greek gods Dionysus (reason, truth) and Apollo (emotion, love). By the way, I dont know if anyone ever made that connection, but coincidentally enough I first listened to this album in my teen years just a few months after I read Nietzche's first book from 1872: " The Birth of Tragedy from the Spirit of Music", and there is definite connection between those two. But I always thought how brilliant it was from Neil to introduce the concept of the hemispheres unto it.
Gabriel Finkel
2021-10-16 05:30:58 +0000 UTCWe can walk our road together If our goals are all the same. We can run alone and free If we pursue a different aim. Let the truth of love be lighted, Let the love of truth shine clear. Sensibility, armed with sense and liberty, With the Heart and Mind united in a single perfect Sphere. I've played this on guitar for 20 years and I never realised the lyrics were SO AMAZING.
Lars Erik Brobakken
2021-09-14 12:18:19 +0000 UTCAs much as I really want The Trees to be a pro-leftist/anti-capitalist take, it's an artifact of Neal's (and I think the rest of the band's) 70s Randian outlook. I *think* that they eventually moved away from that philosophy, but I'm not a hardcore Rush historian.
Ben Allen
2021-08-23 19:11:35 +0000 UTCDoug, Please check out Wobbler’s latest studio recording, “Dwellers Of The Deep.”
Enigmaticus
2021-08-23 00:03:58 +0000 UTCFrequency by IQ (Personally, I prefer their older stuff). Has any one heard of Abel Ganz?
Wade Markham
2021-08-22 00:01:45 +0000 UTCLove all of the Rush and classic prog! For some more modern prog that I think you would like try Judas Unrepentant by Big Big Train, I think you would love the music and the concept!
Matt M
2021-08-20 23:57:28 +0000 UTCThere is so much music to go past,suggestions would be: «the human equation» by ayreon, «Remedy lane» and «BE» by pain of salvation,» the new mythology suite by symphony x,»SMPTE» by transatlantic .and why not a 2 hour plus rock opera..»the asthonishing» by dream theater
Roy Torset
2021-08-20 12:19:07 +0000 UTCHi Doug! I would love to see your reaction to Gorguts - "The Battle of Chamdo" someday. I know it's a death metal band, but this piece has no guitars, no drums and no guttural vocals. It's chamber music (all acoustic, no VST) composed by maestro Luc Lemay, leader of the band. He's a trained violist who studied at Vincent-d'Indy school & at the Montreal Conservatory of Music. I'm pretty sure it's the only track you might enjoy from this band though, the rest of their discography may sound like distorted free jazz on steroïds gone berserk, but this piece is something else.
David Shredder
2021-08-19 10:08:46 +0000 UTCwhich didn't happen by coincidence
Juan Ignacio Quesada
2021-08-18 19:32:04 +0000 UTCIt is not by coincidence Geddy played the bass at the Rock 'n roll hall of fame Yes induction (which came way too late)
Juan Ignacio Quesada
2021-08-18 19:28:18 +0000 UTCAyreon deserves an episode. Their concept albums are quite long though.
Juan Ignacio Quesada
2021-08-18 19:22:50 +0000 UTCHi Doug, re the Chris Squire sound alike quality ,Geddy Lee and s on the record in saying that the great Mr Squire was his musical inspiration. Chris Squire and Yes were a huge influence on later 1970’s bands and right through till today. Keep it going
Richard Worrall
2021-08-17 19:57:23 +0000 UTCGreat! Thanx...my wish for the extended play lounge: Aryeon - The Theater Equation! That would be so awesome. You will like it, Doug!
Tobias Schwenk
2021-08-17 19:23:17 +0000 UTCYou are the king. Watching Rush reactions got me into watching reaction videos. Hemispheres is my favorite Rush Album and song. To finally have an influencer/musician post a full reaction like this is so awesome. I suck at being super social and honestly, I put alot of stock into what a person listens to and find I connect to people more when they can speak my language. (Rush, Steely dan ect) thanks for letting us into your experience. I wish I could remove the album from my memory , so that I could listen to it for the first time again. Anywho, thanks for the great content. We appreciate it all.
Dominick Pearce
2021-08-17 11:13:38 +0000 UTCThis was a lot of fun!
Mark J Moerman
2021-08-17 02:59:44 +0000 UTCIn later years Alex would improvise a section of La Villa using his “unique “ humour!
Paul Lowder
2021-08-16 23:14:55 +0000 UTCJust superb, my favourite band since hearing Xanadu at 14. A year later this absolute masterpiece was released. I was a gawky kid at 15 wrote the lyrics to The Sphere in my sisters French exchange students goodbye card. I wonder if she ever got it translated. A year later borrowed heavily from The Trees for an A in a sociology exam. Just adore this band and love listening to you break it down Doug. Keep up this top work
Dave Clarke
2021-08-16 22:23:57 +0000 UTCI've spent 30 years trying to play that album accurately on drums, I can hit everything in order, at the right time, but the dynamics are something else, NP was such a genius not just in the speed, and timing, but the nuance he put into his playing, perhaps I might get close to that before I start shopping for stairlifts, but I don't think so. Loved watching this reaction though, don't worry about talking too much, I like getting your insights in real time (it's like watching people scream at a jump scare in a horror movie you've already seen, you know it's coming and theres something satisfying about seeing other people jump 😂, it's the same when Doug gets hit with a tritone).
Gareth of Beverage
2021-08-16 20:26:10 +0000 UTCBrain Salad Surgery by Emerson, Lake & Palmer would be a very cool album listen. To me, that album is best when played front to back.
Walker Bachman
2021-08-16 19:32:41 +0000 UTCyou can edit your comments :)
Glenn Wo
2021-08-16 19:04:57 +0000 UTCSorry for the typos!
Bill Lee
2021-08-16 17:02:39 +0000 UTCDoug--absolutely love that you covered this! By the way, according to the band, La Villa Strangiato was conceived as an over-the-top exercise in self-indulgence. It was supposed to be exceedingly complicated and emphasize, that n grandiose fashion, the individual talents. Interestingly, for a group of musicians who prided themselves on single-take recording sessions, this song almost broke them. As a follow-up (at some point) you should compare their final concept album, Clockwork Angels, with their earlier work. I believe you'll see their evolution as musicians, and as people, represented in this later work. Again, thanks for tackling these epic musical works!
Bill Lee
2021-08-16 17:01:53 +0000 UTCAlso, Nathan Mahl's the Heretik saga (Volumes I-III)
Wade Markham
2021-08-16 16:21:42 +0000 UTCI must admit that it took some time for me to become accustomed to Geddy’s vocal color. It definitely is unique!
R. Douglas Helvering
2021-08-16 14:21:40 +0000 UTCThis was a great reaction. A lot better than the Metropolis reaction as you focused a bit more on the music, but still not as good as your Octavarium reaction- that was the best YouTube video I had ever seen.
Leo Sconzo
2021-08-16 14:12:43 +0000 UTCExcellent as always. I will echo the suggestions to include some Neal Morse Band, Transatlantic, and Neal Morse solo stuff. Also how about The Human Equation by Ayreon?
Jeremy Taylor
2021-08-16 11:51:38 +0000 UTCHal, it's about trees
Arne Martin Aurlien
2021-08-16 07:23:07 +0000 UTCGeddy Lee sounds like Robert Plant in a microwave oven (in a good way)
Arne Martin Aurlien
2021-08-16 06:53:15 +0000 UTCTrees!!!!
Paul Mouradjian
2021-08-16 05:09:37 +0000 UTCThank you for your reactions. The only thing I will ask you to review please is Spock’s Beard Snow live version. It is so much fun to see them play and watch them have fun, and switch around on instruments. Some of the best live recordings out there! Thanks doug! Oh, and I did I mention it has a great story and lyrics... cause it’s Neil Moorse of course!
Nick Helvey
2021-08-16 05:08:52 +0000 UTCBig fun! Barb and I really enjoyed this.
Mark J Moerman
2021-08-16 05:04:03 +0000 UTCThen it can be shared in those places at that time. 👍
Illume Eltanin
2021-08-16 02:56:01 +0000 UTCFantastic reaction, Doug!
Evan
2021-08-16 02:11:43 +0000 UTCHi. New to Patreon. You could do The Similitude of a Dream from The Neal Morse Band or Solá Gratia from Neal Morse. Thanks.
Frank Canepa
2021-08-16 02:05:38 +0000 UTCIf he hasn't already seen it, Dr. Doug needs to watch Yes' induction in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where Geddy played bass since Squire had passed.
Illume Eltanin
2021-08-16 02:05:09 +0000 UTCMy plan is to make these videos public 2 months later.
R. Douglas Helvering
2021-08-16 02:03:47 +0000 UTCDr. Doug. This will be made public in a month or so, nu? Maybe at that time it can be shared to Rush's/Alex's/Geddy's social media. I bet there are fans on those sites who will love your breakdown.
Illume Eltanin
2021-08-16 01:58:08 +0000 UTCI know the feeling Paul. I've only recently been able to listen to Rush with any regularity. Being a drummer myself and having modeled my work ethic on Neil's, it was a gut punch when I heard of his passing. My previous band made a comment about how my drumming accentuates the other band members (especially vocals), it put a big smile on my face. That is 100% Neil's approach.
Mark Saxon
2021-08-16 01:41:47 +0000 UTCGeddy would 200% appreciate the Chris Squire comment! One of his heroes
Mark Saxon
2021-08-16 01:37:38 +0000 UTCit's just a matter of taste my friend. If you do not like Rush and do not think they connect to you - do not listen to them :) Life is too short listening to music you do not enjoy anyways
Glenn Wo
2021-08-15 19:38:51 +0000 UTCThank you once again Doug. This was great. Since Neil's passing, I haven't listened to as much Rush as I used to. It's very emotional for me and parts of this listen really made me tear up. The band are so unique, there'll never be another like them. If you are a fan of Dream Theater, you can see the influences they had from Rush, particularly the Hemispheres / Octavarium similarities.
Paul Humphrey
2021-08-15 18:12:27 +0000 UTCI empathize(d)... until I listened to Clockwork Angels. When Geddy's voice lost it's steel razor-edge quality on the highs, his singing became more accessible to me. In a parallel development, Neil's lyrics and the composing got, well, closer to the heart. I've gone back in their discography and find a general trend over the decades (to my ear) towards more powerful connection to the emotions. As an aside, the later concert DVD's and good blue-tooth headphones are my best motivation besides Yes to stay on the exercise bike for at least an hour. Good stuff for head, body and heart.
David Marshall
2021-08-15 16:11:00 +0000 UTC"Musical Anarchy", brilliant analogy, Doug! They are always pushing back on convention, this is why we outcasts flock to Rush. Your choice to refer to the live versions on this was is a bonus, they are the real deal as these performances will show. Unbelievable that three mortal men can create this live!
Anthony Taylor
2021-08-15 15:38:17 +0000 UTC☹️ I have a real problem with Rush. I tried so often... But i can't 🙁 Their music is so boring to my ears. Hate his voice, have no emotion. No soul in melodies. I really never get it. When some people says that DT is only musicianship without feeling, i laugh... But it's exactly my feeling with Rush. Feel like earing peace of music made by a computer with mathematics formulas... ☹️☹️ I'm so sorry about that. Genesis or Marillion are so much more important to me... So i will wait. Sorry for my english 😉
prog mushroom
2021-08-15 15:28:09 +0000 UTCWell once again, the Professor on the Vid Kit brought tears to my eyes. Doug, your deep understanding and empathy and emotion are more than I ever expected to find in a medium like this. You captured all of the power and wisdom (and ironic timeliness) of Neil's genius - just brilliant my man. For some real fun, on your next listen of Book II, take note how in the middle section leading up the return of the Traveler we get the ascending motif, samples, and the outro chords from Book I... I was 10 when this came out, and have an older brother who turned me on to it, and have never stopped listening in awe (only the headphones have changed). Way to go on "getting" The Trees lyrics too, there was quite a political reaction at the time of release over that song for reasons you can guess... the Oaks did not approve. Well, you have now done my two all-time favorite albums on the Lounge, dare you to top it. Humble thanks and hearty cheers Sir Doug!
Russ West
2021-08-15 15:08:45 +0000 UTCThere is a link between the 1st 2 extended lounges. The Perfect Sphere is also mentioned at the end of Octavarium by DT.
Mark Oliver
2021-08-15 14:27:19 +0000 UTCThere is an interesting dynamic between Book 1 and Book 2 that I never noticed before. It seems to be a combination of maturity in both the production but the music itself... Impressive for only being a short time between albums.
Frank Katzenberger
2021-08-15 13:26:59 +0000 UTCRocinante is also the name James Holden gave to MCRN Tachi (space ship/frigate) in the book series The Expanse. Makes me wonder if the authors were actually a Rush fans.
Frank Katzenberger
2021-08-15 13:20:27 +0000 UTCTurns out that people do answer emails 😂
Joey Wise
2021-08-15 13:17:50 +0000 UTCFantastic! Can't wait to give it a watch. Really glad you decided to do Cygnus X-1 as the opener!
Mike D
2021-08-15 13:08:17 +0000 UTC
