Rush Reaction: Classical Guitarist REACTS to Rush Tom Sawyer

[@JoneRuiz]

Want to see the latest guitar accessories that are popular right now? Just click here! amzn.to/3QMB2om

[@johncampbell756]

See Rush - "Xanadu" live from Exit...Stage Left to see them play everything live.

[@allwaizeright9705]

Alex Lifeson had Classical Guitar chops - you should listen to their earlier stuff from A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres and earlier. La Villa Strangiato and YYZ are classic tracks of virtuosity...

[@andrewball9762]

"Hope" Alex Lifeson at his most beautiful self. Its moving. Also The Garden on their final album Clockwork Angels

[@skidsofrenik4691]

Yes- roundabout It has the most awesome bass lines

[@joetrainer31]

Yes. Geddy Lee plays bass, keyboard, and sings. And, he can do all three at the same time live in concert. He has often switched to feet actuated keys while he plays bass.

[@johncampbell756]

A Taurus bass pedals when playing keys.

[@wickedmirage]

Let us not forget Neil also helps with playing the foot keys!

[@jonlate4581]

I've never known Neil to use them, he kind of has his hands (and feet) full, but Alex uses the foot pedals as you can see in the video.

[@joetrainer31]

@@jonlate4581 he uses "keyboard" triggers on a few songs. One that comes to mind is "Roll the Bones."

[@FUBAR1986]

@@wickedmirage it’s Alex, not Neil, he plays all other percussion instruments, including bells in a type of marimba

[@jhc2093]

You’re not wrong. Rush is just a trio. A trio of incredibly talented, multi-instrumentalist who can write songs, sometimes really complex, time shifting songs, and still have them played heavily on mainstream rock radio; Decades after the music was released.

[@lisaharrison1031]

Everybody needs more RUSH in their lives…….coming from a fan who’s been with them for 45 years!! RUSH NEVER DISAPPOINTS!!

[@timothyboland4934]

^^^she's not wrong.

[@TexasVeteranPatriot]

Welcome to Rush! A 45 yr journey of greatness. And yes, they can do it live. A few suggestions.... Rush ~ Xanadu ~ Exit Stage Left [1981] kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKarhGCdn7KcjNk Rush - YYZ Live (Rio) kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5a2namlhJiJrZo Rush - Limelight (Official Music Video) kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJq1pp1olMitsNk

[@JoneRuiz]

Thank you for the links!

[@kenmolinaro]

If you want to see what they do live, watch the video for Xanadu, Live at Exit Stage Left. It is a live performance. The singer/bassist/keyboardist uses a double neck bass/rhythm guitar, and keyboards, and a foot operated mini-moog synth as well. The guitarist plays a double neck 12 string/6 string and also has a foot operated mini-moog. In various songs sometimes the guitarist does bass with his feet, or he does keyboards with his feet. Other times it is the singer who is doing either bass or keyboards with his feet.

[@Fred-vy1hm]

Not to mention the drummer is a one man percussion section playing too many different instruments to name without making this a paragraph. 😊

[@loosilu]

COMPLETELY agree!

[@jaytera]

@@Fred-vy1hm rest in peace neil peart

[@tzeher5377]

Sorry to all you Zepplen fans, but Peart is the BEST DRUMMER EVER!!!

[@pauldufford24]

The bassist, Geddy Lee, during live shows is the singer, bass player and keyboard player. He uses bass pedals while playing keyboards. He may start on keyboard and hit a button with a program to fill while he fronts the band. The first time I saw them in 1979, he completely mesmerized me for about 90% of the show. Truly amazing musicians with such a history! Enjoy

[@thelatentobserver121]

The lyrics of RUSH I find are very important these days. Such positive, insightful energy. RIP Professor.

[@LyleCochran]

Getty Lee is a Bass player that sings, while playing keyboards and bass on foot pedals... Mind boggling! "one up for you"

[@alansmith7626]

don't be angry, be Happy! ANY Rush fan wishes they could hear all their songs for the first time! You have an entire new world of music to explore, Enjoy the journey

[@bryanevans5398]

As a Canadian it bring me great joy to see you appreciate our boys 🇨🇦 I hope you keep digging deep, you would appreciate songs like "the Trees" and "La Villa Strangiato"...cheers from Canada , you earned a follower!

[@andrewball9762]

And HOPE....I had to see the live performsnce that it was one person playing it. Phenomenal!!!!

[@debbieplato5107]

Rush are three master musicians from Toronto, Canada Geddy Lee Vocals, Bass, keyboards, taurus pedals ( He sings, plays bass and keyboards all at the same time ) Alex Lifeson Guitar, Mandola , taurus pedals and later keyboards Neil Peart drums, percussion and main lyrist. Neil Peart is considered one of the best drummers in rock. Unfortunately Neil passed away from brain cancer in January of 2020. Other Songs Limelight official music video YYZ live in Rio Working man live in Cleveland Digital Man from the Snakes and Arrows tour Cheers

[@deendrew36]

Welcome to the Rush nation! Tom Sawyer was their breakout song in my opinion. Their album Hemispheres has to be one of my favourites. This Canadian 🇨🇦 is proud to call them our own!!

[@mikebell2112]

The keyboard and bass don't play at the same time to reflect what they could actually pull off in a live show. As others have pointed out, he does fill in the keyboard parts with bass pedals. So yes he is very busy during the live shows.

[@crossbearer365]

Se la comen, hermano! These guys replicated their music, note-for-note, every time in concert!

[@dab_family9405]

Not only does Geddy Lee play keyboards, bass, and vocals, he does all 3 in concert. There are no pre-recorded bits added in. Watch the Xanadu live performance; it will blow you away.

[@jacquesjrviens3384]

As a classical guitar player... You have to listen to La villa Strangiato (Studio or Exit stage left ONLY). That is one of the best guitar solos EVER !!!! You'll thank me later. Rush is a musician's band man! Natural Science, Jacob's ladder, Spirit of radio, Limelight, Witch hunt, 2112..... There is just too many great songs !!!!! Just try 1 per day !!

[@MikeKelly2112]

Been a fan for over 40 years. This was and always be my favorite RUSH song. Prepare to be RUSH-IFIED 🤘🏼💯

[@nolemons]

He plays bass on foot pedals while playing keys on stage. While playing bass he has synth patches on his foot pedals. Epic live performance of musicianship always with these

[@FUBAR1986]

One of the best songs, and shows off their talents…. Spirit of radio

[@GSharper]

Yes, Rush can play their song catalog live,.. check out Xanadu (live) from Exit Stage Left recordings.

[@matthewhoag2609]

Welcome to Rush. I'm always excited to see any classically-trained musician check out Rush. While they are a three-piece, they pride themselves on being able to perform their music with no extra musicians or backing tracks. As you listen to more Rush you will see how they compose their music with live performance in mind. Early introduction of synthesizers came in the form of Moog Taurus pedals, basically a set of synth organ pedals. Geddy and Alex could both play simple synth parts while playing their guitars, and yes, Geddy can do all this while singing. Later inclusion of keyboards brought new possibilites. Geddy often plays bass parts on the pedals while playing keys, and will play simple synth parts with the pedals while playing bass. Furthermore, Neil Peart uses many tuned percussion instruments and electonic pads as well, rounding out their capabilities. They sometimes used the electronics to trigger sound effects and short, pre-recorded loops, but they didn't play with backing tracks. The best example of this is to go right to Xanadu from their 1981 Exit Stage Left tour. The multi-tasking they do to pull this off is incredible. Alex plays 6- and 12-string guitars. Geddy plays bass, 12-string, keyboards, synth pedals, and sings. This recording is before many electronics were added, so Neil has chimes, tubular bells, temple blocks, and a glockenspeil - pretty much an entire orchestal percussion section, lol. It's really an amazing performance. Cheers!

[@ashleygraham8781]

Alex plays Taurus pedals as much as Geddy.

[@AnthonyKellett]

@@ashleygraham8781 - Yes. You can actually see him doing so (even though you don't actually see his feet, just the body movements whilst he's looking down) in the last 30 seconds of the 1981 Xanadu video.

[@freebirdtony]

Excellent comment Matthew.

[@JoneRuiz]

This is great! So much musicality!

[@MrSinnerBOFH]

Yes, the singer plays bass and keyboard. I recommend you to listen to a Rush song first, and then a second time while looking at their lyrics, they’re really good. Listen to “The Trees” for classical guitar influence. Watch “Xanadu” from the concert “Exit Stage Left” to see them live. Welcome to the Rush family!

[@timbaker6613]

Yes geddy lee sings plays the bass he plays keyboard and pedals on the floor three guys who are geniuses check them out live they will blow you away...enjoy rush the best band on the planet

[@kimberleyphillips6671]

Very intelligent band that kicked ass. Lucky to see them live in 1983. I'm one of a small group of woman that luv them. Lol

[@scottlaughlin9897]

You are not wrong. Geddy lee is the singer, Bass, and keys. Check out Xanadu from Exit stage left (live). They’ve never created a song that they couldn’t play live.

[@davparksoh]

Pro musician here - glad you appreciated the best rock trio - now for the full effect, watch their live song 'Xanadu' from 'Exit Stage Left 81' - best rock concert in history - will leave you speechless -

[@michaelzilkowsky2936]

Rush is the only band that matters

[@JaakkoTK]

It doesn't matter why you haven't listened to the band before. The important thing is that you now found Rush, one of the best bands ever. You have an adventure ahead of you!

[@Bucketheadgoat]

Musically and lyrically brilliant. Don't cheat yourself and not dig deeper into this band. These are 3 guys who sound as good, if not better live. No egos here, just 3 friends making music that not only makes you think but provides an excellent chance to practice that air guitar / drumming... ;)

[@loosilu]

I LOVE them as a studio band. They are better live.

[@GummyBearWA]

I would think as a classical guitar player you'd fall in love with their song, "The Trees".

[@nolemons]

Kiss used to make fun of these guys when they opened for them in the 70’s because they spent every moment practicing backstage while all others were partying. Always dedicated to intricate musicianship. Rip Mr. Peary . Legends

[@wehafreepress9873]

You have unlocked RUSH!!! Strap in, buddy.

[@jons3808]

They do reproduce their songs live in masterful fashion. Others have recommended La Villa Strangiato and I would suggest the studio version because you will hear Spanish acoustic guitar in the beginning (which is played on the electric guitar live). If you want see them in action live, check out the song Xanadu from 1981 on Exit Stage Left.

[@saxon1177]

I could be wrong, but I believe they are recording in their private studio in Canada, so they are doing tracks/overlays. That's why you see him singing while the bass is playing but he's not playing the bass guitar at the time. And yes, they were phenomenal, my favorite all time rock band.

[@calebclunie4001]

"Spirit Of Radio", was a huge radio hit, too. It will be mentioned, that a lot of deep tracks, they had, are phenomenal, but honestly, it's just them. They're just brilliant. You'll hear, Geddy Lee singing, on Supertramp songs, also.

[@squamishfish]

Some of many songs to check out , Limelight studio , Red Barchetta studio , Natural Science studio , for a live performance to start with try Working Man live in Cleveland , see how three guys in their 50s end a three hour show , Fire 🔥 Fire Fire in three transitions

[@pzeeman73]

Welcome to RushTube! I love seeing top shelf musicians discover my favourite band!

[@melissayost4888]

The song is inspired by Mark Twain’s classic novel Tom Sawyer. It takes place in the South pre Civil War. Tom, his friend Huckleberry Finn (also a separate novel) & Jim were boyhood friends. Tom was from a respectable family. Jim was a slave & Huck came from the side of the tracks-a low life poor family. The line in the song ‘What you say about his company is what you say about society’ addresses racism & class. Unfortunately it still holds true today. It’s one of my all time favorite & truest lyrics.

[@Gary-zq9dr]

Check out the studio version of these Rush songs next... Red Barchetta, Subdivisions, Spirit of Radio. Then check out these live songs... Working Man live in Cleveland, Best Intro EVER!!!!!!, YYZ live in Rio

[@JoneRuiz]

Thank you for the suggestions! Im putting this on my list.

[@johnjohnson9980]

RUSH name of band. Tom Sawyer is a character in American classic book series. Series started about 1876. Many names in series. I was listening to Chop in classical guitar just the other day. Creativity is awesome. RUSH is older. Many old great band with creativity. Age of story telling in the music..- 1950, 1960, 70,80,90`s.

[@art3mis290]

🎶Canadian here, I am happy you enjoyed one of our great group of musicians. 🎶Now is better than never. I do hope you check out other songs, there are many listed below that I would 2nd.☯☮

[@davidbrock2450]

When they used to play live, Geddy Lee (lead singer, bassist, keyboardist) still played all the instroments. But he he did uses pedals to make and hold keyboard notes when he was playing bass.

[@michaelhicks1406]

Welcome! I can already tell you are going to be a fan of this amazing band ...wait until you see them live, and see how 3 guys make it sound 6 or 8 people-enjoy the ride..

[@buisyman]

First time listening to Rush? Classical guitarist? You're in for a real treat, my friend

[@camperoboricua5487]

YYZ Live from Rio. You will be amazed to see the public SING an instrumental song !!!

[@worldfamouslanglois4805]

Working man is my get up and work alarm music .. which is wonderful and sad at the same time

[@Abraided]

Your next best bet is Xanadu live from the Exit Stage Left tour. It will show you how they play everything live. It's a personal opinion but I think it's the best example of what they are capable live.

[@andrewschultz7930]

If you haven't already, you should react to one of the bands that influenced Rush, which is Yes, they had a big influence on Alex Lifeson, and, Geddy Lee.

[@dard4642]

This album came out a couple of months after I turned 10 years-old. A "big kid" down the street (Steve, he was 16), got it the day it came out and showed it to me. "Tom Sawyer" is song-1 on side-1 of the LP. Your reaction to the opening is exactly what mine was and I remember it like it was yesterday (I'm 52 now). I truly believe that it is impossible for a proficient musician to not at least appreciate Rush. I have always said -- you may not *like* Rush, but you cannot say that they suck.

[@williamdemerchant7295]

If you want to see more of the multi-tasking talents of Geddy Lee, I'd suggest 'Xanadu' live from 1981's Exit Stage Left video. A mind blowing 🤯 display of Rush's live talent.

[@paulf4802]

I saw them in concert in 1982 in Philadelphia. Unbelievable! Thanks for your review!

[@tombanaski3251]

Check them out live in the “YYZ Live in Rio” clip--you can see them play live and how they pull it off. “YYZ” is an instrumental that the crowd actually sings along to! You gotta see it to believe it!

[@MrVvulf]

I'm a huge Rush fan, but there's another artist that came to mind when I read your title... I was surprised when I searched your videos that there are no reactions to the music, playing, teaching, and overall importance of Andres Segovia. Segovia was the foremost classical guitarist of the 20th century, and the man most responsible for the guitar being accepted as an instrument worthy of being used in classical concerts.

[@lizturner267]

Check out the song “YYZ” by Rush live in Rio. You know a song is stellar when the crowd starts singing during an instrumental piece 😊 YYZ is Toronto's airport code, a nod to home 🇨🇦

[@BayouMaccabee]

Better to find Rush late in life than to never find them at all. But now that you're finally here...welcome to the party!

[@scottwood5515]

LOL, you are in the Rush rabbit hole!!!! Yes they can do it all live......Rush in Rio is a good place to start.

[@seanb3808]

We are Legion. When you get a chance listen to "Losing It" - seems like Neal was sending us a message in the form of a timeless truth. As I get older, and lose some abilities that used to be very good - there is always a sting, but I can't imagine the pain of losing a world class gift as I've never known it, I'm blind to it. "Sadder still to watch it die, than never to have known it. For you, the blind who once could see..."

[@Savagedbd]

I believe when Getty is playing keys he uses the foot pedals for the bass part but i know he does play both live

[@smitty0421]

Geddy Lee, the Bassist, keyboardist and lead singer uses pedals to play bass parts while he is playing keyboard. Alex Lifeson also has pedals to play bass parts. I believe they also have pre-recorded stuff that is triggered by the pedals at certain times.

[@Safe-Cracker]

Listen to Xanadu from the exit stage left show and you will appreciate their live performance. Since you are a guitarist listen to La Villa Strangiato you should like it too... 40 years rabbit hole you have to explore.. enjoy

[@nattijeff]

RUSH Army is present and prepared for duty.

[@bryanbailey6963]

And they can do it all LIVE just a well as in the studio! It's great to find another new Rush fan!

[@gregjones861]

Check out The Introduction by the Steve Morse Band. Rush not only had them as an opening act but Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson named Steve Morse as his favorite guitarist.

[@BattleHardenedGolfClashReplays]

Yes, Geddy Lee sang, played Bass & Keyboard. Neil Peart-percussion and he wrote 99% of the lyrics. Alex Lifeson-Guitars, pedals and occasional keyboard. Watch them live! Same song. Everything you hear is them live, with hardly any stuff pre-recorded (except some redundant synthesizer parts occasionally). Peart triggered different parts with pads and his left foot.

[@kriegmesserdclxvi2833]

If you dare to go deeper, you will discover Rush has distinct eras of style over their career, punctuated with brilliant lyrics and musicianship.

[@fishgolfguy]

Perfection!a classical music guy rocking to rush.

[@MsBenlane]

rush took pride in being able to play their album just like the record. you can see geddy in live shows like the weapon doing it all. alex has a stand with electric and acoustic so he can play both. they have also played doublenecks.

[@Fooleish]

Welcome aboard the Rush bus good sir. Enjoy the ride. It’s a LONG 40 year journey.

[@janzielinski9950]

One of the best live bands ever! Do the deep dive!

[@alexhunter0815]

Classical guitarist goes headbanging during listening to RUSH or what I call a perfect day 😉👍

[@timcotton1782]

You are not wrong. Geddy Lee handles bass vocals, keyboards, and footpedal keys as well. And they manage it all on stage, with just the three of them. You've just gotten started down the Rush rabbit hole.

[@stevenrube691]

Check out Xanadu- Live 1981, Exit Stage Left. You will see how 3 people can do it all live. They both use foot pedals as well as multiple instruments. They are able to play every one of their songs live and have never added musicians to pull it off. Although they did play with a string section on one tour.

[@johnnypickens9228]

The masters at work!

[@Mike80528]

Musicians with a classical background generally enjoy La Villa Strangiato (from Rush...).

[@chrisw3421]

You would enjoy YES.. Roundabout is a great song.

[@jonprice3337]

You got this old Rush fan grinning with wet eyes. I agree with all the comments!

[@mogulrider]

I think the coolest reflection on them came Kirk Hammett of Metallica. " How do 3 guys make such a sound."

[@6lillium]

You need to watch "Xanadu" from the live albums Exit Stage Left. You'll get the full experience. Bassist plays bass, sings, keyboards, bass pedals Guitarist plays guitar and bass pedals Drummer plays drum kit ,AND percussion

[@shri081]

You were late to the party brother….but now that you are here….you are here to stay 😊😊

[@willinghamsctt]

Bass Keys and Vocals AND Foot pedal synths!

[@quentinbrown4117]

You are not wrong. Geddy Lee played bass for Rush as well as keyboards and lead vocals. He's also been known to use his nose to adjust the mic while his hands are busy. Their live concert sound is very much like their studio sound. You also mentioned the logo, that is a pentacle, not a pentagram, and it's not satanic. The star represents the powers that be that run the world and the man is repulsed by it and resisting it.

[@robertanderson6929]

3:16 When Geddy Lee sings "Today's Tom Sawyer gets high on you and the _space he invades_ he gets by on you." the synthesizer riff which follows is that of the Space Invader's arcade video game which was popular at the time. And the warble at the end of the riff is the sound the mothership made as it crossed the screen. It is a melody that every kid growing up in the 70s and 80s knew.

[@michaelzilkowsky2936]

I've never heard it explained as being that. The only thing I ever heard about it was that one of them heard that synth lick while later going through soundboard tapes of sound checks...Geddy was noodling around with that part and it happened to get recorded.

[@James-xg1pr]

Top notch Musicianship!!!

[@lilpoohbear653]

never too late to discover RUSH:)))) Nice reaction!!!

[@mpkelley20]

Ahhh. So glad you finally got to this! Huge rabbit hole. One of the greatest drummers of all time. One of the best bassists of all time. And one of the greatest (yet underestimated) guitarists of all time. And yes, Geddy plays bass, sings and keyboards. Uses Taurus pedals for the bass or keys depending on what he has to play for a song. You should check out Xanadu live from edit stage left as it’s one of my favorite live performances. And it was before the drummer Neil Peart moved to a lot of electronic drums so he still used his full acoustic kit with wind chimes, church bells, etc….

[@Savagedbd]

just watch the Entire exit stage left lol its epic

[@daleleroux9476]

The Xanadu performance is from their Exit Stage Left tour 1981.

[@hughsnow830]

2 of my Rush favorites: Jacob's Ladder & Natural Science. Both are must listen.

[@bobcarn]

You'll find that their music is all over the place. This song has a very different mood and style from, for example, "The Spirit of Radio" or their instrumentals. They're amazing. And yes, the singer plays bass, sings, plays keyboards, and uses foot pedals in concert. The guitarist uses foot pedals and mulitple guitars, and the drummer uses lots of different percussion instruments (bells, drums, xylophone, wooden blocks, wind chimes, etc.) and has some electric drums he uses to trigger sampled sounds. They sounded amazing in concert.

[@robertsonsid]

"Limelight" is one of my favorites. "Spirit of the Radio" live at the SARS concert shows the band in front of a large audience. There are just the 3 guys playing live. Check it out.

[@dansantosn]

Geddy sings, play bass, keys and pads. Alex plays guitar, do backing vocals occasionally and also play pads eventually. Neil nailed drums, bells, pads, gave birth to the songs and was probably the link of communication between them three and their native planet, because I'm sure as hell they're not from Earth.

[@brookehornback1896]

New sub.Rush is potentially my favorite band.🥰

[@invisibledooley]

Yeah, I guess you'll have to watch some live Rush, it's amazing the sound coming from just 3 musicians.

[@imacmanx8562]

Now it's time for you to take the deep dive into Rush. Yes, Geddy sings, plays bass, and the synth. And you've now listened to probably the greatest rock drummer of all time. Next up: Spirit of Radio, Limelight, and Subdivisions. And for some amazing instrumental, "La Villa Strangiato". That should give you a good start.

[@buisyman]

Rush is famous for changing key signature, time signature and tempo multiple times in a single song.

[@TheRandalltex]

Rush - Xanadu - Exit Stage Left (Live1981)

[@stephanevilleneuve9450]

Listen to Xanadu, the Exit Stage Left version of 1982. You’ll be amazed by their virtuosity, musicianship, multi-tasking skills and Geddy’s incredible voice.

[@rproctor83]

Brings back fond memories... Thank you.

[@cityhonors1]

🤗 Glad you like Rush! May I suggest a Rush Instrumental 'La Villa Strangiato' (ESL)? As a Classical Guitarist, 🤔 I think you'll appreciate seeing how these 3 Magicians work their magic in the video As a long time fan of Rush, they kick butt Live, so requesting 'Working Man' (Live in Cleveland) which is full of Musical surprises and is always a fun romp. 😔 RIP Neil Peart aka 🥁 The Professor. 😍🐰

[@Prober61]

Geddy sings, they all write, the drummer writes the lyrics.

[@littlejimmy7402]

I'm so happy for you! It's like you finally get to open an endless amount of presents from random people from all over the World. I didn't hear you mention "Iron Maiden", so yeah be ready for that. I suggest as your first "Maiden" song should be "The Trooper".