Theatre Kid Reacts to Rush: The Trees

[@CharisSellick]

Every video of RUSHMAS has been demonetized if you want to support the channel please check out my patreon! www.patreon.com/Charissellick

[@CharisSellick]

I post all my reactions early and patreon exclusive content!

[@KentBalzer]

Those are temple blocks

[@allengray5748]

​​ Comment part III 😮 A FAREWELL TO KINGS is the title song of it's album and I think that is my ALL TIME FAVORITE!! I'm pretty sure! ☮️

[@mightyV444]

@@allengray5748 - Are you sure it's not 'Cinderella Man'?! It's even got some Geddy Funk in it! 😄 😉

[@allengray5748]

@@mightyV444 Cinderella Man is awesome! Fun to play!! I like the classical intro on A Farewell To Kings and the lyrics (as ALL) are freaking cool! Great choice though! ☮️

[@jtorch1]

Wood blocks, wind chimes, glockenspiel, tubular bells, orchestral bells, drums, and percussion. Neil liked to stay busy!

[@mightyV444]

Temple blocks, to be precise 😉 He also uses a belltree during Geddy's synth solo 🙂

[@jtorch1]

@@mightyV444 - My favorite thing about Rush fans is how much we love what we know, and how much we love to let everyone else know, too!

[@mightyV444]

@@jtorch1 - Yes! It's fabulous to be a member of the wonderful Rush family! 🤩

[@shanefrye2300]

no ma'am it not a pentagram. it is The " star" from the concept of their 1976 release "2112"

[@scifiguy333]

"Hold the Red Star high in hand"

[@mightyV444]

It's a Pentacle and connected with White Magic, as opposed to the Pantagram and Black Magic. The latter has no circle around it.

[@SteveDay-s5j]

​@@scifiguy333 you left out "proudly"

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

@@SteveDay-s5jYes they did!

[@RaymondBCrisp]

@@mightyV444 And a pentagram is inverted, with the point down.

[@lancelathrop2255]

The keyboard Geddy is playing is a Minimoog. The low synth sounds are coming from Taurus Pedals (also made by Moog). Neil is playing temple blocks. The sound of temple blocks is similar to that of normal woodblocks, although temple blocks have a darker, more "hollow" timbre.

[@CharisSellick]

@@lancelathrop2255 ahhhhh thank you!

[@williamgrice4790]

DURING this time there are 4 members of Rush. Geddy, Alex, Neil and Neil's mustache. This song is great. Even-though this song was from Hemispheres, they played it live on the 2112 tour. great job.

[@robertbunting3117]

One of these days, for yourself, watch Rush being inducted into the Hall of Fame, you will not be disappointed

[@CharisSellick]

Maybe we will all watch it together

[@mightyV444]

Great suggestion! 😁👍 Also very recommendable is the 'I Love You, Man' spin-off 'Jason Segel and Paul Rudd meet Rush' 😊

[@AnitaCavalieri-u7x]

I concur 😍😁

[@ChronicExcessiveManliness]

Blah, blah, blah. But that spontaneous and sustained applause...

[@moon4music]

@@CharisSellick that would be fun!

[@Mt.MoreRUSH]

FYI Charis, Trees do "Talk" to each other. A BC Canada scientist named Suzanne Simard discovered in 1997 that Trees use Mycelium & the Mycorrhizal network to share resources, vital information, and defense signals, aka "The WoodWide Web"...You learn something new everyday, eh...A Very Merry RUSHmas to you & yours!

[@malkamusik]

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Merry Rushmas. All hail the kings of prog.

[@SteveProkopowicz]

The song Marathon on a good sound system is a production masterpiece!

[@RaymondBCrisp]

Yes, Neil rocked a mustache and they had the flowing hair going. This was recorded in the late 70s, so definitely a sign of the times. Neil was not just a drummer, he was a percussionist. The hollow sounding instrument are temple blocks. Eventually, all these wonderful sounds he incorporated into his soundscape (tubular bells, church bells, chimes, temple blocks) would be programmed into his MalletKat, the xylophone looking thing he plays in his later videos and features prominently in his drum solos. It's a MIDI sampler that allows him to trigger effects and make basically any sound he can record. If you want a nice live tune to check out, I'd suggest Natural Science. It's considered one of their prog masterpieces. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5_HknxjpNB4f8U

[@SylviusTheMad]

4:22 "What is he playing?" Those are temple blocks. They're quite common in orchestral percussion sections, or at dinner theatre. Not so much on a rock stage.

[@questionablehumor2800]

Peart is playing "Temple Blocks". Wood blocks has a tighter tone, and Temple Block have a wider and hollower tone.

[@crucify40]

Temples of Syrinx blocks.

[@MJS-ON]

Yes but I want to know if they are Oak or Maple!!?? 🤔

[@TylerLL2112]

@@MJS-ON They better be Maple haha.

[@PeterMcCracken-n3g]

Hi Charis, the song is called The Trees, so Neil is hitting woodblocks. The suggestion I have for the viewers is called Best intro Ever. Very impressive piece. Cheers and have an awesome Christmas.

[@robertwright4014]

Thank you for another excellent Rushmas reaction to one of my favourite songs. Please keep enjoying yourself and making these excellent reactions.

[@kylekerwin4993]

Dear Charis, what I wish for RUSHMAS, is a reaction video from you of a RUSH song called “Lessons” or their song “Making Memories”. Because RUSHMAS is about learning from your lessons and making memories out of them. Merry RUSHMAS

[@rick5440]

One of the better political allegories ever written.

[@RalphMcrae-t2v]

I had a hard time liking this song back in the day because of Neil Peart's libertarian propaganda. Eventually I just sort of tuned it out.

[@terminallumbago6465]

Didn’t they say before this song is literally about trees?

[@rick5440]

@@terminallumbago6465 not to anyone serious. Its about how a lack of voluntary cooperation leads to authoritarianism.

[@TreysLosingItRapidly]

Rushmas is my favorite time of year! Thank you! 😊😎

[@toddashton9696]

Charis, I love that you enjoy these Rush videos. That is a crazy coffee cup you have.:> Neil rocking that handlebar mustache was a pretty cool time period for Rush.

[@questionablehumor2800]

3:55 oh dear! Just checked your rush videos and you have not posted one for 2112 (a side long operetta)... that'll be a treat for a theatre kid.

[@generoberts9151]

Neil with the late 70s stash. (Also known as the fourth member of the band) Neil is not a drummer but a “percussionist” . Quite an array of instruments back there. He was hitting what are known as Temple Blocks during that mid segment. Btw, the pentagram is adapted from the album artwork from their break through album 2112. It has become symbolic to the band ( the naked man in the middle of the pentagram came from this album Hemispheres. I know , TMI.

[@sarastromseth-troy3323]

Between the Wheels, live from the R30 tour in Germany (2004) is a great live performance!

[@artsilva]

a much later Rush concert to watch is their Clockwork Angels Tour, the song; The Garden

[@terminallumbago6465]

Was just going to say this

[@WildArtFlyFree]

'One Little Victory' in Rio has a dragon. It's grown up Rush and I know you will love it.

[@moon4music]

Yes, such a great performance of a really great song from their later years, so good!🍁

[@allengray5748]

Yet to see anyone catch the line " They cast a NOBLE law" which is also a favorite Christmas 🎄 Tree! ☯️☮️

[@testfire3000]

Rushmas?! I love it! I guess I better go back and hear all your thoughts.

[@rushnick]

Hi Charis, loving your videos. THE TREES is a SUPERB ABSOLUTE TREMENDOUS MASTERPIECE of songwriting: words & music. Check out the live version from EXIT...STAGE LEFT. Just a side note; to think how great this song is in 1978, Geddy, Alex & Neil were about to work on songs called THE SPIRIT OF RADIO, FREE WILL, JACOB'S LADDER & NATURAL SCIENCE to come out in 1980. Then, TOM SAWYER, RED BARCHETTA & LIMELIGHT in 1981.Oh, what was to come after this...WOW !!! Take care.

[@mikehamme514]

Thanks!

[@CharisSellick]

Thank you!

[@michaelmcgowen8780]

"The Trees" is from Rush's 7th album, Hemispheres, released in 1978. If you're looking for newer Rush music, I recommend "Driven", "Roll the Bones", "Malignant Narcissism", "Clockwork Angels" and many others. I also recommend videos from Rush's R40 tour (2012-2015).

[@davidbrennan8097]

Nobody's Hero is from the late 90's and I think you'd love that song.

[@scottshields113]

When I listened to this song I could visualize this gigantic Ent war of trees the little maples undercutting Old ancient oaks in this forest of carnage with critters fleeing the woods. lol The amount of detail each member put into this song sounds like a musical piece from a symphony soundtrack. . They really tightened their sound on this album.

[@tomr6090]

Do anything 'old' from the Time Machine tour! Any new or old songs done while they were just jumped up on to their third plateau, IMHO. Do something from Clockwork Angels tour as well! This song in very politically motivated. You and I are the maples, hun. The oaks are the rich people and politicians that don't actually care one lick about or for us.. See? The trees, the title is Plural, hum. Two groups of people that could make a diverse forest beneficial to themselves and all the woodland creatures when kept in check by themselves (voting), or other ways. Follow it now? I'll be following you here, Kiddo! No disrespect intended there. I Love, love, love watching the 'young uns' getting their first taste of discovering Rush! There is a 40-year span of a treasure trove of great, meaningful music by these three stooges. Besides their music, there are many things all over youtube that shows how freaking REAL these guys are! You're in for quite a journey, Charis BTW, great name,! It's a new one to me AND I loved your reaction so much that I'm subscribing!

[@seanpaula8924]

When Neil cut his hair and shaved his mustache, thats when he got the nickname The Professor. They thought he looked like Russell Johnson from Gilligan's Island.

[@lindaward5376]

If you like Geddy's wild and wacky hairstyle choices and would like to see something from his Daniel Boone phase, I'd like to recommend 'Mission' from A Show Of Hands, which also features one of Alex's most emotional guitar lines ever. Happy Rushmas everyone! 🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🐐 🐐 🐐

[@mikehamme514]

I saw rush in concert in Bloomington,mn in 1979 ,they are unreal!

[@rickhaddad7261]

Ah, the short time Rush was a four piece band. Alex, Geddy, Neil, and Neil's mustache 😬 The logo on the kit has to do with the album 2112. Definitely not a Pentagram, unless you think Ayn Rand was the anti christ like some people thought. Check out something from the Snakes and Arrow Tour. Far Cry is pretty cool, and I don't remember? But you might get a view of the rotisserie chickens, or is it vending machines?🤔 ✌🏻

[@CharisSellick]

@@rickhaddad7261 😂😂

[@Fred-vy1hm]

It's rotisserie chickens and my vote goes for Dreamline from the same concert. 😊

[@kevinjennings238]

Neil Playing the "Wood Blocks" was Meant to Give a Sound of Woodpeckers in a Forest!

[@hubtal]

On top of it being Rushmas, next month is the 4th anniversary of Neil's passing. Much of his writing was about dreams. Chasing them, or not. Making it and loving it, regretting it. One song close to my heart is Mission from Hold Your Fire. Its post the screaming banshee days and Teddy does a great job emoting the different feelings associated to the lyrics. I hope it makes your list. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYmUm4Sdfs-am68si=PskSZ754HhSHrSmJ

[@scott4482]

It is a allegory, basically be careful what you ask for, you might get it.

[@CharisSellick]

Watch all the Rush reactions you missed! kzbin.info/aero/PLykGzZ968Jot5peO0P3T4iujNOABaZtJ0

[@crucify40]

It wasn't just a mustache. It was a handlebar mustache.

[@shanefrye2300]

temple blocks....a set of basically toned wood blocks

[@AnitaCavalieri-u7x]

Oh Boy!! First time I heard this was 79 at the Rush concert!

[@sumonjamal1653]

I can recommend quite a few more modern Rush songs from the 90's and beyond... U can look up their live versions (if available) as well: 'Half the world' (from 1996)... 'Animate' (from 1993)... 'Far cry' (from 2007)... 'Ceiling unlimited' (from 2002)... 'BU2B' (from 2012)... 'The main monkey business' (instrumental from 2007) ... 'Bravado' (from 1991)

[@Islander2112]

This song is a solid wooden metaphor.

[@squidly2112]

Early and Middle RUSH is the best, in my view. The "Exit Stage Left.." tour and the "Moving Pictures" tour were absolutely phenomenal. Beginning with the album "Fly By Night" and up through the album "Hold Your Fire", I don't think there isn't a single piece that I don't absolutely LOVE. From then on there are pieces of each successive album that I LOVE and a few (just a very small few) that I don't particularly care for. I highly suggest ANYTHING "Fly By Night" through "Hold Your Fire" (1975-1987). For the real deep thought pieces, the early stuff like "Caress of Steel", "2112", "A Farewell To Kings", "Hemispheres" .. these all have very deep thought and provocative pieces .. some of my most favorites for sure. Many are generally long and complex pieces, probably why I like them so much.

[@christhayil8354]

Neil Peart wrote the lyrics inspired by a comic strip he read with talking trees.

[@ZombieJesus1987]

If you want some mid-to-newer Rush, I highly recommend Ghost Rider, from the 2003 Rush in Rio performance

[@robertboston7872]

Wood blocks representing the trees musically

[@o_krush67]

The starman (bass drum) is from 2112...."Hold the red star proudly high in hand"

[@jeffwisher3454]

Well rounded would be a reaction to “The Best Intro Ever”. It has parts of songs from their first 5 or 6 songs. It is live.

[@ChrisAddotta5373]

no not a pentagram, it is the Red Star of the Solar Federation, the symbol of the Priesthood from the song 2112. A pentagram is a 5 pointed star however i'm pretty sure it is usually displayed upside down when being used by followers of the Dark Side.

[@davidhester9897]

By-Tor and The Snow Dog, I've been listening to that some lately, some ferocious drumming, maybe check that one out.

[@marksawicki3595]

You know, as much as I loved watching them perform By-tor live, I was always a little disappointed that they didn't play it like they did on the studio album. The 😢clear back and forth between Alex's electric and Geddy's (Gary is his given name, but his grandmother's thick accent always made it sound like she was saying Geddy) was ecstasy to my ears, but that was lost in her life performances, imo.

[@sumonjamal1653]

This is a live performance of 'The Trees'... it's not the studio version. Neil Peart had a mustache in the 70's for the albums '2112' ... 'A farewell to kings'... and 'Hemispheres' ('The Trees' was from 'Hemispheres' in 1978) The insignia on Neil Peart's bass drums is the 'Red Star' - the image from the '2112' album w/ a naked guy standing in front of it... In the '2112' story, the 'Red Star' is the symbol that represents the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx, who are the rulers in the dystopian future and the naked guy is the man who discovers music, and he is told by the priests that his music has no place in their society.

[@hejl68]

Neil is playing wood blocks, the song is about trees after all lol : )

[@MellowOutMoogy]

Look up Neil on the "All the World's a Stage" album. He has a Handlebar Mustache (almost)

[@jackweasel13]

La Villa Strangiotto from Rio.....Alex is at his best beast mode

[@Ifyernotawakeyet]

Hollow things Neil was hitting, the Temple Blocks

[@tkremarkTK]

Yes, it looks like it is a pentagram, in reality it is a star, and generally you will see a naked man with his arms up. This represents the pure man fighting against the system. No satanic reference whatsoever.

[@mightyV444]

@tkremarkTK - It's a Pentacle, which usually is connected with _White_ Magic, as opposed to the Pentagram which also doesn't have a circle around its star 🙂

[@danielmoeller8457]

So now you know Neils mustache was the unknown fourth member of Rush, it wrote most of the lyrics. That is not a pentagram, it is a star. Pentagrams point down. So i will toss my 2 cents in and ask for "Jacobs Ladder" just because I love thunderstorms!

[@RobertMichaelStewart]

They were very young still here, and talanted as ever!

[@gregorymurray5121]

Do Territories from Clockwork Angels live! It's more recent! Happy Rushmas!

[@Bass17yl]

Natural Science. Molson Amphitheatre 1997. Phenomenal performance!

[@erikkonkoli7636]

Did you use to work at an Outback in Florida by chance? Love Rush, btw.

[@CharisSellick]

Yes….👀

[@philstone3859]

Wood blocks. Made from trees.

[@danielracine2378]

You should do Working Man live in Cleveland they are much older and they can still play like when they were younger, plus this song was originally played by John Rutsey at the drum.

[@CharisSellick]

@@danielracine2378 Theatre Kid Reacts to Rush: Working Man Time Machine Tour (Live in Cleveland) kzbin.info/www/bejne/enilq6OIp5iGqrM

[@danielracine2378]

@CharisSellick sorry my dear! I am new to your channel and really enjoy your reactions! As a Canadian I live about 30 minutes from le studio, the place Rush recorded a few albums. The place burned down a few years ago. Then the best choice for next review would be The Garden for clockwork angels tour since this is the last song on their last album. Pick up some paper tissue 🤧 because it is pretty much Mr Peart's farewell song!!!!!!

[@marct9808]

​@danielracine2378 I second your recommendation...if you want an example of "older Rush", check out "The Garden"

[@renecuellar3078]

Love your reactions

[@philstone3859]

Ok, you are now ready for 2112! It’s a rite of passage for every RUSH fan. Do the animated video version because it’s a lot to take in on first listen. 😁👍

[@lindaward5376]

This coming Saturday is 21-12, which would be the perfect day to do it!

[@dab_family9405]

Geddy is always great with diction, and will finish words, including the ending consonant. If you want some less known Rush, one of my favorite songs is Losing It. Dunno that I've ever known anyone else to like it as much as I do.

[@marksawicki3595]

Losing it is one of my favorite songs off of Signals. When I heard they were not going to play that song during their 40 tour in Chicago on the day I had tickets for, I was fairly upset. But then I saw that they were going to play Entre Nous from Permanent Waves, I got excited again because I had never seen them perform that song live either. I don't think they perform that song life after they did them on their respective album tours.

[@mattbaker5757]

Yes, you are doing early Rush. But for "original" Rush, as you say, you have to go back to the very first self-titled debut album when John Rutsey was the drummer. Shortly after it's release with John recorded on drums, he left the band and they found Neil, who had about two weeks to learn all the songs before their tour. But once Neil came on board, and the band released their second album, it was mostly all Neil's lyrics and drum composition (he does "spice up" the drums when he performs any of Rush's songs from the first album, and don't get me wrong, John was an impressive drummer in his own right). And it was Neil, Alex and Geddy for the next 40+ years with almost all the songs thereafter written by Neil (I believe one could count all the songs out of 178 in their discography that were written by Alex or Geddy on both hands and maybe even a finger or two left over). I have many deeper cuts from Rush, from later in their career I'd love to suggest, but I can't find individual live song videos for some, only audio only or official video, both of which are the original studio recorded version, or songs were played during an entire concert that recording. I do have a couple live performances to suggest though, just not my first choices of later songs or albums. But here is a great song, from their last album Clockwork Angels, called 'Headlong Flight.' Hopefully you haven't reacted to this song yet, live or not. Now this is from their R40 (40th anniversary) tour, so it's their last tour before they retire and as late as it gets for a live performance from the band as old as they were, for their last tour. Link below. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6e8nWp4Zc2Zras

[@allengray5748]

RUSH!!?? I'm here. THE TREES!!?? Ohhh ya! The pentagram supposedly if the tips pierce the circle it represents White Magic!!??? But most of the controversy is Made In The U.S A. !! Woohoo!! Great song! Great album. Living this audio as the Bass lines are really standing out! Great Reaction Charis!! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎🎸🤟🏼

[@timhutchinson8485]

That bass-line is crazy, as usual.

[@Fred-vy1hm]

Hemispheres that this is from is the best Rush album to get stoned to. At least thats what ive heard. 😂

[@CharisSellick]

@@Fred-vy1hm sureeeee

[@mightyV444]

@Fred-vy1hm - Oh! Maybe if I tried that, it would possibly not be one of my least-favourite Rush albums anymore!? 😄

[@davidgratton8869]

A great song to review, though the video is more rare, is the live version of closer to the heart from the different stages live album. They spliced together clips of the band performing that song through the decades, all set to the track from that album. It is, very worthwhile, and the bass solo in the middle kicks all kinds of butt.

[@ChrisAddotta5373]

Neil is playing the Woodblocks in the one part where you asked what is he playing.

[@aspackblaze3583]

Those are wood blocks... apropos for a song about trees, no? Try Headlong Flight, live!

[@mthomasy]

Rush in their 70s Hair Band Era

[@jimobrien8806]

Interesting song that some feel that this is song is a metaphor the conflict between races of humans!

[@joesixpack8305]

Everything fights among themselves. People, animals, insects, and yes, trees. No difference except it just take trees a lot longer to inflict their pain on others.

[@winstonhewett6679]

You look fine! A different perspective is the comparison, between trees!!!

[@trevalarose8155]

You want chickens on stage so go with " Spirit of Radio " Snake & Arrows " tour ( definitely older )

[@adbrouwer]

Where are the other Trees in the video title? chopped down maybe 🤔 Fun reaction... As always 👍🏻👍🏻

[@carolynrowe1370]

If you want new, The Garden is BEAUTIFUL and it is from their last album

[@crazyfingers19]

I believe the actual term for the wood block thingies is temple blocks

[@mightyV444]

That's a Pentacle! A Pentagram has no circle around it. It is connected with White Magic and Paganism and is a 'good' symbol 🙂 And I enjoyed your reaction to this, Biss! 😀 Especially during the cowbell bits after Alex' solo 😊 And while I do prefer the '81 live version from the 'Exit...Stage Left' album (which also segues into the best version of 'Xanadu'! 😍), this earlier one does have its own charme 😊 I never liked Neil's moustache-and-mane look, though 😅

[@joebarrera9741]

I LOVE YOU'RE RUSH REACTIONS ...THANK YOU GOD BLESS YOU ...MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN !!!

[@michaelkeller6223]

Definitely NOT a pentagram though most parents of 70’s teens also failed to make that distinction!

[@CharisSellick]

I am not alone!

[@philsmith2444]

Later Rush: (Power Windows) Mystic Rhythms, Manhattan Project (see if you pick up on it like you did with Red Sector A), (Hold Your Fire) Open Secrets, Lock And Key, (Presto) The Pass, (Roll The Bones) Bravado, (Counterparts) Cut To The Chase, Double Agent, (Test For Echo) The Color Of Right, (Vapor Trails) How It Is, Vapor Trail, (Snakes And Arrows) Armor And Sword, and Good News First.

[@gimlias7737]

Happy Rushmas! Check out Digital Man live from Snakes and Arrows....Jacob's Ladder...Natural Science...Driven live from Rio

[@1teamski]

The pentagram is not what you think. It refers to the Priests of Syrinx on 2112.

[@charliediottaviano3995]

You should check out Jethro Tull's baker street muse

[@JamesNichols-qi8pj]

Those were temple blocks

[@SnowDogisVictorious]

Want something older? How about the very last song on their very last album, The Garden, performed live in Dallas in 2012? You know… the song I keep recommending over and over and over again!

[@scott4482]

The STAR isnt a pentagram, pentagrams are upside down. Thats the red Star from 2112, which i dont think youve reacted to.

[@CharisSellick]

Get ready for me to call it a pentagram for literally 5 videos in a row 🫠

[@dansmith3112]

Neil is playing the temple blocks - the sound your were interested in.

[@CharisSellick]

Thank you!

[@dansmith3112]

@@CharisSellick that is part of the reason that I am here. Graduated from high school in 1985. I was able to hear so much great music for the first time and it was all played on the radio. We would by the albums and then record them onto cassette tapes to listen to them. And when the cassettes would ware out, we would record it again. I was able to see so many great bands live back in the day: Rush, Heart, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd. I had the joy of growing up with some of the best music ever played over the air waves. We had the greats and none of them had to rely on auto-tune to sound good.

[@ericvonsteuben7533]

Neil's mustache was the 4th member of the band...

[@supernicko123]

If you want some newer suggestions, try Dreamline or Bravado, Stick It Out, Animate, or Armor and Sword. There are a million more of course, but those are some newer songs that are just incredible.

[@justitia257]

Beautiful

[@DRW-xb4pm]

"The Weapon" live in Toronto.

[@timgelinas-drummer7802]

Do The Garden!!! It’s a very emotion song. PLEASE!!

[@JC-sj2pd]

It’s not a pentagram it’s not upside down. It’s a star rushing the masses