RUSH – HEMISPHERES IN FRANKFURT 1979 (2 CD-R)

Description

Live at Stadthalle, Frankfurt, Germany 28th May 1979 STEREO SBD(UPGRADE)

　Rush, the giants of progressive hard rock. A definitive live recording, arguably the pinnacle of their long history, has arrived! This album is a stereo soundboard recording of their May 28, 1979 Frankfurt performance during the tour supporting “HEMISPHERES.” While there are several line recordings from this tour, most of them suffer from poor sound quality or are too short. This recording, however, is the best of all the line recordings in terms of both length and sound quality.

　This Frankfurt concert is a well-known recording from long ago, but most of the available recordings were based on the second generation, resulting in degradations such as “In The Mood” being distorted and missing tracks. However, in 2007, the first generation master was unearthed and released as “FRANKFURT 1979 MASTER (TRIAL-239)”. Not only was there no degradation, but the track order and pitch were correct, and it became a hot topic as it allowed fans to hear the full show in official-quality, beautiful soundboard sound. This release is a must-have for fans, a remastered version of the first generation master used in “FRANKFURT 1979 MASTER”.

　This album is a definitive masterpiece that could easily have been officially released, and its content is truly remarkable, even by Rush standards. This tour is famous in Rush’s history as the “culmination of their epic progressive rock era.” The trilogy of “2112,” “A FAREWELL TO KINGS,” and “HEMISPHERES” represents the pinnacle of Rush’s epic approach, and this entire culmination is packed into a single live performance. In fact, within a setlist of about two hours, there are five epic tracks: “Cygnus X-1” and “La Villa Strangiato” at about 10 minutes each, “Xanadu” at 12 minutes, and “Hemispheres” and “2112” at just under 20 minutes each. The “Cygnus X-1” and “Hemispheres” series, which spanned two albums, are performed all at once in official-quality stereo soundboard recording…the rich progressive rock flavor is simply incredible! (These songs, “Sygnus X-1” and “Something For Nothing,” were hardly performed during the 1979 European tour, so there’s a possibility they’re recordings from a different day.)

　Looking back at RUSH’s history, there’s more to it than just having many epic songs. Fantasy/sci-fi themes and epic compositions were the first evolutionary path that RUSH, who started out as a Led Zeppelin-esque hard rock band, discovered. “HEMISPHERES” and this tour were the culmination of their straightforward pursuit and refinement of that path. After that, they continued to expand their world through various experiments and evolutions, but that was a shift that occurred precisely because they had “done everything” there was to do. In other words, the live performances heard on this album represent the “first culmination” that the band RUSH reached.

　In fact, this album features a large number of shorter pieces, including all tracks from “A FAREWELL TO KINGS” except “Cinderella Man” and “Madrigal,” and all tracks from “HEMISPHERES” except “Circumstances.” It delivers a rich and expansive space opera world to the fullest! This pinnacle and ultimate quality is evident in the performance, which is both meticulous and powerful. While their later tight and sharp ensembles are also incredibly cool, the dynamic performance on this album is what RUSH has had since their debut. Geddy Lee’s fierce, roaring shout vocals handle the complex musical ideas…this is it! Of course, Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson are also youthful, and their thick, driving sound comes crashing down on you like a solid mass! In particular, the final drum solo, which encompasses every style…it’s so amazing that it leaves you speechless.
　There’s absolutely no doubt that “ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE” and “EXIT STAGE LEFT” are undeniably masterpieces. However, “TOUR OF THE HEMISPHERES 1978-1979” is such a culmination and ultimate work that I wish it had been officially released… This album fulfills that wish. Rush has undergone countless transformations, creating wonderful music at every turn. Their vast musical world far surpasses the boundaries of “progressive hard rock.” But honestly, I can’t help but miss them as the “kings of progressive hard rock.” For those who share that feeling, this album will be the ultimate live album.

　A young, genius trio’s unwavering pursuit of excellence, reaching the pinnacle of the “progressive hard rock” genre. A definitive live album that deserves special mention in both Rush history and rock history.

★The original release was in June 2015.
★High-quality stereo soundboard!!

Disc 1(68:38)
1. Intro
2. Anthem
3. A Passage To Bangkok
4. By-Tor & The Snow Dog
5. Xanadu
6. Something For Nothing
7. The Trees
8. Cygnus X-1
9. Hemispheres
10. Closer To The Heart

Disc 2(49:21)
1. A Farewell To Kings
2. La Villa Strangiato
3. 2112
4. Working Man
5. Bastille Day
6. In The Mood
7. Drum Solo 　

Geddy Lee – Bass, Keyboards, Vocals
Alex Lifeson – Guitars
Neil Peart – Drums, Percussion