For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.
Now that August has arrived, it's time for my monthly feature for 5 on Friday -- The Hit Makers.
Once a month I'm going to feature the songs that launched careers. I'll be looking at different musical styles and the groups or singers from those styles who I love the best.
Here are five of my favorite progressive rock bands and the songs that brought them to the masses.
1 - Roundabout -- Yes -- 1971
2 - Dancing With the Moonlit Knight -- Genesis -- 1973
For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday bloggers -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.
I've been meaning to do an instrumental set for awhile now. So today's the day!
Here are five tracks done by groups normally known for the full meal deal.
Travis at Trav's Thoughts invites everyone to lay down a short set of music that takes their fancies for his 5 on Friday meme.
Birthday boy time -- here are five tunes featuring musicians born in July.
1 - Red Sector A - Geddy Lee from Rush
I woke up after the second Rush concert two weeks ago with this song going through my head. It's the perfect way to begin celebrating these musicians' birthdays, as Geddy Lee came very close to not being here at all.
His parents were both young Jewish prisoners in Auschwitz, having come from different towns in Poland. Despite the harrowing circumstances of their meeting, Mary and Morris maintained contact with one another until the war ended and they were liberated.
Morris tracked down the young woman for whom he'd bribed officials and guards in order to send her shoes and other items to ensure her survival. They married as soon as they could, eventually emigrating to Canada and becoming parents to three children -- one of whom is Rush bassist and lead singer Geddy Lee.
The lyrics of this song were written by drummer Neil Peart, but the song belongs to Geddy's parents. A very, very happy 60th birthday to Geddy.
2 - The Other Way of Stopping - drummer Stewart Copeland from The Police
I've got musicians from three trios featured in the July birthday set. Considering that July is mainly a Cancer birthday, and Cancers are intensely family-focused, it comes as no surprise.
3 - Somewhere Down the Crazy River- Robbie Robertson
Hey, why not lip sync a complicated spoken-word song during a music video while looking directly into the camera?
If the director says so...well...he probably knows what he's doing...especially if he's Martin Scorsese...
4 - Christmas is Coming- Vince Guaraldi Trio
As a Christmas maniac, I'm always in the mood for Christmas. Especially when it's Vince Guaraldi's kind.
5 - Soul Sacrifice - guitarist Carlos Santana and the Woodstock performance of Santana
Travis at Trav's Thoughts invites everyone to lay down a short set of music that takes their fancies for his 5 on Friday meme.
Brad and I just got back from our anniversary trip, which I'll share more about next week.
Our vacation was launched in style with a Lyle Lovett concert, and I'm home in time for two Rush concerts which I'm seeing with my Rush-superfan sister Michelle.
So here's a wee taste of those shows, plus some extra fun thrown in.
1 - You Can't Resist It - Lyle Lovett
Lyle had a 5-piece band for his show here last week, and they did this one to great appreciation from an adoring crowd.
2 - Angel - Haywire
This band hails from Prince Edward Island, where Brad and I began our vacation. Go, drummer Sean Kilbride! Brother of my high school sweetheart.
4 - Butterfinger's Medley- JP Cormier and Dave Gunning
And now up to Cape Breton. JP Cormier is a Cape Bretoner, while Dave Gunning hails from Pictou County, just a stone's throw from the island on Nova Scotia's mainland.
This begins with a story -- music begins at the 1:28 mark.
4 - Various traditional Celtic tunes- John Allan Cameron
Here's the musician to whom they were paying tribute in the previous tune. If you look closely in the background of several different performances in this tribute clip, you'll see a very young Anne Murray, Bruce Cockburn and Ashley MacIsaac.
5 - YYZ - Rush
Woo hoo! Tonight, babies!
And then again on Sunday night!
YYZ is the airport code for Toronto, my other home and my honey's hometown. Kind of full circle after my Big City man went on his first vacation exploring the Maritimes to have a slice of Toronto drop on by this weekend.
My sister has seen Rush in concert 8 times: in Halifax, Nova Scotia; Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario; at Pine Knob outside Detroit, Michigan and in Washington, D.C.
She's the perfect person to bring us today's set. This weekend a new documentary called Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage opens in limited engagements across North America, and will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray June 29th. In honour of this release, I hand the reins over to Michelle for 5 on Friday here at A Piece of My Mind.
~
RUSH... Canadian Super Group. Guitar, bass and drums. Alex, Geddy, and Neil. As Canadian as beer, hockey, and curling combined. Really.
I became a Rush fan about 23 years ago, quite accidentally, in fact. My high school boyfriend played bass in a band. In rehearsal, they sometimes covered Rush songs, but without vocals. (With good reason, as no one can sing like Geddy. Anyone trying to sing a Rush song automatically sounds stupid).
For the longest time I listened to these songs and grew to love them. What a surprise when I finally heard a real Rush tape. “You mean, there are WORDS to these songs?” I asked, incredulously.
So began my love affair of over twenty years with a group that never ceases to inspire, excite, and entertain their fans. Listening to Rush is like doing a musical jigsaw puzzle in your head. Even with songs you’ve heard a thousand times, it never stops being fun.
Choosing 5 favourite songs is, as any fan will attest, next to impossible. But I’ve compiled a list of songs which mean a lot to me.
1 - Subdivisions
The song that made me a fan. At times this song seems to whoosh past you at light speed. Combined with a haunting melodic theme and dark lyrics, it will disturb you.
In the high school halls In the shopping malls Conform or be cast out
Subdivisions In the basement bars In the backs of cars Be cool or be cast out
- Neil Peart
2 - Natural Science
Beautiful, lyric guitar at the beginning... you can almost feel the quiet movement of the water in the tidal pool... then it picks up speed, and very quickly you’re contemplating the entire universe.
The most endangered species The honest man Will still survive annihilation
Forming a world State of integrity Sensitive, open and strong
Wave after wave Will flow with the tide And bury the world as it does
Tide after tide Will flow and recede Leaving life to go on as it was
- Neil Peart
3 - Working Man
Awesome, loud, noisy guitar to start, then Neil’s cymbal, then the full band driving their point home: “Seems to me I could live my life much better than I think I am...”
I guess that's why they call me They call me the working man
I get up at seven, yeah And I go to work at nine I got no time for living Yes, I'm workin' all the time
I get home at five o'clock And I take myself out a nice, cold beer Always seem to be wondering Why there's nothin' goin' down here
- Neil Peart
4 - Freewill
Imagine standing in front of Alex Lifeson as he plays the opening notes of this classic, locking eyes with you as he does. Ask me, I know. (July 2002, Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto). The music is infectious, and the words are ones to live by.
A planet of playthings We dance on the strings Of powers we cannot perceive
The stars aren't aligned Or the gods are malign Blame is better to give than receive
You can choose a ready guide In some celestial voice If you choose not to decide You still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears And kindness that can kill I will choose a path that's clear I will choose freewill
- Neil Peart
5 - 2112
A rock suite in seven sections, which tells an ultimately tragic story about discovery, beauty, and oppression. Musically, nothing showcases the boys’ talents as much as 2112, or Neil’s ability to paint pictures with words. Seeing Rush play this live is a special treat complete with audience participation. A masterpiece of music and lyrics.
We've taken care of everything The words you hear, the songs you sing The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes
It's one for all and all for one We work together, common sons Never need to wonder how or why
Look around at this world we've made Equality our stock in trade Come and join the brotherhood of man
Oh, what a nice contented world Let the banners be unfurled Hold the Red Star proudly high in hand
We are the priests of the Temple of Syrinx
- Neil Peart
Alex, Geddy and Neil, you still rock!
Here's the trailer for Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage:
For more fabulous musical sets, visit Travis at Trav's Thoughts.
Julianne MacLean says Great blog, Michelle! It's so cool that you've seen them 8 times. That's dedication :)
Pamela Callow says Michelle, you are truly a Rush afficionado. Great set!
Jennie Marsland says Ah, the memories! You're right, Rush is the quintessential Canadian band.
Champion of the Arts - I write historical and paranormal fiction, as well as poetry. I love to showcase creative works by artists of all stripes. Blogging from Nova Scotia, Canada
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