Once in a while on a new release Tuesday we get the privilege of going “In Concert” with some of the finest musical acts of the past and present and on this edition we get to take a look at a band that sprouted up in our very city of Toronto. As a part of their most recent “Time Machine” tour, they decided that as a tribute to the very first city to ever play their music on the radio, that they would film their first full length live concert film in North America for them. The band is one of rock’s elite touring acts, it is of course Rush and out on DVD & Blu-Ray from our friends at Alliance Films is “Rush-Time Machine: Live In Cleveland 2011”.
“Rush-Time Machine: Live In Cleveland 2011” was a unique one for a variety of reasons. The set list remained consistent for every show on the tour and for the first time ever their album ‘Moving Pictures’ was played in its entirety during each show.
It’s easy to forget that Rush is only behind ‘The Beatles’ and ‘The Rolling Stones’ for the most consecutive gold and platinum selling albums but seeing these songs fill arenas with easy it is no surprise; that they the most successful and prolific band that our great nation has ever produced.
As they rip into the first of their two epic sets buffered by the hilarious installments of ‘The Real History of Rush’ video vignettes; the songs that highlight both sets are iconic rock anthems. ‘The Spirit Of Radio’, ‘Time Stand Still’, ‘Stick It Out’, ‘Subdivisions’, ‘Tom Sawyer’ ‘YYZ’, ‘Closer To The Heart’ and so many others that it would be counterproductive to list them all. Directors Scot McFadyen & Sam Dunn who were also behind the ‘Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage’ documentary’ gave the band the appropriate bombast and feel as they filmed this epic show, giving Rush that big stadium feel that they do so well at their shows. With crystal clear picture and sound the energy coming from the crowd will seep through your flat screen to the point that you won’t want to sit for the entire concert, forgetting that this is a DVD and you aren’t actually there.
While obviously a concert DVD for the fans, the quality of this show will undoubtedly push any fair weather fans who may be on the fence about ‘Rush’ and their iconic status. One can only hope that “Rush-Time Machine: Live In Cleveland 2011” will help to cement their worth not only in rock and roll history, but in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame which isn’t that far away from where they played this very show.
5 out of 5 stars.
“Rush-Time Machine: Live In Cleveland 2011” is available today at record and video stores across the city of Toronto; click here and here for a list of some of the finer ones near you.
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