UPDATE - 3/31@9:30AM: Classic Rock has posted a short article previewing the cover feature, which includes new interviews with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. There's also a separate interview with new drummer Anika Nilles. Here's what she had to say about her first rehearsal with the band:
... "I had a few songs prepared before I flew over, and we played those," she says in an interview in the new issue of Classic Rock. "But during the session, we also talked a lot about Neil - about his view on music and drumming. We spoke a great deal about the feel of the songs. The most important point is simply to capture the feeling - that it feels right for the two of them to play their music again. And ultimately, it will feel right for the fans as well. We talked about that a lot. The first session was really about getting to know each other and seeing how we function together." ...
In the interview with Geddy and Alex, Geddy reveals what songs they rehearsed:
... "We'd prepped five songs, but I think it might have been Limelight," says Lee. "We wouldn't have wanted something like YYZ as the first song, though we did run through it in those sessions. We played [Spirit Of] Radio with Anika too. I can't remember what else we played. We did Subdivisions, so it might have been that." "And that is a seemingly simple song for us," says Lifeson. "That's been fascinating to watch. So you get a sense of appreciation for the way the song is, but you also get a more acute appreciation for how Neil played. Because when you see someone else trying to capture his feel, you realise what kind of player he was, and the tightness of his attitude, the firmness in attack as well. "With Tom Sawyer, or even Limelight, you can't just shuffle through those songs, you have to be attentive. And, you know, stand up straight. And that's sort of where the feel comes from."...
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The latest edition of the UK's Classic Rock magazine hits newsstands tomorrow, and the issue includes a massive cover feature on Rush and their upcoming Fifty Somethingtour titled The Unlikely Resurrection of Rush. The cover features a photo of the band with new touring drummer Anika Nilles, and also included in the issue are a massive tour poster along with a Grace Under Pressure 40th anniversary sticker as seen in this screenshot (thanks John at Cygnus-X1.net). The issue will be available on newsstands in the UK tomorrow, and can also be purchased online at this location.
Rush teases "something special" for tomorrow's JUNO Award ceremony ...
Friday Rush updates! Rush's Alex Lifeson in Season 3 of the Canadian comedy series "The Trades", Rush's "Fifty Something" tour, "Grace Under Pressure" 40th anniversary box set, Happy 50th anniversary "2112", and more ...
"Artovision" has just released several new, officially-licensed, 3-dimensional collectable artwork pieces celebrating the 50th anniversary of Rush's 2112 album ...
