Exit...Stage Left [Live] [Original recording remastered]

Amazon.com
Throughout their existence, the Canadian power-prog trio has steadfastly released a lengthy live collection every fifth album. Released in 1981, Exit is Rush's second (and best) such release, and it captures the band at the very top of its artistic (and commercial) curve--before keyboard and synthesizer work became central to its sound as opposed to providing mere accents. When they embarked on this tour, Rush had just released Moving Pictures, which continued their move away from longer suites and featured more streamlined song craft. Exit, however, offers a perfect blend of winding, fusion-leaning, virtuoso instrumentals ("YYZ," "La Villa Strangiato"), extended sci-fi epics ("Jacob's Ladder," "Xanadu"), sentimental ballads ("Closer to the Heart" in unison with the whole crowd, "The Trees"), and tauter songs ("Free Will," "Tom Sawyer," "Spirit of Radio") that represent the best of all worlds. Musically, they generated a huge amount of sound for three men (especially Geddy Lee's mammoth bass lines and Neil Peart's octopus-like percussion); lyrically, Peart's fantasia may be pseudo-poetry, but it is poetic, and it may be adolescent wisdom, but it is wise. --Marc Greilsamer

Exit...Stage Left,Rush,Mercury / Universal,Album Rock,Arena Rock,Canada,Hard Rock,Pop,Prog-Rock/Art Rock,Rock,Rock/Pop

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Exit...Stage Left [Live] [Original recording remastered]

Average customer rating: Corny as it sounds, this one changed my life Very good live album from the early days Worth Every Penny just to hear this version of Love it! Not their best live album but still worth buying.

Exit...Stage Left Rush Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Canada | North America | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Pop General | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Progressive Rock | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Progressive Rock | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: All The World's A Stage Permanent Waves Moving Pictures Hemispheres A Farewell to Kings ASIN: B000001ESR Release Date: 1997-07-01

Tracks:

1. The Spirit Of The Radio
2. Red Barchetta
3. YYZ
4. A Passage To Bangkok
5. Closer To The Heart
6. Beneath, Between & Behind
7. Jacob's Ladder
8. Broon's Bane
9. The Trees
10. Xanadu
11. Freewill
12. Tom Sawyer
13. La Villa Strangiato

Amazon.com

Throughout their existence, the Canadian power-prog trio has steadfastly released a lengthy live collection every fifth album. Released in 1981, Exit is Rush's second (and best) such release, and it captures the band at the very top of its artistic (and commercial) curve--before keyboard and synthesizer work became central to its sound as opposed to providing mere accents. When they embarked on this tour, Rush had just released Moving Pictures, which continued their move away from longer suites and featured more streamlined song craft. Exit, however, offers a perfect blend of winding, fusion-leaning, virtuoso instrumentals ("YYZ," "La Villa Strangiato"), extended sci-fi epics ("Jacob's Ladder," "Xanadu"), sentimental ballads ("Closer to the Heart" in unison with the whole crowd, "The Trees"), and tauter songs ("Free Will," "Tom Sawyer," "Spirit of Radio") that represent the best of all worlds. Musically, they generated a huge amount of sound for three men (especially Geddy Lee's mammoth bass lines and Neil Peart's octopus-like percussion); lyrically, Peart's fantasia may be pseudo-poetry, but it is poetic, and it may be adolescent wisdom, but it is wise. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Corny as it sounds, this one changed my life.......2007-06-17

Ok, let me set the scene. I was about eight and most of the music I heard was stuff involving muppets or whatever was on the radio, like Juice Newton, The Go-Go's, or Hall and Oates. (ouch that hurts to admit publicly). Then my brother goes to see Rush on the Signals tour and brings home a copy of this album. And it all changed. At the time I had no idea what I was hearing but over the years my ears adjusted and for a long time Rush was all I listened to. Since then I have become a music nut in general and explore far and wide through many different styles. But I always come back to this one, It was my first real musical love and Rush has become part of my D.N.A. It's a spectacular album, capturing the band at a high point in their career. Fresh off "Moving Pictures" which has become the bands calling-card, Exit Stage Left is a brilliant portrait of both the youthful,experimental band they were (Xanadu, Jacob's Ladder) and the more concise song writers they would become.(Closer to the Heart, Tom Sawyer, The Spirit of Radio) Through out it all their musicianship is obvious, though never overwhelmed by their virtuosity. It's a lush,dense album, though some fans take issue with the production. I have recommended it many times to people new to Rush, and they are usually quite pleased. I know I certainly was.

Very good live album from the early days.......2007-04-13

I would say that I like about 80% of this cd. There is only two tracks out of thirteen that I don't like, but it is just a matter of taste.
This cd capture Rush in great shape performing some great classics.
This album has it all, powerful rock, ballads, great solos...
Good job Geddy, Alex and Neil !

Worth Every Penny just to hear this version of.......2007-02-06

Xanadu...............

For you who want the "full show" from this tour, go to some of the
traders web pages and get the Chicago or Anaheim shows......
Rush has so many bootlegs, you can get full shows from ANY tour (even the Archives tour, how many of you even know what I am talking about?) they they have ever done!

Love it!.......2006-12-12

One of my Favorite Albums, saw them on this tour, only problem is the muddy sounding mix and the fact that this isn't the whole show.

Not their best live album but still worth buying. .......2006-10-29

Good selection of songs along with some good performances. 2 out of 3 isn't bad. The production on this album always bothered me. It's too clean and flat for me. With the audience fading in and out at the beginng and end of each song it makes it less cohesive for me. Still, the interlocking "The Trees" and "Xanadu" make this album worth it. "A Passage to Bangkok" is a plus, too.

Average customer rating: Just as good as the remastered CD It doesn't get much better. Killer songs and performances. Take this exit to live Rush... Neil Peart is the greatest drummer since Buddy Rich!

Exit...Stage Left Rush Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Canada | North America | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Grace Under Pressure A Farewell to Kings Presto All the World's a Stage Counterparts ASIN: B000001F8E Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Spirit Of Radio
2. Red Barchetta
3. YYZ
4. Closer To The Heart
5. Beneath, Between And Behind
6. Jacob's Ladder
7. Broon's Bane
8. The Trees
9. Xanadu
10. Freewill
11. Tom Sawyer
12. La Villa Strangiato

Customer Reviews:

Just as good as the remastered CD.......2006-02-15

In case some of you are wondering if you should A)Upgrade your original Exit...Stage Left CD with the new remastered one or B)Wondering which version to get, I have some simple answers for you. You see I had the original CD and then bought the Rush Remasters version hoping for some audio improvements. The remastering done on the new CD brings practically zero improvements to the original mastering. Only the most intense audiophiles with expensive sound systems will likely notice a large enough improvement to make a difference. I'm pretty picky about audio fidelity and when comparing the two versions face to face I couldn't find any differences at all.

So now that the whole remastered question is out of the way we can cover another question: that missing song. This CD is missing a song that was originally on the double vinyl album the CD is supposed to replace. That song was A Passage to Bangkok. That song was left out because the CD couldn't hold the entire double album and a song had to be taken out to make room (this was before the newer 80 minute CD's). Personally I think they made a good call. A Passage to Bangkok is not all that great of a song if you ask me. It's not bad, but if you had to take one out that would be it.

The last question I hear between the two is cover art. You see, these Rush Remasters boast about not only having the music remastered but also the original album art being restored on the CD sleeve. To be honest the original Exit...Stage Left CD is true to the original album art so there is no need to get the new album for that either.

So essentially this version of Exit...Stage Left is still a winner and its only failing grace is the exclusion of the song, A Passage to Bangkok. If you have this album and are thinking about taking the double dip keep in mind the remastered CD won't sound any different, will only look a little different, and will have the single advantage of an additional track. If you have neither and don't mind missing out on one song in leu of maybe a cheaper CD then there is no reason why you shouldn't buy this album instead of the Rush Remasters version.

It doesn't get much better........2004-05-19

As one who owns the original pressing of this release (double LP, including the often-regarded-as-missing "Passage to Bangkok"), I can honestly say that this is a great way to introduce yourself to Rush. It was the first record I heard by the Canadian power trio, and afterwards I was hooked -- I went out and found as much as I could.

That having been said, in retrospect this album is better than I thought it was at the time. Rush's more recent live album, though pieced together from different venues as most are, sounds a bit tired. On "Exit ... Stage Left", all performers are on their top-shelf best. Geddy Lee's slightly improvised vocals especially lend a more personal feel to the songs.

Like the best live albums, this one has not been, as we say, "produced to death"; however, the sound quality is magnificent (better than being there live, actually -- the house mix is never quite as good) in all respects: Peart's drums are well-miked and well-mixed, Lifeson's guitar is clear and crisp (even the nylon-string acoustic!), Lee's bass is not too heavy (there have they avoided an unfortunate tendency in live settings), and the vocals sit right where they need to be. Overall the stereo image is spectacular, particularly in regards to the keyboards.

All in all, it's a tour de force for the band, and for the listener as well. Even if you've only heard "Spirit of Radio" on FM a million times, you won't come away from this recording disappointed.

Killer songs and performances........2001-07-25

Suitably enough, Rush recorded a live album to top off the most successful period in their careers. Permanent Waves and especially Moving Pictures had secured reams of popularity for the power-prog trio, so a high-energy live compilation was the perfect coda to this hallowed chapter in the band's history.

The tracks here cover a fairly broad range of Rush's catalogue up to this point, but skip over the debut and Caress of Steel. Although this collection largely covers the band's shorter, more commercial songs, they never forget the progressive rock wings on which they once soared. I'd say the song selection is perfect. Alongside hits like "Freewill," "Tom Sawyer," and "The Spirit of Radio" are progressive epics like "Xanadu" and "Jacob's Ladder." One of my favorite moments on the album comes with "La Villa Strangiato," an astounding instrumental tour-de-force that concretizes the band's standing as musicians' musicians. Live, this song SMOKES. Lifeson's first solo in this song is infused with tenfold the passion of the original, and I can't help but get chills up and down my spine listening to it. Still, while the energy is there and the songs are great, overdubs render the album a wee bit too polished, and the band's blazing live ebullience is diluted somewhat.

Still, this album many wonderful moments. The precise, stunning drum solo during "YYZ," "Closer to the Heart" with the entire crowd joining in with Geddy on vocals, the ultra-high energy performance of "Red Barchetta," the serene melodies of "Broon's Bane" as a seque into the hard-rocking "The Trees"...the list is endless.

I was kind of disappointed by the album's dubious representation of the concert experience. At the end of most tracks, the sound fades out and then comes back in for the next song. It's like it's taking snippets from several concerts instead of capturing the seamless performance. Most live albums cut superfluous crowd noise and chitchat, but blend crowd noise together so that it flows smoothly from song to song anyway. This works better in preserving the feel of the actual show. I don't know why this wasn't done for this album. Deadlines? Laziness? That stop-start effect kind of throws things off, which annoys me.

But let's give 'er five stars. As a high-energy live "greatest hits" type package, Exit Stage Left can't be beat. And don't listen to the critics...they don't know what they're talking about. Rush rules the world, and this captures them at their best.

(Oh, and make sure you get the Remastered edition, which has "A Passage to Bangkok," a rockin' song that was not included on some of the earlier pressings. It might be tempting to save a few bucks in buying the old one, but don't be cheap! You'll be missing out!)

Take this exit to live Rush..........2000-05-10

This live set is my favorite of Rush's live efforts, and this remaster made this purchase even easier. With the inclusion of "A Passage to Bangkok", the Boys completed this disc, something that was missing from the original CD release of "Exit... Stage Left". Some may hear "too much Geddy!" but I personally like the mix, except for the fades between tracks, something rather rare in live recordings. This can prove to be helpful, however, if one plans to make a personal CD-R. Rush did the edit for us! As for my favorite track, hands down, "Xanadu". Have a fine day!

Neil Peart is the greatest drummer since Buddy Rich!.......1999-03-17

Live albums usually lack something in recording and instrumental quality. Not this one. As a big Rush fan who has most of their albums, I truly believe they were at the peak of their careers when they recorded this album. Neil Peart's drumming is incredible and listening to him live makes it even more dynamic. The drum solo in YYZ is worth the price of admission alone. All the great songs from their previous albums are here. My personal favorite is "The Trees", which sends shivers down my spine and I like the live version better then the original version. This is, IMO, the greatest Live Rock album ever produced.

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