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Subject: 04/21/95 - The National Midnight Star #1088

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----------------------------------------------------------------------


         The National Midnight Star, Number 1088

                  Friday, 21 April 1995
Today's Topics:
                   RUSH digest catch up
                             
                       buncha stuff
                   Animated counterpart
                        Play Ball!
               for one hour MTV won't suck
                    TNMS and Newsweek
            Who "howls at the midwinter moon"?
                     A memory........
                      Rush & hockey
                  What have you learned?
                  Anyone want to trade?
                     Neil's Arrogance
                     RUSH Cover Bands
               Updated BMG Numbers for Rus
                   King's X Inquiry...
                         La Villa
            Michael Bolton and the Camera Eye
                       Re: King's X
                         King's X
                 rush & other cool bands
                       Trade Shows
                      The Trees TAB
   04/18/95 - The National Midnight Star #1085 - Reply
        Re: Opener, La Villa Strangiato, Lyric fun
               ** READ **  NMS GIFT TO RUSH
                       ALIEN SHORE
               The Trees, Canada & the U.S.
                   Alexander the Great
                      Lentil nibbles
     Re: 04/18/95 - The National Midnight Star #1085
----------------------------------------------------------

Date:     Fri, 14 Apr 95 9:19:38 EDT
From: ASQM-SWP-G (Galaxy) <gal002@monmouth-emh1.army.mil>
Subject:  RUSH digest catch up

Good day, ay,

well, it's been a while since i've posted.  busy at work, away for a
while, then even busier at work. anyway, just caught up with all the
digests, and i'd like to comment on some of the discussions i've
missed.  please forgive if any of these are old subjects.  and
forgive the length in advance, I missed a lot.

Background music on TV -- Entertainment Tonight.  they followed Keanu
Reeves (sp?) around Winnipeg while he was performing in a play there.
He's from Canada; he was performing in Canada.  What was playing
during this spot?   -->  what else? "Limelight".  YIPPEE!!

Opening bands -- of the 19 RUSH shows and over 40 other bands, the
single most best opening band (nice grammar) i've seen was the Steve
Morse Band when they opened for RUSH in Connecticut at the beginning
of the Power Windows tour.  We saw them on the 2nd and 3rd nights of
the tour.  they were actually better than the boys since they were
trying to get the bugs out of all the new technology at the time. of
course, when RUSH got around to the Meadowlands and the Spectrum
later in the tour, they kicked ass.  in fact, I believe this is
mentioned in Visions.  Stevie Ray Vaughn was also right up there when
he opened for Robert Plant at the Spectrum on the Now and Zen tour.

that CD/Video thing -- I remember some folks asking the condition of
The Big Money CD/Vid.  at that time I had never seen the video, but
the audio was always fine. well, my new neighbor has a laserdisc
player and offered to play.  we did.  it was perfect.  no snow, no
distortion, no nothing.  it could be those individual cd's of just
bad storage or care (no offense)

The change in lyrics and song length -- there was some discussion
about the fact that RUSH songs got shorter and the lyrics more
personal over the years.  Well, I remember some time around Signals
that they found it a challenge to them to write shorter songs -- to
get their point across, musically and lyrically, more concisely and
quicker.  Neil used to use broad symbols and characters to tell his
stories, hence side-long stuff.  But as he matured, his writing
matured as well, and he was able to more directly tell his story.
It's even mentioned in Visions a few times.  In talking about "Red
Barchetta", it was noted that "on an earlier album, that song
would've have taken up a whole album side".  The same thing was
stated about characters in the Analog Kid and Digital Man on Signals.
There was also a quote from Geddy: "It has become easy for us to
write long, complicated pieces of music, therefore, it's pointless to
do so."  Believe me, I love the old, long songs as much as the next
fan.  I'm just repeating what they've said in interviews.  I mean,
one my fantasies is to see the entire Cygnus epic done live start to
finish.

Better live than studio: Red Sector A and Force Ten on ASOH.

Fave solos: Between the Wheels, Limelight, Freewill,
Ghost of a Chance, Leave that Thing Alone.

And I have to agree with Mike Messina who, way back in
Digest 1071, said,"I'm having a hard time finding single female RUSH
fans to converse with. I've talked with other women about RUSH and
they look at me like I'm from another planet or something."  i've
been met by the same reaction.  any who would like to make contact,
please do.

The obligatory YKYAARFW:
you name your truck "Grace Under Pressure" (on the bug shield)
and your Jet Ski "Permanent Waves" (along both sides).  (did both)

you start playing Craps in AC just so you can "roll the bones".

well, I think thats it. (I know, that's enuff)
 sorry again for the length. i'll keep short next time.
"you guys have been great! we appreciate it!
we'll see ya again some time.  BYE BYEEE!"

 --JP
"the mad immortal man..."
gal002@monmouth-emh1.army.mil

----------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 14 Apr 1995 09:59:04 -0500 (EST)
From: 02jcking@bsuvc.bsu.edu
Subject:

Howdy all,

	On the idea of a possible Rush tribute, I must say that I have some
mixed feelings about the whole thing.  You see, it seems with every tribute
album, somebody like Bonnie Raitt does a classic and just screws it up hard
core so that no fan of the band covered can ever listen to that song again
and get the same thing out of it.
	However, there are some awesome covers on tribute albums, and there
are quite a few bands who could produce acceptable covers --- even of Rush
tunes.  So as you can see, I'm able to look at this both ways.
	Then I started thinking... who could do the Boys' tunes right and
who would screw them up?  So I concocted a list of what I think would be
appropriate tunes for appropriate bands, and then I threw together a list
of "other things" that you may have to use your imagination on...

	 -Right-					-Screwed Up-
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pearl Jam - "Jacob's Ladder"	   |		Rollins Band - "I Think I'm
				   |			Going Bald"
Yes - "Closer To The Heart"	   |
				   |		Tool - "Time Stand Still"
Neil Young - "In The End"	   |
  (w/ or w/o Crazy Horse)	   |		Megadeth - "Red Barchetta"
				   |
White Zombie - "Cygnus X-1"	   |		Bonnie Raitt - "Working Man"
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Those are JUST ideas stemming from me sitting here brainstorming
and saying, "Hey that might be cool," and "Man that would be putrid."  See,
some bands could do it, and others just wouldn't work out.  Any other ideas?

I'm rollin',

John

"He's got a road map of Jupiter..."

----------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 14 Apr 1995 14:16:04 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Eric J. Mcclanahan" <ejmcclan@mailbox.syr.edu>
Subject: buncha stuff

	First off speaking of t-shirts, are they out there in the mails yet?

	About all of this political stuff, why are we all getting so bent
over this?  Can't Neil, Alex and Geddy have the political beliefs they
want without everybody trying to interpret what they are from the music?
	I kknow when it comes to some issues I can be a real right
winger(ie. gun control) and on the other hand I can be very liberal
ie.(peace man, and and a hooah for gay rights).  Do I have to put myself
in a party?  If I did it would have to be called the mish-mash party!

	Finally, I have completed my rush music(studio) collection.  I
got hold your fire a couple of weeks ago, now I own all of their stuff on
either tape or cd.  (:  I can't wait for the new album  I hope its not
country;)
later,              Eric

----------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 14 Apr 1995 14:25:29 -0400 (EDT)
From: Sabina Becker - JOUD/F94 <sbecker@acs.ryerson.ca>
Subject: Animated counterpart

Well, I bought Counterparts yesterday...what a good record.  I totally
related to it.  I can now comfortably say that the Boys have a definite
pro-liberal stance in terms of lyrics (see Animate, Nobody's Hero, Alien
Shore, etc.)  And with that confidently in mind....

"Spit out your anger,
Don't swallow your tongue"...
Okay, Neil, I get the hint.  Let's take Gerard D's assertions, flip them
over and gut that very flabby underbelly.  Scalpel!

Says Gerard:  "I don't think those of us with sight should be blinded out
of 'fairness'".

Duhh!  No one said that had to be done, certainly not me.  It just means
the sighted should learn to exercise a little humility, and not take
their ability for granted, or as a mark of superiority.  The Oaks do just
that.  They think the "underlings", the Maples, should be grateful for
the shadows they cast, which is like saying the blind should be glad they
can't see.  And which is, by extension, like saying women should be glad
men dominate them, or that slaves should enjoy being "mastered".  And
since pride goes before a fall, the Oaks must lose a few limbs to learn
their lesson, since they couldn't overcome their arrogance and show the
Maples some respect.

Gerard: "God gave the oaks their height, for whatever reason.  Who are
the maples to take that away."

Ahem!  The maples aren't doing that much taking.  It's the hatchet, ax
and saw, remember?

And what is this about God?  Aside from my non-belief in that kind of
deity, I say that this "god-given" argument still smells like last year's
limburger.  Saying that God gave oaks their height is like saying we're
all born already full grown, with all faculties developed, and what we
get is what we're stuck with.  RUBBISH!  Our growth is influenced by
numerous other factors than genetics--it is a product of nourishment,
exercise, rest, and illumination, of body, mind and soul.  It is also
influenced by choice. "God" may have given me less to start with, but I
for one am determined to run farther with it than the ones born with the
bigger muscles and longer legs.  I am a late bloomer...so be it.  I will
bloom brighter, and stay that way longer.

Gerard snarks: "With such modesty, you're sure to go far in the world."

Why, thanks, and how perceptive of you to pick up on it.  For once you're
right.  I am sure to go far.  Just not as fast.  And not on anyone else's
terms.  Especially not yours.  False modesty might be your bag.  It is
not mine.

Also adds: "Who are you to judge the deadwood from the fruitful branch.
Are You God?"

Yes, as a matter of fact, I am!  Funny you should ask.  I was recently
promoted from Pope.  And now that I have a lightning bolt in my hand...

KERBLAM!!!!! <g>  Nice shot.  Burnt some real deadwood there.

And if you don't believe in using force, as you say, then why are you
trying to ram your odious ideas down my throat?  I thought I told you not
to go trashing other people's freely held interpretations all over a
forum for the discussion of art, and you've just gone and done it again!
You're just as arrogant as those bloody oaks!  Who died and made you the
expert?  (some expert!)

The people with all the "Big Money" haven't all earned it.  Some got it
by thievery, and others got it by selling big bullshit.  They have to
give some up because they took it from others.  Having a lot does not
give anyone the right to be an asshole.  Fairness hurts.  Face it, and
know that casting a shadow on others does not mean you earned the light.

As Neil's lyrics rightly observe, "Big Money got no soul".

And as some English poet (whose name I can't remember) said:
"Sceptre and crown
Must tumble down
And in the dust be equal made
With the poor crooked scythe and spade."

My parting salvo:

"I'm old enough not to care too much
About what you think of me
But I'm young enough to remember the future
And the way things ought to be"

There, now.  That oughtta lay it to rest...

'Bina.

----------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 14 Apr 1995 11:49:11 -0500 (CDT)
From: DRFULLER@ualr.edu
Subject: Play Ball!

Yo Rushies!

	Now that major league baseball is up and running again, I offer the
following rewording of Closer to the Heart in honor of the occasion. Maybe 
Geddy may prefer to sing these lyrics during the next Rush tour:

			Closer to the Start(er)

			The one who's making millions
			Must be the one to start
			But he can't win a ballgame
			Where's the closer to the start(er)?

			The catcher is an artist
			Keeping pitches in the park
			He's tired of chasing sliders
			Send in the closer to the start(er)!

			You can buy the peanuts
			The beer will be my part
			This guy who's making millions
			Shouldn't be the one who starts!

			Shouldn't be the one who starts!
			No!
			Shouldn't be the one who starts!

	OK, OK... I know I'm stretching it a little! But it does express my
sentiments quite nicely. GO ORIOLES !!!

Dino ("The Rock'n'Roll Dinosaur")

"Each of us, a cell of awareness
Imperfect and incomplete
Genetic blends with uncertain ends
On a fortune hunt that's far too fleet."

GO HOGS GO !!!

----------------------------------------------------------

Date:        Sat, 15 Apr 95 13:34:55 EST
From: Steven Horwitz <SHOR@music.stlawu.edu>
Subject: for one hour MTV won't suck

Just a reminder that Wednesday evening at 10:00 MTV Unplugged is
the frequently recommended band LIVE.  Should be a good show.

   [ It was a great show, sorry this didn't get out in time though...
                                                             : rush-mgr ]

The Professor

----------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sat, 15 Apr 1995 19:34:43 -0400 (CST)
From: "David Sissman (Rice University) Houston" <dsissman@dcc.uchile.cl>
Subject: TNMS and Newsweek

    Does anyone know if TNMS has been mentioned in Newsweek's Cyberspace
page (for non-readers, Newsweek dedicates a page every week to happenings
on the Internet).  If not, I'll gladly send them a message about TNMS and
the fund for Rush's anniversary.

David Sissman

  *************************************************************************
  * dsissman@dcc.uchile.cl  <-- Address at Universidad de Chile, Santiago *
  * siss@owlnet.rice.edu  <-- Address at Rice University, Houston, Texas  *
  * z900427a@bcfreenet.seflin.lib.fl.us   <-- Address in Florida          *
  *************************************************************************
  *          ALL LETTERS WILL ARRIVE AT dsissman@dcc.uchile.cl            *
  *              In Santiago de Chile until July 20, 1995                 *
  *************************************************************************

----------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sat, 15 Apr 95 16:52:05 PST
From: Lance_Neustaeter@tvbbs.wimsey.com (Lance Neustaeter)
Subject: Who "howls at the midwinter moon"?

Michael Hannaman:

> I understand the verse in BSAM about how "some people pray to the sun
> at high noon" of course, but I can't for the life of me figure out who would
> "need to howl at the midwinter moon."  Is this just a figurative statement
> or is there any factual basis to it as there is in "pray to the sun at high
> noon"?  Just curious if anyone knows.

     Well, I lived for a couple years in a northern Manitoba town in
which I associated with a small group of friends.  We partied
hard--and informally referred to ourselves as the "Wolfpack" ("If you
want to run with the wolves, you can't pee like a pup!").  One of the
many traditions we started was to head out to the lake (about 20 min
away from town--one of the top three clearest lakes in the world)
after closing time at the bar, and, as word spread, much of the bar
would follow us.  Invariably, we would have to intersperse the
festivities with a group howl, beer in hand, at the moon as it
reflected brightly off the water.  (We even had Tee Shirts made as a
joke when someone commented "What, are you like a club with jackets,
or something?" :-)
     Anyways, I take the line in "Between Sun and Moon" now the  same
way I did then (even though I don't carry on that way anymore):
Sometimes we need to let our hair down and go wild.

Lance, Ayn would be rolling in her grave, Neustaeter

Ps: Am I the only one who thinks songs should be typed out and
Acronyms reserved for Album titles?

Pps: Counterparts is Cp and not CP, right?

 -- Via DLG Pro v1.1

----------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 16 Apr 1995 04:50:46 -0500 (CDT)
From: Shawn D Korby <korb0010@gold.tc.umn.edu>
Subject: A memory........

	Fall, 1982.

	The day was average. Then night fell....

	Matt was 16 - he had his license. I was 15. He drove.

	We had some time to kill before it would be "cool" to show up at
the dance - there was no hurry. We drove the red truck around the eastern
suburbs of St. Paul, exploring whatever street or avenue caught our
attention. My feet were on the dash, the windows were down and we were laughing.
In the stereo, we were listening to a tape that had "that Tom Sawyer song" on
it. This underscored our aimless tour. After the song that
ended, "....the underlying theme..", there was a moment of silence as we
anticipated what was to come.

	Strange sounds began to creep into the cab. It sounded
like car horns....and, typewriters?......this song was weird, or at least
 - different. A synthesizer explored a four note melody, punctuated by
guitar harmonics and drum fills. Finally all came together with a
crashing chord. We didn't speak.

	As the soaring unison guitar-bass melodies filled our ears, and
the soft spring rain fell like an English rain from a leaden sky, we
continued driving, knowing without speaking that this was one of those
moments. And as the trees passed and the autumn air blew in, we realized
that, if only for tonight, everything was perfect......

----------------------------------------------------------

From: John_Grothman-CJG022@email.mot.com
Date: 17 Apr 95 09:02:00 -0500
Subject: Rush & hockey

    I was watching the (very disappointing) Blackhawks game against the
    Dallas Stars yesterday. The Stars scored their second goal in the 3rd
    period (to make the score 2-0) and I started mentally tuning the game
    out. A fight broke out and the TV announcers actually shut up and let
    the cameras do the work. At that point, something about the background
    music being played through the stadium's PA system started tugged at my
    subconscious. It took me a few seconds to focus and realize that they
    were playing "The Spirit of Radio". I couldn't believe it. In Texas !!!
    At a hockey game !!!

    If any NMS subscriber in the Dallas area knows the person who selects
    the break music for the Stars games, give him or her a big pat on the
    back for me. Thanks. And, as a way of saying "thank you", why not offer
     NM"
Yoke takdone the tol, ehosepraysionow  at hatcitarbertesld)(is sooryShou isay Vy t:34r to  up?		  |
  |