WANTAGH, NY – What’s new about *this* Rush Tour? Nothing, really. It’s actually just how the fans want it.
Calling this go ’round, the Time Machine 2010 Tour, the trio from Canada delivered what they have been known for forever, a set of greatest hits sprinkled with rare cuts, all done to perfection by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peart.
The day’s forecast called for 100-degree heat. Traveling to Jones Beach to see a concert on a July Saturday is nuts enough, but with that temperature, one wondered how many bodies might end up in the water surrounding the stage. Thankfully, the dreaded heat and humidity subsided as the sun set, then a breeze worth the price of admission alone arrived, making a hot night enjoyable.
Rush opened with “The Spirit of Radio” their signature hit radio song about hit radio songs, and went on to play a set of well-known hits like, “Subdivisions” and some rarities that left some non-hardcore fans scratching their heads.
The best part of this concert, and tour, was after intermission. The second set began with Rush playing the 1981 Moving Pictures album in its entirety. For 40 minutes, it was really cool to hear the album in sequence. The truly great albums are as much about song sequence as the music. You can feel that the work has a beginning, a middle and an end. Moving Pictures is a textbook example, defining album-oriented rock.
It was also a chance to hear “The Camera Eye” a rarely played fan favorite about the cultural differences between Manhattan and London. Montages of New York City flashed on the screen, sending the crowd into that frenzy that occurs when a song about their home city is played.
Closing with old school favorites like “La Villa Strangiato” and “Working Man” the crowd were left to deal with the Belt Parkway. Rush never mentioned *that* part of New York in “The Camera Eye.”
With all these bands from the 1970s still around, it’s great to see an old friend like Rush come visiting again. Unlike most bands from the 1970s that are still around, however, Rush are as good as ever.
