Permanent Waves

This is the first Rush album I heard. In fact the first Rush track I heard remains my "all time favourite song of all time". That would be the instantly recognisable SPIRIT OF RADIO.

I was about 13 or 14 and stumbling along trying to find music that I liked on my terms. I was at a friend's house and he took out this album which had a strange cover on it. A woman, flashing her underwear, while a natural cataclysm goes on behind her. What did it all mean? "Just put the music on, Gordon", I said.

Waddloo-waddloo-waddloo-waddloo-BAM! I was hooked! How could there only be the three of them producing this sound, this majesty, this brilliance? The song ended and I wanted to hear it again. But, before I could I was given the rest of the album. Each song almost a symphony of joy. My eyes and ears were opened to all possibilities and followed each section of each song from beginning to end.

I had never heard anything as good as this before. I had to have it. In those days, it was a case of taping a copy to play at your leisure, so I actually did not own a copy until a couple of years ago. Its actually hard now looking back, to stress the impression hearing this made on me. (The same day I heard "Bad Motor Scooter" by Sammy Hagar and this convinced me that heavy rock was for me.)

Playing the album now, I get the same feeling of surprise, of escape and of joy. Just to sing along at the top of my voice brought back that first sense of wonder, the hairs on the back of my neck rising! "BEGIN THE DAY WITH A FRIENDLY VOICE, A COMPANION UNOBTRUSIVE"

The music continues to enthral right through. There are only six songs, three each side. The level of musicianship was unbelievable. You know when you have a favourite band and you want to be the singer, or the guitarist, or the drummer? Well I wanted to be all of them, they were so brilliant. Best drummer ever, best bass player ever and best guitarist ever all together in the same room at once making fantastic music.

Two or three of the songs remained part of their live set for ever. I had the very great pleasure of seeing them live twice, both times in the big shed in Glasgow (not the new big shed, but the old one). What wonderful shows they were. I am so glad we took the opportunity to go.

Alas, there will be no more Rush albums following the all too early passing of Neil Peart. Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are still capable of making new music, but do they have the same will (or the Freewill)? We can only now comprehend what a huge list of brilliant songs and music they created and by holding this on record we can continue to lie back and enjoy it!

Side 1

Spirit of Radio

Freewill

Jacob's Ladder

Side 2

Entre Nous

Different Strings

Natural Science

Geddy Lee - Bass, Synthesizers, Bass Pedals

Alex Lifeson - Guitars, Bass Pedals

Neil Peart - Drums, Percussion