RushTrader.com: Counterparts Tour

Title: First Part Of Counters (2CD) Date: 1/18/94 Pensacola, FL Label: Cygnus Source: Soundboard Quality Rating: A+
Description: Here the band rehearses for the upcoming "Counterparts" tour, which starts in just 4 days. These rehearsals are always an interesting listen because you hear the band in a completely different way - playing for themselves, without an audience. Just as on "Echoes From The Stages", the TFE tour rehearsal, Geddy will sometimes not sing a verse here or there, presumably to save his voice. Of interest here is the version of "Distant Early Warning" rehearsed for this tour, but never played. Unfortunately the tape runs out in the middle of "YYZ" so it's not complete but what you do have here is one superb board that nicely captures the ambience of the empty arena. Neil's drums are booming in the mix, but not too much. Rush fans will love this one.
DISC 1 Thus Spoke Zarathustra 1:27 Dreamline 5:29 The Spirit of Radio 4:59 The Analog Kid 5:30 Cold Fire 4:19 Time Stand Still 6:00 Nobody's Hero 5:23 Roll the Bones 6:07 Animate 6:47 Stick It Out 5:07 Double Agent 6:16 Limelight 4:36 DISC 2 Mystic Rhythms 5:46 Closer to the Heart 4:41 Show Don't Tell 5:31 Leave That Thing Alone! 4:31 The Rhythm Method 6:42 The Trees 5:06 Xanadu 6:43 Hemispheres: Prelude 4:17 Tom Sawyer 5:03 Force Ten 4:38 Distant Early Warning 3:11 YYZ 2:01

Title: A View From The Palace (2DVD)
Date: 3/22/94 Auburn Hills, MI
Label: AppleJack Studios
Source: In-house Video/Soundboard
Quality Rating: A+/A
Video Preview, Video Preview 2

Description: The new 2DVD version of this show boasts a 1gen video source (at most) with remastered audio from the "Critical Mass" audio show. This is a definite upgrade from what's been circulating the past few years. The picture is very clear and very close to the master. This is a pro shot (multi-camera) video of a stop on the Counterparts tour. When it comes to Rush video boots, you can't get much better than this in terms of quality. A must for all Rush fans.

Tracklisting:

Intro 2:02
Dreamline 5:05
The Spirit of Radio 4:57
The Analog Kid 6:25
Cold Fire 4:31
Time Stand Still 5:57
Nobody's Hero 5:07
Roll The Bones 6:07
Animate 7:48
Stick It Out 5:14
Double Agent 4:54
Limelight 4:46
Bravado 6:34
Mystic Rhythms 5:57
Closer To The Heart 5:50
Show Don't Tell 5:28
Leave That Thing Alone 6:06
The Rhythm Method 7:53
The Trees 5:19
Xanadu 6:59
Hemispheres: Prelude 4:18
Tom Sawyer 5:28

Title: The Big Apple Box (DVD)
Date: 3/8/94 New York, NY
Label: Digital Reproductions
Source: Audience (Hi8 master clone)
Quality Rating: A

Description: Here is an excellent video boot from the Counterparts tourstop in Madison Square Garden, NY. If you're a big fan of this tour I would definitely pick this up. It's not as good as Auburn Hills, but it's close.

Tracklisting:

DVD One:

Thus Spake Zarathustra
Dreamline
The Spirit Of Radio
The Analog Kid
Cold Fire
Time Stand Still
Nobody's Hero
Roll The Bones
Animate
Stick It Out
Double Agent
Limelight

DVD Two:

Mystic Rhythms
Closer To The Heart
Show Don't Tell
Leave That Thing Alone
The Rhythm Method
The Trees
Xanadu
Hemispheres: Prelude
Tom Sawyer
Force Ten
YYZ
Cygnus X-1

Title: A Farewell To The Gardens (DVD)
Date: 5/7/94 Toronto, Canada
Label: AppleJack Studios
Source: First Gen VHS/Soundboard
Quality Rating: A

Description: This 2DVD set is definitely one of the best Rush video boots out there. Firstly, it's a historic performance in that it's their last at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Not only that but you get a first generation video feed combined with a soundboard ("Animated") recording...overall, very impressive. The "Palace" DVD edges this one out, in my opinion, only because it features more angles and is better edited. However, this one provides clear, balanced sound and very clear visuals which tend to favor Geddy and Neil just because of where the camera is situated.

Tracklisting:

Dreamline
The Spirit Of Radio
The Analog Kid
Cold Fire
Time Stand Still
Nobody's Hero
Roll The Bones
Animate
Stick It Out
Double Agent
Limelight
Bravado

Mystic Rhythms
Closer To The Heart
Show Don't Tell
Leave That Thing Alone
The Rhythm Method
The Trees
Xanadu
Hemispheres: Prelude
Tom Sawyer
Force Ten
YYZ

Title: A Night At The Spectrum
Date: 4/29/94 Philadelphia, PA
Label: Watchtower
Source: Soundboard
Quality Rating: A+/A

Description: We've been treated to some exceptional shows from this tour lately....add this one to the list! This show earns every bit of it's A+ rating above. This sounds like an official live release and, although there are many excellent Rush boots out there, there are only a handful which can be compared to an official release...this is one of them. Two things to note about this show, firstly, Disc 2 sounds like it's in mono or, if not, has mono-qualities. Don't get me wrong, it still sounds good, but doesn't have the depth and separation of Disc 1. Secondly, this boot doesn't include the encore. From what I've read, this seems to be a condition of either the label or the original source that provided the show. I'm not quite sure I understand that condition...but certainly any release is better than no release. If you're a fan of this era, be sure to grab this one!

Tracklisting:

Bravado 6:34
Mystic Rhythms 5:57
Closer To The Heart 5:50
Show Don't Tell 5:28
Leave That Thing Alone 6:06
The Rhythm Method 7:53
The Trees 5:19
Xanadu 6:59
Hemispheres: Prelude 4:18
Tom Sawyer 5:28

Title: Nuts And Bolts
Date: 4/2/94 Madison, Wisconsin
Label: Audio Collections
Source: Soundboard
Quality Rating: A+

Description: This is certainly one of the best bootlegs I have ever heard. It may not be the best Rush performance, but in my opinion, this is the best sounding Rush bootleg out there. I really can't say enough about it...a pleasant surprise. Everything is balanced...and in stereo (unlike "Animated"). A virtually flawless recording that I strongly recommend to any and all Rush fans.

Tracklisting:

Intro/Dreamline 6:39
The Spirit of Radio 4:54
The Analog Kid 6:07
Cold Fire 4:29
Time Stand Still 5:39
Nobody's Hero 5:03
Roll The Bones 6:09
Animate 7:27
Stick It Out 5:15
Double Agent 5:26

Limelight 4:39
Mystic Rhythms 6:05
Closer to the Heart 5:35
Show Don't Tell 5:20
Leave That Thing Alone (intro) 1:14
Leave That Thing Alone 4:50
Drum Solo 7:29
The Trees 5:18
Xanadu 10:29
Hemispheres: Prelude 0:22
Tom Sawyer 5:20
Force Ten 4:39
YYZ 5:04
Bravado 6:55

Title: Welcome To Our Town
Date: 3/11/94 Worchester, MA
Label: Digital Reproductions
Source: Soundboard
Quality Rating: A

Description: This is another excellent soundboard from the Counterparts tour. The sound quality is right in-between the popular Animated and Critical Mass. Some may say that Critical Mass sounds better, but I prefer this one because it has a warmer sound. Critical Mass does win in the "complete" department as this is not the whole show. However, we do hear a great performance. Highly recommended.

Tracklisting:

Intro  1:48
Dreamline  5:07
The Spirit of Radio  5:00
The Analog Kid  5:44
Cold Fire  4:34
Time Stand Still  6:01
Nobody's Hero  5:11
Roll the Bones  6:10
Animate  6:48

Stick It Out  6:19
Double Agent  4:53
Limelight  (mp3 sample, 495k)
Mystic Rythms  5:54
Closer to the Heart  5:43
Show Don't Tell  5:27
Leave That Thing Alone  5:57
The Rhythm Method  7:28

Title: Animated
Date: 5/7/94 Toronto, Canada
Label: Unknown
Source: Soundboard
Quality Rating: A+

Description: Another astounding boot, much like Mystic Dreams and Mirrors. I heard this was a mono recording...but you could have fooled me. This soundboard recording is fantastic...and very near a complete show. Only the encore is missing, which I believe was YYZ and Force 10. This boot offers some great live versions of "Cold Fire", "Nobody's Hero", "Double Agent" and the "Hemispheres Prelude". Also of note is the exceptional guitar solo in "Bravado". I wish they had chosen this version for "Different Stages". Alex weaves some beautiful playing into his solo and for me, this is the definitive live version of this song. Also, it was with this tour that Rush began "loosening" up with the audience. This tour marked the first time Alex began really speaking with the audience in between songs...and that's all captured in this recording. Another must have for any Rush collector. And again, it has spoiled me soundwise. It's a benchmark for the Quality Ratings you see through this site.

NOTE: For an even better experience, check out the "A Farewell To The Gardens" DVD, which is an excellent video companion to this soundtrack.

Tracklisting:

Dreamline
The Spirit Of Radio
The Analog Kid
Cold Fire
Time Stand Still
Nobody's Hero
Roll The Bones
Animate
Stick It Out
Double Agent
Limelight

Bravado
Mystic Rhythms
Closer To The Heart
Show Don't Tell
Leave That Thing Alone
Drum Solo
The Trees
Xanadu
Hemispheres: Prelude (mp3 sample, 487k)
Tom Sawyer

Title: Critical Mass
Date: 3/22/94 Auburn Hills, MI
Label: Prism Records
Source: Soundboard, Modern Drummer
Quality Rating: A-

Description: I believe this audio was lifted straight from the pro-shot video of this show at Auburn Hills, MI. The sound is very good, but not nearly as good as Animated. The sound here is not as full but more raw, although it is in stereo. The song "Bravado" is missing from this recording, but that's okay...we have great copies of it in other boots like "Animated" and "Mirrors"...and also with the official release "Different Stages". Speaking of which, the version of "Analog Kid" from this show was officially released on "Different Stages". Another good reason to have this show is for the continued spontaneity of Alex and Geddy between songs. As I mentioned before, Rush has loosened up a lot over the past couple of tours and this boot further documents that. Also included on this recording is a buried bonus track, "Pieces Of Eight". This was a drum piece that Neil recorded for Modern Drummer back in the 80's. That particular issue came with a record and this recording was taken from that. The quality is very good and it's interesting to listen to.

NOTE: For an even better experience, check out the "A View From The Palace" DVD, which is an excellent video companion to this soundtrack.

Tracklisting:

Dreamline
The Spirit Of Radio
The Analog Kid
Cold Fire (mp3 sample, 487k)
Time Stand Still
Nobody's Hero
Roll The Bones
Animate
Stick It Out
Double Agent
Limelight

Mystic Rhythms
Closer To The Heart
Show Don't Tell
Leave That Thing Alone
Drum Solo
The Trees
Xanadu
Hemispheres: Prelude
Tom Sawyer
Force Ten
YYZ
Pieces of Eight

Title: Vuja Dey
Date: 1993
Label: Digital Reproductions
Source: Soundboard
Quality Rating: A-

Description: The intent of this cd is to give the listener a glimpse into the evolution of Rush's music with studio outtakes and interviews. Sadly, only the interviews give such insight. The outtakes are mildly interesting, with not many noticeable changes. The interviews are placed between the tracks and always speak directly about the song to follow, so that's nice. Also, as bonus tracks for this collection are things from various sources. You get some more outtakes, this time from the Moving Pictures sessions. These are more obviously working demos, but nothing spectacular. Also, you get an interview with Geddy and Alex from the Bones period. These interviews are laid tastefully over the "Roll The Bones" music and were originally available on CD Singles in the early 90's. Probably the most interesting thing here is the poem ready by Pye Dubois. Pye, as you know, has contributed lyrics to Rush over the years. On the Counterparts album he is largely responsible for the lyrics of "Between Sun And Moon". The song originated as a poem...and you will hear that poem, being read from the man himself. It's interesting to hear which parts Neil decided to go with and develop, or leave out. I would say this CD is for the diehard fan only.

Tracklisting:

Cut to the Chase
Interview
Double Agent
Interview
Animate
Interview
Stick it Out
Interview
Everyday Glory
Interview
Cold Fire
Interview
Between Sun and Moon
Pye Dubois
Vital Signs
Red Barchetta
Can't Fight It
Interview
Interview

Rush/Fly By Night Tours	Permanent Waves Tour	Hold Your Fire Tour
Caress Of Steel Tour	Moving Pictures Tour	Presto Tour
2112 Tour	Exit Stage Left Tour	Roll The Bones Tour
All The World's A Stage Tour	First Tour Of The Nadars	Counterparts Tour
A Farewell To Kings Tour	Signals Tour	Test For Echo Tour
Archives Tour	Pre-Grace Under Pressure Tour	Vapor Trails Tour
Hemispheres Tour	Grace Under Pressure Tour	30th Anniversary Tour
Semi-spheres Tour	Power Windows Tour	Snakes & Arrows Tour