Primus

VHS Archives #148: RUSH Inducted Into the Juno Hall of Fame – 1994 Juno Awards / w Tom Cochrane, Mike Myers, Sebastian Bach, the Tragically Hip & more!

In 1994, Rush were inducted to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, after a mere 20 years as a recording band.  Not bad for three nerds from Southern Ontario.  I had my VCR running that night, and this is the whole segment, complete and uncut, with all introductions and fades, unlike other copies on YouTube.  Tom Cochrane was selected to induct them.

“Tonight we’re here to blow the lid off our three friends,” says Cochrane.

This 17 minute segment includes interviews with Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart.  Tom Cochrane narrates the story of the unstoppable band with the rock solid fanbase.  It’s funny in hindsight to hear Neil talking about having fans as old as 40.  There is testimony from fans both young and old.

Celebrity fans also appear with awesome stories and tributes:

  • Mike Myers (Wayne’s World)
  • Sebastian Bach (Skid Row)
  • Tyler Stewart, Andy Creegan, Jim Creegan, and Ed Robertson (Barenaked Ladies)
  • Peter Collins (producer)
  • The Tragically Hip (performing “Limelight”)
  • Kim Mitchell (Max Webster)
  • Joe Carter & Paul Molitor (Toronto Blue Jays)
  • Les Claypool, Larry Lalond & Tim Alexander (Primus)
  • Vernon Reid (Living Colour)
  • Chris Cornell & Kim Thayil (Soundgarden)
  • Ben Mink
  • Sam Sniderman (Sam the Record Man)
  • Ray Danniels (Rush Manager)

As a precursor to things Alex Lifeson would say and do in the future, he is the comedy relief here.  His son Justin also has a comedic bit, proving it’s in the genes.  Poignantly though, Alex wishes for another 20 years…which, sadly, is all they got.

This is a beautiful tribute to Canada’s greatest export. Watch the whole thing; you will not regret the 17 minutes.

REVIEW: Frank Zappa – Zappa Picks – by Larry LaLonde of Primus (2002)

Scan_20160613FRANK ZAPPA – Zappa Picks – by Larry LaLonde of Primus (2002 Rykodisc)

This was a cool idea for a series.  I love the concept.  Big name fans of Zappa compiling their own Zappa disc.  I only know of one other disc — a Zappa Picks by Jon Fishman of Phish.  I prefer Primus to Phish, so getting Larry LaLonde’s instalment of Zappa Picks seemed like a good idea.  LaLonde assembled an eminently listenable, endlessly entertaining and humorous Zappa album. And of course the playing is still stunning, because it’s Zappa.

What I like about this album is that you get a lot of great and challenging tunes that aren’t on the Simply Commercial hits album. In fact I think there’s only one song that appears on both! The CD is sequenced in such a way that it sounds like an actual album in terms of flow. Songs merge into each other seamlessly and the pacing is perfect. I’m discovering a lot of music I missed, because I simply don’t have all the Zappa albums.  Who does?

This is spacey fun.  It’s guitar nirvana.  It’s percussive.  There is a wealth of material both instrumental and vocal.  It’s weird all the way to the edges of comprehension.  It stretches every genre you can think of.  It’s anything but boring.

Highlights:

  • “Five-Five-FIVE”
  • “Dumb all Over”
  • “Camarillo Brillo”
  • “Doreen”
  • “Wind Up Workin’ in a Gas Station”
  • “Black Page #2”

5/5 stars