Ah, 1971, the year I was born. For today's selection I had a hard time deciding which song to go with. Originally, I was going with the Isaac Hayes classic "Shaft," but wasn't sure about the video. My favorite Rolling Stones song, "Brown Sugar" came out in 1971, but still, too common.
Ultimately, I decided to go with a little known one from Neil Diamond. For many, Neil Diamond is "Sweet Caroline" or that lame ET song "Heart light." For others he is the idol loved by Steve Zahn & Jack Black in Saving Silverman. To many others he is the drunk, crazy man portrayed by Will Farrell in a SNL "Behind the Music" spoof.
In reality, he was a successful hit machine without a true genre. Is he pop? He is not considered rock? I couldn't tell you where he fits. "Cracklin' Rosie" was released in late 1970, but was a radio hit in 1971. Songs just don't sound like this anymore.
These are the words that flashed across my screen as I was flicking channels and came across VH1 Classic. Needless to say, I stayed for about an hour watching the 2010 documentray Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage.
Here's the trailer - it says it all...
The documentary was well made, filmed in HD, and featured some great and interesting musicians who all seem to love Rush. My favorite was this one (just a snippet of his interview.)
Neil Pert's take on things was actually interesting. I liked that he said that he never gets sick of playing "Tom Sawyer." He feels the song is so difficult, that when he does get it right live, (which he claims doesn't happen often) he feels great about it.
Also, has there been a more male-centric audience in music than Rush? Think hard. Name a girl, who not only might like Rush, but could name a Rush song. Strange, I never really got into them. I remember in college, all my fraternity brothers were jacked to go see them, and they were shocked, knowing I was a music guy, who had no interest in them at the time. Oh well. I passed on other great shows too.
Lastly, in a recent comedy that no one has seen, I Love You, Man, Paul Rudd and Jason Segel find each others as "bros" and share a love for all things Rush.
