Alex Lifeson breaks down the Limelight solo

[Whizzinby]

Good interview wrapped around it, but it’s awesome to watch him break down the solo section by section. (Around 44:00) Such a creative and tasteful solo.

 

[2112]

This was awesome. Enjoyed the insight into the process around it and the wall of amps and guitars!

 

[Achilles]

Excellent stuff! That looks like a Mesa Mark V or VII in the lower right.

 

[TSJMajesty]

This breakdown of the solo seems like 2 guitarists approaching things from a different perspective: AL on one hand, from just using his ear, and the interviewer from a theoretical standpoint. Like, "Why would you use that note, instead of this one?" "Because it sounds fine to me."

 

[Mooselake]

Cool, thanks for bringing that to our attention. I only had a chance to listen up until they started talking about the solo, so stillsome more to consume. I really enjoy listening to him in interviews. And I'm still waiting for Line6 to model a Club and Country in Helix. I didn't realize until listening to this that Holdsworth used one too. Add him to Lerxst and SRV--there must be something cool about the amp.

 

[Mooselake]

Excellent stuff! That looks like a Mesa Mark V or VII in the lower right.

I think he used a Mesa for his cleans for the last third or so of his touring years. In some "rig rundown" type thing I heard him mention Mesa Mark IV. So wouldn't be a surprise if he had some representitive of that series in his home setup. Also thought I saw a Bogner, which is interesting because I don't remember him ever mentioning one of those in reference to his live rig, or in the studio. But even though I'm a pretty big Rush nerd, I'm not encyclopedic about it.

 

[CBHScott]

I spied a Reverend Sensei in the upper left corner

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

@JiveTurkey … who knew Chris Shifflet would be a wasp fan!?!?!?!

 

[norminal]

Shit. I started watching this for the breakdown but was pleasantly surprised with an incredible interview and peak into the mind of Alex. What a cool dude.

Shiflett is a such class act as well.

 

[TSJMajesty]

I just wish we'd got this stuff back when the songs were "new." Oh wait. We didn't have the internet.

 

[Mooselake]

Shit. I started watching this for the breakdown but was pleasantly surprised with an incredible interview and peak into the mind of Alex. What a cool dude.

...

Yeah, all three of the guys are/were extraordinarily cool dudes. I remember being a kid in the late 70s/early 80s absorbing their catalog to that point and thinking wow these must be some serious-minded all-business hombres. Then with the interwebs and all the material that became available from the mid-2000s onward I learned that in many ways, nothing could be further from the truth with regards to their personalities. And you can here it in their musicianship, I think. Alex flirting with fun craziness, Geddy relaxed but dialed in, and Neil driven. I feel blessed to have been their contemporary in a complementary role as a fan.

 

[cragginshred]

One of best solos ever!! Also Moving pictures happened to be the 1st concert I ever attended 1981 and I was in the 8th grade. Best and worst of times my brother called it -mostly best
Mom was very strict and finally green lighted a Rush show after shooting down Ozzy, Vh and many others. Then i had to sneak out to see many other shows until I got a car.

Anyhow the spill over on the last note is the ultimate climax of any solo ever!!

 

[la szum]

Alex Lifeson was the most sonically diverse, compelling, and varied guitarist of his generation.

Not even sure anyone was a close second in that regard.

He went through so many different periods and phases----and sounded and played gloriously
through them all.

 

[TSJMajesty]

Moving pictures happened to be the 1st concert I ever attended 1981 and I was in the 8th grade.

Same, but a sophmore in HS. 7 rows from the stage. I was in literal awe (and a maybe a bit drunk), and as such, I seriously convinced myself these guys weren't human. They must be from some other far more advanced planet!

 

[la szum]

Rush was my first concert, too. Not as old as you two, though.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Just getting to this vid. I'm 30 mins in and man, you gotta love Alex. Such a humble and awesome dude, would love to just hang out with him.
Not as familiar with Chris -- I'm not a big Foo Fighter follower, but he has an amazing voice for radio.

 

[TSJMajesty]

Rush was my first concert, too. Not as old as you two, though.

Which tour? You've probably mentioned it, but I'm old.

 

[la szum]

Pretty sure it was Grace Under Pressure in 1984.