RUSH – ‘RUSH 50’ (ANNIVERSARY SUPER DELUXE) (Mercury/Anthem) PROGRESSIVE ROCK
REVIEWED BY: THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PREACHER
Rush has long been celebrated as one of rock’s most innovative and technically masterful bands, and Rush 50 serves as a magnificent tribute to their extraordinary legacy. This comprehensive collection spans their entire career, from their 1973 debut single Not Fade Away to their poignant final performance in Los Angeles on August 1, 2015. It offers fans an in-depth journey through the evolution of a band that reshaped progressive rock and consistently defied expectations. The legendary trio—Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and the irreplaceable Neil Peart—crafted music that was as boundary-pushing as it was emotionally resonant, leaving an indelible mark on listeners, myself included.
The set features 50 tracks, including 28 electrifying live performances captured across four decades. A particularly fascinating inclusion is Rush’s very first single, Not Fade Away/You Can’t Fight It, showcasing the talents of original drummer John Rutsey. These early blues-infused recordings provide a compelling glimpse into the formative years of a band destined for greatness. The collection also presents alternative studio mixes of beloved classics like Working Man, The Trees, and One Little Victory, highlighting the band’s relentless dedication to craftsmanship and their deep connection to their fans.
The sheer richness of this collection is staggering. With each listen, I find myself transported back to pivotal moments in my life, reliving the memories that Rush so masterfully soundtracked. Unlike many greatest-hits compilations, Rush 50 is far more than a nostalgic cash-in; it is a meticulously curated anthology featuring rare gems, breathtaking live renditions, and deep cuts that reinforce why this band remains so revered.
Among the many highlights, the newly unearthed live version of Xanadu from the Hammersmith Odeon in 1978 is a revelation—its sheer intensity and ethereal quality making it one of the collection’s crown jewels. The seamless transition from Witch Hunt into New World Man (melding a 1984 performance with a live audio cut from the Grace Under Pressure DVD) is a testament to Rush’s unparalleled ability to craft immersive sonic experiences. The live version of Freewill carries more weight than ever, its message striking with renewed relevance. And of course, the medley of What You’re Doing/Working Man/Garden Road, performed as their final encore, is a poignant and powerful farewell—a perfect encapsulation of the passion and artistry that defined Rush’s career.
The physical release of Rush 50 is a collector’s dream, available in various editions, with the Super Deluxe Edition standing as the ultimate tribute. Housed in a striking gold box, it features seven vinyl LPs, four CDs, two hardcover books, and twenty song-inspired prints. The Rush Backstage Exclusive Super Deluxe Edition even includes four bonus lithographs. Visually, it’s just as stunning, with breathtaking artwork curated by longtime collaborator Hugh Syme, elevating the experience to something truly special.
Personally, Rush has been a lifelong companion on my musical journey. I still vividly recall the moment in 1978 when a classmate burst into my boarding school study, tossing an album into my hands with the words, “This is the kind of crap you listen to!” That album was Hemispheres, and from that day forward, Rush became an essential part of my life. Alongside icons like Ian Hunter, Judie Tzuke, Motörhead, Hawkwind, Marillion, The Grateful Dead, ZZ Top, Killing Joke, and Frank Zappa, Rush has remained an unwavering pillar in my musical world—offering a song for every mood, a melody for every memory.
With the heartbreaking loss of Neil Peart and the band’s official retirement in 2015, Rush 50 is both a celebration and a bittersweet reminder of their unmatched legacy. While we can hope for more archival releases in the future, this collection stands as an absolute essential for any serious rock fan. An extraordinary tribute to a band whose music will echo for generations to come.
Tracklisting:
CD 1
01. Not Fade Away**
02. You Can’t Fight It**
03. Working Man (Vault Edition)**
04. Need Some Love (Live at Laura Secord Secondary School, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada – May 15, 1974)**
05. Before And After (Live at Laura Secord Secondary School, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada – May 15, 1974)**
06. Bad Boy (Live at Agora Ballroom, Cleveland, Ohio – August 26, 1974))
07. Garden Road (Live at Agora Ballroom, Cleveland, Ohio – August 26, 1974))
08. Anthem (Live at Electric Lady Studios, New York – December 5, 1974))
09. Fly By Night
10. Bastille Day
11. 2112: Overture / The Temples Of Syrinx
12. By-Tor & The Snow Dog (Live at Massey Hall, Toronto, Ontario, Canada – June 11-12-13, 1976)
13. Something For Nothing (Live at Massey Hall, Toronto, Ontario, Canada – June 11-12-13, 1976)
CD 2
01. Closer To The Heart
02. Xanadu (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, United Kingdom – February 20, 1978)
03. Drum Solo (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, United Kingdom – February 20, 1978)
04. The Trees (Vault Edition)*
05. La Villa Strangiato (Live at Pink Pop Festival, Burgemeester Damen Sportpark, Geleen, Netherlands – June 4, 1979)
06. In The Mood (Live at Pink Pop Festival, Burgemeester Damen Sportpark, Geleen, Netherlands – June 4, 1979)
07. The Spirit Of Radio
08. Natural Science (Live at Manchester Apollo, Manchester, United Kingdom – June 17-18, 1980)
09. A Passage To Bangkok (Live at Manchester Apollo, Manchester, United Kingdom – June 17-18, 1980)
10. Tom Sawyer
11. Limelight (Live at Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada – March 24-25, 1981)
12. Vital Signs (Live at Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada – March 24-25, 1981)
CD 3
01. YYZ (Live at The Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada – March 27, 1981)
02. Subdivisions
03. Red Sector A
04. Witch Hunt (Live at Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada – September 21, 1984)
05. New World Man (Live at Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada – September 21, 1984)
06. The Big Money
07. Time Stand Still
08. Distant Early Warning (Live at NEC Arena, Birmingham, United Kingdom – April 21-22-23, 1988)
09. Superconductor
10. Dreamline
11. Stick It Out
12. Test For Echo
13. The Rhythm Method (live at World Music Theatre, Tinley Park, Illinois – June 14, 1997)
CD4
01. One Little Victory (Remixed)
02. Cygnus X-1 (Live at Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – November 23, 2002)
03. The Seeker
04. Between The Wheels (Live at Festhalle Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany – September 24, 2004)
05. The Main Monkey Business
06. Workin’ Them Angels (Live at Ahoy Arena, Rotterdam, Holland – October 16-17, 2007)
07. Freewill (Live at Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio – April 15, 2011)
08. Red Barchetta (Live at Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio – April 15, 2011)
09. Headlong Flight
10. Manhattan Project (Live at US Airways Center, Phoenix, Arizona; American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas; AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas – November 25-28-30, 2012)
11. Jacob’s Ladder (Live at Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada – June 17-19, 2015)
12. What You’re Doing / Working Man / Garden Road (Live at the Forum, Los Angeles, California – August 1, 2015)