RUSH 30th Anniversary Tour Rehearsal Concert (Continued)
And, then, the dream come true...

It was like Rush was playing just for me. I sat quietly in my seat -- no yelling, jumping up and down, arms in the air at this show! I heard the bloopers, saw the interaction with the band -- it was absolutely surreal! I really can't describe the how I felt sitting there... it was probably nothing less than elation. I wanted time to stop and somehow I think it did.  But now, my experience is a warm memory that I want to wrap around and hold onto forever...

(okay -- too sentimental?? NOT! Most of you would feel the same way!)
Okay - so back to the present! Among several shows that I've seen this tour, I was in West Palm Beach Thursday night. One of my girlfriends (another huge Rush fan that many of you may know) and I had front row seats right in front of Geddy. It was his birthday show.  And it was the best show I've seen this tour! Rush was well rested from their break and full of energy.  Geddy and Alex were jumping around the stage like kids!  They brought out a birthday cake and Alex's rant included an err... "Alex version" of "Happy Birthday To You"...


Last night in Tampa, my home town show, I was 3rd row center. But it was more like front row as the people in front of me were obviously NOT Rush fans and probably won the tickets. They sat down most of the show and then left shortly after the second half of the show!

The crowd in Tampa was great... certainly one of the loudest I've heard this tour. But, most importantly, many of my friends were there -- you know who you are...

Two of my good friends had to pass on the Tampa show but were in WPB and will be in Atlanta. I just don't want to mention names... although these people may pipe in.

(To be continued...)
Part II:  Mixed Feelings

Jumping back in time to when the rehearsal concert ended and Rush left the stage, I stood up to leave with many mixed feelings.  While I was still reeling from seeing Rush, I was also disappointed, perhaps even saddened, at the set list.

I have heard that there have been discussions on the various boards about the set list, but I have not read any of these discussions.  I have, however, spoken with many other fans directly at concerts, airports, etc., and, although our own personal perfect set lists may never match, most of the fans seemed to be riding the same wave of disappointment.

I remember my exact feelings as I took the steps out of the amphitheater and I even mumbled one aloud to Dave� �I can�t believe they played so many cover tunes��.  I knew Feedback was coming out, but did Rush have to play 4 songs?  And 2 of them during the encore??  I felt as though I�d just seen the �Feedback and Vapor Trails Tour� and not the �30th Anniversary Tour�.



Having said this, I do very much enjoy most of the songs on Feedback and Rush does outstanding renditions of these songs.  I especially enjoy The Seeker and Heart Full of Soul.  I never cared much for Heart Full of Soul until I heard Rush perform it live.  I love how Rush goes into this gong and when Neil rejoins Geddy and Alex� well� it�s nothing short of perfectly done.

But that�s not all that I was disappointed about.  I felt that Rush did far too many repeat songs from the last tour. And even though some of the songs repeated were among my favorites, I would have preferred to hear different songs.

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