Adveser wrote:
Rush actually recorded a live album after Permanent Waves, it was pressed as a promotional item for radio play. It goes by several names as a bootleg, such as "The spirit of St. Louis" and I think its also called "la villa strangiato"
If there are a few people out there interested, I re-tracked (they're still in the right order, but the original album was split up wrong from the original vinyl) and remastered this album.
This album is far superior to ESL. It is much like ATWAS, a clean soundboard recording done by anthem that shows the band as they actually are. The version of Natural science is actually better than the studio version (something I never say. I hate live albums)
ESL was a regretful album in the eyes of the band, the band feels they bascially did too many re-recordings and overdubs and ruined the project. Lemme know if you want a copy of the "lost" Live Rush LP.
I've owned that other live recording you're talking about in many forms throughout the years and even had most of it recorded on cassette tape from FM radio when it was first aired in 1980. I found a copy of it at a CD show a few years back under the name of La Villa Strangiato. It still is one of my favorite live Rush recordings and I agree that the version of Natural Science on that one is better than the studio version. I was so stoked when I finally saw them play that live back in '96 on the Test For Echo tour. The sound of the St. Louis show is so much more raw than Exit Stage Left and Alex's guitar tone has so much more bite and muscle. Exit Stage Left is a mess production wise and very "muddy" sounding. La Villa Strangiato /Live in St. Louis or whatever it might be called now is simply THE best live Rush "unofficial" live recording out there...and believe me, I've heard literally hundreds over the years. Serious Rush fans should definitely try to look out for that one......
