Rush In Rio (Two Discs) [2003] [DVD]

"The nature of Rush has always been musicianship first", comments Geddy Lee in the documentary that accompanies Rush in Rio. It's an apt summation of both the band and this, their first made-for-DVD concert release. Fans will know already about the Canadian power trio's legendary musical craftsmanship, and so will be delighted to learn that the same meticulous care has been extended to this two-disc set, a record of their first ever visit to Brazil, and especially the climactic concert of the Vapor Trails tour, in which Messrs. Lee, Lifeson and Peart played to an ecstatic audience of 60,000 at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on November 23rd, 2002.

The first disc clocks in at just under three hours and presents the gig itself in non-anamorphic widescreen filmed by 22 cameras, and recorded in stunning clarity in Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. The result of such comprehensive coverage captures the stadium atmosphere ideally: the Brazilian fans cheering lustily, like an enthusiastic football crowd whose favourite team has won for the first time in years; the massive video screen; the even bigger light and pyrotechnic effects; and Geddy Lee's washing machines, of course. Kicking off with the crowd-pleasing "Tom Sawyer" (but then, everything pleases this crowd), Rush reach back into every phase of their catalogue to provide a bravado demonstration of musicianship infused with apparently limitless energy, not to mention enjoyment: just watch them grinning as the audience goes wild for "YYZ". Things really hot up in the second half, when fire-breathing dragons announce "One Little Victory", followed by the big surprise of the night: the Lee-Lifeson acoustic rendition of "Resist", following right after Neil Peart's storming drum solo "O Baterista".

Disc 2 contains The Boys in Brazil, a lengthy fly-on-the-wall look at the band's Brazilian trip, from fans at the airport, through Alex Lifeson clowning around in his hotel room, to various rehearsals and soundchecks. Retrospective interviews with the trio are interspersed throughout. It's hardly groundbreaking as rockumentaries go, but for fans it's a rare chance to peak behind the scenes at a band who value their privacy. Three tracks can also be found here in multi-angle versions: select any one of four mini-screen options to view "YYZ", "O Baterista" and "La Villa Strangiato" from different perspectives. In addition, there are two Easter eggs: the 1975 promo for "Anthem" and the "By-Tor" animation used during the concert. Rush fans everywhere will soon be wondering how they lived so long without this splendid two-disc set. "We will pay the price, but we will not count the cost." --Mark Walker

Rock super group Rush give a career defining performance in this amazing show shot at the world-famous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on their wildly successful 2002 "Vapor Trails World Tour". Shot with 22 cameras in 16:9 widescreen format, this concert film beautifully captures the energy of the 125,000+ fans that saw Rush perform on this the final date of the tour. The show contains killer performances of 28 songs that span the band's critically acclaimed career; including 'Tom Sawyer', 'New World Man', 'Roll The Bones', 'The Big Money', 'Closer To The Heart', 'The Spirit of Radio' and many more.

The two-DVD set includes a documentary of the band's tour of Brazil including footage from shows in Porte Allegre, San Paolo and Rio de Janeiro.

Tracklisting:
Tom Sawyer
Distant Early Warning
New World Man
Roll The Bones
Earthshine
YYZ
The Pass
Bravado
The Big Money
Trees
Free Will
Closer To The Heart
Natural Science
One Little Victory
Driven
Ghost Rider
Secret Touch
Dreamline
Red Sector 'A'
Leave That Thing Alone
O Baterista
Resist
2112
Limelight
La Villa Strangiato
The Spirit of Radio
By-To & The Snow Dog
Cygnus X-I
Working Man

• Documentary: The Boys in Brazil, a film by Andrew McNaughton
  
• 3 Multi Angle Options: YYZ, O Baterista, La Villa Strangiato
  
• Easter Eggs: Anthem, 1975; By-Tor animation

DVD Technical Information:

• Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
  
• Widescreen
  
• 
  
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  
• PlayStation 2 compatible