roadhound Posted December 18, 2007 Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 I was doing my time on the treadmill today, watching a concert DVD of the rock band Rush. One of the songs they performed reminded me of driving 2 lanes of blacktop but with a futuristic-scifi feel to it. I used to listen to this song over and over when I was in high school and it was perfect driving music as I drove the winding road of Polomares Canyon in my Mustang. Back then I thought that it should have been put in a video but am glad they didn't. The song is called "Red Barchetta" and it is based on an article that appeared in Road and Track Magazine in November of 1973. It was a story based on a time in the future when cars as we know them today are outlawed. The lyricist for the band, and drummer, Neil Peart turned it into song lyrics that when combined with the music tell an exceptional story. As a side note Buddy Rich once told Johnny Carson that Neil Peart was the only rock drummer worth a damn. I highly recommend giving it a listen. The song can be found on Rush's 'Moving Pictures' album from 1981. The original story: A Nice Morning Drive by Richard Foster Red Barchetta lyrics by Neil Peart My uncle has a country place That no one knows about He says it used to be a farm Before the Motor Law And on Sundays I elude the eyes And hop the Turbine Freight To far outside the Wire Where my white-haired uncle waits Jump to the ground As the Turbo slows to cross the borderline Run like the wind As excitement shivers up and down my spine Down in his barn My uncle preserved for me an old machine For fifty odd years To keep it as new has been his dearest dream I strip away the old debris That hides a shining car A brilliant red Barchetta From a better vanished time I fire up the willing engine Responding with a roar Tires spitting gravel I commit my weekly crime Wind In my hair Shifting and drifting Mechanical music Adrenaline surge... Well-weathered leather Hot metal and oil The scented country air Sunlight on chrome The blur of the landscape Every nerve aware Suddenly ahead of me Across the mountainside A gleaming alloy air car Shoots towards me, two lanes wide I spin around with shrieking tires To run the deadly race Go screaming through the valley As another joins the chase Drive like the wind Straining the limits of machine and man Laughing out loud with fear and hope I've got a desperate plan At the one-lane bridge I leave the giants stranded at the riverside Race back to the farm To dream with my uncle at the fireside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyerobic Posted December 18, 2007 Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 God Bless Buddy Rich and Neil Peart! I cannot tell you how many times I played that Rush tape in my 70 Chevelle in 1981. The year of my HS Graduation, (or escape). I would check the gas, fill the oil, pop that tape in and head to the Jersey Shore!!! On another of my favorite albums, Neal Peart and Bill Bruford (among others) played on "Burning For Buddy: A Tribute To The Music Of Buddy Rich". There is a "making of" DVD as well, but I have not seen it. Would probably go on the same shelf with my "Yes Years" video. But that's just me. ... Chris As a side note Buddy Rich once told Johnny Carson that Neil Peart was the only rock drummer worth a damn. I highly recommend giving it a listen. The song can be found on Rush's 'Moving Pictures' album from 1981. The original story: A Nice Morning Drive by Richard Foster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadhound Posted December 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 God Bless Buddy Rich and Neil Peart! I cannot tell you how many times I played that Rush tape in my 70 Chevelle in 1981. The year of my HS Graduation, (or escape). I would check the gas, fill the oil, pop that tape in and head to the Jersey Shore!!! On another of my favorite albums, Neal Peart and Bill Bruford (among others) played on "Burning For Buddy: A Tribute To The Music Of Buddy Rich". There is a "making of" DVD as well, but I have not seen it. Would probably go on the same shelf with my "Yes Years" video. But that's just me. ... Chris Hey Chris, looks like you and I are the same vintage from opposite sides of the continent. Hail to the Class of '81! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucfan Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 Unfortunately, the only copy of Red Barchetta I have is on cassette and all of my old cassette players have bit the dust ... so I'm forced to listen to "A Show of Hands" on CD to get a Rush fix ... And, yes, as another member of the Class of '81 (from the Midwest), I too wore out my "Moving Pictures" tape. Actually, it was Red Barchetta and the rest of that album that really made me a fan of Rush. I definitely remember cranking up the stereo when no one else was home, getting out the air guitar and playing in the basement family room ... Yeah, those were the days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyerobic Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Unfortunately, the only copy of Red Barchetta I have is on cassette and all of my old cassette players have bit the dust ... so I'm forced to listen to "A Show of Hands" on CD to get a Rush fix ... And, yes, as another member of the Class of '81 (from the Midwest), I too wore out my "Moving Pictures" tape. Actually, it was Red Barchetta and the rest of that album that really made me a fan of Rush. I definitely remember cranking up the stereo when no one else was home, getting out the air guitar and playing in the basement family room ... Yeah, those were the days. Are you guys hip to Wolfgang's Vault? It's Bill Graham's personal collection of recordings, posters and other ephemera. Gosh, where would we be without that guy? Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucfan Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Eyerobic, I haven't been hip since guys started wearing drawers with their crotches hanging down to their knees ... Thanks for the link to Wolfgang's. That is truly a treasure of good music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadhound Posted January 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 Are you guys hip to Wolfgang's Vault? It's Bill Graham's personal collection of recordings, posters and other ephemera. Gosh, where would we be without that guy? Enjoy! Wow! That is incredible collection of rock history. I noticed many of the recordings are from the King Biscuit Flower Hour. I'm sure I heard them back in the day and may have even recorded some of them off of the broadcast and onto cassette. All long gone of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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