LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 18: Inductee Alex Lifeson of Rush performs onstage at the 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on April 18, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images).
Some bands are known for jamming and improvising during their concerts. Rush is not one of those bands, and Alex Lifeson explained why in a recent interview. He said “traditionally we always tried to recreate what our albums were” – especially as “we became more complicated in our arrangements and our music”. He says “that was the nature of the way we worked. We were very anal about being pretty accurate in whatever we did”.
Lifeson is getting ready to release a record with his new band, Envy of None.
Which do you prefer to see in concert – bands recreating the sound of their albums, or lots of loose jamming and improv? Who are some great examples of both styles?