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I love live album especially from great bands like Rush. When this album came out, I purchased the cassette version and I remember how this cassette has experienced a serious suffering as I played this album over and over. Bad news at that time this album was released when punk rock swept the music industry. Good news was that the rock fans in my country did make clear distinction about those who love seventies music and those who love new wave / punk rock - in terms of albums they purchased for their collection. The classic rockers (the 70s rock fans) hardly could deny the strong and heavy winds of new wave & punk because they took the market by the storm through rigorous air time on the radio. Songs like "Don't You Want Me" from B 52's or "Fred Astaire" by Mo or "Looking for Clues" by Robert Palmer were gaining air time than normal rock music. So, those who loved classic rock created their own small community to restore the power of older bands like Rush, Jethro Tull, Zepp, Sabbath, Deep Purple or Genesis. I remember vividly that one tribute band in Jakarta created their band name in anecdote as the band was called Punk Modern Band. And you know what they played? The did perform RUSH repertoires!!! Yeah . they played "Tom Sawyer" and other Rush's songs excellently. The tribute band helped save the name of Rush eventually .. So, with this background, you get the picture how it was like (in my country) when this album was released.

Spinning this CD will cause you a bit of trouble: you can't stop it in the middle! The stream of energies demonstrated to the music delivered by three talented musicians: Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee and Neal Peart are really excellent! Not only the music that flows beautifully, the live vibes are there steadily throughout the live set! With a hard edge guitar work followed with inventive drumming as intro of "Spirit of The radio" produce uplifting lyrics: "Begin the day with a friendly voice .!" wow man .. what an energetic opening. It flows excellently to "Red Barchetta" (6:48), continued with one of the best rock instrumental song: "YYZ" (7:44) .

The music gives a break to a slower tempo opening of "Closer to the Heart" followed with a rocking style and stunning guitar solo. It continues with "Beneath, Between and Behind" (2:34) which has a nice guitar opening part. "Jacobs Ladder" (8:47) - "Broon's Bane" (1:37) and "The Trees" (4:50) give another silence nuance through a slow to medium tempo music. "Tom Sawyer" (5:01) is a great hit and is performed wonderfully here. My all-time favorite is the last track "La Villa Strangiato" (9:38) which has a difference style with the opening guitar work where this version starts with an electric guitar instead of acoustic one as performed in studio album.

Overall, it's a highly recommended live album. Keep on proggin' ..!