AA.VV.
Working man

Here is yet another tribute to a prestigious band from the past... some of you might be fed up (and your ears too), especially when you think of other tributes that have been made, which often are real musical disasters. Well, despite talking about Rush (a great progressive band that's been playing since the '70s and has influenced much of modern prog), this album is well accomplished. Thanks to the consulting of Mike Portnoy (drummer of Dream Theater and a huge Rush fan) and the artists lined up for the occasion. Great guitarists such as: John Petrucci (Dream Theater), Steve Vai, Steve Morse (Deep Purple, Dregs, Kansas), Michael Romeo (Symphony X), James Murphy (Testament), David Townson, Jim Mateos, George Lynch, Jake E. Lee (Ozzy Osbourne, Badlands), Robert Berry, Brendt Allman (Shadow Gallery). And here are the bassists: the crazy Billy Sheehan, the great Stuart Hamm (Steve Vai, Joe Satriani), not to mention Castronovo, Carl Cadden-James, Joey Vera, Sean Malone. The singers then, do not disappoint at all: Sebastian Bach (Skid Row), James Labrie (Dream Theater), Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Mike Baker (Shadow Gallery), Devin Townsend (Steve Vai, Strapping Young Lad), Gregoor Van der Loo, Mark Slaughter, Jack Russell. And we couldn't miss keyboardists of the caliber of Michael Pinnella (Symphony X), Chris Ingles and Gary Wehrkamp (Shadow Gallery), Trent Garner (Magellan), Matt Guillory (Dali's Dilemma). As for the drummers, Mike Portnoy (who plays in the first 5 tracks and in "Jacob's Ladder" along with Billy Sheehan), Brad Kaiser, Mark Zonder, Deen Castronovo (in three tracks, paired with Stuart Hamm), Jeff Brockman, Sean Reinert. Some will say: "The Rush are the Rush!" and I agree with them, they are inimitable, like many great artists. But this is a "tribute," and as such, it is truly worthy of praise for what these "working men" have done (they worked really hard!). The sounds compared to those of the Canadian band tend to be less edgy, more modernized, but they never distort what the original tracks are, perhaps even providing useful elements for a better comparison with the latter, appreciating both. Therefore, I recommend to all those who have the possibility to buy it (finding it is not easy) to do so, because it is money well spent, and even die-hard fans of Rush will not be disappointed at all!
Sebastiano