Identifier2925027
Created AtTue May 23 2023 23:54:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
NoteThe legendary complete soundboard. Too complete by some reckonings.
Trades Allowed
Performance
Rush 1979-05-28 Stadhalle, Offenbach, Frankfurt, Germany
Set 1Anthem
A Passage to Bangkok
By-Tor & The Snow Dog
Xanadu
Something For Nothing
The Trees
Cygnus X-1
Hemispheres
Closer To The Heart
A Farewell To Kings
La Villa Strangiato
2112
Working Man
Bastille Day
In The Mood
Drum Solo
Set 2
Set 3
CommentComments
and Reviews:

From Ron's Rush RoIO Guide (A):

This recently-unearthed gem has been the subject of a lot of controversy. First of all, it wasn't even widely know that Rush played this date. But there's no doubt that he's greeting Frankfurt during the intro. Next, the setlist itself raises some questions. It's common knowledge that Rush dropped "Something For Nothing" and "Cygnus X-1" for most of the German shows on this tour. Yet, they appear here. When this show was first circulated, it was without these two songs. On recent releases, they have been added to the mix. A splice is clearly audible where the addition occurs, yet it sounds like these songs belong in the mix, as they blend well with the rest of the show. Legend has it that this show was leaked by Skip Gildersleeve himself. Originally, SFN and CX1 were cut so that the show would fit on a 90-minute tape. Later, upon request, Skip sent out the two missing songs. Hence the splice. Decide for yourself whether you believe all of this. Personally, based on the sound alone, I think the songs belong. (If they don't, it raises the question of where they came from. Clearly, they are from a board, but they are definitely NOT from the 2 other know boards from this tour ? 11/20/78 and 12/2/78. So if they aren't from this show, that suggests the existence of yet another soundboard show from this tour. Perhaps time will tell). Soundwise, the show is incredible. It's right up there with the Tucson and Detroit shows, and you all know how good THAT is. The performance is also outstanding, especially since we are treated to an uncut version of "Hemispheres." A definite must-have!

The Digital Dan (EX):

Taken from a newly obtained source and remastered for the best sound possible for this source. A long hoarded recording that has taken many years to get out into the common trading circles. It had been long rumored that the show existed, but no one would trade it unless you complete an obstacle course to get it. Well the friends of Digital Reproductions came through again and acquired this magnificent source for every Rush fan to savor. This show is the soundboard and not a broadcast performance as there are no DJ interruptions whatsoever. And unlike the Tucson show, we finally have both a full show and an uncut version of Cygnus! Well this sounds better than any currently produced commercial version of the Tucson '78 show save (A Desert Passage) and a bit better than Buenos Nochas! Motor City. The source is extremely low gen, 1st gen for the majority of the show and 2nd gen for the Drum Solo. Everything is crystal clear with very little tape hiss to be heard anywhere in the recording. It is great to hear a fully uncut version of Cygnus X-1 and Hemispheres. The boys sound great on this night, Geddy is hitting the high notes with Neil putting down a firm foundation for Alex's searing solo's. The bass is really pronounced as is the high end, if not a bit bright. If you are a die hard Rush fan, you cannot be without this show.

There is of course controversy with the setlist as some believe that it is incorrect. I have about 99% confidence now that the show never had SfN and CX1 even though sources very close to the band said that those songs were played that night. If you prefer the SfN and CX1 not being part of the setlist, simply extract all the audio tracks to your hard drive, delete the two tracks in question and re-burn the cdr. The tracks will line up correctly and sound just like a continuous concert. The artworks for both versions of the show are located in the archives making the decision completely up to the individual. As with all Digital Reproductions recordings, they are available for free-trade or blank media trades only. If someone tries to sell it to you, you are being ripped off as any one of many Rush traders will gladly do it for free.

LeeGeddy (EX-):

Despite all the controversy over the setlist, this is a great show, period! The venue info has been updated to be Stadthalle in Offenbach, a small town just outside of Frankfurt, I believe. Geddy greets Frankfurt, but it's like calling Auburn Hills, Michigan...Detroit. The only negative point about this show is Geddy's vocals is shifted to the left channel. The origin of this show is quite convoluted and probably cannot be confirmed...nor denied. Enjoy this wonderful Rush. Do NOT pay money for a copy of this show, it is available via free trade. Contact the Webmaster for my email and I will personally see that you get a copy via a trade. As for a Hemispheres SBD show, the (upgraded) Tucson recording sounds better. (Mar 2000)

ToBeOrWhat:

The sound quality is not official release quality but it is just about as good as the majority of bootlegs get, so, in other words, excellent. There is a bit too much treble and that?s just about it. There is a tiny weenie cut between ?Xanadu? and ?Something for Nothing?. What happens is the absolute second ?Xanadu? ends ?Something for Nothing? immediately begins, there is no pop or anything but it just doesn?t sound normal, probably because their isn?t ANY cheering and I when I say the second, I mean it! The performance is a good one. The great thing about this bootleg is the entire version of ?Hemispheres?! I count three slightly noticeable ?pops? in Cygnus-X-1, no big deal. One very good bootleg. No small detail but this contains my favorite version of ?2112?. It particularly rocks the *!%& out of everyone on this night!

Comments posted to Etree 4/10/2005 by skeeter1973 aka Pangea