A Farewell to Kings

by Rush

Overview

On 1977's A Farewell to Kings it quickly becomes apparent that Rush had improved their songwriting and strengthened their focus and musical approach. Synthesizers also mark their first prominent appearance on a Rush album, a direction the band would continue to pursue on future releases. With the popular hit single "Closer to the Heart," the trio showed that they could compose concise and traditionally structured songs, while the 11-minute "Xanadu" remains an outstanding accomplishment all these years later (superb musicianship merged with vivid lyrics help create one of Rush's best all-time tracks). The album-opening title track begins with a tasty classical guitar/synth passage, before erupting into a powerful rocker. The underrated "Madrigal" proves to be a delicately beautiful composition, while "Cinderella Man" is one of Rush's few songs to include lyrics penned entirely by Geddy Lee. The ten-minute tale of a dangerous black hole, "Cygnus X-1," closes the album on an unpredictable note, slightly comparable to the two extended songs on 1975's Caress of Steel. A Farewell to Kings successfully built on the promise of their breakthrough 2112, and helped broaden Rush's audience on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. ~ Greg Prato

Product Details

Release Date:	04/21/2015
Label:	Mercury / Virgin Emi
UPC:	0602547117632

Tracks

1. A Farewell to Kings
2. Xanadu
3. Closer to the Heart
4. Cinderella Man
5. Madrigal
6. Cygnus X-1

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Rush   Primary Artist
Dream Theater   Primary Artist
Big Wreck   Primary Artist
The Trews   Primary Artist
Alain Johannes   Primary Artist
Terry Brown   Spoken Word
Geddy Lee   Bass,Organ,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Bass Pedals,Lead Vocals,Synthesizer,Guitar (Bass),Guitar (12 String)
John Myung   Bass,Synthesizer
Jordan Rudess   Keyboards
Mike Mangini   Drums,Percussion
Alex Lifeson   Guitar,Bass Pedals,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Guitar (Classical),Guitar (12 String Acoustic),Guitar (12 String Electric)
James LaBrie   Vocals
John Petrucci   Guitar
Neil Peart   Bells,Drums,Chimes,Cowbell,Triangle,Bell Tree,Vibraslap,Temple Blocks,Tubular Bells,Orchestra Bells
David McMillan   Bass
Chuck Keeping   Drums
Ian Thornley   Guitar,Vocals

Technical Credits

Terry "Broon" Brown   Engineer
Terry Brown   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Ken Thomas   Mixing Assistant
Geddy Lee   Composer
Pat Moran   Engineer
Rush   Producer
Hugh Syme   Artwork,Art Direction
Richard Chycki   Mixing,Vocal Engineer
The Trews   Producer
Alain Johannes   Mixing,Composer,Producer
Alex Lifeson   Composer
John Michael Talbot   Composer
John Petrucci   Producer
Neil Peart   Composer,Wind Chimes
George Graves   Mastering
Fin Costello   Photography
Declan O'Doherty   Mixing Assistant
Yosh Inouye   Photography
Jason "Metal" Donkersgoed   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Bob King   Design Assistant
Peter Talbot   Composer
Darren "Jeter" Magierowski   Mixing,Engineer
James "Jimmy T" Meslin   Engineer
Jill Zimmermann   Assistant Engineer
Ian Thornley   Producer