Out today (May 29th) is the 40th anniversary deluxe version of Rush's 1980 Permanent Waves collection. The new set is available as a “super deluxe” edition, as well as a two-CD, triple-LP, and via digital formats. The 'Super Deluxe Edition' features two CD's, three 180-gram audiophile black vinyl LP's and a 40-page hardcover book filled with re-imagined artwork by original album designer Hugh Syme, unreleased photos from the band's archive, and an exclusive 12,000-plus-word essay.
Also included is a blank sheet of Le Studio letterhead, a 20-page 5-inch by 7-inch Le Studio notepad, two replica tour programs, along with three Neil Peart handwritten lyric sheet lithos, and three band member backstage laminates, among other collectibles.
Despite the support of key cities like Cleveland, radio play was rare for Rush during the first six or seven years of the group's career. Alex Lifeson told us that this led Rush to focus on a long-term career rather than hits: “In the early years, radio had very, very little interest in us. It really wasn't until 'The Spirit Of Radio,' 'Tom Sawyer' that we started to get any kind of half-decent airplay. And it was never an issue with us — we were more concerned about the album itself and doing it the way we believed it should be done, and not making any compromises to get a hit single.”
The tracklisting to the 40th anniversary edition of Rush's Permanent Waves:
Disc One: Permanent Waves
“The Spirit Of Radio”
“Freewill”
“Jacob’s Ladder”
“Entre Nous”
“Different Strings”
“Natural Science”
Disc Two: Live
“Beneath, Between & Behind” (Manchester)
“By-Tor & The Snow Dog” (London)
“Xanadu” (London)
“The Spirit Of Radio” (Manchester)
“Natural Science” (Manchester)
“The Trees” (Manchester)
“Cygnus X-1” (London)
“Cygnus X-1 Book II” (London)
“Closer To The Heart” (Manchester)
“Jacob’s Ladder” (Missouri)
“Freewill” (London)
