Notes & Personnel Info |  | Rush: Geddy Lee (vocals, classical guitar, bass); Alex Lifeson (guitar); Neil Peart (drums). | | Recorded at Toronto Sound Studios, Toronto, Canada. | | All tracks have been digitally remastered. | | Personnel: Geddy Lee (vocals, guitar, classical guitar, keyboards, bass guitar); Alex Lifeson (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, 12-string guitar); Neil Peart (drums, percussion). | | Recording information: Toronto Sound Studios, Toronto, Canada. | | Photographer: Richard Fegley. | | Arrangers: Geddy Lee; Alex Lifeson; Neil Peart; Terry Brown. | | Prior to one of Rush's first U.S. tours, original drummer John Rutsey split from the band, since he wasn't prepared to commit to the band's rigorous touring schedule. And it proved to be a blessing in disguise, since his replacement was to become one of the most respected rock drummers of all time, Neil Peart, who would also steer the band towards success with more challenging material -- starting with Fly by Night. While the title track and the album-closing ballad, "In the End," still had Zeppelin roots, the album isn't as straightforward as the debut. Rush's first bona-fide classic, "Anthem," is included, while the over eight-minute "By-Tor and the Snow Dog" helped pave the way for the group's future epics ("2112," "Cygnus X-1," etc.), and introduced the fans to Peart's imaginative lyric writing, often tinged with science-fiction themes. The reflective and melodic "Making Memories" is an underrated early composition, while "Beneath, Between, & Behind" is a furious heavy rocker. Fly by Night may not be one of Rush's finest albums, but it is one of their most important -- it showed that the young band was leaving their Zep-isms behind in favor of a more challenging and original direction. ~ Greg Prato | | Rush's sophomore release FLY BY NIGHT has become a milestone in their recording career. Although such future releases as 2112, HEMISPHERES, PERMANENT WAVES, and MOVING PICTURES would be superior albums, FLY BY NIGHT signaled a change from Led Zep blues-rock to more original and challenging material. But most important of all, FLY BY NIGHT was drummer/lyricist Neil Peart's first recording with the band. Peart had replaced original member John Rutsey just in time for Rush's inaugural U.S. tour, and became an integral member by the time of FLY BY NIGHT's recording. | | Several early Rush classics can be found here. "Anthem" is a barnstorming opener merging a memorable, repetitive guitar riff with positive lyrics, while the title track is one of Rush's most pop-oriented compositions (second only to future hits "Closer To the Heart" and "Time Stand Still"). Also included are two tracks which turned out to be crowd favorites at Rush concerts for years to come- -the sci-fi epic "By-Tor and the Snow Dog" and the rocking ballad "In the End," while other highlights include "Beneath, Between, Behind" and the reflective "Making Memories." With FLY BY NIGHT, Rush had begun their journey towards becoming one of the world's finest hard rock bands. |
Producer: Geddy Lee; Alex Lifeson; Neil Peart; Rush; Terry Brown |
Engineer: Terry Brown |
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