AtomicCrimsonRush “Rush In Rio” is undoubtedly one of the best live records in the extensive Rush catalogue. Unlike some of the other live albums, this one features a lively crowd that insist on singing every line of every song and their enthusiasm is infectious. It always brings a warm feeling to hear them singing all the notes, even in the instrumentals. The album is of course available on DVD and this is definitely one of the best DVDs of the power trio along with “Snakes and Arrows Live”.

There is almost 3 solid hours of Rush here with A1 quality sound production and near perfect renditions of all their classics. Usually I watch this concert on DVD and the overall experience is a visual and aural feast. Listening to the tracks without the pretty pictures is naturally a totally new experience. Certain tracks jump out as highlights including Tom Sawyer, Freewill and Driven. 2112 is painfully edited down to a mere 6:52, but its still nice to hear it here. CD 3 is undoubtedly the best of the three featuring quintessential classics such as Limelight, the incomparable La villa strangiato that clocks 10 minutes, The spirit of radio, By-Tor and the snow dog, Cygnus X-1, a 13 minute epic, and my favourite Rush treasure Working man.

The packaging is excellent as usual and the overall mixing is perfection although at times the crowd are overbearing as loud and enthusiastic as a Rio crowd can be.

There are 2 unusual additions of board bootleg bonuses Between Sun & Moon, live from the Cricket Wireless Pavilion, Phoenix, Arizona, on September 27, 2002, and it culminates with Vital Signs recorded at Colisée Pepsi, Quebec City, PQ, on October 19, 2002. This concert is a lengthy but triumphant Rush paradise. The performances are faultless and it is full of energy and power from start to finish. Pick up the DVD at all costs which is even better!