“Mystic Rhythms” by Rush, an acoustic cover by Mike Massé.
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Liner Notes:
I love Rush, and I love this song. This song is off their 1985 album “Power Windows”, which I adore. I was lucky enough to see that tour, as well. The idea to do an acoustic arrangement came to me one night when I had insomnia (mysteries of night…). I woke up and listened to this song, and it occurred to me that the key to an acoustic arrangement was to ignore the original guitar part almost entirely (sorry, Alex!), and focus on the (mystic) rhythm of the drums and bass, with the chords of the keyboards and the guitar. This allowed me to come up with an arrangement that carried the harmonic structure, but also the essential rhythm of the song (with some help from my stomp pedal). The actual guitar part is not very conducive to playing and singing at the same time rhythmically, which was the other barrier I’d encountered when attempting to arrange the song in past attempts. I do reference the guitar part in the instrumental sections towards the end.
The song is in E flat, so my guitar is tuned down a half step. But the original is not exactly at 440 Hz, so my guitar is little sharp to match the original. So if you try to play along with me, you’ll need to do the same.
When I start the second verse, “We sometimes catch a window, a glimpse of what’s beyond,” my camera decided on its own to adjust the exposure, emphasizing the lighting in the room. It almost makes it look like a bright “window” opens above me, offering “a glimpse of what’s beyond….” Or maybe that was just imagination stringing me along….
Love,
Mike
Thanks to Ovation Guitars for the beautiful Custom Legend. This is the “deep contour” version.
Thanks to Wild Dog Stomp pedals out of Australia for providing the awesome stomp. Here’s my model: https://www.wilddogstomp.com/products/bunyip/
And a big thanks to you for listening/watching, and for helping spread the music. (Hint: please share this!) 🙂
Mystic Rhythms – Rush Chords/Lyrics
Note from Mike: The song is in E flat minor, but I play it in E minor, tuned down a 1/2 step. The original recording is a little sharp, so I tuned my guitar to match the original for my recorded version.
Mystic Rhythms Rush Key: Em (tuned down 1/2 step, in Eb really) Em7 Em7 GM7 GM7/B Em7 So many things I think about GM7 GM7/B When I look far away Em7 Things I know, things I wonder GM7 GM7/B Things I'd like to say Em7 Em7 GM7 GM7/B Em7 The more we think we know about, GM7 GM7/B the greater the unknown Em7 We suspend our disbelief GM7 GM7/B and we are not alone CHORUS: D Mystic rhythms Em Capture my thoughts, carry them away Em Mysteries of the night D Escape the light of day Cadd9 Mystic rhythms, under northern lights Em Or the African sun D Em7 Primitive things stir the hearts of everyone Em7 Em7 GM7 GM7/B Em7 We sometimes catch a window GM7 GM7/B A glimpse of what's beyond Em7 Was it just imagination GM7 GM7/B stringing us along? Em7 More things than are dreamed about GM7 GM7/B Unseen and unexplained Em7 We suspend our disbelief GM7 and we are entertained CHORUS: D Mystic rhythms Em Capture my thoughts, carry them away Em Nature seems to spin D a supernatural way Cadd9 Mystic rhythms under city lights Em Or a canopy of stars D We feel the powers and wonder what they are Instrumental Break: Em7 Em7 GM7 G6 Em7 Em7 GM7 G6 Oh! Em7 Em7 GM7 GM7/B CHORUS: D Mystic rhythms Em Capture my thoughts, carry them away Em Mysteries of night D Escape the light of day Cadd9 Mystic rhythms under northern lights Em Or a canopy of stars D Em We feel the push and pull of restless rhythms from afar Em7 Em7 GM7 GM7/B Em7 Em7 GM7 GM7/B
Songwriters: Neil Peart/Alex Lifeson/Geddy Lee
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