About Counterparts
Counterparts is the band’s 15th studio album, released on October 19, 1993.
Counterparts shows Rush returning to its guitar/bass/drum foundation, and becoming less dependent on synths and technology. This can be heard throughout, from the songwriting, to the performance, to the production. Counterparts also marks the return of co-producer Peter Collins, who produced Power Windows and Hold Your Fire before Rupert Hine stepped in and co-produced Presto and Roll The Bones.
The term ‘counterparts’ is described as both “duplicate” and “opposite” – a definition that so intrigued Neil that he contemplated to himself:
“…considered in this way, contraries are reflections of each other, and not necessarily contradictions.”
Instrumental track “Leave That Thing Alone” earned a Grammy nomination for “Best Instrumental”.
Credits
Produced by
Peter Collins and Rush
Recorded by
Mixed by
Mixed by Michael Letho
Assisted by Simon Pressey and Brett Zilahi
Arrangements
Rush and Peter Collins
Additional keyboards
John Webster
Mastering
Bob Ludwig
Gateway Studios
Portland, Maine
Management
Ray Danniels
SRO Management Inc.
Toronto
Executive Production
Anthem Entertainment
Liam Birt and Pegi Cecconi
Art Direction and Design
Photography
Liner Notes
Geddy Lee – Bass guitar, vocals, synthesizers
Alex Lifeson – Electric and acoustic guitars
Neil Peart – Drums, cymbals, electronic percussion
Recorded at Le Studio
Morin Heights, Quebec
April – June, 1993
Assisted by Simon Pressey
and
McClear Pathé, Toronto
Assisted by Bill Hermans
Orchestration on “Nobody’s Hero” arranged and conducted by Michael Kamen
Preproduction at Chalet Studio by Lerxst Sound, assisted by Everett Ravestein
The Three Stooges® & © 1993 Norman Maurer Productions, Inc., L.A., CA
Primate provided by Monkey Business, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Tour Manager and President: Liam Birt
Production Manager: Nick Kotos
Stage Manager: Skip Gildersleeve
Concert Sound Engineer: Robert Scovill
Lighting Director: Shawn Richardson
Stage Left Tech: Jimmy Joe Rhodes
Center Stage Tech: Larry Allen
Stage Right Tech: Jim Johnson
Keyboard Tech: Tony Geranios
Monitor Engineer: Bill Chrysler
Personal Assistant and Tour Photographer: Andrew MacNaughtan
Concert Sound: Electrotec: Ted Leamy, Larry (Kahuna) Vodopivec, Marc Tooch, David (H.B.) Stogner
Lighting: See Factor: Larry Hovick, Mike Frantz, Donny Lodico, JIm Floyd, Marty Capiraso, Mario Corsi, Simon Honner, Jack Funk, designed by Howard Ungerleider and Shawn Richardson
Vari-lites: Steve Owens, Stewart Felix, Kevin (Stick) Bye
Projectionist: Bob Montgomery
Concert Rigging: IMC: Billy Collins, Mike McDonald, Marc Renault, Simmaryin (Speed) Love
Laser: Laserlite FX: Charles Passarelli, John Popowycz
Carpenters: Elmer (Moe) Haggadone, George Steinert, Sal Marinello
Drivers: Tom (Witey) Whittaker, Arthur (Mac) MacLear, Tom Hartman, Stan Whittaker, Ron Sagnip, Danny Shelnut, Jim Dezwarte, Dave Cook, Red McBrine
Tour Merchandise: Mike McLoughlin, Shannon McLoughlin, Pat McLoughlin
Tour Accountants: Liam Birt & John Whitehead (Drysdale & Drysdale)
Booking Agencies: International Creative Management, NYC, The Agency Group, London, The Agency, Toronto
Assistance, inspiration, comic relief, and/or just plain friendly service provided by D.I.Y. Studios, Pooey’s Roadhouse, Chucklehead’s Comedy Café, Harvard Lampoon, B. Zee Brokers, Primus–Mr. Big–Eric Johnson (bands and crews), MST-3K, John K., Gamera (is turtle meat), Lesley & Harris, TJB, The Larry Sanders Show, Bryn Smith, Peter Zezel & THE LEAFS!!, Mark Langston & The Angels, 417th TAC Squadron, Ian Duff, midi-Scoozeball, Eat To The Beat caterers, John Forbes, Peter Brockbank, Neal Dibiase, the Claremont Triangle: Koodster, David, Caroline, Pooey–Studio Morin Heights: Judy, Simon, Peter, Francine, Ruth Sylvain–McClear Pathé: Bob, Bill, Jane, Tony, Pam, Suzanne, Nick & M.J., Cavedr’k & Josh–SRO: Ray, Pegi, Sheila, Kim, Kari, Anna, Bob–and our counterweights and counterparts: our families.
We appreciate technical assistance from Jim Burgess and Saved By Technology (or was it Destroyed by?), Wal basses, Paul Reed Smith guitars, Gallien-Krueger, Ludwig drums, Avedis Zildjian cymbals, and – Ω?
Brought to you buy the letter “?”
In Memory of Pat Lynes and Lee Tenner
© 1993 Atlantic Records
© 1993 Anthem Entertainment
Awards
Billboard 200
#2UK Albums Chart
#14Certified Gold by RIAA
December 7, 1993Animate
Music: Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson
Lyrics: Neil Peart
POLARIZE ME
SENSITIZE ME
CRITICIZE ME
CIVILIZE ME
COMPENSATE ME
ANIMATE ME
COMPLICATE ME
ELEVATE ME
Goddess in my garden
Sister in my soul
Angel in my armor
Actress in my role
Daughter of a demon-lover
Empress of the hidden face
Priestess of the pagan mother
Ancient queen of inner space
Spirit in my psyche
Double in my role
Alter in my image
Struggle for control
Mistress of the dark unconscious
Mermaid of the lunar sea
Daughter of the great enchantress
Sister to the boy inside of me
My counterpart — my foolish heart
A man must learn to rule his tender part
A warming trend — a gentle friend
A man must build a fortress to defend
A secret face — a touch of grace
A man must learn to give a little space
A peaceful state — a submissive trait
A man must learn to gently dominate