About Presto
Presto is Rush’s 13th studio album, released in 1989. It was recorded at Le Studio in Morin Heights and at McClear Place in Toronto. Presto was Rush’s first album with Atlantic Records, which the band signed to in early 1989 after a longstanding relationship with Mercury/PolyGram. It was co-produced by Rupert Hine, an English musician, songwriter and producer who had worked with Saga, The Fixx, Howard Jones, and Bob Geldof.
The album’s lyrical centerpiece is its atmospheric single ‘The Pass,” in which Neil addresses teenage isolation and the tragic romanticism of youth suicide.
“All of us get lost in the darkness; dreamers learn to steer by the stars”
One strange quirk at the time was the fact that the first side of Presto was much longer than the second, forcing Rush to instruct fans to play the A side much louder to compensate for sound loss.
Credits
Produced by
Rupert Hine and Rush
Engineer
Arrangements by
Rush and Rupert Hine
Additional keyboards
Rupert Hine
Jason Sniderman
Additional backround vocals
Rupert Hine
Mastering
Bob Ludwig
Masterdisk
NYC
Management
Ray Danniels
SRO Management Inc.
Executive Production
Moon Records
Val Azzoli and Liam Birt
Art Direction
Photography
Scarpati
Wrabit Wrangler
Mark Demont
Fins, Feathers, and Furs
Portraits
Liner Notes
Alex Lifeson – Electric and acoustic guitars
Neil Peart – Drums and electronic percussion
Geddy Lee – Bass guitar, vocals, synthesizers
Recorded at Le Studio
Morin Heights, Quebec
June-August 1989
Assisted by Simon Pressey and Jacques Deveau
and
McClear Place
Toronto
Assisted by Rick Andersen
Mixed at Metropolis
London
September 1989
Assisted by Matt Howe
Preproduction work at Chalet Studio, engineered by Lerxst
Assisted by Everett Ravenstein
Technical support from Liam Birt, Jack Secret, Jim Johnson, Larry Allen, and Jim Burgess, with continuing thanks to Herns, Skip, Nick, Whitey, Schatzie…and the rest.
A wave of the wand to:
At Chalet Studio: David, Chad Everett C. Koop, Camille, Charles, Röb, Pâül, Chester Sight and Sound, Chop Joneson’s Body Shop, Tomek, Scoozball, and the Psychedelic Shack.
At Le Studio: Richard, Simon, Jacques, Ginette, Linda, Richard Raccoon, Volleyball, The Mighty Gubus, The Whingies, and the Smitty Family.
At McClear Place: Bob, Rick, Robert Hinge, Stats Dooey, Ohe 2he. At Metropolis–Karen, mini-Matt, Mark, Catherine, and all the hospitable staff and management.
At SRO: Ray, Sheila, Pegi, Kim, and Evelyn (A Farewell To Val).
We also offer a tip of the magical hat to Natasha and Kingsley, Red and the 2-Bar, Doug Morris and Atlantic Records, Mike Roberts for the acorn of “Superconductor,” and a very special thank you to the Flemings: Peter, Jenny, Joe, and Alex, for their hospitality in London.
Brought to you buy the letter “D.”
We appreciate technical contributions from Saved By Technology, Wal basses, Signature Guitars, Ludwig drums, Avedis Zildjian Cymbals, Solid Percussion, and–The Omega Concern.
© 1989 Atlantic Records
© 1989 Anthem Entertainment
Awards
Billboard 200
#16UK Albums Chart
#27Certified Gold by RIAA
January 11, 1990Show Don’t Tell
Music: Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson
Lyrics: Neil Peart
how many times do you hear it?
it goes on all day long
everyone knows everything
and no one’s ever wrong
until later
who can you believe?
it’s hard to play it safe
but apart from a few good friends
we don’t take anything on faith
until later
Show Don’t Tell
SHOW ME DON’T TELL ME
You’ve figured out the score
SHOW ME DON’T TELL ME
I’ve heard it all before
SHOW ME DON’T TELL ME
I don’t care what you say
SHOW ME DON’T TELL ME
you can twist perceptions
reality won’t budge
you can raise objections
I will be the judge
and the jury
I’ll give it due reflection
watching from the fence
give the jury direction
based on the evidence
I, the jury
SHOW ME DON’T TELL ME
Hey – order in the court
SHOW ME DON’T TELL ME
Let’s try to keep it short
SHOW ME DON’T TELL ME
Enough of your demands
SHOW ME DON’T TELL ME
Witness take the stand
SHOW ME DON’T TELL ME
SHOW ME DON’T TELL ME
Hey – order in the court
SHOW ME DON’T TELL ME
Let’s try to keep it short
SHOW ME DON’T TELL ME
I don’t care what you say
SHOW ME DON’T TELL ME
Let’s see exhibit A