Presto

November 1989 . 13th Studio Recording

A Show of Hands 1989 Roll the Bones 1991

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
  • Liner Notes
  • Awards/Chart Positions

Credits

Produced by

Rupert Hine and Rush

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

Hugh Syme

Photography

Scarpati

Wrabit Wrangler

Mark Demont
Fins, Feathers, and Furs

Portraits

Andrew MacNaughtan

Liner Notes

Alex Lifeson – Electric and acoustic guitars
Neil Peart – Drums and electronic percussion
Geddy Lee – Bass guitar, vocals, synthesizers


Le Studio
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 TechnologyWal bassesSignature GuitarsLudwig drumsAvedis Zildjian Cymbals, Solid Percussion, and–The Omega Concern.


© 1989 Atlantic Records
© 1989 Anthem Entertainment

Awards

Billboard 200
#16
UK Albums Chart
#27
Certified Gold by RIAA
January 11, 1990

Show 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