The guitar solo in UAGM was one of THE must-learn solos of that era, since it had nearly every trick in the book in it! Dream Theater was the band that first opened my ears and mind to the power of music, back in the early 90s, specifically the breakdown section of their song *"Take the Time"* . DT are the godfathers of a whole generation of prog bands. An oft-overlooked DT gem from James especially is *"Scarred."*
Alternate picking, legato runs, bluesy double-stops, sweeping, tapping, whammy-flutters.... It's simply jaw-dropping, even after all these years. And yes, I&E is, to this day, my favourite DT album, not the least because it has Kevin Moore.
Dream Theater is definitely one of the first prog-metal bands that we're all so used to nowadays. There might be similar bands doing it first, but this was one of the first times it's notably recognizable as the genre we see now
@@EgoShredder I never saw that one, actually. I always swore by the Andy Aledort transcriptions in Guitar for the Practicing Musician. I miss that mag...
@@revylokesh1783 agreed! I&W Is one of my shipwrecked on a desert island albums! Kevin Moore complemented Petrucci so seamlessly I just loved his melodies🤘
It's great to see LaBrie finally getting the recognition he deserves. He was a phenomenal vocalist in these early years, and his struggles after that are understandable. I'll also join in the chorus of those praising this solo. It's a masterpiece, and probably Petrucci's finest moment. As you said it just moves from one cool thing to another and weaves them together effortlessly and with such melodicism. It's also amazingly coherent for a solo that features such a dizzying diversity of techniques.
I personally prefer the one from lines in the sand but the solo from under a glass moon is very fun to learn. As you said, it contains most of the techniques you can encounter on distorded electric guitar solos: alternate picking, economy picking, sweeping, tapping, whammy bar and bar flutter...
So was it a case of bad technique? I mean his performance on images and words is incredible and here he's at his finest but his voice went pretty quickly. He now has it back but he's singing much more economically while still giving it to you without the harshness. I know there's a new surgical procedure for long time singers that really helps them get a second act if you will. David Coverdale got the surgery and his singing is crazy amazing good right now but without some of the beef.
@@MT-sk1ln As far as I can tell the only surgery Coverdale has gotten was to fix an inguinal hernia (aka your intestines squeezing out between your legs), which would only affect his voice in so far as generating too much pressure in his chest is probably bad for the hernia. I couldn't find anything relating to his vocal cords beyond having a lesion he had to just take time off for.
@@GrandHighGamer thanks for the Intel. Here's some further insight on his throat injury...Unfortunately, last night at the Red Rocks Amphitheater, Denver, Whitesnake had to cut their performance short due to Mr. Coverdale experiencing considerable pain in his vocal cords. He was immediately taken to a specialist for an examination. The specialist discovered that David was suffering from severe vocal fold edema and a left vocal fold vascular lesion". It looks like he just needed a long break but his vocal chord was in trouble at one point and they had to cut their tour with Judas Priest short.
The guitar and keyboard solos may have an "improvisational" feel, but in this video John Petrucci and Kevin Moore are playing the solos from the studio recording almost verbatim. Which is something of a skill in itself.
@@mattysxmusicxfiles9198 And according to the rest of the band, it probably would have not been included on Awake if they had known Moore was about to leave the band. But I agree; it's a beautiful song.
@@mattysxmusicxfiles9198 same, but I also think rudess added so many new flavours to DT's music that I think really suit the direction of their later albums
For decades we've gotten mountains upon mountains of praise for the four instrumentalists in Dream Theater...with the general public able to at least "grasp" how amazing they are technically. Your analysis of Metropolis and this song (along with your interview)...just makes me so happy that it's finally shedding a true sophisticated light onto how amazing LaBrie is...and has been all these years. This kind of attention has been long overdue for him! Thank you so much!
John. Well said. I can’t add anything to that. I can say Dream Theater with all of the original members is my favorite music from them. Mike Portnoy is the greatest drummer ever IMHO. Have to say the new song Alien is pretty cool 😎
Wait for Sleep + Learning To Live do these together, the studio versions, they are amazing. The first is one of the most beautiful short ballads I've heard, and the 2nd is a prog masterpiece that only gets better with each listen. Learning to Live may be a lot to fully take in on first listen, but it is a truly brilliant piece of music.
Love the guitar solo. I must admit since finding this channel, I am listening to groups I haven't heard of, or would not have listened to in the past. As a kid my stepmother wouldn't allow us to listen to groups like this, our radios were confiscated if we did. We were supposed to listen to easy listening, opera, and musicals. I find it amusing at 66 yrs old I am "discovering" heavy metal. Thank you Elizabeth for your awesome, in depth reactions.
Images and Words and Awake and performances like this, cemented their reputation as the most proficient band in rock&metal, with all of the members were considered top untouchable virtuosos. To the point that when they came to Greece, during their tour for promoting Falling Into Infinity (with Derek Sherinian on keyboards and LaBrie after the poisoning), they played at Lycabettus Theater in Athens (I was there), music schools bought tickets for the students because a Dream Theater live was considered essentially a seminar! That concert was historic and incredible by the way. Unforgettable.
I think of Kevin Moore as DT’s magic song-writing talisman. He wrote their (only) big hit Pull Me Under and he wrote such a variety of stuff: 6:00, Lie, Space Dye Vest, Surrounded, Wait for Sleep. His later Chroma Key and OSI stuff is great too. Especially the track Invisible Men, so subtle. I think he is a super underrated songwriter. I think he added a lot of melody and open space to their early sound.
I will always associate Kevin Moore with using the exact same keyboard line in two different songs and that really bothering me lol. But he is obviously great.
Kevin was the counterpart to the virtuoso madness. Portnoy also had a groove that balanced well with Petrucci's shredding. In the other hand, Ruddess and Mangini play like robots...
LaBrie's highest notes are in Learning to Live (F#5) and his best vocal work in DT: Another Day (E5), both in 1993 era. He's a monster in vocals on his prime.
You are doomed Elizabeth, but in a good way, once you hear Dream Theater once, you won’t rest, until you hear all of Dream Theater, their music is just so interesting and the execution juts perfect, I am looking forward to all of the analysis of what I am sure, will be a regular band on this channel form now on.
James' voice is really amazing. I hope you check out the interview after this as well where we get deep into his voice, his unfortunate accident in the 90s, and so much more!
Hi ESPETADO, this will be Elizabeth's 2nd reaction video. Her 1st was, "Metropolis pt. 1,": Here is a link if you haven't seen it yet: th-cam.com/video/QFiEtcuKiPA/w-d-xo.html And here is a link to Elizabeth's other reaction videos: th-cam.com/users/TheCharismaticVoicevideos Enjoy!
@@mistersmeagol259 She's gonna have to split that one into multiple parts. I have a hunch the full video will rival one of the Lord of the Rings films in length. :)
Score was one of their best live performances ever. Definitely their best live album. The version of innocence faded that I love, I believe is on that one.
Great comments - so many idiotic and / or ignorant Dream Theater 'fans' pick on James for his deterioration after the incidence and damage he sustained. They don't realise the EXTREME technical delivery, range, demands and performance he gave night after night - and just how ridiculous and unique a 'set' he has to content with. He is a wonderful , amazing, one off and the driving force behind the leading melody lines and dynamic movements of #dreamtheater I love James's vocals and as a singer I appreciate all his work, delivery and stunning handling and management of the band's oeuvre over the years. Magnificent, James! Bravo! #jameslabrie
Hi Elizabeth, this is my first time listening to this song, and I loved the performance. James' stage presence and vocals were phenomenal, Petrucci's guitar solo and Portnoy's drumming were incredible, and Myung's bass and Moore's keyboards style tied the song together, creating an amazing DT experience. Thank you, Elizabeth!!! 💙
They are amazing live. My favorite DT song will always be Space Dye Vest. His voice, in combination with Kevin Moore's (original keyboardist) , is utterly intense and the song is so deep. I recommend that one!!!
Scenes is their best record, but Awake is my favorite. I used to listen to it every day. And you're right. The lyrics and delivery in Space Dye Vest are crushing.
It was a real high moment of the concert when they started playing Space Dye Vest live a few years ago, after not playing since Kevin Moore left the band.
Space dye vest is really intense and it's even better if you listen to it live and that amp just boosts those deep sounds out. Lifting shadows is also great live for similar reasons, the sound just one-ups anything my set can produce and the little stuff the band does with the sound just works better. I love almost all the Moore era songs. That being said while I think that Moore is the more experimental songwriter and better at using atypical and electrical sounds (love OSI btw), I still think that Jordan Rudess is the better pianist and has his own share of glorious moments with the band. F.e. the in- and outro of count of Tuscany are incredibly beautiful.
Dream Theater is the ultimate band. Times signatures, voice recognition and range, and John's guitar playing,(my favorite).. drums are killer, not to forget the keys and bass as well. Just a polished band.
This performance is old enough that i remember buying this on VHS, but at least in HiFi, heh... it was my first exposure to live Dream Theater and I saw them for the first time not long after this and seen them many times since... such a great reaction and LOVED your interview with James this morning! Looking forward to you reacting to more DT!
Dream Theater is most definitely one of those bands that are just as entertaining live as they are in the studio. They are one of the few musical acts that can successfully transition into a free form Jazz Odyssey without you even realizing it happened.
DT has been one of my fav bands of all time and the reason why I started listening to prog metal and playing drums around 20 years ago. Thanks for these videos, I love to see the same reactions I usually get when I listen to them. I suggest you give a try to their song "Illumination Theory". That song blew my mind the first time I listened to it and it's still blowing it today. Love your channel, keep up the good work!
Labrie 's voice is one of the instruments of the band, and just as brilliant as the rest, no doubt about it. I can't imagine any other voice in this band!
I love this song! James’ vocals on the studio recording are outstanding. I’m sure it’s difficult to replicate that live, especially when performing an entire set list.
Even after over thirty years, this is still my favorite DT song. Saw them live in Baltimore in the early 90's. Still one of my favorite shows. Thanks for your review! Cheers!
This era of Labrie is legitimately one of the craziest voices ever in rock/metal. The stuff this guy recorded on Images & Words and Awake is absolutely INSANE. Once he blew his voice he was never the same (not really his fault), but this sound is just unbelievable...
Also worth mentioning just, Dream Theater in general with this lineup, is one of the greatest teams of musicians ever assembled. Songwriting, Musicianship, Knowledge, Performances. MAN this era of Dream Theater has never really been replicated, by themselves or any other artist I've ever found since.
I love Labrie but how was it not his fault? He continued singing despite doctor's recommendation after the food poisoning. Even if the food poisoning thing had as huge of an impact as he claims (which is questionable) he clearly wasn't taking care of his voice using bad technique and overusing his voice with the rasp he added
So much to say- John P mixes jazz, blues, and classical arpeggios into everything. Kevin is def my fav keys guy they had. He has such a great sense of melody.
There're pretty amazing news. Roy Khan will be one of the vocalists for Arjen Lukassen's project: Star One. A dream come true after 13 years of waiting.
This album was my first introduction to DT, and is still my favorite. It's one I can listen to all the way through, over and over and it never gets old.
Illumination Theory live at the Boston Opera House is completely mindblowing and a must watch. I would love your analysis on a 20-min epic from 2014, with James delivering one of his most memorable performaces in the Mangini era (imo).
Dream Theater is basically what happens when you get every musician who is a master at their craft all into one band. I just love your enthusiasm and appreciation for every single member and their instrument, not JUST the vocalist. Your videos are so entertaining to watch and I love to see the raw, unadulterated joy in your expressions and analysis of each song that you react to. Finally, congratulations to you and your husband on the new baby! This is definitely one of my top 3 favorite reaction channels.
The spirit carries on live at Score would be the epitome of Dream Theater. Vocally, instrumentally and in terms of composition this is the best you can get out of that formula. It would be a dream come true to see you being in awe after that listening. Greetings from Transylvania, Elizabeth!
like so much your insights about singer stances and gestures that might seem casual or just "theatrical" and we find out to be actual singing technique instead. Thank you for that!
Metropolis Pt II: Scenes From A Memory is a spectacular record and best absorbed in a single listen. If you're picking standalone tracks though, The Spirit Carries On will legitimately give you chills.
You have summed this up brilliantly at the end and you now get Dream Theater. All the musicians are fully top draw and they have always been on point when I have seen the live. Seen them 18 times and they always give 100%, depending on whether this is a huge stage at a concert or small venue like Ronnie Scott's Jazz club.
I had the pleasure of seeing the Under A Glass Moon tour in Detroit. No bands were playing anything like this when Dream Theater released the album. In terms of live rock shows, It blew everything else off the map. The album was amazing, but the live show really sealed the deal. It wasn't studio trickery, these guys were even better live than their studio album.
Thank you for teaching me what vowel modification is. All this time I just thought it was singers singing the words really weirdly, but I get it now. I have much more appreciation for singers!!
One of their best. Nominated for one of the top 500 guitar solos of all time. The album version is still the best for James' voice but this one kicks ass also.....DT opened so many doors for me. One of the greats and classy gents also....
Amazing that you could talk with James! Thank you so much!There's a concert in youtube of Dream Theater in Minneapolis 1994, right before the incident. James is on fire that night! Highly recommended to any DT fans out there
John Petrucci is my absolute favorite guitarist, and it's because he wears his influences on his sleeve, but it's ultimately a slave to an overall melody. It's almost like he's speaking a language of his making by using words from every language.
What I love about Petrucci is that he can do it all - he can do fast, technically complex passages, but he also knows how to make his instrument sing. And it always works within the context of the song.
@@jacobhumphrey3535 it's an old trope, but he truly does not get recognition. His riffing is so good. His solos are wild...but his writing is absolutely beautiful. "V" is so crazy good....
Do you want to know why they're so good? Dream Theater was formed in Massachusetts in 1985 when guitarist John Petrucci, bassist John Myung, and drummer Mike Portnoy decided to form a band while attending the Berklee College of Music. James was brought on board later.. he's from Canada like so many great singers..
Amazing analysis it's great James finally gets some praise for how talented he is. I would go either softer with 'The Spirit Carries on' or heavier with "As I Am" but there is really no wrong answer for picking Dream theater songs
John Arch from Fates Warnings first 3 albums has the most solid and highest tessitura ive ever heard. He's considered one of the greatest metal vocalists of all time in a lot of circles despite being in a niche band for only a few years in the 80s. He was actually dream theaters first pick to sing for them when they were starting out as he was based in the east coast where the dream theater guys are from, but he got out of music at that time to focus on his newly started family. Check out Fata Morgana to see a full display of his unbelievable abilities. People compare him to Geoff Tate a lot but his vocal lines are far more creative and demanding as the band was far more progressive, and he does crazy octave jumping frequently throughout most of his lines. And he like Kiske has retained 100% of his ability and sings the same way he did note for note as he did 40 years ago. There's a great live video from a few years ago of them playing Fata Morganaat Keep it True. Hes in his mid 50s on that performance but it's note for note how it is on the studio version from 86. They're a lesser known band from that time period but they're regarded as the godfathers of prog metal with their first album Night on Brocken coming out in 84 a few months after Queensryches first album The Warning. Again theyre lesser known to a general audience but to older metal fans who lived the era or to ones who studied up on their metal history these guys are legendary. The Apparition is my personal favorite track by them.
Dream Theater are to rock what the Miles Davis Quintet was to jazz. Untouchable. Still are. Some other bands have come closer, but these lads have been on a league of their own since the early nineties. Love seeing younger generations discovering them, some 30 odd years later.
One of the things I love most about Dream Theater is they're so talented and atmospheric that you can really focus in and jam out to their music or just keep them on in the background to set a vibe. More than most other bands, I really do see images and words when I listen to them (pun 100% intended). :)
Dream theater has been my favorite band going on 20 years now. Such a treat to see someone as knowledgeable as yourself experience this for the first time. I love that you demonstrate a genuine interest in the instrumental parts as well as the vocal performance. The total package is what makes DT as special as they are.
Dream Theater is amazing group. I'd been meaning to suggest them to you for a long time but there are so many songs to choose from. I'm really glad you have taken a listen to them.
This solo is absolute gorgeous. But that's because John Petrucci is one of the most talented man ever to pick up a guitar. He is absolutely AMAZING, and a reference for like...every guitar player in the world. But overall Dream Theater has some of the greatest players in the world. Seriously, between John Petrucci, John Myung, Derek Sherinian, Mike Portnoy and later Jordan Rudess and Mike Mangini...these guys are absolute monsters
I have a couple sound engineer friends and the way live concerts are captured & mixed now versus when this performance was recorded is night and day. I love this song but the dynamic range is so muddy. Compare this to a 2000s era DT concert or how Nighwish sounds live. Glad we have advanced audio technology. The part where you are impressed that James is running and singing is even more impressive when you realize he doesn't have in-ear monitors.
They didn't have IEMs, but they did get a speaker blasting sound back at them, right? Not as good, and terrible for your hearing, but still not the same as beating totally deaf.
Had this VHS when younger. I played it more times than i can count. Mike is my favorite drummer, and DT is my favorite band. This performance is so great and it'll always have a place in my heart!
Dream Theater made me jump into a progressive universe at the time. No regrets whatsoever! As for suggestions: Symphony X - Paradise Lost or The Odyssey
More than 22 years after first hearing this song, it remains a serious contender for favorite song of all time. Really has it all - the lush, airy chord voicings that make for such great atmosphere, the rhythmic modulations and groove that make your head hurt - and the face-melting instrumental parts. I spent so long learning and improving that guitar solo - that's definitely among my top 3 solos of all time... and good for practicing *loads* of techniques... and most of all - it sounds amazingly beautiful.
My favourite song from my favourite album, this was the first cd I bought and if Portnoy is drumming in this I will be there 😎! Looking forward to watching DT next year, ticket bought and raring to go!!!
love it elizabeth! you surely are going to enjoy watching the full live in tokio show, I saw this show on VHS a few (LOL) years ago and it changed my life, to this day DT is my favorite band in the world!
I love Dream Theater and have since those long-ago days when I was 17 and blundered into them on the radio. But I would love to hear your take on “The Mirror”, which is amongst my favorite Dream Theater songs.
You really need to do Jeff Buckley after this. If you want to get chills from someone just hanging out all comfortable in that higher range, just listen to his live performance of Grace. You will be hooked.
If there's any singer I'm looking forward to being recommended it's Jeff. Not just because of the hanging out in the higher range, but also because of the emotion he puts in his performances (much of what draws me to Chris Cornell too)
Gidday Liz, if you haven’t done so already,I would love yo watch your reaction to Count of Tuscany. Absolutely EPIC song, especially when JP's solo segues into the organ almost seamlessly. Gives me goosebumps EVERY time! Luv from down under!
My favorite LaBrie pieces are the studio version of "A Nightmare to Remember" from the Black Clouds and Silver Linings album (which also has an excellent cover of Stargazer), and the live version of "Trial of Tears" from Once in a Live Time. That was during his food poisoning recovery, but he still nailed that song.
I was watching Megadeth @ The Webster Theater in Hartford, CT in the early 2000s. I had my arm rested on the security barricade in the front row & Mike Portnoy was on the other side of the barrier with his hand rested next to my arm. I have been into this band since the mid 90s so I knew it was him. I said, "Hey are you Mike?". And he replied, "Mike Portnoy from Dream Theater". We shook hands as an introduction & then both just enjoyed the show.
Peak output from everyone... my only advice when listening is to remember to breathe during their solos (lots of holding your breath while listening to everyone's performances)!
My favourite DT song! LaBrie's voice was better in the studio album though! A shame his vocal cord was injured some time later. I have always felt he adapted to a more growly belting voice later on.
Don't know if you will see this, but to hear James at his very best, like absolute PEAK, you should look up on here the Home Sweet Home dt live 1992 show. It's absolutely incredible. Particularly when he sings The Killing Hand
The Count of Tuscany is is one of the best shows of their musical ability. That whole song is just gorgeous, masterfully written and laid out. And it tells a very interesting story from a single point of view
Portnoy has to be one of the best drummers ever.. he stepped in perfectly for Rev in A7X and arin llejay. Probably 2 of the best.. will never agree with a7x firing llejay and replace him with wackerman... gimme a break
We love your thoughtful analysis and appreciation. Thanks 🙏! Recommend ‘wait for sleep’ and ‘learning to live’ as a whole song because of the crossover themes and musical ideas which you (and we) will love and James sounds angelic of course.
I'm going to throw in the suggestion of Violet Orlandi's Wicked Game cover, it's probably her best vocals to date, and I'd love to see you check out more of the HCU now that you started with Jonathan Young.
We just released merchandise! Check out the full line-up here: thecharismaticmerch.com
No thanks.. :-)
Want to hear some time changes? Listen to/watch their Instrumedley from their Live At Budokan show😅
I want to see ur reaction to steelheart I'll never let u go. G5 is up there
@@tb1263 jajaja
Octavarium live versión 2008... Beleive me 🙏. Any ways. 😅 Grettings from chileeee. Love you......
"Everyone looks so much younger..." except John Myung
He is ageless.
Guy is on nearly Paul Rudd levels of ageless ess
John Myung = Alien
@@Grki111 He's also toneless.
John doesn't age he still looks like a toddler
The guitar solo in UAGM was one of THE must-learn solos of that era, since it had nearly every trick in the book in it! Dream Theater was the band that first opened my ears and mind to the power of music, back in the early 90s, specifically the breakdown section of their song *"Take the Time"* . DT are the godfathers of a whole generation of prog bands. An oft-overlooked DT gem from James especially is *"Scarred."*
I loved the keyboard solo a lot
Alternate picking, legato runs, bluesy double-stops, sweeping, tapping, whammy-flutters.... It's simply jaw-dropping, even after all these years.
And yes, I&E is, to this day, my favourite DT album, not the least because it has Kevin Moore.
Dream Theater is definitely one of the first prog-metal bands that we're all so used to nowadays. There might be similar bands doing it first, but this was one of the first times it's notably recognizable as the genre we see now
@@EgoShredder I never saw that one, actually. I always swore by the Andy Aledort transcriptions in Guitar for the Practicing Musician. I miss that mag...
@@revylokesh1783 agreed! I&W Is one of my shipwrecked on a desert island albums! Kevin Moore complemented Petrucci so seamlessly I just loved his melodies🤘
It's great to see LaBrie finally getting the recognition he deserves. He was a phenomenal vocalist in these early years, and his struggles after that are understandable. I'll also join in the chorus of those praising this solo. It's a masterpiece, and probably Petrucci's finest moment. As you said it just moves from one cool thing to another and weaves them together effortlessly and with such melodicism. It's also amazingly coherent for a solo that features such a dizzying diversity of techniques.
I personally prefer the one from lines in the sand but the solo from under a glass moon is very fun to learn.
As you said, it contains most of the techniques you can encounter on distorded electric guitar solos: alternate picking, economy picking, sweeping, tapping, whammy bar and bar flutter...
So was it a case of bad technique? I mean his performance on images and words is incredible and here he's at his finest but his voice went pretty quickly. He now has it back but he's singing much more economically while still giving it to you without the harshness. I know there's a new surgical procedure for long time singers that really helps them get a second act if you will. David Coverdale got the surgery and his singing is crazy amazing good right now but without some of the beef.
Not good vocalist, been in concerts, 😞
@@MT-sk1ln As far as I can tell the only surgery Coverdale has gotten was to fix an inguinal hernia (aka your intestines squeezing out between your legs), which would only affect his voice in so far as generating too much pressure in his chest is probably bad for the hernia. I couldn't find anything relating to his vocal cords beyond having a lesion he had to just take time off for.
@@GrandHighGamer thanks for the Intel. Here's some further insight on his throat injury...Unfortunately, last night at the Red Rocks Amphitheater, Denver, Whitesnake had to cut their performance short due to Mr. Coverdale experiencing considerable pain in his vocal cords. He was immediately taken to a specialist for an examination. The specialist discovered that David was suffering from severe vocal fold edema and a left vocal fold vascular lesion". It looks like he just needed a long break but his vocal chord was in trouble at one point and they had to cut their tour with Judas Priest short.
"Sounds like a riff from Judas Priest..." says the opera singer. Love it.
The guitar and keyboard solos may have an "improvisational" feel, but in this video John Petrucci and Kevin Moore are playing the solos from the studio recording almost verbatim. Which is something of a skill in itself.
I love Rudess but Kevin Moore had a style all his own that I miss. Space-Dye Vest is an amazing track.
@@mattysxmusicxfiles9198 And according to the rest of the band, it probably would have not been included on Awake if they had known Moore was about to leave the band. But I agree; it's a beautiful song.
@@DinsdalePiranha67 yep, I remember reading about that. Glad it made it to the album.
@@mattysxmusicxfiles9198 same, but I also think rudess added so many new flavours to DT's music that I think really suit the direction of their later albums
@@c0hink176 I agree with that.
90'-93' James was phenomenal ... his range was incredible ! And UAGM is one of my favourite song from this stratospheric band !
For decades we've gotten mountains upon mountains of praise for the four instrumentalists in Dream Theater...with the general public able to at least "grasp" how amazing they are technically. Your analysis of Metropolis and this song (along with your interview)...just makes me so happy that it's finally shedding a true sophisticated light onto how amazing LaBrie is...and has been all these years. This kind of attention has been long overdue for him! Thank you so much!
John. Well said. I can’t add anything to that. I can say Dream Theater with all of the original members is my favorite music from them. Mike Portnoy is the greatest drummer ever IMHO. Have to say the new song Alien is pretty cool 😎
Labrie was always expected to do incredible from day 1 since he joined an incredible band, he's been hanging on tight for decades. Props.
@@alex0589 or shall we say prog instead? Big prog!
@@johnroberts1009 Do you mean that you prefer Dominici to Labrie?
Agreed!!!
Wait for Sleep + Learning To Live
do these together, the studio versions, they are amazing.
The first is one of the most beautiful short ballads I've heard, and the 2nd is a prog masterpiece that only gets better with each listen.
Learning to Live may be a lot to fully take in on first listen, but it is a truly brilliant piece of music.
Second this
Love the guitar solo. I must admit since finding this channel, I am listening to groups I haven't heard of, or would not have listened to in the past. As a kid my stepmother wouldn't allow us to listen to groups like this, our radios were confiscated if we did. We were supposed to listen to easy listening, opera, and musicals. I find it amusing at 66 yrs old I am "discovering" heavy metal. Thank you Elizabeth for your awesome, in depth reactions.
That's really wonderful to hear. Discovering new music/bands is perhaps one of the underappreciated 'side-effects' of following channels such as this.
This guitar solo is one if not his best. Check out this version: th-cam.com/video/4KcTYTZRqtQ/w-d-xo.html There you can see it even better. Enjoy!
I'm also sure you are ready for the big ride, Diane ;-)
Octavarium: th-cam.com/video/2gf8_kVS1OE/w-d-xo.html
@@traumadiffuser3705 thank you so much for the link, I really enjoyed listening to such a talented band.
@@dianesparrow1592 You're most welcome!
Images and Words and Awake and performances like this, cemented their reputation as the most proficient band in rock&metal, with all of the members were considered top untouchable virtuosos. To the point that when they came to Greece, during their tour for promoting Falling Into Infinity (with Derek Sherinian on keyboards and LaBrie after the poisoning), they played at Lycabettus Theater in Athens (I was there), music schools bought tickets for the students because a Dream Theater live was considered essentially a seminar! That concert was historic and incredible by the way. Unforgettable.
So jealous!
Ήμουν εκεί αδερφέ , πιτσιρικας τότε κ απλά δέος
Ο ήχος βέβαια όχι ότι καλυτερο
Ή επόμενη στο beach volley ήταν κι αυτή εμπειρία ζωής...
This is to me the best solo Petrucci ever written.
I'll drink to that!
I agree!
Dude! What about Best of times?
There is no such thing as best petrucci solo.
For some reason I always loved Kevin Moore’s stage presence, he had a relaxed feeling while playing his keys. I still miss him with the band.
Yeah I don't think the sudden fame was for him, but he was great also
I think of Kevin Moore as DT’s magic song-writing talisman. He wrote their (only) big hit Pull Me Under and he wrote such a variety of stuff: 6:00, Lie, Space Dye Vest, Surrounded, Wait for Sleep. His later Chroma Key and OSI stuff is great too. Especially the track Invisible Men, so subtle. I think he is a super underrated songwriter. I think he added a lot of melody and open space to their early sound.
@@jamieh4086 He didn't care for the fame, but even less for the new music they made.
I will always associate Kevin Moore with using the exact same keyboard line in two different songs and that really bothering me lol. But he is obviously great.
Kevin was the counterpart to the virtuoso madness. Portnoy also had a groove that balanced well with Petrucci's shredding. In the other hand, Ruddess and Mangini play like robots...
LaBrie's highest notes are in Learning to Live (F#5) and his best vocal work in DT: Another Day (E5), both in 1993 era. He's a monster in vocals on his prime.
You are doomed Elizabeth, but in a good way, once you hear Dream Theater once, you won’t rest, until you hear all of Dream Theater, their music is just so interesting and the execution juts perfect, I am looking forward to all of the analysis of what I am sure, will be a regular band on this channel form now on.
James' voice is really amazing. I hope you check out the interview after this as well where we get deep into his voice, his unfortunate accident in the 90s, and so much more!
Hi ESPETADO, this will be Elizabeth's 2nd reaction video. Her 1st was, "Metropolis pt. 1,": Here is a link if you haven't seen it yet: th-cam.com/video/QFiEtcuKiPA/w-d-xo.html And here is a link to Elizabeth's other reaction videos: th-cam.com/users/TheCharismaticVoicevideos Enjoy!
Yeah hard to not chase the rabbit.
Just wait til she hears the rock opera/oratorio that is *"Metropolis, Pt. II: Scenes From A Memory"* . The liner notes even have a libretto. 🤓
@@mistersmeagol259 She's gonna have to split that one into multiple parts. I have a hunch the full video will rival one of the Lord of the Rings films in length. :)
The Score live version is awesome also. James’ performance from that concert was great!
Yeah that one is better
I didnt know what to think about this one
Not really good
Score was one of their best live performances ever. Definitely their best live album. The version of innocence faded that I love, I believe is on that one.
Score was heavily pitch corrected. This is 100% live
Great comments - so many idiotic and / or ignorant Dream Theater 'fans' pick on James for his deterioration after the incidence and damage he sustained. They don't realise the EXTREME technical delivery, range, demands and performance he gave night after night - and just how ridiculous and unique a 'set' he has to content with. He is a wonderful , amazing, one off and the driving force behind the leading melody lines and dynamic movements of #dreamtheater I love James's vocals and as a singer I appreciate all his work, delivery and stunning handling and management of the band's oeuvre over the years. Magnificent, James! Bravo! #jameslabrie
The first time I've seen a vocal coach really get into the guitar solo. And it's the one and only Under A Glass Moon solo. THANK YOU!!
Hi Elizabeth, this is my first time listening to this song, and I loved the performance. James' stage presence and vocals were phenomenal, Petrucci's guitar solo and Portnoy's drumming were incredible, and Myung's bass and Moore's keyboards style tied the song together, creating an amazing DT experience. Thank you, Elizabeth!!! 💙
It's really an amazing experience! Thanks to all who suggested it! ❤
Elizabeth: I wonder what time signature changes DT has in store for us.
Dream Theater: Yes
All of them!
@@danlc95 jajajajajaj this is far, the best comment 🤣
Really how many time signature changes, lol
Lol exactly
DT Songs don't have time signature changes,
they are time-fluid, like a continuum :D
They are amazing live.
My favorite DT song will always be Space Dye Vest. His voice, in combination with Kevin Moore's (original keyboardist) , is utterly intense and the song is so deep. I recommend that one!!!
Scenes is their best record, but Awake is my favorite. I used to listen to it every day. And you're right. The lyrics and delivery in Space Dye Vest are crushing.
Space Dye Vest is a total masterpiece by Kevin Moore
Awake is the DT album I listen to the most and Space Dye Vest is a wonderful closer ....
It was a real high moment of the concert when they started playing Space Dye Vest live a few years ago, after not playing since Kevin Moore left the band.
Space dye vest is really intense and it's even better if you listen to it live and that amp just boosts those deep sounds out. Lifting shadows is also great live for similar reasons, the sound just one-ups anything my set can produce and the little stuff the band does with the sound just works better. I love almost all the Moore era songs.
That being said while I think that Moore is the more experimental songwriter and better at using atypical and electrical sounds (love OSI btw), I still think that Jordan Rudess is the better pianist and has his own share of glorious moments with the band. F.e. the in- and outro of count of Tuscany are incredibly beautiful.
That Dream Theater era was incredible. And LaBrie was untouchable.
Petrucci is such a beast! Like he pulled that solo off in such a clean studio like way- most impressive.
My Favorite Dream Theater song of all time. Broken down by the best.
So would you say that you're over the moon about it?
Thank you, Seth! I wanted to find something before James' vocal injury, and this seemed the best fit!
@@TheCharismaticVoice I couldn't have chosen better myself my friend excellent job!
@@TheCharismaticVoice You should really give Another Day a try th-cam.com/video/W1CQePWo1t0/w-d-xo.html
Dream Theater is the ultimate band. Times signatures, voice recognition and range, and John's guitar playing,(my favorite).. drums are killer, not to forget the keys and bass as well. Just a polished band.
I love to see people discover Dream Theater. "A change of seasons" is wonderfull. "Learning to live" is the ultimate show-off.
This performance is old enough that i remember buying this on VHS, but at least in HiFi, heh... it was my first exposure to live Dream Theater and I saw them for the first time not long after this and seen them many times since... such a great reaction and LOVED your interview with James this morning! Looking forward to you reacting to more DT!
I had the VHS as well! The tape got all messed up during John's solo in this song as I tried to figure out how to play it. 😣
Dream Theater is most definitely one of those bands that are just as entertaining live as they are in the studio. They are one of the few musical acts that can successfully transition into a free form Jazz Odyssey without you even realizing it happened.
DT has been one of my fav bands of all time and the reason why I started listening to prog metal and playing drums around 20 years ago. Thanks for these videos, I love to see the same reactions I usually get when I listen to them. I suggest you give a try to their song "Illumination Theory". That song blew my mind the first time I listened to it and it's still blowing it today. Love your channel, keep up the good work!
Labrie 's voice is one of the instruments of the band, and just as brilliant as the rest, no doubt about it. I can't imagine any other voice in this band!
Love Dream Theater!
Looking forward to the interview with James too!
I love this song! James’ vocals on the studio recording are outstanding. I’m sure it’s difficult to replicate that live, especially when performing an entire set list.
I thought his vocals were truly outstanding on this live version too! Love the variation and on point af
Great album , but 4 me his vocal is lacking of drama not to say he is horrible live .
@@Gevoltful poche band eguagliano i dream theater live. poche
And this was the first song
Even after over thirty years, this is still my favorite DT song. Saw them live in Baltimore in the early 90's. Still one of my favorite shows. Thanks for your review! Cheers!
This era of Labrie is legitimately one of the craziest voices ever in rock/metal. The stuff this guy recorded on Images & Words and Awake is absolutely INSANE. Once he blew his voice he was never the same (not really his fault), but this sound is just unbelievable...
Also worth mentioning just, Dream Theater in general with this lineup, is one of the greatest teams of musicians ever assembled. Songwriting, Musicianship, Knowledge, Performances. MAN this era of Dream Theater has never really been replicated, by themselves or any other artist I've ever found since.
I love Labrie but how was it not his fault? He continued singing despite doctor's recommendation after the food poisoning. Even if the food poisoning thing had as huge of an impact as he claims (which is questionable) he clearly wasn't taking care of his voice using bad technique and overusing his voice with the rasp he added
So much to say- John P mixes jazz, blues, and classical arpeggios into everything. Kevin is def my fav keys guy they had. He has such a great sense of melody.
There're pretty amazing news. Roy Khan will be one of the vocalists for Arjen Lukassen's project: Star One. A dream come true after 13 years of waiting.
WOW!!!
Amazing what one can learn just from reading the comments!
This is excellent news!
And the first track was released today!
This album was my first introduction to DT, and is still my favorite. It's one I can listen to all the way through, over and over and it never gets old.
completely agree! same thing here, that was my first taste of dt and a turning point in my life.
Images and Words is one of the greatest albums of all time. It's up there with Moving Pictures.
Wonderful analysis. More Dream Theater please
Illumination Theory live at the Boston Opera House is completely mindblowing and a must watch. I would love your analysis on a 20-min epic from 2014, with James delivering one of his most memorable performaces in the Mangini era (imo).
Guess I finally found the best reaction channel. Thank you Elizabeth, your videos always make my day!!
Dream Theater is basically what happens when you get every musician who is a master at their craft all into one band. I just love your enthusiasm and appreciation for every single member and their instrument, not JUST the vocalist. Your videos are so entertaining to watch and I love to see the raw, unadulterated joy in your expressions and analysis of each song that you react to. Finally, congratulations to you and your husband on the new baby! This is definitely one of my top 3 favorite reaction channels.
The spirit carries on live at Score would be the epitome of Dream Theater. Vocally, instrumentally and in terms of composition this is the best you can get out of that formula. It would be a dream come true to see you being in awe after that listening. Greetings from Transylvania, Elizabeth!
Live Scenes From NY is where it's at for me for The Spirit Carries On.
like so much your insights about singer stances and gestures that might seem casual or just "theatrical" and we find out to be actual singing technique instead. Thank you for that!
Her reaction JP’s solo is awesome!
take the time from the same concert it's a MUST! Beautiful piece and performance!
Metropolis Pt II: Scenes From A Memory is a spectacular record and best absorbed in a single listen. If you're picking standalone tracks though, The Spirit Carries On will legitimately give you chills.
@xGarettx it would make a great live stream.
You have summed this up brilliantly at the end and you now get Dream Theater. All the musicians are fully top draw and they have always been on point when I have seen the live. Seen them 18 times and they always give 100%, depending on whether this is a huge stage at a concert or small venue like Ronnie Scott's Jazz club.
I had the pleasure of seeing the Under A Glass Moon tour in Detroit. No bands were playing anything like this when Dream Theater released the album. In terms of live rock shows, It blew everything else off the map. The album was amazing, but the live show really sealed the deal. It wasn't studio trickery, these guys were even better live than their studio album.
Thank you for teaching me what vowel modification is. All this time I just thought it was singers singing the words really weirdly, but I get it now. I have much more appreciation for singers!!
One of their best. Nominated for one of the top 500 guitar solos of all time. The album version is still the best for James' voice but this one kicks ass also.....DT opened so many doors for me. One of the greats and classy gents also....
Amazing that you could talk with James! Thank you so much!There's a concert in youtube of Dream Theater in Minneapolis 1994, right before the incident. James is on fire that night! Highly recommended to any DT fans out there
I saw it and was amazing. I believe it was a bit before they rolled in to San Antonio and played the Majestic Theater on Nov 14, 1994 (awesome show).
Best guitar solo of all time, and an amazing song surrounding it
Welcome to the party, your reaction is the graphical description of how many of us fell in love with them back in the days!!
I love Dream Theater. You could hear Daniel Gildenlow from Pain of Salvation
PAIN OF SALVATION WOULD BE SOOOOO LEGIT!!!!!!
Hello Elizabeth this is great a good sound, strong!!😊⚘👍
John Petrucci is my absolute favorite guitarist, and it's because he wears his influences on his sleeve, but it's ultimately a slave to an overall melody. It's almost like he's speaking a language of his making by using words from every language.
He's speaking the language of gods with his guitar
What I love about Petrucci is that he can do it all - he can do fast, technically complex passages, but he also knows how to make his instrument sing. And it always works within the context of the song.
Have you dudes ever heard Michael Romeo? …. Or Symphony X?
@@Squidz66 oh yeah. Huge fan. Paradise Lost is in my Mt Rushmore of concept albums.
@@jacobhumphrey3535 it's an old trope, but he truly does not get recognition.
His riffing is so good. His solos are wild...but his writing is absolutely beautiful.
"V" is so crazy good....
Do you want to know why they're so good? Dream Theater was formed in Massachusetts in 1985 when guitarist John Petrucci, bassist John Myung, and drummer Mike Portnoy decided to form a band while attending the Berklee College of Music. James was brought on board later.. he's from Canada like so many great singers..
Amazing analysis it's great James finally gets some praise for how talented he is. I would go either softer with 'The Spirit Carries on' or heavier with "As I Am" but there is really no wrong answer for picking Dream theater songs
She is stunning.
John Arch from Fates Warnings first 3 albums has the most solid and highest tessitura ive ever heard. He's considered one of the greatest metal vocalists of all time in a lot of circles despite being in a niche band for only a few years in the 80s. He was actually dream theaters first pick to sing for them when they were starting out as he was based in the east coast where the dream theater guys are from, but he got out of music at that time to focus on his newly started family. Check out Fata Morgana to see a full display of his unbelievable abilities. People compare him to Geoff Tate a lot but his vocal lines are far more creative and demanding as the band was far more progressive, and he does crazy octave jumping frequently throughout most of his lines. And he like Kiske has retained 100% of his ability and sings the same way he did note for note as he did 40 years ago. There's a great live video from a few years ago of them playing Fata Morganaat Keep it True. Hes in his mid 50s on that performance but it's note for note how it is on the studio version from 86. They're a lesser known band from that time period but they're regarded as the godfathers of prog metal with their first album Night on Brocken coming out in 84 a few months after Queensryches first album The Warning. Again theyre lesser known to a general audience but to older metal fans who lived the era or to ones who studied up on their metal history these guys are legendary. The Apparition is my personal favorite track by them.
Dream Theater are to rock what the Miles Davis Quintet was to jazz. Untouchable. Still are. Some other bands have come closer, but these lads have been on a league of their own since the early nineties. Love seeing younger generations discovering them, some 30 odd years later.
One of the things I love most about Dream Theater is they're so talented and atmospheric that you can really focus in and jam out to their music or just keep them on in the background to set a vibe. More than most other bands, I really do see images and words when I listen to them (pun 100% intended). :)
Dream theater has been my favorite band going on 20 years now. Such a treat to see someone as knowledgeable as yourself experience this for the first time. I love that you demonstrate a genuine interest in the instrumental parts as well as the vocal performance. The total package is what makes DT as special as they are.
If you want early James go for “surrounded” in live at the marquee album. That was his best live performance IMO.
Dream Theater is amazing group. I'd been meaning to suggest them to you for a long time but there are so many songs to choose from. I'm really glad you have taken a listen to them.
This solo is absolute gorgeous. But that's because John Petrucci is one of the most talented man ever to pick up a guitar. He is absolutely AMAZING, and a reference for like...every guitar player in the world. But overall Dream Theater has some of the greatest players in the world. Seriously, between John Petrucci, John Myung, Derek Sherinian, Mike Portnoy and later Jordan Rudess and Mike Mangini...these guys are absolute monsters
And yet, Kevin Moore will always be my favorite member.
Theres an amazing swing version of this floating around called "Fly me to the Glass Moon". Definitely check that one out it works so well lol
I have a couple sound engineer friends and the way live concerts are captured & mixed now versus when this performance was recorded is night and day. I love this song but the dynamic range is so muddy. Compare this to a 2000s era DT concert or how Nighwish sounds live. Glad we have advanced audio technology.
The part where you are impressed that James is running and singing is even more impressive when you realize he doesn't have in-ear monitors.
They didn't have IEMs, but they did get a speaker blasting sound back at them, right? Not as good, and terrible for your hearing, but still not the same as beating totally deaf.
Had this VHS when younger. I played it more times than i can count. Mike is my favorite drummer, and DT is my favorite band. This performance is so great and it'll always have a place in my heart!
I’m really glad to see Kevin Moore getting his props!
Octavarium, 2008 love, love this live concert ❤️
This song has the best guitar solo! John Petrucci is my hero.
I wanna more Dream Theater reactions 👉🏼👈🏼❤️
Dream Theater made me jump into a progressive universe at the time. No regrets whatsoever!
As for suggestions: Symphony X - Paradise Lost or The Odyssey
James Labrie have such beautiful voice, James you deserve that Recognition
Suggestion time! Poets of the Fall - “Carnival of Rust” Alexander Theatre sessions version.
More than 22 years after first hearing this song, it remains a serious contender for favorite song of all time. Really has it all - the lush, airy chord voicings that make for such great atmosphere, the rhythmic modulations and groove that make your head hurt - and the face-melting instrumental parts. I spent so long learning and improving that guitar solo - that's definitely among my top 3 solos of all time... and good for practicing *loads* of techniques... and most of all - it sounds amazingly beautiful.
The single icebell *ping* amidst the silence (like at the end of this song) is a Mike Portnoy trademark.
You’re absolutely glowing in this video!
My favourite song from my favourite album, this was the first cd I bought and if Portnoy is drumming in this I will be there 😎! Looking forward to watching DT next year, ticket bought and raring to go!!!
ONE OF MY FAVORITE PIECES OF ALL TIME.
❤️ Elizabeth is so gorgeous
Aww, thank you!
Woooooohoooooooooooo i love DT and your DT reactions!!!!
May I suggest Ghost "He Is"? It's a fantastic song, with very interesting vocals. I am sure you will love it
love it elizabeth! you surely are going to enjoy watching the full live in tokio show, I saw this show on VHS a few (LOL) years ago and it changed my life, to this day DT is my favorite band in the world!
Its a 45 minutes long song, but check out 6 degrees of inner turbulence. The starting instrumental classical/rock opening is the best ive ever heard!
I love Dream Theater and have since those long-ago days when I was 17 and blundered into them on the radio. But I would love to hear your take on “The Mirror”, which is amongst my favorite Dream Theater songs.
You really need to do Jeff Buckley after this. If you want to get chills from someone just hanging out all comfortable in that higher range,
just listen to his live performance of Grace. You will be hooked.
Second
And Chris Whitley.
The NPA live version of Grace specifically
If there's any singer I'm looking forward to being recommended it's Jeff. Not just because of the hanging out in the higher range, but also because of the emotion he puts in his performances (much of what draws me to Chris Cornell too)
Yes agree anything from Jeff Buckley his dad Tim too
Gidday Liz, if you haven’t done so already,I would love yo watch your reaction to Count of Tuscany. Absolutely EPIC song, especially when JP's solo segues into the organ almost seamlessly. Gives me goosebumps EVERY time! Luv from down under!
My favorite LaBrie pieces are the studio version of "A Nightmare to Remember" from the Black Clouds and Silver Linings album (which also has an excellent cover of Stargazer), and the live version of "Trial of Tears" from Once in a Live Time. That was during his food poisoning recovery, but he still nailed that song.
I was watching Megadeth @ The Webster Theater in Hartford, CT in the early 2000s. I had my arm rested on the security barricade in the front row & Mike Portnoy was on the other side of the barrier with his hand rested next to my arm. I have been into this band since the mid 90s so I knew it was him. I said, "Hey are you Mike?". And he replied, "Mike Portnoy from Dream Theater". We shook hands as an introduction & then both just enjoyed the show.
How lucky you were!
Peak output from everyone... my only advice when listening is to remember to breathe during their solos (lots of holding your breath while listening to everyone's performances)!
Saw them on this tour Glasgow 1993. They were brilliant.
My favourite DT song! LaBrie's voice was better in the studio album though! A shame his vocal cord was injured some time later. I have always felt he adapted to a more growly belting voice later on.
Don't know if you will see this, but to hear James at his very best, like absolute PEAK, you should look up on here the Home Sweet Home dt live 1992 show. It's absolutely incredible. Particularly when he sings The Killing Hand
The Count of Tuscany is is one of the best shows of their musical ability. That whole song is just gorgeous, masterfully written and laid out. And it tells a very interesting story from a single point of view
You do a really nice job of breaking songs down. I appreciate how much you enjoy and value musicianship!
Portnoy has to be one of the best drummers ever.. he stepped in perfectly for Rev in A7X and arin llejay. Probably 2 of the best.. will never agree with a7x firing llejay and replace him with wackerman... gimme a break
A song I think you would enjoy from judas priest and Rob Halfords hypnotic voice is "Beyond the Realms of Death"... absolutely beautiful song 🎵
We love your thoughtful analysis and appreciation. Thanks 🙏! Recommend ‘wait for sleep’ and ‘learning to live’ as a whole song because of the crossover themes and musical ideas which you (and we) will love and James sounds angelic of course.
I'm going to throw in the suggestion of Violet Orlandi's Wicked Game cover, it's probably her best vocals to date, and I'd love to see you check out more of the HCU now that you started with Jonathan Young.
You are so right. That was spellbinding.