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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: JediKnight1969 on March 14, 2017, 10:47:24 AM

Title: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: JediKnight1969 on March 14, 2017, 10:47:24 AM
He's in Argentina now and gave this interview:

https://www.pagina12.com.ar/25540-king-crimson-ha-sido-ahora-y-siempre-mi-mayor-desafio

At some point he talks about LTE:

-King Crimson is THE challenge. But which of the bands, artists and "experiments" he played with (from John Lennon to Pink Floyd, to another forty names) was the most complicated?

-I like to answer this: King Crimson is my biggest challenge, yes: now, and always. But, going down a little, I would say that the project that was most complicated was, without a doubt, Liquid Tension Experiment; These guys are true virtuosos of their instruments; We recorded two records, we did two tours and for me it was a crazy pleasure: I happened to be the guy who did not reach their skills, never reached the level of technique they had ... It was a wonderful challenge and I found it very difficult: I had to study and practice very much just to keep my place and not be ashamed to be with them; For me, it was a tremendous learning. Seen in perspective I love it, but I had to make a huge effort. That has been, until now, my greatest difficulty.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: hefdaddy42 on March 14, 2017, 12:14:08 PM
Wow.  That's pretty awesome.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: TAC on March 14, 2017, 12:16:22 PM
Wow.  That's pretty awesome.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: Adami on March 14, 2017, 12:41:31 PM
Interesting. He never came off as a weak link. LTE was one of those groups where it seemed like everyone was on a similar enough level.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: Samsara on March 14, 2017, 12:57:25 PM
Interesting. He never came off as a weak link. LTE was one of those groups where it seemed like everyone was on a similar enough level.

Testament apparently to his work ethic. Very cool.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: Mladen on March 14, 2017, 01:09:31 PM
Yep, Tony Levin is great.  :hefdaddy
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: Kwyjibo on March 14, 2017, 01:11:08 PM
I think Tony Levin is a tremendous bass player and musician but I think he is no "shredder", meaning the fast unisono passages are probably a real challenge technically for him. Musically he's definitely on the same level.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: Art on March 14, 2017, 01:13:26 PM
Wow.  That's pretty awesome.

This.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: mikeyd23 on March 14, 2017, 01:39:32 PM
Wow.  That's pretty awesome.

This.

Yeah, really cool quote.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: Orbert on March 14, 2017, 05:14:12 PM
Very cool that he was super-challenged by it, but also recalls it as a positive, learning experience.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: Kotowboy on March 14, 2017, 05:19:13 PM
Very cool that he was super-challenged by it, but also recalls it as a positive, learning experience.
Playing with other musicians is always a good thing.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: Phoenix87x on March 14, 2017, 05:44:09 PM
I have had the privilege to have seen Tony play live twice now and he is incredible and ever the gentleman. Next to steve harris, he is my favorite bass player
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: KevShmev on March 14, 2017, 06:02:17 PM
Very cool.

And I think he is definitely being overly modest.  He is a beast of a player and was certainly on the level of the others.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: rumborak on March 14, 2017, 06:08:09 PM
That's what this really is. He's just modest.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: darkshade on March 15, 2017, 03:17:15 PM
"I had to study and practice very much just to keep my place and not be ashamed to be with them"

Ironically, I'm sure MP, JP, and JR were more than honored to be in Tony Levin's presence. Tony seems like a modest guy, like most of the rest of DT and ex-DT members.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: CrimsonSunrise on March 15, 2017, 08:23:47 PM
That's quite the compliment coming from such an amazing musician as him! 
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: Skeever on March 16, 2017, 06:31:42 PM
Yup, Levin is just being humble. Very nice and professional of him to say those things, though.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: don_waka on March 16, 2017, 07:43:59 PM
Always thought it was kinda all the other way around.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: TheAtliator on March 16, 2017, 08:54:59 PM
He's also played LTE music now with both MP, as well as John & Jordan, post-2010.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: Pettor on March 17, 2017, 04:52:30 AM
Yup, Levin is just being humble. Very nice and professional of him to say those things, though.

I think he was being serious from his point of view. He didn't have to talk about them in regards to the question but still LTE came to mind. Maybe the speed and play style was a challenge for him. You can go play bass your whole life and still find that difficult.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: Orbert on March 17, 2017, 07:42:17 AM
True.  He's played with so many artists and bands, and while he rightfully set King Crimson aside as being in their own category, when thinking of a true musical challenge, he thought of LTE.  Those guys pushed him.  The speed, the technicality, and perhaps even the improv angle as well, since that's always different depending on the band.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: KevShmev on March 17, 2017, 05:06:59 PM
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but LTE is probably the "busiest" band Levin has ever played in, hence why he might have considering it more challenging. 
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: Scottjf8 on March 18, 2017, 04:08:44 PM
I'm guessing LTE is completely dead, ever since MP left DT?

It seems like LTE was just Mike and JPs way to get Jordan to join DT mostly.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: KevShmev on March 18, 2017, 06:04:51 PM


It seems like LTE was just Mike and JPs way to get Jordan to join DT mostly.

Not at all. Read the way LTE was put together in the liner notes of the first album.  Rudess almost didn't end up playing in LTE, and Petrucci only was a part of it because all of Portnoy's original choices were unavailable (Petrucci wasn't his original first choice because he wanted it to be separate from DT).
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: goo-goo on March 20, 2017, 07:26:49 AM
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but LTE is probably the "busiest" band Levin has ever played in, hence why he might have considering it more challenging.

I think up to Stick Men, I would agree. There's some pretty wicked stuff on the Stick Men releases.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: pcs90 on March 20, 2017, 01:35:28 PM
Honestly would have never guessed, he fit perfectly in LTE. He gave the band more of a groove / ambient quality which contrasted very well with all the fast sections.
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: SwedishGoose on March 20, 2017, 03:27:15 PM
Tony Levin is such a great humble guy.... tremendous musiscian though

Would have loved to get more LTE but alas..

Levin has been part of some of the best concerts I have seen... Peter Gabriel (3 times, but esp. On Secret World tour) and King Crimson (only once)
Title: Re: Tony Levin about LTE
Post by: ytserush on April 01, 2017, 09:03:31 AM
Nice to see the Tony Levin love. Long been a fan of him and his work.

The guy has played with is as impressive as it is long.....Buddy Rich....John Lennon...