Hey Robo, and hi everyone! This is my first post here!
I decided to mix it up and challenge myself a little more, by making myself pick my favorite audio
and video bootleg from each tour.
I&W:Audio: 1993-08-28 - Music in Progress Tour 93' - Soundboard Masters Series Vol. 2 - Osaka JapanThe sound quality is amazing, and the whole band kills it. It also has a rare performance of the Mission Impossible theme! I absolutely love the Soundboard Master Series. Each CD is the same as the ones in the Forbidden Dreams box set, but with LOADS of awesome and really interesting bonus tracks.
Video: 1993-03-04 - Ultimate Edition - The Limelight, New York City, NYBesides the annoying stutter effect used on Metropolis, everything about this bootleg is golden. Soundboard audio, multi-cam edit, incredible performances by everyone (especially James!), and best of all: An early performance of A Change of Seasons, and a very special version of Eve performed with samples, which was only done
at that show.Awake/ACoS:Audio: 1995-01-31 - Uncovered - Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club, London, UKIn my opinion, this is the coolest set that Dream Theater has ever played. With loads of special guests and songs that were only played at this show, I've always been so thankful that there's an audience recording of this show in full. The Zeppelin medley and the Big Medley are incredibly awesome jams, and I'm glad those made it on to the ACoS EP. This show also has a lot of sentimental value to me as well, since the video of Easter with Steve Rothery and Steve Hogarth from this show on 5 Years in a LiveTime is what exposed me to Marillion's music, and made me become a massive Marillion fan.
Video: 1995-01-24 - Awake In Japan (2-DVD)A timeless, pro-shot classic. I used to watch this all of the time on YouTube when I was first getting into Dream Theater. The Awake Jam from this bootleg is what got me
really into Petrucci's playing. His solo is so well-crafted; It's still one of my favorite guitar solos of all time. The reason I specifically mention the 2-DVD version of this show is because it has the best quality recording in circulation, includes the pre-show interview with the band getting Platinum awards for Awake, and has a lot of great, pro-shot bonus footage.
Falling into Infinity:Audio: 1998-06-22 - Stained Glass - Rotterdam, HollandAs weird and cheesy as this sounds, the performance captured on this bootleg definitely gives off a powerful, beautiful aura. There's a lot of really magical, beautiful stuff on this bootleg, especially the performance of Hey You, and Another Day with the sax.
Video: 1997-12-04 - Bonn Biscuithalle TV Specialpretty good quality, and pro shot. I love the performance of Hollow Years.
SfaM:Audio: 2000-10-18 - Of Pigs and Chicks - Glasgow, ScotlandI chose this for the same reasons as Robo. This show definitely shows Dream Theater's goofy side, and is a lot of fun to listen to. However, I think a better title would be "I Don't Remember That on Images and Words!"
Video: 2000-05-06 - Olympic Tennis Stadium, Seoul, KoreaAmazing performance, fantastic quality, and an amazing crowd! Jordan's keyboard solo is mind-blowing. There's some sentimental value for me in this bootleg too, since it was the first one I ever got, and it sparked my interest in bootlegs.
6DoIT:Audio: 2002-03-16 - World Tourbulence 2002 In Chicago 16 - Chicago, ILGreat performance, and a great set featuring Master of Puppets! Yet again, this bootleg also has sentimental value for me, since my dad was there! I would have loved to have gone with him, but I was too busy being 4 years old and picking my nose
. I'm eternally jealous of him.
Video: 2002-01-19 - BB King's (remaster)I know this probably seems like a weird choice, since this was the first show of the Six Degrees tour, and it was an absolute mess. However, the messiness of this show is exactly what makes it so entertaining. They also do some rarely-played songs at this show, like Cover my Eyes. I think this show might have been the last time they played that song.
ToT:Audio: 2004-02-11 - Train To Madrid - Multiusos La Cubierta, Leganés, SpainGreat-quality radio broadcast. James sounds almost like the album! The Train to Madrid version is the best, since it doesn't have the messed-up cymbals that other versions have.
Video: 2004-08-28 - Two Cam Mix - Wantagh NYThis is a great-quality bootleg put together by Dreamrafa. James was in great shape on the DT/Yes tour, and this show was definitely no exception. The performance of Trial of Tears is amazing.
Compilation:Audio: Before I Was Dreaming to go to the TheaterI know this is more of a Winter Rose compilation than a Dream Theater one, but
oh my god was James' voice incredible back then. I don't even care for Winter Rose's music that much, I listen to it solely because of how mind-blowing James' singing was. It's a shame that this bootleg seems to be really rare.
Video: Making of DreamsA very cool compilation of all of the "making of" videos that Dream Theater has made throughout the years.
Anyway, that's enough writing from me. I would pick ones from the rest of the tours, but I'm not as familiar with bootlegs from after ToT.
By the way Robo, check your PMs.