Space-Dye Vest's one and only live performance

[Lucien]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ms7YbfHePZE


Thoughts?

[Onno]

It's good, but I like the original better. This one is a bit too fast, I like KM's playing on this song better and the live version lacks the haunting background guitars etc.

[Tis BOOLsheet]

Cool. I think the song is underrated, and it's nice to have a performance of it. This is probably the only way I'd like to hear it. I don't think it would work well as part of a DT set.

[TheGreatPretender]

I think the song is way better without the samples. You can just focus on and enjoy those beautiful piano melodies. I just wish the concert was professionally recorded.

[Estiui]

I never liked the samples at all, but I think that Jordan almost ruined the song during pretty much all of it. Too fast, and too many wankery notes in there. It's a sad and thoughtful song, I don't think that so many notes fit in there.

[Madman Shepherd]

Kinda boring without the full band accompaniment and samples but props to them for playing it. 

Had I been in the area I probably would have gone to that concert but overall when something is so scaled back it is just kinda boring. 

[jmasterx]

I never liked the samples at all, but I think that Jordan almost ruined the song during pretty much all of it. Too fast, and too many wankery notes in there. It's a sad and thoughtful song, I don't think that so many notes fit in there.

This. That song is not meant to have all kinds of 16th notes and arpegiations or whatever. It really ruined the mood for me with the way he played it. With SDV, less is Moore.

[black_biff_stadler]

Feels weird. If they were gonna take Kev's baby out for a spin in the live setting, the least they could've done is try to be faithful enough to the album version by utilizing the full band at a DT show.

[Another_Won]

I never liked the samples at all, but I think that Jordan almost ruined the song during pretty much all of it. Too fast, and too many wankery notes in there. It's a sad and thoughtful song, I don't think that so many notes fit in there.

This. That song is not meant to have all kinds of 16th notes and arpegiations or whatever. It really ruined the mood for me with the way he played it. With SDV, less is Moore.

I see what you did there I also agree

[Nearmyth]

It was cool, different. Of course the studio version is better to me, being more atmospheric and more full with the whole band playing, and without the 16th notes.

But seriously, I understand the appreciation and reverence to Kevin and his songwriting, but there sure is a lot of nitpicking going on here. Just let them play the damn song. I think it's cool that they actually played it live anyway.

[TheGreatPretender]

Feels weird. If they were gonna take Kev's baby out for a spin in the live setting, the least they could've done is try to be faithful enough to the album version by utilizing the full band at a DT show.

It wasn't a DT show though, it was a Rudess featuring LaBrie concert, so technically, it wasn't a full band decision to play the song.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

I think it was really good, Jordan did a really nice job with it. He did play some pretty fast runs, but for one thing, that's just how he plays. Plus, without all the samples, there's just a lot of empty space that would be repetitive   without his embellishments.

[jmasterx]

It was cool, different. Of course the studio version is better to me, being more atmospheric and more full with the whole band playing, and without the 16th notes.

But seriously, I understand the appreciation and reverence to Kevin and his songwriting, but there sure is a lot of nitpicking going on here. Just let them play the damn song. I think it's cool that they actually played it live anyway.

Yeah but what constitutes "Playing the damn song". I mean, if you speed up, and add notes and arpeggios to Moonlight Sonata Mov 1, is it really still the same song? At what point does it become a remix or derived work? If Jordan had played it as close as possible to the original sheet music, I would not have anything to say.

In classical music performance, at least for me, it is important to try to replicate as closely as possible what the original author wrote.

We're being nitpicky, but only because we really respect this song and its composer and what this song means to him.

[TheGreatPretender]

Yeah but what constitutes "Playing the damn song". I mean, if you speed up, and add notes and arpeggios to Moonlight Sonata Mov 1, is it really still the same song? At what point does it become a remix or derived work? If Jordan had played it as close as possible to the original sheet music, I would not have anything to say.

Well, if someone did a heavy metal version of the Moonlight Sonata, it would still be the Moonlight Sonata, just a particular interpretations of it.

In classical music performance, at least for me, it is important to try to replicate as closely as possible what the original author wrote.

While Space Dye Vest is a great song, with some fantastic melodies and mood, I wouldn't put it on a pedestal alongside great classical music, and as such, I don't think it's quite so untouchable that if it was interpreted it would need to be interpreted absolutely faithfully.

We're being nitpicky, but only because we really respect this song and its composer and what this song means to him.

I think the fact that Jordan played the song at all, as a sort of a tribute to DT's history, and its origins, is admirable enough. It was his take on it, and I don't think it needed to be exact.

[Lucien]

I think it was really good, Jordan did a really nice job with it. He did play some pretty fast runs, but for one thing, that's just how he plays. Plus, without all the samples, there's just a lot of empty space that would be repetitive   without his embellishments.

That's what I thought.

[Grizz]

The extra notes are only bad for me after the second set of samples, during the transition when there's a very subtle Trouble with Evan in the background. There is supposed to be tension in that slowness and space. After that, it's too fast. The first part was great, though.

[BlobVanDam]

Not even JR can save that song.

[rumborak]

Sorry, but Jordan butchered the tune. If I were a music teacher judging his performance, my comment would be "student did not understand the song.",

[Mosh]

Yea, I have to agree there. James was great, piano playing was way too cold.

[Aythesryche]

Sorry, but Jordan butchered the tune. If I were a music teacher judging his performance, my comment would be "student did not understand the song.",

I was thinking something similar to this.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

I don't know why anyone would expect Jordan to play the song just like Kevin. He's not Kevin, he has his own style. Now, while I prefer the studio version, (as I do for pretty much every song ever) I think Jordan did a really nice job with it, and I don't think he really deserves the criticism he's gotten.

[rumborak]

It's not about stylistic difference. The thing is, SDV, and KM's music in general, is music written and recorded to create a certain mood. That's (I think) why so many people love SDV; it creates a mood that really draws you in.
So, anyone attempting to cover this song, you would hope, will attempt to recreate the single defining feature of the song, the mood. Problem is, Jordan's arpeggiations and flourishes obliterated even the slightest hint of that mood.

What's actually weird is that, of all people, Jordan as the classically trained piano player should know the importance if this. Classical music almost always has a description of the intended mood (Vivace, Sotto etc), and a good rendition of the piece is usually judged by the successful execution of said mood.

[black_biff_stadler]

Feels weird. If they were gonna take Kev's baby out for a spin in the live setting, the least they could've done is try to be faithful enough to the album version by utilizing the full band at a DT show.

It wasn't a DT show though, it was a Rudess featuring LaBrie concert, so technically, it wasn't a full band decision to play the song.

I already knew that. I was saying that if they were gonna play it live, it would've made more sense to do so at a proper DT show instead.

[Daso]

I like this version because, just like Shadow Ninja 2.0 (is writing the 2.0 necessary?  ) mentioned, without the samples the song would sound empty. It is understandable that the song creates a certain mood, but the samples contribute a lot to that mood and without them, the sinking of the mood into the listener would not be comparable to the one from the studio version.

JR did a rendition the way he likes playing stuff, and sure, it changed the mood to something else because the arpeggios and 16th notes are not the proper replacement to the samples, but I think it's good to have a different version of SDV for once.

In any case, I do support that if wanting to "recreate" the song properly while lacking the samples, other methods could've been applied, like accentuation or length of certain chords or notes or anything regarding phrasing overall. Knowing JR, an electro-choral marimba solo would've worked out well, too.

[?]

Space-Dye Vest is my favorite DT song ever and I'm mostly happy with this version, although there's no way it could beat the studio version (or KM's demo). I'm not usually a fan of Jordan adding so many arpeggios into every song while playing on piano, but I think they work here because of the lack of samples. IMO the song should've been played in the original tempo or at least closer to it, but I'm just nitpicking because hearing SDV live in any form would make my life complete.

[ariich]

In classical music performance, at least for me, it is important to try to replicate as closely as possible what the original author wrote.

This wasn't a classical music performance.

JR is as much influenced by jazz as by classical music, and in jazz you never, EVER play music as it was originally written, or you're basically showing that you have no creativity or flair.

[efx]

You can play things differently or "jazz" it up while still retaining the mood and emotional point of the piece. JR fails at that here in my opinion.

[jmasterx]

I guess I shouldn't have used a classical music analogy. My point with that was more in line with what others have said. If I heard Moonlight Sonata Mov 1 sped up with arpeggios and 16th notes, it would not feel the same and would not evoke the same atmosphere as the original composer intended. I've heard a lot of renditions of classical songs that, for me, tastefully added accents and other elements which actually helped emphasize the mood.

I feel like Jordan's addons just Jordanified the piece and did not add or emphasize the original feel and mood of the song. I think that is what people are complain about.  I've heard Jordan climb scales too many times and it's a bit stale to me now. I don't know why he cant just dumb his playing down a bit and add tasteful accents that make you go "huh, that was really thoughtful and really adds to the piece.".

This is also why the intro in The Best of Times is one of my favorite JR compositions. It's beautiful and has all the right notes and velocities to evoke the mood the song needs.

[Mosh]

In classical music performance, at least for me, it is important to try to replicate as closely as possible what the original author wrote.

This wasn't a classical music performance.

JR is as much influenced by jazz as by classical music, and in jazz you never, EVER play music as it was originally written, or you're basically showing that you have no creativity or flair.

This wasn't a jazz performance.

I think a song like SDV should be treated as something in between. It's okay to give it some flair, but I felt like he took all the life out of the piece.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

It's not about stylistic difference. The thing is, SDV, and KM's music in general, is music written and recorded to create a certain mood. That's (I think) why so many people love SDV; it creates a mood that really draws you in.
So, anyone attempting to cover this song, you would hope, will attempt to recreate the single defining feature of the song, the mood. Problem is, Jordan's arpeggiations and flourishes obliterated even the slightest hint of that mood.

What's actually weird is that, of all people, Jordan as the classically trained piano player should know the importance if this. Classical music almost always has a description of the intended mood (Vivace, Sotto etc), and a good rendition of the piece is usually judged by the successful execution of said mood.

This.

I love this song and the mood the album version creates along with the samples and everything. JR is to busy behind the piano and ad libs to much for my taste.

[IdoSC]

I really liked it. It wasn't as good as the original studio version, and Jordan's performance was far from heaven ( ), but James' singing was more than worth it.

[MoraWintersoul]

I think it was really good, Jordan did a really nice job with it. He did play some pretty fast runs, but for one thing, that's just how he plays. Plus, without all the samples, there's just a lot of empty space that would be repetitive   without his embellishments.

^ absolutely this. It's not perfect or exactly how I'd like it to be, but I liked it, and since it's my favorite song, I honestly just expected to get pissy at the slightest change, and I didn't

[BlobVanDam]

I guess I shouldn't have used a classical music analogy. My point with that was more in line with what others have said. If I heard Moonlight Sonata Mov 1 sped up with arpeggios and 16th notes, it would not feel the same and would not evoke the same atmosphere as the original composer intended. I've heard a lot of renditions of classical songs that, for me, tastefully added accents and other elements which actually helped emphasize the mood.

I feel like Jordan's addons just Jordanified the piece and did not add or emphasize the original feel and mood of the song. I think that is what people are complain about.  I've heard Jordan climb scales too many times and it's a bit stale to me now. I don't know why he cant just dumb his playing down a bit and add tasteful accents that make you go "huh, that was really thoughtful and really adds to the piece.".

This is also why the intro in The Best of Times is one of my favorite JR compositions. It's beautiful and has all the right notes and velocities to evoke the mood the song needs.

Space Dye Vest is no Moonlight Sonata. It's........ Space Dye Vest. Completely different worlds there, even if it is the same instrument.

SDV is so devoid of any emotion or interest that I'd welcome any embellishment from JR if I had the misfortune of having to see it live, and it could only add imo.

[Dark Castle]

No Blob.... Just no 
Space-Dye Vest is super emotional and is so good. I can't accept this opinion of yours

[wasteland]

Well, he's in the other camp. It may appear unbelievable to us, but there's many people out there who just don't connect with the song, or can connect but dislike it. We can't fault them for that. 

But of course Blob being the Blob he is, his personal heresy will not be accepted. Prepare for your summary excecution, Aussie!