JR performing (and singing!) Beneath The Surface

[Plasmastrike]

Saw this posted on JR's YouTube. Quite the unique performance to empty, yet beautiful, venue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbqI_9a7vpE

[MirrorMask]

That's great!

Now I suddenly want him singing on the next DT album. Not a whole song, or even a proper duet, just a couple of lines to add variety and atmosphere to a song that would demand added emphasis.

[Lethean]

That was really cool to hear.  Made me listen to the original afterwards.   But, I'd prefer them to just have James doing vocals on the albums.

[Adami]

Eesh. Bad turnout for JR. Poor guy.

[ChuckSteak]

I think his voice is good enough for backing vocals.

[Cool Chris]

Eesh. Bad turnout for JR. Poor guy.

Thought for a second that was the crowd for Sons of Apollo. Then realized my error, the venue was too big.

[The Walrus]

I want a studio recording of this, like, YESTERDAY. Holy frick do I love solo JR piano.

[bosk1]

Eesh. Bad turnout for JR. Poor guy.

I assume you are joking, but just in case others reading don't know:  that is obviously from a sound check, not a show.

[gzarruk]

What an amazing version! I still wanted him to play the solo at the end, though other than that, it was fantastic.

[TAC]

What, no Groupons??

[Madman Shepherd]

What an amazing version! I still wanted him to play the solo at the end, though other than that, it was fantastic.

BTS solo is one of my absolute keyboard solos of all time. 

As for this performance....well, I'll stick to the DT version.  Props to him for stepping out of the box though.

[Adami]

Eesh. Bad turnout for JR. Poor guy.

I assume you are joking, but just in case others reading don't know:  that is obviously from a sound check, not a show.

[Fritzinger]

I wonder why he never does background vocals. He sings very well.

Plus, I just re-realized how beautiful this song is.

[gzarruk]

I wonder why he never does background vocals. He sings very well.

He's actually answered that a couple times, most recently on his latest interview with Noxon. He says that even though he can sing (and has perfect pitch, btw, so wouldn't be out of tune) his voice is too low to sing backup on songs suited for James' voice.

[bosk1]

I wonder why he never does background vocals. He sings very well.

He's actually answered that a couple times, most recently on his latest interview with Noxon. He says that even though he can sing (and has perfect pitch, btw, so wouldn't be out of tune) his voice is too low to sing backup on songs suited for James' voice.

I get it, but I subjectively disagree.  A lower harmony adds a lot of depth and texture to the vocal parts. 

[Madman Shepherd]

...and I agree and disagree with both of you. It would be kind of cool for a song like Space Dye Vest but wouldn't sound so good on other songs.

[Evai]

Woah I really like that performance! It is kinda odd that they never utilized JR's voice for background vox back in the day, maybe he's shy about it Doesn't really matter anymore since we have Labries harmonies from the album synced to the click

[rumborak]

I think JR's low voice would be a perfect counterpoint to JLB's high voice.

[MirrorMask]

I think JR's low voice would be a perfect counterpoint to JLB's high voice.

Indeed! If they entertained in the past the idea of having Michael Akerfeldt doing a growling vocal, I hope with the next album they will be tempted to juse Jordan's voice, even if just a tiny bit.

You know how in The Bigger Picture in the second verse it goes "Like a moth burned by the fire and driven to the flame" and then it goes "Prophecies' a blessing and a curse" with a different feel? well, I'm not saying that specific part should have gone to Jordan or anyone else, but if ever there's a situation for a kind of "tradeoff" like this that requires a lower voice, they should go for it.

[gzarruk]

Well, if they let Portnoy sing some awful vocals on a couple songs, it wouldn't hurt to let Jordan try

Seriously, though, I wish we got more JP backing vocals on DT albums. He's really good at it.

[Madman Shepherd]

  Jordan can do the "Day after day" section in ANTR!!!!

[Zook]

I don't think his voice is that far off from MP's. He could easily do the backing vocals Mike used to do.

[Lethean]

Well, if they let Portnoy sing some awful vocals on a couple songs, it wouldn't hurt to let Jordan try

Seriously, though, I wish we got more JP backing vocals on DT albums. He's really good at it.

Yes it would hurt! Actually, I do think Jordan would do a better job than MP, but I just don't think they need it and I don't care to hear it.  They have a great singer who is more than capable of changing his voice around to suit different sounds and moods. 

(Which is why, MirrorMask, I wouldn't want Jordan, JP, or MP singing the prophecy line in The Bigger Picture).  Some bands have multiple guys who are good singers.  There are also a lot of bands with only one guy that sings, especially on the album, and then live you might have some of the other band members doing backing vocals that are turned down and very much in the background. That's the kind of band DT is - and I don't think that makes them any lesser because of it.  They wouldn't be a better band "if only" there were other voices.  Neither would Rush.  All imo, of course.

[PetFish]

Guys, it's not about "letting him try", he's happy with his (very complex) role in the band.

Some of you are making it sound like he's being held back... he isn't.  It's nothing like JP not wanting another guitarist and I'd bet that if JR suddenly said "hey, I'd like to do some background vocals" they'd be all over it.

Would *I* like him doing backups?  Yes, I would, cuz even soft/quiet vocals helps them sound fuller, even if they're not the "best" backup vocals.

[MirrorMask]

(Which is why, MirrorMask, I wouldn't want Jordan, JP, or MP singing the prophecy line in The Bigger Picture).

Well, it's not that I wished someone else had sung that specific line. It was the first example that came into my mind to present the hypotetical situation of a section of a song, on the new album, that could require a standalone line from a different singer to add more variety to a song if the song needed it.

Take for example the live version of The Silent Man, the tradeoff between James and JP... there are potentially situations like that where they could go "hey, why don't we add a different voice for a bit of variety?"

Then again there are worse things that can happen than having James singing 100% of the vocal lines of the new album  (Day after day and night after night)

[Mladen]

The last thing Jordan needs in Dream Theater is yet another responsibility. He has plenty enough to do already. 

Also, great video. 

[Scottjf8]

Well, if they let Portnoy sing some awful vocals on a couple songs, it wouldn't hurt to let Jordan try

Seriously, though, I wish we got more JP backing vocals on DT albums. He's really good at it.

Omg his backing vocals on the octavarium section of Schmedly annoys me so much.

This video is amazing. Had no idea Jordan can sing like that.

[Lethean]

(Which is why, MirrorMask, I wouldn't want Jordan, JP, or MP singing the prophecy line in The Bigger Picture).

Well, it's not that I wished someone else had sung that specific line. It was the first example that came into my mind to present the hypotetical situation of a section of a song, on the new album, that could require a standalone line from a different singer to add more variety to a song if the song needed it.

Take for example the live version of The Silent Man, the tradeoff between James and JP... there are potentially situations like that where they could go "hey, why don't we add a different voice for a bit of variety?"

Then again there are worse things that can happen than having James singing 100% of the vocal lines of the new album  (Day after day and night after night)

Hahahaha.  I just noticed that bit at the end. I know what you're saying, for me I just actually prefer 100% James, whether the alternative is a pleasant enough line from JP or JR, or, um, something else.

[pcs90]

Pretty cool performance! I do prefer the original, but this is still very enjoyable.

[Drinktheater]

This is pretty cool I always wonder how he sings since I know he is a very educated musician.

[the keyboard wizard]

This is pretty cool I always wonder how he sings since I know he is a very educated musician.

Well you should listen to ...Listen his first solo album, lots of sung parts.

[Drinktheater]

This is pretty cool I always wonder how he sings since I know he is a very educated musician.

Well you should listen to ...Listen his first solo album, lots of sung parts.

I will check that see if I can buy online.

I would just say

Is there ever really a right time You had led me to believe Someday you'd be sing  for me!

[Ninjabait]

I wonder why he never does background vocals. He sings very well.

He's actually answered that a couple times, most recently on his latest interview with Noxon. He says that even though he can sing (and has perfect pitch, btw, so wouldn't be out of tune) his voice is too low to sing backup on songs suited for James' voice.

I thought it mostly had to do with him just not wanting to in general? I remember him saying in a few interview that he just doesn't have the desire to contribute lyrics, play guitar, or sing in the band. Ain't nothin' wrong with that.

Jordan can do the "Day after day" section in ANTR!!!!

Please no

[Evai]

What about the Burning My Soul vocoder thing when they play it live now? Is that Jordans voice?

[gzarruk]

What about the Burning My Soul vocoder thing when they play it live now? Is that Jordans voice?

I think it's on the original recording, just lower in volume.