Distant Memories - New live release

[Tyrannosaurus Chicken]

Can't go wrong with those.

I listened to Live Scenes From New York on a long drive a couple of weeks ago.  First time in a long time, and it still holds up.

Live Scenes From New York is my favorite live release of theirs, by far. I love LaBrie's performance on it. It's just raw power.

[PixelDream]

Revisiting Budokan today, it's been years since I've listened to that one! I have the DVD but I found an excellent 4k upscale on youtube.

Hollow Years > War Inside My Head is such a cool transition   

[Cool Chris]

I loved Live Scenes, Budokan, and Score when they came out, but I only ever watched the videos. That was my peak DT fandom and when I was single living alone, sometimes with no cable and/or internet. I haven't watched them in years.

I was really excited for Luna Park because I loved ADToE but in the length of time it took to release my interest wanted, I was less interested in 4th Wall, and by then I was married with a kid and had much less time to watch concert vids. I've listened to the audio more than I've watched the videos. The crowd noise never bothered me.

I listened to DM once, and never felt like going back to it. I've only seen a few song clips online. I doubt I'd buy any future live releases at this point. Might depend on how I view the new album.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

A future live release of this current tour is a hard sell for me. We have nearly all of these songs on video already so I don't know what I'd be getting out of another recording of the same.

Now if Parasomnia is great and they play the album in full on a second Blu Ray that's a different story...

[Schurftkut]

Live Scenes From New York is my favorite live release of theirs, by far. I love LaBrie's performance on it. It's just raw power.

but...Live at the Marquee?

[Tyrannosaurus Chicken]

but...Live at the Marquee?

That one is great too.

[Tyrannosaurus Chicken]

A future live release of this current tour is a hard sell for me. We have nearly all of these songs on video already so I don't know what I'd be getting out of another recording of the same.

Now if Parasomnia is great and they play the album in full on a second Blu Ray that's a different story...

Agreed. Most of these tunes on the current setlist have been represented on live releases already. Hopefully the setlist changes for a new live release. As far as getting the whole of Parasomnia live; can't really comment one way or the other yet. Haven't heard the album. If I end up liking it, then sure, I'd be up for a live release.

[gzarruk]

A future live release of this current tour is a hard sell for me. We have nearly all of these songs on video already so I don't know what I'd be getting out of another recording of the same.

Now if Parasomnia is great and they play the album in full on a second Blu Ray that's a different story...

This. All the songs in the current set except NT and the two MM songs have already been released live by the current lineup alone, and NT is the only one that doesn't have any kind of live recording available overall. There's no real need for a live release of this tour besides just 40th anniversary hype. A potential live album with Parasomnia in full + some other stuff that hasn't been played in a while or never represented in a live release before would be much more interesting.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Also at one point wasn't MP all about making sure live recordings didn't just repeat songs already released on video? Or am I making this up...

[Tyrannosaurus Chicken]

Also at one point wasn't MP all about making sure live recordings didn't just repeat songs already released on video? Or am I making this up...

I think you're correct on that.

[Adami]

Also at one point wasn't MP all about making sure live recordings didn't just repeat songs already released on video? Or am I making this up...

Indeed. That's why I assumed if they were going to film something, it'd be with a symphony or something. But seems like it'll just be one of the normal shows.

Will watch some of it on youtube at least.

[cramx3]

They are clearly using the marketing of MP being back for the 40th anniversary tour as a reason to release such an album.

I'd likely buy it because I generally love concert blu-rays, but I'd have to see a video of the final product to know if I will be hyped or not about it.  Even if the songs have been on a live album before, it may still be a worth wile watch again or just for the small differences.  Or maybe for the sound/production too. 

I do think a full parasomnia tour album concert would be much more interesting as well, but I won't rule out the Paris show as being a worthy concert to release until I see it. 

My real issue is that Distant Memories was by far their worst live album and they have gone down hill with live videos since MM joined with each of the three releases getting progressively worse IMO and even the last MP live album was bad.  They need to break that chain, so if they can get a great edit and sound for the Paris show, plus a good crowd, it might be significantly better than the last live albums. We'll see.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

What made DM so bad in your view?

[Tyrannosaurus Chicken]

People who have disliked it have cited a large chunk of vocals were redone, and quite a few of Petrucci's solos, so they feel it's not a proper live performance.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Yeah I guess I could see why that would bother some. On the flip side, if they didn't do that and left messy vocals or flubbed solos (I have not watched the bootleg) then people would be unhappy about such a messy performance.

[Tyrannosaurus Chicken]

Yeah I guess I could see why that would bother some. On the flip side, if they didn't do that and left messy vocals or flubbed solos (I have not watched the bootleg) then people would be unhappy about such a messy performance.

You are absolutely right about that. It's a tricky situation; damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[cramx3]

What made DM so bad in your view?

For me, it felt boring for a DT release (and I have all their live albums and most if not all the official bootleg dvds). A lifeless crowd and band in that show. Sound also wasn't great, didn't have the live album feel. 

Luna Park was a solid live album IMO though.  I know people complain about the crowd noise, but that was the best live album from DT since Score IMO.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Interesting. I thought the band sounded awesome on the 3 most recent videos. Sounds super tight and they look energized. Haven't noticed the crowds though.

[Tyrannosaurus Chicken]

Luna Park was a solid live album IMO though.  I know people complain about the crowd noise, but that was the best live album from DT since Score IMO.

I really enjoy that one. Good setlist, and I thought James sounded great on it.

It's also worth pointing out that, these days, most artists tend to do "touch-ups" on live releases. Very few release 100% "true" or raw performances. I know Steve Vai, for instance, has always touched up his live releases, as he's a bit of a perfectionist.

I guess where I sit on the matter is, if it's a minor flub, leave it in. If it's a train wreck, and you're already invested and spent the money to record/film it, fix it in the studio.

[Tyrannosaurus Chicken]

Interesting. I thought the band sounded awesome on the 3 most recent videos. Sounds super tight and they look energized. Haven't noticed the crowds though.

I personally enjoy Distant Memories, even knowing that they had to redo some vocals and guitar solos, it doesn't bother me or take away from my enjoyment of it. For me, it's like watching a movie.

[Dedalus]

I've noticed that as I've gotten older I've been listening to bands' studio work more and more than their live work. In general.
I don't know why. I was much more into it when I was younger. I listened to BS's Reunion and Pantera's 101 Proof repeatedly as a teenager (just to name two).

But this discussion made me realize how I've pretty much avoided all of DT's live albums in years.

I've never listened to DM (just a few clips on YT). I listened to LaLP a few times when it came out. BTFW I've listened to it more times since then, I think it's really good.

LSFNY, Budokan and Score I can't even remember the last time I listened to them. Portnoy probably hadn't even left the band yet.
LIVETime? Maybe 20 years ago?

I think I need to go back to their live discography.

[TAC]

It's also worth pointing out that, these days, most artists tend to do "touch-ups" on live releases. Very few release 100% "true" or raw performances.

I guess where I sit on the matter is, if it's a minor flub, leave it in. If it's a train wreck, and you're already invested and spent the money to record/film it, fix it in the studio.

Right. It's always been that way.

[geeeemo]

I personally enjoy Distant Memories, even knowing that they had to redo some vocals and guitar solos, it doesn't bother me or take away from my enjoyment of it. For me, it's like watching a movie.

I enjoyed it as well. I was at the show. The band sounded great. James as well. The crowd was a dud.

[Dedalus]

The crowd was a dud.

I'm biased towards audiences.

Any audience that isn't South American = not good enough.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

What do you guys think of the budokan DVD?

[wolfking]

What do you guys think of the budokan DVD?

Fucking amazing.

[Tyrannosaurus Chicken]

Fucking amazing.

What he said. Tons of nostalgic memories watching it.

[TAC]

What do you guys think of the budokan DVD?

Fucking amazing.

I love the way it was filmed. I think it's cool that if they're focusing on James, you can still see JM in the background playing. It's like they consciously tried to get a secondary member in each shot.

[wolfking]

Fucking amazing.


I love the way it was filmed. I think it's cool that if they're focusing on James, you can still see JM in the background playing. It's like they consciously tried to get a secondary member in each shot.

Exactly.  The camera work is next level.

[Tyrannosaurus Chicken]

Exactly.  The camera work is next level.

And the setlist is awesome, too.

[wolfking]

And the setlist is awesome, too.

Having all the TOT songs is the game changer for me, mostly TDS.  The version of Hollow Years also excels it beyond words compared to the original.

[TAC]

Having all the TOT songs is the game changer for me, mostly TDS.  The version of Hollow Years also excels it beyond words compared to the original.

It has basically rendered my ToT CD useless, just like LSFNY did to SFAM.

[Tyrannosaurus Chicken]

It has basically rendered my ToT CD useless, just like LSFNY did to SFAM.

Same. I really enjoy the Score 20th anniversary DVD, too. I was just thinking; 8 albums, then 20th anniversary. Now 16 albums, 40th anniversary. They've been pretty consistent with their output.

[TAC]

Same. I really enjoy the Score 20th anniversary DVD, too. I was just thinking; 8 albums, then 20th anniversary. Now 16 albums, 40th anniversary. They've been pretty consistent with their output.

Definitely.

My issue with Score is the whole second set. But once they get to Sacrificed Sons, it's all good from there.

[Tyrannosaurus Chicken]

Definitely.

My issue with Score is the whole second set. But once they get to Sacrificed Sons, it's all good from there.

Yeah, I can see that. There was huge chunk of time dedicated to Six Degrees.