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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: Weymolith on November 30, 2020, 10:01:35 PM
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We've just recorded a brand new medley of Holiday classics, called “The Holiday Spirit Carries On”, available for download starting today at dreamtheaterofficial.bandcamp.com
With touring cancelled around the world, the incredible members of Dream Theater’s crew have not had the opportunity to work as they normally would in 2020. Please help us support them by purchasing this exclusive Holiday track. All proceeds will go toward these dedicated people who work tirelessly to make Dream Theater concerts possible. Available only through the month of December, for $2.99 USD, via dreamtheaterofficial.bandcamp.com
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3sYYWpbA4k
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What a nice late night surprise.
It's pretty good. I like it.
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If this is what the drums are going sound like on the next album, I'M SO PUMPED. They sound perfect. I really liked how they sounded on D/T but I love this even more. Also, the track is killer. Had to buy. Support the boys.
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If this is what the drums are going sound like on the next album, I'M SO PUMPED. They sound perfect. I really liked how they sounded on D/T but I love this even more. Also, the track is killer. Had to buy. Support the boys.
On D/T, according to Wiki, they didn't have an Engineer. They had Jimmy T, and he is listed as "Recording". :lol He has been working with them since DT though, and doing their live sounds as well.
I will say, he is the best thing to happen for their sound. Both D/T and Distant Memories sound amazing. The new album should sound just as good, if not even better, now we know how much he is working with the band. :metal
I find it a pretty funny coincidence they released it after I posted this about Jimmy T. :biggrin:
The Drums sound amazing and Overall everyone sounds amazing. And Jimmy T did the Recording and Mixing. So, I guess they proved me right. :lol
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If this is what the drums are going sound like on the next album, I'M SO PUMPED. They sound perfect. I really liked how they sounded on D/T but I love this even more. Also, the track is killer. Had to buy. Support the boys.
On D/T, according to Wiki, they didn't have an Engineer. They had Jimmy T, and he is listed as "Recording". :lol He has been working with them since DT though, and doing their live sounds as well.
I will say, he is the best thing to happen for their sound. Both D/T and Distant Memories sound amazing. The new album should sound just as good, if not even better, now we know how much he is working with the band. :metal
I find it a pretty funny coincidence they released it after I posted this about Jimmy T. :biggrin:
The Drums sound amazing and Overall everyone sounds amazing. And Jimmy T did the Recording and Mixing. So, I guess they proved me right. :lol
Dude, I totally just read that post in the other thread and thought to myself, "Well Ben nailed it." :rollin
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Wow what a wonderful surprise! Bought immediately, and it will definitely make my Holiday listening rotation this season! It sounds pretty good so far, and I agree with what others have said about the drum sound. Good stuff!
-Marc.
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Not only the drum sound, also how the bass is situated in the mix. Finally!
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Not only the drum sound, also how the bass is situated in the mix. Finally!
You could say that...the Bass is Finally Free? :rollin
...I'll see myself out.
-Marc.
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Nice! I like this.
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NOT A COMPLAINT because I was going to get it anyway - but i'd prefer if I could hear it before I bought it ! :)
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* * * ALSO * * *
If you haven't yet bought it - wait til Friday ( 00:00 USA time ) and then Bandcamp will waive their revenue share. So the band get even more...
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* * * ALSO * * *
If you haven't yet bought it - wait til Friday ( 00:00 USA time ) and then Bandcamp will waive their revenue share. So the band get even more...
Good point, i had forgotten about this unfortunately.
On the song itself, it's great! Not at all what i expected, and it's so fun! Love it :metal
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You can preview 30 seconds of the song here before you buy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LKbyKZuD4s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LKbyKZuD4s)
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Instant buy.
I hope they keep in this mood while doing the new album... By now they must have written a lot of stuff. Sounds great, and their gesture is even greater!
PS: I just wish the Auld Lang Syne ending lasted longer, it would be epic
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I threw in a little more than $2.99 as it was less in £.
But yeah it's a shame they didn't advertise this on Friday as they would have made like 10% more.
Maybe some people will wait til Friday anyway.
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It's only the first friday of the month that is Bandcamp friday.....
Waiting to buy on friday
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That's the most organic and well placed the bad has sounded in YEARS for me.
And the drums sound = FINALLY!!!! :metal
Great medley and great action move from the guys :tup
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Is it too much to ask for Jimmy T to do a remix of ADTOE and DT12? The track sounds killer!!! ;D
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Is it too much to ask for Jimmy T to do a remix of ADTOE and DT12? The track sounds killer!!! ;D
Bought it, really nice!
During this pandemic, it would be extremely cool if DT released on bandcamp some re-recordings. Maybe one song per month?
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James' voice on Jingle Bells is amazing. Overall a good track.
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I'll buy it on Friday, what is the track length? That sample sounds great.
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I'll buy it on Friday, what is the track length? That sample sounds great.
5:14
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Just bought it. I'll definitely support it because it's for a good cause.
Anyway I listened to it - sounds great! I couldn't stop smiling honestly. Mangini's drums sound good and have lots of punch too - whatever they did (or didn't do) they should carry over to the next album.
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If anyone is just clicking on this and hasn't bought it: hold off until Friday! every first Friday of the month is Bandcamp Friday, the day when they let the bands keep all the revenue. Now Bandcamp doesn't keep a lot of the revenue, but why not wait a few days.
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Very cool. Damn it. I didn't see your post until after I bought it Mora. Bummer.
Anyway, track purchased. Very classy of DT to do that. Looking forward to checking out the tune.
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Very nice of the guys to do this for their crew.
My only complaint (and it isn't really one) is that they attempt to strike a balance between whimsical stuff like Jingle Bells and bigger, more "epic" stuff like O Come All Ye Faithful. I'm not quite sure that they hit the balance, and I would have liked to see them go one way or the other. But I still like it a lot, and they get mad respect for doing it at all.
More grandiose traditional carols like O Come All Ye Faithful, Joy to the World, We Three Kings, etc already lend themselves well to DT's style (and of course, they've already done O Holy Night). I would love to see an entire Christmas album from them of those types of songs.
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I threw in a little more than $2.99 as it was less in £.
But yeah it's a shame they didn't advertise this on Friday as they would have made like 10% more.
Maybe some people will wait til Friday anyway.
It is Giving Tuesday. Maybe the release is to coincide with that. Maybe Bandcamp needs $ also.. just a thought...
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I'm in! I'll wait till Friday though.
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For those of you who are planning on buying on Friday, here's Bandcamp's microsite with a countdown. So you know when Bandcamp Friday starts (and ends) in your timezone:
https://isitbandcampfriday.com
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I threw in a little more than $2.99 as it was less in £.
But yeah it's a shame they didn't advertise this on Friday as they would have made like 10% more.
Maybe some people will wait til Friday anyway.
It is Giving Tuesday. Maybe the release is to coincide with that. Maybe Bandcamp needs $ also.. just a thought...
Yeah the wallet is open today, I bought at a donation price. And band camp gets to eat too.
The sound/tone here is great, and glad to see them do something off the cuff would love to hear more.
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Bought it and loved everything about it! The production is on point and the song itself is lots of fun, with crazy playing from everyone :metal
Also, they just recorded this during the DT15 sessions, so this is probably a good indicator of how the album will sound (unless they have someone else mix the record with a completely different approach). Can't wait for more news in 2021.
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Bought it and loved everything about it! The production is on point and the song itself is lots of fun, with crazy playing from everyone :metal
Also, they just recorded this during the DT15 sessions, so this is probably a good indicator of how the album will sound (unless they have someone else mix the record with a completely different approach). Can't wait for more news in 2021.
AFAIK, Jimmy T will engineer and mix DT15. (and he engineered and mixed the medley here too.) And Mike mentioned that that sound will be the general basic idea for DT15 (as he mentioned on his FB page today.)
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It really is Great! Big and Epic! Heavy
Got all the good Prog
And yet, very Holiday sounding
Now we have a 3 song DT Christmas setlist!
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It really is Great! Big and Epic! Heavy Got all the good Prog
And yet, very Holiday sounding
Now we have a 3 song DT Christmas setlist!
Even including references to both Queen and Begin Again (and TA as a whole). Lovely.
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Holy Shit that mix is fucking massive :eek
The song is great too :hat
But the mix is blowing my mind :omg:
I hope whoever mixed this is involved in the next Dream Theater album.
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Bought it and loved everything about it! The production is on point and the song itself is lots of fun, with crazy playing from everyone :metal
Also, they just recorded this during the DT15 sessions, so this is probably a good indicator of how the album will sound (unless they have someone else mix the record with a completely different approach). Can't wait for more news in 2021.
AFAIK, Jimmy T will engineer and mix DT15. (and he engineered and mixed the medley here too.) And Mike mentioned that that sound will be the general basic idea for DT15 (as he mentioned on his FB page today.)
Jimmy T is definitely engineering the album, but I'm not entirely sure he'll do the mixing. I do hope he does it, though, this one sounds great.
Now we have a 3 song DT Christmas setlist!
I know about this one and O Holy Night, but what's the 3rd one? :eek
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Bought it and loved everything about it! The production is on point and the song itself is lots of fun, with crazy playing from everyone :metal
Also, they just recorded this during the DT15 sessions, so this is probably a good indicator of how the album will sound (unless they have someone else mix the record with a completely different approach). Can't wait for more news in 2021.
AFAIK, Jimmy T will engineer and mix DT15. (and he engineered and mixed the medley here too.) And Mike mentioned that that sound will be the general basic idea for DT15 (as he mentioned on his FB page today.)
Jimmy T is definitely engineering the album, but I'm not entirely sure he'll do the mixing. I do hope he does it, though, this one sounds great.
Now we have a 3 song DT Christmas setlist!
I know about this one and O Holy Night, but what's the 3rd one? :eek
6:00 :rollin
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Bought it and loved everything about it! The production is on point and the song itself is lots of fun, with crazy playing from everyone :metal
Also, they just recorded this during the DT15 sessions, so this is probably a good indicator of how the album will sound (unless they have someone else mix the record with a completely different approach). Can't wait for more news in 2021.
AFAIK, Jimmy T will engineer and mix DT15. (and he engineered and mixed the medley here too.) And Mike mentioned that that sound will be the general basic idea for DT15 (as he mentioned on his FB page today.)
Jimmy T is definitely engineering the album, but I'm not entirely sure he'll do the mixing. I do hope he does it, though, this one sounds great.
Now we have a 3 song DT Christmas setlist!
I know about this one and O Holy Night, but what's the 3rd one? :eek
6:00 :rollin
:rollin
I thought for a little while you were going to say Eve was a Christmas track (It does have that sort of vibe), but 6:00 is definitely the right answer :lol
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This is excellent! Plus it was a bargain at $20.00!!!
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This is excellent! Plus it was a bargain at $20.00!!!
yep! giving Tuesday 3@ 10!
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Now we have a 3 song DT Christmas setlist!
I know about this one and O Holy Night, but what's the 3rd one? :eek
6:00 :rollin
:hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
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It's a weird thing the Pay Whatever You Want scheme.
I always find that If I set a price on my BandCamp - NOBODY buys anything.
If you set it all to FREE - people are more inclined to donate.
It's weird eh. My last album got over £100 in donations. My most successful ever. :)
I guess it's a matter of optics. If they enjoy your work and see you're just giving it away - they might feel like you deserve some reward.
Whilst - if the music is only decent and you're asking £10 for an EP - they might decide you have a bit of an ego ?
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Radiohead released In Rainbows as a Pay-Whatever-You-Want release and I read that it was their most profitable album to date - as some super fans were donating stupid money.
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I had no idea what I was buying, but I bought first, listened later.
This is fantastic. I'm really happy that DT spit this out, and honestly, I've been expecting this for about 20 years!
Reading the comments I thought my ears were going to ejaculate. It sounds just fine. Jeez guys! Chill.
A lot of conversation on DTF revolves around with MP and without MP.
Playing to a click track....I don't care. They blow my mind playing their instruments live.
Personally I think the improvisations are a bit too romanticized...
Beyond This Life '04. Yawn.
Surrounded '07? The intro was nice, but why would I ever care to hear some lame Marillion song tacked onto the end.
Solitary Shell '09? Puleeze. Trying a it too hard. Play another damn song instead.
MM is easily as engaging with his bandmates and with the crowd as MP ever was. So I never understand the criticisms of their live show, other than the canned backing vocals.
But what IS MISSING are the little extras like The Holiday Spirit Carries ON. I thought they knocked it out with the Happy Holidays 2013 CD, but it's been fucking crickets since then as far as anything extra.
Every band releases really good albums and plays really good concerts. What made MP Era DT different were the little extras that made the fan feel special.
This track is a really nice and welcomed surprise.
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Finally got around to listening to this. I really want a DT Christmas album now. I thought this was great.
Oh Come All Ye Faithful freaking slays.
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Finally got around to listening to this. I really want a DT Christmas album now. I thought this was great.
I've been begging for a DT Christmas album for 20 years.
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Reading the comments I thought my ears were going to ejaculate. It sounds just fine. Jeez guys! Chill.
:rollin
Surrounded '07? The intro was nice, but why would I ever care to hear some lame Marillion song tacked onto the end.
How dare you?! :o
I LOVE that version
But what IS MISSING are the little extras like The Holiday Spirit Carries ON. I thought they knocked it out with the Happy Holidays 2013 CD, but it's been fucking crickets since then as far as anything extra.
MP was incredible on those releases, also It's the thing that I miss most from his era.
I really loved this song and also it reminded me a lot The Astonishing. The production, as I said in the other thread, reminds me the one on the ACoS EP.
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Finally got around to listening to this. I really want a DT Christmas album now. I thought this was great.
I've been begging for a DT Christmas album for 20 years.
When I shared this with Mrs. P said, “Now we need an entire Holiday record!”
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I had no idea what I was buying, but I bought first, listened later.
This is fantastic. I'm really happy that DT spit this out, and honestly, I've been expecting this for about 20 years!
Reading the comments I thought my ears were going to ejaculate. It sounds just fine. Jeez guys! Chill.
A lot of conversation on DTF revolves around with MP and without MP.
Playing to a click track....I don't care. They blow my mind playing their instruments live.
Personally I think the improvisations are a bit too romanticized...
Beyond This Life '04. Yawn.
Surrounded '07? The intro was nice, but why would I ever care to hear some lame Marillion song tacked onto the end.
Solitary Shell '09? Puleeze. Trying a it too hard. Play another damn song instead.
MM is easily as engaging with his bandmates and with the crowd as MP ever was. So I never understand the criticisms of their live show, other than the canned backing vocals.
But what IS MISSING are the little extras like The Holiday Spirit Carries ON. I thought they knocked it out with the Happy Holidays 2013 CD, but it's been fucking crickets since then as far as anything extra.
Every band releases really good albums and plays really good concerts. What made MP Era DT different were the little extras that made the fan feel special.
This track is a really nice and welcomed surprise.
And In Turn, Dream Theater fans became spoiled.
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I kind of take offense at being called spoiled. I've literally been a fan for their entire career. I'm just stating my opinion on why the MP/post MP Eras feel different.
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I kind of take offense at being called spoiled. I've literally been a fan for their entire career. I'm just stating my opinion on why the MP/post MP Eras feel different.
I am sorry if it offended you, it's not meant to be offensive. It's an observation, I have noticed, by being a dream theater fan and also listening and following many other styles of bands. And also, understanding the music industry, really helped me get an idea, of a lot of things. Mostly, from reading interviews by bands about things they are willing to talk about, and this book.
It's why I have stated. MP isn't your average, run of the mill musician. He is first and foremost a music fan, who became a musician, and happened to be living the dream of becoming a "Rock Star".. .What he did during his tenure with Dream Theater, are all things he wished bands would have done while he was a music fan. He went out of his way, to cater to us fans. Many, Many, Many, bands do not do this at all. Dream Theater is the first band I know of that has done so much of this stuff, just for us fans. I appreciate that. I am not sad it is gone either. It was great while it lasted. But things don't last forever and things change, sometimes making compromises is the only way to move forward. That's acceptance.
Even, if what I write may come off as offensive, I do not intend it to be. So please forgive me, and no hard feelings...(Where's that fist bump emoji)
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I kind of take offense at being called spoiled. I've literally been a fan for their entire career. I'm just stating my opinion on why the MP/post MP Eras feel different.
You mean especially special? :biggrin:
It's why I have stated. MP isn't your average, run of the mill musician. He is first and foremost a music fan, who became a musician, and happened to be living the dream of becoming a "Rock Star".. .What he did during his tenure with Dream Theater, are all things he wished bands would have done while he was a music fan. He went out of his way, to cater to us fans. Many, Many, Many, bands do not do this at all. Dream Theater is the first band I know of that has done so much of this stuff, just for us fans. I appreciate that. I am not sad it is gone either. It was great while it lasted. But things don't last forever and things change, sometimes making compromises is the only way to move forward. That's acceptance.
The problem is, when he split, the guys made it sound like they were just gonna pick up the ball and continue with it - that it wasn't that big of a deal. I think JR even made a comment that what MP was doing wasn't rocket science, and yet they have fallen very short on the things that MP managed to pull off. So are things different than before? Sure. But does that mean there's no reason to be disappointed? Not at all.
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I kind of take offense at being called spoiled. I've literally been a fan for their entire career. I'm just stating my opinion on why the MP/post MP Eras feel different.
I am sorry if it offended you, it's not meant to be offensive. It's an observation, I have noticed, by being a dream theater fan and also listening and following many other styles of bands. And also, understanding the music industry, really helped me get an idea, of a lot of things. Mostly, from reading interviews by bands about things they are willing to talk about, and this book.
It's why I have stated. MP isn't your average, run of the mill musician. He is first and foremost a music fan, who became a musician, and happened to be living the dream of becoming a "Rock Star".. .What he did during his tenure with Dream Theater, are all things he wished bands would have done while he was a music fan. He went out of his way, to cater to us fans. Many, Many, Many, bands do not do this at all. Dream Theater is the first band I know of that has done so much of this stuff, just for us fans. I appreciate that.
Well, that's just it. MP gets it. He really does. He saw the band through a fan's eyes. And that really resonated with me. My biggest fear is the Dream Theater fades to being just another band on my iPod..
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I think the fan engagement is just different this time around. The fun Easter egg hunt leading to D/T is a fun example. During TA, we had a book (unfortunately was not executed properly) which is obviously aimed at the die-hards. And I believe in JP's mind, the elaborate audio visual production in the concerts is something they are giving to the fans.
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I think the fan engagement is just different this time around. The fun Easter egg hunt leading to D/T is a fun example. During TA, we had a book (unfortunately was not executed properly) which is obviously aimed at the die-hards. And I believe in JP's mind, the elaborate audio visual production in the concerts is something they are giving to the fans.
I actually thought the whole run up to The Astonishing was really great.
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And who is to say that as music fans, JP and the rest of the band might actually prefer shows with bombastic audiovisual productions and musicians playing at peak technical excellence? MP really is just one type of fan, so to omply that he is the only one thinking like a fan is putting all fans into one box.
It's just like the issue of rotating setlists. DT just passed by our country JUST ONCE in my lifetime during the I,W&B tour (I doubt they would come back again as this pandemic has changed touring in the foreseeable future). You think I, as a fan, would be happy if the only time I get to see them, they suddenly did not play BAI, my favorite DT song, just because they are sticking to a rotating set list policy?
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It's why I have stated. MP isn't your average, run of the mill musician. He is first and foremost a music fan, who became a musician, and happened to be living the dream of becoming a "Rock Star".. .What he did during his tenure with Dream Theater, are all things he wished bands would have done while he was a music fan. He went out of his way, to cater to us fans. Many, Many, Many, bands do not do this at all. Dream Theater is the first band I know of that has done so much of this stuff, just for us fans. I appreciate that. I am not sad it is gone either. It was great while it lasted. But things don't last forever and things change, sometimes making compromises is the only way to move forward. That's acceptance.
The problem is, when he split, the guys made it sound like they were just gonna pick up the ball and continue with it - that it wasn't that big of a deal. I think JR even made a comment that what MP was doing wasn't rocket science, and yet they have fallen very short on the things that MP managed to pull off. So are things different than before? Sure. But does that mean there's no reason to be disappointed? Not at all.
I for one, did not expect them to pick up everything MP did with the band. As we all know, most of those things, MP did under his own volition. They can try, but they are not MP, and MP had that energy to want to do it. It's not what the other guys are interested in. Like MP, always having the camera, being the little film buff and movie maker he is as well. The one that has that aspect to his personality is JR. And wanting to play every song from the catalog, it's easier to do since he knew the parts on the back of his hand. He could play the part, and then could even tell the guys "Remember it's like this...(sings it)" and the guys go, "Oh, that's right." JP and JM do not have as good of a memory that MP has (he was superhuman in that department). Especially JP, he even says on that Chris Jericho interview, about remembering how to play the riff from an older song and having to look at youtube videos, or some other thing, and trying it and then snapping going "Oh yeah, I played it in this position."
But this Christmas Medley is a nice thing to be doing for the crew. And a treat for us fans of the band. Especially, considering how JP doesn't really like Medleys. :lol The Happy Holidays digital download was cool as well, being the first tour with Mangini, and all the older songs played live, including hearing Learning to Live with the LaBrie F# (or at least, an attempt at it, again), and To Live Forever.
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And who is to say that as music fans, JP and the rest of the band might actually prefer shows with bombastic audiovisual productions and musicians playing at peak technical excellence? MP really is just one type of fan, so to omply that he is the only one thinking like a fan is putting all fans into one box.
It's just like the issue of rotating setlists. DT just passed by our country JUST ONCE in my lifetime during the I,W&B tour (I doubt they would come back again as this pandemic has changed touring in the foreseeable future). You think I, as a fan, would be happy if the only time I get to see them, they suddenly did not play BAI, my favorite DT song, just because they are sticking to a rotating set list policy?
The bolded is a great point.
As to the rotating set lists, it was more fun to follow the band online back then for sure to see what would get played each night, but I get why they do it this way now. It sucked back then to see a rarity get pulled out and played at only one or two shows. Regardless of what you (the general "you") think of Space Dye Vest, it got pulled out on the Along for the Ride tour and was played at every single show. Had it gotten played in the Portnoy era, you would have only gotten to see if you just happen to go to the one show where it was played, like if they had played it at the Rosendale, NY show on the Scenes tour (IIRC) for example. That is the great thing about the band in the last 10 years. If they pulled out something rare or obscure, you probably got to see it at your show whenever or wherever it was on that tour, a few exceptions aside (like Don't Look Past Me getting dropped).
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A lot of conversation on DTF revolves around with MP and without MP.
This is the essence of the question. That's what it is about, it's not about drum sound or click. It's about Mike Portnoy. It is and always will be. Yes, there are differences, big differences, but I repeat: the essence of the discussion is the absence of MP.
Even more significant changes have happened (in terms of sound) before (Moore-Sherinian-Rudess). They happened, they generated certain crises, they were understood and absorbed. We move on. The same will not happen in the Portnoy-Mangini case. We will never move forward. Because it is not possible.
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If they pulled out something rare or obscure, you probably got to see it at your show whenever or wherever it was on that tour, a few exceptions aside (like Don't Look Past Me getting dropped).
But that's also part of the problem, because the whole reason why DLPM, TLF and even TGD were all dropped was because it didn't get a resounding response from the audience - JP has stated that clearly. So that means a lot of the rarities and special tracks that MP would make sure got thrown into the set probably will never see the light of day in the live setting again, or if they do, only briefly until they're dropped completely. To MP, that didn't matter. He knew that there were diehards in the audience that would go nuts getting those unusual tracks, and he made sure to cater to them as well as the average fan. And, aside from the 1998 Holidays shows, it wasn't as if a whole show or set was full of those rarities - just one or two. But even that's too many now. :-[
Even more significant changes have happened (in terms of sound) before (Moore-Sherinian-Rudess). They happened, they generated certain crises, they were understood and absorbed. We move on. The same will not happen in the Portnoy-Mangini case. We will never move forward. Because it is not possible.
That's an interesting point. But I think the big difference between any of the other line up changes and the last one is that there was so much more that changed. It wasn't just somebody different playing the instrument now with their own style. The way the band is run has changed completely, too. So while the sound of the band may have changed more, everything else remained the same. The same can't be said for the latest line up change if you are a diehard who likes all the extra perks that made DT "especially special".
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If they pulled out something rare or obscure, you probably got to see it at your show whenever or wherever it was on that tour, a few exceptions aside (like Don't Look Past Me getting dropped).
But that's also part of the problem, because the whole reason why DLPM, TLF and even TGD were all dropped was because it didn't get a resounding response from the audience - JP has stated that clearly. So that means a lot of the rarities and special tracks that MP would make sure got thrown into the set probably will never see the light of day in the live setting again, or if they do, only briefly until they're dropped completely. To MP, that didn't matter. He knew that there were diehards in the audience that would go nuts getting those unusual tracks, and he made sure to cater to them as well as the average fan. And, aside from the 1998 Holidays shows, it wasn't as if a whole show or set was full of those rarities - just one or two. But even that's too many now. :-[
Except that you didn't include my Space Dye Vest example in what you quoted, which contradicts your last point.
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If they pulled out something rare or obscure, you probably got to see it at your show whenever or wherever it was on that tour, a few exceptions aside (like Don't Look Past Me getting dropped).
But that's also part of the problem, because the whole reason why DLPM, TLF and even TGD were all dropped was because it didn't get a resounding response from the audience - JP has stated that clearly. So that means a lot of the rarities and special tracks that MP would make sure got thrown into the set probably will never see the light of day in the live setting again, or if they do, only briefly until they're dropped completely. To MP, that didn't matter. He knew that there were diehards in the audience that would go nuts getting those unusual tracks, and he made sure to cater to them as well as the average fan. And, aside from the 1998 Holidays shows, it wasn't as if a whole show or set was full of those rarities - just one or two. But even that's too many now. :-[
Except that you didn't include my Space Dye Vest example in what you quoted, which contradicts your last point.
No - re-read what I posted. I said "a lot" not all. And even in the case of SDVest, they did it because they were performing all of the second half of Awake. Would it have made the setlist if that had not been the case? Maybe, maybe not, but more likely not given the track record. Therefore, I still stand by my statement.
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Finally got around to listening to this. I really want a DT Christmas album now. I thought this was great.
I've been begging for a DT Christmas album for 20 years.
When I shared this with Mrs. P said, “Now we need an entire Holiday record!”
Listening to it makes me wish they did more of (Dream Theater)-y renditions of famous songs (or at least more mainstream than them). For example, a cover of Beatles' "Yellow Submarine", Aqua's "Barbie Girl" or Gorillaz' "19-2000" in their style, a very proggy version of Linkin Park's "In The End", with Jordan Rudess moments resembling James' favorite part in TCOT and patches and tones like of "Solitary Shell", or say a full heavy-metal version of "Wish You Were Here" (I think they have done an acoustic cover already). Or even a Bach concert or other classical piece. The most dissonant, the better.
They could do a full second disc in one of their future albums just out of this stuff, just so as we don't, in a later moment, collectively regret the missed opportunity of obtaining fresh DT material and are stuck with those covers and nothing else!
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What ia really being more fan-friendly? Playing what many fans want by whipping up the "classics" and "favorites" or pleasing a small elite group of fans by throwing in rarities that many have not heard of (and have no means of hearing because these are not in any official release)?
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Damn this was a nice track! Really like that they are doing this for the crew. I am not much for Christmas songs but it feels like a nice thing to spend some money on and it's DT in the end. However I really liked the song even if I don't care too much for the cheesy songs it's based on.
The mix is fantastic!! Please let whoever mixed this continue with that.
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I think James sounded amazing on this track. His voice also has more space than on Distance Over Time, which sounded kinda compressed.
James has been getting a lot of shit these last months/years. But wow the guy can still sing :metal
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Damn this was a nice track! Really like that they are doing this for the crew. I am not much for Christmas songs but it feels like a nice thing to spend some money on and it's DT in the end. However I really liked the song even if I don't care too much for the cheesy songs it's based on.
The mix is fantastic!! Please let whoever mixed this continue with that.
I love how they have the option to allow us to pay for more to help the crew.
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Damn this was a nice track! Really like that they are doing this for the crew. I am not much for Christmas songs but it feels like a nice thing to spend some money on and it's DT in the end. However I really liked the song even if I don't care too much for the cheesy songs it's based on.
The mix is fantastic!! Please let whoever mixed this continue with that.
I love how they have the option to allow us to pay for more to help the crew.
Yes! This is most likely the most expensive single I ever bought but also worth it. A lot of people have a really hard year and Christmas is an excellent time to hopefully help a little if you can :tup
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A lot of conversation on DTF revolves around with MP and without MP.
This is the essence of the question. That's what it is about, it's not about drum sound or click. It's about Mike Portnoy. It is and always will be. Yes, there are differences, big differences, but I repeat: the essence of the discussion is the absence of MP.
Even more significant changes have happened (in terms of sound) before (Moore-Sherinian-Rudess). They happened, they generated certain crises, they were understood and absorbed. We move on. The same will not happen in the Portnoy-Mangini case. We will never move forward. Because it is not possible.
I know a lot of people who haven't moved on from Moore to Sherinian, or from Sherinian to Rudess, the difference is that it was such a long time ago that they're not likely to be on the forum now. And also, because the absence of Portnoy hits straight to the heart of the nerd who is likely to hang out here with us, so this nerdy stuff is all we talk about. We're the nerds, you can have diehards who aren't nerds. I know, again, many people who have all their albums and most of their DVDs and they don't know about the click track, they don't know that the band promised they'd continue with bootlegs (and the latest bootleg wasn't *that* long ago in their eyes), they don't know about the setlists.
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I kind of take offense at being called spoiled. I've literally been a fan for their entire career. I'm just stating my opinion on why the MP/post MP Eras feel different.
Other than your ridiculous comment on the Marillion song (I LOVE that version of Surrounded, already one of my favorite songs; there's a Pink Floyd nod in there too!) :) :) :) I think you're spot on in everything you said. Perfect.
And I don't feel spoiled at all. I paid good money for the things they offered, and (I'd like to think) repaid even more with my loyalty. I'm STILL a first day buyer, even though we're not getting the goodies and I'm not as thrilled with the music as I was. If I look at my CD shelf, I have more Dream Theater than any other band besides the Grateful Dead (and that doesn't really count, because most of that is the Dave's Pick's I've subscribed to since they're worth money). It was definitely a two-way street.
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It's why I have stated. MP isn't your average, run of the mill musician. He is first and foremost a music fan, who became a musician, and happened to be living the dream of becoming a "Rock Star".. .What he did during his tenure with Dream Theater, are all things he wished bands would have done while he was a music fan. He went out of his way, to cater to us fans. Many, Many, Many, bands do not do this at all. Dream Theater is the first band I know of that has done so much of this stuff, just for us fans. I appreciate that. I am not sad it is gone either. It was great while it lasted. But things don't last forever and things change, sometimes making compromises is the only way to move forward. That's acceptance.
The problem is, when he split, the guys made it sound like they were just gonna pick up the ball and continue with it - that it wasn't that big of a deal. I think JR even made a comment that what MP was doing wasn't rocket science, and yet they have fallen very short on the things that MP managed to pull off. So are things different than before? Sure. But does that mean there's no reason to be disappointed? Not at all.
I for one, did not expect them to pick up everything MP did with the band. As we all know, most of those things, MP did under his own volition. They can try, but they are not MP, and MP had that energy to want to do it. It's not what the other guys are interested in. Like MP, always having the camera, being the little film buff and movie maker he is as well. The one that has that aspect to his personality is JR. And wanting to play every song from the catalog, it's easier to do since he knew the parts on the back of his hand. He could play the part, and then could even tell the guys "Remember it's like this...(sings it)" and the guys go, "Oh, that's right." JP and JM do not have as good of a memory that MP has (he was superhuman in that department). Especially JP, he even says on that Chris Jericho interview, about remembering how to play the riff from an older song and having to look at youtube videos, or some other thing, and trying it and then snapping going "Oh yeah, I played it in this position."
But this Christmas Medley is a nice thing to be doing for the crew. And a treat for us fans of the band. Especially, considering how JP doesn't really like Medleys. :lol The Happy Holidays digital download was cool as well, being the first tour with Mangini, and all the older songs played live, including hearing Learning to Live with the LaBrie F# (or at least, an attempt at it, again), and To Live Forever.
Not to stir the pot, but for me the difference is MP and MM, but also the REACTION to MP and MM. I'm a Portnoy guy; I'm like TAC, I liked all that stuff. I liked that MP made it possible to get ALL the songs if I wanted. I liked that MP paid us in music. Example: I bought the Flying Colors live DVD/Blu-ray, and I read somewhere that the Space Truckin' encore was only available on vinyl. I thought to myself, "that's not very Portnoy". And I'm watching the Blu-ray, and sure enough, tacked on the end, no reference, no listing, nothing.... there's Space Truckin'. He's a completist, and he recognizes that some of his fans are too. And if you're not "one of those fans", you don't need to participate, but it's THERE if you want to. The rotating setlists; it wasn't EVERY SONG, but it was enough that you got something special; if you're the type to worry about what was played in a city 200 miles from you, then it sucked, I guess, but if you're one of those that values what YOU get, it was fun and special. I listen to the Ytsejam material as much if not more than the main releases at this point. And I wish every day that Sharon Osbourne and Tony Banks thought like Mike; I've had to grab and crawl and scrape for the Ozzy material that I want to hear (the anniversary re-releases ignored one b-side and a bunch of live stuff that was on an EP), stuff that had MP been involved would have found the light of day SOMEHOW.
If this stuff isn't for you and you're good with what we're getting now, that's AWESOME! That's amazing and I'm truly glad you have a band that is serving your needs. I would just hope that those in that camp would recognize that it's the same in reverse instead of dismissing so many as "Portnoy fan-boys" and "spoiled" and the like. I don't consider myself "spoiled", and the one time I met Mike, briefly, I made it a point to thank him for his approach to his band and his material.
(And for the record, it was James - in an interview with Used Bin Radio, later quoted on Blabbermouth - that said they were going to the four of them pick up the slack and continue on with what was done before. I've provided that quote numerous times here. Not judging whether they were successful or not, just setting the record straight.)
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Back to the song:
I finally had a chance to listen to it and....
It's a Christmas song. I'm sick of bands doing Christmas songs.
BUT...
This was obviously a special thing to help out the crew AND it doesn't hurt to have a random one off song available for download so I dig it and do not regret my $2.99 going to it at all.
If Dream Theater was going to do a Christmas song, this would be how they should do it. If they do more, for the love of god, DO NOT DO A WHOLE ALBUM.
I still can't believe Halford (the band) did a Christmas album. Then he did another one but at least that time it was "Rob Halford with Friends & Family."
I'm not anti-Christmas. My wife and I actually spent two nights this week going around and looking at Christmas displays. One of them was one of those music things put to lights and one of the songs was by Transiberian Orchestra. I love it (and one of these days I'll just bite the bullet and see them live). They also had some Jackson 5 Christmas songs. It was awesome.
The sound:
I thought it sounded great. Not of fan of Mangini's snare. Poor guy just can't win. Other than that, it sounded pretty good.
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Just to add how AMAZING MP were on making special things for the fans, I think it's really cool to remember one of the best stories... at Octavarium tour , if the DT played a second nigth in a row in the same city, it was well estabilished that you would hear a cover album on the second night (I believe that tradition started at 6 Degrees tour). When DT came to Brazil in 2005, the last time the band played here was in a festival in 1998 (FII tour), DT would play 2 nights in a row in São Paulo. Before those shows, some brazilian fans were already complaining that, since the band didn't tour here very often, it was an absurd that DT could play someone's else album on any show here. I remember that MP went on-line and said that if DT plays a second night in the same city, the fans were already aware that, at the second night, it would have an album in full and it would go to the show who wanted to etc. And... what happened in the second night São Paulo show?! DT played Scenes in full... after years, DT rehearshed that entire fuc*%@ album just to play for one last time (pun indeed)... UNBELIEVABLE... I NEVER seen anything like that, for the fans, from any band, if you ask me.
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Just to add how AMAZING MP were on making special things for the fans, I think it's really cool to remember one of the best stories... at Octavarium tour , if the DT played a second nigth in a row in the same city, it was well estabilished that you would hear a cover album on the second night (I believe that tradition started at 6 Degrees tour). When DT came to Brazil in 2005, the last time the band played here was in a festival in 1998 (FII tour), DT would play 2 nights in a row in São Paulo. Before those shows, some brazilian fans were already complaining that, since the band didn't tour here very often, it was an absurd that DT could play someone's else album on any show here. I remember that MP went on-line and said that if DT plays a second night in the same city, the fans were already aware that, at the second night, it would have an album in full and it would go to the show who wanted to etc. And... what happened in the second night São Paulo show?! DT played Scenes in full... after years, DT rehearshed that entire fuc*%@ album just to play for one last time (pun indeed)... UNBELIEVABLE... I NEVER seen anything like that, for the fans, from any band, if you ask me.
Imagine the planning that is involved in doing that.
See it's what I mean when I say that MP is a fan at heart, and put fans first in the products. He still does this. So what people miss in DT is MP.
If the band was going to take over what MP brought, they would have done that already. They don't want to put in the work that goes into doing what MP did. And that work is a lot. So the band found others to work on those things, while they as the band have the final say and decision. It's why I say MP could've just let some of these things go into the control of someone else, but he couldn't because he had to have that much control of these things, in turn it resulted in him deciding to leave the band, because he didn't want to give up that control to ease his mind. Remember, he said he wanted a break from DT, and I took that to mean all the business aspects of DT. Which could be why the guys said "Dude, WTF?!" (obviously paraphrasing).
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What ia really being more fan-friendly? Playing what many fans want by whipping up the "classics" and "favorites" or pleasing a small elite group of fans by throwing in rarities that many have not heard of (and have no means of hearing because these are not in any official release)?
Oh I don't know....how about doing both? :omg:
Did you not read everything I posted? Aside from the 1998 Holidays shows, no MP-era shows were stuffed full of obscure rarities and covers. But he did make sure to throw in a few rarities so that the die hard fans would be just as happy as the casual fan who was only there to see them perform their "hits". Let's not forget that by including obscure tracks in a setlist which are then included on a live release, the general fanbase *does* become much more aware of them and appreciate them, even if they didn't initially. Another Won and Raise the Knife on Score are perfect examples of this.
When DT came to Brazil in 2005, the last time the band played here was in a festival in 1998 (FII tour), DT would play 2 nights in a row in São Paulo. Before those shows, some brazilian fans were already complaining that, since the band didn't tour here very often, it was an absurd that DT could play someone's else album on any show here. I remember that MP went on-line and said that if DT plays a second night in the same city, the fans were already aware that, at the second night, it would have an album in full and it would go to the show who wanted to etc. And... what happened in the second night São Paulo show?! DT played Scenes in full... after years, DT rehearshed that entire fuc*%@ album just to play for one last time (pun indeed)... UNBELIEVABLE... I NEVER seen anything like that, for the fans, from any band, if you ask me.
I remember that well. To be fair, the band already had a good chunk of the album rehearsed since several songs from SFaM were in the master setlist, but the band still had to rehearse 5 more songs for those shows. Regardless, I remember MP commenting that as soon as he saw the back to back dates in South America (both in Argentina and Brazil), he immediately knew what album they were going to "cover" for those cities, since they didn't play in South America at all on the M2000 tour. He definitely was looking out for the interests of the fans.
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A lot of conversation on DTF revolves around with MP and without MP.
This is the essence of the question. That's what it is about, it's not about drum sound or click. It's about Mike Portnoy. It is and always will be. Yes, there are differences, big differences, but I repeat: the essence of the discussion is the absence of MP.
Even more significant changes have happened (in terms of sound) before (Moore-Sherinian-Rudess). They happened, they generated certain crises, they were understood and absorbed. We move on. The same will not happen in the Portnoy-Mangini case. We will never move forward. Because it is not possible.
I know a lot of people who haven't moved on from Moore to Sherinian, or from Sherinian to Rudess, the difference is that it was such a long time ago that they're not likely to be on the forum now. And also, because the absence of Portnoy hits straight to the heart of the nerd who is likely to hang out here with us, so this nerdy stuff is all we talk about. We're the nerds, you can have diehards who aren't nerds. I know, again, many people who have all their albums and most of their DVDs and they don't know about the click track, they don't know that the band promised they'd continue with bootlegs (and the latest bootleg wasn't *that* long ago in their eyes), they don't know about the setlists.
Of course, I also know people who haven't moved on. The guy who introduced me to Dream Theater started to consider that the band only had two albums worth listening to: I&W and Awake (it was practically impossible, at that time, to even be able to listen to WDADU in an underdeveloped country like mine, so we ignored it).
But these are just a few anecdotal examples. They are not representative of most fans. It is not the same case with MP/MM. The absence of MP in the band turned the environment into hell. And I'm not talking about DTF, on the contrary, this is the only healthy place you can still go. The absence of MP is a common theme here, there is no denying it, but it is still possible to breathe fresh air.
But it is what it is. Ten more years may pass and we will still be in the same place.
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I remember that well. To be fair, the band already had a good chunk of the album rehearsed since several songs from SFaM were in the master setlist, but the band still had to rehearse 5 more songs for those shows. Regardless, I remember MP commenting that as soon as he saw the back to back dates in South America (both in Argentina and Brazil), he immediately knew what album they were going to "cover" for those cities, since they didn't play in South America at all on the M2000 tour. He definitely was looking out for the interests of the fans.
Interesting aditional information, Scotty! :tup
Just out of curiosity, do you remember what songs? Still I can imagine they rehearshed at last 30 or 40 minutes of music that they weren't playing at that tour (more or less the time lenght of any "classic album"). Anyway, it was incredibly cool from DT/MP!
Edited: 6 Scenes songs added for that South American tour:
https://www.setlist.fm/stats/dream-theater-bd6a102.html?tour=7bd62ea0
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Maybe it's just me, but I'm tired of seeing the same discussion over and over again. It's been 10 years, guys, 10 years. Why can't we just move on? :(
I'm sure that, even if MM decided to leave and they got MP back, things would never be the same as they were decades ago, I think we need to accept that and live with it.
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yes...to the song.....
It is sooo Good! :metal :heart I just keep listening - the intro after the bright piano, with the heavy guitar then the keyboard..I want to hear more of that! JLB sounds great!
And a continuation of JP's guitar that has been so yummy lately!. I don't understand drums, but they are fun sounding and really add to it.......What about
that "1,2,3,4!" at the begining?
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Great song. Everyone sounds terrific. Well done, DT! :tup
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MP is the new Kevin Moore.
Every thread eventually becomes about him.
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I will go back to my DTF hiatus. Band does a very admirable job putting out a song not just for the fans but for the worthy cause of helping out the crew hit by the pandemic but as usual, the discussion turns back into how the band doesn't make the fans feel special like in the good old days. Band thinks about the crew, elite fans think it is about themselves.
Donate to help the crew. Have a happy holidays.
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I will go back to my DTF hiatus. Band does a very admirable job putting out a song not just for the fans but for the worthy cause of helping out the crew hit by the pandemic but as usual, the discussion turns back into how the band doesn't make the fans feel special like in the good old days. Band thinks about the crew, elite fans think it is about themselves.
Donate to help the crew. Have a happy holidays.
I agree with this. I don't have skin in the issue as I was not around for MP, nor even listening to DT then. It was interesting to read about for a while, but it's repetitive now, and the same on FB (much worse actually, here everyone is polite). Until recently, the forums and social media were fun - a place to be excited, to be a Fan - with other DT fans. A place to escape and share a mutual love for a band. Now its a few posts about the exciting thing: Upcoming new album, New live album release, Suprise (and really good) song at Christmas and for a good cause, and Waaay more about who the better drummer is, JLB can't sing, the concerts are boring. I was so thrilled! by this new song. I haven't experienced a surprise like this with DT before and couldn't wait to read all about it. And well... :mehlin
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I will go back to my DTF hiatus. Band does a very admirable job putting out a song not just for the fans but for the worthy cause of helping out the crew hit by the pandemic but as usual, the discussion turns back into how the band doesn't make the fans feel special like in the good old days. Band thinks about the crew, elite fans think it is about themselves.
Donate to help the crew. Have a happy holidays.
I agree with this. I don't have skin in the issue as I was not around for MP, nor even listening to DT then. It was interesting to read about for a while, but it's repetitive now, and the same on FB (much worse actually, here everyone is polite). Until recently, the forums and social media were fun - a place to be excited, to be a Fan - with other DT fans. A place to escape and share a mutual love for a band. Now its a few posts about the exciting thing: Upcoming new album, New live album release, Suprise (and really good) song at Christmas and for a good cause, and Waaay more about who the better drummer is, JLB can't sing, the concerts are boring. I was so thrilled! by this new song. I haven't experienced a surprise like this with DT before and couldn't wait to read all about it. And well... :mehlin
I apologize for my part in this. I am also aware of it, but it came up and I had to say my share.
I am still enjoying this Medley. I just love that drum sound.
What are the christmas songs that are included in the medley?
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What are the christmas songs that are included in the medley?
I've been wondering the same thing. If someone knows, please share!
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Deck the halls..a little guitar part of We Three Kings, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Jingle Bells, closed with a bit of...I'll leave that for a surprise. I would like to have an entire song that comes from the heavy 2nd part of the intro. It is soo good.
And for the record. I love the long epic songs. This one is 5ish minutes, and even though Christmas Carol's are kinda boring...year after year...I really wanted this song to keep going!
Thanks :heart
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Oh Come All Ye Faithful is amazing. I wouldn't have minded that as a standalone.
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I'd love to have a proper recording of their version of O Holy Night.
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James sounds beautiful on OCaYF..
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I'd love to have a proper recording of their version of O Holy Night.
There's one on the first Fan Club CD; it's excellent. There are a couple for sale on eBay (warning: they aren't cheap; though there's one there that isn't in collector quality shape that might be a little more reasonable).
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James sounds beautiful on OCaYF..
That's the highlight of the track IMO. I'd pay for a full version of that.
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I'd love to have a proper recording of their version of O Holy Night.
https://www.ytsejamrecords.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=14
This one is with Charlie on vocals and the recording is really good (from what I remember).
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I'd love to have a proper recording of their version of O Holy Night.
https://www.ytsejamrecords.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=14
This one is with Charlie on vocals and the recording is really good (from what I remember).
Yes, it's excellent. While I stated earlier I'm so over bands doing Christmas music, I've got to admit, I'm a sucker for this song. Would love a proper LaBrie version.
Wait, I've got an idea....Dominici/LaBrie duet? I would pay many dollars for that.
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I'd love to have a proper recording of their version of O Holy Night.
https://www.ytsejamrecords.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=14
This one is with Charlie on vocals and the recording is really good (from what I remember).
Yes, it's excellent. While I stated earlier I'm so over bands doing Christmas music, I've got to admit, I'm a sucker for this song. Would love a proper LaBrie version.
Wait, I've got an idea....Dominici/LaBrie duet? I would pay many dollars for that.
I never checked the version with Charlie because I just went with the LaBrie version by default, but I'm listening on Youtube right now and it's really good! I prefer the sound quality on this version, but the other has better vocals, and now I don't know which one I prefer :lol
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James sounds beautiful on OCaYF..
That's the highlight of the track IMO. I'd pay for a full version of that.
Same here. I actually would've preferred that instead of this medley. What throws me off and just makes me laugh is when JLB sings "FA LALA LA LA, LALA LA, LA" as it slows down. :lol
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I'd love to have a proper recording of their version of O Holy Night.
https://www.ytsejamrecords.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=14
This one is with Charlie on vocals and the recording is really good (from what I remember).
Yes, it's excellent. While I stated earlier I'm so over bands doing Christmas music, I've got to admit, I'm a sucker for this song. Would love a proper LaBrie version.
Wait, I've got an idea....Dominici/LaBrie duet? I would pay many dollars for that.
What are we calling a proper LaBrie version? Isn't there one?
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I'd love to have a proper recording of their version of O Holy Night.
https://www.ytsejamrecords.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=14
This one is with Charlie on vocals and the recording is really good (from what I remember).
Yes, it's excellent. While I stated earlier I'm so over bands doing Christmas music, I've got to admit, I'm a sucker for this song. Would love a proper LaBrie version.
Wait, I've got an idea....Dominici/LaBrie duet? I would pay many dollars for that.
What are we calling a proper LaBrie version? Isn't there one?
The one on the Fan Club Christmas CD was recorded live at a soundcheck. It's good, but it isn't a studio recording with great quality.
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Live version with Labrie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NavgL2L57C4
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I saw this on facebook the other day but only now just bought the track, it's cool. Not sure how much I'd come back to listening but I totally think it's a cool idea for the crew and also just for the band to do a medley again. :metal :metal
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Well... this was much better than I was expecting. I loved the vocal harmonies and "silly" riffs that haven't been too present in their recent music was a pleasant and surprising welcome. I love Christmas music and I love DT, but never ever thought the two could co-exist. I am proven wrong. Like others have said, though, one medley is the cake and the icing. Let's leave it at that.
-Tof
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Bought it today, great fun listen! love the mix like everyone has pointed out.
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I kind of take offense at being called spoiled. I've literally been a fan for their entire career. I'm just stating my opinion on why the MP/post MP Eras feel different.
I'll be the first to admit I am spoiled by this band.
As a rule, I'm not a downloader, but I'm breaking the rule in this case.
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I kind of take offense at being called spoiled. I've literally been a fan for their entire career. I'm just stating my opinion on why the MP/post MP Eras feel different.
You mean especially special? :biggrin:
It's why I have stated. MP isn't your average, run of the mill musician. He is first and foremost a music fan, who became a musician, and happened to be living the dream of becoming a "Rock Star".. .What he did during his tenure with Dream Theater, are all things he wished bands would have done while he was a music fan. He went out of his way, to cater to us fans. Many, Many, Many, bands do not do this at all. Dream Theater is the first band I know of that has done so much of this stuff, just for us fans. I appreciate that. I am not sad it is gone either. It was great while it lasted. But things don't last forever and things change, sometimes making compromises is the only way to move forward. That's acceptance.
The problem is, when he split, the guys made it sound like they were just gonna pick up the ball and continue with it - that it wasn't that big of a deal. I think JR even made a comment that what MP was doing wasn't rocket science, and yet they have fallen very short on the things that MP managed to pull off. So are things different than before? Sure. But does that mean there's no reason to be disappointed? Not at all.
I used to wonder if they intended to do that at the time and realized how involving all of it was and dropped it or if they had no intention of following up on it but felt the need to address it at the time.
I never really held that against them because they never had the enthusiasm for it like Mike did.
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I kind of take offense at being called spoiled. I've literally been a fan for their entire career. I'm just stating my opinion on why the MP/post MP Eras feel different.
Other than your ridiculous comment on the Marillion song (I LOVE that version of Surrounded, already one of my favorite songs; there's a Pink Floyd nod in there too!) :) :) :)
That's a favorite of mine too. Can't get enough of it. I even thanked Mike personally for it. He didn't think too many people would get Sugar Mice.
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Not to stir the pot, but for me the difference is MP and MM, but also the REACTION to MP and MM. I'm a Portnoy guy; I'm like TAC, I liked all that stuff. I liked that MP made it possible to get ALL the songs if I wanted. I liked that MP paid us in music. Example: I bought the Flying Colors live DVD/Blu-ray, and I read somewhere that the Space Truckin' encore was only available on vinyl. I thought to myself, "that's not very Portnoy". And I'm watching the Blu-ray, and sure enough, tacked on the end, no reference, no listing, nothing.... there's Space Truckin'. He's a completist, and he recognizes that some of his fans are too. And if you're not "one of those fans", you don't need to participate, but it's THERE if you want to. The rotating setlists; it wasn't EVERY SONG, but it was enough that you got something special; if you're the type to worry about what was played in a city 200 miles from you, then it sucked, I guess, but if you're one of those that values what YOU get, it was fun and special. I listen to the Ytsejam material as much if not more than the main releases at this point. And I wish every day that Sharon Osbourne and Tony Banks thought like Mike; I've had to grab and crawl and scrape for the Ozzy material that I want to hear (the anniversary re-releases ignored one b-side and a bunch of live stuff that was on an EP), stuff that had MP been involved would have found the light of day SOMEHOW.
If this stuff isn't for you and you're good with what we're getting now, that's AWESOME! That's amazing and I'm truly glad you have a band that is serving your needs. I would just hope that those in that camp would recognize that it's the same in reverse instead of dismissing so many as "Portnoy fan-boys" and "spoiled" and the like. I don't consider myself "spoiled", and the one time I met Mike, briefly, I made it a point to thank him for his approach to his band and his material.
I don't see it like that. I think I'm getting the best of both worlds. Mike still does what he always did to a certain extent with his other projects just not with Dream Theater and Dream Theater is Dream Theater. I also think I've been spoiled.
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I used to wonder if they intended to do that at the time and realized how involving all of it was and dropped it or if they had no intention of following up on it but felt the need to address it at the time.
I never really held that against them because they never had the enthusiasm for it like Mike did.
Agreed. It became obvious years ago that the band wasn't going to go to the lengths that Portnoy did regarding certain things, so if (the general) you are still disappointed by that in 2020, that is a (again, the general) you problem, not a band one.
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Deck the halls..a little guitar part of We Three Kings, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Jingle Bells, closed with a bit of...I'll leave that for a surprise. I would like to have an entire song that comes from the heavy 2nd part of the intro. It is soo good.
And for the record. I love the long epic songs. This one is 5ish minutes, and even though Christmas Carol's are kinda boring...year after year...I really wanted this song to keep going!
Thanks :heart
Haven't heard it yet but I already wish it was longer.
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I didn't realize they were raising money for their crew with this until I stumbled upon this video..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3sYYWpbA4k
Which I'm sure I'm the last to see. :lol
That's a great gesture by the band!
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Trivium did it too - but they just asked for donations - which I find a bit odd. At least put out something fans can actually buy.
Put out an EP of leftover songs from the last couple of albums - put it on BandCamp as a Pay Whatever You Want release
and some people will pay stupid money for it.
I'd never want to just ask for money. Especially when you could easily provide something in return quite easily.
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Nightwish's crew recorded an album of Nightwish songs to raise money. I didn't get it, but I respect the bands showing support for their crew. Even if it's just asking for some money, so be it. Not every band has the ability to put out a release along with it.
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I didn't realize they were raising money for their crew with this until I stumbled upon this video..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3sYYWpbA4k
Which I'm sure I'm the last to see. :lol
That's a great gesture by the band!
Self realization is a good thing Tim. :lol
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Really early on in Covid, Steel Panther had a "Steel Panther Saves the World" show. They played a 75-90 minute set online. Tickets were only 15 bucks and the money went towards the crew. It was a good show.
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Weirdly - on my birthday - I got a DM from a follower asking If I had a Paypal so they could send me some birthday £.
I said I wasn't comfortable accepting money - even from an online friend - but they could buy some of my music.
That Way I still get the £ and I don't feel like I owe anything in return.
They didn't want to ?
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I didn't realize they were raising money for their crew with this until I stumbled upon this video..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3sYYWpbA4k
Which I'm sure I'm the last to see. :lol
That's a great gesture by the band!
Self realization is a good thing Tim. :lol
I just thought they made a Christmas song in quarantine. It almost makes me feel bad for slagging their lack of "extras". That still stands, but it is nice of them to do something for the crew.
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The song just popped up on my youtube.
Someone made a chart of Guitar Hero out of it.
Pretty good.
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I bought this last Friday and chipped in a some extra cabbage for the crew so here are some immediate thoughts:
1) Love it! Typical DT that we all know and love!
2) This is the most percussive that I have heard from MM. (I'm talking about his fills and accents)
3) I wonder if this will change their business model. During the downtime, release some tunes every month and put them up for sale during downtime.
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Bought it and loved it. Gave a little extra in the spirit of the holidays.
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Love that they threw in a quick little bit of "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel" at 4:05.
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Love that they threw in a quick little bit of "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel" at 4:05.
Good catch. I didn't grow up singing that song but I couldn't put my finger on that passage.
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I actually missed that too. Even knowing the time stamp it took my a moment before I could catch the proggy melody.
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Love that they threw in a quick little bit of "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel" at 4:05.
I liked that too, because when I first saw that they made this track, my first thought was “wait isn’t Jordan Jewish?”
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I really like this, especially the beginning.
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https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=235851041237704&id=100044384291096
Drum intro of the song on MM's FB page.
I wish they posted a video of all the guys playing this song, maybe in a split screen style, as holiday gift for the fans. I just loved the vibe of the song man!
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https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=235851041237704&id=100044384291096
Drum intro of the song on MM's FB page.
I wish they posted a video of all the guys playing this song, maybe in a split screen style, as holiday gift for the fans. I just loved the vibe of the song man!
How anyone can watch that and call MM's playing robotic is beyond me. ???
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https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=235851041237704&id=100044384291096
Drum intro of the song on MM's FB page.
I wish they posted a video of all the guys playing this song, maybe in a split screen style, as holiday gift for the fans. I just loved the vibe of the song man!
It would've been neat to have that along with the song.
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https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=235851041237704&id=100044384291096
Drum intro of the song on MM's FB page.
I wish they posted a video of all the guys playing this song, maybe in a split screen style, as holiday gift for the fans. I just loved the vibe of the song man!
WOW! :metal :metal :metal
There seems to be a full song drum video but Mike said he didn't upload the whole thing because the song is still available for purchase this week. Hope he decides to upload the full video soon, though, that was incredible :hefdaddy Really digging the smaller kit too!
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It seems to me that the smaller kit really brings up the best of Mike's creativity. Those initial fills are sooo tasteful. I would be glad to see him play on a smaller kit for new DT stuff.
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It seems to me that the smaller kit really brings up the best of Mike's creativity. Those initial fills are sooo tasteful. I would be glad to see him play on a smaller kit for new DT stuff.
His D/T kit was already "smaller" :lol but this one is set up a bit differently too, it's nore of a righty kit instead of an abidextrous kit.
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It seems to me that the smaller kit really brings up the best of Mike's creativity. Those initial fills are sooo tasteful. I would be glad to see him play on a smaller kit for new DT stuff.
His D/T kit was already "smaller" :lol but this one is set up a bit differently too, it's nore of a righty kit instead of an abidextrous kit.
I quite enjoy how he is experimenting with his drums.
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Really interesting this smaller kit... MM commented if he used/will use this kit for the full album?
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Really interesting this smaller kit... MM commented if he used/will use this kit for the full album?
He already recorded the drums for DT15 and posted a pic of his green bass drum (the one on Distant Memories) mic'ed up, so that's the kit he used for the album (I assume).
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It seems to me that the smaller kit really brings up the best of Mike's creativity. Those initial fills are sooo tasteful. I would be glad to see him play on a smaller kit for new DT stuff.
His D/T kit was already "smaller" :lol but this one is set up a bit differently too, it's nore of a righty kit instead of an abidextrous kit.
I quite enjoy how he is experimenting with his drums.
Same, I love his ambidextrous kits, it's something fresh for the band. Regardless of his final sound on the albums, his approach is still very interesting to me as a drummer. After his audition, I was worried he'd try too hard to be like Portnoy, down to having the same exact kit set up, but 8j retrospect I'm glad he came up with something unique.
-Marc.
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It seems to me that the smaller kit really brings up the best of Mike's creativity. Those initial fills are sooo tasteful. I would be glad to see him play on a smaller kit for new DT stuff.
His D/T kit was already "smaller" :lol but this one is set up a bit differently too, it's nore of a righty kit instead of an abidextrous kit.
I quite enjoy how he is experimenting with his drums.
Same, I love his ambidextrous kits, it's something fresh for the band. Regardless of his final sound on the albums, his approach is still very interesting to me as a drummer. After his audition, I was worried he'd try too hard to be like Portnoy, down to having the same exact kit set up, but 8j retrospect I'm glad he came up with something unique.
-Marc.
I am of the opinion that for some people, he is not enough like MP and that's why and that's why some prefer MP over MM.
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Some comments by Mike on this video post on his Instagram account:
The drums you hear are not the ones you see. I'm playing to the drums used on the next DT album that Jimmy T and I configured and HE alone mixed.
I set this kit as a 2nd studio kit. It sounds great too!
So he recorded the track with the same DT15 kit, but this one was also set up in the studio (probably used on a few songs?) and recorded the video on this one.
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I saw those comments too and they got me confused.
Back when the song was released, he mentioned that it had been recorded on a smaller and simpler kit and you can notice that throughout the song too. But after the intro video he posted he is talking about differences in mics and setup ups on his home drum kit and the studio one, how this was not the kit he used to track the song and stuff like that.
So I really don't know whether the kit was actually smaller and simpler or not, or if he tracked the drums of this tune at home or at the studio. But what seems to be confirmed is that there was a 2nd kit setup in the studio sessions for DT15, which is interesting.
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Some comments by Mike on this video post on his Instagram account:
The drums you hear are not the ones you see. I'm playing to the drums used on the next DT album that Jimmy T and I configured and HE alone mixed.
I set this kit as a 2nd studio kit. It sounds great too!
So he recorded the track with the same DT15 kit, but this one was also set up in the studio (probably used on a few songs?) and recorded the video on this one.
It wouldn't surprise me if he uses that to Rehearse on and then records on the one he used on the Holiday Medley.
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Quick question - does anyone know if the count off at the very beginning is from a movie or cartoon?
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Quick question - does anyone know if the count off at the very beginning is from a movie or cartoon?
I wondered if it was Mike Mangini with his voice altered.....
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It could be but I think it might be one of the band members' or studio/recording/mixing crew's kids.
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The voice makes me think of a tiny German lady who tutors piano lessons. It reminds me of The Sound of Music even though no such character exists in that movie.
It's my current ring tone. ;D
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Quick question - does anyone know if the count off at the very beginning is from a movie or cartoon?
I wondered if it was Mike Mangini with his voice altered.....
I would bet money it's Mangini
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could also be sampled from Worms
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I just did some math, and the song seems to have generated over $14.000. Pretty sweet!
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I was wondering about that, great news.
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Here's what DT sent through bandcamp to everyone who purchased the song,
To All of our Fans, Friends, Family, Colleagues and Peers:
We, Dream Theater, wish to extend our most sincere thanks for the unbelievable outpouring of support during December’s “The Holiday Spirit Carries On” initiative, to generate funds for our crew during this turbulent year.
2020 has been immensely difficult for us all, and no one is exempt from the difficulties and stresses that a global pandemic brings forth. Our tremendous crew, who we truly feel are our extended family as we tour the world together sharing living and working spaces, are certainly no exception. The complete cessation of the concert touring industry has made it so that our crew have been unable to put their skills, knowledge, and experience to use. Like so many others this year, our crew have been unable to work in their field of expertise. With “The Holiday Spirit Carries On”, it was our hope that we might be able to create something that would further generate an expression of appreciation and support from our Dream Theater fans and friends. An endeavor that would be supported by all those involved either directly or indirectly, with the music industry. As we close the month of December and reach the conclusion of this particular initiative’s timeline, we can say withou t a doubt, that in doing so we were able to achieve and even surpass the milestones we initially hoped for.
We are tremendously thankful and appreciative of everyone who purchased this track. Thankful and appreciative of everyone who told their family and friends. Every DJ who played and shared the song with listeners, and of Bandcamp for their care and assistance. Every journalist and outlet that picked up the story of the meaning behind “The Holiday Spirit Carries On”. Most of all, for the overwhelming expressions of support from all, in every manner imaginable. An unprecedented success, in an unprecedented year.
Once again, our most heartfelt expression of thanks to everyone around the world who supported “The Holiday Spirit Carries On”, and the meaning behind it.
We thank you. Our crew thanks you.
We all look forward to seeing you again soon!
- Dream Theater
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Anybody else here listening to DT albums through streaming channels during this pandemic period even though one already has copies of the albums just to hopefully help generate more revenue for the band and their crew?
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Anybody else here listening to DT albums through streaming channels during this pandemic period even though one already has copies of the albums just to hopefully help generate more revenue for the band and their crew?
I don't really like music streaming services in gereral, so I only have a free Spotify account and will only use it every once in a while. However, I'm more than willing to open the wallet and support them with more Bandcamp releases like this one, it was an instant buy for me :tup