Re: DT16 Timeline Thread - John finished recording guitar parts

[Setlist Scotty]

I hope MP shows a little restraint as I’m sure in his excitement he was eager to fill every second with crazy drumming.

He will - he always has. As he has said numerous times, he plays for the song, which is evident with all the other bands/projects he has played in. And one example I like to go back to in DT is TGP. Originally it had a 20 second drum solo at the end before the final downbeat, which worked when the song was instrumental. But once the vocals were added, MP realized it was superfluous and *he* had it edited out. I have no doubt the same will be true for this upcoming album.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

Regardless of whether or not some people end up disliking DT16 they won't be able to claim it was rushed

hold my beer

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Just a thought.

Maybe it is way too long process than usual because they also re-write and re-discover some of their songs to fit James' current condition.

I have been wrong about things here before, but I don't think it is likely in all honesty. Doing all of that work now is really like saying 'hey we have a problem here' and right now we have no indication anyone in the band thinks that. We will find out very soon but I don't think anyone is working around him or feeling like they need to make special accommodations to the extent you mentioned.

As a mega fan, this IS a big problem but it is one with no easy solutions at this stage. The song selection is probably going to be driven primarily by what they think the fans want to hear. If I were John Petrucci and Mike Portnoy, the safest thing to do is just let JLB get up there and whatever happens happens.

[Glasser]

Another thought. Maybe James gives the vocal performance of his life on this one and quiets the skeptics, like myself. Now that would be incredible!!!

[Dream Team]

Another thought. Maybe James gives the vocal performance of his life on this one and quiets the skeptics, like myself. Now that would be incredible!!!

I respect your optimism, but there's not much chance of that because he is so limited. He can't do low and powerful. He can't do soulful/bluesy. He can't do high register. He's confined to mid-range stuff, but if the vocal melodies are good he can still do a lot within that framework so that's the best-case scenario at this point. Kind of what he was able to do on TA.

[fadetoblackdude7]

I respect your optimism, but there's not much chance of that because he is so limited. He can't do low and powerful. He can't do soulful/bluesy. He can't do high register. He's confined to mid-range stuff, but if the vocal melodies are good he can still do a lot within that framework so that's the best-case scenario at this point. Kind of what he was able to do on TA.

Yeah, I think TA is the best we’ll ever get with current-day James. He did so well on that album!

[cramx3]

Another thought. Maybe James gives the vocal performance of his life on this one and quiets the skeptics, like myself. Now that would be incredible!!!

James on album has been fine, including his solo work.  I would be shocked if he didn't sound good on the album.  This won't quiet anyone though until he shows it in concert.

[IgnotusPerIgnotium]

I don't know if this was mentioned before, but a had a thought for a while concerning JR and his guitar journey...I wonder, would there be a surprise song or something that JR and JP will be tackling..as in writing a song with them playing the guitar..that would be cool imo!

[HOF]

I don't know if this was mentioned before, but a had a thought for a while concerning JR and his guitar journey...I wonder, would there be a surprise song or something that JR and JP will be tackling..as in writing a song with them playing the guitar..that would be cool imo!

JP is on the record as being very much against this (though who knows, people change).

[Setlist Scotty]

JP is on the record as being very much against this (though who knows, people change).

Exactly. I recall watching an interview with JP - I think while he was at NAMM in January of this year - and when questioned about JR's guitar playing and if that would creep into DT, JP stated unequivocally that DT was a one guitar band. That's the way it was 30 years ago when the band first considered doing a two-guitar version of Lie with Derek playing guitar while in rehearsals, which JP rejected, and that's the way it was in January this year. It's not gonna change.

[cramx3]

Exactly. I recall watching an interview with JP - I think while he was at NAMM in January of this year - and when questioned about JR's guitar playing and if that would creep into DT, JP stated unequivocally that DT was a one guitar band. That's the way it was 30 years ago when the band first considered doing a two-guitar version of Lie with Derek playing guitar while in rehearsals, which JP rejected, and that's the way it was in January this year. It's not gonna change.

I don't see the point in creating a song for this purpose, but I do think it would be cool if instead of a live keytar solo in a song, he pulled out an actual guitar and shredded/harmonized with JP.  Would just be a cool change of pace type of thing and I'd be fairly certain a good chunk of the crowd might be shocked to see JR being able to do this. 

[IgnotusPerIgnotium]

I don't see the point in creating a song for this purpose, but I do think it would be cool if instead of a live keytar solo in a song, he pulled out an actual guitar and shredded/harmonized with JP.  Would just be a cool change of pace type of thing and I'd be fairly certain a good chunk of the crowd might be shocked to see JR being able to do this.

Yeah I would imagine something more like that, in a live situation.

[Schurftkut]

maybe he'll have a new keyguitar coming up, he's been posting himself practising playing guitar and keys at the same time. Why not take that to the next level? 

[Glasser]

James on album has been fine, including his solo work.  I would be shocked if he didn't sound good on the album.  This won't quiet anyone though until he shows it in concert.

I'm sure he will sound great on the album but as Dream Team pointed out, his high register is gone.

[Glasser]

I respect your optimism, but there's not much chance of that because he is so limited. He can't do low and powerful. He can't do soulful/bluesy. He can't do high register. He's confined to mid-range stuff, but if the vocal melodies are good he can still do a lot within that framework so that's the best-case scenario at this point. Kind of what he was able to do on TA.

Unfortunately.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Another thought. Maybe James gives the vocal performance of his life on this one and quiets the skeptics, like myself. Now that would be incredible!!!

Indeed it would be. It's the only thing that will silence the chatter at this point.

[Progmaniac1988]

Jordan plays lap guitar on octavarium, so technically it already happened! Lol

[emtee]

So keys are a couple weeks out and then vocals...probably 3'ish weeks to complete them. Then final fine-tuning before mixing/mastering. Potentially not in the can until late August???

Can they possibly get everything pressed and ready before Ocotber?

[Dream Team]

So keys are a couple weeks out and then vocals...probably 3'ish weeks to complete them. Then final fine-tuning before mixing/mastering. Potentially not in the can until late August???

Can they possibly get everything pressed and ready before Ocotber?

Hopefully so, otherwise we'll never hear the end of "I told you so" from a certain poster.

[devieira73]

Interesting discussion about recording, mix and release an album at 26:50
https://youtu.be/NEbrKdApMIA?si=SUOCxHuAKlP-EbJM
I Wonder if what Mike said here will have an impact in this next DT release.

[DragonAttack]

Interesting discussion about recording, mix and release an album at 26:50
https://youtu.be/NEbrKdApMIA?si=SUOCxHuAKlP-EbJM
I Wonder if what Mike said here will have an impact in this next DT release.

Sidetracking a tad, but I had to go back to the 23 minute mark, and listen to them talk about Queen’s ‘Sheer Heart Attack’ LP. DT content: comments about the medley the band covered on the ‘Black Clouds’ bonus disc. 👍

[Mosh]

Interesting discussion about recording, mix and release an album at 26:50
https://youtu.be/NEbrKdApMIA?si=SUOCxHuAKlP-EbJM
I Wonder if what Mike said here will have an impact in this next DT release.

Well his point about physical media is what I've been saying this whole time. It's such a small part of the equation now that it's maybe not worth delaying your album for months to make sure the vinyl is ready to ship. But he also makes it clear that unless you're at the Taylor Swift tier of popularity, the label isn't going to want to do that. They need the big promo buildup and preorders/etc.

I can see it going either way at this point honestly. I wasn't expecting the production of the album to take this long, but I think it's awesome they're taking their time. It's definitely reaching a point where if they do drop the album before the tour, there probably won't be vinyl or maybe even CD on release but they could still sell physical preorders. Like Portnoy says in the video, the band might prefer it that way but the label might have the final say on release timeline. I can see pros and cons to both. IMO releasing before the tour will still maximize sales/preorders even if physical product isn't available on release day because hype will be through the roof. I feel like some of that will come down a little bit after the tour. On the other hand, I also know they're really excited to dig deep into the catalog and not having an album to play on tour will give them a lot more room to do a career spanning setlist. I'm still erring on the side of a pre tour release just because it seems kinda wild to think that the album won't drop until 2025, but I also expected them to be done by now.