He's never struck me as someone who is totally relaxed talking to crowds and whatnot, but it's not like he's bad at it; just not a natural.
I still wish someone to tell him to not talk over solos. Like saying, "Mr. John Petrucci!" at the end of JP's Hollow Years solo at the Budokan show, or yapping, "Give it up for these guys!" during the climax of the Beyond This Life solo section at the same show.
The thing that kills me the most was his habit on the last tour of introducing the song after the band had been playing it for a minute. "This is a A Fortune in Lies" or "This is from the Awake album!" - really? I think we've already figured that out by now!
Regarding Kev's complaint about saying the band member's names after/during solos, I think it comes from jazz band performances. I'm not sure how much influence jazz bands are on to JLB, but I've been to jazz concerts where musicians take a solo, and the conductor would say the soloist's name after their solo, or near the end of it, which would then lead to applause by the audience. Sure, DT aren't a jazz band, but the jammy aspect, as well as their ability to play long (and sometimes extended), virtuoso solos lends itself to being LIKE a jazz band performance.
As for saying what album a song is from after it has begun...that is a bit annoying, but I guess it's for new fans? I mean, someone who JUST discovered the band an album or two back might not know what song "Caught In A Web" is from, or what even "A Fortune In Lies" is! I think it's for THEIR benefit.
-Marc.