DT Unplugged

[chaossystem]

I was wondering if anyone would ever want to see the band do a tour, or at least a live release of all-acoustic versions of their songs. But I mean REAL acoustic performances played on acoustic instruments only. But if it was just a one-time thing, I would want it to be all one show, not bits and pieces taken from different shows.

Maybe they could bring in some guest musicians, such as having David Raggsdale playing violin on some songs.

I would also want it to be mostly better-known songs instead of pulling out a bunch of unreleased demoes. And it would probably not be a good idea to try to play some of the longer pieces, such as ACoS and 8VM acoustically. Songs like Another Day, Space-Dye Vest, Hollow Years, The Spirit Carries On, Solitary Shell, Forsaken, This Is the Life, and Along for the Ride, just to throw out a few suggestions, would probably come off well.

But I'm sure there will be a lot of differing opinions...

[Kotowboy]

DT unplugged.


JR =

[Nomaniac]

DT unplugged.


JR =

btw I for one really like the idea!!! Would love them to do a show like that (perhaps not a tour though, just a special event)

[chaossystem]

DT unplugged.


JR =

Well, there's this thing called a PIANO...

[TheCountOfNYC]

DT unplugged.


JR =

Well, there's this thing called a PIANO...

This. And I would love to hear this as a one off show. Not as a full tour though. They have enough ballads to pull this off.

[Viking of the Sagas]

It would just be Ministry of Lost Souls played on an eternal loop.

[Kotowboy]

DT unplugged.


JR =

Well, there's this thing called a PIANO...

There's also these things called JOKES.

[chaossystem]

I know...That's what I was attempting.

But you just seemed to be saying that if the rest of the band was playing and singing the songs acoustically, Jordan would be wandering around looking for something to DO.

BTW...he wouldn't have to be limited to JUST the piano. I 'm sure there are other acoustic instruments that he can/could play.

[CDrice]

What about a church organ! 

For once Jordan would take more place on the stage than Mike.

[chaossystem]

Good answer!

I was trying to think of SOME type of organ. I think it's also known as a "pipe" organ, and would produce a great variety of sounds without depending on electronics.

[Prog Snob]

I know...That's what I was attempting.

But you just seemed to be saying that if the rest of the band was playing and singing the songs acoustically, Jordan would be wandering around looking for something to DO.

BTW...he wouldn't have to be limited to JUST the piano. I 'm sure there are other acoustic instruments that he can/could play.

Every time DT releases a CD, Jordan seems to break out a different instrument. I'm sure he could find something. 

[pcs90]

Considering that Jordan has a CD with piano versions of DT songs, I do not think he'd have any problems.
I think for a one-time show this would be really cool. I have an acoustic version of LSOAD that I love. And for an instrumental they could bring back some stuff from the Evening with JP and JR CD and arrange it for everyone.

[Setlist Scotty]

Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of unplugged performances. Yeah, they're stripped down, but I like all the extras that the electric versions have in them! That said, there have been some unplugged versions of songs that have been well done, so I certainly would be interested in checking this out if DT were to do it, as long as it wasn't simply songs like The Silent Man, Wait For Sleep, etc. Let's see how creative they can get at reworking some of the heavier, more elaborate songs! And as for having guests join them, again not a huge fan of that, but for a song or two that would be fine.

[Prog Snob]

Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of unplugged performances. Yeah, they're stripped down, but I like all the extras that the electric versions have in them! That said, there have been some unplugged versions of songs that have been well done, so I certainly would be interested in checking this out if DT were to do it, as long as it wasn't simply songs like The Silent Man, Wait For Sleep, etc. Let's see how creative they can get at reworking some of the heavier, more elaborate songs! And as for having guests join them, again not a huge fan of that, but for a song or two that would be fine.

I'd love to hear a song like Blind Faith or The Bigger Picture done acoustically.

[LCArenas]

DT unplugged.


JR =

Well, there's this thing called a PIANO...

Not that JR hates playing the piano, but just imagine him looking at all his crazy keyboard collection and saying "You mean I can't play any of THESE?"

[The Curious Orange]

I've been saying for about 20 years that DT need to do an acoustic project - JMX on double bass, JR on piano, accordian, dulcimer, etc.

[Pebsie]

Honestly don't think that even half of their catalogue would work acoustic. It's one of my only problems with DT.

[Art]

As a one-off thing, it would be great.

[dparrott]

I have always wanted this, especially when Silent Man was released.  I love the extended solo he did when they brought it back live.

[Raise the Drum]

Toto once did an "acoustic" section in one of their live releases (live in paris 2007).
Simon Phillips had a smaller kit for that section of the show and it was a mix of electric and acoustic instruments.
Maybe that configuration isn't the best for DT songs but could be fun.

I'm trying to say that DT could make a section of 3 o 4 songs in the style of the unplugged in Rotterdam in the middle of their setlist.

[Stadler]

I would like to see this.   Arrangement skills are a big part of music (for me); I'm always fascinated by how some musicians can take a song we're all familiar with and make it new in a different context with different instruments, etc. 

I know this isn't a forum where "Buffalo Springfield" is referenced a lot; but on their box set there are about five or ten songs that are in the final form and in an acoustic demo form, and Stephen Stills (in particular) really makes them sound fresh.   Also, the Beatles Anthology has a number of cool acoustic demos that are rather different than the studio creations (and for the Beatles, that's something). 

[hefdaddy42]

I know this isn't a forum where "Buffalo Springfield" is referenced a lot

Really showing your age now, pal.

[Stadler]

I know this isn't a forum where "Buffalo Springfield" is referenced a lot

Really showing your age now, pal.

Haha.  Yes, yes indeed. 

[rumborak]

They had an acoustic segment during the FII tour.

[King Postwhore]

They had an acoustic segment during the FII tour.

Who owns VHS anymore Rumbo.


Or a DVD.


Or the remaster Blu Ray.

[cramx3]

I'd like it, but not for the same acoustic songs we have seen before but for reworked songs made acoustic.  That would be cool and these guys are smart and talented enough to find a way to make it work.

[chaossystem]

They had an acoustic segment during the FII tour.

Who owns VHS anymore Rumbo.


Or a DVD.


Or the remaster Blu Ray.

I still have all of my Dream Theater DVDS, as well as some by Iron Maiden, Metallica, Queensryche, Dio, Kansas and some others. Also a few movies! And some VHS tapes that I never got around to throwing out...

[chaossystem]

DT unplugged.


JR =

Well, there's this thing called a PIANO...

Not that JR hates playing the piano, but just imagine him looking at all his crazy keyboard collection and saying "You mean I can't play any of THESE?"

I think Petrucci would have the hardest time, being expect to only play REAL acoustic instruments the entire time!

[King Postwhore]

They had an acoustic segment during the FII tour.

Who owns VHS anymore Rumbo.


Or a DVD.


Or the remaster Blu Ray.

I still have all of my Dream Theater DVDS, as well as some by Iron Maiden, Metallica, Queensryche, Dio, Kansas and some others. Also a few movies! And some VHS tapes that I never got around to throwing out...

Most of mine were stored in the basement and I had to throw them out.  All my fault.

[hefdaddy42]

I still have the I&W Live in Tokyo VHS.

[chaossystem]

Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of unplugged performances. Yeah, they're stripped down, but I like all the extras that the electric versions have in them! That said, there have been some unplugged versions of songs that have been well done, so I certainly would be interested in checking this out if DT were to do it, as long as it wasn't simply songs like The Silent Man, Wait For Sleep, etc. Let's see how creative they can get at reworking some of the heavier, more elaborate songs! And as for having guests join them, again not a huge fan of that, but for a song or two that would be fine.

It might sound good if they did a few songs we didn't EXPECT them to do acoustically, such as surrounded, Innocence Faded, One Last Time, etc.

But if they were to do some of the longer, more complicated songs, such as Pull Me Under, Metropolis, Voices, Scarred, Blind Faith... it might be better to shorten the instrumental breaks, or they would probably lose most of the audience's attention. It might get boring!

[chaossystem]

I still have the I&W Live in Tokyo VHS.

Mine got stolen.

I wasn't able to get it again until they released it again with the 5 Years in a LiveTime of DVD.

[TheCountOfNYC]

I decided to make a setlist of songs that I feel would work well unplugged. Some of them are already acoustic while others are ballads. A few of them aren't in either of those categories but I feel they would translate well into being acoustic.

Forsaken
The Answer Lies Within
Lifting Shadows Off A Dream
Vacant
Hell's Kitchen
Surrounded
The Silent Man
Along For The Ride
Wither
To Live Forever
Beneath The Surface
The Bigger Picture
Disappear
Wait For Sleep
Another Day
Sacrificed Sons
This Is The Life
Space-Dye Vest
The Spirit Carries On
Trial Of Tears

[jjfumbly]

Not sure if the silent man would work

[chrisbDTM]

Long Island Expressway is probably my favorite unplugged thing DT has done