Jordan question time - See the answers now!

[noxon]

Ask Jordan any questions you’d like! I’m going to do an interview with Jordan soon, and I would like for it to contain mostly questions from the fans! So, post any question you might have and yours might be picked! (Forgive my pronunciation of your name in advance).

[MirrorMask]

The Astonishing's nature gave them more liberties with song structures: they seamessly incorporated a crazy jazz section at the end of Three Days, they wrote their shortest song played by the full band (The Answer).... did they like to create songs with such unusual structures for their standards, and would they contemplate be more daring and "off-the-beaten-path" with the song structures for the next record not because the plot of the album demands it, but just because they feel so?

[Renzo]

My question is: "Is DT already planning to write another epic '20 minute' suite in the vein of A Change of Seasons or Octavarium?"

Greetings from Italy!

[devieira73]

I have some questions that maybe you could ask to Jordan:
DT intends to release Images, Words and Beyond Live at Budokan 2017 officially?
Any news on Ytsejam official bootlegs new releases?
DT intends to re-release a remix ADToE with the drums more audible?
DT14 will be produced only by John Petrucci?
Richard Chycki will work with the band again on DT14?
Thanks!

[The Walrus]

Does he have any plans for a new proggy, keyboard-heavy solo album any time soon like his older works? Or at least Levin Minnemann Rudess 3?

[Samsara]

My question for Jordan is:

Keyboardists in rock/metal acts are typically either players that fancy themselves a lead player, or someone who focuses mostly on atmosphere. Of course, there is crossover there, but when did you know you'd be more of a lead player, rather than someone who focuses primarily on supporting the song, and what went into your decision to focus on that lead-type playing, as opposed to just providing color for songs?

[Grappler]

My question for Jordan is:

Keyboardists in rock/metal acts are typically either players that fancy themselves a lead player, or someone who focuses mostly on atmosphere. Of course, there is crossover there, but when did you know you'd be more of a lead player, rather than someone who focuses primarily on supporting the song, and what went into your decision to focus on that lead-type playing, as opposed to just providing color for songs?

Read:  Why are you not Kevin Moore?  Can you be Kevin Moore?   

[bosk1]

Moore or less. 

[Samsara]

Not at all. Kevin was a lead player. All DT keyboardists have been. Moore and Sherinian just were more atmospheric. I'm just interested when Jordan knew he'd be more of a lead player, and what factored into that (for example, if it was a conscious choice, what led him down that path).

OK, yes. 

[gzarruk]

Does he have any plans for a new proggy, keyboard-heavy solo album any time soon like his older works?

Yes, he posted a lot of video clips on Facebook of him recording parts of his new solo album I'd like to ask him more about that.

My question for Jordan is:

Keyboardists in rock/metal acts are typically either players that fancy themselves a lead player, or someone who focuses mostly on atmosphere. Of course, there is crossover there, but when did you know you'd be more of a lead player, rather than someone who focuses primarily on supporting the song, and what went into your decision to focus on that lead-type playing, as opposed to just providing color for songs?

Read:  Why are you not Kevin Moore?  Can you be Kevin Moore?   

 

[gzarruk]

I'd also like to ask him about his long term plans for the future. I mean, he's 61 already, so I could see him wanting to retire from DT before he turns 70. Has he ever thought about this? If that ever happens, would he choose his replacement?

I understand this might not get asked, though, because it could sound like "Hey, Jordan, you're getting old, man"

[TAC]

My question for Jordan is:

Keyboardists in rock/metal acts are typically either players that fancy themselves a lead player, or someone who focuses mostly on atmosphere. Of course, there is crossover there, but when did you know you'd be more of a lead player, rather than someone who focuses primarily on supporting the song, and what went into your decision to focus on that lead-type playing, as opposed to just providing color for songs?

Read:  Why are you not Kevin Moore?  Can you be Kevin Moore?

 

That's beautiful.

[TAC]

This is what I would ask Jordan:

I've always felt that your (Jordan) respect of the other member's musical ability and intellect, as well as the overall camaraderie may have outweighed your actual love for the band's music, particularly when being asked to cover Master Of Puppets and The Number Of the Beast.

Were you a little concerned about your longevity in the band at that point in a sense of the music being as satisfying as it could be for you?

What was the point in your DT career where you actually felt, damn, this IS my band TOO?

[bosk1]

Surprisingly, those are actually really good questions.

[TAC]

What do you mean, "surprisingly"? 

[Dream Team]

Jordan has been doing a TON of atmospheric work on the past 3 albums.

[TH1RT3EN]

Despite having been in the band for almost 2 decades, he's one of the few members who never contributed lyrically to the band (along with Derek Sherinian, who didn't even stay long enough for that, and Mike Mangini, who apparently still doesn't have that much space in terms of creative power). Is there any specific reason for that (such as feeling uncomfortable about it or feeling like that's not his role in the band) or did he just simply never put much thought into the idea of writing lyrics for a Dream Theater song?

[noxon]

Thanks for all the questions! I'll go through as many as time permits.

[Tick]

How many times a year do you wash the wizard hat?

Does your head get sweaty under the wizard hat?

Do you feel being referred to as the wizard makes you feel guilty if you don't wear the wizard hat?

What's your favorite color?

Do you like sushi? If the answer is yes, do you wear the wizard hat when you go out for sushi?

[The Walrus]

 

[TAC]

How many times a year do you wash the wizard hat?

Does your head get sweaty under the wizard hat?

Do you feel being referred to as the wizard makes you feel guilty if you don't wear the wizard hat?

What's your favorite color?

Do you like sushi? If the answer is yes, do you wear the wizard hat when you go out for sushi?

Also, do you wear it when taking a wizz?

[comment]

I have some questions that maybe you could ask to Jordan:
DT intends to release Images, Words and Beyond Live at Budokan 2017 officially?
Any news on Ytsejam official bootlegs new releases?
DT intends to re-release a remix ADToE with the drums more audible?
DT14 will be produced only by John Petrucci?
Richard Chycki will work with the band again on DT14?
Thanks!

Cruise To The Edge, what can fans expect?  And anything with MP?
Any future plans for a Jordan Rudess a night in Israel? 
Congrats on Geo Shreds success!  What’s going on with Wizdom Music?

[RaiseTheKnife]

My question: 

If there is one song in the DT catalog you could revive from moratorium to play live again, what would it be?  (and a million thanks for learning "Don't Look Past Me" - there is no end in my joy in seeing that make a brief run on the setlist)

[Polarbear]

Another question here..

Where did you get the idea for the "From Bach to Rock" solo tour?

[noxon]

I'm sorry, I thought I was being clear but obviously I wasn't. When i thanked for the questions, that meant the question time was over

[MirrorMask]

I'm sorry, I thought I was being clear but obviously I wasn't. When i thanked for the questions, that meant the question time was over

Well, I got it 

[Mladen]

Are you sure? Tick's questions about the wizard hat were really good.

[TAC]

Kim, you got more questions after you closed off questioning.

[noxon]

Weird how that works.

Anyways:
here's the interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybmc8_ZWMvo&feature=youtu.be



Please make an effort to see Jordan on his Bach to Rock tour in Europe this coming month. For dates and tickets see https://www.jordanrudess.com/tours/ .

Since this is a more relaxed and informal show, hang around after the show and you just might get the opportunity to say hello to the Wizard himself!

Also, check out KeyFest at Sweetwater at the end of the month: https://www.sweetwater.com/events/2018/04/keyfest/ . Get a lot of lessons from Jordan himself and other instructors!

[TAC]

Awesome interview!

Noxon, call me TAC as in "tack". 

[noxon]

Well, as I said beforehand, apologies for mispronunciations.

But i did feel i said it wrong RIGHT as I read it (my instinct is to read caps as acronyms

[TAC]

Well, as I said beforehand, apologies for mispronunciations.

But i did feel i said it wrong RIGHT as I read it (my instinct is to read caps as acronyms

Yeah, it's actually my initials.


My question was kind of wordy, but I definitely got the jist of what Jordan was saying.

[devieira73]

Good interview, Norton! Thanks for questioning some of mine!
Well, after all this time, it seems to me the official bootlegs are “unofficially “ over... it’s also sad that it seems more unlikely the release of live at budokan 2017. At some point, Jordan talks about the illegal downloads etc and I think that it’s about time for DT to use the Marillion’s approach to sell better its music and filmed shows, closer to its fan base. Just an opinion.

[nattmorker]

Good interview, Norton! Thanks for questioning some of mine!
Well, after all this time, it seems to me the official bootlegs are “unofficially “ over... it’s also sad that it seems more unlikely the release of live at budokan 2017. At some point, Jordan talks about the illegal downloads etc and I think that it’s about time for DT to use the Marillion’s approach to sell better its music and filmed shows, closer to its fan base. Just an opinion.

Nice interview, it's always nice to hear JR speak about music, the band. It's also nice to listen to his piano playing, it sounds so natural. I wish I could see his solo shows.

[goo-goo]

Nice interview.

I think Jordan gave a glimpse on the next DT touring cycle. He mentioned or talked about how labels are packing acts from the same label in order to give the less established bands a bit more exposure when tagging along a bigger act. Hopefully this translates into DT taking Haken (or Fates) out in the road.