Author Topic: Your Favourite Bootleg From Each Tour  (Read 3688 times)

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Offline Robo4900

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Your Favourite Bootleg From Each Tour
« on: July 11, 2018, 02:48:50 PM »
Hello, friends.

So, simple concept -- what are your favourite bootlegs from each tour?
Feel free to skip any tours you like, but please do hit the major ones. Go ahead and include one or two cross-tour/non-live compilation ones aswell if you like. This thread is more a case of "Talk about some kick-ass bootlegs, and recommend some for others" type of thread than one I'm trying to apply any rigid rules to.

I'll start...

Images And Words tour: 1993-11-15: Lost In The Sky/Game, Set, Metropolis. Soundboard-sourced for the most part, and the partially-complete video version is good fun too. Images And Words is a very consistently good tour, so this one is a matter of it having a couple of tracks that weren't played earlier in the tour, LaBrie being especially awesome, and the sound being impeccable.
Awake/Change Of Seasons tours: 1994-10-28: A Kick Into A Dream. One of the best-sounding audience recordings from this time, an awesome setlist, the video version is really good(Though doesn't sound as good), and LaBrie was on-point! One of very few bootlegs containing The Ones Who Help To Set The Sun.
Falling Into Infinity tour: 1998-06-22: Nighttown Nostalgia/Stained Glass. Hands-down my favourite bootleg of all.
Scenes From A Memory tour: 2000-10-18: Of Pigs And Chicks. Ridiculous fun with a great setlist, great performances all-round, and just a joy to listen to from start to finish.
Train Of Thought tour: 2004-04-03: Eat My Ass And Cello/Strings Of Consciousness. Great set, has Eugene Friesen joining them for Vacant and Stream Of Consciousness, great performances all-round, and the show itself was generally just really good.
Octavarium tour: 2005-10-29: Milan, Italy 2-Cam Remaster. Good sound, great set, LaBrie was ridiculously good, a lot of stuff played here that wasn't done on Score... Really good show.
Chaos In Motion tour: 2007-07-27: LA 2007. Great sound, great video, great set, and LaBrie giving one of his best performances since the Images And Words tour. This is not one to miss!
A Dramatic Turn Of Events tour: 2012-07-19. Two video versions of this exist, one's a HD version that contains some select songs from the set, while the other is a DVD covering the whole thing. Both are excellent recordings of this great show.
Compilation: FM Compilation 1993-1995. Two Live At The Marquee outtakes, a bunch of acoustic tracks(Most of which you may recognise from Acoustic Dreams, though this doesn't have the over-aggressive noise reduction that ruins the sound, but it is missing Long Island Expressway, which as far as I'm aware, isn't on any bootleg aside from Acoustic Dreams), the encore from the Live In Tokyo show from '93, and a couple of cool tracks from 1995.

I skipped the Six Degrees, Black Clouds, DT12, Astonishing, and Images And Words And Beyond tours, as the Bucharest DVD is so perfect, it kind of killed my interest in 6DoIT bootlegs, I've never really jumped down the rabbit hole of Black Clouds bootlegs, and the DT12, Astonishing, and I&W&B tours were (mostly) static sets.
Q: "When he went, had you gone and had she, if she wanted to and were able, for the time being excluding all the restraints on her not to go also, would he have brought you, meaning she and then, to the station?"
A: "OBJECTION, your honor! That question should be taken out and shot!"
--Allegedly from Utah vs Kelly, Superior Court of Utah, 1994. May be apocryphal

Offline wasteland

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Re: Your Favourite Bootleg From Each Tour
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2018, 05:22:39 AM »
Hello!
Here's my list:

IAW Tour (02.06.92 to 26.11.93) - 1993.03.04 - Officially Released, but circulating with various sources for several years prior to that. Also a multi-camera video recording of this concert exists, despite being quite rare. While it's not the overall best performance of the tour (that probably goes to 28.08.93), you simply cannot beat the setlist. First ever performances of Eve and A Change Of Seasons.

Awake/ACOS : 1995.09.28 - Again, officially released. AFAIK there is no unofficial good source for this. A great overall performance, amazing setlist, the absolute highlight of a difficult period, touring-wise.

FII: Easily 1998.12.30 - Last show of the era, and last show not featuring Jordan Rudess on keys. DT at their most eclectic, ton of covers and obscure songs, great interaction with the crowd, amazing energy. Found in the 5 Days In A Livetime Grateful Dreams bootleg, which I believe to be overall the best bootleg in DT history.

SFAM: 2000-10-18 for the very same reasons outlined by the OP.

SDOIT: Tie between 2002.03.27 (NYC) and 2002.11.03 (Rotterdam) - Excellent sources of both shows exist, both video and audio (with the video of the Rotterdam and the audio of NY being very rare). Two killer setlists in the era where setlists and show lengths reached their all time maximum. Also good performances with amazing instrumental sections. Check The Killing Hand from March and LTL/Lie from November, if you don't believe it.

TOT: Hands down 2004.09.05 - Grateful Dreams' Stg.Portnoy Progressive Hard Rock Band. A one off (actually a 2-off, but the previous concert is unfortunately lost to time) full length show in the midst of the DT/Yes tour, showcasing an INCREDIBLE setlist with a 13-long instrumental fully improvised piece, which is to this day in the top 3 Dream Theater Live moments of all time. Unfortunately this bootleg is not widely available due to Grateful Dreams' trade policy, but I would highly encourage anyone seek to trade for it. It's just too good.

8VM: Possibly Milan, 2005.10.29 - A higher than average performance with a good setlist.

SC - /

BCSL: 2010-07-02 - The only full length concert of the tour, good performance, bootleg not very common.
ADTOE: Considering that the Luna Park shows were the best two shows of the tour, I'd say the best bootleg belongs to 2012-07-16, Boston. While not the best show of the tour (still very much among the best, but not at the top), the sound quality is great and the band definitely on. Otherwise, 2012-07-21, with To Live Forever and Tony Levin guesting. Not very widely available, unfortunately.


:slayer: Somewhere, over the wasteland..... bootlegs fly :slayer:
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Offline Setlist Scotty

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Re: Your Favourite Bootleg From Each Tour
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2018, 01:25:49 PM »
Marco - clear out your PM inbox!!!   ;) ;D
As a basic rule, if you hate it, you must solely blame Portnoy. If it's good, then you must downplay MP's contribution to the band as not being important anyway, or claim he's just lying. It's the DTF way.

Offline SweetDreams

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Re: Your Favourite Bootleg From Each Tour
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2018, 03:54:34 PM »
Hey Robo, and hi everyone! This is my first post here!

I decided to mix it up and challenge myself a little more, by making myself pick my favorite audio and video bootleg from each tour.

I&W:
Audio: 1993-08-28 - Music in Progress Tour 93' - Soundboard Masters Series Vol. 2 - Osaka Japan
The sound quality is amazing, and the whole band kills it. It also has a rare performance of the Mission Impossible theme! I absolutely love the Soundboard Master Series. Each CD is the same as the ones in the Forbidden Dreams box set, but with LOADS of awesome and really interesting bonus tracks.
Video: 1993-03-04 - Ultimate Edition - The Limelight, New York City, NY
Besides the annoying stutter effect used on Metropolis, everything about this bootleg is golden. Soundboard audio, multi-cam edit, incredible performances by everyone (especially James!), and best of all: An early performance of A Change of Seasons, and a very special version of Eve performed with samples, which was only done at that show.

Awake/ACoS:
Audio: 1995-01-31 - Uncovered - Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club, London, UK
In my opinion, this is the coolest set that Dream Theater has ever played. With loads of special guests and songs that were only played at this show, I've always been so thankful that there's an audience recording of this show in full. The Zeppelin medley and the Big Medley are incredibly awesome jams, and I'm glad those made it on to the ACoS EP. This show also has a lot of sentimental value to me as well, since the video of Easter with Steve Rothery and Steve Hogarth from this show on 5 Years in a LiveTime is what exposed me to Marillion's music, and made me become a massive Marillion fan.
Video: 1995-01-24 - Awake In Japan (2-DVD)
A timeless, pro-shot classic. I used to watch this all of the time on YouTube when I was first getting into Dream Theater. The Awake Jam from this bootleg is what got me really into Petrucci's playing. His solo is so well-crafted; It's still one of my favorite guitar solos of all time. The reason I specifically mention the 2-DVD version of this show is because it has the best quality recording in circulation, includes the pre-show interview with the band getting Platinum awards for Awake, and has a lot of great, pro-shot bonus footage.

Falling into Infinity:
Audio: 1998-06-22 - Stained Glass - Rotterdam, Holland
As weird and cheesy as this sounds, the performance captured on this bootleg definitely gives off a powerful, beautiful aura. There's a lot of really magical, beautiful stuff on this bootleg, especially the performance of Hey You, and Another Day with the sax.
Video: 1997-12-04 - Bonn Biscuithalle TV Special
pretty good quality, and pro shot. I love the performance of Hollow Years.

SfaM:
Audio: 2000-10-18 - Of Pigs and Chicks - Glasgow, Scotland
I chose this for the same reasons as Robo. This show definitely shows Dream Theater's goofy side, and is a lot of fun to listen to. However, I think a better title would be "I Don't Remember That on Images and Words!"
Video: 2000-05-06 - Olympic Tennis Stadium, Seoul, Korea
Amazing performance, fantastic quality, and an amazing crowd! Jordan's keyboard solo is mind-blowing. There's some sentimental value for me in this bootleg too, since it was the first one I ever got, and it sparked my interest in bootlegs.

6DoIT:
Audio: 2002-03-16 - World Tourbulence 2002 In Chicago 16 - Chicago,  IL
Great performance, and a great set featuring Master of Puppets! Yet again, this bootleg also has sentimental value for me, since my dad was there! I would have loved to have gone with him, but I was too busy being 4 years old and picking my nose :P. I'm eternally jealous of him.
Video: 2002-01-19 - BB King's (remaster)
I know this probably seems like a weird choice, since this was the first show of the Six Degrees tour, and it was an absolute mess. However, the messiness of this show is exactly what makes it so entertaining. They also do some rarely-played songs at this show, like Cover my Eyes. I think this show might have been the last time they played that song.

ToT:
Audio: 2004-02-11 - Train To Madrid - Multiusos La Cubierta, Leganés, Spain
Great-quality radio broadcast. James sounds almost like the album! The Train to Madrid version is the best, since it doesn't have the messed-up cymbals that other versions have.
Video: 2004-08-28 - Two Cam Mix - Wantagh NY
This is a great-quality bootleg put together by Dreamrafa. James was in great shape on the DT/Yes tour, and this show was definitely no exception. The performance of Trial of Tears is amazing.

Compilation:
Audio: Before I Was Dreaming to go to the Theater
I know this is more of a Winter Rose compilation than a Dream Theater one, but oh my god was James' voice incredible back then. I don't even care for Winter Rose's music that much, I listen to it solely because of how mind-blowing James' singing was. It's a shame that this bootleg seems to be really rare.
Video: Making of Dreams
A very cool compilation of all of the "making of" videos that Dream Theater has made throughout the years.

Anyway, that's enough writing from me. I would pick ones from the rest of the tours, but I'm not as familiar with bootlegs from after ToT.

By the way Robo, check your PMs.
You can lead a yak to water, but you can't throw stones at a glass donkey of a different color.

Offline Grizz

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Re: Your Favourite Bootleg From Each Tour
« Reply #4 on: April 28, 2019, 07:54:19 PM »
BCSL: 2010-07-02 - The only full length concert of the tour, good performance, bootleg not very common.

Just gonna comment and say that my fav from this tour is 7/10. It's the same setlist as the one cited here, plus Home. I was there so I have an emotional attachment to the recording. I can still feel the energy of the crowd, with the young'ins roped in by Guitar Hero moshing to the high octane set. I can just as well feel the the literal energy of a couple thousand high-cardio bodies, and dozens of ancient halogen lights, baking in a tin can in the dead of summer. Weather records indicate it was about 70 degrees out that night, and I remember how cool the breeze was whenever a drunk was escorted out the side door, so it had to be like 90 degrees in there.

I do believe that was MP's last full show as well. Still have trouble believing he was burnt out; they were on fire that night. (No heat-related double entendre intended.)

I have a decent bootleg of it, by AsYd IIRC, but I should really get around to hunting down the superior GDT one. (Scotty, did you record that one?)

Gotta agree with Marco for 2012-07-21 on ADToE. It's in HD (somewhere...), it has some sick deep cuts, and, again, I was there. Actually, I was very close to the camera on this one. Damn shame the shyster who recorded it for profit was imprisoned.

I also like "Of Pigs and Chicks" for SFaM.
"I raised the baby, I changed the baby's diapers.  Whenever the baby had projectile diarrhea, I was there in the line of fire.  I even got a little in my mouth!  I sacrificed so much for my baby.  Now my baby hates me and thinks Mike Mangini is its real father!"

Offline wasteland

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Re: Your Favourite Bootleg From Each Tour
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2019, 03:00:03 AM »

Gotta agree with Marco for 2012-07-21 on ADToE. It's in HD (somewhere...), it has some sick deep cuts, and, again, I was there. Actually, I was very close to the camera on this one. Damn shame the shyster who recorded it for profit was imprisoned.

I used to have that one in HD, but I think (90% sure) it got lost when someone dropped my 1TB HD on the floor and smashed it. It might still exist in one of the backups HDs which I cannot find, but chances are slim at best.
:slayer: Somewhere, over the wasteland..... bootlegs fly :slayer:
MoraWintersoul is the BEST person.
- Marco

Offline Robo4900

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Re: Your Favourite Bootleg From Each Tour
« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2019, 03:55:09 PM »

Gotta agree with Marco for 2012-07-21 on ADToE. It's in HD (somewhere...), it has some sick deep cuts, and, again, I was there. Actually, I was very close to the camera on this one. Damn shame the shyster who recorded it for profit was imprisoned.

I used to have that one in HD, but I think (90% sure) it got lost when someone dropped my 1TB HD on the floor and smashed it. It might still exist in one of the backups HDs which I cannot find, but chances are slim at best.

Sure you're not thinking of 2012-07-19? I have two video boots of that, one of which is HD.
Q: "When he went, had you gone and had she, if she wanted to and were able, for the time being excluding all the restraints on her not to go also, would he have brought you, meaning she and then, to the station?"
A: "OBJECTION, your honor! That question should be taken out and shot!"
--Allegedly from Utah vs Kelly, Superior Court of Utah, 1994. May be apocryphal

Offline sylentman

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Re: Your Favourite Bootleg From Each Tour
« Reply #7 on: August 28, 2019, 10:05:04 PM »
Hello! Hope you're all doing great.
Wonder if anyone could guide me or suggest how could i get the Video Bootleg of 1993.03.04 - Ultimate Edition - Limelight NY?
Have only seen what is available on Youtube from that night (i.e. ACOS, Eve, etc), and after all the comments here now feel an obsession to get it and being able to watch it properly ;).
Thanks in advance!

P.S. Other Interesting show that would love: Video 1994.12.01 - Warfield, San Fco.