DREAM THEATER ANNOUNCE THE RETURN OF DRUMMER MIKE PORTNOY

[HOF]

The news of MP's return prompted me to cycle through the discography. I'm sure a few others are doing the same.

One thing that really stood out to me was just how damn amazing JP's playing is throughout. And I would even say, the last few albums had some of his best work...for my tastes anyways. Beautiful solo's and great riffs.

The other thing that struck me is that I don't think JR has what I would consider a signature solo that transcends. You know, a Rick Wakeman or Keith Emmerson type solo that is locked into my brain forever and the minute I hear it, I start to whistle or hum it.

The first JR solo to come to mind for me is probably his first solo with the band on Overture 1928 around 1:20 (or the second one around 3:06).

[gzarruk]

The news of MP's return prompted me to cycle through the discography. I'm sure a few others are doing the same.

One thing that really stood out to me was just how damn amazing JP's playing is throughout. And I would even say, the last few albums had some of his best work...for my tastes anyways. Beautiful solo's and great riffs.

The other thing that struck me is that I don't think JR has what I would consider a signature solo that transcends. You know, a Rick Wakeman or Keith Emmerson type solo that is locked into my brain forever and the minute I hear it, I start to whistle or hum it.

It prompted me to cycle through the albums... with MM BUT DT is in my constant rotation so it's a matter of time (pun intended) until I cycle through the whole thing again.

As for Jordan's solos, he had a lot more "composed" solos earlier on (LTE 1 through SDOIT) but lately he's been "winging it" a lot more with fast noodling and not much else.

[Indiscipline]

Jordan's signature solo? Solitary Shell's opening.

Straight and to the point yet melodically gorgeous and a clever wink to the '70s prog keyboards/moog tradition.

[Dedalus]

The news of MP's return prompted me to cycle through the discography. I'm sure a few others are doing the same.

One thing that really stood out to me was just how damn amazing JP's playing is throughout. And I would even say, the last few albums had some of his best work...for my tastes anyways. Beautiful solo's and great riffs.

The other thing that struck me is that I don't think JR has what I would consider a signature solo that transcends. You know, a Rick Wakeman or Keith Emmerson type solo that is locked into my brain forever and the minute I hear it, I start to whistle or hum it.

It prompted me to cycle through the albums... with MM BUT DT is in my constant rotation so it's a matter of time (pun intended) until I cycle through the whole thing again.

As for Jordan's solos, he had a lot more "composed" solos earlier on (LTE 1 through SDOIT) but lately he's been "winging it" a lot more with fast noodling and not much else.

Me too. I went through the MM-years backwards. Then I decided to continue, but BCSL and SC discouraged me and I stopped.
A week later (today) I continued with Octavarium.

I totally agree about JR's solos.

[Metro]

Jordan's signature solo? Solitary Shell's opening.

Straight and to the point yet melodically gorgeous and a clever wink to the '70s prog keyboards/moog tradition.

This. If someone says “Jordan Rudess keyboard solo”, this is what immediately comes to mind for me.

[Dedalus]

An album that I think has spectacular work from JR is The Astonishing. JR and JLB kill it on this album.

[Mladen]

Jordan's signature solo? Solitary Shell's opening.

Straight and to the point yet melodically gorgeous and a clever wink to the '70s prog keyboards/moog tradition.

This.

An album that I think has spectacular work from JR is The Astonishing. JR and JLB kill it on this album.

This as well.

[vtgrad]

Jordan's signature solo? Solitary Shell's opening.

Straight and to the point yet melodically gorgeous and a clever wink to the '70s prog keyboards/moog tradition.

Geez... quoting you again in this thread.   

Big +1 for Solitary Shell as I hear it in my head when I think about JR... also LTE's Kindred Spirits (beginning and breakdown).  That's JR to me.  I remember hearing Kindred Spirits for the first time on vacation with a buddy in Myrtle Beach in 99... still smell salt when I hear that song (and taste sand from several epic wipeouts while surfing  )

I revisited BC&SL this past Sunday... started with Count on the way to Church because my wife woke up humming it, and ended up listening to the rest of the album that afternoon.  Gotta say that Nightmare would really have been an epic song with just a few trims and Rite has aged really well for me as well.  It's been a long, long time since I spun that album and I enjoyed it. 

My wife and I will miss MM (my wife was always drawn to MM live, especially when he was touring in the "box" kit set-up), but at the same time I'm glad to see MP back and look forward to meeting him again and seeing him live with DT again.

[emtee]

For me though, "Solitary Shell" is a very short intro piece and is not even close to something like "From The Beginning" or "Close To The Edge".

[romdrums]

For me, Jordan's solo on Home is worthy of being up there as an iconic solo.

[YngVai]

Solitary Shell was what first came to mind for me as well, but I think the piano solo on "Biaxident" is really memorable, as well.

Something about the "piano" mindset must just JR an occasionally-necessary sense of restraint, haha.

[crystalstars17]

An album that I think has spectacular work from JR is The Astonishing. JR and JLB kill it on this album.

I can't agree more. I just wrote something similar in another thread.

That said, the intro to Octavarium is what made me a fan, so I'm going with that.

[The Paddies]

Not the biggest fan, but the ragtime solo in The Dance Of Eternity is very Rudessque.

And his solo in The Walking Shadow is underrated. Love it.

[RodrigoAltaf]

Not the biggest fan, but the ragtime solo in The Dance Of Eternity is very Rudessque.

And his solo in The Walking Shadow is underrated. Love it.

The Walking Shadow? Is that a Dream Theater song?

[HOF]

Not the biggest fan, but the ragtime solo in The Dance Of Eternity is very Rudessque.

And his solo in The Walking Shadow is underrated. Love it.

The Walking Shadow? Is that a Dream Theater song?

Looks like it's on The Astonishing (I didn't know either).

[gborland]

Until now I had never heard of The Walking Shadow. I think I only actually know the names of two songs on The Astonishing. 

[TAC]

 

[Trav86]

I think I missed the joke.

[HOF]

I think I missed the joke.

Maybe it’s one of the robot noise tracks (I know they have a name, but all I can come up with is Sarlac).

[hefdaddy42]

I think I missed the joke.

Maybe it’s one of the robot noise tracks (I know they have a name, but all I can come up with is Sarlac).

It's not.  Jeez.

For me, some of JR's tastiest playing is found in his organ solos on Untethered Angel and Fall Into The Light.

[Dedalus]

Do you know that if you go to Youtube.com and type in "The Walking Shadow Dream Theater" and listen to a three-minute song you won't die?

This refusal to want to know the TA and still comment about it seems childish.

I think I missed the joke.

Maybe it’s one of the robot noise tracks (I know they have a name, but all I can come up with is Sarlac).

It's not.  Jeez.

For me, some of JR's tastiest playing is found in his organ solos on Untethered Angel and Fall Into The Light.

Indeed.

[hefdaddy42]

Do you know that if you go to Youtube.com and type in "The Walking Shadow Dream Theater" and listen to a three-minute song you won't die?

[Cool Chris]

Well, in the DT liner notes, hasn't JM thanked the Martens family?

Who reads the 'Thanks' section of the liner notes? Oh, probably the majority of the members here. 

[HOF]

Do you know that if you go to Youtube.com and type in "The Walking Shadow Dream Theater" and listen to a three-minute song you won't die?

This refusal to want to know the TA and still comment about it seems childish.

I think I missed the joke.

Maybe it’s one of the robot noise tracks (I know they have a name, but all I can come up with is Sarlac).

It's not.  Jeez.

I wasn’t trying to slag it. Just not familiar with The Astonishing and thought I had been had! I’ll give it a listen.

[Cool Chris]

I love quite a bit of Jordan's work in DT. The only solo spot in this category is in Beneath the Surface.

[Dream Team]

For me, Jordan's solo on Home is worthy of being up there as an iconic solo.

Absolutely this, and Octavarium. Iconic in every sense of the word.

Anyone who didn’t recognize The Walking Shadow as a DT song title knew damn well it was on The Astonishing. Where else would it be??

[TAC]

The Walking Shadow has a cool King Diamond vibe.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

The first few JR solos that came to mind are the opening one in "Endless Sacrifice", the ones in "1928 Overture", and the middle one in "Octavarium". 

[TheCountOfNYC]

The news of MP's return prompted me to cycle through the discography. I'm sure a few others are doing the same.

One thing that really stood out to me was just how damn amazing JP's playing is throughout. And I would even say, the last few albums had some of his best work...for my tastes anyways. Beautiful solo's and great riffs.

The other thing that struck me is that I don't think JR has what I would consider a signature solo that transcends. You know, a Rick Wakeman or Keith Emmerson type solo that is locked into my brain forever and the minute I hear it, I start to whistle or hum it.

Octavarium is that keyboard solo for me. Just an absolutely incredible solo. Home also stands out to me; IMO it’s the only song where Jordan’s solo actually outshines John’s.

[Wim Kruithof]

started with Count on the way to Church because my wife woke up humming it, and ended up listening to the rest of the album that afternoon.

Your wife humming The Count, if you ever feeling like exchanging the lady, make sure you give me a call.

[MoraWintersoul]

My first thought when someone mentions Jordan Rudess is the keyboard leads in Overture 1928.

[The Paddies]

My first thought when someone mentions Jordan Rudess is the keyboard leads in Overture 1928.

My favs as well.

[krands85]

I love the short solos in About to Crash Reprise and My Last Farewell 

[Podaar]

The moog lead in Octavarium is my first thought.

[XeRocks81]

My first thought when someone mentions Jordan Rudess is the keyboard leads in Overture 1928.

good pick.  He came out of the gate swinging and I have to think that was a somewhat deliberate choice by the band.  I knew so little when I first heard it that I was genuinely confused as to wether that was a keyboard or a guitar with some weird effect.   I was like no way a keyboard can do that!