The upcoming live CD/DVD release ?

[DragonAttack]

I thought I would start a thread on this, regarding the 'announced' Paris concert CD/DVD.

Was that not like EONs ago?

I am so very curious as to what this will entail. Having been at the NYC concert at Radio City Music Hall, and having seen the live performance of 'The Best Of Times', here is my prediction:

We get the entire Paris show (with an overdub or twenty)

The bonus disc will include the various performances from this side of the pond (even if I don't like one or two, I'll take 'Panic Attack' and the two 'Parasomnia' tracks in a heartbeat ).

As well as the one off performance of 'The Best Of Times' at Radio City Music Hall.(?)

Having seen three of the concerts stateside, I do not see them ever doing 'The Best of Times' again. All of the emotions behind it (plus, hiring a violinist for just that song ), I feel would be just be such an overwhelming downer for all of the band members to ever perform the song again on stage.

I cannot imagine MP wanting to have to relive that, along with the loss of his sister, night after night after night.

'The Best Of Times' was totally unexpected when the song started (I somewhat lost my breath when I realized what they were playing), and overwhelming when it continued on, ...... my thoughts went out to all my fellow DTFers who had the good fortune to have had terrific fathers (unlike me), and it was such an oh so oh very special when I realized what I was witnessing that night.

Thoughts?

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Mike is obviously in a place where he feels he can play it. The reception has been great and is arguably changing the narrative of a song that never seemed to be praised before.

I predict it is not the last time. I wouldn't be surprised to hear it on the Parasomnia tour.

[Cavalry of Despair]

I guess this is a much easier pill to swallow as someone who got to see the RCMH show, but I surmise that it will indeed be the only live performance of The Best of Times. It's clear how emotional performing that song is for Mike, and given how special the circumstances of its introduction was (hometown show, final show of tour leg, guest soloist), I feel as though it was a bucket list item for him that he finally go to fulfill after 15 years. Of course, this is all conjecture, but I get the sense that if Mike's sentiment was just, "ok, I'm emotionally ready to start making this part of our live repertoire now", he would've jumped on it immediately at London and had it be a recurring part of the setlist. IMO if Disappear can arbitrarily be relegated to "twice-only" live song, TBOT certainly has reason to be a one-off.

[bosk1]

Personally, I don't really care for the song.  It's obviously very deep and emotional for MP and, to a lesser extent, the rest of the guys too, but it just never connected with me.  And I'm usually a sucker for really emotional pieces like that.  Music can be funny that way. 

But even though it doesn't resonate with me personally, I'm glad they played it.  I know it meant a lot of Mike and to a lot of the fans who got to see it. 

As to whether it will show up as a bonus track on the live release, it's hard to say.  On one hand, for a special performance like that, putting it out there on a live release is exactly the type of thing Mike would do.  But then again, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he took the approach that it was a special thing, and he might want to keep it special by not putting it out there for everybody and just keeping the memory for him and those that were there.  I still tend to lean toward thinking the former is more likely, but neither approach would surprise me.

[Deadeye21]

I would not be surprised if Best of Times was a one of one situation.

[NoFred]

Having been there - it 100% should get into the permanent setlist, regardless of what the band thinks we their fans loved it... that solo needs to be heard and it's the one song where being live and loud picks up the more maudlin parts.

Take out the dedication to HP (making RCMH a one-off special) and (as I read elsewhere here) put in photos of fans and memories over the years. It's right there as the band's celebratory song, just own it.

For release? RCMH screams a YJ/LNGA production, hoping we get it.

[Ben_Jamin]

I actually do not see them playing this song live again until their final tour.

The Best of Times violin was played by Jerry Goodman in the studio. The emotion of the intro is dependent on the violin, which is a reason they had John Dinklage perform it live. To replicate the same emotion, there needs to be another person playing the violin live.

I enjoy the song and am glad they played it live. You can see from the vids that it was a very special moment for the band. You can see from his tears at the end how emotional it was for Portnoy.


I think it'd be cool if they included it on the upcoming live Paris release, sort of like how Score had Honor Thy Father and The Great Debate.

[brakkum]

If they do or don't perform it again, I think the RCMH version will be the "definitive" live version given the presence of the violin and just the raw emotion of it all. Wouldn't be surprised like you said if it's included as a bonus.

[Mosh]

It seems very unlike MP to perform a song as a one off and not want to release it officially. Between live albums, dvds, official bootlegs the number of songs that have been performed live but not commemorated on an official release has to be pretty small.

[TAC]

I don't care what they do with TBOT. If it's released as a bonus track, great!


What I really hope is the JP lets MP in the producer's room. The live albums in MP's absence really didn't sound all that live, which was not the case before MP left.
Listening to the show,  I feel like 80% of Metropolis is going to have to be resung in the studio. Overall, a fairly decent show by James.

[NoFred]

I actually do not see them playing this song live again until their final tour.

The Best of Times violin was played by Jerry Goodman in the studio. The emotion of the intro is dependent on the violin, which is a reason they had John Dinklage perform it live. To replicate the same emotion, there needs to be another person playing the violin live.

I enjoy the song and am glad they played it live. You can see from the vids that it was a very special moment for the band. You can see from his tears at the end how emotional it was for Portnoy.


I think it'd be cool if they included it on the upcoming live Paris release, sort of like how Score had Honor Thy Father and The Great Debate.

They're hitting Vacant every night w/o a cellist, they can figure the arrangement out... it's an uplifting live song, and a fresh classic. They totally need to work it in.

[Mosh]

I don't care what they do with TBOT. If it's released as a bonus track, great!


What I really hope is the JP lets MP in the producer's room. The live albums in MP's absence really didn't sound all that live, which was not the case before MP left.
Listening to the show,  I feel like 80% of Metropolis is going to have to be resung in the studio. Overall, a fairly decent show by James.

I wouldn't be surprised if MP is given full control of live releases again including the LNF series (whatever incarnation that turns into). Ever since MP left the band it has seemed like something that nobody else in the band had serious interest in dealing with.

[Kocak]

I don't know how cost-effective a DVD release would be these days. They could do a few videos on YouTube and an on-demand stream either on YouTube or another platform. It is easier to record a live album these days, but physical releases rarely break even.

[dualpalmpilots]

I wouldn't be surprised if MP is given full control of live releases again including the LNF series (whatever incarnation that turns into). Ever since MP left the band it has seemed like something that nobody else in the band had serious interest in dealing with.

Remember when James was supposed to be the guy overseeing the whole bootleg side of things?

[Kocak]

Remember when James was supposed to be the guy overseeing the whole bootleg side of things?

AFAIK, he still is. MP's departments are drumming and setlists at the moment. (Based on his interviews.)

[hefdaddy42]

My prediction is that TBOT gets the Disappear treatment (or what was intended to be the Disappear treatment): one and done.  They did bring it back for the recording of the Budokan DVD, but that wasn't the original intention.  And, frankly, Disappear is a much better song that TBOT (at least for me).

But I obviously have no inside knowledge of what they will do or what is their decision-making process.

[Kocak]

And, frankly, Disappear is a much better song that TBOT

It is a better song than many other Dream Theater songs (at least for me).

[Mosh]

My prediction is that TBOT gets the Disappear treatment (or what was intended to be the Disappear treatment): one and done.  They did bring it back for the recording of the Budokan DVD, but that wasn't the original intention.

This is news to me. What's the story there?

AFAIK, he still is. MP's departments are drumming and setlists at the moment. (Based on his interviews.)

Is he? I know he compiled the Happy Holidays release back in 2013, but has he been in charge of the LNF series or anything like that?

[Kocak]

This is news to me. What's the story there?
Is he? I know he compiled the Happy Holidays release back in 2013, but has he been in charge of the LNF series or anything like that?

AFAIK, yes. He took on the responsiblity after MP.

[Mosh]

I know he said that he was in charge shortly after MP left, but after one release in 2013 it was nothing for 8 years until the band started reissuing YtseJam albums and some unreleased Mangini era stuff through InsideOut (plus a Portnoy era release that was provided by Portnoy). I don't think JLB has said anything publicly about his involvement with these and there's been no indication that he has spearheaded that particular  project.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

I'd be surprised if they didn't bring back the Jimmy T / Sneap combo for the live album, which is totally fine, but it would be nice if it actually sounded live. It's so weird how DT released two of the best-sounding live albums in LAB and Score, and then their following live albums were all over the place.

[hefdaddy42]

This is news to me. What's the story there?

I don't know how much of a story there is to it, other than how complex of a song it apparently is to reproduce live.  They never performed it on the Six Degrees tour, and finally broke it out at the New York show on the Train of Thought tour, with the intention that that would be the one and only performance of the song.  But then when they got the opportunity to do a live recording at the Budokan, they brought it back for that, and they also brought back the Instrumedley (which was originally done on the Six Degrees tour).

[Kocak]

I'd be surprised if they didn't bring back the Jimmy T / Sneap combo for the live album, which is totally fine, but it would be nice if it actually sounded live. It's so weird how DT released two of the best-sounding live albums in LAB and Score, and then their following live albums were all over the place.

Get Kevin Shirley to mix it, rekindle the relationship and have him produce the next album as well. Thanks.

Problem solved.

[OpenYourEyes311]

It seems very unlike MP to perform a song as a one off and not want to release it officially. Between live albums, dvds, official bootlegs the number of songs that have been performed live but not commemorated on an official release has to be pretty small.

Not including Parasomnia (or songs from prior to WDADU), these are the MP era songs without a live release (all album songs have been played WDADU-BCASL):

Don't Look Past Me (last played in 2017)
You Not Me (last played in 1998)
Where Are You Now (last played in 1998)
The Way it Used to Be (last played in 1998)
Prophets of War (last played in 2010)
Wither (last played in 2015)
The Best of Times (last played in 2025)


MM era songs without a live release:

Behind the Veil (last played in 2015)
A Life Left Behind (last played 2017)
The REST of The Astonishing (except The Gift of Music and Our New World - last played in 2016)
The Alien (last played in 2023)
Answering the Call (last played in 2023)
Invisible Monster (last played in 2022)
Sleeping Giant (last played in 2023)
Awaken the Master (last played in 2022)
A View From the Top of the World (last played in 2022)


Songs never played:
Raw Dog
False Awakening Suite
Surrender to Reason
Room 137
S2N
Out of Reach
Viper King
Transcending Time

[Stadler]

Maybe TBOT as a hidden track or a bonus on the DVD/Bluray?

[Mosh]

Not including Parasomnia (or songs from prior to WDADU), these are the MP era songs without a live release (all album songs have been played WDADU-BCASL):

Don't Look Past Me (last played in 2017)
You Not Me (last played in 1998)
Where Are You Now (last played in 1998)
The Way it Used to Be (last played in 1998)
Prophets of War (last played in 2010)
Wither (last played in 2015)
The Best of Times (last played in 2025)


MM era songs without a live release:

Behind the Veil (last played in 2015)
A Life Left Behind (last played 2017)
The REST of The Astonishing (except The Gift of Music and Our New World - last played in 2016)
The Alien (last played in 2023)
Answering the Call (last played in 2023)
Invisible Monster (last played in 2022)
Sleeping Giant (last played in 2023)
Awaken the Master (last played in 2022)
A View From the Top of the World (last played in 2022)


Songs never played:
Raw Dog
False Awakening Suite
Surrender to Reason
Room 137
S2N
Out of Reach
Viper King
Transcending Time

Excellent, thanks!

I thought Behind the Veil had received a live release.. I know there was some weirdness with that particular release but I thought it ended up on a digital version or something like that. Still crazy to me that of all songs that's the one that got cut from most track orders. Maybe I'm just thinking of the "unofficial" bootleg of that particular show from the live stream.

[cramx3]

I'm not hopeful that TBOT ends up on the new live DVD because myself and others didn't see any cameras to record it at the show.  Now official audio from the soundboard?  That may be possible.  I can't rule out there were cameras at RCMH, but it definitely did not appear like they were set up to video record that show.

My understanding was Paris was the one show fully video recorded, but I think they also filmed the London show and maybe another from the Euro tour.  I assume that was for video promotions and maybe extra cuts for the release to slip in if necessary.  I kind of assumed the London show would one day be a LNF release one day. 

[Herrick]

I don't care what they do with TBOT. If it's released as a bonus track, great!


What I really hope is the JP lets MP in the producer's room. The live albums in MP's absence really didn't sound all that live, which was not the case before MP left.
Listening to the show,  I feel like 80% of Metropolis is going to have to be resung in the studio. Overall, a fairly decent show by James.

Does LaBrie do that for live albums? I thought they would use autotune for everything.

[TAC]

Does LaBrie do that for live albums? I thought they would use autotune for everything.

Not sure..

[Schurftkut]

Does LaBrie do that for live albums? I thought they would use autotune for everything.

live at the marquee is pretty much studio re-recording

[nobloodyname]

I'm not hopeful that TBOT ends up on the new live DVD because myself and others didn't see any cameras to record it at the show.  Now official audio from the soundboard?  That may be possible.  I can't rule out there were cameras at RCMH, but it definitely did not appear like they were set up to video record that show.

My understanding was Paris was the one show fully video recorded, but I think they also filmed the London show and maybe another from the Euro tour.  I assume that was for video promotions and maybe extra cuts for the release to slip in if necessary.  I kind of assumed the London show would one day be a LNF release one day. 

I was thinking the same about the NYC show yesterday while reading this thread. I didn't see a single camera.

Regarding London, there were screens so I guess they have that footage. Were screens at any other show?

[bosk1]

Does LaBrie do that for live albums?

Yes, they've retouched some things in studio.

I thought they would use autotune for everything.

Autotune doesn't do what I think you think it does.

[gmillerdrake]

Songs never played:
Surrender to Reason

I've always wanted to hear this one Live....really like the song.

Songs never played:
Raw Dog

I don't see how this can be considered a 'real' DT song?? JMX had nothing to do with the writing of it....it was made for a video game....and it's about as basic of a DT song as you can get....it's just generic and not really all that good anyway.

[cramx3]

I don't see how this can be considered a 'real' DT song?? JMX had nothing to do with the writing of it....it was made for a video game....and it's about as basic of a DT song as you can get....it's just generic and not really all that good anyway.

Well its written and recorded and released by Dream Theater.  It's simply that, a Dream THeater song.  But after DT played TBOT I noticed MP saying something along the lines of "now having played every DT album song from my time in the band" (paraphrasing) which makes me think that it not being on an album, does kind of lower the bar for it. 

I guess now that TBOT has been played, a lot of us DT nerds will be saying we want Raw Dog as the next rare DT song to be pulled out. I remember mentioning this at the RCMH meet up and I wasn't the only one who would like to see it.

[gmillerdrake]

Well its written and recorded and released by Dream Theater.  It's simply that, a Dream THeater song.  But after DT played TBOT I noticed MP saying something along the lines of "now having played every DT album song from my time in the band" (paraphrasing) which makes me think that it not being on an album, does kind of lower the bar for it. 

I get that it's technically a DT song. From what I recall reading about it at the time is that it was essentially written over a weekend with JP, MP and JR....solely to give the Gods of War a song in the game. I can see why it wouldn't be mentioned by MP...I can't believe that they consider it a 'real' song.

I know people like the song...but it is pretty much a paint by numbers 'DT' song.