Dream Theater : Score

[SteveB]

Okay, so maybe I was a little slow on the uptake. After reading the occasional reference to DT's "Score" DVD, I finally purchased a copy to check it out.

The performance simply amazed me... words cannot describe how I felt while watching that show. Perfectly executed. I've seen bands attempt to utilize a symphony or orchestra before, and the outcome is usually cheesy at best. However, the set that DT performed with the 'Octivarium Orchestra' was breathtaking. It's the one time I've seen a rock band where the members' musicianship was on equal (or better) footing than the orchestra members.
Everyone 'brought it' in this performance.

It may have to be the final Dream Theater DVD because I really don't think it can be topped!

 

[fogman]

Great info Steve!
I was wondering about this DVD. I love the Live At Budokan DVD which is absolutely excellent! My thought initially was how could it be better than that?
It seams of though I will have to purchase Score now.

 

[pepperman]

I was at that show and yes... it was that good!

I will say, though, it's not as 'in your face' as Live at Budokan. Very different mix. But, it has to be, right? Anyway, awesome DVD!

 

[Bungo]

Plus of course it features mucho footage of the guitar some of us would really like to buy (as per SteveB's avatar).

I was thinking about this.

Although JP's opinion is that the sunburst finish is a bit 'stodgy', EBMM do sometimes offer options on sig models that the artist presumably doesn't want themself e.g dot inlays, non-piezo, non-matching headstock on the JP.

Could this mean that the door could potentially be open to a Score-type sunburst JP sometime in the future?

 

[SteveB]

Bungo,

I think Big Poppa put that whole issue to rest.

 

[roburado]

That was a great show. I was there too. It was amazing to see DT fans from all over the world converging on Radio City Music Hall. Then, as had been speculated by some, DT actually brought an orchestra. That was a dream come true, seeing that.

The show went off without a hitch with the exception of JP losing sound during IIRC "Under a Glass Moon." I think his guitar cord got kicked out of his Framptone amp switcher, or something. So, for about 15 seconds we heard no guitar during one of the verses. Then, he gets it fixed and rips as if nothing happened. I never tire of seeing him play the solo to that song. I thought after the show, as you did, SteveB, that everyone "brought it" that night. Usually, they do, but James LaBrie was particularly impressive. He was sick earlier in the tour, and the Detroit show was cancelled. So, I missed out on that, but we all knew something special was brewing for the Radio City show. I was fine with the cancellation to keep him healthy for Radio City. Then, boom, he gives the best live performance I have ever seen from him.

I was really hoping to see the 20th/JP hybrid proto, because just a couple days before, he picked it up at Pete D's and sure enough, he busts it out for "Raise The Knife" and number of tracks after that. Man, I was psyched to see and, more importantly, hear it.

 

[Bungo]

Bungo,

I think Big Poppa put that whole issue to rest.

Well yeah, but I was just kind of thinking (and typing) out loud.

Never hurts to have a little bit of a ponder now and then!

 

[roburado]

It may have to be the final Dream Theater DVD because I really don't think it can be topped!

Oh, it better not be the last DVD.

 

[Bungo]

Oh, it better not be the last DVD.

I kind of doubt it. They're averaging nearly one per tour these days!!!

 

[pepperman]

Hey Bungo!

Are you the same Bungo with the same avatar on VoicesUK? I'm Serensky over there!

I tell y'all... My favorite guitar of JP's at that show was the white one. WOW!

 

[Bungo]

Hey Bungo!

Are you the same Bungo with the same avatar on VoicesUK? I'm Serensky over there!

Hi Serensky

Guilty as charged! VoicesUK is my other main lurking area on this 'ere interweb thing. Looking forward to the new publication/DVD. Hopefully some new album preview stuff on there?

 

[MikeVt]

Hmmmm....interesting to see these opinions on Score. Although I still like Budokan better, I do think DT did a great job on Score. The difference is that I thought the orchestra was VERY weak - like a decent high school orchestra at best. I expected better, but maybe my expectations were just too high. I just didn't expect to hear so many flubs, pitch issues, and simplifications. (By the way, I think during the VH1Classic special John and Mike talked about the fact that they had to simplify parts for the orchestra - and the fact that some of them were pretty arrogant.) The important thing here is that our actual heroes did a great job...

Mike

 

[roburado]

Agreed. I thought the orchestra could have been better. There were a lot of parts that were out of tune. I don't know if the loud environment might have had something to do with it, but I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[Bungo]

Thirded! I thought the Overture to 6 Degress was particularly dodgy.

'Like a decent high school orchestra' is about right!

 

[Phrat]

Unfortunately I wasnt there for the RCMH gig but I saw them on that tour in Wolverhampton in the UK. It was the first time i had seen them even though I have been a fan since Images and Words. What an awesome show!! The energy was fantastic and i have to say, I wish the setlist to score was the same setlist we had cos it was perfecto (Home!!!!).

Fantastic band live and in the studio!

 

[SteveB]

I just didn't expect to hear so many flubs, pitch issues, and simplifications.

You should read "The Real Frank Zappa Book" by Frank Zappa. Frank shares some horror stories of working with orchestras. Basically, if you have read Frank's experiences with symphony musicians, you would not be surprised that there were flubs, pitch issues, etc. And I'm sure DT payed dearly to have their material performed.

So, I always expect that orchestra players will butcher anything that wasn't rammed into their heads as part of their repertoire while learning their instrument. Given that expectation, I thought this was a pretty good concert.. probably as good as you could ever hope for given the work habits and attitudes of symphony players.

I have a tiny bit of first-hand experience with this, as my wife's best friend dated the first chair viola player for our local symphony for a number of years. I got to meet quite a few members of the symphony in that time period. Gifted players, no doubt. Are they self-driven to explore new musical territory outside the classical realm? Not really. In fact, said viola player used to lament having to play 'Pops' series concerts. You'd think someone asked him to clean a public toilet.

 

[MikeVt]

Unfortunately I wasnt there for the RCMH gig but I saw them on that tour in Wolverhampton in the UK. It was the first time i had seen them even though I have been a fan since Images and Words. What an awesome show!! The energy was fantastic and i have to say, I wish the setlist to score was the same setlist we had cos it was perfecto (Home!!!!).

Fantastic band live and in the studio!

Yeah...I've seen them a couple of times now, and in reality, the changing setlist is a double-edged sword. It's cool that they are soooo practiced and talented that they can change it up every night - and it's nice that they do that for the audience. It's a far cry from the overproduced stage productions that most pop stars seem to stick too that favor the dancing over the quality of the music. On other hand, the changing set list can be disappointing when you don't get to hear something you heard they were playing in another show.

Mike

 

[MikeVt]

You should read "The Real Frank Zappa Book" by Frank Zappa. Frank shares some horror stories of working with orchestras. Basically, if you have read Frank's experiences with symphony musicians, you would not be surprised that there were flubs, pitch issues, etc. And I'm sure DT payed dearly to have their material performed.

So, I always expect that orchestra players will butcher anything that wasn't rammed into their heads as part of their repertoire while learning their instrument. Given that expectation, I thought this was a pretty good concert.. probably as good as you could ever hope for given the work habits and attitudes of symphony players.

I have a tiny bit of first-hand experience with this, as my wife's best friend dated the first chair viola player for our local symphony for a number of years. I got to meet quite a few members of the symphony in that time period. Gifted players, no doubt. Are they self-driven to explore new musical territory outside the classical realm? Not really. In fact, said viola player used to lament having to play 'Pops' series concerts. You'd think someone asked him to clean a public toilet.

Ok...I hear ya Steve. I guess I should have lowered my expectations. At the same time though, given their arrogance, I still don't feel bad about saying their performance wasn't so good....

Mike

 

[Colin]

I'll have to check it out Steve, thanks for the review...

 

[SteveB]

Ok...I hear ya Steve. I guess I should have lowered my expectations. At the same time though, given their arrogance, I still don't feel bad about saying their performance wasn't so good....

Mike

Haha.. no probs, Mike! I can see with your point as well.