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37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
For once, you can't really go wrong.., November 9, 2001
This review is from: Live Scenes From New York (Audio CD)
It's tough trying to comment on this release. If you're a Dream Theater fan, chances are you either have it already or have most of the songs on the original CDs. You may even have Once in a Livetime already and wonder if it's worth shelling out more hard-earned cash for another massive live album. On that count, I can reasonably say that you should sell the copy of OiaL (or pass it off to an unconverted friend) and RUN, not walk, to get this one. If you're just starting with DT, well.. you should be looking for Images & Words to start with. But I digress. Set 1 is their mammoth rock/metal opera Scenes from a Memory, in all its glory and fine-tuned from almost a year on the road. It's given new life here, complete with a live gospel choir on a "Spirit Carries On" that's nothing short of astounding. Theresa T (who appeared on the original release) is given a bigger role and absolutely shines. Her spot with Petrucci and solo during "TSCO" is almost enough to bring me to tears, topped only by James LaBrie's soul-wrenching turn on "Through Her Eyes." The solos top the original versions, if that's even possible, and the mix gives the perfect 'live' atmosphere. The only problem with the performance (for non-fans) is the sheer complexity of Scenes from a Memory itself. Though James still varies the voicings from character to character, you'll need a lyric sheet to keep up if you're not familiar with the story and the words to begin with. The somewhat confusing ending of the original recording isn't here either; instead there's a short musical recap/finale that ends "Finally Free" with a bang instead of a whisper. Supposely there was a short video during the show's intermission that cleared up the story; maybe it's on the DVD. I'm still wondering. Set 2 is a step above all previous live material as well, from the finest "Metropolis 1" on record (despite James's forgettable crowd banter) to Jordan's inhuman keyboard solo to an "Acid Rain" that'll blow your head apart. "Voices" is more heavy, creepy and haunting than ever and the electrified "Silent Man" squashes the original like a melon. Disappointed about "Change of Seasons" being chopped up and incomplete on OiaL? The whole thing is played here. They get a little silly in the middle section (tossing in a "Simpsons" theme quote among others), but the rest of it can wring out your emotions like a rag. The whole experience is nothing short of magnificent, from the tick-tock of "Regression"'s opening to the time James says goodnight with a quick "sorry about the short set." It's not often even a double live album can stay consistently strong and powerful throughout, but DT has pulled it off for a triple - practically unheard of. This is a blazing snapshot of the group on an evening when everything was touched by magic: a wonderful overview of their past albums which still doesn't make buying any of their previous releases redundant. If only all live albums were this well-done. Buy it and hear what you've been missing.
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24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Godly...simply the best progressive metal concert ever., October 27, 2001
This review is from: Live Scenes From New York (Audio CD)
I have every Dream Theater live album, and I continue to hunt down bootlegs from past tours. It's all quite unnecessary, even wasteful, but such is the pursuit of the Dream Theater fan. Why do I do it? Because I want to have a recording that captures the true greatness of a Dream Theater concert, something that you can't really understand with DT's official live albums. Live at the Marquee was too short and too polished by overdubs. James LaBrie was having some ugly vocal problems on Once in a LIVEtime. Therefore, I am purely ecstatic over Live Scenes from New York - an official album with such fervor and energy that every song sounds new, even if I've memorized every guitar lick and every lyric. These are the qualities for which I search when hunting bootlegs, so to have it in a live release makes me very happy. Live Scenes from New York is not only the best of Dream Theater's live catalogue, but it is the best live (progressive) metal album in 15 years. I do not make this statement lightly; it's tough to contend with this album's three discs, characterized by rugged, furious, and emotionally charged music. This music is everything a live album should be. The highlight is the astonishing performance of Scenes from a Memory in its entirety. LaBrie, who is at his best vocally with this show, shines with his heart-rending emotional power, and he actually augments many passages over the original. The Miracle's malevolent soliloquy on "Home" is filled with more hunger, more viciousness. "The Spirit Carries On" makes my vision get blurry as he and Theresa Thomason sing one of the most moving songs I've ever heard. The entire band sounds full of more energy, although it's only understood on an ineffable level. The ears hear what the words can't quite describe. Then there's the instrumental tag at the end of "Finally Free," where Petrucci's soaring guitar lines never fail to give me chills. After Scenes from a Memory comes to an end, two more hours of Dream Theater's intense music fills out the rest of the package. Of course, the Metropolis saga wouldn't be complete without "Metropolis Pt.1," and the version here is the best live iteration of the song to date (even better than some of the awesome ones from I&W tour bootlegs). "The Mirror," "Learning to Live," and the devastating 7-string medley ("Just Let Me Breathe/Acid Rain/Caught in a New Millennium") are captured aggressively. Saxophonist Jay Beckenstein stops by to contribute soprano sax on "Another Day," one of the band's best ballads. Here, the beautiful guitar solo lifts me three feet off the ground, and LaBrie's performance is again breathtaking. Jordan Rudess takes the spotlight for a 7-minute keyboard solo, which is enough to justify the purchase of this set on its own. The man is a true prodigy. It's nearly impossible to fathom that he's only playing with two hands. "A Mind Beside Itself" is played in its entirety, and the delivery blazes all the way to the calm finale of "The Silent Man." "The Silent Man" is actually spiced up with ludic piano and guitar solos, and a soaring electric chorus. John Petrucci's surprisingly awesome background vocals add a great deal to the tune. The band finishes off their massive set with "A Change of Seasons." Added solos, Rudess' quirky "funhouse" piano, and a quote from "The Simpsons Theme," all season (whoa, a pun) one of the band's best-loved epics. LaBrie understandably sounds tired by the time the final movement rolls around, but he still performs with energy and conviction. In twenty years, after I've collected an uncountable number of great live albums, I'll probably still regard this as one of the best live rock shows ever. For Dream Theater fans, this will become one of your most prized possessions.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunning, November 15, 2001
This review is from: Live Scenes From New York (Audio CD)
Is this triple CD live album worth five stars and, more importantly, worth buying? Hmmm. Let's see: 1. Four of the most talented musicians in the world (plus one singer who tries hard not to be too irritating) at the peak of their craft, playing their butts off in a dizzying display of virtuosity. 2. Crystal-clear production by two of the four musicians (Mike Portnoy and John Petrucci). 3. A new keyboard player (Jordan Rudess) who's given the band a huge shot in the arm. 4. Every note of Scenes From a Memory (their absolutely astounding previous album) played live -- not to mention a smattering of their very best songs. 5. An obviously appreciative audience. 6. An energy so palpable that you'd swear you were there watching this performed. I dunno. What do you think? The last triple live album I purchased was Emerson Lake & Palmer's "Welcome Back My Friends..." back in the early '70s. Although I enjoyed ELP immensely, even I thought three albums worth of material was a bit of a challenge. (One review at the time described ELP's bombastic performance as "everything but the kitchen sink.") However, this three CD set from Dream Theater -- which, because of today's recording technology, is easily TWICE as long as ELP's triple live album -- seems to end much too quickly. So captivating is the performance that you just don't want it to end. ("Home," from Scenes From a Memory, is a monster of a song played live!) DT seems to be upping the ante every time they release a live album. Their first (Live At the Marquee, 1993) was a single. Their second, (Once In a Live Time, 1998) was a double. Now this: Live Scenes From New York, a brazen THREE CDs of material from arguably one of the best bands in the world. At this rate, I can't wait to see their fourth live album! Anyway, the entire Scenes From a Memory album is played flawlessly. And with great energy. The first CD and a half is devoted to this concept album, and it's quite a ride let me tell you. Other standout tracks include, well, just about everything else. If you're a fan of Dream Theater, this is a must-have release. Even though I don't usually recommend live albums to first-time listeners, in this case I'll make an exception. Live Scenes From New York is a superb intro to the heady world of Dream Theater. Enjoy!
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