O3 A Trilogy, Part One

Charlie Dominici | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 24, 2005)
• Original Release Date: May 24, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dominici Records
• ASIN: B0009U5V8M
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,501 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charlie is back...in a way you wouldn't expect., July 19, 2005

By 

Madman (Iowa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: O3 A Trilogy, Part One (Audio CD)

After self imposed seclusion from the music scene, Charlie Dominici has returned in a way that has taken pretty much everyone by surprise.

It all started during the build up to the 15th anniversary of Dream Theater's When Dream and Day Unite album. Charlie was asked to participate in a one off reunion celebrating the release of the album. After the album was performed in its entirety by the current lineup, Charlie Dominici entered the stage for the two encores of To Live Forever and Metropolis (performed along with both James Labrie and former keyboardist Derek Sherinian).

After this event, Charlie realized how much he missed the music scene and plotted his "comeback." While Charlie likes and appreciates Dream Theater's music that he participated with, it was a lot different from his musical background. Therefore, his new CD has very little resemblance to what he was a part of with the world's best progressive metal band.

03 A Trilogy: Part One, first and foremost, is a completely acoustic album performed by Charlie and only Charlie. With the exception of a harmonica and some whistling, it is just Charlie and his guitar. I believe Charlie knew the comparison to his days in Dream Theater was inevitable so he made no attempt to match or recreate that sound in any way. Instead, he stripped the sound down completely, relying on his acoustic musicianship, his voice, and his storytelling ability.

The album tells the story about a boy who was stolen from his family and prepped from an early age to carry out what would be the world's worst terrorist attack. But living in his new home of the United States, he falls in love with the people and the land and struggles with his "duty" and whom he considers his real friends and family.

The songs at times resemble the feeling of a broadway musical and his voice has a warm tonality that compliments that. He uses a lower register than he did in his days with Dream Theater, which is much more natural for him.

His guitar playing is remarkable. Hes no shredder, but he does have an incredible acoustic style. His guitar melodies range from intense to serene and somewhat technical.

In the end, this album really has four things to look at: his voice, his lyrics, his guitar, and the songwriting as a whole. All of these elements are spectacular and create an interesting and enjoyable album.

For the hardcore Dream Theater fans, you must go into this album with an open mind. This has little to no resemblance of his days with DT. This much more resembles the type of music you would hear being performed at a coffee shop. Initimate, relaxed, and at times intense. It is meant to make you think and feel, and for that Charlie Dominici has accomplished an amazing feat.

He has two more CDs planned in which he has stated he might even put a full band together to accomplish. I think a lot of these songs would sound great with a full band so I look forward to his experimenting with that. As it stands though, what you have here is just outstanding and original. Charlie is back, indeed, and I can't wait to hear what he comes up with next.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charlie Dominici Creates a New Genre!, July 24, 2005

By 

Michael Brandt "Mike" (lemon grove,Ca USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: O3 A Trilogy, Part One (Audio CD)

Simply put, Charlie Dominici has gone where no musician has gone before. To my knowledge there are no other acoustic solo artists that have created a bare bones concept album like this. It is rich with meaningful and sometimes politically charged lyrics and amazing acoustic guitar that sometimes sounds like Leo Kottke or John Fahey playing. Less is more... is the rule here. There are no real overdubs or "sweetening" as they say in the music business to cover up a lack of talent. No need for that here. Charlie is about to shock the music fans who know him from his days with Dream Theater.This album shows that whatever the DT fans might have thought about Charlie's abilities before, they are in for a treat (if the listener can be objective).Do not expect any cookie monster vocals or intense musical shredding here. This album is totally original and in todays music world,that is a fantastic feat in itself.That said, you put this CD in your player and off you go to a place where Charlie paints and sculpts and spins a musical tale that will leave you thinking about the meaning of your life while you try to shake off the chills and goosebumps! Buy it,and see!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Different....But Incredible...., July 23, 2005

By 

Efe Tekson (San Diego) - See all my reviews

This review is from: O3 A Trilogy, Part One (Audio CD)

Big Dream theater fan here.Knowing that Charlie was the former singer of the band,I got the CD.The first couple of times I listened to it, I didnt really like it.But then I realized Charlie wasn`t a part of Dream Theater anymore, and I certainly didnt want to feel like he was trying to catch that dream theater sound after these years.So the more I listened to it, the more I liked it. It`s a very original album, incredible story, everytime I listen to it I catch something new in it.
Definitely worth the money and I cant wait to hear the end of the story!!!