Thought someone might be interested in this, downloaded from Dimeadozen, and converted to MP3 with Soundforge. This is from a Hammersmith DT gig, Jan 2004:-
http://rapidshare.de/files/9588927/Dream_Theater_-_Death_On_Two_Legs.mp3.html
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Thanks very much for this track, Lord Fickle !
GREAT band, Dream Theater don't ya' think?
Cheers M8 !
GREAT band, Dream Theater don't ya' think?
Cheers M8 !
DT are a great band, probably one of my favourite bands since Queen, in fact, but much as I hate to admit it, there have been criticisms of James LaBrie's live vocal performances, which I find it hard to disagree with. His diction totally disintegrates when reaching for his upper vocal range, and he often sounds like he's struggling, but hell, his heart's well in it!
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Lord Fickle wrote: [/QUOTENAME]DT are a great band, probably one of my favourite bands since Queen, in fact, but much as I hate to admit it, there have been criticisms of James LaBrie's live vocal performances, which I find it hard to disagree with. His diction totally disintegrates when reaching for his upper vocal range, and he often sounds like he's struggling, but hell, his heart's well in it![/QUOTE]
FYI - this is something I only found out a week or so ago - James severely damaged his vocal chords a number of years back after a severe bout of food poisoning.
FYI - this is something I only found out a week or so ago - James severely damaged his vocal chords a number of years back after a severe bout of food poisoning.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Lord Fickle wrote: [/QUOTENAME]DT are a great band, probably one of my favourite bands since Queen, in fact, but much as I hate to admit it, there have been criticisms of James LaBrie's live vocal performances, which I find it hard to disagree with. His diction totally disintegrates when reaching for his upper vocal range, and he often sounds like he's struggling, but hell, his heart's well in it![/QUOTE]
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]The Fonz wrote: [/QUOTENAME]FYI - this is something I only found out a week or so ago - James severely damaged his vocal chords a number of years back after a severe bout of food poisoning.[/QUOTE]
If that's the case, and I'm not doubting you (but I've not heard it before), wouldn't it be more sensible of the band to write stuff in a key he can sing live? I also don't really see how his diction (degree of clarity and distinctness of pronunciation in speech or singing) could have been affected by damaged vocal cords. I think it's just a factor with some vocalists, when stretching their range. When you consider that most DT shows are nearly three hours long, it must put a strain on the vocal cords, night after night. Probably why they do a lot of instrumental sections.
All that said, DT are still a great band, and Scenes From A Memory is one of the best prog / metal / concept albums ever.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]The Fonz wrote: [/QUOTENAME]FYI - this is something I only found out a week or so ago - James severely damaged his vocal chords a number of years back after a severe bout of food poisoning.[/QUOTE]
If that's the case, and I'm not doubting you (but I've not heard it before), wouldn't it be more sensible of the band to write stuff in a key he can sing live? I also don't really see how his diction (degree of clarity and distinctness of pronunciation in speech or singing) could have been affected by damaged vocal cords. I think it's just a factor with some vocalists, when stretching their range. When you consider that most DT shows are nearly three hours long, it must put a strain on the vocal cords, night after night. Probably why they do a lot of instrumental sections.
All that said, DT are still a great band, and Scenes From A Memory is one of the best prog / metal / concept albums ever.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Lord Fickle wrote: [/QUOTENAME]DT are still a great band, and Scenes From A Memory is one of the best prog / metal / concept albums ever.[/QUOTE]
Ohhhhh yeah! Incredible album. No words can review it. All one can do is listen - several times.
James Labrie's voice has been in fantastic shape these last couple tours. This one song does not do him justice. The only thing about him I don't like is how he over-uses the vibrato technique. Other than that, he's got such an amazing set of lungs.
Ohhhhh yeah! Incredible album. No words can review it. All one can do is listen - several times.
James Labrie's voice has been in fantastic shape these last couple tours. This one song does not do him justice. The only thing about him I don't like is how he over-uses the vibrato technique. Other than that, he's got such an amazing set of lungs.
yeah he still is a great singer! But the high notes don't do it for me, i like his low, relaxed voice better.
If you want to hear some of his low voice, check out ayreon's "The Human Equation" album...
If you want to hear some of his low voice, check out ayreon's "The Human Equation" album...
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Ayreon wrote: [/QUOTENAME]yeah he still is a great singer! But the high notes don't do it for me, i like his low, relaxed voice better.[/QUOTE]
Couldn't agree more. This is what I'm getting at. You just can't make out what he's singing when he reaches for his higher range, which can sometimes turn into a bit of a screech.
Actually, his vocal on this version of DOTL isn't bad at all - he hits virtually every note, and you can hear each word. He is a brilliant vocalist, and I would recommend any DT album, especially Scenes From A Memory, which in places, couldn't be more 'Queen' if it tried!
Another vocalist who suffers from unclear diction in the higher register, is Bruce Dickenson, from Iron Maiden, but it doesn't stop them also being a great band, aside from the disappointing Dance of Death album.
Couldn't agree more. This is what I'm getting at. You just can't make out what he's singing when he reaches for his higher range, which can sometimes turn into a bit of a screech.
Actually, his vocal on this version of DOTL isn't bad at all - he hits virtually every note, and you can hear each word. He is a brilliant vocalist, and I would recommend any DT album, especially Scenes From A Memory, which in places, couldn't be more 'Queen' if it tried!
Another vocalist who suffers from unclear diction in the higher register, is Bruce Dickenson, from Iron Maiden, but it doesn't stop them also being a great band, aside from the disappointing Dance of Death album.
Funny you mention Bruce - he's also on an Ayreon album - Flight of the migrator. Love his vibrato!
Yeah, that was the good one from that two part thing he did, wasn't it? The other part, 'Dream Sequencer' wasn't up to much. Tried to be Pink Floyd, but it was just boring. I love the opening instrumental track, Chaos, on FotM, and it also has another great vocalist on board - Russell Allen from Symphony X. Now, we all love James, but wouldn't Russell Allen be great in DT?
Going back to Ayreon, that Human Equation set really didn't work for me. It was way too plodding and lifeless, in my opinion. A real disappointment, following the excellent Star One.
Going back to Ayreon, that Human Equation set really didn't work for me. It was way too plodding and lifeless, in my opinion. A real disappointment, following the excellent Star One.
Fabulous :D
He just sings false, as a pitty.
B ut hear the public :D
Their singing a Queen song wich never was released as a single :D
He just sings false, as a pitty.
B ut hear the public :D
Their singing a Queen song wich never was released as a single :D
On their 2004/5 tours, DT performed several covers of complete 'classic' albums, Number Of The Beast, The Black Album and Dark Side Of The Moon to name a few examples. I wonder if they would ever tackle the whole of ANATO?
Yeah Russel would be great with DT- but he also is with S X :)
Wow, DT playing NATO? Count me in...Too bad they never tell before a show which album they will play that night...
Wow, DT playing NATO? Count me in...Too bad they never tell before a show which album they will play that night...
Thanks for sharing!!
Is there a video of this?
I like more when they cover heavy metal bands.
Take care
Is there a video of this?
I like more when they cover heavy metal bands.
Take care
Yeah, James had damaged his vocal chords a while ago, but he was on top shape on the last two tours. When he performed Death on two legs in 2004 he was suffering a cold.
These files will give you an example of the vocal power.
A Fortune In Lies (live from Milano 2005)
http://s40.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2VBS4TWF5K4F020E6YUBAC2BOG
Under A Glass Moon (live from Milano 2005)
http://s40.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1P6PKO4BK7BAY27SMQ25I46JCE
Octavarium (end part)
http://s40.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1XZ7NWYU22DDC0XF9YZ3PSWSP1
Those are legal downloads. Dream Theater allow their fans to share unofficial music over the internet. This is from Mike Portnoy's official site: MP: "I'm a big trading and bootleg fan and supporter, so I love trading stuff and bootlegs and MP3's. I'm a big fan of that so I'd be a hypocrite to not support it when it applies to my own music. The only problem I have with MP3s is when they hit the 'net, before a new album is released. It ruins the surprise for everybody. You know when you make an album, everybody looks forward to the release date. You want everybody to hear it at the same time and not ruin the surprise for everybody else or start spreading opinions it before anybody else had has a chance to form their own. That's the only thing that bothers me. It bothers me from an artistic point of view that people get their surprises ruined before the release date, but I don't think it bothers me on a commercial level. I don't think it affects sales for a band like our's. It was just I didn't want the surprise ruined before the album came out." (source: http://www.mikeportnoy.com/about/mpfaq/showquestion.asp?menu=about&faq=1&fldAuto=325)
These files will give you an example of the vocal power.
A Fortune In Lies (live from Milano 2005)
http://s40.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2VBS4TWF5K4F020E6YUBAC2BOG
Under A Glass Moon (live from Milano 2005)
http://s40.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1P6PKO4BK7BAY27SMQ25I46JCE
Octavarium (end part)
http://s40.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1XZ7NWYU22DDC0XF9YZ3PSWSP1
Those are legal downloads. Dream Theater allow their fans to share unofficial music over the internet. This is from Mike Portnoy's official site: MP: "I'm a big trading and bootleg fan and supporter, so I love trading stuff and bootlegs and MP3's. I'm a big fan of that so I'd be a hypocrite to not support it when it applies to my own music. The only problem I have with MP3s is when they hit the 'net, before a new album is released. It ruins the surprise for everybody. You know when you make an album, everybody looks forward to the release date. You want everybody to hear it at the same time and not ruin the surprise for everybody else or start spreading opinions it before anybody else had has a chance to form their own. That's the only thing that bothers me. It bothers me from an artistic point of view that people get their surprises ruined before the release date, but I don't think it bothers me on a commercial level. I don't think it affects sales for a band like our's. It was just I didn't want the surprise ruined before the album came out." (source: http://www.mikeportnoy.com/about/mpfaq/showquestion.asp?menu=about&faq=1&fldAuto=325)