YTSEJAM Digest 4243
Today's Topics:
1) Review: Act II:Galileo (Time Machine) (Warning:Long Post!!)
by Peter Geerts <zaphod@ace.ulyssis.student.kuleuven.ac.be>
2) Re: DP fan reaction
by "Pat Sullivan" <psull@ici.net>
3) Iron Maiden setlist
by Totikus <totikus@gmx.net>
4) Portnoy Interview and more
by Yes0001@aol.com
5) Ytsefootball for cheap bastards!!
by larry hartman <lhartm1@gl.umbc.edu>
6) NEVERENDING DREAMS Part 5.2 (Yep, DTshows in the US!!!!!!!) , As usual: personal, loooooooong
by Choon-Kang Walther <rcwalthe@studi.unizh.ch>
7) NEVERENDING DREAMS PART 5.3
by Choon-Kang Walther <rcwalthe@studi.unizh.ch>
8) Kings X a christian band?? NO
by "Till Wagner" <twagner@artifex.de>
9) Re: Yanni recommends, Satch recommends
by Phil Carter <satriani@negia.net>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 14:21:50 +0200 (CEST)
From: Peter Geerts <zaphod@ace.ulyssis.student.kuleuven.ac.be>
To: Majesty <ytsejam@ax.com>
Subject: Review: Act II:Galileo (Time Machine) (Warning:Long Post!!)
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.4.02.9808311315120.14934-100000@ace.ulyssis.student.kuleuven.ac.be>
Hey all
After I got some recommendations on the Jam I finally bought Time
Machine's Act II:Galileo. This is the second album of this band from the
flourishing Italian progmetal scene. It's a concept album about the
well-known physicist and astronomer who was accused af heresy and
condemned by the inquisition (no not the Spanish one, you Monty Python
freaks:-) in the 17th century.
This album is quite an interesting effort, mainly because it's not easy to
define what style it is really. It has progrock and progmetal elements, as
well as doommetal and even gothic influences. Another thing is that you
won't find much keyboard or guitar solo's or technical wizardry or
anything, although they seem to be very talented musicians allright. The
songs are more like compositions. The emphasis is more on combining
different moods and styles and sounds and melodies - much like in a lot of
classical music. And those moods/styles change very rapidly... I don't
think there's more than two minutes on that disk which has the same riff
our sound pallette... It's definately prog, but more because it's a very
complex album with a lot of variety and time- and other changes, than
because of the great solos.
Anyway, there are 19 (!) tracks on the album, combined into 9 'pieces'.
The tracks themselves are rather short, but as is often the case with
concept albums, dividing the disk into songs would be wrong. It's one big
song actually, one piece of music. Here's a track-by-track review (tracks
marked * are intrumentals):
I-A new world
1-New frontiers (1:18)*
In this short piece we hear Galileo being sentenced by the inquisition(in
Italian!). More like an intro to:
2-Stargazer (5:16)
Great track! Kicks right off with a very weird-sounding 'hopping' riff.
Turns more quiet after awhile. The vocalist is quite good (especially in
this kind of music). The keyboards fit in well with some 'orchestral'
background sounds. It's just the overall sound on this track, all the
instruments fit together, that make this one so interesting. Cool bass
riff at the 4:00 mark more or less, together with some very modest drums
and guitars, before kicking off a final time
II-Guilt
3-Rage (0:23)*
Guitar doing crazy stuff for 23 secs, immediately followed by:
4-I hold the key (into the void) (6:31)
The sound of the intro is superb. Very dark/doom, especially the
heartbeat-like drums. Enter a doom/Tiamat-ish riff with a guitar solo over
it (one of the few!)... In the middle the tempo goes up, with brief quiet
parts in between. Another teriffic song.
III-Regrets
5-Colours of the night (1:07)*
A short, introspective bass piece.
6-Mother (1:01)
Short sung part with pulsing keys and great vocals/orchestration.
7-Let me cry (0:54)*
Another short bass piece (or gtr?), but faster than track #5
IV-The holy office
8-Justice (0:31)*
Thunderstorms, rain, a dark bass drum, singing monks... hehe inferno!!
9-Fear (2:33)*
One of the best tracks on this disk! Great, another weird guitar riff (
sounds somewhat 'unfinished'), followed by a drum beat and a flanged
guitar doing stuff. Then the guitar goes on and plays fast, the other
guitar does some heavy stuff. Then we got a short key's break, producing
some weird sounds, ending up in a final heavy touch. Great! Second part of
this 'song' is:
10-Burning in the wind (3:40)
Again a very dark intro, followed by a guitar riff w/ metal drums...
Drummer and guitarist really show off on this track. Also, the weird riff
from track #9 re-appears (two of them acutally)...
V-The old World
11-Aperite (0:44)*
Basically: Freaking distorded guitar together with double-bass drum. In
the end: knocking on and someone shouting 'Aperite' (Open up!). Guess
who's there.....
VI-A nightmare
12-Dungeons of the Vatican (5:00)*
Again one of the best instrumentals on this album... Very dark (this one
REALLY is...). There happens so much in this song, it's pointless to
describe it all. It has metal and non-metal parts in it, but it's
definately prog (though in an evil mood apparently:-)). Brilliant
composition!!
VII-Nightly visions
13-Cold flames of faith (7:57)
This is the longest track on the album, and is part of the second-longest
'piece' (only Piece VIII is longer). Kicks off with a nice piano intro,
grows darker, and reminds me of some gothic at times (Lacrimosa etc...).
This one stays calm for a great while with superb singing by vocalist
Orlandini And just when you expect the guitars to fall in.... they don't!
I love this! (They do a little later though:-)) The song gets faster and
even a bit 'upbeat' near the middle and grows into a great metal song.
14-Suspicious (0:21)*
Basically this is the piano intro from track #13 repeated. (well not
basically: it just IS the piano intro from track #13 repeated):-)
VIII-The trial
15-White collars (5:41)
Great intro (again, getting boring isn't it? believe it isn't!).
Afterwards great wacky guitar riff. This is a tremendous metal song, and
is the piece that IMO comes the closest to DT (hey! does this count as
DTC?). The intrumental middle of the song really blows you away: pure
beauty. (though rather heavy, this is no contradiction on this disc).
16-Prisoner of dreams (condemned) (5:02)
This is a very quiet piece featuring some great saxophone playing (now
before you all turn away in disgust: listen to it first before you
judge:-)). Great work (and the only track that could pass as a real song).
Hmmm there's some piano in the middle and I heard that melody before, in
another track, but I don't know which one... Damn I always have that,
happened to me with Awake too...
17-Black Rose (1:04)*
Guitar and bass give time to think about all you just heard (and what
Galileo went thruogh) with a very sober musical interlude.
IX-Pain
18-I can't smile (2:48)
Short final song on piano and keys. You can really feel Galileo
contemplating about the recent events.
19-Silent cry (0:19)
Footsteps... a door closes and it's the end. Galileo has to spend the rest
of his life between the same four walls of his bedroom...
Okay that's it. Long post, I know, but I'm really excited about his album.
Again, don't expect a well-defined style, because there is a myriad of
undefined styles that you'll encounter. Go for it with an open mind and
i'll guarantee that this album will blow you away. Production could be a
bit better maybe, but hey who cares, it's great music. This album was
released in 1995 already, but I don't know if it's easy to get in the
States. Released on Lucretia Records (www.inmilano.it/lucretiarecords),
catalogue number: LU98021-2.
Peace
Zaphod
==============================================================================
Peter Geerts *QUOTE*
zaphod@ace.ulyssis.student.kuleuven.ac.be "HELP!" (The Beatles)
ICQ: 13122636
First year's Social Sciences Student, Leuven University, Belgium
Voorzitter JVS Orion Mechelen
==============================================================================
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 08:42:02 -0400
From: "Pat Sullivan" <psull@ici.net>
To: ytsejam@ax.com
Subject: Re: DP fan reaction
Message-ID: <199808311236.IAA07277@bajor.ici.net>
> I think DT accomplished what they set out to do, acquire some new fans and
> get some feedback from older fans of other bands.
>
What caught my attention was the couple of people who metioned
buying ACOS to get the Perfect Strangers cover. There's a
crossover purchase I had never thought of. I wonder how many
sales of ACOS (and potentially new DT fans) were actually Deep
Purple/Elton John/Journey/Dregs/Genesis etc... fans who only
(originally) bought it for the covers?
__Pat Sullivan________________
Email: psull@just-like.nu
WWW: http://www.just-like.nu
ICQ: 2049374
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 12:08:08 +0200
From: Totikus <totikus@gmx.net>
To: ytsejam@ax.com
Subject: Iron Maiden setlist
Message-ID: <3.0.5.16.19980831120808.2d97768c@pop.gmx.net>
Hi,
Can one of you European jammers send me the setlist for Iron Maiden's
current tour in Europe (it is already underway, I believe)? I'm thinking of
attending their show in Budapest but I don't know their music well so I
need to check out the songs they are going to play. BTW any
comments/recommendations/warnings about the shows are welcome. Thanks in
advance,
Totikus
----------------------------------------------------------
| Totikus totikus@gmx.net |
| A Fortune In Midis - The Dream Theater Midi Page |
| http://members.xoom.com/totikus/ |
| "Hope leads to quiet desperation |
| When reality obscures the dream |
| Makes the mind a grave of memories |
| That wander like the lonely breeze..." |
| Fates Warning, "The Ivory Gate of Dreams" |
----------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 10:52:31 EDT
From: Yes0001@aol.com
To: ytsejam@ax.com
Subject: Portnoy Interview and more
Message-ID: <15c067e6.35eab8af@aol.com>>
Music Street Journal 8 is online now. It features a special edition on
Spock`s Beard (reviews of all 3 of their studio albums). Also included in the
issue is an interview with Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater, reviews of both
Dream Theater and ELP live in Milwaukee, Steve Howe`s Quantum Guitar album,
the Flower Kings double disc Stardust We Are and supergroup Explorer`s Club
(members of Magellan, Dream Theater, Yes, Royal Hunt and more) new album. The
new progressive metal review is the reissue of Kiss` stab at a concept album,
The Elder. Cheap Trick`s At Budokan the Complete Concert is the new non-
progressive review for the month. Flashbacks for the issue are Rick Wright-
Broken China, Judas Priest-Sad Wings of Destiny and No Doubt`s self titled
album.
The issue can be seen at http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Arena/9250/
If you would like to be added to be my notification list, you will receive an
email whenever the page changes, email me at Yes0001@aol.com.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 11:28:16 -0400 (EDT)
From: larry hartman <lhartm1@gl.umbc.edu>
To: ytsejam@ax.com
Subject: Ytsefootball for cheap bastards!!
Message-ID: <199808311528.LAA02708@umbc8.umbc.edu>
I've setup yet another Fantasy Football League. This one is FREE!!!
It's on www.sandbox.net (and it's in partnership with Yahoo). I don't
know if it's as good as the ESPN system but it doesn't look too shabby
from what i've seen so far.
The draft day is Sept 3rd (Thursday) so you better sign up quick. I
couldn't make the draft day any later than that. For a change of
pace, I've also selected to use an "open list" draft. This means that
you have one giant draft list for all players. For example, your list
might look like...
1. Favre
2. Sanders
3. Chris Carter
etc.
I've never done that before but I thought i'd give it a shot.
So anyway, hop on over to www.sandbox.net and join the "Ytsefootball
League". Password is "kevmo".
And remember, it's FREE!! F-R-E-E FREE!!!
-- /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \ / / L. Jason Hartman "And I'll smile and I'll learn to pretend \ \ lhartm1@gl.umbc.edu And I'll never be open again / / And I'll have no more dreams to defend \ \ Univ. Of Maryland, And I'll never be open again " / / Baltimore County - Kevin Moore : Dream Theater \ \ / / "Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot." \ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/------------------------------
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 17:35:49 +0200 (CEST) From: Choon-Kang Walther <rcwalthe@studi.unizh.ch> To: ytsejam@ax.com Subject: NEVERENDING DREAMS Part 5.2 (Yep, DTshows in the US!!!!!!!) , As usual: personal, loooooooong Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.95.980831172442.31887B-100000@troll.studi.unizh.ch>
Hi jammers, ..here we go again
Aparently, I haven't missed too much the night before, the Homdel, NJ, show, as the driver tells me. I talk to a local guy who's gonna shoot the video for the people sitting on the lawn tonight. He's very polite, agreeing that he likes DT and that they are a very good band, very skilled musicians. 'Have you ever seen them live?' - 'Actually no.' 'Which one of their records do you like?' - 'A friend of my brother has this older one. I don't have one myself.' Just to undermine his knowledge......... :-/ There will be the same two guys at the door to the backstage entrance the whole evening and night. Upon seeing me walking out from there once, they smile at me and will galantly open the door for me whenever I walk through again. :-) I guess this is called women's bonus... :-) I hear Mike doing an interview, talking about ACOS and DT's up comming plans for this year. I ask if I might listen (which wasn't the best idea as I learn later on), having talked to other press staff before (asking them, if they would mind someone listening while doing an interview? 'No, not at all.') Mike will occupy himself with the upcomming South American shows (the last live performances for DT this year), the finish of the once in a Livetime recording and video (possibly containing scenes from the fanclub gig in Rotterdam) and the second Liquid Tension record untill end of 1998.
Hartford, CT, Meadows Music Theater August 7th -------- Hall: This is the biggest hall so far, in which I've ever seen DT perform. It's the 'American style' of a big concert hall. The in an angle of about 120 degree constructed building is split in three sections. The stage is located in the center point. The 1st section, consisting of the closest about 1500 seats is only acessable with the proper tickets. The second section, contains some 3000 seats outward. The third section is lawn. The inner two are covered by the building. The whole is built on a (artificial?) hill, sort of a amphitheater.I suppose some 16'000 visitors fit. Outside of the hall are some 20 different stands to get beer, Mexican food, Italian food, hamburgers, hot dogs, etc. Three radio stations are broadcasting live with backstage pass give aways. Sound: As mentioned above: these theaters are constructed for shows, with great accoustics. Lights: A big stage, meaning good lights. The floodlights towards the crowd are on (like in Europe) during Metropolis. Crowd: At the most one third of the seats is filled. The security keeps people seated once more. A lot of the people see DT for the very first time. So far, their plan to 'reach another audience' succeeds. They get good reviews. 'Skilled', 'impressive', 'compact live band' are among the comments I hear while talking to the first encountered. I guess this is an all ages show, for there are also kids in the crowd.
During the ELP set, I am outside talking to 15 DT fans waiting at the backstage entrance. ELP have apparently played 15 minutes too long the other night. I advertise the jam among those with DT shirts, yet I only met one guy with internet access. Of course I take pics again.
Deep Purple clearly are the headlining band that night. The atmosphere climaxes with everybody getting up, dancing, singing, clasping hands.
Aftershow: I only see Mike quickly. The main attention is of course focused again on DP. I am very impressed by all these 35 to 45 years old guys; fans who get to meet their idols, telling them how much they adore them. They all belong to one or two 'rock-generations' ahead of me. I ask the DP guys about DT. 'Sorry, I haven't met them yet' Bill Ward tells me, but Steve is familiar with them.
After the show, I talk to two locals from Long Island. They tell about 1986, when they had helped a band called Majesty, opening for another band called Diamond at a LI club, to set up the equipment properly, for this band didn't have much experience yet. :-)))))))) We go for a late snack at BK, when one of them remarks: 'Somebody must be hungry, here comes the tourbus.' It's the red bus, the ELP (crew) bus, and it seriously yields the impression of a bus approaching the drive through! (In the end, it doesn't.) Back to sleep at the motel.
Travelday 6 (Hartford - Boston - Mansfield) ----------- 4th time at South Station. Preshow: I sit in front of the hall around 15:00, when two rollerbladers drive by: Mike introduces me to his wife Marlene. 16:00 I go to the parking lane, where a fan-cook-out-gathering is about to start. I'm amazed. From every third car, chairs, grills, sun screens and of course the beer are emerging along with the driver. In Europe, you just pull up to the concert, no way of any similar festivity. The Bostoner mailing list family is showing up two hours later, among them Mark and Skadz. Meanwhile, I'm able to enjoy all the DT records simultanously. I only have to pick the right car. :-) Some have very serious discussions (subject DT, of course), while others (b)turn the burgers. :-) Mansfield, MA, Great Woods of the Performing Arts, August 8th --------- Light: The band is hit by the sinking sun, they perform with sunglasses. Crowd: More fans are present than the night before. Dedicated DT fans are visible through vivid headbanging. Hall: Similar construction as the night before, but bigger, some 20'000 seats. Sound: Concerthall: great sound. Extras: I stay at the soundboard, as Bill shows up. 'What are you doing up here?', he asks. 'You get the best sound up here.' I justify myself. 'No, you can stay.' :-??????????? (Must have sounded like 'Should I get down from here?) Keith, ELP soundengineer introduces himself to me. A very nice guy, either working concentrated, or smiling. After the show, two familiar faces walk the crowd. A roadie accompanies Derek who is searching for a .... (take ONE guess).
Rich, who organised two DP preshow gatherings (internet) described DT: I liked the opening song the most. The bass player playing the "stick" was cool, I liked the sound of it. The keyboard player kinda sucked, he looked like he should be in an 80's metal band. I liked the guitar player and bass player the best. The drummer is to flashy for me (very good, just flashy). The singer is good, just not my style. I liked them better than ELP (and I like ELP). It's the first time I really listen to ELP. There are those DT fans from the Art-Rock side and those from the Metal side, like me. So I enjoy ELP, but as a whole, they're too mellow for my taste. Keith has a firework insert in his keyboard solo. Again, as on past tours, it's a fun crew. I start to regret, doing only 4 shows... I just have to test the security, approaching the backstage area with a regular DT pass. 'That's only aftershow' - 'That's Dream Theater. They are done with their set and I was told they are here now.' - 'Okay.' :-))) Deep Purple rock! In Rock! I dare say they emit more live spirit than even the Rolling Stones. Like DT at headlinershows, they also play some differing songs, yet rather exchanging two or three songs a night than switching setlists. After the show, I meet up with the Boston crowd again, getting my luggage out of the trunk of a hospital car. 'Where are you staying tonight?', Mark wants to know. 'Here, I guess.' I was gonna take an early bus in the morning to NY, no hotel for just 4 hours. In the end 5 guys and a girl drive to Boston.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 17:36:00 +0200 (CEST) From: Choon-Kang Walther <rcwalthe@studi.unizh.ch> To: ytsejam@ax.com Subject: NEVERENDING DREAMS PART 5.3 Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.95.980831172529.31887C-100000@troll.studi.unizh.ch>
Input: I agree, it's not the ordinary human being I resemble: a traveling ----- female in a male wilderness, a 'dedicated fan' (as I like to call myself). First there are 5 male members of the band, then there is their crew and, last but not least, there are the many fans I have met along the road, and yet - this is my utter truth, feel free to believe me or don't - (to quote Bill Clinton) No serious 'improper conduct' has ever taken place. Particularly on this U.S. stay, I have been offered so many 'hang outs' for after the shows. Gimme a break, I sincerely hope, I didn't get an average impression of the American male behaviour in presence of a single female. I stay with a Berkley attendant that night, enjoing to talk about the famous college. It's becomming real, not just a name where DT met. not We check out samples of the Hampton Beach show, 4 days ago. That's what I call up to date!
Travelday 7 (Boston - NY - Long Island) --------- South Station for the 5th time. While being on LI, I try to picture our buddies as kidz; little-Mike, little-Johns,... :-)) I smell the ocean breze everywhere, eat seafood, watch all these girls dressed up in the same manner with perms and skin tight pants. John's Beach is part of an huge sand dune (100 kilometer lenght, 500 meters wide) south of LI. BEACH! When I get to the theater, I see JP standing in the driveway. The Johns and Mike are spaarkling wigh excitement. Quote JP: 'We all got family here tonight.' Which means I have to purchase a ticket on my own. DT get 20 tickets each night for private use (out of 16'000-20'000). JP introduces me to his wife. Out in the parking lane, people rise votes for the 'legalization of Marihuana'. Unfortunately, I'm not a resident. :-/ Wantagh, John's Beach Amphitheater, August 9th ------- Crowd: Surprisingly little people are present, when DT go on. Little reaction. Hall: An Amphitheater built partly on the water! some 16'000 seats. Sound: As usual. Light: It's still daylight. DT wear glasses again. Mike seems to wear thick real glasses. (?) Extras: DT surely are having fun, improvising up and down, up and down, and on (and OFF) the beat. :-) During ELPs set, I end up working everyones back with a massage, even Bill suggests I should charge money. :-) It looks like Keith burns some front row fans with his firework insert, appologizing afterwards in gestures. I suddendly spot a familiar face with a DT-tour pass: Rudess Morgenstein, who I'd met in Europe as DT-support. DP have a particularly good sound tonight, except Ian has voice problems. After the show: Two Japanese fans of ELP (following them) and I hang out with the ELP crew, watching a video of last year's (?) involuntary Boston show inssert, when a keyboard caught fire and smoked the stage. I go to the DT bus, to bid farewell to the band and crew. After all, I wouldn't see them till next year after 5 encounters in 98. They ride quite a splendid looking tourbus. There is a lounge in the back for about 10 people, in the middle the bunks and two more couches along the sides in front. It's one level, this time. I get introduced to JM's wife as the choccolate distributor and smoke with another guy. JP drives by in his car to go home that night. I talk to his new roadie for a while, who has recently joined Vanderhoof, Kurt Vanderhoof (ex-Metal Church drummer)'s band who supported Savatage last fall in Europe. I meet Mike's sister. Mike suddendly remembers to lock away his suitcase which has lingered outside the bus for some time... an fruitful 5 minute-task to match key and lock follows. Marlene laughs: 'My drunk husband.' :-) At last, Bill and James show up, no shospouses, only some drinks. A hug to everyone, than they're off. The ELP crew is leaving, too. The two Japanese and I decline the offer to ride to he next show. We get a ride from a guy responsible for 'the extra needs of the John's Beach stars' to our hotels. I even get an invitation to attend next saturdays Van Halen show, yet my travel plans turn out differently. I visit Rob from Virgin Steele, also one of these Long Island offsprings, check out Manhatten and spend another week at Fire Island, a gay and techno resort near John's Beach.
I skip the setlists, this is already way too long... (My appology, but what can I do?!)
Check out pics from these shows on John den Ouden's homepage in september.
Cheers Choon-Kang
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep your DREAMs alive, don't get pulled under in the world's THEATER of infinitely falling and changing seasons... choonkang@the.site.ch -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 18:29:16 +0100 From: "Till Wagner" <twagner@artifex.de> To: ytsejam@ax.com Subject: Kings X a christian band?? NO Message-ID: <199808311629.SAA18980@artifex.de>
Hi there,
just read an interview with Doug Pinnick in the german Magazine 'Heavy, oder was?!?' and the christian subject was discussed too. Here is what he said:
"My lycics were influenced by religion, and we were called a christian band. But we never been a christian band, and I don't see myself as a man who believes in god. If someone believs in god, it's ok, but that is not my way. I have my own believs. I believe everyone should live his own live without someone who says what to do and what not."
tw
-- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - "Since man's natural instincts lead him to sin, all men are sinners; - - and all sinners go to hell. If everyone goes to hell, then you will - ---- meet all your friends there. Heaven must be populated with some --- -- rather strange creatures if all they lived for was to go to a place - -------------- where they can stump harps for eternity." --------------- -------------- Anton Szandor LaVey -- The Satanic Bible ---------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Till Wagner <wagner@informatik.uni-frankfurt.de>
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 13:23:31 -0400 (EDT) From: Phil Carter <satriani@negia.net> To: Liquid Tension Ytse <ytsejam@ax.com> Subject: Re: Yanni recommends, Satch recommends Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.95.980831125018.4791B-100000@peach.negia.net>
Greetings ye 'jamanoids...
Luke B. remarked: > I picked up Yanni's 'Tribute' today - loved it - can anyone recommend > any other albums to check out? 'Live At The Acropolis' looks interesting > (and enticing since I can pick it up for a relatively cheap price).
Uh oh. Here cometh the Yanni thread again. :)
"Acropolis" is probably the best one to start with since Yanni's music is absolutely electrifying live. After that I'd have to say that second place is probably tied with four discs: "Dare to Dream", "Out of Silence", "Chameleon Days" and "Keys to Imagination". The four are similar in sonics and musical style.
If you want *detailed* recommendations, lemme know and I'll send via private email.
Dick inquired: > O, yeah, can anybody give me a review about all Satriani albums. I already > got Flyin_iABD and Crystal_P. Love both. But, I love Crystal_P better, I > think. Maybe it's the vocal or something. So, what do you think I must buy > first? Sometimes I can find Satch album here in the 'used tape/CD market'.
Wahoo! My *other* solo artist fave! Dig it.
If you want a simple ranking, I'd probably rank them like this:
1) Flying in a Blue Dream 2) Crystal Planet 3) Time Machine 4) The Extremist / Surfing With The Alien (tie) 5) Joe Satriani 6) Not of This Earth
"Flying" I consider to be the pinnacle of Joe's playing. There is not a single note on the disc which doesn't evoke some emotion. His voice may not be the best of all time, but it perfectly fits the songs; can you picture anyone else singing "I Believe" or "Big Bad Moon"? I can't.
"Crystal Planet" -- I got into some arguments recently with people who think the production on this one is muddy; I disagree. I think the compositions and arrangements, as well as the playing, are light-years ahead of anything else being done today. I was very disappointed with "Joe Satriani", which was the previously released disc, so when I heard CP the overwhelming thought was "He's BACK!!!!"
"Time Machine" -- A must-get album. In addition to rereleasing some old stuff Satch had only put out in EP format before, this one also has kickass new studio stuff like "The Mighty Turtle Head", "Speed of Light" and the title track. Superior production for the studio disc; the second disc is a collection of live tracks which showcase Satch's brilliant live playing.
"The Extremist" -- This one has two of Satch's best songs, "Friends" and "Summer Song", as well as more experimental stuff like "War" and "Rubina's Blue Sky Happiness". Good production and a good collection of musicians to assist Satch in bringing the music to life.
"Surfing With the Alien" -- Satch's breakthrough album, it has the immediately recognizable "Ice 9", "Always With Me, Always With You", and of course the title track. This one has a certain raw, elemental quality to the sound, but the songs are top-notch.
"Joe Satriani" -- The only one of Joe's albums I was ever really disappointed in. Very very laid-back and cooler in tone; the instrumental fire of his previous releases is all but gone, only surfacing briefly on tunes like "Killer Bee Bop". Satch's trademark tone sounds woefully muffled and washed out. Some have said he's playing with more feel on this one, but I don't even get that. The music is just...there, it doesn't sing like his previous stuff did.
"Not of This Earth" -- Interestingly raw and primal sound, but with powerful compositions. The title song has lots of layered tracks, added one by one for a neat arrangement. Also has the funky "The Snake" and the thrill-ride "Driving at Night". The poor production and the short running time is the only thing that keeps this below "Joe Satriani".
Yanni and Satch in the same 'jam. It's a good day. :)
Ta, Phil
======================================================================= Phil Carter -- satriani@negia.net (work), carter@negia.net (personal) Tech Support Manager, NorthEast Georgia Internet Access, 546-5787 "I should never have written all those tank programs." -- Kevin Flynn, "Tron" Currently playing: AC/DC -- "Who Made Who"
------------------------------
End of YTSEJAM Digest 4243 **************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Thu Apr 01 2004 - 18:09:17 EST