YTSEJAM Digest 6014
Today's Topics:
1)
by "Don Stick" <dodgyboiler@hotmail.com>
2) Graham!
by Cyberwolf <ninja@mindspring.com>
3) IO sampler
by Paul Weiss <paulw@bass.org>
4) Good Prices for CDs/DVDs
by "Alexandro Talamini" <atalamini@hotmail.com>
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Date: Tue, 06 Nov 2001 12:44:29 +0000
From: "Don Stick" <dodgyboiler@hotmail.com>
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Message-ID: <F230NHdlrsccRK0hAMa0001fc7a@hotmail.com>
Well, I've been here for a while, and I'm normally quiet, but when
threatened with the extinction of the jam and an invitation to review
Symphony X - Live in Europe, I couldn't resist.
The first thing a lot of people are gonna want to know is "can these guys
cut it live". The short answer is yes. Everyone involved plays with a
remarkable degree of technical accuracy. Even the slight slips that
inevitably occur in repeated fast runs in a live situation are glossed over
or played around in a way that only the very best musicians can. The band
sound is fairly cohesive, with Jason Rullo's drums sounding more powerful
than ever, without that horrible splashy reverb setting that plagued his
sound on V. The more natural room sound brings out the crack of his snare
beautifully, and this combined with a whopping bass drum and crisply
recorded cymbals combine to emphasize the more subtle side of his playing,
something his recorded sound hasn't permitted since The Damnation Game. The
rhythm guitar sound, in losing the hi-fi crispness that has become Michael
Romeo's trademark in a studio setting, succumbs a little to bottom end
wallow, and could be a lot tighter. When he switches to lead playing,
however, this sound actually helps his playing to sing, cutting through
despite the lack of any volume boost. The keyboards, too, could be a little
crisper, with some of the flourishes and runs, particularly on the string
sounds, getting a tad lost. Even the bass is a little boomy at times.
Russell Allen's vocals, however, are faultlessly recorded, if a little quiet
at times.
Right, enough of all that. The first section of the disc contains just over
half of their last album: V. For me, this is their best material, and comes
across wonderfully live, particularly because of the wider dynamic range of
the material. The band is also not afraid to experiment a little with
changing bits around. Particularly noticable, and extremely effective, are
occasional stops and extra guitar runs. Although Romeo's live playing
borders on the excessive, it only occasionally detracts from the mood of the
song. Perhaps a slightly tighter approach to rhythm guitar playing wouldn't
go amiss. However, I'm splitting hairs, as a live band will inevitably
improvise a little, and who can blame one or two members for overplaying? On
the whole, this part of the disc is incredibly impressive, with enough
power, feel, and personality to make it worth repeated listening, something
a lot of live CDs somehow miss out on. Towards the end of the first disc the
band loses steam somewhat, with a lacklustre version of Candlelight Fantasia
that sees Russel Allen struggle with both the highest and lowest notes. He
quickly recovers to rip into The Eyes of Medusa. However, the band let him
down here by playing the track far too quickly and finding themselves unable
to stay tight at the increased tempo. This is a problem that plagues them
throughout the two CDs. They normally get away with it technically due to
their incredible competence, but occasionally some of the songs lose out on
feel, with more texturally intricate sections sometimes coming across as a
blur of notes rather than building into a cohesive sound. Again this is not
a fault with the accuracy of the playing, more a misunderstanding of the
relationship between tempo and feel.
The second disc begins with an inspired choice of songs from Twilight in
Olympus, an album that showed much promise but suffered from a muddy rhythm
guitar sound and drumming that was devoid of any character whatsoever,
unfortunately contriving to make the songwriting appear less inspired than
it actually was. In these versions, the greatly improved drumming works
wonders for the material. To his credit, Jason Rullo stays mostly faithful
to the original drum parts, simply injecting a little of his charisma into
the playing that livens up the songs no end. The real star of the show is
Russell Allen, whos practically faultless singing combined with the
occasional timely Pantera Grunt really gets the crowd going. The man injects
such charm and personality into the band that I couldn't fail to notice it
despite never having seen them live (I have the misfortune to live in
England). The final clutch of songs from Divine Wings of Tragedy is some of
the best material on the album, despite suffering heavily from the same
amphetamine affliction that plagued The Eyes of Medusa on the first CD. The
epic (and beautifully executed) title track is an incredibly powerful way to
end the show.
That's the thing about this album, it IS a show. The excitement of the live
setting is something so many bands fail to carry onto CD, but these guys
pull it off. The album is consistently fascinating and moving, without ever
becoming tiring or wearing. I have a feeling this is one of those rare live
albums that I will continue to play for its own merits rather than just file
it alongside Dream Theater's stinking Once in a Livetime and ignore it. If
you are not already into the band, this would serve as an excellent
introduction. Otherwise, go and buy Divine Wings of Tragedy, and experience
the Symphony X Images and Words/Cowboys from Hell/Classical music throughout
the ages melting pot that is this magnum opus. Go on. Now.
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 06 Nov 2001 08:56:14 -0500
From: Cyberwolf <ninja@mindspring.com>
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Subject: Graham!
Message-ID: <3BE7EBEF.188CCC84@mindspring.com>
What fanzine, dude? You neglected to mention the name/link/webpage! ANyhow,
sounds interesting, is it printed on glossy florescent orange paper with an
embossed metallic ochre Title?
Scott Mosher
(Musician/Graphic Artist/Activist, Dr. Pepper Aficianado, Neurosurgeon,
Allroundniceguy)
http://www.theambientmind.com/virtuality/
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mosher
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2001 09:59:59 -0500 (EST)
From: Paul Weiss <paulw@bass.org>
To: The Dance of Ytinrete <ytsejam@torchsong.com>
Subject: IO sampler
Message-ID: <Pine.BSO.4.21.0111060958370.10987-100000@gs.bass.org>
Anything on the Sampler not yet widely available (i.e. live Symphony X,
etc.)?
paul
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 06 Nov 2001 19:35:40 -0200
From: "Alexandro Talamini" <atalamini@hotmail.com>
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com, thmleng@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Good Prices for CDs/DVDs
Message-ID: <F23TPnVGKoBXANnoN9A0001df0c@hotmail.com>
Hey Folks,
A friend of mine who lives in Richmond, VA, is coming to Brazil for
Christmas and New Year's day. I'm thinking og ordering some CDs and DVDs to
be shipped to him. Then he brings the stuff along with him.
QUESTION: Where to find GREAT prices on the web??
Alex
Curitiba, Brazil
_________________________________________________________________
Chegou o novo MSN Explorer. Instale ja. I gratuito!
http://explorer.msn.com.br
------------------------------
End of YTSEJAM Digest 6014
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