 |
 |
|
| Dream Theater - Live Scenes From New York |
 Released: 2001 Label: Elektra Cat. No.: Total Time: Disc 1: 60:01 / Disc 2: 66:36 / Disc 3: 60:51 | |
Reviewed by: Gary Carson, November 2002 300 words is not a lot of room to cover a 186 minute live triple CD. Especially when that band is the forerunner of progressive metal - Dream Theater. Of course, Live Scenes... features the complete Metropolis Part II: Scenes From A Memory and a smile beckons as hypnotherapist (Kent Broadhurst) counts down the start to what is an amazing 3 hour extravaganza. All throughout this disc are moments that put a smile to your face - like it did mine - and the acoustic guitars that begin "Regression" is only one of many things awaiting DT fans. The complete Metropolis II is outstanding and I envy those that saw it live. Aside from Metropolis II, other songs that grace the third live disc from DT include some very long tracks namely the complete "A Change Of Seasons," "A Mind Beside Itself" (from Awake including "Erotomania," "Voices," and an extended "The Silent Man." "Learning To Live," "Metropolis Part 1," and a mixture of "Caught In A Web" and "New Millennium" called "Caught In A New Millennium." "Just Let Me Breathe" is surprisingly good live and I'm glad that they didn't include perennial favourites "Pull Me Under" (which has been heard live before on both previous live discs). "Acid Rain" is also one piece of work! The performances? James voice stands up fairly well across the night. It does fade and waver - but not until near the end - and he does a good job of ad-libbing between tracks (although this occurs after the seriousness of Metropolis II). Jordan Rudess has got to be the recruit of the last few years - flawless! John Petrucci nails everything on guitars - everything! The rhythm section of John Myung and Mike Portnoy is also incredible (check out "Finally Free" as just one tiny example). Excellent performances from the extras on deck from the Hypnotherapist, Gospel choirs, Theresa Thompson on "Through Her Eyes" and "The Spirit Carries On," and saxophonist Jay Beckenstein. All outstanding. Two "minor" (and I stress the word minor) downsides. One of those is the no-show of any material from When Dream And Day Unite. 3 hours is a long concert but it would have been great to have heard "The Killing Hand," "Afterlife," or "Status Seeker." Secondly, Mike's "talking" vocals do not come through that well on a couple of tracks. But these don't detract from what is arguably a wonderfully complete live disc. Just think, they started off with one incredible live disc Live At Tthe Marquee, followed that up with a somewhat lacking Once In A Livetime and then they just pull out all stops and deliver one of the best live metal discs on record (so to speak). Ok, so I've gone over 300 words. Who cares. This is phenomenal and you would be remiss if you didn"t purchase what will become a classic live CD. PPO Rating: 10/10 [This review originally appeared at the ProgPower Online review site; see also Bobo's review -ed.] More about Live Scenes From New York: Track Listing: Disc 1: Regression (2:46) / Overture 1928 (3:32) / Strange Déja Vu (5:02) / Through My Words (1:42) / Fatal Tragedy (6:21) / Beyond This Life (11:16) / John & Theresa Solo Spot (3:17) / Through Her Eyes (6:17) / Home (13:21) / The Dance Of Eternity (6:24) Musicians: Contact: Website: www.dreamtheater.net Discography
| |
[Review Index] [Home] [Top]  © Copyright 2004 ProgressiveWorld.net/Gary Carson |