YES & DREAM THEATER

[DarrenH]

I have mixed feelings about the Rush gig.

First of all, I know it's going to be loud as all crud and I have earplugs, but they mess with the sound big time.

Secondly, it's going to be like 90 + degrees and it's an outside gig, somewhat. So it will be hot as heck.

Thirdly, I get distracted a lot at these concerts, lots of commotion and all, so I really don't get to sit back and enjoy the gig.

I guess I am getting old. Heck, I'm 44 and the hassle with concerts anymore kind of takes away from the pleasure. At least the "arena" gigs like this one. The small "club" gigs are way different. Finn and Mountain and Nektar are upcoming at the small venues, which these days appeal a lot more to me.

But I wanna see Rush again in a big way, ya know?

It's real frustrating for an aging rock and roller...

Dave

I agree Dave. The arena gigs are a big turnoff. I don't care to attend them anymore. But I'd make an exception for Dream Theater. Seeing them live would be awesome.

Catching Tull last year was perfect. The venue seated around 2 thousand. Great views. Lotsa beers. Old rockers performing for this aging rocker.

My kinda show.

Small club gigs are hard to come by where I live. Need a larger city for that. Mark Farmer and Grand Funk still perform in Flint every now and again though.

But hey, enjoy the show anyway dude.

Darren

[kexodusc]

MasterCylinder: Boy, am I envious.

I've seen alot of bands live, and none have lived up to the 2 Dream Theater shows I've seen. Honorable mentions to Porcupine Tree, Symphony X and Therion (if ever in Europe, you've got to see these guys). I was really surprised because I didn't think DT would set the standard in this genre based on their albums. And if you aren't a James LaBrie fan, you'll see why he's in the band when you see DT live. That guy is a showman that doesn't hog the spotlight, and with all the talent in the group, that's exactly what the doctor ordered.

To be fair, I think Yes and Rush are/were past their primes when I saw them, I wish I could have seen them in their heydays, maybe they'd have given DT a run for the money?
That being said, Yes will not disappoint you, even an a stale Yes show is worth every penny. DT on the card is a huge bonus. Wish I could get to Albequerque.
Enjoy the show and let us know how it goes.

[ForeverAutumn]

And if you aren't a James LaBrie fan, you'll see why he's in the band when you see DT live. That guy is a showman that doesn't hog the spotlight, and with all the talent in the group, that's exactly what the doctor ordered.

Thank you for saying that kexodusc. I couldn't agree more. I found that to be the case as well, the two times that I've seen DT live. LaBrie has a stage presence that provides a very needed focal point when he's on stage. But when the instruments take over, he easily blends into the woodwork and stays out of the way so that the audience can focus on the musicianship.

Love him or hate him.....it's a formula that works.

[kingcrim05]

It's a formula that could be improved on though however....

Two voices i've been really digging lately that would be much much improve DT would be Steve Wilson ala Porcupine Tree or Sully ala Godsmack...

Porcupine Tree is doing just fine though so Steve could stay but Sully, think about a new gig huh?

[kexodusc]

Now we're discussing opinion here. I like Steve Wilson, but I know in my heart he doesn't have the ability to complement the DT boys. Sully was a strange suggestion. I don't hear one ounce of talent in that guy, the local garage band down the street at least mixes it up a bit in their songs.

I don't think DT could be improved upon. They would lose a very large signature sound if LaBrie ever left, and in my humble (and probably meaningless) opinion, they'd no longer be DT. I'd argue LaBrie's "drama-queen" voice really distinguishes DT from the so many other one dimensional pissed-off growlers in todays scene. That became very stale in 1998, in 2004 it's almost painful.

[MasterCylinder]

Thanks for the great responses.............I'll try to answer all the questions:


kingcrim:
The cost is only $50 per seat @ the Sandia Casino Ampitheater...............good deal !


ForeverAutumn:
Don't know if cameras are allowed - I'll check it out - good idea.
The date of the show is September 13..........I just found out ZZ Top is playing there the night before so, we will probably go see that show too !


DarrenH:
4th row is a good pair of seats to get -- over the years I've been lucky.
In 1994 I had front row for YES.......Trevor kicked ass.......TALK tour.
In 1997 I had 2nd row for YES......first time I saw Igor - very impressive.
In 1973 I scored front row for Deep Purple - my ears hurt for a week.
Three years ago I got front row for Kansas.......right after their new album release.
Two years ago, me and my neighbor got front row for Megadeath & Motley Crue.
Last year I had 4th row for RINGO STARR'S All-Starr Band........very good.


kexo:
Show up in Albuquerque and I'll buy the first round.

[MasterCylinder]

I just purchased two tickets to see ZZ Top the night before YES/DT at the exact same venue.........not much on serious music but, they like to party.

So we will go into Albuquerque on Sept. 12 (Sunday) and hang at the casino......see ZZ that night and Yes/DT the next night..........I'm sure I'll win money too.

[BarryL]

Now we're discussing opinion here. I like Steve Wilson, but I know in my heart he doesn't have the ability to complement the DT boys. Sully was a strange suggestion. I don't hear one ounce of talent in that guy, the local garage band down the street at least mixes it up a bit in their songs.

I don't think DT could be improved upon. They would lose a very large signature sound if LaBrie ever left, and in my humble (and probably meaningless) opinion, they'd no longer be DT. I'd argue LaBrie's "drama-queen" voice really distinguishes DT from the so many other one dimensional pissed-off growlers in todays scene. That became very stale in 1998, in 2004 it's almost painful.

I know if you don't like Labrie you won't try these two albums, but it might give you a new perspective. It's just great rock singing without the pyrotechnic screeches.

1. The new Aryeon CD which is outstanding feature Labrie along with about a dozen great progressive rock vocalists in a two CD rock opera gig that's too convoluted for me to make much sense of except to say that it's a science-fiction-type death/dying/suspended animation thing.

2. Even better, IMO, is the album Frameshift, which Labrie does vocals on all the tracks. I'm still loving this album. Hopefully this is a sign that Labrie is maturing as an artist.

[kingcrim05]

Now we're discussing opinion here. I like Steve Wilson, but I know in my heart he doesn't have the ability to complement the DT boys. Sully was a strange suggestion. I don't hear one ounce of talent in that guy, the local garage band down the street at least mixes it up a bit in their songs.

I don't think DT could be improved upon. They would lose a very large signature sound if LaBrie ever left, and in my humble (and probably meaningless) opinion, they'd no longer be DT. I'd argue LaBrie's "drama-queen" voice really distinguishes DT from the so many other one dimensional pissed-off growlers in todays scene. That became very stale in 1998, in 2004 it's almost painful.

The Sully suggestion was simply because i really enjoy his voice. He can get deep, rugid, can harmonize very well, and just is POWERFUL. LaBrie is powerful in a "plug the ears" kinda way, sully to me has a voice that is powerful in a domineering sort of way. Sully just needs to get with a new band cuz Godsmack kinda....sucks?

If he was into some decent prog, i would definitely give all his tunes a spin......

[kexodusc]

The Sully suggestion was simply because i really enjoy his voice. He can get deep, rugid, can harmonize very well, and just is POWERFUL. LaBrie is powerful in a "plug the ears" kinda way, sully to me has a voice that is powerful in a domineering sort of way. Sully just needs to get with a new band cuz Godsmack kinda....sucks?

If he was into some decent prog, i would definitely give all his tunes a spin......

Well, I've got to admit after the first Godsmack album I haven't paid much attention them, but I can't say I've ever heard Sully even try to harmonize. He does have a powerful growl, but so do 4000 other lead singers these days.

I'm not a big Labrie fan at all, but we've heard him growl like the mainstream, and howl like a bad 80's hair-metal singer. Dude's got range, power, and mixes it up, that's probably why he works so well.
I'll let the DT boys decide who their singer is...they know more about this stuff than me.

Maybe I'm just getting old and the whole evil screaming growl is wearing off on me