Working Man: A Tribute to Rush CD

Working Man: A Tribute to Rush album for sale As the sole major-label progressive-metal act, Dream Theater invariably set the standard as the flagship band of the genre. With the numerically themed OCTAVARIUM (including eight tracks signifying the band's eighth release) the shred-rock quintet continues to challenge themselves creatively. Opening track "The Root Of All Evil" picks up the thread that began with "The Glass Prison" (SIX DEGREES OF INNER TURBULENCE) and carried forward to "This Dying Soul" (TRAIN OF THOUGHT). Drummer Mike Portnoy's lyrics for these songs read like a set of deeply personal journal entries documenting his painful recovery experience, further disclosed by a footnote nod to Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson. OCTAVARIUM chiefly finds Dream Theater stepping back from elaborate fretboard acrobatics, focusing on vocal-based, song-oriented material ("I Walk Beside You," "The Answer Lies Within"); much in the spirit of AWAKE and their breakthrough album IMAGES AND WORDS. "Sacrificed Sons" captures the heartbreak of the 9/11 tragedy, while the grandiose title track showcases a melodic, Styx-inspired keyboard solo by Jordan Rudess (better known for a blisteringly frenetic style). Twenty years since their inception, Dream Theater prevails as the benchmark of modern prog metal. Audio Mixer: Michael Brauer. Recording information: Hit Factory, New York, NY (11/2004-02/2005). Illustrator: Hugh Syme. Photographer: Colin Lane. Dream Theater: John Myung (bass instrument); James LaBrie, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, Mike Portnoy . Personnel: John Petrucci (vocals, guitar); Mike Portnoy (vocals, drums, percussion); James LaBrie (vocals); Jordan Rudess (lap steel guitar, keyboards); Anne Lehmann, Laura McGinnis, Catherine Ro, Elena Barere, Carol Webb, Katherine LiVolsi Stern, Katherine Fong, Yuri Vodovoz (violin); Karen Dreyfus, Vince Lionti (viola); Richard Locker (cello); Pamela Sklar (flute); Joe Anderer, Stewart Rose (French horn).

Working Man: A Tribute to Rush buy CD music Evening with John Petrucci & Jordan Rudess is an unheralded recording by Dream Theater and Liquid Tension Experiment alumnus John Petrucci, and Jordan Rudess is a unique entry in the Dream Theater family discography. Recorded live in Nyack, New York, the duo performed a mixed set of acoustic and electric (guitar only) compositions. Both players are world-class musicians, but Rudess in particular demonstrates his well-rounded skills, proving why he is an in-demand session player for the likes of David Bowie and Paul Winter. Petrucci too is a fine musician, but lacks the harmonic and rhythmic sophistication to serve as a strong accompanist. This limitation does not prevent the session from being enjoyable, in fact, it is Petrucci's energetic soloing that provides the most excitement. It was obvious that both players had several ideas and styles they wanted to explore, which are done so with restraint and sensitivity. The opening "Furia Taurina" finds Petrucci displaying his DiMeola-like chops on acoustic guitar and ranks as one of his best recorded moments. The most interesting track proves to be "Fife & Drum," which is both technically challenging and musically stimulating. Dream Theater, the band, became successful for several reasons, but the primary ones being that of hard work and a constant desire to push themselves. It is obvious on this recording that these two fine players relish those same values, and while some cuts work better than others, the music here can truly be labeled "progressive." ~ Robert Taylor Live Recording Recording information: Helen Hayes Peforming Arts Center, Nyack, NY (06/10/2000). Personnel: John Petrucci (guitar); Jordan Rudess (keyboards). Audio Mixer: Doug Oberkircher.

Working Man: A Tribute to Rush songs This is the second of Magna Carta's one-time-only groupings and the second to feature bassist Tony Levin. Fortunately for all concerned, it's light years beyond Black Light Syndrome, which paired Levin with guitarist Steve Stevens and drummer Terry Bozzio in an ill-conceived and poorly executed set of improvisations. There is one such impromptu excursion here, the concluding 28-minute "Three Minute Warning," but even it holds up favorably by comparison. But it's the rest of the tunes here that showcase the versatility of Dream Theater members John Petrucci and Mike Portnoy and Dregs keyboardist Jordan Rudess. They fit the fusion/prog rock tag, with plenty of chopsmanship on display, but also with some allegiance to melody and restraint. Not likely to get any radio play, but then that wasn't the point of the session. ~ Ross Boissoneau Audio Mixer: Kevin Shirley. Liner Note Author: Mike Portnoy . Recording information: Millbrook Sound Studios, Millbrook, NY (09/1997). Photographer: Paul Laraia. Unknown Contributor Role: Jordan Rudess. Liquid Tension Experiment: John Petrucci (guitar); Jordan Rudess (keyboards); Tony Levin (bass); Mike Portnoy (drums). Personnel: Tony Levin (chant, upright bass); John Petrucci (guitar); Jordan Rudess (keyboards); Mike Portnoy (drums). Blister Pack

Working Man: A Tribute to Rush CD music The second Liquid Tension Experiment album doesn't contain anything quite as self-indulgent as its predecessor's chops-heavy half-hour jam session "Three Minute Warning"; the epic piece here, the 17-minute "When the Water Breaks," is much more composed and therefore focused (even if it's not what you'd call a tight listen). Elsewhere, the music blends Dream Theater-esque progressive metal (logically) and spontaneous interaction with mellower, more lushly textured pieces; the high level of musicianship is, of course, beyond question. ~ Steve Huey Recorded at Millbrook Sound Studios, Millbrook, New York in October & November 1998. Includes liner notes by John Pertucci, Jordan Rudess, Tony Levin and Mike Portnoy. Personnel: John Petrucci (guitar); Jordan Rudess (keyboards); Mike Portnoy (drums). Liquid Tension Experiment: John Petrucci (guitar); Jordan Rudess (keyboards); Tony Levin (bass, Chapman Stick); Mike Portnoy (drums, percussion). Blister Pack

Working Man: A Tribute to Rush buy CD music Dream Theater finally released their first official live album, the double-disc Once in a LIVEtime (recorded June 1998 in Paris). Granted, the 1995 release A Change of Seasons contained a wealth of live material, but they were all cover songs, and 1994's Live at the Marquee was only available as a European import. With material spanning their entire career, the many die-hard Dream Theater fans will love Once in a LIVEtime, but it won't win over disbelievers to their highly technical, sometimes cold style. There's no denying that the band's musicianship is top-notch, but the songs often get repetitious and start sounding similar. But Once in a LIVEtime may be a breath of fresh air if you've had it with smug alterna-wannabes who can hardly play, or if you long for the glory days of Yes or ELP (in other words, the music punk rock tried to annihilate). Highlights include their instrumental tour de force "Ytse Jam," as well as the fan favorites "Pull Me Under," "Lie," "Metropolis," and certain portions of their lengthy "A Change of Seasons" composition. Also released in conjunction with Once in a LIVEtime was the home video Five Years in a LIVEtime. ~ Greg Prato 2 Cds

Working Man: A Tribute to Rush songs This is another of the supergroup combinations from the Magna Carta label and is the brainchild of Trent Gardner of Magellan. It features Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa) on drums, Billy Sheehan (Talas) on bass, and the soloing of John Petrucci (Dream Theater). There are also several other guest musicians, such as Steve Howe (Yes) and James LaBrie (Dream Theater). It is one of the more intelligent and diverse progressive albums to emerge during the '90s. Unlike its predecessors, Black Light Syndrome and Liquid Tension Experiment, this is more of a progressive rock (as opposed to metal) recording in the tradition of Jethro Tull and Genesis. Bozzio's drumming adds a unique quality to the band, as do the diverse vocal stylings of each singer. It isn't often that you get to hear a single body of work that features consistent music with different vocalists and musicians changing throughout. There is the obvious risk that the music would sound too pieced together; however, this is a homogenous effort. It's a fairly large statement to say that the least interesting moments are Petrucci's soloing, but this is the case. Although his work with Dream Theater has proven him to be a very capable guitarist, it was apparent on this recording that he's shown all of his cards. Of the music here, "Fate Speaks" is just a tad too long; it features Magellan's biggest weakness as a band, which is to repeat the same chorus too many times. On its own, it would probably be more impressive, but here, it is actually the weak link, as the other tunes are so impressive. "Fading Fast" features interesting vocals, sound effects and even a drum machine, which actually works in this setting. The transition into the core of the song is handled perfectly by Dali's Dilemma vocalist Matt Bradley. James LaBrie handles the vocals on "No Returning," which features a refreshing flute solo by Michael Bemesderfer and more over the top soloing by Petrucci. "Time Enough" is memorable mostly for D.C. Cooper's edgy singing and a fine acoustic guitar solo by Steve Howe. The disc closes with an all-out jam session on "Last Call." Petrucci and Bozzio go toe to toe for about five minutes until the session fades out. Highly recommended. ~ Robert Taylor Recorded at Sound Temple Studio, Oakland, California. Includes liner notes by Trent Gardner. Explorers Club: Trent Gardner (vocals, trombone, keyboards); James LaBrie, D.C. Cooper, Matt Bradley, Bret Douglas (vocals); Wayne Gardner (acoustic & electric guitars, bass); Steve Howe (acoustic guitar); Frederick Clarke (nylon string guitar); John Petrucci, James Murphy (guitar); Michael Bemesderfer (flute, wind controller); Derek Sherinian, Matt Guillory (keyboards); Billy Sheehan (bass); Terry Bozzio (drums). Additional personnel: Brad Kaiser (percussion).