THE STRING QUARTET TRIBUTE TO DREAM THEATER

This setlist looks very short, doesn't it ?

Not to be a buzzkill, but my expectations are low. I haven't liked a single 'string quartet tribute' album yet. All of them invariably have poor arrangement and lack chops and energy in the playing, and wind up sounding pretty lame. The only exception I've ever heard is Apocalyptica, who have the chops and the attiitude to pull it off. (They're also 4 cellos not a string quartet, which I think is much better instrumentation for rock music.)

I actually did an arrangment for Hell's Kitchen for full orchestra in Finale a few years ago which sounded pretty good, but it got thrown away with my old computer.

Holy Crap.......I know what Im gettin for my bday!

ORIGINAL: angra1

 
Description:
1. Overture 1928
2. Pull Me Under
3. Lifting Shadows Off a Dream
4. As I Am
5. Ytse Jam
6. The Dance of Eternity
7. Hell’s Kitchen
8. Peruvian Skies


System Requirements:
For over 20 years Dream Theater has consistently challenged and engaged critics and fans alike with their unique brand of progressive metal. They’ve sold millions of records worldwide, released a diverse array of studio albums, live sets and side projects, and have sold out tours across the globe… and they’ve done all of this by catering to no one. We challenge you to find a more dedicated fan base than Dream Theater’s. In the classical, experimental spirit of their best material, The String Quartet Tribute to Dream Theater is a stripped-down take on the ambitious favorites that have won them fans around the world. This is something every Dream Theater fan is going to add to their voluminous library.

Not a bad tracklisting..LIFTING SHADOWS and DOE should be interesting.

Boy, talk about impossible challenges

omg finally! What a tracklisting!!! Just two more months!

/me is crying from happiness!

Not too shabby of a track list, methinks.

Although I too am curious about the execution. I was always under the impression that these "string quartet" CD's were substandard knock-off's and attempted cash-grabs... I hope that I'm mistaken! I'll be picking this CD up regardless, because I'm intrigued at the possibilities.

Awsome set list! Except for PMU. I'm probably gonna listen to it once and then just skip it every other time. They should have replaced it with Burning My Soul. That would have been sick.
 
I can't wait to hear Hell's Kitchen.

Amazing setlist. I t'll be really interesting to hear what Dance of Eternity, Hell's Kitchen or Lifting Shadows sound like with strings.
 
 
 
 

ORIGINAL: Big Suave

Not too shabby of a track list, methinks.

Although I too am curious about the execution. I was always under the impression that these "string quartet" CD's were substandard knock-off's and attempted cash-grabs... I hope that I'm mistaken! I'll be picking this CD up regardless, because I'm intrigued at the possibilities.

 
Their Led Zeppelin and Radiohead arrangements are favorites of mine.  They do a pretty spooky rendition of "Moby Dick" and their cut of Radiohead's "Palo Alto" is pretty sweet I must say.
 
These folks do a pretty good job with them I think - but of course, that's just my humble opinion.

wow that sounds really reaally cool!

Dobe - Highland Park, eh?  I'm a former resident of HP!  I lived with a friend of mine on So. 7th for almost 4 years!  I'm just down the road now in Milltown!  I didn't think there were many local forumers around here! 

Thanks for the update, Kyle !
 
Caroline

Now we just need samples. :P

WOW  i didnt expect to see lifting shadows off a dream on the tracklist. Thats awesome! And along with hells kitchen and DOE, Its a definate buy.

ORIGINAL: Virtuoso80
The only exception I've ever heard is Apocalyptica, who have the chops and the attiitude to pull it off. (They're also 4 cellos not a string quartet, which I think is much better instrumentation for rock music.)

I love Apocalyptica!  Especially their more recent albums with original music.  I'm still looking forward to this DT cover CD though.  It's impressive that they picked several instrumental songs.

man i probably know the people involved in making this record.  a couple colleagues of mine do a significant percentage of the Vitamin catalog.

Glad you're all digging the track list. (wow...it's a miracle! )
I submitted a list of 13 songs to them and they then chose these 8 from my list.
(FYI - the other 5 titles I suggested were: Erotomania, Finally Free, Misunderstood, Stream Of Consciousness and Panic Attack - I purposely stayed away from stuff we already did Orchestral arrangements with on Score)
 
I also wrote the liner notes for the CD as well...
 
However, the extent of my involvement ends there - I'm as curious to hear this as anybody....
 
So it should be noted that this isn't an "official" DT product...but I am supportive of it as they went through the proper channels to include my input and make sure we were OK with it before proceeding (unlike some other releases!!)
 
MP

wow great to hear you chose the stuff...now we know it will be killer.Mike you're the best!!

Thanks a ton Mike, I'm looking forward to this.. should keep some of my DT hunger satisfied before May!
 
God, Stream of Consciousness would have been absolutely amazing though... maybe a length issue.. not sure.
 
"Hell's Kitchen" will be worth the price alone though....

FINALLY FREE???..oh man, just imagine. Who knows, maybe if it does well enough, they'll do a 2nd one (or one for SFAM?) like they have for other bands.

I bet misunderstood would have sounded very beautiful on strings.  No matter.  They can do that one on the next cd.

Missunderstood wouldve been amazing, but i wonder what the guitar solo at the end wouldve sounded like on strings hahaha. TRY to imagine that

This CD should interesting.  Strings never disappoint.
 
Has anyone heard this release of theirs (I think its the same musicians - ?).  I saw it at the Virgin Megastore on NYC on 5/31/06, but was reluctant to pick it up, never hearing of it/them before, and forgot about it since. 
 
http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,3013309,00.html?aff=froogle

 
Not exclusively strings of course, but I've had this one in my collection since it came out in the 80s.  It is worthwhile for what it is.
 

 
http://www.answers.com/topic/we-know-what-we-like-london-symphony-orchestra-plays-the-music-of-genesis

ORIGINAL: Duke

This CD should interesting.  Strings never disappoint.

Has anyone heard this release of theirs (I think its the same musicians - ?).  I saw it at the Virgin Megastore on NYC on 5/31/06, but was reluctant to pick it up, never hearing of it/them before, and forgot about it since. 

http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,3013309,00.html?aff=froogle
<snip>

Not exclusively strings of course, but I've had this one in my collection since it came out in the 80s.  It is worthwhile for what it is.
<snip>

http://www.answers.com/topic/we-know-what-we-like-london-symphony-orchestra-plays-the-music-of-genesis

Wow! That looks really interesting
 
The tracklist for "A Classical Tribute to Genesis" is interesting, although I would love to hear the full songs of Musical Box and Supper's Ready. Some of the other songs that popped out at me were:
Entangled
Afterglow (interesting to hear how strings add to the already amazing harmonies of this song.)
One For the Vine
Los Endos (another classic I'd love to hear with strings)
 
The other CD has a pretty good tracklist...even though it's mostly medleys:
Guide Vocal/Turn It On Again, Duke's Travels/Fountain of Salmacis (sounds quite interesting), I Know What I Like, Undertow/Supper's Ready
 
Anyway, back on topic with the DT Strings Tribute

This is something every Dream Theater fan is going to add to their voluminous library.

 
talking about me again?
 

I've been waiting for this for such a long time. Some of these pieces are gonna sound so odd without the drums, because it seems like sometimes the drums are imperative for a part of the song to work, but I'm sure they'll find a way to make it orgasmic either way.

This is going to be so awesome... '07 is shaping up to be a monster of a year in music.

Sweeeeeet!

February is going to be a great month with this release along with the NIN DVD.

ORIGINAL: thefunkygibbons

This is something every Dream Theater fan is going to add to their voluminous library.

talking about me again?

Nah, no way is that a reference to you, Funky.  Calling your collection a 'voluminous library' would be an understatement. 

'Gargantuan Ytse-Vault' would be much more accurate. 

Check this out. Found it on the french fanclub site. i don't know any french though. Anybody cares to translate or say what this is about? Thanks!

http://www.yourmajesty.net/News_selec.asp?News_ID=114

Seems to be a report in French about what Mike wrote here: http://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1407368&mpage=2#
I don't know French, it's just what I think it's about judging by the English bits in the text. :)

ORIGINAL: nant

Seems to be a report in French about what Mike wrote here: http://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1407368&mpage=2#
I don't know French, it's just what I think it's about judging by the English bits in the text. :)

It's exactly that.

Wow!  Great tracklist.  I can totally imagine all these neutered session musicians in New York practing The Dance Of Eternity and going, "Wait, wtf?  Is this a joke?"

(unlike some other releases!!)

MP

yeah we did not like the idea of re-releasing some album without asking the band who created it from start to finish. Gushhh (about the re-release of WDADU)
Glad to hear that the captain takes control this time

ORIGINAL: jelly experiment

(unlike some other releases!!)

MP

yeah we did not like the idea of re-releasing some album without asking the band who created it from start to finish. Gushhh (about the re-release of WDADU)
Glad to hear that the captain takes control this time

Have you heard that Mike Portnoy Prime Cuts CD?  It's the ultimate MP collection...

cant wait!!!
i hope its good!

Update with cover artwork is available....
 
Vitamin Records has set a February 20 release date for "The String Quartet Tribute to Dream Theater". A press release for the effort reads as follows;

For over 20 years, DREAM THEATER has consistently challenged and engaged critics and fans alike with their unique brand of progressive metal. They've sold millions of records worldwide, released a diverse array of studio albums, live sets and side projects, and have sold out tours across the globe — and they've done this by catering to no one. Members of both the mainstream and underground have been quick to dismiss the impact that DREAM THEATER has on their fans, but the proof is in the pudding. We challenge you to find a more dedicated fanbase than DREAM THEATER's.

In the classical, experimental spirit of their best material, "The String Quartet Tribute to Dream Theater" is a stripped-down take on the ambitious favorites that have won them fans around the world. Culled from a tracklist selected by legendary drummer Mike Portnoy, there is something for every DT fan to enjoy on this auditory onslaught. This is one project every DREAM THEATER fan needs to add to the voluminous library they've dedicated to the world's most amazing band.

"The String Quartet Tribute to Dream Theater" (view cover artwork at this location) track listing:

01. Overture 1928
02. Pull Me Under
03. As I Am
04. Peruvian Skies
05. The Dance of Eternity
06. Lifting Shadows Off a Dream
07. Ytse Jam
08. Hell's Kitchen

For more information, visit www.vitaminrecords.com.

OMG

yeahhhhhhhh thnx for sharing!!! sweeeet