From Tony Levin's Diary



Nov 28 - Miami, recording.

Well, it's been quite a while since I updated. Very sorry - just the usual excuse, kinda busy and kinda lazy!

Some new photos at the right: while recording an album in New York I ran into my Liquid Tension Experiment bandmates, who are working on a Dream Theater album. Jorden Rudess had just left the studio when I ran in with my camera to get a shot of myself with Mike Portnoy and John Petrucci.



And, doing some recording in Montreal with Kevin Parent, I donned my usual Haloween costume - simple but effective, and posed with Kevin's dog Kashmir.

I've finally put together a nice couple of pages on October's California tour with the Tony Levin Band. It's got more journal stuff than usual, including vodka and pea soup stories!

I've updated the Tour Dates page to include next February's tour of Italy with the California Guitar Trio.

And I've added a few of the recent journals to the Site Archives page (it's linked to at the top of this page.)
Links there go to about 44 tours and shows with multiple pages about each. Also 10 about record sessions, 12 media links of music or video, and about 26 other subjects too weird to categorize - all in all this site has about 258 pages of journals and photos.

As we approach 3 million visits I'm quite aware that I should re-organize a lot of that data (and I'm a bit daunted by the prospect) but I'm also going to forgive myself for the weeks I haven't updated, since these archives make it clear that I've been pretty busy updating since... well, since before there was such a word as blog!

It's been great fun, and now that I've had a few weeks off, I look forward to lots more.

That pic makes MP like he is going grey.
 
I know it wouldn't happen but I'd love to see LTE3

For latest videos from my Metal band, Shattered:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ShatteredMetal1
"Real men don't dance. They sit, sweat, and curse." Bill Hicks  (R.I.P.)

isn't this old news? 

I got to see Tony play up at the Van Dyke in Schenectady a while back ago....great little venue near where I went to Community College before coming down here in Jersey...

i guess there is no disliking among the three DT guys from LTE and Tony Levin, contrary to what i've heard.

excellent

West Gate

doing some recording in Montreal with Kevin Parent

WtF ! this wonderful bass player playing with this crap singer ? here he's a f/$"$" loser wtf i'm really suprised!

ORIGINAL: pits

doing some recording in Montreal with Kevin Parent

WtF ! this wonderful bass player playing with this crap singer ? here he's a f/$"$" loser wtf i'm really suprised!

+1

ORIGINAL: theamazingchuy

i guess there is no disliking among the three DT guys from LTE and Tony Levin, contrary to what i've heard.

excellent

Nope........ the only dislike involved about LTE is that of their record label

http://www.myspace.com/terrierspace

ORIGINAL: Prog Snob

isn't this old news? 

 
you mean the 'Mike going gray?' part?
 
Definitely...maybe.

Due to Jack Bauer, Parental Discretion is Advised.
(I><|><I)

Thanks for posting this Goo... the zebra stripe does look badass.

Baldrick, what begins with "Come here" and ends with "Ow"?

ORIGINAL: pits

doing some recording in Montreal with Kevin Parent

WtF ! this wonderful bass player playing with this crap singer ? here he's a f/$"$" loser wtf i'm really suprised!

+2 serisously, i hope he's meaning anothr kevin parent...

Well, here's a shot we took with Jordan's camera before he split...
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
LTE 2006!!!
 

 
Do you believe this coming Fall will mark the 10 year anniversary of the first LTE sessions???
 
Just for the record:
I think my initial feelings of no longer being interested in another LTE album because of the similarities to DT with Jordan have finally passed...
It's been long enough now that I think it could indeed be exciting, creative and alot of fun.
 
The 4 of us did mention in passing how much fun it would be to someday make some more music together, so as I always say:
"Never say never!"
 
(Unfortunately, there is one obstacle that could make a future LTE album very difficult...and I'll just say, it is NOT any of the 4 people pictured above!!)
 
MP 

ORIGINAL: Portnoy

Well, here's a shot we took with Jordan's camera before he split...
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
LTE 2006!!!
 
-snip-

Do you believe this coming Fall will mark the 10 year anniversary of the first LTE sessions???
 
Just for the record:
I think my initial feelings of no longer being interested in another LTE album because of the similarities to DT with Jordan have finally passed...
It's been long enough now that I think it could indeed be exciting, creative and alot of fun.
 
The 4 of us did mention in passing how much fun it would be to someday make some more music together, so as I always say:
"Never say never!"
 
(Unfortunately, there is one obstacle that could make a future LTE album very difficult...and I'll just say, it is NOT any of the 4 people pictured above!!)

MP 

A million prog fans just shit their pants from this post

"Johnny feels invisible hands pushing him onward, the voices in his head get meaner"

ORIGINAL: Portnoy

(Unfortunately, there is one obstacle that could make a future LTE album very difficult...and I'll just say, it is NOT any of the 4 people pictured above!!)

MP 

You could always release it on another label such as InsideOut right?  Although Jordan still releases stuff with MC...maybe he's tied down to them with a contract?

Whatever it is, new LTE would be very cool.

wow that would be cool if another lte album was released...sweet!!however,do what you will mr portnoy!

Very cool. It would be sweet for more LTE, but as stated above, whatever floats you boat MP.

Flixster

My Blog

awesome news!
a new LTE release

Carpe Diem !

Here's hoping for some more LTE!

Wow, doesn't seem like 10 years, does it?
Very cool, that would be amazing to hear another LTE. All 4 of them are masters of their craft, and LTE was a truly magical collaboration.

Your empty grave is hell on my mind
http://www.myspace.com/awakeningthestranger

Could the obstacle Mike mentioned rhyme with Ragna Farta?

www.myspace.com/zhifmcd

ORIGINAL: zhifmcd

Could the obstacle Mike mentioned rhyme with Ragna Farta?

Unfortunate. They could always call themselves something besides LTE.

ORIGINAL: Portnoy

Do you believe this coming Fall will mark the 10 year anniversary of the first LTE sessions???

 
OMFG 10 years already ??????  I just can't believe it, man time flies
 
LTE 3 ?  That would be excellent.

Why do the Gods, sit back and watch, so many lost
What kind of mother, leaves a child in traffic, turning tricks in the dark
What kind of God?
H

Holy crap!

I certainly did just crap my pants - a possible new LTE album!! Ah, so good. Bring on LTE3!

THERE IS A GOD!!!!

10 years? Hahah, that's awesome. I was 9. 9!

New LTE would be awesome beyond belief.

If I may suggest a name:

Libation Tautness Enterprise- LTE

Maaaaaan! I really hope there will be a new album from these guys. I don't care if they can't call it LTE. I wish they can get the rights for the name of the band and release their stuff with Inside Out or something. How about a double album?

ORIGINAL: skip63

ORIGINAL: zhifmcd

Could the obstacle Mike mentioned rhyme with Ragna Farta?

Unfortunate. They could always call themselves something besides LTE.

 
Lucid Tonal Excellence?
 
lol!  Such good news

Baldrick, what begins with "Come here" and ends with "Ow"?

ORIGINAL: drumline0671

ORIGINAL: Portnoy

(Unfortunately, there is one obstacle that could make a future LTE album very difficult...and I'll just say, it is NOT any of the 4 people pictured above!!)

MP 

You could always release it on another label such as InsideOut right?  Although Jordan still releases stuff with MC...maybe he's tied down to them with a contract?

Whatever it is, new LTE would be very cool.

 
Yes + legal morass = Band Name: Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe
LTE + legal morass = Band Name: Portnoy Petrucci Rudess Levin
 
Problem solved.

Go far enough and you will reach, A place where the sea runs underneath.

Pretty fucking cool.

A new LTE would be absolutely amazing. They'd have plenty of material to go on tour and film a live DVD...

Oh well, me simply wishing.

well well well...
i can't believe that you guys never lost that energy,power and addictedness to the music. it's been years now you mike & other guys still trying to survive, still trying to prove there's still people around who cares about music&fans. you definately defined the terms of "progressive" of this generation and will gonna. this news proves that too.

Needless to say you always full of ideas and you never know what to expect from another LTE album, or Steven,Mikael,Portnoy Project or something else.
i guess you don't know too

Bah. Don't get all excited about LTE everyone. It's just some of the best instrumental music you'll ever hear. Nothing more than that.

ORIGINAL: Portnoy
Do you believe this coming Fall will mark the 10 year anniversary of the first LTE sessions???
 
Just for the record:
I think my initial feelings of no longer being interested in another LTE album because of the similarities to DT with Jordan have finally passed...
It's been long enough now that I think it could indeed be exciting, creative and alot of fun.
 
The 4 of us did mention in passing how much fun it would be to someday make some more music together, so as I always say:
"Never say never!"

Make it happen, Mike! It would be awesome if we could finally get to see some LTE shows in Europe!

LTE3 would rule the entire world! Go for it!

It would be cool just to see LTE live with a DVD release.

This Is Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled...- Steve Wilson, Lightbulb Sun

Hoping and praying for that one MP!  

The new phone books are here!

Give me the time and place and I'm there. 

In the dead of night, Rob bites, Rob bites...

Do we have to kick some butts at magna carta to have a new LTE album?
 
If the answer is "yes" I´m in.

ORIGINAL: Duke

ORIGINAL: drumline0671

ORIGINAL: Portnoy

(Unfortunately, there is one obstacle that could make a future LTE album very difficult...and I'll just say, it is NOT any of the 4 people pictured above!!)

MP 

You could always release it on another label such as InsideOut right?  Although Jordan still releases stuff with MC...maybe he's tied down to them with a contract?

Whatever it is, new LTE would be very cool.

Yes + legal morass = Band Name: Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe
LTE + legal morass = Band Name: Portnoy Petrucci Rudess Levin

Problem solved.

 
ah ah excellent Duke

Why do the Gods, sit back and watch, so many lost
What kind of mother, leaves a child in traffic, turning tricks in the dark
What kind of God?
H