Originally published in press release · 1998
Once In A Livetime by Dream Theater
News2 min read
After six years of semi-constant touring and two live mini-EPs, it seemed the right time in our career for a ‘proper’ live album to represent our musical catalogue thus far. This whole double CD is taken from one show in Paris. This was one of the final headlining shows on the Touring Into Infinity’ tour. In order to capture as much music as possible (and also because some of our songs are very LONG), we performed a set that evening that was over three and a half hours in length.
A live Dream Theater show is really the only way to understand and experience what this band is all about. Besides actually getting to see us actually PLAY our instruments (which seems to be the biggest appeal of DT), you become part of a society or a secret club which is exclusive to those fans that are absolute FANATICS!! Our fan base has never been casual; they are hard-core fans that go to dozens of shows on a tour, know every set-list we play and every nuance of the music. It is this interaction that can only be appreciated and fully understood by going to a Dream Theater concert. Granted, we are still very much ‘underground’ in some markets, and definitely not a mainstream, household name but to our fans we are the only band that matter. This is a credit to them, not a stroke to us.
The songs represented here in this collection cover a spectrum of our ten year recording career. There is a balance of material from different albums including some of our ‘popular songs’ and cult favourites; our heavier songs and softer songs, as well as the complex and simple songs. Of course, what PROGRESSIVE live album would be complete without the obligatory, self-indulgent solo spots! The arrangements to the songs are almost never the same as the album’ versions. Some songs are extended and have improvised jams thrown in, some are shortened and/ or combined to create medleys, and others have bits and pieces of cover tunes. It’s this variety and embellishments that I think make our live show and this album exciting to listen to every time.
Enjoy!
Mike Portnoy