Jordan Rudess is Not Interesting
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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific prog bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=128133
Printed Date: November 25 2024 at 22:45
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Topic: Jordan Rudess is Not Interesting
Posted By: odmusicman
Subject: Jordan Rudess is Not Interesting
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 08:51
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I have been listening to Dream Theater for quite a while. I
was initially excited for Jordan to take the torch after Keith died. As time
went on, however, I began to realize as a composer/arranger I stopped being
able to relate to his playing. I watched as he attempted the simplest beautiful
Christmas song or a Beatles song and was UNABLE to play the song through without
a flurry of arpeggios spoiling the flow or intention of the song. His playing has become scripted, predictable, and uninteresting.
I ask you all to think about Take a Pebble, Tarkus, Trilogy, The Endless Enigma,
and Karn Evil 9. Each one of those compositions is a triumph, whether in originality,
arrangement, or brilliant complexity but with listening accessibility. I can sit here and without any lyrics hum notable parts from
each of those compositions. Can any of you say the same for Rudess
compositions? How many of them will stand tall against time? I will probably never play to Jordan’s level, and he is to
be admired for his physical prowess and dexterity as a player. But as a
composer, I’m afraid he does not hold a match to the great one, Mr. Emerson. If
he cannot hold a match, I cannot mentally or personally hand him the torch. I look forward to your thoughts. Joe |
Replies:
Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 08:54
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How do you know? He might be a heck of a lot of fun to party with!!!! -------------  https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy |
Posted By: Rivertree
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 09:07
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Jordan Rudess is not equal to Keith Emerson, alright. Where is your problem? ------------- https://awesomeprog.com/users/Rivertree" rel="nofollow">  |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 09:45
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Rivertree wrote:Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 09:49
| I prefer Chick Corea, Kerry Minnear, Tony Banks, etc. to Keith Emerson. Your point is? |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 09:52
you forgot Richard Wright and Peter Bardens. The point is that Jordan Rudess is no Keith Emerson, right? Which is true I guess.
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Posted By: yogev
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 10:02
There is no need in comperasing between those two, but I agree with you. He can't play one song without shreding NONSTOP, and its start getting annoying.
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 10:04
Jordan has often said Keith was his idol.
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Posted By: Shadowyzard
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 10:16
Such statements don't affect me even in the slightest. I don't care about the idols of my idols. Beethoven's idol is Handel. But my favourite classical composer is still Beethoven. Handel is my second. He could have been "worthless" for me too, if I didn't like his music. I'm explaining my stance here, as I got quite sick of the fallacy of many people in this regard. For instance, someone says that an X band is the best. Another boldly asserts that the idols of that X band's members are Pink Floyd, and therefore Pink Floyd is better than that band. This is totally laughable. Jordan Rudess was great in his first album with Dream Theater. Thereafter, the band is wholly uninteresting for me. |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 10:22
that statement is not meant to influence or affect you or anyone in any way. Just saying that Jordan said that is a couple of interviews, that's all.
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Posted By: Shadowyzard
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 10:25
| ^ Hmm. It sounded like you meant Emerson is superior for that reason and they can be comparable by this logic. Anyway, your statement is not related to what you quote, then. |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 10:28
Maybe I did not word it right. So can we compare Jordan with his idol, Keith Emerson? Sure, I dare say, why not.
 |
Posted By: judahbenkenobi
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 10:31
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I think I get your point about what "passing the torch" is. Anyway, without the need of making any comparisons, I held JR in a very high esteem when he played on Liquid Tension Experiment and was thrilled when he joined DT shortly afterwards. His work on SFAM and the subsequent tour was excellent, and 6DOIT and its tour continued that tendency. But after TOT came out, when the band starting to put more emphasis on the metal rather than the progressive part, JR was relegated to a secondary role, in which keyboards had to perform the role of a rhythm guitar rather than melodies and textures. So the only moments in which he would be given the chance to come forth was on keyboard solos, and even there he had to duel against Petrucci the Shredder. Since DT got stuck in the metal phase until this day, it seems that JR got used to only shredding and an occasionally required atmospheric intro, outro, or bridge. I honestly haven't heard much of his solo work, and of the few of his solo albums that I've heard, they date of his time with DT. Two of them are tributes (one of old Prog classics and the other one piano arrangements of DT songs). So I can't really say much about his compositional skills. But performance-wise, even if, as you state it, I'll never have his proficiency level, I cannot assure anyone that he will be remembered as a great keyboardist as the late Keith Emerson or as the other players that have been mentioned in this thread. |
Posted By: odmusicman
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 10:32
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It was stated in my post. He does not create memorable themes (of course there a few) but generally his playing, practically in the last several years, is a lot of incessant fast flurries and doubling up with Petrucci (faster flurries) and endless fast arpeggios. As I stated, it's hard for me to think back over the last 5-6 years and think of a single memorable thing he played, a memorable theme, or an arrangement. That's what I mean. For example, ask me to hum themes from Tony Bank's The Cinema Show? Easy, in a heartbeat.
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Posted By: odmusicman
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 10:34
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"Jordan Rudess was great in his first album with Dream Theater. Thereafter, the band is wholly uninteresting for me." "He can't play one song without shreding NONSTOP, and its start getting annoying." Yes that's it in a nutshell thank you.
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Posted By: Shadowyzard
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 10:34
Well... A musician can be compared with his/her idol. But, I would only compare them like any other comparison. My point was, as you have gotten, one of them being the idol of the other would not affect my assessment. |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 10:34
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Undoubtedly a great talent, but yeah every Jordan Rudess solo sounds like a motorcycle passing by while a CASIO ambulance chases closely behind it. His solos have become very indistinguishable in recent years, but he has his moments still. ------------- The sun has left the sky... ...Now you can close your eyes |
Posted By: JD
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 10:49
As for the 'Idol' comments. Having an idol doesn't mean trying to sound like them. It just means admiring them or being inspired by them. I, personally, think it will be a VERY long time before any rock or prog keyboardist reaches the level of fame and accomplishment that Emerson did with his playing. But that's not to say there aren't worthy contenders out there. ------------- Thank you for supporting independently produced music |
Posted By: Shadowyzard
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 10:58
Thank you Captain Obvious! or Well said! Pick one, according to what you think about me!  Joke aside, I agree 100%. Real artists never try to mimic their idols. |
Posted By: JD
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 11:04
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Oops, did I forget to tuck in my cape? ------------- Thank you for supporting independently produced music |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 11:05
I see what you mean. Even if you have a trademark proggy thing that you always play, some songs just don't need to have it inserted, and in such cases your flashy prog lick may stick out like a sore thumb or something. I have the same problem with Pär Nilsson's guitar solos in Hans Lundin's Kaipa. They're way too technical for that kinda music. This illustrates this idea perfectly 🤣: ------------- “On the day of my creation, I fell in love with education. And overcoming all frustration, a teacher I became.” — Ernest Vong |
Posted By: Shadowyzard
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 11:11
Oh, you chose being Cpt. Obvious. Now choose your mask in order not to be that "obvious". 
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Posted By: JD
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 11:39
 ------------- Thank you for supporting independently produced music |
Posted By: JD
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 11:42
------------- Thank you for supporting independently produced music |
Posted By: Shadowyzard
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 11:42
^ I meant: "Choose one of them." You're not double-faced, are you? 
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Posted By: JD
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 11:43
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^I AM a Gemini if that means anything. ------------- Thank you for supporting independently produced music |
Posted By: Shadowyzard
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 11:45
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^ Oh, I like Geminian people. They are really smart. But do we have to compensate for Rudess' uninterestingness with a myriad of weird topics here? 
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Posted By: Sacro_Porgo
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 12:07
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I think Rudess has plenty of beautiful work in his own right, from Scenes up through A View. He has his own very flashy, almost overplayed style, which is perfect for Dream Theater. ------------- Porg for short. My love of music doesn't end with prog! Feel free to discuss all sorts of music with me. Odds are I'll give it a chance if I haven't already! :) |
Posted By: JD
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 13:05
 ------------- Thank you for supporting independently produced music |
Posted By: progaardvark
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 14:56
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House bag! ------------- ---------- i'm shopping for a new oil-cured sinus bag that's a happy bag of lettuce this car smells like cartilage nothing beats a good video about fractions |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 15:40
Perfectly stated.
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 16:20
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^ he can't hold a candle to Kevin Moore and Kevin's work with DT.
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Posted By: Sacro_Porgo
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 16:40
Moore had his own flair which worked really well with the material DT played at the time. I don't think his style would have worked as well going forward though. He was a less flashy player and I think DT were natural headed in a more ostentatious direction. ------------- Porg for short. My love of music doesn't end with prog! Feel free to discuss all sorts of music with me. Odds are I'll give it a chance if I haven't already! :) |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 16:44
His style changed, the closer song of Awake stands proof. I also like Kevin's work since he left DT more than anything Jordan has done outside DT.
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Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: January 02 2022 at 17:26
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Neither is this topic. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: bender99
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 02:33
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I must admit that over time Jordan's playing has become less and less interesting to me, at least on the Dream Theater stuff (haven't heard any of his solo work). Whilst there's no doubting his technical skill, I agree with some of the other posters that his playing has now become too predictable, seemingly more interested in how many notes he can squeeze in rather than anything else. The more Jordan continues with this style of playing, the more I find myself enjoying Kevin Moore's work on earlier albums, and I am now starting to think that I really underrated Kevin's talent.
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Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 06:54
Hi, Without criticizing either Jordan or the band, it is my thought that the band's music is not a total thing, that involves all the musicians, and thus, Jordan's additions to it, seem to come off more as just plain addons, than they do as part of the soul of the music itself. In many ways, I do think that part of the problem is the use of the guitar that has been for almost 10 years totally concentrated on thrashing, and not on the greatness of the music, which would have to involve all the other members to make it stronger. Since everyone else is just background for the guitar, I'm not sure that anyone would have done better than Jordan ... this is the guitar's band, not anyone else's ... you don't even get anything better/stronger from anyone to help the music ... it is not allowed ... musicianship is like ... it can't exist next to a thrashing guitar! In this sense, I really think DT is done. Anything they do will not amount to anything different and having moments and parts of the music that showcases, John, or Jordan, or even the singer. The way the band composes and works does not allow for that I don't think! I kinda look at it this way ... that guitar player can't do anything but thrash and it hurts the totality of the band! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 07:37
This is from his 2021 release A Chapter in Time Also, Jordan's solo piano album Secrets of the Muse is a lot softer than most his material. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qalg9HentvE&list=RDqalg9HentvE&start_radio=1 |
Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 09:56
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I'm really sure Jordan couldn't care less what you or anyone thinks! He's laughing all the way to the bank!  ------------- https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 10:25
that does not mean we cannot express an opinion on Rudess. Also that one enormous emoticon abuse
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Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 10:27
And isn't the expression "crying all the way to the bank"? |
Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 11:47
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^ i just see no point in these negative posts. For every artist out there will be someone who doesn't like them. A better way of discussing these things would be to have a comparative discussion so that others can come to their own conclusions ------------- https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 12:00
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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 12:34
Personally i don't care but i've seen these kinds of posts play out over the years and they don't always end well. Just expressing some concerns about emotional triggers some may have toward such wording like JORDAN RUDESS IS NOT INTERESTING. Human psychology is a tricky beast and it just comes off as a bit triggering to read a thread title like this for some. Personally i think Jordan Rudess is very interesting. Just because his music isn't moving to some doesn't mean he isn't too others. It's not about discussing or not discussing such things, it's about how it is presented. Maybe i should start a thread about how much Nursery Cryme and Foxtrot suck. I'm sure that would go over really well! I'm just saying that there are more sensitive and diplomatic ways of bringing up these topics ------------- https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy |
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 13:21
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So what is this thread about, the use of emoticons and how not to abuse them? (I'm not a Rudess fan, the wonkery has become beyond boring. Kevin Moore any day of the year...) -------------   
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Posted By: judahbenkenobi
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 13:43
I'm really sure there are only a handful among millions of musicians who actually care. And I'm sure neither of them even cares enough as to even laugh about it. But that doesn't take away my sleep. Actually it doesn't take the fun away from reading and writing in forums.
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Posted By: judahbenkenobi
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 13:50
Totally agree. Proof of that is the most recent Liquid Tension Experiment album. In my opinion it's just an instrumental DT album with an unusual good mix that allows to finally acknowledge the existence of a bass guitar. |
Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 14:59
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^ i never liked Liquid Tension Exp at all. Now that stuff IS boring however Rudess has been in the Dixie Dregs as well as Dream Theater and other lesser known acts like Rudess Morgenstein Project and Speedway Blvd. He's one of those musicians who needs a good songwriter in cahoots so his technical chops can play a role instead of just a bolt of lightning. ------------- https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy |
Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 15:33
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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 15:44
Haven't heard that one. I haven't really kept up with him in recent years. ------------- https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 15:45
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Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 16:17
I agree. In fact, I think the whole band is guilty of musical excess....John Petrucci seems to want to solo only for the sake of soloing. Pity, as I believe they could be capable of much more. Musical excess seems to be a hallmark of prog music, but it can still be overdone. Great comments, thanks! ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 18:18
Maybe it should be presented better then. If Joe really wanted to discuss the merits of Jordan's interestingness, perhaps he should do a break down of every project Jordan has participated in and then explain how Jordan has devolved over time. Here's a challenge. Simply rate every single album Jordan has performed on and explain how he has stagnated in your opinion. Step by step, devolution by devolution. Simple words stating Jordan Rudess is not interesting doesn't say much at all now does it? Better yet, explain how Jordan fails to impress over other keyboardists of prog over time. Explain how his musicianship, showmanship and compositional fortitude make yawning inevitable. Why is he boring? What is the definition of musical excess? Where has balance been breached? Where exactly has he jumped the shark into musical doldrums? Come on, everybody! Bring on some real substance to this thread if you're going to defend it! Otherwise x 1000 is where i see this going!------------- https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy |
Posted By: Hugh Manatee
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 20:07
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Boy, the forum police sure are demanding 'round these parts. ------------- I should have been a pair of ragged claws Scuttling across the floors of uncertain seas |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 21:32
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Weez do love to argue. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: mickcoxinha
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 22:14
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I am not a great fan of DT and Rudess, but I think the comparison to Emerson is a bit unfair because of what Emerson meant not only to his bands (don't forget The Nice), but the whole progressive rock. His keyboard playing is more or less the blueprint of keyboard-led progressive rock and it is difficult to find players that didn't get at least a little bit from him. Rudess is a great musician, but he is not even the main composer in DT or the one who has the biggest saying on how DT music will evolve. He surely has some great parts in many songs, mostly intros and outros, but the core of his contributions is soloing and playing fast arpeggios because this is what Dream Theater music is focused on. By the way, he was a replacement of a guy who was replacing the original keyboardist and didn't stay long because his style didn't fit very well with the band, and the only studio album he released with DT is controversial among fans (I like it, btw), so Rudess doesn't seem to have that much space to do radically different things in DT. As for his previous work and solo, there are sure some different things, but the fact that he haven't done a Wakeman thing with lots of solo albums probably means that he is also not that interested in exploring too much other styles. |
Posted By: mickcoxinha
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 22:18
Considering the circumstances of the sad passing of the other musician mentioned as a comparison (Emerson), I don't think money in the bank is a factor for most people who own it. It is usually people who don't have it that put such importance in a big bank account.
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Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 23:31
You obviously disagree with "Joe" and that's fine, but you're the one who hasn't come up with any actual arguments. Seriously, what's not to understand about this? I certainly get it, don't you?
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Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: January 03 2022 at 23:51
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Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: January 04 2022 at 00:16
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I like the interview by Rick Beato, on both Rudess and Petrucci -------------  
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Posted By: Sacro_Porgo
Date Posted: January 04 2022 at 00:25
I'm not sure Keith Emerson would be my go to choice for a keyboardist who isn't prone to excessively long soloing... and unnecessary abuse of a hammond organ. Next to his flights of keyboard destruction, Jordan Rudess' intricacy and speed seem a bit tame by comparison. I'd probably think of someone more stoic as a counterpoint to all that pizazz, who mostly serves the song and generally doesn't draw attention to himself. Perhaps Richard Wright?
------------- Porg for short. My love of music doesn't end with prog! Feel free to discuss all sorts of music with me. Odds are I'll give it a chance if I haven't already! :) |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: January 04 2022 at 00:56
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^I sure wouldn't either, but I still understood the intention. |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: January 04 2022 at 07:15
Hi, The bad part, of course, is that it is not John Myung. It kinda suggests that JM is not as good, but also suggests that granpabear is not going to go unheard! Or he won't be there, for sure! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 04 2022 at 07:24
there is bass in DT and Myung is a great player. You want to hear more Myung, go listen to Platypus and Jelly Jam.
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Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: January 04 2022 at 11:13
I won't do it cuz i don't care! I'm just saying that this is depth i'd personally prefer to see a thread like this go to. I neither love nor hate Rudess. He's just one of countless keyboardists out there. As someone who's reading this and i haven't found anything beyond the obvious yet. Since i haven't experienced every thing he's done i'm not even qualified to have an opinion. He was OK in Dream Theater but beyond that haven't delved into his other projects. But i can have an opinion of what i'd like to be addressed :) ------------- https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: January 04 2022 at 13:03
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I don't disagree with the general sentiment of this thread, i.e., "Jordan's flashy, he's got chops, but he's not a great writer," etc. Jordan has done some great stuff in the past, though. I'm sure I've presented this before, but for those who aren't familiar with it, Mind Odyssey is one of the best instrumental "shred" albums ever made, and Jordan's all over it. Moore's playing is fiery but quite melodic. This is the best track, a nine-minute excursion that appeared a full year before Dream Theater's debut. Prog-metal? Very much so. The best part: no vocals. ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: January 04 2022 at 13:09
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Posted By: judahbenkenobi
Date Posted: January 04 2022 at 13:10
Oh, don't get me wrong. I love Myung and have heard the second Platypus album and all of Jelly Jam. He might not be my favorite bass player, but he is in my top 20 or something close. The problem in DT and LTE is that the guitar (and the drums whenever Portnoy's been around) drown the bass guitar and the keyboards. Perhaps it's not a problem to fans of guitar shreds and maniacal drums, but appreciating the bass and keyboards there require an extra degree of effort that is not always well rewarded. Myung has kept on trying to do the best among it all, but JR seems to have resigned himself to "only" doing some shredding. |
Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: January 04 2022 at 17:30
Well I thought it would be obvious that I don’t care enough to listen to his entire career in order to rate his performances Now just because that’s the case cannot mean I would love it if someone who has would do so? One on man! ------------- https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: January 04 2022 at 17:42
Hi, I am not sure about the drowning thing, but what it does is make it very clear that DT is not a "band" ... that it is a guitar thrasher and everyone else! And has been going downhill since the guitar has taken over, and obviously does not think enough of the other players around him, to let them add to the music ... to actually make it MUSIC! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 04 2022 at 17:54
Petrucci has never been a guitar thrasher, you can say that he's a shredder, but not a thrasher.
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Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: January 04 2022 at 18:20
Can he be a thredder? ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 04 2022 at 18:26
I was serious, no need to mock me. That description of Petrucci is incorrect, in fact Petrucci is the only reason left to listen to later day DT, he can still come up with interesting riffs, hooks and solos.
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Posted By: TheLionOfPrague
Date Posted: January 04 2022 at 18:31
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I like Dream Theater but Rudess does tend to become a bit too w**ky sometimes. He's obviously incredibly technical, but he can get a bit boring at times. I prefer Emerson, Wakeman or Banks. ------------- I shook my head and smiled a whisper knowing all about the place |
Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: January 04 2022 at 21:12
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I guess this thread does lead to want to explore his stuff more since i didn't realize he has done so much. So a w**ker, huh? He did a whole Christmas album and if it all sounds like this track then i have to say i'm impressed. ------------- https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy |
Posted By: nick_h_nz
Date Posted: January 04 2022 at 23:40
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I have said on several occasions (though not in these fora) that Rudess is capable of much more than the w**kery and circus music of his DT playing. I’ve not heard any of his solo albums, but his session musician work for others shows he is capable of restrained, delicate and affective playing that serves the music well. His playing on albums from David Bowie and Mariana Semkina is worlds away from the style most people are used to from DT, and assume is his only way of playing. In a sense, his playing for DT is no different to his playing for these other artists - it serves the music it is played on. His keyboard playing on DT is the perfect counterfoil for Petrucci, and is what the band needs for the sound they have cultivated over recent years. Just to throw it out there, as likely very few (if any) will agree with me, but my favourite Rudess playing on a DT album is on “The Astonishing”. This album is where the style he plays for DT really comes into its own, and works to create the magic. The Astonishing is probably my favourite DT album. I love it. And a lot of this is down to Rudess. He’s still probably my least favourite DT keyboard player, but that’s not down to his ability or style, so much as the role Petrucci has given him to play. ------------- https://tinyurl.com/nickhnz-tpa" rel="nofollow - Reviewer for The Progressive Aspect |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: January 05 2022 at 13:21
'Twas a joke, albeit a bad one. I wasn't mocking you. Regardless of who's currently in the band, I can't deal with DT after a point. I tried watching a concert of theirs on Palladia, and James' vocals were painful. The guys have chops to spare, but need better songs. ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: January 07 2022 at 01:47
brave man , I like that album as well , certainly in my top five DT albums with Six Degrees , Awake , Octavarium and A Change Of Seasons (although technically that last one was a fans only release).Jordan's okay although there are probably 50 keyboard players I can name that I prefer but that's beside the point I suppose. To compare him to a legend like Keith Emerson is ridiculous of course (going back on topic) . Keith was a great composer and a highly creative musician but unfortunately only gets remembered for the hammond antics and that spinning piano thing! |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: January 07 2022 at 11:06
True. To his credit, the Cal Jam performance and that feat won't be forgotten anytime soon. But Keith composed lovely solo piano pieces and recorded a few film scores that showcased other sides of him. Inferno and Off the Shelf are required listening. ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: January 09 2022 at 09:14
Hi, The only folks that have not heard the piano or the classical pieces are the ones stuck on the rock side of things, in my book. KE will be remembered long, very long, because he was much more than his "antics" and we're not being intelligent enough to see past the antics into a very good player and composer. You can see it all in the orchestrated stuff these days, and specially in Rachel Flowers ... the guy was way more than the Cal Jam and the piano thing. And he showed it. We must remember that this all happened at the time when music was taking on TV and within a couple of years videos and then MTV later. At the time, the only way ELP and many bands could get any attention, was to do something different and special. As an example, I did not go to see bands for their pyrotechinianship or their stage BS ... I went to see PF in 1972 to close my eyes and enjoy the trip. I went to see YES do TFTO at the Long Beach Arena to close my eyes and hear TFTO ... and this is the part that many folks, even here, can not relate to at all. Jordan, to be fair, is not as well used in his part in the band, probably due to the way that the band creates music apart from each other ... and then kinda blend things together. If they spent more time in the same room, I think that this separation would change things, and make it sound better, and likely show all the players better. As it stands, it is one guitar and the rest seems to be just side effects. I don't think of him as "bad" ... his technology side is valuable and will help in the long run, but he has to concentrate less on the "toys" and more on the music itself, and as we can see in his thing with DD, he's a kid at Wonderland, or Disney's place. I get the feeling that it is just a toy, and he has to get past that in my book. But, really, interesting is a funny thing. Some of us like "MORE" keyboards, and some of us "LIKE THE SOLO BETTER" and some of us "DON'T BOTHER THE SINGER" and some of us play Salieri and his goons ... "TOO MANY NOTES". ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |