LIVE AT THE MARQUEE

I just would like to start with a reflexion. Before this review, there were forty-five in total for this album. Of which only fifteen commented to defend the album. This sounds rather weird to me. But that's PA rule. You can post your rate without expressing your feeling...Strange.

This very first "Dream Theater" live album is extremely convincing. The best of their early repertoire is featured here. Even if I am a bit disappointed that there is no sign of "The Ytse Jam".

It is of course interesting to listen to LaBrie singing some old Dream Theater songs (even older, I mean). He is great in his interpretation of "Fortune..". But Charles was also very good (at least it is my feeling). This song really gets me mad. It does not not hold one sec. of prog, but what a great hard-rock song. The guitar solo is just wonderfull. This song has some reminiscence with "Highway star" (this one being one of my ultimate hard-rock anthem which I will ask to be played on my burial party. I guess that all the guests will be very much surprised when I will just get up out of my coffin and singing for a while : "I'm a Highway Star"...

The jamming party for "Bombay vindaloo" is fantastic. Petrucci at his best. But this guy is just amazing. Very much Blackmore oriented IMO but maybe with even more frenzy (not crazyness, because on that level, I believe that Ritchie tops him).

The whole of "Dream Theater" dual face is featured with "Surrounded". A rock ballad. With some DT sauce. A lot better than the studio verion, IMO.

The closing number of the live set featured onthis live album is the incredible "Pull Me Under". One of their best song from "Images & Words".

This album is of course lots shorter to the ones the band will propose later on. Still, it is a great live rendition. Hard-rock or heavy metal fans, this is yours. Prog music is next door. But I am thrilled to see them onstage early next month in Antwerp.

Three stars.