Alex Lifeson v John Petrucci
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Polls
Forum Description: Create polls on topics related to progressive music
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30759
Printed Date: May 23 2025 at 17:35
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Topic: Alex Lifeson v John Petrucci
Posted By: Tommy
Subject: Alex Lifeson v John Petrucci
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 16:30
| Both are great but after watching the 'Score' and R30' DVD's this afternoon I have to give it to Petrucci! |
Replies:
Posted By: CaptainWafflos
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 16:34
| Stop making Dream Theater vs. Rush polls? |
Posted By: blazno
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 16:35
| Petrucci's overall skill is better, but I prefer Lifeson's style (at least in the 70'). Anyway I love both. |
Posted By: MajesterX
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 16:49
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I love both very much, but I like Petrucci a very very tiny bit better.
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Posted By: Stefanovic
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 16:50
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Lifeson is more original and plays in a much better band.
Lifeson it is!
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Posted By: Ricochet
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 16:58
an obsession of yours, Tommy? 
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Posted By: eugene
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 17:00
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I think Petrucci is better guitarist. Which band is better should not be relevant to this poll. I recommend to listen to An Evening with John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess. This album will probably back up my point of view. ------------- carefulwiththataxe |
Posted By: Bj-1
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 17:09
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Petrucci. ------------- RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on! |
Posted By: The Miracle
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 17:12
 I agree.------------- http://www.last.fm/user/ocellatedgod" rel="nofollow - last.fm |
eugene wrote:Posted By: video vertigo
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 17:14
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pertucci is my least favorite prog guitarist, Lifeson one of my favorites ------------- "The rock and roll business is pretty absurd, but the world of serious music is much worse." - Zappa |
Posted By: Stefanovic
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 17:15
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w**kery wins
music loses
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Posted By: raindance
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 19:07
John Petrucci
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Posted By: Australian
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 19:33
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I like Lifeson because he does show off all the time. ------------- 
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Posted By: E-Dub
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 19:35
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Come on, guys. Petrucci is good, but the guys a shredder and doesn't play with nearly the emotion Lifeson does. This is the biggest joke comparison out of all the Rush vs. DT polls.
E ------------- 
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Posted By: King Lerxt
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 19:43
| Lifeson's style is charged with emotion... Natural skill! |
Posted By: Filmdirector2
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 19:47
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Petrucci for me.
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Posted By: Tales
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 19:50
| Petrucci is a true master IMO & gets my vote. |
Posted By: Uroboros
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 20:18
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Emotion? Haha. I'm pretty sure Petrucci is good enough to be able to play as "emotionally" as he wants (whatever that means to you people...) if the context requires it. Just to underline a suggestion made earlier, listen to the acoustic evening with him and Rudess and compare that to any of Lifeson's recorded performances. This is a thing that happens when you're a monster player - you can communicate anything you want, because you possess the skill and fine education that allows you to. Lifeson is great and influencial, but I think Petrucci is in a slightly different class of players. ------------- Tous les chemins qui s’ouvrent à moi ne mènent à rien si tu n’es plus là |
Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 20:22
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Petrucci, but neither one makes it in my top 10 or so...
------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?" 
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Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 20:24
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Petrucci. Lifeson might be good but his overall skill and ability to make songs is nowhere near that of Petrucci.
------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005 
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Posted By: E-Dub
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 21:14
I like Dream Theater; but, sometimes I think if you've heard one Petrucci solo, you've just about heard them all. E -------------
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Posted By: Articuno1
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 21:36
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Arrrg... you just had to make this poll. I love both of em, but Lifeson just has an emotional style that really speaks to me. I repect Pettrucci's technical ability and I love to listen to it... but Lifeson wins this one.
------------- Many Bothans died to bring you this information. |
Posted By: Sasquamo
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 21:52
I agree with you 100%. Petrucci is most definitely more skilled than Lifeson. Of course, I voted for Alex Lifeson anyway because the poll asked who I prefer, not who is better. |
Posted By: Sasquamo
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 22:08
| Hmm, he didn't make a Neil Peart vs. Mike Portnoy poll, but he did a guitar and bass poll... |
Posted By: Drew
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 22:11
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Alex- so hard though....so hard.......... ------------- |
Posted By: Equality 7-2521
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 22:12
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Alex Lifeson, but he's best guitarist ever so you know
------------- "One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. " |
Posted By: Arrrghus
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 22:14
Excluding Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin, Jimi Hendrix, Terry Kath, and about a few dozen more players. Lifeson is great, don't get me wrong. Petrucci is good, but Lifeson is GREAT. 'Nuff said. ------------- 
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Posted By: Uroboros
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 22:15
A Geddy Lee vs. Jordan Rudess keyboardist poll would have been interesting. Somehow I think there would have been people actually voting for Geddy...  ------------- Tous les chemins qui s’ouvrent à moi ne mènent à rien si tu n’es plus là |
Posted By: Ridge
Date Posted: November 05 2006 at 23:11
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Voted Petrucci, but I´m having second thoughts. Both are great! Please stop the Rush vs DT polls! I will not be voting on them! ------------- Discipline is never an end in it self, only a means to an end. |
Posted By: Ounamahl
Date Posted: November 06 2006 at 00:42
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Definetly Lifeson! Petrucci lacks the so called "emotion" though he is propably the best rock guitarist alive.
------------- This is an electrified fairytale |
Posted By: Philéas
Date Posted: November 06 2006 at 03:09
| Petrucci is more skilled, but I like Lifeson's work better. |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: November 06 2006 at 03:22
Alex Lifeson for me. not that i do not appreciate Petrucci. I discovered Rush 6 years ago (where have i been? ) but DT more than 10 years ago. Well, since I listened and enjoyed Rush, DT does not appeal to me much - although I purchase any album they release. Am I making any sense?
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Posted By: stewe
Date Posted: November 06 2006 at 05:43
| Petrucci is more technically skilled, but Lifeson's guitar is more tasteful and emotional. Vote for Lifeson. |
Posted By: Pseudonym
Date Posted: November 06 2006 at 06:28
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everyone is pointing out the differences between two guitarists...
anything in common for those two?
I enjoy listening to rush and DT equally and the poll shows the same
and I agree with people who think these kinds of polls are unnecessary, especially when results are pretty much 50-50, just a matter of taste
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Posted By: MattiR
Date Posted: November 06 2006 at 07:44
| Alex Lifeson |
Posted By: Masque
Date Posted: November 06 2006 at 09:06
I always knew Peart and Lee were brilliant but I never felt that way about lifeson I always considered lifeson to be the weakest link in Rush there for I vote for Petrucci 
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Posted By: Eat_Paris
Date Posted: November 06 2006 at 11:09
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Dear Ladies&Gents..pls allow me to post what i have in mind (purely subjective?)... hmmm... Lifeson vs Petrucci? rock guitarist vs metal guitarist eh..  for me its difficult to choose because of the following facts: 1. theyre both have big name in their respective genre 2. they both have different style ( no or v less palm muting with Lifeson)3. role of guitarist in a band: - Lifeson fits perfectly into Rush.. the way he plays (lots of "open strings") and sounds (quite thick of reverb/chorus) is just what the band (a trio) need (a guitarist which can fill in "spaces" nicely) - Petrucci is also perfect for DT(a shredder who also can compose very complex and meticulous guitar parts to compliment the whole structure of prog-metal songs which is i think is lot closer to classical music if compared to prog-rock) so for me the only things left to discuss is stage presence and basic skill/techniques for stage presence.. Lifeson got the vote. he moves and interact with audiences better than Petrucci. But i dare to say just slightly better. But for basic skill/techniques... hmmm..... i think this is the only think that i can use to decide. Petrucci is alot faster, better picking, have more "scale weapon", and sure lot more difficultto immitate if compared to Lifeson. speaking of emotion.. what bout spirit carries on? and.. does anger not considered as emotion? ( ever tried to shred my friend?)so as a conclusion (without diminishing my HUGE respect and LOVE towards Rush AND Lifeson) I prefer/choose Petrucci. Thank you (recently been hearing Winger-IV, Frost-Milliontown, A.C.T-Silence, DT-Score) ------------- "love prog .. simply because its beautiful" .. and lindsay lohan =P~ |
Posted By: FragileDT
Date Posted: November 06 2006 at 11:39
Petrucci shreds and can play with emotion, sure. The thing is, a lot of times he crams in too many notes which vastly takes away from the emotion that he was playing with during the beginning of his solo. Petrucci is technically a better guitarist but Lifeson has a better feel. You can't teach a great emotional feel on the guitar. Its the main reason why I like early Clapton, Scofield, Hendrix, ect. They are players that convey emotions very well, which cannot be taught. Given the proper practice and a bunch of years for experience, many people can learn to play like Petrucci. And yes I do have an evening with, as you can read my VERY positive review for it, but once again, there are many times when Petrucci's thousands of notes gets in the way. Some songs on that are brilliant 90% of the time though, some even the entire song. Petrucci sure does have the potential and skill to be a far better guitarist than Lifeson (as I already think he is more skillful) he just needs to mature as a player in my opinion. ------------- One likes to believe In the freedom of music But glittering prizes And endless Compromises Shatter the illusion Of integrity |
Posted By: akin
Date Posted: November 06 2006 at 11:57
| The main reason for me to vote for Lifeson is the album An Evening wtih Petrucci and Rudess because it proves that if Petrucci wanted, he could do good music instead of annoying solos as he does with Dream Theater. |
Posted By: JusLisn
Date Posted: November 06 2006 at 13:02
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I think this is an unfair question. One is technically superior but, IMO, lacks the musical sence of the other (you dicide which is which). It would be an interesting experiment to replace one with the other in their respective bands. ------------- Ad hoc, ad loc and quid pro quo. So little time, so much to know. |
Posted By: eugene
Date Posted: November 06 2006 at 13:10
This was main point for me to vote for Petrucci, as this album highlights him as Musician and superb Guitarist.
------------- carefulwiththataxe |
Posted By: Eat_Paris
Date Posted: November 06 2006 at 22:51
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just a thought.. maybe its a bit difficult because its like comparing apple with orange.. how bout comparing apple to apple? for ex. Petrucci vs Michael Romeo ------------- "love prog .. simply because its beautiful" .. and lindsay lohan =P~ |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 11:36
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hmmm.... Lifeson v. 'he who shall remain nameless' couldn't care less who is a better player Lifeson just sounds better... ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: ThirdEye
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 15:48
Difficult.... Hmmm... But Alex Lifeson 
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Posted By: chessman
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 15:49
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Another 'no contest' choice for me. Petrucci is mechanical, Lifeson is (or was in his youth) innovative, fiery yet controlled, and interesting with a distinctive sound. I would love to hear him play a couple of acoustic numbers a la Steve Hackett (one of his influences). The odd bit of acoustic he does play is well executed. Sometimes he gets a little overlooked because of Peart and Lee having such reputations. But without Lifeson I suspect Rush would never have got anywhere. And I love his solo album too! |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 16:36
Your words, not mine....  |
Posted By: R o V e R
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 16:40
Alex Lifeson 
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 16:42
hey I didn't get make it to this high position here at PA's on good looks and a great personality alone.. some times those nuggets of wisdom just pop out ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: OpethGuitarist
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 16:43
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I now present you micky, the scourge of all things not 70's!
Welcome back man
------------- back from the dead, i will begin posting reviews again and musing through the forums |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 16:51
just taking a stroll down memory lane hahahha.... oh the good times when the symphonic horsemen rode their noble steads through the acne scarred masses pausing only to urinate in the public well that is prog metal ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: Sasquamo
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 17:04
Have you looked at the lyrics to his solo album? I was shocked when I read it. Very crude indeed. Can you imagine what Rush might have become with Alex taking over lyrical duties? |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 17:11
I haven't heard his solo album, curioius to hear it oh yeah.. since when have bad lyrics been a turnoff to Rush fans maybe Lifeson might have turned out as good as Peart did if given 20 years of practice hahahhaha (really couldn't resist that one... that was a hanging slider over the heart of the plate) ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 17:21
shut it you freakin' monkey.... 
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Posted By: dralan
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 17:37
| I like both alot. Petrucci is an amazingly accomplished guitarist and very impressive, but Im gonna go with Lifeson because I feel he has a more original style and plays to fit the song than just overall guitar gymnastics. |
Posted By: Sasquamo
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 18:15
No, I didn't mean it like that, well, just see for yourself. http://www.lyricspy.com/42623/Victor_lyrics/Don_t_Care_lyrics.html |
Posted By: The T
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 18:33
| No comparison....Lifeson was great but not in the same class as petrucci, and not only in virtuosity and technique, but also in melody.... maybe Lifeson has for him that he was first, but he wasn't that original.... for me Lee and Peart were the real treat in rush.... |
Posted By: Uroboros
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 19:39
Oh man, that was fun... that was really fun. Well, I guess that makes Petrucci an obviously more talented lyricist as well, doesn't it? ------------- Tous les chemins qui s’ouvrent à moi ne mènent à rien si tu n’es plus là |
Posted By: Sasquamo
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 20:23
| Can you imagine Rush doing a song with Geddy singing those lyrics? That would make people feel really uncomfortable I bet. |
Posted By: Uroboros
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 22:14
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The lyrics on the first Rush album made me feel slightly uncomfortable already. And those were much better than this... Well, at least they sounded somewhat natural in the context of that age and style. ------------- Tous les chemins qui s’ouvrent à moi ne mènent à rien si tu n’es plus là |
Posted By: WaywardSon
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 22:41
| Lifeson was great in the seventies, but nowadays obviously Petrucci. |
Posted By: Asyte2c00
Date Posted: November 07 2006 at 22:45
| Lifeson. The reason why i started playing guitar. Lifeson puts Page to shame. |
Posted By: Sasquamo
Date Posted: November 09 2006 at 16:52
Agreed |
Posted By: Melomaniac
Date Posted: November 09 2006 at 17:06
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Lifeson, no contest. Petrucci is an amazing technician on guitar, but has no feel whatsoever. And to those who think Lifeson is the weakest link in Rush, remember that he writes all the songs 50-50 with Geddy, therefore he is essential to Rush. ------------- "One likes to believe in the freedom of Music" - Neil Peart, The Spirit of Radio |
Posted By: Revan
Date Posted: November 09 2006 at 19:44
Lifeson's got much more soul. The styles aren't that comparable though, he plays more like eric johnson. Would it be unparcial if i said that i prefer him just a little more for being slav?  Yes it is... what can i do?
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: December 23 2007 at 17:02
| The younger one. |
Posted By: White Shadow
Date Posted: December 23 2007 at 19:46
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Lerxt by far for me. ------------- [signature] |
Posted By: markosherrera
Date Posted: December 23 2007 at 19:48
| I feel that the sound and style of Lifeson is better for my taste |
Posted By: cynthiasmallet
Date Posted: December 23 2007 at 20:01
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Lifeson all the way, both great players but I think that Lifeson is the better band player and has far more stage presence. ------------- Would you like to watch TV, or get between the sheets, or contemplate the silent freeway, would you like something to eat? |
Posted By: White Shadow
Date Posted: December 24 2007 at 19:52
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Why are people trying to "proove" their point of view by naming albums and performance. There is no "evidence" or right answer. It's all subjective. ------------- [signature] |
Posted By: Dim
Date Posted: December 24 2007 at 23:16
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Mr. Technical master mind v major scale 99% of the time.
Petrucci maimes Lifeson with a viking battle axe, and I like Rush WAY more than DT. ------------- 
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Posted By: ES335
Date Posted: December 24 2007 at 23:37
| I voted for Lifeson even though he does annoying whammy bar things from time to time. He is is rythm guitar god and that is an underrated art. |
Posted By: Ryth
Date Posted: December 24 2007 at 23:42
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Alex Lifeson. ------------- http://rateyourmusic.com/~Ryth"> 
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Posted By: ProgBagel
Date Posted: December 24 2007 at 23:48
| Petrucci easily. People have no idea what there talking about when they say he has no feel. Try your average metal band...you'd be suprised. |
Posted By: Dim
Date Posted: December 24 2007 at 23:50
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^Good point.
Besides a lot of music petrucci plays is not based on feel and more on technicality. WHY LIFESON? If you know anything about guitar playing you would know that Lerxt is probably one of the most simplistic guitar players ever. -------------
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Posted By: karakatoa
Date Posted: December 25 2007 at 13:30
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i like both,but lifeson is a great inspiration for petrucci i go with lifeson |
Posted By: Woodbridge
Date Posted: December 25 2007 at 13:39
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Both are phenomenal axemen, but my vote goes to Lifeson. He was the original and is a more influential player than Petrucci is.
John and Alex are both in my top 10 favorite guitar players. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/ChiefKrazyHorse/?chartstyle=basic10">  (Weekly Plays)
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Posted By: alanerc
Date Posted: December 25 2007 at 23:49
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Well, I think both are great and big inspirations to prog.
But, I think, you're comparing master and pupile, I mean, Rush was a great influence to DT, to the 3 original members, Petrucci, Myung and Portnoy. they play very different, but I feel Petrucci more virtuoso, and Lifeson more classic. My vote goes to Lifeson.
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Posted By: alanerc
Date Posted: December 25 2007 at 23:50
y'are right |
Posted By: Stige
Date Posted: December 26 2007 at 08:08
Stop!
I think that "Both" or "ex acqueo" options are the winning option! ------------- Search your mind in your soul |
Posted By: Draith
Date Posted: December 28 2007 at 00:51
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There's something about comparing super great musicians: they are all amazing in their own unique way, because once musicians reach that level of skill they become quite individualized. Both are great guitarists, but which one is better then depends on what you are talking about. As far as technical skill Petrucci beats almost any guitarist you can name hands down, especially Lifeson. However, as far has creativity, I'd say Lifeson beats most guitarists hand down in that regard - his solos and riffs are amazingly creative, but as far as technicality, I could learn to play most of them myself . For fusion fans I guess it's like comparing McLaughlin to Al di Meola (in fact that might make an interesting poll as well).
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Posted By: Dan Bobrowski
Date Posted: December 28 2007 at 01:13
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Petrucci is probably faster, more technically adept, but I'd rather listen to Lifeson, who I find more pleasing to the ear, more lyrical without overstating the solo's message. I doubt Petrucci could play the solo from Limelight with as much feeling as the original, but twenty times faster with a hundred more notes.
Sometimes less is more.
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Posted By: Casartelli
Date Posted: December 28 2007 at 05:06
| It took me quite a while to pin down Lifeson's style, but now that I've found it, I definitely prefer it over Petrucci, although he did some fine work as well, particularly on Awake. |
Posted By: King Crimson776
Date Posted: December 29 2007 at 05:12
| You idiots, this isn't Rush vs. Dream Theater; this is Lifeson vs. Petrucci, and obviously Petrucci owns Lifeson. |
Posted By: ProgBagel
Date Posted: January 04 2008 at 20:44
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Also, I doubt most people have listened to the live album "An Evening With John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess". Tell me if Petrucci doesn't have this 'feel' everyone knows so much about, or improvisational skills, or a wide variety in style, etc...
Don't limit him just to what he does in Dream Theater. This is rating him as a guitarist in general, not just Dream Theater. |
Posted By: Avantgardehead
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 01:01
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Let's see, I like Rush but I can't stand Dream Theater or anything else that John's involved with so I'll go with Mr. Lifeson.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Avantgardian |
Posted By: crimhead
Date Posted: January 05 2008 at 01:10
How bout a Frank Zappa vs. Dream Theater poll? |