CD Review
This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010.
These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins.
Artist: Jordan Rudess
Album: Notes On a Dream (2009 Self Published)
Tracks: 12
Artist website: http://www.jordanrudess.com
REVIEW OVERVIEW:
This year, 2009, is Mr. Rudess’ 10th anniversary as the man behind the keyboards with New York based prog-metal outfit Dream Theater. Rudess takes on Dream Theater’s catalog and focuses on the ballads. Everything is performed on solo piano. Notes on a Dream also features three new works by Rudess.
Jordan Rudess is a classically trained Juliard alumni. It is really great to hear him play and utilize his classical background here. He is also an exceptional improviser and there are some passages on this album that make for jaw dropping moments. I was amazed by how well this material works in a solo piano setting and would gladly pay good money to see these pieces played live like this.
I would strongly urge any fan of music to give this album a listen. Especially fans of solo piano music. While this album may primarily seem to be a celebration of Dream Theater’s music, it really is more of a celebration of musicianship and the art of playing piano as a solo instrument.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Lifting Shadows Off a Dream, Another Day, The Grand Escapement
PLAY BY PLAY REVIEW
Track 1 – Through Her Eyes
What a wonderful rendition of this piece that is considered one of the classics from Dream Theater’s 1999 masterpiece Scenes From A Memory.
Track 2 – Lifting Shadows Off a Dream
Dynamic and expressive! Not that the original recording isn’t, but this is something else!
Track 3 – Perpetuum Mobile
This is one of the new compositions by Rudess. It’s quite cool.
Track 4 – The Silent Man
I always thought this would make for a great solo piano piece and boy am I proven right!
Track 5 – Another Day
That was different… the intro, that is. I love this intro. This needs to be thrown into the middle of this piece when Dream Theater do this piece live. I especially love the new arrangement in the bridge!
Track 6 – Hollow Years
Beautiful! (Enough said)
Track 7 – The Grand Escapement
Undoubtedly written to satisfy the expectations of Dream Theater fans and fans of virtuosity, this track delivers! Wow! What surprised me is that it doesn’t do so at the price of being so over the top that it stops being musical.
Track 8 – The Spirit Carries On
This is perhaps the most beloved Dream Theater ballad. Dare I say, more beloved than some of the other proggy/heavy songs in the Dream Theater catalog. Mr. Rudess takes this song to a whole new level here. Fantastic!
Track 9 – Speak To Me
This version is fantastic.
Track 10 – The Answer Lies Within
This is absolutely sublime!
Track 11 – Collision Point
What a tour de force! This is the jaw dropper and it clocks in at 1 minute and 9 seconds!
Track 12 – Vacant
Vacant originally featured piano, bass, cello, and vocals. While listening to this rendition, I did not find myself missing any of the other instruments. The playing here is far more dynamic and expressive than in the original recording.