Symphonic Rock Meets Broadway (aka: Arjen Lucassen is an effing genius!)

[Rex Rox]

If you were lucky enough to have been anywhere near Tilburg, Netherlands and caught these shows then I am jealous!

Trekkies: In case you were wondering - yes that is Q from "Star Trek: The Next Generation" as the narrator/overlord.









These 2 have James Labrie (Dream Theater) on vox. Check out how tall Floor Jansen is next to James Labrie in this one (definitely a Viking queen in her last/this life). She's probably in heels but I believe she is like 6 feet tall without them.

 

[GitGuy513]

My longtime friend and keyboard player has been a super fan of Arjen and Ayreon for a long time. We have a lot of similar musical tastes. He always goes for the epic type stuff quicker than I do. I’m more Jazz Fusion jam and groove oriented. For example he’s been a huge Dream Theater fan from just about their beginning and so am I, but there’s some DT I like more than others. We first bonded over bands like Yes and Genesis. Sometimes newer Prog can be too derivative for me.

This is very good and high levels of musicianship. Gotta love John De Lancie (Q)! The only time I watched a soap opera was when he was on Days Of Our Lives for a short period in the 80’s. He coupled with an actress who were always getting into wacky trouble. Then on his last episode he had created a Time Machine and used it and disappeared for good.

 

[Rex Rox]

My longtime friend and keyboard player has been a super fan of Arjen and Ayreon for a long time. We have a lot of similar musical tastes. He always goes for the epic type stuff quicker than I do. I’m more Jazz Fusion jam and groove oriented. For example he’s been a huge Dream Theater fan from just about their beginning and so am I, but there’s some DT I like more than others. We first bonded over bands like Yes and Genesis. Sometimes newer Prog can be too derivative for me.

This is very good and high levels of musicianship. Gotta love John De Lancie (Q)! The only time I watched a soap opera was when he was on Days Of Our Lives for a short period in the 80’s. He coupled with an actress who were always getting into wacky trouble. Then on his last episode he had created a Time Machine and used it and disappeared for good.

I have one foot firmly planted on each side of the Jazz/Fusion and Prog fence - I love them both. But I totally agree with you on new prog. Arjen isn't shy about emulating his prog heroes. I think it is his storytelling that truly sets him apart. There is enough plot depth and character development so that each of his concept albums could all easily be turned into novels or SciFi films. The list of singers he gets to play characters in his epics always makes the stories come alive. I wish he would bring just one of those productions to the US. But either way his stuff is some of my favorite headphone music - the kind that takes you a journey.

And I never knew that Q was on a soap! I only knew him from TNG.

Here's one to your point. This song sounds very derivative of Jethro Tull - but then the overall arrangement changes and the voices save it from sounding too derivative for me. Especially since the classical sections are pure Arjen.

 

[GitGuy513]

I have one foot firmly planted on each side of the Jazz/Fusion and Prog fence - I love them both

This probably describes me for the most part. So Lucassen has never toured in the US or just never a major production like this? I thought my friend saw him once. Then again my friend is married to someone from Germany and they visit her family a good bit. Maybe it was on one of those trips.

Thanks for posting these I have been watching them and enjoying it.

 

[Rex Rox]

This probably describes me for the most part. So Lucassen has never toured in the US or just never a major production like this? I thought my friend saw him once. Then again my friend is married to someone from Germany and they visit her family a good bit. Maybe it was on one of those trips.

Thanks for posting these I have been watching them and enjoying it.

To my knowledge he hasn't played here - and definitely not for any of the big broadway-esque productions. I believe they have all been in his backyard in Tillburg, Netherlands. I can imagine they cost a sh*t ton to put on. But I am sure in Tillburg they are guaranteed sellouts every time.

Oh well, there's always the Blurays I guess!

 

[Overcaster]

Been a fan since like 2008, probably listened to the albums so much that I can arrange the lyrics alphabetically.

Arjen is a musical mastermind and overall an absolutely amazing person.
Bringing so many talented people together in a really musical, melodical way is nothing short of genius. The songs are never bland, never cookie-cutter and there is lots of social commentary in there to make you think.