When Dream and Day Unite - 35 Years on...

[Stadler]

I'm listening to When Dream And Day Reunite now, and I forgot how good this was.  Holy mackerel.

By the way I LOVE Status Seeker; I love that keyboard intro.  It's not very "Dream Theater" as we later came to know it, but I love that sound.

[Dedalus]

I'm listening to When Dream And Day Reunite now, and I forgot how good this was.  Holy mackerel.

By the way I LOVE Status Seeker; I love that keyboard intro.  It's not very "Dream Theater" as we later came to know it, but I love that sound.

We are two then

[Setlist Scotty]

And I am not with you two. That's the only thing that brings that song down, IMO. Much prefer the reworked version they played on the Music in Progress tour.

[Trav]

I'm listening to When Dream And Day Reunite now, and I forgot how good this was.  Holy mackerel.

By the way I LOVE Status Seeker; I love that keyboard intro.  It's not very "Dream Theater" as we later came to know it, but I love that sound.

We are two then

It's probably my favorite track on the album.

[bosk1]

I have always liked Status Seeker.  I put it somewhere in the middle of the album.  Only ones I really don't like off the top of my head are TOWHTSTS and Afterlife.

[Cool Chris]

Don't love it.  But the band was REALLY smart to have done that anniversary show and put out WDADRU so fans could gain exposure to these songs.  I probably would never have paid attention to most of them otherwise.

Definitely. Even if it gained a few fans, it was a bold decision. I know Mike said on commentary that it might have put some fans at the show off, which is fair. If I was at the show, not having been familiar with that album at all, I do not know how I would have reacted.

My first taste of a song from this album is Only A Matter of Time from Budakon.

Might have been for me as well. I honestly do not know how I was introduced to WD&DU but I know it was past 2000. 

[kirksnosehair]

I gave this a listen this morning at the gym.  It's not an album I revisit all that often but I always enjoy it when I do.

[Super Dude]

I have always liked Status Seeker.  I put it somewhere in the middle of the album.  Only ones I really don't like off the top of my head are TOWHTSTS and Afterlife.

It's funny because Status Seeker is my all-time least favorite DT song from the MP era, while TOWHTSTS is among my favorites.

[Trav]

TOWHTSTS is the one I assume is my least favorite. Then I listen to it, and it's badass. Especially the intro and the guitar solo section.  I can't pick a least favorite. I love every song on this album.  I don't go back to this album often, but when I do it gets repeat listens. Then I dig out the WDADU demos and I just get sucked into this whole era.

[Architeuthis]

I have still never heard this studio album to this day, and I've been hooked on DT since Images and Words. I have the live version on dvd with JLB, but I never got around to ordering the album.
I need to quit being a jerk and order a copy.

Since I haven't heard the album yet, the only flaw I can see is the artwork cover.  Cringeworthy. 

[Elite]

My first taste of a song from this album is Only A Matter of Time from Budakon.

That one's a great performance indeed!

[gzarruk]

My first taste of a song from this album is Only A Matter of Time from Budakon.

That one's a great performance indeed!

That one and TKH Live at the Marquee 

[Elite]

Live at the Marquee may very well be my favourite DT live release.. 

But that's maybe also mostly because it's short. Scenes From New York and Score are great too, but I'll never have time to listen to those in one sitting, whereas Marquee basically fits in my morning commute.

[IgnotusPerIgnotium]

While we talk about live albums from that era, are you guys familiar with the Osaka Samurai CD? I was fortunate enough to get it many years ago and it basically has the entire I&W plus some great songs from WDADU like Another Hand/The Killing Hand and Only a Matter of Time. This release is easily in my top 3 live albums of the band!

[hefdaddy42]

While we talk about live albums from that era, are you guys familiar with the Osaka Samurai CD? I was fortunate enough to get it many years ago and it basically has the entire I&W plus some great songs from WDADU like Another Hand/The Killing Hand and Only a Matter of Time. This release is easily in my top 3 live albums of the band!

Sounds like a bootleg, so not a real band release.  But no, I've never heard of it.

[pg1067]

While we talk about live albums from that era, are you guys familiar with the Osaka Samurai CD? I was fortunate enough to get it many years ago and it basically has the entire I&W plus some great songs from WDADU like Another Hand/The Killing Hand and Only a Matter of Time. This release is easily in my top 3 live albums of the band!

Sounds like a bootleg, so not a real band release.  But no, I've never heard of it.

I've never heard of it either, but it sounds like one of many bootlegs from the I&W tour -- e.g., this one, https://dreamtheater.fandom.com/wiki/New_York_City_3/4/93 , which I received a copy of on cassette via *Prodigy sometime in mid-1993, and which was later released as an "official bootleg" through Ytse Jam Records.

[hefdaddy42]

While we talk about live albums from that era, are you guys familiar with the Osaka Samurai CD? I was fortunate enough to get it many years ago and it basically has the entire I&W plus some great songs from WDADU like Another Hand/The Killing Hand and Only a Matter of Time. This release is easily in my top 3 live albums of the band!

Sounds like a bootleg, so not a real band release.  But no, I've never heard of it.

I've never heard of it either, but it sounds like one of many bootlegs from the I&W tour -- e.g., this one, https://dreamtheater.fandom.com/wiki/New_York_City_3/4/93 , which I received a copy of on cassette via *Prodigy sometime in mid-1993, and which was later released as an "official bootleg" through Ytse Jam Records.

Yeah, I had that one under a different name before the Official Bootleg was released.

[IgnotusPerIgnotium]

I've never heard of it either, but it sounds like one of many bootlegs from the I&W tour -- e.g., this one, https://dreamtheater.fandom.com/wiki/New_York_City_3/4/93 , which I received a copy of on cassette via *Prodigy sometime in mid-1993, and which was later released as an "official bootleg" through Ytse Jam Records.

Another great live too. Honestly it might be better than the one I mentioned! I mean it has Eve and A Change of Seasons..that's incredible!

As for the Osaka Samurai this is the album and the tracklist, https://www.discogs.com/Dream-Theater-Osaka-Samurai/release/7380191

[Setlist Scotty]

Looks like it's one of the soundboard recordings included in the Forbidden Dreams bootleg set, which also includes another show from their 1993 run through Japan (from the same leg of the show featured on Live in Tokyo). The sound on those 3 recordings is absolutely killer and I can imagine might have been released as part of the official bootleg series if they hadn't already gotten into circulation.

[pg1067]

I've never heard of it either, but it sounds like one of many bootlegs from the I&W tour -- e.g., this one, https://dreamtheater.fandom.com/wiki/New_York_City_3/4/93 , which I received a copy of on cassette via *Prodigy sometime in mid-1993, and which was later released as an "official bootleg" through Ytse Jam Records.

Another great live too. Honestly it might be better than the one I mentioned! I mean it has Eve and A Change of Seasons..that's incredible!

As for the Osaka Samurai this is the album and the tracklist, https://www.discogs.com/Dream-Theater-Osaka-Samurai/release/7380191

Yeah...with the obvious exception of the demo tracks, that's the same set list as when I saw them twice in November 1992, which makes sense since the two shows I saw bookended the band's three show trip to Japan.

I also have this one:  https://www.last.fm/music/Dream+Theater/Majestic+Harmonies

They must have been seriously wiped:  Tuesday, Nov. 10 in San Francisco, Wednesday, Nov. 11 in San Jose, Thursday, Nov. 12 in Westminster (the first show I saw), Friday, Nov. 13 in West Hollywood, Tuesday through Thursday, Nov. 17-19 in Japan (the 11/19 show is the one recorded for your boot), then Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 23-25 in San Diego, Phoenix and El Paso.  They got Thanksgiving off but were back at it the following Friday and Saturday in OKC and Dallas.

[pg1067]

Looks like it's one of the soundboard recordings included in the Forbidden Dreams bootleg set, which also includes another show from their 1993 run through Japan (from the same leg of the show featured on Live in Tokyo). The sound on those 3 recordings is absolutely killer and I can imagine might have been released as part of the official bootleg series if they hadn't already gotten into circulation.

I think the one that Ignotus mentioned is from the November 19, 1992 show, whereas Live in Tokyo is from August 1993 (with the differences being that they switched up the WDADU songs, swapped out Moon Bubbles for Puppies on Acid, and added TLF and Eve).  Isn't that right?

[Setlist Scotty]

Looks like it's one of the soundboard recordings included in the Forbidden Dreams bootleg set, which also includes another show from their 1993 run through Japan (from the same leg of the show featured on Live in Tokyo). The sound on those 3 recordings is absolutely killer and I can imagine might have been released as part of the official bootleg series if they hadn't already gotten into circulation.

I think the one that Ignotus mentioned is from the November 19, 1992 show, whereas Live in Tokyo is from August 1993 (with the differences being that they switched up the WDADU songs, swapped out Moon Bubbles for Puppies on Acid, and added TLF and Eve).  Isn't that right?

No - I know what show Ignotus is referring to. I'm just commenting that in the Forbidden Dreams bootleg (which is a collection of 3 Japanese shows), not only is there the 1992/11/19 show, but *also* one of the shows they did on their second run through Japan - can't remember if it's the show from August 23 or 28 (there are soundboard recordings circulating of both shows). But yeah, like almost all the shows they did on Images and Tour/Music in Progress, they played all of IaW and 3 tracks from WDaDU and changed up some live-only instrumental pieces, depending on the leg of the tour.

[hefdaddy42]

Looks like it's one of the soundboard recordings included in the Forbidden Dreams bootleg set, which also includes another show from their 1993 run through Japan (from the same leg of the show featured on Live in Tokyo). The sound on those 3 recordings is absolutely killer and I can imagine might have been released as part of the official bootleg series if they hadn't already gotten into circulation.

OK.  I have Forbidden Dreams somewhere.

[bosk1]

I think I do too.  I remember having so much fun collecting DT bootlegs back in the day.  Then it just got to a point where it was overwhelming and started feeling like a chore.  I have them all in a box.

[hefdaddy42]

I think I do too.  I remember having so much fun collecting DT bootlegs back in the day.  Then it just got to a point where it was overwhelming and started feeling like a chore.  I have them all in a box.

Same.

[King Postwhore]

I think I do too.  I remember having so much fun collecting DT bootlegs back in the day.  Then it just got to a point where it was overwhelming and started feeling like a chore.  I have them all in a box.

Same.

I was so insane with every Rush tour that I had audio bootlegs and video bootlegs.  Nothing more insane than buying a VCR tape for $25 for a single camera, crappy audio of a concert.  Oh, and I had to pay to get in to buy these bootlegs.

[ytserush]

I think I do too.  I remember having so much fun collecting DT bootlegs back in the day.  Then it just got to a point where it was overwhelming and started feeling like a chore.  I have them all in a box.

Same.

I was so insane with every Rush tour that I had audio bootlegs and video bootlegs.  Nothing more insane than buying a VCR tape for $25 for a single camera, crappy audio of a concert.  Oh, and I had to pay to get in to buy these bootlegs.

Those were the days....

[nick_z]

LOVE When Dream and Day Unite! All of the usual appreciation for the youthful energy and enthusiasm apply here, but above all I still think it's a fantastic collection of creative, varied and exciting metal songs. Obviously it doesn't sound as "mature" as I&W (funny to use that word for a sophomore effort) but I have always enjoyed it so much. The production is what it is, but it doesn't really bother me. And while the vocals can't touch prime JLB, they actually work ok for the songs.

I always thought that while I&W brought a bit of AOR influence in the progressive + metal mix (in the best possible way), WDADU was really the record where Rush were jamming with some of the more adventurous metal bands of the 80s, to come up with something quite unique. A Fortune in Lies and Killing Hand are probably my favorite (KH's version on Live at the Marquee probably even better - not so much, or not only, because of James' vocals, but thanks to Another Hand as the intro...). Ytse Jam is always a fun one, and I would agree with the Status Seeker's appreciation comments: such a cool intro and overall song. Interestingly enough, Only a Matter of Time was an early favorite, but I do find its busy vocal lines a bit much these days. Still like it, though. As I do the rest of "side B".

Bottom line - still a big fan!

[ytserush]

LOVE When Dream and Day Unite! All of the usual appreciation for the youthful energy and enthusiasm apply here, but above all I still think it's a fantastic collection of creative, varied and exciting metal songs. Obviously it doesn't sound as "mature" as I&W (funny to use that word for a sophomore effort) but I have always enjoyed it so much. The production is what it is, but it doesn't really bother me. And while the vocals can't touch prime JLB, they actually work ok for the songs.

I always thought that while I&W brought a bit of AOR influence in the progressive + metal mix (in the best possible way), WDADU was really the record where Rush were jamming with some of the more adventurous metal bands of the 80s, to come up with something quite unique. A Fortune in Lies and Killing Hand are probably my favorite (KH's version on Live at the Marquee probably even better - not so much, or not only, because of James' vocals, but thanks to Another Hand as the intro...). Ytse Jam is always a fun one, and I would agree with the Status Seeker's appreciation comments: such a cool intro and overall song. Interestingly enough, Only a Matter of Time was an early favorite, but I do find its busy vocal lines a bit much these days. Still like it, though. As I do the rest of "side B".

Bottom line - still a big fan!

That album made an impression on me from the get go and arrived at the perfect time in my world.

[OpenYourEyes311]

I got WDADU sometime in 2004 between April (show 1) and August (show 2). It was about a year after I got into the band. I remember knowing the titles to the songs and recognizing the title "Light Fuse and Get Away" when they played it in Boston that year. Little did I know that that was only the fourth (and last) time they'd played it with JLB. That's a night I wish I could re-live (although the bootleg kinda lets me).

Then I was familiar with the album when they played "A Fortune In Lies" in Worcester. It was one of the best songs of the night. No boot for this show exists though.

Now I love it any time they play stuff from this album. Getting Ytsejam in 2011, and Afterlife in 2006 (in CT and NYC), I've only seen half the album live. Still waiting on TKH and OaMoT, two of my favorite DT songs ever.

Interesting local tour fact: Afterlife is the only song from the album not ever played in Boston/MA. I'm lucky to have seen it twice!

EDIT: The lack of WDaDU in the setlist in the last decade makes me sad. No songs played stateside since 2012, if I remember correctly. I hope they bring at least one track out next tour!

[ReaPsTA]

EDIT: The lack of WDaDU in the setlist in the last decade makes me sad. No songs played stateside since 2012, if I remember correctly. I hope they bring at least one track out next tour!

The DT fanbase now is all long-time fans and internet kids. Those songs would kill

[KevShmev]

Random thing: I was a local vinyl shop this weekend and they actually had a copy of When Dream and Day Unite.  I am trying to keep my vinyl collection to either major favorites and/or ones with really awesome covers.  Even though I like the DT debut a lot, that cover is not good, so I couldn't pull the trigger.  And that was not going to be only one of two DT albums I own on vinyl (I currently have Awake, still hoping to get I&W and Scenes).

[OpenYourEyes311]

Random thing: I was a local vinyl shop this weekend and they actually had a copy of When Dream and Day Unite.  I am trying to keep my vinyl collection to either major favorites and/or ones with really awesome covers.  Even though I like the DT debut a lot, that cover is not good, so I couldn't pull the trigger.  And that was not going to be only one of two DT albums I own on vinyl (I currently have Awake, still hoping to get I&W and Scenes).

How much? And do you wanna pick that up for me?

[ytserush]

Random thing: I was a local vinyl shop this weekend and they actually had a copy of When Dream and Day Unite.  I am trying to keep my vinyl collection to either major favorites and/or ones with really awesome covers.  Even though I like the DT debut a lot, that cover is not good, so I couldn't pull the trigger.  And that was not going to be only one of two DT albums I own on vinyl (I currently have Awake, still hoping to get I&W and Scenes).

Original or one of the many reissues that seem to be around?

[Setlist Scotty]

Random thing: I was a local vinyl shop this weekend and they actually had a copy of When Dream and Day Unite.  I am trying to keep my vinyl collection to either major favorites and/or ones with really awesome covers.  Even though I like the DT debut a lot, that cover is not good, so I couldn't pull the trigger.  And that was not going to be only one of two DT albums I own on vinyl (I currently have Awake, still hoping to get I&W and Scenes).

Original or one of the many reissues that seem to be around?

Of WDaDU on vinyl?!? Not that it matters to me since I don't collect vinyl, but this is the first I've ever heard of there being reissues of that album on vinyl.