Music
DREAM THEATER ‘Wither’ Documentary Details, Q&A with Mike Portnoy
“Of the 10 videos we’ve done through the years, I felt we have never been truly captured ‘in our element…which of course is on tour, playing to our fans, with our lighting and video show. So I thought it was time to do a video that showed us in our ‘real world’ (unlike the ‘fake worlds’ that are usually created when shooting a promo video),” says MIKE PORTOY of DREAM THEATER about the band’s new documentary road video for their new single “Wither” from their 10th studio release BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS (Roadrunner).
Directed by Ramon Boutviseth, who did the same honors for the first clip for the album’s first single “A Rite Of Passage,” the “Wither” video was shot on location in the U.K. (London, Manchester), France (Paris, Lille) and Rotterdam (the Netherlands) as part of DREAM THEATER’s September/October 2009 headlining “Progressive Nation” tour reaching 15 countries.
Meanwhile, the legendary progressive metal masters just launched their headlining down under tour December 1, encompassing seven shows in Australia and New Zealand, wrapping December 12 in Perth, with special guests Pain of Salvation will join the band on all dates except in New Zealand. Look for the band to head to South America in the winter-spring.
Read on for a Q&A with Mike Portnoy about the “Wither” videoand tour dates. How do you feel the song’s somber emotional theme works in the context of a documentary tour video? There’s a weariness to the road (the traveling to and from the shows, NOT the onstage moments) that is captured here.
“I think this video captures the reality of what it’s really like for us on the road. Sure, the two hours on stage are amazing and ultimately why we do this….but the reality is, there are another 22 hours throughout the day which consists of a lot of traveling, interviews, meet & greets and sometimes a tremendous amount of sitting around and waiting….which sometimes can be very lonely.”
What are your thoughts about how the video turned out and how it represents the recent European tour?
“I love the final outcome of this video…it really captured the day to day and hour to hour activities that surround a day on the road with Dream Theater…not only for us, but our crew and our fans as well.”
Can you talk about the experience of performing overseas and connecting with your fans there?
“Touring in Europe and the UK are always some of our best shows and are always among the highlights throughout a World Tour for us….the ‘Wither’ shoot alone captured three amazing audiences and venues for us: The Zenith in Paris, The Ahoy in Rotterdam and Wembley Arena in London….all three of these cities, venues and fans are always favorites of ours!”
Dream Theater – New Zealand / Australia 2009 Tour Dates
Tue 12/1 – Auckland Civic Theatre
Thu 12/3 – Brisbane Convention Centre
Sat 12/5 – Sydney Hordern Pavilion
Mon 12/7 – Melbourne Palais Theatre
Tue 12/8 – Melbourne Palais Theatre
Wed 12/9 – Adelaide Thebarton Theatre
Sat 12/12 – Perth Metro City
Music
‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ Celebrates 60 Years with Limited Zoetrope Vinyl Release
A Halloween classic turns 60 this October, and Craft Recordings is celebrating with a special limited edition vinyl release for Peanuts special “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”.
Arriving August 7 and available to pre-order today, this anniversary reissue comes pressed on an eye-catching 45 RPM zoetrope LP, featuring memorable scenes from the special on each side, plus a new essay from Sean Mendelson.
Get a peek at the cool new release below.
The release features Vince Guaraldi‘s jazzy score, including favorites like “The Great Pumpkin Waltz,” “Graveyard Theme,” and, of course, the iconic “Linus and Lucy.”
After its first official release in 2018 and rerelease upon the discovery of the original master tapes in 2022, the soundtrack returns to vinyl in its entirety, alongside a selection of rare outtakes.
If the zoetrope LP isn’t enticing enough, look for a variety of limited-edition Halloween treats that can be found at exclusive retail partners, including an Orange 4-inch Tiny Vinyl (Target) available starting July 17, featuring “The Great Pumpkin Waltz” on Side A and “Graveyard Theme” on Side B. Pumpkin-shaped pressings will also be available in exclusive colorways from August 21st, including Electric Pumpkin Patch (Barnes & Noble), Pumpkin Spice (Walmart), Ghost White (Target), and Candy Corn (Craft Recordings). Additionally, the Orange Pumpkin pressing will be back by popular demand at all major retailers.
In the 1966 animated special, the Peanuts gang celebrates Halloween. Linus hopes that he will finally be visited by The Great Pumpkin, while Charlie Brown is invited to a Halloween party.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown tracklist:
Side A:
1. Linus and Lucy
2. Graveyard Theme
3. Snoopy and the Leaf/Frieda (With the Naturally Curly Hair)
4. The Great Pumpkin Waltz
5. Linus and Lucy (Reprise)
6. Charlie Brown Theme/Charlie Brown Theme (Minor Theme)/Graveyard Theme (Reprise)
7. The Great Pumpkin Waltz (Reprise)
8. The Red Baron/Military Drum March
9. The Great Pumpkin Waltz (2nd Reprise)/The Great Pumpkin Waltz (3rd Reprise)
10. Graveyard Theme (Trick or Treat) (2nd Reprise)
11. Fanfare/Breathless/Graveyard Theme (Trick or Treat) (3rd Reprise)
12. Charlie Brown Theme (Reprise)
Side B:
1. Breathless (2nd Reprise)
2. It’s a Long Way to Tipperary/There’s a Long, Long Trail A-Winding/Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag/Roses of Picardy
3. Graveyard Theme (Trick or Treat) (4th Reprise)
4. Linus and Lucy (2nd Reprise)/Linus and Lucy (3rd Reprise)
5. Charlie Brown Theme (2nd Reprise)
6. Linus and Lucy (Alternate Take 1)
7. Graveyard Theme (Alternate Take 1)
8. Charlie Brown Theme (Alternate Reprise Take 1)
9. Linus and Lucy (Alternate Take 2)
10. The Great Pumpkin Waltz (Alternate Reprise Take 2)
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