Listening to Dream Theater - The Count Of Tuscany 

Jordan Rudess reacts to his own band

This song is true Dream Theater to me.

More music in one song than most bands entire albums.

I don't listen to Dream Theater and other prog bands with other people. I love listening to them when I'm sitting down on the couch alone with my nice speakers and ONLY listening to the music.

You cant go wrong with any longer format Dream Theater song. a few more... A Change of Seasons, The Ministry of Lost Souls, The Best of Times, In the Name of God

Everybody else: "This sounds just like: (insert band here)" Me: But this sounds better and takes me to more places.

Fun Fact! The Count Of Tuscany is based off of a true story regarding an experience John Petrucci had with the actual Count Of Tuscany: Count Niccolò Capponi. The lyrics describe his younger brother though Sebastiano (the person whom John met although John also met Niccolò as well).

This song holds a special place in my heart. This is the song I was listening to when I fount out my grandpa died.... needless to say the final passages were pretty tough on me.

I've known the song for many years, but every time I hear it I get goosebumps. Definitely one of Dream Theater's best songs! :)

Hi Jim, I live 30 km from the place the song is about (Villa Calcinaia, Greve in Chianti - Florence - TUSCANY - Italy). It is a magical place that John Petrucci really visited years ago. I am proud of this, and whenever I pass by I hear the notes of this song in my head. I love her! Thank you for your reactions from Dream Theater

The Count of Tuscany is the epitaph of Dreamtheater's creativity..the last Masterpiece John and Mike gave the world before their roads split into different directions..and the band was never the same again..

This tune is simply sensational, the sheer majesty of it I almost find it to beautiful to describe. We’re expecting our first child and the petrucci guitar work leading into the finale makes me and my wife think of our innocent little girl sleeping peacefully in my wife’s womb. Fantastic review Jim this is my favourite tune of all time.

"Sounds like Rush". Alex Lifeson is a big influence to Petrucci, the guitar player. He likes how Lifeson would add like 9th and 11th in the guitar chords to make a single guitar sound bigger. Great reaction. I think DT's first "epic" A Change of Seasons would be a good reaction, since you've listened to later ones.

Welcome 🙏 too the DT family brother!!!!

From the same record I suggest The Best of Times tune, a gorgeous stupendous song 🎵 with the best guitar solo 🎸 ever in the history of rock 🎧

So, a highly controversial pick would be The Astonishing by Dream Theater. It is their biggest concept album to date at over 2 hours long. I was at a gig for this album. They only played this album, from start to finish, in a row, it was amazing. It is controversial because the average song length is "only" around 4 minutes, half of their usual average. But, by listening to the entirety of the album, in one sitting, all 2 hours and a few, it's basically an audio only musical. IMO it's James LaBrie's best performance since Scenes From A Memory, as he sings all the characters in the story masterfully.

I've never been a big fan of James Labrie, but man he nailed this piece

My 4 year old daughter knows most of the words to Dream Theater - Pull Me Under. So happy when you see your kids listening to great music and when they hear pop music they say what is this rubbish. Makes me a happy dad.

" You're not gonna be humming this in your car. " Maybe YOU don't! lol

If you like dream theater's symphonic stuff, you want to check out Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, especially the live version off the Score album. You probably don't want to do a video on it, since the song is 40 damn minutes. But check it out on your own sometime, because for me, it's the pinnacle of their symphonic composition style. It basically expresses six different types of mental abnormalities, and each movement, and the style it's written in is supposed to evoke the mental state. Like I said, probably not a good candidate for a reaction video just because of its sheer length, but definitely worth a listen sometime. My recommendation for a legitimate reaction video is probably my favorite song by them, off of most people's least favorite album by them, Lines in the Sand. It features Doug from Kings X on backup vocals in the chorus of the studio version.

DT are all about odd time signatures, unisons & nuances ... never fail to impress.

Ohh and maybe another recommendation - "Symphony X - The Odyssey" for an epic journey :P, or "Symphony X - Paradise Lost" for one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.

Finally I am here able to watch it fully !.. i strongly suggest the best DT album 💿 for a reaction. metropolis part 2 - Scenes from a memory 1999 concept album 📀 there is a nice 👍🏼 lyric video 📼 in the web . You will love it. Another nice suggestion to a new band to explore is NOFX - The Decline , masterpiece song. A kind of progression inside punk rock melodic hardcore music 🎵 as every time THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for your attention and kindness 👍🏼🧡

Illumination Theory is great, and there's a beautifull live version

Your expression at the min 11:00/11:30 priceless !

Trial of Tears next! Keep the Dream Theater experience going.

The guitar work on this song is simply flawless and incredible. John Petrucci is a master. Some pieces of the intro are very reminiscent to Xanadu by Rush who are arguably Dream Theater's biggest influence.

Jumped on board with dream theater back with Images and Words back in middle school...clear up through Distance Over Time. Since the first time I heard it all the way to right this second this has been and remains my favorite Dream Theater song. Not the most complicated or challenging for them I’m sure. But it just gets me

To me, this is dream theater at their absolute peak. Every single person shines in this song and absolutely played their hearts out. From the score to the storytelling to the performance, everything about this song is golden. Some people say they lyrics are cheesy, but I disagree as they tell the story well and really get into what the protagonist (that would be Petrucci, this song is based on a real experience he had touring Italy) was feeling. Besides, who doesn’t like a good cheese, anyway? :p. Also, I firmly believe that this is the best Portnoy has ever recorded a song. The drums here are just pure lyrical genius.

As if this is the first time you have listened to this. Great track.

My favorite long form DT track is called In The Presence of Enemies part I and part II. IMO it is the magnum opus of this band. most fans would say "a change of seasons" is their best work, but in the presence of enemies is a tad better for me. musically they are both stellar, but the lyrics and story is more interesting. Another great example in a slightly shorter song is Learning to Live. Its my favorite song by them of any kind and paints a very rich picture of a certain time and place and mood. Id highly recommend checking that out, especially if you want to get into their long form story telling.

Next DT songs: In The Presence of Enemies (both parts combined!), Illumination Theory, A Change of Seasons!

Best Song Ever !! They played it live on the last tour. I have watched it 30 plus times on my phone.

Great Reaction! Dream Theater has, like you said, a mix of different progressive styles, and every song is a little different, if not a LOT different. A few of my favorites to react to, if you haven't already, "Under A Glass Moon," "Constant Motion," and "Another Won" live 2006 version.

when i was eighteen i joined to croatian army because there was a war (1994) only thing i had was old walkmen from trieste and awake to listen all the time.that kept me sane an keep going on,aand ,oon aaand ooon

Instant classic from the first listen.. absolutely love this song. You accurately touched on a lot of influences and the middle ethereal section is very much similar to the same section in “The Gates of Delirium” by Yes who I absolutely adore and so does the band. Great reaction thank you!

One of the best songs ever!! This is a Masterpiece OMG Epic composing 🎼🎸 Love you Guys ✌️

Jim, if you haven't you've gotta listen to the Change of Seasons. Dream theater has plenty of fantastic songs, but that one is one of my favorites, plus it has a sort of chilling story behind it. The Count of Tuscany - last good song/album (the newer albums had a few good songs but nothing that compares to the Portnoy era) for me. That being said I've gotta give a better listen to the newest album. It didn't strike me as anything particularly awesome when I first listened to it, although I believe I only listened to like half of the album.

"LET ME INTRODUCE ....... MY BROTHER" "Okay"

This song is a GD MASTERPIECE and I’m so happy you listened to it! And guys... GUYS!!!!! I GOT MY TICKETS TO SEE THEM HERE IN RENO IN NOVEMBER!!!!! It’s been a lifelong dream and it’s finally happening!!!! Got great seats too 😭😭😭👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

let me introduce.. my brother.. he lives in Milton Keynes, in the uk.. LOL, my new headphones and your perfect sound system make the song fabulous !

BC&SL is by far the best mixed album they ever made. And so angry portnoy left because this CD was amazing. Would’ve love to see what would’ve come next.

I can't express enough how much I enjoy seeing the sheer love I have for Dream Theater and their ability to move those who truly listen to their music reflected in your reactions as you listen. I enjoy your videos and many of your musical choices, but your responses to Dream Theater are what I look forward to the most. I feel you truly "get it" which sadly isn't the case with everyone who hears them. Kudos!

Fewer words. Masterpiece and absolute brilliance. This track may not get people laid but it could assist humanity as an whole. If "genius" "leaders" could be neither of either.

After your alert 🚨 here I am!.. I missed this one ☝️ so after dinner this will be my music 🎵 food 😍 thank you

the best song of dream theater for me :))

THE BEST OF TIMES ......

There's a reason they sound a lot like Rush there are two main bands that they were influenced by and that was Yes and Rush

It's a masterpiece. And an absolute private moment within oneself. Perhaps their best song as a band. And yes, you were moved as much as I. More listens are better everytime

Lyrically, on a personal note, Learning to Live is my fave. And if you ever do a full album reaction, Stream of Consciousness is WAY over the top for musicianship.

The first DT song that I fell in love with. That mid section is heart melting. You summed it up brilliantly there. “Just insanely clever. And gorgeous.”

Oh hell yeah! This is probably my overall favourite DT song.

I so love the last section following the harmonics. It crescendos without losing control. Their latest album is also full of gems. Thanks for posting, Jim.

The ethereal middle section definitely inspired by Yes- The Gates of Delirium

I love that 9/8 feel just before James comes in

What are the greatest bands ever that's what you get when all the musicians are professionally trainedthey're very refreshing because they're not one of your three chord bands

Good Morning Jim :) Don't worry about the tool videos thankfully there is a lot more awesome bands that we all can check out together

Min 18:00 you made me cry 😭

Great video! You remind me of Cypher on the Matrix :-)

Sacrificed Sons is amazing. It's about the 911 attacks and has one of the most chilling guitar leads I've even heard.

21:33 AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Absolutely love the instrumentals on this but the lyrics are a little cheesy. There was a second disc with this album that was only instrumentals ... along with a disc of covers which they nailed Maiden's 'To Tame A Land' and Rainbow's 'Stargazer'

Nice reaction Jim. Just how I felt when I started listening to Dream Theater about 10 years ago. I'm almost jealous that you're going on this journey of discovery now! The whole album Black Clouds & Silver Linings is wonderful, The Best Of Times is epic & may make you shed a tear (it did me, reminding me of my dad) and Shattered Fortress has my favourite Petrucci solo in it. Can't wait for you to react to these & more - enjoy!

I think the lyrics are amazing. It's great story telling. I don't get why people say the lyrics are "cheesy." You could easily say that Rush's 2112 lyrics are cheesy but they're not. It's all just great story telling. I believe the lyrics for The Count of Tuscany are based on actual events.

I love Dream Theater. I love the long (live) instrumental (solo) parts but the text are also very good. James has a very warm voice. On the backs of angels is one of my favorite songs.

Another great epic...

Theres similar themes that run all through this album. And they're changed slightly each time but always revert back which is cool

Interesting, just yesterday I stumbled upon your Octavarium reaction (again) and wondered why you haven’t done more of those. And here we are! Love how you drifted off towards the end! BTW, awesome camera quality!

Dream theater - Instrumedely Live

There are many amazing things about this song but one of them I'll comment on is the verse where Portnoy does his half-time polymeter thing (playing the crash on every quarter note, so 9/4 over 9/8) at 7:51. It's so nasty and groovy and I love it.

Great reaction as always Jim! Next you should react to Blind Faith by Dream Theater! It's just amazing

...those drums!...miss MikeyP so much!....:(

A band that's in the same vein as Dream Theater, in the sense that they tell stories with music in a kind of orchestral style, is Ayreon. That band is forwarded by Arjen Lucassen, and the albums he has are pure prog rock. 01011001 is the very first album I listened to, and they've been releasing a few albums with incredible stories. Also, this song is my favorite DT song in general. It just sounds amazing to me.

British Jordan Rudess has a podcast!

Vangelis-y? Please. That's almost pure Yes. Relayer. Gates of Delirium. Last segment, a.k.a. Soon. Okay... Maybe you've got a point. Maybe there's a bit of Vangelis mixed in now that I listened to Yes again. But the inspiration is still clearly there.

Couldn't agree more with your feelings/analysis of this kind of music (prog rock/metal, etc), it is definitely meant for those who desire a deeper experience in their musical journey and I for one, intend to make the most of it and share with anyone who is open! Thanks for your thoughts and insights...looking forward to more!

Jim you should review barstool warrior by dream theater. Or prosthetic by Haken.

I'd listen to you comment on stuff all day Jim. Nice job. Exactly the same reaction I had the first time I listened to it. And then I listened to it 100 more times and it got better and better. I saw it 3 times live in Florida (Miami, Tampa and Orlando). My bird at the time got me the instrumental CD of it without the vocals and it's significantly better -- it's off the chart to be honest. Thanks again Jim.

Dream Theater Trial of Tears live on Boston

If you have the patience, go for "The Astonishing" album...It's 2h30m of musical joy

This track was a bit of a shock to me since following them from their debut "When Day and Dream Unite". . . It had all the elements of DT has ever had up to this point, and all the sudden it was like "Adrian Belew" or "Robert Fripp" came in to guest for the atmospheric solo :). I don't think they have ever done anything like that, maybe . . . the "Awake" era Ep instrumental track "Eve" (which is GORGEOUS Jim), and the end part (3rd act?) is really moving. I remember that this album wasn't well received by "most" fans when it debuted, and many folks were saying, as here, the lyrics were "cheesy". Maybe I have too many bands in my head, and find that quite a few underground or semi or popular bands have FAR more cheesy lyrics. I do miss the days of DT's more esoteric lyrics, but this album is underrated by its hardcore fans. "Best of Times" is my _personal_ fave because of my late-Father and reminds me of my relationship with him as a child, as the "music" evokes that. And another favorite, the verse/chorus (and track) for "A Nightmare to Remember" is also based on a personal story of a near fatal accident from Petrucci (and his family), a verse strange but I can almost imagine it . . . "Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony I am endlessly falling, lost in this wonderful misery In peaceful sedation, I lay half awake and thought of the panic inside starts to fade Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony" . . . Well sung by LaBrie and the music that goes with it is very fitting. Anyway, hope you get around to "Change of Seasons", and another fave; "A Mind Beside Itself" (or commonly known as "I. Erotomania", "II. Voices", "III. The Silent Man") as far as Epics. Glad you see Metal and Progressive Rock as I do, it is MUCH more than just Pop music or AOR/FM Rock. It's what I always wanted when learning about the power of music as a 14 year old in 1977. Hope you tackle more Fates Warning (as always ;). And I also hope that your fans checkout "other" bands you review, because I see DT (and Tool) gets MUCH more comments, and I hope they are open to hear new (older or obscure) bands. - Thanks again Jim :).

Breaking all Illusions, please! The live version is awesome

A Change of Seasons and Learning to Live are my favorite DT songs along with this. I’m not as big of a fan as I used to be, but this is such a timeless band. And the Vangelis reference is spot on. I’ve never thought of it, but I’m glad you did.

Hi Jim. Great reaction. DT is probably my 3rd liked band after tool have taken 1st spot :) many years ago. I would recommend as next song: Dream theater - stream of consciousness. Just to change things a bit and discover yet another side of them. As for other bands try: decapitated - spheres of madness. You wont be disappointed. :)

Please react to The Illumination Theory by Dream Theater

The face of joy...very good reactions...😘😘😘👍👍👍

One of my favorites from DT. Can I please suggest Karnivool - Change Pt. 2?

TCoT one of my favorite DT tracks!!!

Some of Portnoy’s best work here. To me, the drums are the star of this song.

Hi Jim. Some time ago you watched a video from "The Flower Kings" where you said you will dig them a bit. But so far no other TFK videos on your channel :( You should consider watching "A Vampire's View" (with Daniel Gildenlöw from 'Pain of Salvation' on vocals) or "Driver's Seat" by them. All from the same album as "Love Supreme" that you already reacted to. For something more advanced search for their longtrack "The Truth Will Set You Free" (highly recommended), there's also a live version on youtube (the first 30 minutes in the video "Meet the Flower Kings - Disc 1") Greetings!

This would be such an awesome liveshow. I've heard from many people that it was awesome. I stopped doing drugs a long time ago but this show would tempt me. Either way this band would be impressive live.

you need to listen to the whole SCENES FROM A MEMORY album ASAP!!! Make a reaction video. Is a concept album. AMAZING MUSIC AND SUBJECT. You're welcome! Cheers

Great reaction - was a joy to watch! If I hadn't subscribed already, I surely would after this. Enjoyed your analysis of the different band influences.

You can't go wrong with The Count of Tuscany

Cracking song. I recommend Change of Seasons by DT, wonderful track.

この曲は本当に美しい曲ですよね✨

Good day to you Jim! Probably my favorite DT track.

The Lamia by Genesis would also be a great reaction track.

They are no 70’s Yes but pretty good.

You could say that the last part is Anathema.

This music used to be called album oriented rock. I'm fine with short songs but the pop songs are meant for short attention spans.