Jon Oliva's Pain: Festival

[TENTH DREAMER DECEIVER]

Really enjoying the new JOP lately and feel it's on par with Tage Mahal. Death Rides A Black Horse has this chorus that just sticks in your head Musically, there are a few nice touches of Zep (Rain Song) mixed in with a Streets level of theatrical exuberance (think You're Alive).

Can't believe how strong 2010 is turning out to be with the new Blaze, Fear Factory, Heathen, Overkill and now JOP.

 

[tsorl]

Heard a live stream of the album the other day (with voiceovers unfortunately) and it sounded a lot more interesting than Global Warning. Not that it affected my purchasing decision, I buy anything Jon Oliva releases. It's still good to know the guy has some gas in the tank and the last lacklustre album was just a little misstep. Apparently Jon will do guest vocals on the new Avantasia and Kamelot albums as well, should be nice...

Been playing with the thought of flying to Netherlands for the DVD shoot next October, won't be cheap but that show just might be worth it.

 

[razoredge]

Global Warning is the only one I have. Its OK, Im a bit concerned because I wasnt crazy about Poets and Madmen either, Wake of Megellan was the last standout work (Ive heard) and if I had to pick Wake would be my favorite.

So you recomend the others ? I've always wondered about Dr Butcher to ?

 

[wdiv]

I quite enjoy Poets & Madman. I've never been a big fan of the Dr Butcher album... it lacks the melody and variety that you're used to getting from a Savatage or Jon Oliva album.

 

[wdiv]

1000th post! Only took me 6 years. Only 11000 more to catch up to Wyvern

 

[razoredge]

I quite enjoy Poets & Madman. I've never been a big fan of the Dr Butcher album... it lacks the melody and variety that you're used to getting from a Savatage or Jon Oliva album.

I put that disc in after making the previous post to see why it never struck me much. I think its the vocals, being used to Stevens and Jons youthful shrill voice I believe I was not prepared for his more laid back, deeper, lower vocals. The music is pretty damn good... still no Wake which in my opinion is a master piece and does contain the preview of Jons older voice. No doubt he could not continue the path he displayed in Gutter Ballet, the Gutter and Streets tours must have really done a number on the vocal cords.

 

[Trans-Siberian Outcast]

1000th post! Only took me 6 years. Only 11000 more to catch up to Wyvern

By then Wyvern will be over a million so you can concede that race now.

I'm getting my first listen on the new JOP as I type this so I can't comment on the new album yet....

I will chirp in on Poets and Madmen though. Personally it's one of my fave Savatage albums. The riffs are GODLY, all throughout. It actually baffles me that more people don't love P&M, which is a STAPLE album for me when I'm really buzzed and want to hear really cool heavy and hooky grooves.

 

[Wyvern]

By then Wyvern will be over a million so you can concede that race now.

Well yes I'm a postwhore! I have never denied it, but nobody lives forever, you know I can have an accident or turn into hip-hop and move to another board and...well somebody else will go for the title

 

[razoredge]

yeah see... and you dont even like Savatage... whats the matter with you ?

LOL
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anyhow, now that I got meself headed for banishment ... back to Poets and Madmen. Yes it does have some very awesome instrumental grooves, I think my problem might have been that I bought it along with Wake, and Handfull of Rain playing catch up and of the three it did not stand out so much. But Im digging it this week and remember whats comming next, so I did play it alot but since have overlooked it in favor of others.

 

[Flavio CotM]

I got it today and really liked it a lot, 3 songs got my attn quick, The Evil Within, Winter Haven & I Fear You, great album

 

[sixxswine]

I will be interviewing Jon Oliva for the third time on 4.9.10. I love talking to the guy. I'll be on the phone with the guy for an hour easily. Great interview, great person, phenominal singer/songwriter.

 

[Marco Spain]

I will be interviewing Jon Oliva for the third time on 4.9.10. I love talking to the guy. I'll be on the phone with the guy for an hour easily. Great interview, great person, phenominal singer/songwriter.

Have a nice interview, man. Jon Oliva is a gentleman and very funny. I did a couple of interviews with Jon in the past. Besides I got 35 questions missed in an interview scheduled about "Festival" and other issues some months ago. People from my ex-webzine did nothing for rescheduling. S***ers

And about "Festival" I got mixed feeling. In the beginning I felt absolutely disappointed but given the fact that Savatage is my all time fave band I did it many more opprtunities and well... the more I listen the more I like. It´s a good album but not over the top unfortunately.

 

[SoundMaster]

I will chirp in on Poets and Madmen though. Personally it's one of my fave Savatage albums. The riffs are GODLY, all throughout. It actually baffles me that more people don't love P&M, which is a STAPLE album for me when I'm really buzzed and want to hear really cool heavy and hooky grooves.

Agreed 100%. It's among my fav 'Tage records! Heavy, melodic, haunting.....it features the full spectrum of typical 'Tage trademarks!

I also REALLY like "Global Warning". However, I bought it upon its release, listening a few times, and was bored by it. Revisited it a month ago and am blown away by its greatness (same with "Maniacal Renderings", which I wasn't fond of until last month).

 

[Trans-Siberian Outcast]

I also REALLY like "Global Warning". However, I bought it upon its release, listening a few times, and was bored by it. Revisited it a month ago and am blown away by its greatness (same with "Maniacal Renderings", which I wasn't fond of until last month).

As any of the old group knows, I come pretty close to Jon Oliva worship. His songwriting just speaks to me, and always has since Sirens and Dungeons. But his solo JOP stuff doesn't call to me like the Savatage albums do. I love the JOP albums, but after my initial glee-ride for the first month or so of having the latest album, it gets put away on a shelf gathering dust. That said, whenever I do re-visit any of the three JOP discs, I am once again creaming my jeans and wondering why I don't listen to them more often!

I guess I just have more memories attached to the Savatage albums, and always pull them out when I'm feeling nostalgic (which is often).