EagleMoon Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 I definitely think the audio is much better than CA Live (its on par with DS & R30).....each instrument is clear including the synths! Ever since DS synths felt like they were way back in the mix. Cymbals are articulate and the bass guitar is distinguishable with every note hit and not lost in the mix. Wall of sound is gone! Hooray.....BUT.....I dont like this version of Jacobs compared to Exit because of the ending...Alex eliminates the harmonics from the eigth notes, which really sets up the momentum for the end of the songAt 5:59 the bass eigth notes are played low on the neck to where it slows the momentum of the song rather than bringing it to a higher registryWarning: potential bummer post ahead... I agree that the sound is amazing, and I'm really looking forward to the release. I didn't notice these changes that you've pointed out, but what I do get distracted by (I'm my own worst enemy here, I guess) is that Lifeson is playing the lead bits after 1:30 differently from how they are on the album. On the album, there are a lot more bended notes, but here he's playing the notes fairly straight (with lots of vibrato). I'm guessing it's probably the knuckle pain, or whatever, but I can't help noticing it. The solo is cool, but there's one bent note on the album version that's just so full of emotion, and it's kind of missing here. It's like he's playing the right notes, but not playing the notes right, if that makes any sense. To be fair, I find it a difficult solo to play, so another possibility is he's just "playing it safe." Any guitarists here (or deep listeners) notice the same thing? I noticed that too. A lot more slides and less bends all night in fact. I also thought it was odd how much he used his index and middle finger for things he used to play with his index and ring finger (like whole steps and even minor thirds). I've had a playing related injury over the years and kind of got the sense of something like that. Could totally be wrong, but something was definitely up. I've never heard him make the mistakes he made during this tour..ever. I felt so sorry for him. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graxxus Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 I definitely think the audio is much better than CA Live (its on par with DS & R30).....each instrument is clear including the synths! Ever since DS synths felt like they were way back in the mix. Cymbals are articulate and the bass guitar is distinguishable with every note hit and not lost in the mix. Wall of sound is gone! Hooray.....BUT.....I dont like this version of Jacobs compared to Exit because of the ending...Alex eliminates the harmonics from the eigth notes, which really sets up the momentum for the end of the songAt 5:59 the bass eigth notes are played low on the neck to where it slows the momentum of the song rather than bringing it to a higher registryWarning: potential bummer post ahead... I agree that the sound is amazing, and I'm really looking forward to the release. I didn't notice these changes that you've pointed out, but what I do get distracted by (I'm my own worst enemy here, I guess) is that Lifeson is playing the lead bits after 1:30 differently from how they are on the album. On the album, there are a lot more bended notes, but here he's playing the notes fairly straight (with lots of vibrato). I'm guessing it's probably the knuckle pain, or whatever, but I can't help noticing it. The solo is cool, but there's one bent note on the album version that's just so full of emotion, and it's kind of missing here. It's like he's playing the right notes, but not playing the notes right, if that makes any sense. To be fair, I find it a difficult solo to play, so another possibility is he's just "playing it safe." Any guitarists here (or deep listeners) notice the same thing? I noticed that too. A lot more slides and less bends all night in fact. I also thought it was odd how much he used his index and middle finger for things he used to play with his index and ring finger (like whole steps and even minor thirds). I've had a playing related injury over the years and kind of got the sense of something like that. Could totally be wrong, but something was definitely up. I've never heard him make the mistakes he made during this tour..ever. I felt so sorry for him. If he had to adjust because of pain, he did an amazing job. Still awesome, but he definitely was killing it more on previous tours. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toymaker Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 I definitely think the audio is much better than CA Live (its on par with DS & R30).....each instrument is clear including the synths! Ever since DS synths felt like they were way back in the mix. Cymbals are articulate and the bass guitar is distinguishable with every note hit and not lost in the mix. Wall of sound is gone! Hooray.....BUT.....I dont like this version of Jacobs compared to Exit because of the ending...Alex eliminates the harmonics from the eigth notes, which really sets up the momentum for the end of the songAt 5:59 the bass eigth notes are played low on the neck to where it slows the momentum of the song rather than bringing it to a higher registryWarning: potential bummer post ahead... I agree that the sound is amazing, and I'm really looking forward to the release. I didn't notice these changes that you've pointed out, but what I do get distracted by (I'm my own worst enemy here, I guess) is that Lifeson is playing the lead bits after 1:30 differently from how they are on the album. On the album, there are a lot more bended notes, but here he's playing the notes fairly straight (with lots of vibrato). I'm guessing it's probably the knuckle pain, or whatever, but I can't help noticing it. The solo is cool, but there's one bent note on the album version that's just so full of emotion, and it's kind of missing here. It's like he's playing the right notes, but not playing the notes right, if that makes any sense. To be fair, I find it a difficult solo to play, so another possibility is he's just "playing it safe." Any guitarists here (or deep listeners) notice the same thing? I noticed that too. A lot more slides and less bends all night in fact. I also thought it was odd how much he used his index and middle finger for things he used to play with his index and ring finger (like whole steps and even minor thirds). I've had a playing related injury over the years and kind of got the sense of something like that. Could totally be wrong, but something was definitely up. I've never heard him make the mistakes he made during this tour..ever. I felt so sorry for him. Have you had the experience, when playing a gig, where you make a couple of mistakes early on and it affects your confidence or mojo enough that you almost feel like you've forgotten everything? It's a really bad feeling. With thousands of eyes on you (rather than 20 or 30), it must be a brutal thing if it happens. . . 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 (edited) I definitely think the audio is much better than CA Live (its on par with DS & R30).....each instrument is clear including the synths! Ever since DS synths felt like they were way back in the mix. Cymbals are articulate and the bass guitar is distinguishable with every note hit and not lost in the mix. Wall of sound is gone! Hooray.....BUT.....I dont like this version of Jacobs compared to Exit because of the ending...Alex eliminates the harmonics from the eigth notes, which really sets up the momentum for the end of the songAt 5:59 the bass eigth notes are played low on the neck to where it slows the momentum of the song rather than bringing it to a higher registryWarning: potential bummer post ahead... I agree that the sound is amazing, and I'm really looking forward to the release. I didn't notice these changes that you've pointed out, but what I do get distracted by (I'm my own worst enemy here, I guess) is that Lifeson is playing the lead bits after 1:30 differently from how they are on the album. On the album, there are a lot more bended notes, but here he's playing the notes fairly straight (with lots of vibrato). I'm guessing it's probably the knuckle pain, or whatever, but I can't help noticing it. The solo is cool, but there's one bent note on the album version that's just so full of emotion, and it's kind of missing here. It's like he's playing the right notes, but not playing the notes right, if that makes any sense. To be fair, I find it a difficult solo to play, so another possibility is he's just "playing it safe." Any guitarists here (or deep listeners) notice the same thing? Here's the Exit Stage Left version, and Alex definitely is playing it different as far as bending ... His sound for the lead is different here on Exit Stage Left also - it is more conducive to bending notes ... Be that as it may, I hope he isn;t hurting so much he has to alter his style As you said Toymaker, he's getting the notes, but just in a different manner - as if, after all these years of neglecting Jacob's Ladder, he re-learned it slightly different than the way he originally played it Edited October 15, 2015 by Lucas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toymaker Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Here's the Exit Stage Left version, and Alex definitely is playing it different as far as bending ... His sound for the lead is different here on Exit Stage Left also - it is more conducive to bending notes ... Be that as it may, I hope he isn;t hurting so much he has to alter his style As you said Toymaker, he's getting the notes, but just in a different manner - as if, after all these years of neglecting Jacob's Ladder, he re-learned it slightly different than the way he originally played it What is that effect - heavy flange, or something? It's pretty thick! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graxxus Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 (edited) Here's the Exit Stage Left version, and Alex definitely is playing it different as far as bending ... His sound for the lead is different here on Exit Stage Left also - it is more conducive to bending notes ... Be that as it may, I hope he isn;t hurting so much he has to alter his style As you said Toymaker, he's getting the notes, but just in a different manner - as if, after all these years of neglecting Jacob's Ladder, he re-learned it slightly different than the way he originally played it What is that effect - heavy flange, or something? It's pretty thick!Electric Mistress 18vhttp://thumbs1.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mCSkrcmo-J-1dwRwlWJWfxw.jpgIt is so choice... Edited October 15, 2015 by graxxus 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Gotta love that sound ..... Alex perfected it and made it his own back then 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EagleMoon Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 (edited) I definitely think the audio is much better than CA Live (its on par with DS & R30).....each instrument is clear including the synths! Ever since DS synths felt like they were way back in the mix. Cymbals are articulate and the bass guitar is distinguishable with every note hit and not lost in the mix. Wall of sound is gone! Hooray.....BUT.....I dont like this version of Jacobs compared to Exit because of the ending...Alex eliminates the harmonics from the eigth notes, which really sets up the momentum for the end of the songAt 5:59 the bass eigth notes are played low on the neck to where it slows the momentum of the song rather than bringing it to a higher registryWarning: potential bummer post ahead... I agree that the sound is amazing, and I'm really looking forward to the release. I didn't notice these changes that you've pointed out, but what I do get distracted by (I'm my own worst enemy here, I guess) is that Lifeson is playing the lead bits after 1:30 differently from how they are on the album. On the album, there are a lot more bended notes, but here he's playing the notes fairly straight (with lots of vibrato). I'm guessing it's probably the knuckle pain, or whatever, but I can't help noticing it. The solo is cool, but there's one bent note on the album version that's just so full of emotion, and it's kind of missing here. It's like he's playing the right notes, but not playing the notes right, if that makes any sense. To be fair, I find it a difficult solo to play, so another possibility is he's just "playing it safe." Any guitarists here (or deep listeners) notice the same thing? I noticed that too. A lot more slides and less bends all night in fact. I also thought it was odd how much he used his index and middle finger for things he used to play with his index and ring finger (like whole steps and even minor thirds). I've had a playing related injury over the years and kind of got the sense of something like that. Could totally be wrong, but something was definitely up. I've never heard him make the mistakes he made during this tour..ever. I felt so sorry for him. Have you had the experience, when playing a gig, where you make a couple of mistakes early on and it affects your confidence or mojo enough that you almost feel like you've forgotten everything? It's a really bad feeling. With thousands of eyes on you (rather than 20 or 30), it must be a brutal thing if it happens. . . Oh sure I have. More than I'd like to admit. I can't imagine doing it let alone once, but repeatedly show after show in front of that many people. It must have been brutal. No wonder he was so quiet on stage for over half the tour. I also thought it odd how he was playing. I've never noticed him fretting the notes that way before. Edited October 15, 2015 by EagleMoon 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grasbo Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Being a gutarist i did notice the difference in soloing but i can live with that.It's mostly likely that arthritis.Anyway this is magic.Can't wait for the dvd. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALifeson85 Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 (edited) Alex definitely played the lead parts of Jacob's Ladder a little differently than the studio and Exit...Stage Left versions. BUT, in all honesty, all 3 members of the band ALWAYS play certain parts of songs a little differently than the original versions. Neil plays The Spirit of Radio differently live, Geddy plays the synth solos to Subdivisions a little differently live, and of course Alex does the same. It's nothing out of the ordinary. Either way, Jacob's Ladder, especially this recording of it, is AMAZING. Can't wait for November 20th!! :haz: Edited October 15, 2015 by ALifeson85 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtmed Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 I actually like the leads even if played with less bending. What I do like in this version that is different than others is the harmonizer being used at 2:11 like that from the album. The net out of all of this is that we have two really good yet discernable versions that offer nice variations in approach; ESL and R40. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geddy's Soul Patch Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 I'm pretty disappointed by Alex's lack of pinch harmonics during the solo. It's surprising because at all the shows I saw Alex was playing pinch harmonics all over the place throughout the whole show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JARG Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 I actually like the leads even if played with less bending. What I do like in this version that is different than others is the harmonizer being used at 2:11 like that from the album.I'm not hearing a harmonizer there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narps Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 I actually like the leads even if played with less bending. What I do like in this version that is different than others is the harmonizer being used at 2:11 like that from the album.I'm not hearing a harmonizer there.Me either. Geez... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtmed Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 I actually like the leads even if played with less bending. What I do like in this version that is different than others is the harmonizer being used at 2:11 like that from the album.I'm not hearing a harmonizer there.Me either. Geez... Well...I do hear it and it is slight in the mix at 2:11 - 2:15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toymaker Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 (edited) I actually like the leads even if played with less bending. What I do like in this version that is different than others is the harmonizer being used at 2:11 like that from the album.I'm not hearing a harmonizer there.Me either. Geez... Well...I do hear it and it is slight in the mix at 2:11 - 2:15 Do you mean octaves? That might be there, but subtle. Edited October 15, 2015 by toymaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EagleMoon Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 I actually like the leads even if played with less bending. What I do like in this version that is different than others is the harmonizer being used at 2:11 like that from the album.I'm not hearing a harmonizer there.Me either. Geez... Well...I do hear it and it is slight in the mix at 2:11 - 2:15 Do you mean octaves? That might be there, but subtle. I hear it. It sounds like an octave up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JARG Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Weird. I just hear guitar, bass, drums, and synth there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JARG Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 We are talking about the live version, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toymaker Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 We are talking about the live version, right?Yes. On the original recording there are definitely either two parts or an octaver used. Harder to hear for me on this version (but I'm at work with crappy speakers). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JARG Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 (edited) We are talking about the live version, right?Yes. On the original recording there are definitely either two parts or an octaver used. Harder to hear for me on this version (but I'm at work with crappy speakers). OK. Yeah, I just listened to the studio cut, it's definitely two guitar tracks there, each played an octave apart. ETA, or more likely 4 or even 6 guitar tracks there, doubled and octaved! Edited October 15, 2015 by JARG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorraine Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 I definitely think the audio is much better than CA Live (its on par with DS & R30).....each instrument is clear including the synths! Ever since DS synths felt like they were way back in the mix. Cymbals are articulate and the bass guitar is distinguishable with every note hit and not lost in the mix. Wall of sound is gone! Hooray.....BUT.....I dont like this version of Jacobs compared to Exit because of the ending...Alex eliminates the harmonics from the eigth notes, which really sets up the momentum for the end of the songAt 5:59 the bass eigth notes are played low on the neck to where it slows the momentum of the song rather than bringing it to a higher registryWarning: potential bummer post ahead... I agree that the sound is amazing, and I'm really looking forward to the release. I didn't notice these changes that you've pointed out, but what I do get distracted by (I'm my own worst enemy here, I guess) is that Lifeson is playing the lead bits after 1:30 differently from how they are on the album. On the album, there are a lot more bended notes, but here he's playing the notes fairly straight (with lots of vibrato). I'm guessing it's probably the knuckle pain, or whatever, but I can't help noticing it. The solo is cool, but there's one bent note on the album version that's just so full of emotion, and it's kind of missing here. It's like he's playing the right notes, but not playing the notes right, if that makes any sense. To be fair, I find it a difficult solo to play, so another possibility is he's just "playing it safe." Any guitarists here (or deep listeners) notice the same thing? I noticed that too. A lot more slides and less bends all night in fact. I also thought it was odd how much he used his index and middle finger for things he used to play with his index and ring finger (like whole steps and even minor thirds). I've had a playing related injury over the years and kind of got the sense of something like that. Could totally be wrong, but something was definitely up. I've never heard him make the mistakes he made during this tour..ever. I felt so sorry for him. Have you had the experience, when playing a gig, where you make a couple of mistakes early on and it affects your confidence or mojo enough that you almost feel like you've forgotten everything? It's a really bad feeling. With thousands of eyes on you (rather than 20 or 30), it must be a brutal thing if it happens. . . I'm sure it frustrates him that his fingers just won't move and go the way they used to. Geddy has said that Alex is very sensitive, so you all may be right that it really messed up his confidence when he started making mistakes early on in the show. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorraine Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 I actually like the leads even if played with less bending. What I do like in this version that is different than others is the harmonizer being used at 2:11 like that from the album.I'm not hearing a harmonizer there.Me either. Geez... Narps, you taking all this in? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narps Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 I actually like the leads even if played with less bending. What I do like in this version that is different than others is the harmonizer being used at 2:11 like that from the album.I'm not hearing a harmonizer there.Me either. Geez... Narps, you taking all this in? Yep. I tried to slip a weak joke in the middle of this with my post but it went THUD. I obviously don't know jack sh*t about music or octaves or harmonics or 2/6 notes or anything else... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WorkingAllTheTime Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 (edited) If the entire concert video is going to look like this, I am sold. No choppy, quick edits. Lots of long pans on the camera. A much more fluid look.... all in glorious HD. Watching that video, you feel as in the show, not watching a show. I don't think it's a coincidence Jacob's Ladder is "leaked" either. They knew the fans wanted this one and I am convinced that is why they pulled it off the shelf after 30 years (or, if you are Geddy, played it for the first time!). I would bet choosing to drop this song on the masses early was by design. It certainly caught my attention. As for the critique on Alex' playing.... I know everyone means well.... but really, I expect this kind of thing directed at Neil, not Alex! ;) Dude is more than 60 years old.... dude has some serious arthritis issues.... dude hadn't played this particular song in more than 3 decades.... I am gonna cut dude some slack. :D Edited October 15, 2015 by WorkingAllTheTime 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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