A Change of Seasons
- For the 1980 film of the same name, see A Change of Seasons (film). For the Hall & Oates album, see Change of Season
| A Change of Seasons | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by Dream Theater | ||||
| Released | September 19, 1995 | |||
| Recorded | May 1995 | |||
| Studio | BearTracks Studios in Suffern, New York (studio track); January 31, 1995, at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London (live tracks) | |||
| Genre | Progressive metal, progressive rock | |||
| Length | 57:30 | |||
| Label | EastWest | |||
| Producer | David Prater, Dream Theater | |||
| Dream Theater chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
A Change of Seasons is an EP by progressive metal band Dream Theater, first released on September 19, 1995, through East West Records. It comprises the 23-minute title track and a collection of live cover songs performed at a fan club concert at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London, England.
The title track, which was recorded at BearTracks Studios in New York, includes audio samples from the 1989 film Dead Poets Society and quotes from the 1648 Robert Herrick poem, To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time.[2]
"A Change of Seasons" was originally slated to be released on the 1992 album Images and Words, but was instead re-recorded and released as an EP.[3] The lyrics, written by the band's then-drummer Mike Portnoy, were not inspired by Dead Poets Society, but by the death of his mother.[4] A Change of Seasons was also the first Dream Theater release featuring Derek Sherinian on keyboards.
Excerpts from the title track were used by NBC in a segment on downhill skiing during the 2002 Winter Olympics.[5]
Although the record is labeled as an EP, its running time of 57:30 makes it significantly longer than a standard EP, and even many LPs, including Dream Theater's first two albums. According to Portnoy, "It was important for us and the label for it not to be perceived as the latest studio record. That's why we tagged it an EP."[6]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "A Change of Seasons"
| Mike Portnoy | Dream Theater | 23:09
|
| 2. | "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" (Elton John cover) | Bernie Taupin | Elton John | 10:46 |
| 3. | "Perfect Strangers" (Deep Purple cover) | Ian Gillan | Ritchie Blackmore, Roger Glover | 5:33 |
| 4. | "The Rover" / "Achilles Last Stand" / "The Song Remains the Same (Led Zeppelin cover)" | Robert Plant | Jimmy Page | 7:30 |
| 5. | "The Big Medley"
|
| 10:32
| |
| Total length: | 57:30 | |||
Credits
- James LaBrie – vocals
- John Myung – bass
- John Petrucci – guitar
- Mike Portnoy – drums
- Derek Sherinian – keyboards
Chart performance
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Billboard 200 | 58[7] |
| 1995 | UK Albums Chart | 88 |
References
- ↑ Carter, Phil. "A Change of Seasons - Dream Theater". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2013-11-25.
- ↑ http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/herrick/tovirgins.htm
- ↑ Portnoy, Mike. "A change of Seasons in Images and Words". About Mike - FAQ. Mikeportnoy.com. Retrieved 30 September 2013. External link in
|publisher=(help) - ↑ Portnoy, Mike. "Did the movie Dead Poet's Society influence the song A Change of Seasons?". About Mike - FAQ. Mikeportnoy.com. Retrieved 30 September 2013. External link in
|publisher=(help) - ↑ YouTube.com
- ↑ Portnoy, Mike. "Dream Theater - A Change of Seasons EP". About Mike - FAQ. Mikeportnoy.com. Retrieved 9 February 2012. External link in
|publisher=(help) - ↑ "A Change of Seasons - Dream Theater | Awards". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2013-11-25.
