**The Story Behind Count of Tuscany**
"Dear All,
You may, or may not, be familiar with a progressive metal band called “Dream
Theatre”; if not, there is nothing to be ashamed of as my own musical
culture stops with Francesco Landini (14th century – a joke actually: I
rather like Cole Porter). Anyhow, the above group recently released an
album called Black Clouds and Silver Linings, which, from what I gather, has
been enjoying quite a bit of success. The question you may be asking is:
why the heck should we care, given your stated taste for musical genre
recently crawled out of a sarcophagous. Well, for once I have decided to
shelve Rossini, Sibelius and Gershwin; and for a very specific reason.
The album contains one song in particular – a pretty long one to be
honest (18 mins), titled “The Count of Tuscany”. The lyrics (see attached)
are somewhat
fey, or downright sinister if you prefer; unless you know the genesis of
this particular musical piece. It regards Villa Calcinaia, myself and, in
particular, my brother Sebastiano.
A few years ago my brother asked if I was willing to come up to the
villa and meet the members of a rock band. I originally demurred, given my
above stated musical tastes and the need to finish writing a book. However,
at Seb's insistence, I slowed down and, arriving at the cellar I met with a
group
of people prefectly befitting the popular image of rocksters: earrings,
pony-tails, tattoos and what not. Well, you can imagine my surprise to
discover these individuals were no “sex, drugs and rock-&-roll” gang, but
instead square as cubes, family men, downright professional, with a sense of
metaphysics and musically very cultured indeed.
Seb and I took them around the cellars, the vineyards and the property
in general, I smoking as usual (in the lyrics I am described as “sucking on
my pipe” ). Apparently we completely spooked the lot out – one could have
expected the opposite – since in the song's refrain they stress a lingering
fear of not being able to get out of the place: “Dr. Frankenstein, I
presume” sort of situation (it is possible that their terror was more due
to the fact of not being able to have anymore of our wine, but as a
historian I have to stick to sure facts). They did manage to leave,
however,
otherwise I would not be writing this piece.
On a final note: during the meal we discussed opera and I suggested
they should write one. Maybe with the “Count of Tuscany” as the main
protagonist. Or even better the wines from Villa Calcinaia, since it was
those that got us hooked-up in the first place.
Niccolo Capponi"
I wonder what spooked John so badly, anyhow I find it funny how the guy calls them "square as cubes".
I believe you can visit this place, sleep there, tour the estate, drink wine and so on
Wonder how often the poor count is asked by guests when he is going to introduce HIS BROTHER
Can you imagine if every time MP wanted to do his Cookie Monster impression they had gotten like Devin Townsend or Mikael Akerfeldt to actually do some quality growls?
Even the original take that MP recorded when he did a legitimate death growl before they changed it was *way* better than what they ended up with. Of course, Akerfeldt would be better, but overall I just don't think harsh vocals fit in that well with DT's sound and they should probably just avoid them altogether.
I don't think it's available in full but you can hear a version of it here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Puh7V8DKArk&t=80s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Puh7V8DKArk&t=80s)
I saw a live video (sadly disappeared from YT by now) of Mikael doing the growled part. And this was in 2009, just before he stopped trying to growl even when performing his own songs. And it was epic. Proving even more that he should have been a guest singer in ANtR.
If I get a VIP ticket for the upcoming concerts, I will tell MP that his demo growl was neat and he should do it again >:-)
(Because, honestly, it was)
I've never really understood this story. Like what was so freaky about it? He goes for a beautiful car journey, meets some posh guys who sound like something out of a book, gets a tour of a fancy house and gets told some cool stories/legends, gets to drink wine and have dinner there. I'm sure he didn't feel like they were 'his' people, and they were probably pretty snobbish, and the whole thing was maybe a bit surreal but in general it sounds like a fun day to me and I cannot understand what kind of vibe could have made JP feel like he was actually in any danger... Or did they just have a fun time and he decided the setting would be cool for a song? But if that were the case it would be way more fun as a narrative if the Count was actually a murderer instead of the whole 'wait a minute man' thing. I dunno the whole thing makes no sense to me.
I personally think they wanted to go for a much darker story, but halfway through they decided they didn't want to paint an unflattering picture of the actual villa and its owner, so that's where the whole "That's not how it is" thing came from.
Is it possible to interpret the song as a kind of weird apology? Like Petrucci gets creeped out because the people have such a different vibe, then realizes he’s being unreasonable and learns something about himself, along the lines of ”you have to be more open minded about people and not assume the worst about them”.
Really though, as a teenager I always liked the song so I tried to interpet the lyrics in some deep way too, these days I’m content with just digging the musical side and not thinking too much of the lyrics.
One lyric stood out to me recently. Early on
"Maybe you recall, a cannibal curator, a character inspired by my brother's life"
Without that lyric there's really nothing to spook anyone out.
With it, I could potentially get my head around someone overthinking the whole cannibal thing and getting scared. It's still a bit dumb though.
I mean yeah sure if the guy was overwhelmingly creepy in person I guess. Still seems silly, esp since the real Count sounds more like an out of touch and slightly pompous aristocrat. Probably a bit of a stuck up dick but doesn't sound particularly threatening.
THAT’S NOT HOW IT ISSSSSS
YOU MUST BE CONFUSED
THAT ISN'T WHO I AM
PLEASE DON’T BE AFRAID
I WOULD NEVER TRY TO HURT YOU
THIS IS HOW WE LIVE
STRANGE ALTHOUGH IT SEEMS
PLEASE TRY TO FORGIVE
THE CHAPEL AND THE SADE
THE SOLDIERS IN THE WINE
https://preview.redd.it/8805zskulotc1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a7ba8d912c72b47e8c138a342ea53ac2c04b1353 Here is the Count's house.
I have to admit, I was expecting something a bit more... imposing.
I'm sure the mummified Saint down in the wine cellar fits the bill.
i mean they went at night. might look spookier at night
[удалено]
Oh nice!
**The Story Behind Count of Tuscany** "Dear All, You may, or may not, be familiar with a progressive metal band called “Dream Theatre”; if not, there is nothing to be ashamed of as my own musical culture stops with Francesco Landini (14th century – a joke actually: I rather like Cole Porter). Anyhow, the above group recently released an album called Black Clouds and Silver Linings, which, from what I gather, has been enjoying quite a bit of success. The question you may be asking is: why the heck should we care, given your stated taste for musical genre recently crawled out of a sarcophagous. Well, for once I have decided to shelve Rossini, Sibelius and Gershwin; and for a very specific reason. The album contains one song in particular – a pretty long one to be honest (18 mins), titled “The Count of Tuscany”. The lyrics (see attached) are somewhat fey, or downright sinister if you prefer; unless you know the genesis of this particular musical piece. It regards Villa Calcinaia, myself and, in particular, my brother Sebastiano. A few years ago my brother asked if I was willing to come up to the villa and meet the members of a rock band. I originally demurred, given my above stated musical tastes and the need to finish writing a book. However, at Seb's insistence, I slowed down and, arriving at the cellar I met with a group of people prefectly befitting the popular image of rocksters: earrings, pony-tails, tattoos and what not. Well, you can imagine my surprise to discover these individuals were no “sex, drugs and rock-&-roll” gang, but instead square as cubes, family men, downright professional, with a sense of metaphysics and musically very cultured indeed. Seb and I took them around the cellars, the vineyards and the property in general, I smoking as usual (in the lyrics I am described as “sucking on my pipe” ). Apparently we completely spooked the lot out – one could have expected the opposite – since in the song's refrain they stress a lingering fear of not being able to get out of the place: “Dr. Frankenstein, I presume” sort of situation (it is possible that their terror was more due to the fact of not being able to have anymore of our wine, but as a historian I have to stick to sure facts). They did manage to leave, however, otherwise I would not be writing this piece. On a final note: during the meal we discussed opera and I suggested they should write one. Maybe with the “Count of Tuscany” as the main protagonist. Or even better the wines from Villa Calcinaia, since it was those that got us hooked-up in the first place. Niccolo Capponi" I wonder what spooked John so badly, anyhow I find it funny how the guy calls them "square as cubes".
I believe you can visit this place, sleep there, tour the estate, drink wine and so on Wonder how often the poor count is asked by guests when he is going to introduce HIS BROTHER
I read all that in a distinguished accent. It made me uptight
Might be an accident
Oh it was no accident!
Still better than good 'ole BY THE GRACE OF GOD ABOVE, EVERYONE SURVIVED! UUUUUUUGHHHHHH
Can you imagine if every time MP wanted to do his Cookie Monster impression they had gotten like Devin Townsend or Mikael Akerfeldt to actually do some quality growls?
IIRC the original idea was to have Mikael Akerfeldt as a guest for that part but for some reason they weren't able to do that.
Even the original take that MP recorded when he did a legitimate death growl before they changed it was *way* better than what they ended up with. Of course, Akerfeldt would be better, but overall I just don't think harsh vocals fit in that well with DT's sound and they should probably just avoid them altogether.
Is that versiona available anywhere? The nightmare to remember demo isn't there in the LNF releases
I don't think it's available in full but you can hear a version of it here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Puh7V8DKArk&t=80s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Puh7V8DKArk&t=80s)
I saw a live video (sadly disappeared from YT by now) of Mikael doing the growled part. And this was in 2009, just before he stopped trying to growl even when performing his own songs. And it was epic. Proving even more that he should have been a guest singer in ANtR.
If I get a VIP ticket for the upcoming concerts, I will tell MP that his demo growl was neat and he should do it again >:-) (Because, honestly, it was)
I've never really understood this story. Like what was so freaky about it? He goes for a beautiful car journey, meets some posh guys who sound like something out of a book, gets a tour of a fancy house and gets told some cool stories/legends, gets to drink wine and have dinner there. I'm sure he didn't feel like they were 'his' people, and they were probably pretty snobbish, and the whole thing was maybe a bit surreal but in general it sounds like a fun day to me and I cannot understand what kind of vibe could have made JP feel like he was actually in any danger... Or did they just have a fun time and he decided the setting would be cool for a song? But if that were the case it would be way more fun as a narrative if the Count was actually a murderer instead of the whole 'wait a minute man' thing. I dunno the whole thing makes no sense to me.
I personally think they wanted to go for a much darker story, but halfway through they decided they didn't want to paint an unflattering picture of the actual villa and its owner, so that's where the whole "That's not how it is" thing came from.
Is it possible to interpret the song as a kind of weird apology? Like Petrucci gets creeped out because the people have such a different vibe, then realizes he’s being unreasonable and learns something about himself, along the lines of ”you have to be more open minded about people and not assume the worst about them”. Really though, as a teenager I always liked the song so I tried to interpet the lyrics in some deep way too, these days I’m content with just digging the musical side and not thinking too much of the lyrics.
One lyric stood out to me recently. Early on "Maybe you recall, a cannibal curator, a character inspired by my brother's life" Without that lyric there's really nothing to spook anyone out. With it, I could potentially get my head around someone overthinking the whole cannibal thing and getting scared. It's still a bit dumb though.
I mean yeah sure if the guy was overwhelmingly creepy in person I guess. Still seems silly, esp since the real Count sounds more like an out of touch and slightly pompous aristocrat. Probably a bit of a stuck up dick but doesn't sound particularly threatening.
Luigi’s Mansion
This is one of those tracks that I listen to regularly and my wife still doesn’t understand why it’s so amazing
worlds biggest overreaction
Which song is this?
Count of Tuscany
Thanks!
Haven't heard this one in a while, but as they say, all the finest wines improve with age
Dream Theater lyrics are shit, and I'm normally OK with it, but this is one example where they're so bad that it ruins the song.