Classical Composer Reacts to Once Upon a Melody (Jason Becker) | The Daily Doug (Episode 204)

[@JasonBeckerOfficial]

Hey Doug, Thank you so much for reviewing/reacting to my song, "Once Upon a Melody". It was fun to watch. Yes, the kid at the end was me when I was a tot. My uncle Ron was playing guitar and I wanted to try, but didn't like the way it sounded as much as when he played, so I said, "you do it." I was learning my alphabet and he said, "say your alphabet and I'll do it." So, I did. I loved working with the 31-piece orchestra from Bulgaria. It was a rainy day and we (my co-producers, Dan Alvarez, Mike Bemesderfer and I) were able to direct them from my computer. The orchestra worked on 6 of the songs on Triumphant Hearts. I could not have been happier. They did everything I wanted. Thank you for the love and exposure!

[@PPRUVIAN]

You are unique Jason, I love your music... please, never stop on your goals. Hope someday Andre Rieu play´s any of your songs, you deserve it!

[@niniyeadarefin6555]

Thank you Jason for the music you created which still inspires millions of your fans or students to do better in their lives and professions everyday.

[@dyosang_asting]

I love you so i love your music 🎵🎶 you stay healthy and strong ok?! I Love you wo much(hope i am serrana🤣🙄 i will love you forever even im just 35😅) MAHAL KITA 😘😘😘

[@sunnysunshine4503]

Du bis mein aller erste. So zu sagen mein Vater

[@nazab1510]

Jason, Te he escuchado desde los años 90s. Eres simplemente increíble!!! GRACIAS desde Argentina. Gracias Doug!!!

[@nickh1933]

In a world of fake and auto tuned digital “music”, Jason should be praised at the highest level amongst musical geniuses, not only for his incredible talent and musical compositions and creation, but for the fact that he literally makes music by blinking his eyes. The whole world should know about him and his incredible music. Been a huge fan of Jason since the early 90’s.

[@NBLP7001]

The kid is indeed Jason when he was 3. His uncle asked him to sing his ABC's.

[@ChickenatorJr]

So cool and so fitting!, It's like I learned my abc BUT LOOK WHAT I CAN DO NOW

[@gwts1171]

There's a documentary called "Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet" that I highly recommend. Jason is such a cool guy. Thanks for the video, Doug!

[@borizh]

I’m glad Jason is getting more exposure.. he is still the greatest guitar player to ever walk this earth even with ALS. God knows all of us would love to see him be able to grab a guitar and play again.

[@caiodorn]

Ha, small world. I remember giving thumbs up to your Cacophony covers, some 10 years ago or so, if not more! Wonder what you've been up to, will check it out :)

[@borizh]

@@caiodorn small world indeed! Looking back at my videos it was longer than 10 years!! Haha I’ve been playing a little bit.. nowhere near as much as back then! I am (have been for a long time) subscribed to you as well.. Thanks for the reply, bud. I’ll take a look at what you’ve been up to!

[@caiodorn]

I used to play more as well, that's for sure. But I'm trying to stay in shape... I never managed to play a whole Cacophony or JB song, but o still have that goal. I've got 50% of Altitudes... Playing parts of it for almost 20 years, hopefully I can do it in its entirety before I'm 80 haha.

[@caiodorn]

I just discovered I hadn't subscribed your channel, wtf?!

[@borizh]

@@caiodorn same here… I will cover on of JB songs off Perpetual Burn before I hit retirement! 😂

[@keithowensmusic37]

I got to meet Jason and his family five years ago. Awesome folks. I pray for him almost daily in Jesus's name. Love the guy.

[@paulooliveira3453]

Jason Becker is one of the biggest references and inspiration for Symphony's Michael Romeo. I love Jason Becker and Michael Romeo

[@CoryDrummer]

I'm proud to be one of the many that help crowd fund "Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet" and the "Triumphant Hearts" album. I hope Jason can continue to compose and produce his amazing music.

[@ignasiplass]

Now the best piece to react to is "End of the Beggining" hands down.

[@vosman86]

Yes hands down

[@manmoth_1990]

Agreed!

[@Metalhead_Vagabond]

Yes, but the album version, not the video.

[@ignasiplass]

@@Metalhead_Vagabond exactly, this one, kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGiwdneor8iDmK8

[@Metalhead_Vagabond]

@@ignasiplass Yes, but no. It's in 240p. This one is in 720p kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqS6eIusnrSEj5I

[@SolvingOurKreation956]

7:55 I always get teary eyed at that part, it’s like you can hear him crying out as if trapped..

[@middle-agedclimber]

Same. The sadness, yet the hope still remains...

[@9619660818]

The kid is Jason Becker from well.. when he was extremely little. The words are "You do it!" That was from a time when his father used to play Bob Dylan to him and when Jason tried to play, and couldn't play it , he used to say to his father "You do It!" And now, after the ALS, after everything Jason Becker has gone through and he still continuous to inspire musicians across the Globe, he's trying to say, to all the musicians, every where... After all this time, after achieving so much musical prowess He's saying, now, "You do it!" It almost makes me lachrymal every time. To know his full story, please watch "Jason - Not Dead Yet" rockumentary...

[@jameshartwell4345]

Lachrymal!! Was thinking the same thing. 😉

[@9619660818]

@@jameshartwell4345 for a word that means "teary eyed", I have an unhealthy amount of love for its pronunciation... Lachrymal, so fucking crunchy to say, lol 😂😂

[@silvaanosvs8783]

@@9619660818 Indeed. I need to use this more often in conversation. 😂

[@9619660818]

@@BenjaminGriffel-ix8he just the way it is, man! But yeah, one of the greatest sources of inspiration ever... No matter what walk of life one chooses

[@ericdepagne]

The magic happened again. This back and forth between you and Jason makes this video very special. Thank you Doug, thank you Jason. I so much love this channel!

[@chillymilly6063]

I‘m so proud to have this album with a fingerprint of him. He‘s a legend and a Kind-hearted person

[@millerbeer01]

Been a fan of his since the Shrapnel Records days and he never fails to inspire and impress.

[@trailrunner919]

Same! I was a total shrapnel head back in the day and Jason has always been my absolute favorite guitarist/prodigy from them and still remains in my opinion the GOAT!!!

[@killercharlie08]

Well Doug, a total pro like you talking so many nice things about Jason’s music is fantastic and it’s going to get you a lot of fans in the guitar community. You see, we guitar players, at least most of us, love and respect Jason in a very deep level, he’s a living legend, an infinite source of inspiration and we immensely enjoy to see his music back in the spotlight.

[@evidamayani4170]

Jason Becker..high class composer and virtuoso..not just a shredder.

[@cysecgnz]

That was seriously such a beautiful piece of music. Jason Becker is such an amazing musician.

[@sethhardcastle2258]

That song is based around the melodies in the Cacophony song "Go Off". That was guitar you heard in the end. Listen to "Go Off'. Its on 1 of those 2 cacophony albums that Jason and Marty Friedman.

[@The_Original_Geoff_B]

I bought both when they came out - prized members of my vinyl collection, along with Perpetual Burn.

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

Looks like it's on "The Blackberry Jams"? Is that the album you're referring to?

[@shredderloki7565]

@@garanceadrosehn9691 It's the song Go Off, from the album of the same name. The melody in this video at 5:09 is based on solo guitar at 2:40 on the original song..

[@shredderloki7565]

Hell, now that I've watched the whole video, that ending is the same as the original ending. Nice!

[@alexloda7660]

Awesome 👍 Thanks for letting the world in, on our little secret...the genius of Jason Becker

[@shredder66]

I'm so glad that Jason is still with us and pray that he overcomes his battle with ALS. It's truly wonderful that he has stuck around long enough to reach this era where technology allows him to connect and interact with us all digitally. How great is it that he can watch amazing reaction videos like this one by Doug and see his compositions get the recognition they truly deserve!

[@IamNerva]

Amazing song. For anyone that didn’t catch on. The guitar parts are from older sections like when he was in cacophony. And the orchestral leads play those parts out as well in their own variation. Lovely to hear it in different ways.

[@richardstephens7833]

Jason just continues to amaze me to this day, seriously. Every time I listen to something new from him, my jaw hits the floor. Never have I ever encountered a musician who can do this time and time again

[@markspooner1224]

I enjoyed that, I'll certainly be checking out more Jason Becker.

[@eugenplesca4781]

Check out "End of the Beginning" by Jason Becker, amazing song...

[@markspooner1224]

@@eugenplesca4781 Thanks, I will.

[@TheCkhutton12]

Eugen Plesca everything off that album is gold heh. Especially the track Primal!

[@LogioTek]

In addition to 'Triumphant Hearts' (2018) album that Doug is listening to, check entire 'Perspective' (1996) album, my favorite from there is 'Life and Death' .

[@TheCkhutton12]

logiotek I listened to perspective on the come up of some fantastic cid and holy shit I could see the notes dancing around me in this celebration of life.

[@benpugh124]

Everyone who watches this video, please buy the album! I supported its making and I couldn't be more amazed and happy with the music my small contribution helped bring to the world. Jason, you are an inspiration. I'll be there to support your next album.

[@silvaanosvs8783]

I bought it on CD and Vinyl, and I recommend everyone to do the same. Even if you don't have a cd or record player. If you're financially comfortable at least, it's probably gonna be the most meaningful dollars you'll spend in quite a while.

[@lautarotrefilio4773]

Jason was my hero (and still is) back in the day Imagine the joy in my 14 year old self when I left a message expressing my admiration towards him and he replied

[@tedkord1968]

I've been a Jason fan since he and Marty Friedman put out the first Cacophony album. Speed Metal Symphony is, for me, still the greatest guitar song ever. Jason inspires me to this day. Paralyzed in a wheel chair, unable to make even the most basic movement, his mind cannot be bound. He composes music that is more beautiful, more intelligent than 98% of the popular music released today.

[@borizh]

Doug, the outro is a recording of Jason as a little kid.

[@metalmark1214]

Thanks Doug for doing another Jason Becker reaction and it gives Jason more exposure to a bigger audience. I hope Jason gives you another response to this reaction.

[@ryant3600]

Jasons compositions always brings tears to my ears. I've been a fan of his since his Cacophony days. What an inspiration.

[@aghoriguitarist]

And this has been composed by a person who cannot even move his lips or tongue. Jason Becker is my inspiration since childhood & now I'm in tears when you're commenting so highly about the virtuoso. I can see clearly that you are in complete rapture and amazement by the creative genius of Jason Becker, one of the fastest guitarists ever!

[@user-ov5nd1fb7s]

Jason, we love you.

[@danwindsor3054]

That part from 5:30 and a bit onwards is from the song Go Off! which is a very interesting song from his Cacophony days, love the orchestral take on it.

[@MikeFrame]

The ending was very touching and I think adds support to the program-ic intention of the musical component. Glad to know Jason is out there and still engaging in music!

[@russhatcher4402]

Hey Doug. Jason and one of the producers commented on this video. Cool

[@bm8584]

Jason Becker, you are awesome. Thanks Doug, for reacting to his music.

[@TheAxe4Ever]

Awesome composition! What an absolute treat to hear Jason’s guitar playing once again. I always knew he had some stuff laying around waiting to unleash on us! The kid at the end was Jason Becker as a child. It’s from a home movie where either his dad or his uncle (I believe his uncle who also plays guitar) was showing him something on guitar and Jason said “You do it”. It’s on his biography “Not Dead Yet”.

[@247riffraff]

Doug thank you for Becker reviews it's about time some one reviewed this song writer, composer, Phenomenal guitarist. Hands down most underrated musician. I'm sure your views are going up too which are rightfully deserved for recognizing a great musician Jason.

[@jimm2099]

Another fantastic example from Jason Becker. Thanks to Doug and especially Jason for creating this piece!

[@danielmault596]

To think each note is done by eye movement linked to computer software and how long it must take. The amount of time to compose is impressive in and of itself

[@jorgeestebanmendozaortiz873]

What do you mean each note is done by eye movement? The composer has no hands? :o

[@saulsalazar6817]

@@jorgeestebanmendozaortiz873 he only can move his eyes.

[@ckorch]

@@jorgeestebanmendozaortiz873 he has had ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) since the early 90's. He is an inspiration, and a wonderful human being.

[@Metalhead_Vagabond]

@@jorgeestebanmendozaortiz873 Watch "Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet" documentary

[@jorgeestebanmendozaortiz873]

@@Metalhead_Vagabond Thanks a lot! I'll have a look

[@daveyojets]

I love that he used some of "Go Off" from Cacophony's album Go Off. around 5:17 the actual recording of it from 1988 at 7:57

[@Kriegter]

5:27 is the outro part from Go Off in Cacohony

[@jamesmcswain8120]

Doug, your enthusiasm is refreshing.

[@jackhandy7684]

Wow. A truly beautiful piece.

[@riffsthatkill2180]

I like how Jason used that section from Go Off! around 5:20. I always loved that part on the old Cacophony song, and it translates to this sound very well.

[@edhorgan6795]

Jason is a genius. God bless you❤️

[@inigonunez4399]

Great video!! Jason is, in my opinion, the most talented guitarrist ive ever heard. But probably more important, his music inspires me keeping playing guitar and enjoying music. His taste makes me travel on my mind while i listen yo his composition

[@kevinallcock5927]

Awww the combination of Jason n Doug has truly put the biggest smile on my face… I nearly wept with joy when I heard the orchestral reworking of one of the greatest guitar solos of our time.. Thanks to you both for your wonderful creativity and entertainment ❤️

[@neoclassic09]

i love that this has some of his original guitar recording in it, and that he was able to surround it with stuff he wrote wit hhis eyes. astounding. no one even comes close to rivaling him.

[@bizooki3930]

You have to react to Cacophony pieces, especially "IMAGES" , the last one from the "go off" album . Once upon a melody is actually based on the go off piece itself

[@esoonmeen]

100% agree!!! IMAGES is perhaps my favorite song of theirs. others that doug should react to include GO OFF! and SPEED METAL SYMPHONY. maybe CONCERTO too.

[@bizooki3930]

@@esoonmeen yes! i really love all of them, and maybe concerto would be perfect for doug

[@ardacakaroglu7159]

You must react to "Astral Voyage" Doug. It's inspired by Vivaldi btw.

[@getexis8685]

Genius... It doesn't even have to be said 1000 times for it to be true... because this is pure truth right on the first listen. It is so organic that it touches the soul like a sound that makes a resonant glass vibrate. At the end of the song, tears come when listening to the voices of children as if our whole life flashed through our memory again.

[@stephanevilleneuve9450]

Dear Dr Doug, because you like this kind of short and little symphony, I suggest Mother Russia from Renaissance. The band had used orchestral arrangements in the same way as this song, but with the great voice of Annie Haslam. By the way, really interesting reaction as usual.

[@Hadri_ART]

Thank you for analysing Jason, my all time fav guitarist 💯💥

[@ultimateautoimagesallancol9706]

Imagine being so creative and making these songs up , perfecting them over time and there is no way to release them from your mind because of a terrible disease called ALS then your own father develops a piece of software that allows you to communicate and all of a sudden this flood of musical genius is released that was trapped for years . This is the music that created this Album Triumphant Hearts . Thank you to all the artists that came together to make it happen .

[@lumarians]

*Ending interpreted:* As an infant to child to adolescent, one cannot imagine what it would be like not to move forward as a "natural man" let alone writing symphonies from a wheel chair. The possibilities of life are forever limited and simply sullen in the soul.

[@curry_erry]

He is such an inspiration. I get chills everytime I hear his music. We love you Jason.

[@the_proteus_void]

I became a fan of his on the "A L'il Ain't Enough", David Lee Roth album in the early 90's. There are several songs on that record that had individual sections that suggested a higher understanding of music. His story, while based in a tragic happenstance, is inspiring. This side of him deserves a wider audience, which is something I believe you can deliver. Bravo Jason, and bravo to you Doug for including this today!

[@nicolasservian4068]

So lovely song. I can't imagine a world without Jason. I'm so blessed to live in this one where he is. We love you Jason

[@Seacai150]

Jason is an amazing human being!

[@DrLeolocke]

Amazing! Jason is a wonderful human being and a truly genius! Thank you for this special video, Doug

[@benjaminrowlett6960]

You look at the old footage of Jason Becker shredding and doing these wild acrobatics while yo-yoing with one hand, for example... and you can't help but to be impressed. Especially considering that that was a teenager doing all of that. Having said that, I am way more impressed by the perseverance and human spirit that Jason presents as a beacon and lesson to every one of us on this planet. This man is going to keep utilizing the gifts that have been given to him and sharing those with the world regardless of circumstance or obstacle. I would be hard-pressed to find another human being more impressive than this man is.

[@vistarecords4930]

Jason is so inspiring. He has accomplished a ton despite his situation. It's a tragic story, but also a triumphant one. The album that this song is from shouldn't have been possible. It just shouldn't have been. But we've got just enough technology that combined with Jason's will, determination, and patience (not to mention immeasurable talent) he was able to get the album completed - and it's some fantastic stuff, too! But, then, Jason's story over the last 30 years has been one of defying the odds, hasn't it? Jason and his family are just incredible.

[@TheCommanderrob]

For context the kid at the end is Jason when he was very young, him saying “you do it” was him getting his uncle to repeat the stuff he did on the guitar back when he was around 5.

[@Mechashiva76]

5:20 is the outro solo Jason played to "Go Off!" from the Cacophony album of the same name (Go Off!). sounds like he pulled the guitar track from it for 7:58

[@juansecar2]

All those high D's, that whole passage is a quote, straight outta Cacophony's second album title Track, Go Off. Go and listen to it anytime you have the chance, there it is, that very same idea. Jason was, is and will always be the truth. One of those cats you see every 40 years... like Coltrane, Jaco. Cheers and lets all keep jason as alive, relevant and actual as he deserves by playing and sharing his wonderful music!

[@xenomorphexidious9102]

Jason is a golden figure of a person that makes music with his soul, meaning that you don't just need to hands to play, but because you feel.

[@stonybuckner9928]

Wow absolutely orchestral performance worthy and soundtrack material to the max!! Great work Jason Becker!! Happy New Year sir

[@chefstar72]

Since he had to stop playing, I've loved that I can still hear his playing and style through his compositions. I know that's him in this song but on the others, you can still hear him as though he really is playing.

[@manmoth_1990]

This whole album is so jawdropping. I think you would love "End of the Beginning" by Jason and "Images" by Cacophony (with Jason and Marty playing). Such a unique style of music. I was happy when you mentioned Vaughn Williams since I thought of "Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus" when I first listened to this piece. Sort of a similar style of developing a melody in what might seem like free form or kind of a stream of consciousness way. Loved it, Doug! More Jason!

[@arnaldospiller]

"Images" is one of my all time favorites. Such a wonderful piece of music!

[@manmoth_1990]

@@arnaldospiller Yea I never get tired of listening to that.

[@carlosclaptrix]

I am deeply impressed by Jason and his music. Thanks, Doug!

[@kevinmaccormack941]

Thanks Doug; as someone who has looked up to Jason since my teen years; it is always appreciated to hear different perspectives of the music that has meant so much to me. Please check out the 20+ minute song by Extreme (Everything under the Sun). Such a beautiful piece that runs the gamut of influences.

[@d.a.t.4699]

amazing piece, jason is forever!....always enjoy your show doug, your awesome too man...cheers.

[@DarkKnight4533]

Jason has been my favorite guitar player for a very long time and I love this song so much, but I had no idea it was an old track of him playing guitar and when you said that and i heard it again I got chills and couldn't move if I wanted to. Jason's music was always filled with emotion and this is no exception

[@MikaTarkela]

Wow! I had never heard this song from him before. First 15 seconds made me cry already :)

[@ionasguitar]

Thank you for this Doug!

[@chadradzter7777]

Jason Becker "End of the Beginning" review is a must!

[@dontbothertoreply9755]

It was an amazing piece indeed, full of emotions and nostalgia.

[@brazdepina]

This brought tears to my eyes

[@snowdog87]

Haven't scanned all of the comments so someone might have said this....Guys...this is Prog in the truest sense Beautiful

[@dis.infectant]

The closing section from Go Off is just phenomenal.

[@BlackmoreDavid]

Mais pessoas precisam assistir esses vídeos de audição da música do Jason, entender mais e dar suporte a ele. Much love, Jason! Thank you, Doug!

[@neoclassic09]

Please just do the entire perspective, perpetual burn, and triumphant hearts albums. He's not just a guitarist, like you said, he's a genius composer. and now he does it with just his eyes without being able to move. what an inspiration.

[@robertkroberjr.157]

First time hearing this! Awesome!😎👍

[@joebalusikiii5811]

I have this CD....IIRC, Doug the child's voice is Jason.

[@hmoen]

Thanks a lot Doug , I love Jason's music and he is my favourite guitar player

[@ce152capt100]

Beautiful.

[@robn.7426]

Wow, that was gorgeous. Thanks for reacting to this Doug.

[@adir_i]

Thank you for doing this video.

[@GuitaristJesse2442]

The song "Hold On" from Triumphant Hearts is my favourite. Really beautiful guitar playing and vocals

[@leogtt1627]

might not be one of his most famous songs, but I really like Mabel's Fatal Fable and I think it'd be nice to see your take on it

[@andrewrance2883]

One of his best!

[@matthewperkins2827]

I just listened to this full album. It has several GREAT tracks on it!

[@trailrunner919]

Dr Doug, we Jason fans really appreciate you doing these reaction/analysis videos of his amazing body of work and hopefully you will continue to explore more of his music and do many more vids, especially from Perpetual Burn, thank you!!!

[@funkster007]

I never clicked on so fast for a reaction video. My favorite song on this album, and not one song is short of amazing. Thanks for posting this!

[@Antawnyoo]

«I wrote 'Triumphant Heart' and it made me feel triumphant.», Jason Becker

[@Bob-vp3dc]

The end feels like you’re dying and going to a wonderful place…with the major chord and the nice little lydian hug at the end, and the fadeout with the flashback of Jason as a boy. Haven’t listened to a lot of Jason’s stuff but I really liked this.

[@neoclassic09]

you realize he wrote all of this with only his eyes, right? he added old recordings of his to it, but by and large this song and the rest of this incredible album were written by just his eyes. the eyes of a man who hasn't been able to move anything but those eyes for 35 years. just imagine being the best guitarist and composer (in my opinion) to ever live, and by age 21 he could only move his eyes. the greatest musical talent in recent history was given twenty years to show us God, and then it was taken away. but while most people with ALS only live a few years, he is still here decades later, and orchestrates all of this only using his eyes. please, do all of you not understand how amazing this is? he deserves a Hollywood movie about him. everyone needs to hear his music and his story. whenever you think you have it tough you just need to listen to Jason and understand the gravity of all of this and it gives us no excuse to not press forward. music aside, Jason is there most inspirational person I've ever seen

[@GuitarooMan93]

This album is HUGE, thanks for this video ! Thanks to Jason !

[@Metalhead_Vagabond]

Thank you so much Doug! After an endless 8 hours of fixing injection moulds at 40°C + humidity; this review is the best seasoning for a cold Heinken and a sativa bowl a guy can ask! You make my day sir!

[@rubenvela44]

My favorite song from album

[@rossdixonellis]

Probably has been mentioned but those guitar lines were also featured from Cacophony's 2nd album in 1988 on the title track "Go Off." It's amazing to hear a full orchestra backing that giving it a whole different context and showing how timeless it is. It's very strange scoopy sort of riffs, but that part always stood out as an uncommon and very beautiful part. Any guitarist who knows Jason Becker's story is inspired by his resilience and determination.