Virgil Donati Moonbabies Session

This is extraordinary, engaging, generous, rare footage from the Planet X 'Moonbabies' sessions at Simon Phillips studio in Los Angeles in 2002. Observe the unerring observations between Virgil, Simon and Derek, during playback of Virgil's first take of 'Ignotus Per Ignotium'.
Moonbabies is available from Amazon.com: www.amazon.com/...

[@mmaier2112]

Derek and Planet X are criminally under-recognized in the world of music.

[@user-hk7hz9cn7v]

An entire dvd of these sessions would be solid gold. I’d pay for that any day!

[@HB-vm1sf]

Nobody mentions Tony MacAlpines guitar playing on the Moonbabies album. Everything Planet X did with all three musicians was awesome. One of my favorite albums

[@hazardeur]

loved tonys solos. cream of the crop

[@melkduarte_]

tony is below them.

[@tigranmargaryan8617]

I still listen to those 3 fantastic Planet X albums, (since 2004 until now, it’s 2020, and forever : ))). That music still fresh, new and amazing. If only Derek, Tony and Virgil would continue record new albums...

[@BigDirtySS]

I think Tony got sick mate cancer or something not sure?

[@javying]

Virgil Donati and Derek Sherinian are Planet X...... kings of creative music!

[@thebig96er]

I love how Derek keeps smiling,like a little kid in a candy store...coarse that's the way i am when in the studio

[@ArisAlamanos]

Simon Philips and Virgil Donati in the same room. I wonder how the space and time continuum didn't collapse right there under the immense artistic weight of those two giants....

[@drummerxx1]

Anyone recognizing Simon Phillips? - wonderful drummer and best drum mix!

[@user-hk7hz9cn7v]

flying-drummer He really made that album sound fucking phenomenal. Excellent mixing! As far as best drummer he’s definitely in the top 10 without a doubt. I have to give the best spots to Dave Weckl and Virgil Donati

[@tigranmargaryan8617]

Sure, I did. At once.

[@melkduarte_]

@@user-hk7hz9cn7v Portnoy is in that top 3

[@systematicdesign]

@@melkduarte_ no way!!!!

[@pepinooobreve]

Derek should be the keyboard player that all progressive rock band would like to have. His chord progressions and keyboard tones are extremely creatives, strongs and aggressive!!

[@wakingupfrom]

he already is that

[@FPontiDev]

Simon Phillips and Virgil Donati, two of best drummers! This video is pure gold!

[@104yourmother]

Classic prog track....Drums are incredibly full. Masterpiece. So freaking cool to see it being processed.

[@DrMorbid]

This was Virgil's first take? THIS was Virgil's FIRST take??? Oh for God's sake! This is inhumane... But thanks a million for this video. Extremely interesting to witness these masterminds at work.

[@ZacStaylon]

It's so cool to not only see behind the scenes, but to see Derek smiling. You can just feel the vibe in the room emanating from the screen. Thank you for sharing Virg!

[@markbradley8678]

Derek is such a big kid lol I love it

[@leperking84]

2:05 that grin! "what have we created" thats what hes thinkin rite there. i get the exact same smile everytime i listen to PX or Holdsworth. such joy such pleasure damn

[@FusionHowie]

The conversations between Simon and Virgil must be amazing !!! Those two gods are responsible for the best sounding drums every recorded! They both have the most incredible ears and timing ability! Peace from Detroit MI.

[@timpricedrums]

Must have been hard for Virgil having Simon engineering and semi producing the album. A lot of potential for creative differences due their very different approaches to drumming and phrasing. In fact you can hear Simon trying to get Virgil to simply his parts and play a little straighter here. Virgil is a very very clever man. It’s taken me years to understand his phrasing and the subtle musicality of it. I bet Simon was a bit taken aback hearing this stuff to begin with!

[@graphicsociety1]

What a masterpiece! This album certainly changed my music life. Thank you guys.

[@thenecessitarian]

The level you have to be on in order to hit this as cleanly and consistently as to actually have all of those subdivisions and rhythmic phrasings register precisely and not just sound like random noise, and in the context of a recording studio where every single mistake and millisecond of uncertainty or hesitation is unforgivingly obvious during isolated playback, is nothing short of transcendent..... and Virgil was already on that level so many decades ago ... unreal... The guy has basically been the literal cutting edge of drum mastery for like 4 decades in a row at this point. And then he blew the world away with Ruination just to demonstrate that he's not finished pushing the limits of what's possible both as a composer and a drummer. Virgil is undisputedly an absolute music legend.

[@bahaachic8377]

my favorite drummer . YOU ROCK!!!!! i miss planet X oh god such a perfect band .

[@melkduarte_]

Why did they stop?

[@cesarvaldez112975]

Way awesome. I've been waiting 10 years to see this. I remember reading the 2002 modern drummer interview with virgil about this session. Simon Phillips and Virgil Donati are a drumming match made in heaven.

[@progmanmike]

I know what you mean.. Portnoy is a solid drummer, but Donati is another world

[@lostsoulsmalaysia]

Virgil's drumming is just ...... no words to justify the incredible talent.. just fixated..just amazing..

[@jacobsmith1877]

I want a Planet X reunion show bringing back all former members to play their original parts - Garsed, McAlpine, Tony Franklin, Tom Kennedy, Billy Sheehan, Jimmy Johnson, Rufus Philpot.

[@TravisOrbin]

Thanks so much for this footage, whoever posted it! It's so cool to see Virg candidly relaxing, getting off on a great take - same with Simon and Derek geekin' out, haha. I think I even heard an F bomb at 7:34, lulz.

[@danielhorn2322]

Lulz

[@graphicsociety1]

Three of the most genius musicians of our time. I can imagine aliens listening to this record and freak out. I wish there were more backstage footage.

[@francozuccaroli9741]

Yeah, I'd be smiling too if I'd just recorded that!

[@sergiozdrums]

THIS is just unbelievable!!! thank you Virgil for sharing this with us!!

[@vicencmaicas3541]

Simon is freaking out with Virgil!! 😂😂😎

[@kensurrency2564]

I saw them live during the MB tour, and it was a life-altering experience.

[@LoveGuitar63277]

Moonbabies is a rare example of supernatural talent.

[@melkduarte_]

It's coming straight from planet x

[@FededeDiosDrums]

so THAT'S what virgil looks like with facial hair..

[@SaschaOnBass]

It's so epic! Seeing this material of the music that changed my life! Love it !

[@janivelic2316]

Wonderful footage! What a privilege to witness the birth of this epic track and to see how Mr.Simon started with Phantom rec! I remember the first time I heard this...my teeth fell out.😂 It took me 5 years to decipher what they played... This is the masterpiece of metric modulations and polymetrics. Virgil, you're unbelievable! 😊

[@sebastianelias8471]

EXTRAORDINARIO DOCUMENTO!!! AMAZING FILE !!!

[@rodrigocamargo8400]

2:36 - I love the arms :D This is mind-boggling, even body-boggling music !

[@brianmcguire5175]

This mix is awesome

[@johnrobert385mm]

Really great indeed .Punchy , tight , and crystal clear .

[@caratcranker5874]

Every time I listen to Virgil on prog fusion like this masterpiece, I seem to vision some type of metal alloy in it's foundry, being shaped, modelled, and worked. Ahead of anything else ever before. Virgil and his fellow musicians are true sculpture ists [not a word], Without Virgils totally amazing control of polyrhythm's, I have heard it all before.

[@johnrobert385mm]

Derek keeps smiling 😁 realising that he had created one of the most terrifying music ever to exist .

[@kostasdel]

A masterpiece in the making!

[@wrightguyz]

this was great to see...thx for sharing!

[@RushianRichard]

Thx for this footage...EPIC!!! I have this cd signed by you Virgil.

[@ThePetruccijunior]

RUSHIAN RICHARD Really!? So I'm not the only one😉

[@mizraimdominguez8370]

THE 2 greatest inspirations 4 me!!!!!

[@drumsanddrumming]

two great drummers

[@ArtGuitarLTX]

Man if Virgil played over a groove I wrote that sick I’d be smiling too 😂😅…. I commented 2 years ago… jeeeeeez… still and will always be a fanboy! 😅👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@xevinoeinogueiras3748]

Nice recording! I have all Planet X albums and... surprise... the same Mackie D8B mixer (today we have been reparing it). Great to have same tools; but we will not sound as great as you do! :) :) :)

[@Karthik-nv6ry]

Wt an unbelievable song that is ignotus per ignotium It’s not just the best Planet X song but a great progressive song too Awesome 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@adamrosner7736]

These rhythms are in my head to this day. I am tapping on the yogurt container at the grocery store, or playing with my feet while sitting down at the bank. One day someone will understand what im taping

[@joe_ep5325]

Geniussssss!!

[@yugiohyugioh12345]

one dislike from a travis barker fan

[@jonberg82]

08:05: "Well, I think we should save this one"...if that was my drumtake, I´d been the happiest drummer alive!!

[@user-hk7hz9cn7v]

jonberg82 Love your work! You’ve done an excellent job contributing to the world of Fusion and Progressive music. Bravo!

[@jonberg82]

Awesome footage!!!

[@6WireBender]

Question: "Can a person get fired from a job for being over-qualified?" Dream Theater: "Yes."

[@user-hk7hz9cn7v]

And thank God for that! Virgil should never be locked down to anyone or anything. He’s far too incredible and talented to be put on a leash!

[@6WireBender]

@@user-hk7hz9cn7v not talking Virgil but I do agree

[@user-hk7hz9cn7v]

@@6WireBender Oh noI I agree with Derek as well! Jordan is talented to no end of course but he’s a piano player masquerading as a keyboard player. Derek is a true keyboard player…combining synths, creating landscapes and understanding what these powerhouse keyboards can do! All while maintaining a very signature sound

[@AJDOLDCHANNELARCHIVE]

Just jamming to Ataraxia and see this on my feed, talk about coincidence :P (although I saw this video when it was first posted I think).

[@jorgejaray.2671]

I hope they upload more videos of these recording records Thanks!!!!

[@graphicsociety1]

These guys are undoubtedly aliens. This is one of the most complex polyrhythmic music that I’ve heard and yet it’s very musical.

[@Hanky.SSCorp]

i swear derek always has that shirt on!

[@hollowoxhollowox4870]

Hugh Jazz he has a great taste in tv shows

[@pepinooobreve]

That t-shirt can walk alone already!

[@videotampa]

One of my favorite tunes off of MB.. it's really cool to see the reviewing of the take, even missing the snare downbeat at the end of the solo. Virgil IS human! haha

[@graphicsociety1]

New album please!

[@kinderegg950]

Virgil!! you great man!! your playing is super !!

[@ericlarkins]

You guys SO need to release a full Planet X show or two on video!!!!

[@user-hk7hz9cn7v]

If Live From Oz had been recorded on dvd I would wear that thing out! From day one to right now!

[@ericlarkins]

@@user-hk7hz9cn7v Me too! Supposedly there are a lot of bootleg videos of their concerts. I was never successful in getting a hold of many of them, unfortunately.

[@BrainEquation]

Hahaha-I was in the studio recently and have never concentrated so hard on a straight eight!! This guy is simply on another planet. Oh yeah...Planet X. It will take me 3 million years to build a rocket to get to him.

[@LeeWanner]

I wish the drums were that loud on the record!

[@dfritz411]

Holy shit! Amazing stuff

[@Ianlive9]

Best band!

[@progmanmike]

Righteous, and on their first album none the less

[@hanky2112]

thanks Virg GREAT post , cheers mate.

[@ArtGuitarLTX]

Pure gold....

[@dougmorato]

That Pearl sounds soooo much better than his DW nowadays. Why are Planet X albums available on streamings??

[@graphicsociety1]

Seriously which planet are you guys from?! Thanks for opening the door to another world.

[@morgenthaler]

The link is in the video description. Awesome album.

[@boddhiswaha5446]

2:24 Derek is enjoying it

[@cesarvaldez112975]

Footage of virgil recording some of the tracks would be fantasitc. Would love to see some of that. Virg, when are you gonna put out a instructional dvd? Been shedding out of "Double Bass Drum Freedom", but a supplemental dvd would be killer.

[@LeeWanner]

Awesome video...

[@jazzhole8208]

Uh i luv Virgils beard ❤

[@La_sagne]

nice phillips and donati... two guys making so very different music but i think i can see a similar state of mind there :)

[@Egor-xb7ii]

Планета Х самая крутая во вселенной. Planet X is the coolest in the universe.

[@EsaelPaggin024]

Virg, you gotta regrow that facial hair man

[@AtanasovPetar]

Virgil must reunite with Planet X.I heard Mike Portnoy playing Apocalypse 1470 and he is embarrassing himself because this material is so much beyond his abilities.I know a lot of Dream Theater fanboys will cry over this but face the truth Virgil is so much more sophisticated than Portnoy that it's like they are not even playing the same instrument.

[@TheFissionchips]

Watching PSMS playing Planet X is cringe-worthy. Portnoy is like a disco drummer compared to Virgil.

[@user-hk7hz9cn7v]

So true! Portnoy is a great drummer but he doesn’t stand a chance with this level of complexity and finesse

[@thomaslejon]

Simon learn beside this

[@La_sagne]

why? portnoy is great. not so extremely technical , but you always see he loves what he's doing

[@JesseBatesDrums]

Awesome 7:35 user’s the F word. He is human ha ha.

[@percdann]

Since this is Virgil I can only presume they did over forty thousand takes.

[@thebig96er]

Derek is amusing with his little swaying he does,LOL. U guys rip! When's your next clinic in chicago?

[@cristianorosa4888]

Exciting!!!

[@AJDOLDCHANNELARCHIVE]

Virgil and Derek gone for spliffs at the end :P

[@TiagoPatula84]

7 dislikers missed the snare at the end of the solo.

[@morgenthaler]

I know, it would be great if it were available as a digital download (iTiunes etc)

[@VivaMcCrilly]

4.50 to 5.25 is absolutely mental? i doubt even Simon Phillips knows what Virgil is doing there.

[@MrGul]

Yeah, amazon dot com has it.

[@ChicoFagundes78]

It's a shame that CD came with so bad audio compression and saturation, killing all dynamics. I can hear more dynamics in this video than a CD. This song is very good.

[@user-hk7hz9cn7v]

That’s mastering for you

[@christianbettinelli5004]

Bada bing.......

[@Dekknavn39]

Yeah! I know Virgil is on tour with Allan, but Portnoy doesn't hold up to the rest of the guys. In fact only Virgil does that. Lets tell them all. But no hate on Portnoy. He is an outstanding drummer, but Virgil is like.. the best.

[@Rad631]

they need a good producer

[@queenday15]

Moon babies is the bible of prog. I can't believe that portnoy is coming to Israel with tony , Derek and billy. Why Virgil WHY!?!

[@AtanasovPetar]

No...No drummer can play the Virgil's parts on Planet X's tunes.Specially Portnoy.I have heard few drummers that cover Planet X but the best of them are sloppy.

[@ApoenaAds]

I disagree with him, if that's what he meant.

[@mercho_music]

Virgil should try to grow a beard again....

[@electrizer]

This album is a freakin masterpiece and the last one I enjoyed Virgil's snare sound on. Everything after that is just ribbish.

[@ericlarkins]

I would imagine for fun and some money, it's not a Planet X tour, and Virg is busy touring with Allan Holdsworth anyway. Even Portnoy will admit he can't sit in the shadow of Virgil.

[@user-hk7hz9cn7v]

He couldn’t quite keep up with Apocalypse live. His face was just “Holy shit I’m doing my best but whoa!” Planet X is exactly what Derek said “Striking fear”