The
former Santana guitarist and Journey legend Neal
Schon releases his 10th solo album named 'The
Calling'. 'I on U' came 2005. On this piece of art
he is playing all the guitars and bass himself (as
well as a little electric sitar), ex-Journey sticksman Steve Smith is the drummer, the
composer/ producer and keyboardist Igor Len
features on the acoustic piano. Jan Hammer, with
whom Schon has previously collaborated,
contributes on keyboards on a couple of tracks.
'The Calling' is a 100% instrumental affair,
twelve tracks in very diverse colored style.
We are served classic rock, blues, funk, jazz fusion, prog
and big moments of guitar-centric ambience. Neal shows the range he have in his
musical craftmanship on this album. Satriani,
Bonamassa, Vai, Moore, Van Halen, Slamer and Schon
are just a few top class players in the guitars
first division and all these guys have their own
guitar sound as their own trademark.
The lack of a vocalist is nothing that I miss
really on 'The Calling'. The tracks are so well produced and elegantly written melodies, which
impress me. Especially after several spins,
because this is not an album you sit and do
something else at the same time.
It is necessary to be fully concentrated to
actually inhale every technical turn in these
musical delicacies from the exceptional
musicianship, which Mr. Schon with his co-musicians
delivers on 'The Calling'.
I am usually not a fan of instrumental records, but this
is really good stuff! The tracks in the jazz-style is not my cup
of tea.
So from sky high tracks to 'skip button' songs. I
leave it to you if you think Neal's album
is interesting.
Do you like his former albums, it's nothing to
wait for. BUY!
Do you love extreme guitar-neck ballet ? BUY!
Do you like good vocals and easy listening tracks?
Buy something else.
