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Review:
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With several years between studio albums Transatlantic
felt it was time to meet again and record some more new
tracks. Mike Portnoy (drums, Dream Theater), Neal Morse
(keys, vocals, Spocks Beard & Solo), Pete Trewavas (bass,
Marillion) and Roine Stolt (guitar, vocals, The Flower Kings)
were all back for another round at Neal’s home studio nestled
in the country backwoods of Tennessee.***
The end result was a prolific two disc set titled Whirlwind
(total time 77:56). The version I was so fortunate to enjoy
is the special edition box set with the insightful “The
Making of Whirlwind” DVD. I decided to watch the DVD first
before listening to all of the tracks in order to understand
the band’s driving force and process. It always helps to
be familiar with the musicians (I am extensively), and to
see how the entire project fell into place. Firstly, each
member respects each other immensely and that is why Mike
Portnoy created this project to begin with. Each band member
is successful in their own right with their respective bands,
side, and solo projects. In the past collaborations such
as this have failed because of egos and personalities clashing,
this was never the case here, the premise here is to create
great music on a level playing field for all and everyone
provides equal parts to the whole. Mike and his strong personality
and leadership skills are accepted gladly by the other members
and he is very laid back and all ears with his mates to
accomplish their goals. It really is an amazing thing to
watch and the DVD really made me feel right at home with
them in Neal’s studio. I do not think you could get together
four more talented and humble musicians; this is truly a
miracle band that creates magic every time they meet, Whirlwind
being no exception.***
The first disc consist of 12 tracks, all master strokes
of prog-rock genius, how could it not be with these four
legendary performers? I would be hard pressed to name any
drummer right now that is better than Portnoy and Morse
is a fantastic writer/singer/keyboard player. If you ever
listen to any of the older Spock’s Beard or any of his solo
material…well the proof is in the pudding as they say. Those
unfamiliar with Morse’s career path should know he went
from Spock’s Beard into a prog-rock Christian solo career.
Those influences are apparent in this release and relevant
to the grand scheme of things with this band, but not overbearing.
Stolt is simply amazing, and always has been, The Flower
King has been one of the busiest people in music, and he
is involved in so many different things I cannot keep track!
Pete Trewavas is an awesome bass player that does a little
singing too not to mention some fantastic abilities to put
together a song, constructing it from the bottom up. Neal
mentions this fact in a short interview on the DVD. Ok,
enough of my over indulgent kudos but I think they all deserve
it. All 12 tracks are vintage Transatlantic and what is
special about this recording is that you can hear the influences
of every member’s band yet they create a sound that defines
the word progressive while maintaining a certain originality
that I find hard to describe, which does not surprise me
considering the uniqueness of each contributor. I loved
the way the album kicked off with the nearly 10 minute opus
“Overture / Whirlwind”. It starts with a regal keyboard
opening and orchestration then changes into something you
would hear on a Flower Kings album with a beautiful instrumental
intro and a positive vibe that carries you through the entire
listen. The highlight of this track is when Roine and Neal
do a give and take vocal response. It goes without saying
the excellence of musicianship that supports all the vocals,
that remains consistent from start to finish.***
As you make your way through each track you start wishing
that this band would do this more often but it is a side
project and schedules are tight so you remain grateful for
what you are hearing now. By the time Neal’s “Rose Colored
Glasses” rolls around you do not want this prog-rock nirvana
to end. That track is a heartfelt composition from Neal
to his father, who passed away last year. It’s the kind
of track that has tremendous meaning but keep intact the
elements of prog while offering enough commercial feel that
you could imagine it as hit single playing on the radio.
It also breaks up the album at mid-point before launching
back into a full scale prog-rock onslaught with all the
trimmings on the following tracks. Everything is here, the
power and majesty of the genre, rocking moments and times
of gentle reflection with spacey interludes, and then it
all changes as quickly as it started in typical transitory
prog fashion. There is nothing left for chance here, make
no mistake about it. If that isn’t enough the bonus disc
takes you through a rock ‘n’ roll/prog 101 class with exceptional
covers including Mike doing a great job on vocals with his
father’s favorite tune, the Procol Harum classic “Salty
Dog”. The cover of “Soul Sacrifice” is excellent and not
a particularly easy song to cover with its intricate melodies
and percussion yet they pull it off with flying colors.
Another fun listen is the fine representation from the Genesis
catalog of “Return of the Giant Hogweed”. They lay their
stake in the ground as one of the best group of musicians
in the world with that cover. Always the first to acknowledge
and credit their influences, bands from the world of prog
believe in giving credit where it is due. So do I and this
is a masterful production that everyone that enjoys prog
should add to their collection. Even some jazz fusion listeners
would find enjoyment in this recording as at times that
genre sneaks in and gives you a jolt.***
This is 100% prog rock with some of best delivering
it.***
Keith
(Muzikman) Hannaleck
http://www.muzikreviews.com
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