Power of Metal.dk Review

Neal Schon
The Calling
Rating
Style: Hard Rock
Release date: 19 October, 2012
Playing time: 53:36
 


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.


Tracklist
01. The Calling
02.
Carnival Jazz
03.
Six String Waltz
04.
Irish Field
05.
Back Smash
06.
Fifty Six
07.
True Emotion
08.
Tumbleweeds
09.
Primal Surge
10.
Blue Rainbow Sky
11.
Transonic Funk
12. Song of the Wind II
Label: Frontier Records
Distribution: Target (Denmark)
Artwork rating: 76/100
Reviewed by: Patrik Skoglund
Date: 9 October, 2012
Website: www.schonmusic.com