Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Over the last seven years, fans of Neal Schon’s electrifying guitar solos have had to contend themselves to an odd guest appearance with the legends Paul Rogers and Sammy Hagar and the resurgent power of his band, the American superheroes of Rock, Journey, if they have wanted to hear one of the greats in action. Now after a seven year absence, Neal Schon proves once again his standing in the pantheon of guitar heroes as he releases The Calling.
It can be easily cynical to dismiss a musician when they deliver an album which is purely instrumental. The pessimistic and sceptics will draw out long held views of the album being a mix between old school jazz, the so-called guitar noodling of progressive rock and the likes of jazz fusion bands such as Brand X. This is unfair as Neal Schon rightly shows on this album, when an instrumental recording is done right, it can be one of the most inspiring pieces of work you are likely to hear.
From Neal Schon’s soaring guitar to the blending of Steve Smith’s drums, the great keyboard playing of Igor Len and the addition of special guest Jan Hammer on Moog, the album should be considered as required listening for anyone who states that music is above all else in life. There might not be any stupendous harmonies to hang the heart strings upon but the absence of a vocalist putting his thoughts and spin onto Neal’s work of art would be a crime, for sometimes the music doesn’t need the generic poetry that can be seen as uncomfortably straddling and hindering the progress of the musician’s viewpoint.
For a man who has enjoyed a remarkable career, it can be seen that his work outside of Journey has not had the plaudits it deserves; however on such tracks as the excellent Carnival Jazz, the superb Fifty Six which has the hallmarks of a track by the incredible Steve Hackett sown throughout it and the riveting Primal Surge make The Calling not only the best solo album by Neal Schon since 1995’s Beyond The Thunder but also one of the best of his outstanding career.
The Calling is released by Frontier Records in the U.K. on Monday 22nd October.
Ian D. Hall