Music review: Neal Schon 鈥� 鈥楿niverse鈥�
Guitar virtuoso Neal Schon displays his musical diversity with an impassioned set of instrumentals infused with various genres on his latest solo release.
鈥淯niverse鈥� prominently demonstrates why he is one of the best guitarists in the business with the spotlight brightly shining on Schon鈥檚 skills through 15 tracks consisting of covers and original numbers that serve as a special tribute to the artists that influenced him during his storied career.
鈥淪omething in the Heart鈥� is the melodically flowing opener that provides a soothing introduction for what is to follow.
The title track carries a swirling guitar groove and is reminiscent of vintage Santana as Schon creates an atmospheric mood through a series of glorious riffs that ascend various levels of beauty.
The former Santana guitarist and co-founder of Journey does an outstanding job channeling Jimi Hendrix with fiery performances on 鈥淰oodoo Child鈥� and 鈥淭hird Stone from the Sun.鈥�
The album鈥檚 high point is found on Schon鈥檚 cover of 鈥淧urple Rain.鈥� This signature Prince arrangement is lovingly interpreted by Schon with the assistance of gentle orchestration that punctuates the passion of Prince鈥檚 original vision.
Schon goes back to his early days in Journey to revive 鈥淟ights.鈥� This stirring love letter to San Francisco was first featured on 1978鈥檚 鈥淚nfinity鈥� with a young Steve Perry taking over the band鈥檚 main vocal duties. Schon鈥檚 playing conveys the emotion of witnessing the lights going down in the city and the sun beginning to shine on the bay.
To my surprise, Schon includes a gorgeous version of Stevie Wonder鈥檚 鈥淚 Believe鈥� from Wonder鈥檚 1972 album 鈥淭alking Book鈥� and later covered by Art Garfunkel on 1975鈥檚 鈥淏reakaway.鈥� It has always been one of my favorite numbers and Schon certainly does not disappoint with his take on the tender ballad.
The Beatles are fondly remembered by Schon during a soaring performance of 鈥淗ey Jude鈥� that closes out the engaging set. I could not help myself from singing the chorus as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee masterfully captures the spirit of this Lennon and McCartney classic.
鈥淯niverse鈥� is a rewarding journey that elegantly highlights Schon鈥檚 creativity, insight and talent for all to embrace.