Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Transatlantic
Label: Century Media
Released: 2014
Running time: 182:42
Rating: 4.5/5
»KaLIVEoscope« is the title of a triple live album from the international prog-rock supergroup Transatlantic, whose virtuoso chops never stop wowing old and young fans of progressive rock alike. »KaLIVEoscope« was recorded on the tour supporting the excellent studio album »Kaleidoscope« (2014), on which four huge prog-revival devotees, American singer/keyboardist Neal Morse (Flying Colors, ex-Spock’s Beard), Swedish guitarist/singer Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings, ex-Kaipa), English bassist Pete Trewavas (Marillion) and American drummer Mike Portnoy (The Winery Dogs, ex-Dream Theater), had no trouble drawing even more fired-up fans to their live shows than usual.
American singer/guitarist Ted Leonard (Spock’s Beard, Enchant) is on »KaLIVEoscope« too, having filled in as a guest musician on the tour for Daniel Gildenlow (Pain of Salvation). »KaLIVEoscope« captures the longest Transatlantic show of the tour, played in Tilburg in the Netherlands, which means a three-hour carousel of songs from every chapter of their fifteen-year history. There’s no point going on about the quality of the individual performances or how tight the beloved supergroup is, because Transatlantic sound even better live than in the studio. Fans of solo improvisation and fun virtuoso flourishes will get their fix once again.
In the first part of the show, Transatlantic play the whole of »Kaleidoscope« (with a few ‘breaks’ along the way), led off by the fan favorite »Shine«, plus »My New World« from the debut and a few ‘snippets’ from their third studio album »The Whirlwind« (2009) under the name »The Whirlwind Medley«. The second part, besides a solo spot from Neal and Roine, brings some covers of prog classics, headed by The Moody Blues evergreen »Nights In White Satin«. For the big finale Transatlantic tackle »Sylvia« and »Hocus Pocus«, two unforgettable classics from the Dutch prog legends Focus, who are too often overlooked, joined by a special guest, the legendary Thijs Van Leer, and then comes one more epic medley, »All of the Above/Stranger In Your Soul«. The atmosphere in the hall is, as you’d expect, electric the whole way through, and a band with the eternal joker Portnoy in its ranks naturally doesn’t skimp on the jokes and gags, like top-notch entertainers.
»KaLIVEoscope« serves up the ultimate prog orgy for everyone who loves hearing twenty-plus-minute concept epics played live by four masters of their instruments, and Leonard’s contribution deserves a shout too, especially on the vocal harmonies. They’re exactly where you can hear why Ted was the logical choice as lead singer for Neal’s former band Spock’s Beard. Every new Transatlantic record is a celebration of old-school-inspired progressive rock, and this time is no different.
Line-up
Neal Morse – vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar
Roine Stolt – vocals, guitar
Pete Trewavas – bass guitar, backing vocals
Mike Portnoy – drums, backing vocals
GUEST MUSICIANS:
Ted Leonard – guitar, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
Thijs Van Leer – flute, vocals on “Sylvia” and “Hocus Pocus”
Production
Transatlantic
Track list
CD 1 – Live in Tilburg
1. Into The Blue (27:49)
2. My New World (18:28)
3. Shine (7:23)
CD 2 – Live in Tilburg
1. The Whirlwind Medley (30:12)
2. Beyond The Sun (4:50)
3. Kaleidoscope (31:30)
CD 3 – Live in Tilburg
1. Neal & Roine Duet (4:34)
2. We All Need Some Light (6:05)
3. Black As The Sky (7:22)
4. Nights In White Satin (8:09)
5. Sylvia (4:46)
6. Hocus Pocus (7:09)
7. Medley: All Of The Above / Stranger In Your Soul (24:34)
DVD / BluRay – Live in Cologne
1. Into The Blue (26:12)
2. My New World (17:29)
3. Shine (7:22)
4. The Whirlwind Medley (29:34)
5. Beyond The Sun (4:24)
6. Kaleidoscope (31:30)
7. Neal & Roine Duet (3:41)
8. We All Need Some Light (5:56)
9. Black As The Sky (8:43)
Encore:
10. Medley: All Of The Above / Stranger In Your Soul (26:06)
