MR

(This has nothing to do with Neal Schon's bed sheets or what Michaele Salahi is doing beneath them, so... )

I stumbled across this on Youtube. This guy does a fantastic job, imho. I'm harboring suspicions these are the entire actual tracks and not just backing tracks, but oh well. See what you think:

Enjoy.

Nice find. This guy has got a lotta feel. Really enjoyed it, and this is one of my favorite NS tunes.

Ehwmatt wrote:Nice find. This guy has got a lotta feel. Really enjoyed it, and this is one of my favorite NS tunes.

Same.

He's killer.

I can tell you firsthand as a guitar player who plays along with Beyond the Thunder songs that it's very tough to nail Neal's phrasing and feel on these tracks. There's spots where I notice a few small things just because I know the licks backwards and forwards, but this guy's very good.

Ehwmatt wrote:I can tell you firsthand as a guitar player who plays along with Beyond the Thunder songs that it's very tough to nail Neal's phrasing and feel on these tracks. There's spots where I notice a few small things just because I know the licks backwards and forwards, but this guy's very good.

I don't listen to Neal's solo works routinely, so this guy fooled me: I thought he was literally playing the track with the guitar unplugged, just showing the fretwork.

It's definitely not Neal, I can hear the subtle differences, and I've listened to Neal's solo stuff a lot. This kid does Neal amazingly well! I wonder if Neal could cover this song that good?

This guy is just great! Amazing feel. Check out one of his own compositions:

www.youtube.com/user/guitarholy#p/a/5EA ... Q9OLp0JqEk

You can definately here Neal's influence in his playing. Sounds like a lost track from Beyond the Thunder sessions.

Majestic wrote:It's definitely not Neal, I can hear the subtle differences, and I've listened to Neal's solo stuff a lot. This kid does Neal amazingly well! I wonder if Neal could cover this song that good? :shock:

Sadly, at this point in Neal's career I don't think he could. He's gotten lazy, content, or maybe he's just too old (doubtful). Whatever the case may be, listening to these Beyond the Thunder songs really exposes how far Neal has let himself slip, both in the chops and creativity departments.

Ehwmatt wrote:Sadly, at this point in Neal's career I don't think he could. He's gotten lazy, content, or maybe he's just too old (doubtful). Whatever the case may be, listening to these Beyond the Thunder songs really exposes how far Neal has let himself slip, both in the chops and creativity departments.

There are moments on "I on U" which remind me of "Beyond the Thunder." Some tracks like "Moondust" and "Father" and "Taken There" are as melodic as anything Neal's ever done. Other tracks are too much like his current playing - just sloppy aimless noodling. Gotta remember that Jonathan was instrumental in producing "Beyond the Thunder." We'll see how Neal's next two solo cds are.

Majestic wrote: I wonder if Neal could cover this song that good?

I don't think Neal played any "Beyond the Thunder" stuff on his solo tour. Would've been cool to hear. I think he could def. pull it off, tho he'd prolly find some way to turn it into a shredfest.

The_Noble_Cause wrote:

Ehwmatt wrote:Sadly, at this point in Neal's career I don't think he could. He's gotten lazy, content, or maybe he's just too old (doubtful). Whatever the case may be, listening to these Beyond the Thunder songs really exposes how far Neal has let himself slip, both in the chops and creativity departments.

There are moments on "I on U" which remind me of "Beyond the Thunder." Some tracks like "Moondust" and "Father" and "Taken There" are as melodic as anything Neal's ever done. Other tracks are too much like his current playing - just sloppy aimless noodling. Gotta remember that Jonathan was instrumental in producing "Beyond the Thunder." We'll see how Neal's next two solo cds are.

Hm. I on U was 6 years ago if I remember right. I still think Neal was playing at a pretty solid level for the first half of this decade. For whatever else the 30 year tapegate tour was, it showed Neal playing great. Generations, as inconsistent as it was, also had some nice tasteful guitar moments (FitH, Place in Your Heart, Beyond the Clouds). It did, however, also hint at the shredding Neal was about to embark on full-tilt in songs like Never Too Late. For as great as that song is, his soloing is terrible.

Ehwmatt wrote:

The_Noble_Cause wrote:

Ehwmatt wrote:Sadly, at this point in Neal's career I don't think he could. He's gotten lazy, content, or maybe he's just too old (doubtful). Whatever the case may be, listening to these Beyond the Thunder songs really exposes how far Neal has let himself slip, both in the chops and creativity departments.

There are moments on "I on U" which remind me of "Beyond the Thunder." Some tracks like "Moondust" and "Father" and "Taken There" are as melodic as anything Neal's ever done. Other tracks are too much like his current playing - just sloppy aimless noodling. Gotta remember that Jonathan was instrumental in producing "Beyond the Thunder." We'll see how Neal's next two solo cds are.

Hm. I on U was 6 years ago if I remember right. I still think Neal was playing at a pretty solid level for the first half of this decade. For whatever else the 30 year tapegate tour was, it showed Neal playing great. Generations, as inconsistent as it was, also had some nice tasteful guitar moments (FitH, Place in Your Heart, Beyond the Clouds). It did, however, also hint at the shredding Neal was about to embark on full-tilt in songs like Never Too Late. For as great as that song is, his soloing is terrible.

I'm assuming you're not a fan of his playing on Revelation or Eclipse? I'm usually impressed by him in a live setting, but as already noted, the sound guy this tour fucking sucks. It's all mud and distortion.

The_Noble_Cause wrote:

Ehwmatt wrote:

The_Noble_Cause wrote:

Ehwmatt wrote:Sadly, at this point in Neal's career I don't think he could. He's gotten lazy, content, or maybe he's just too old (doubtful). Whatever the case may be, listening to these Beyond the Thunder songs really exposes how far Neal has let himself slip, both in the chops and creativity departments.

There are moments on "I on U" which remind me of "Beyond the Thunder." Some tracks like "Moondust" and "Father" and "Taken There" are as melodic as anything Neal's ever done. Other tracks are too much like his current playing - just sloppy aimless noodling. Gotta remember that Jonathan was instrumental in producing "Beyond the Thunder." We'll see how Neal's next two solo cds are.

Hm. I on U was 6 years ago if I remember right. I still think Neal was playing at a pretty solid level for the first half of this decade. For whatever else the 30 year tapegate tour was, it showed Neal playing great. Generations, as inconsistent as it was, also had some nice tasteful guitar moments (FitH, Place in Your Heart, Beyond the Clouds). It did, however, also hint at the shredding Neal was about to embark on full-tilt in songs like Never Too Late. For as great as that song is, his soloing is terrible.

I'm assuming you're not a fan of his playing on Revelation or Eclipse? I'm usually impressed by him in a live setting, but as already noted, the sound guy this tour fucking sucks. It's all mud and distortion.

I liked some moments on Revelation. The intro solo to Never Walk Away is classic. Turn Down The World Tonight has a solid solo. Other than that, I can't hum the melodies from too many of his solos or riffs on there. Same with Eclipse. AIP has two classic solos (don't like the outro noodling). Edge of the Moment is a GREAT riff stuck in a bad song. Tantra is epic guitar playing - huge fan of that. I like the tasteful repeating riff in Resonate that leads into the verses.

I guess my problem with modern Neal is two-fold. One, he doesn't seem to have a lot of variety, either tonally or lick-wise. I mean, can you believe the same guy played Big Moon, Send me An Angel, The Party's Over, and Don't Stop Believin? He used to explore a lot more different sounds and styles while retaining a signature sound. Two, he's just not consistently great like he used to be, either live or in writing. That's the bar he set for himself being a great guitarist for most of his career.

It's like watching an aging athlete who is not quite totally past his prime yet. Some games/matches, that old magic comes back. Other days, he looks old and tired.

At this stage, and now that he's done his rocking Journey album, I think he should slow down and play tastefully with lots of feel. That's what everybody loves Neal for. A lot of his best moments are when he plays softly but with a tension like Still They Ride, for example. That is a soft, sweet song and Neal has some crunchy, nasty chords he plays in that song, and it just works. I love it when Neal builds that sort of tension by threatening to rock, but then he never does. Instead, he launches into an emotional solo that sweeps and soars, and use speeds runs just to add intensity and angst but without losing the emotional plot. When Neal plays this way, he is second to no one, and the songs become epic. I think Neal is a great shredder too, as good as anyone I guess, but who cares?

Ehwmatt wrote:

The_Noble_Cause wrote:

Ehwmatt wrote:

The_Noble_Cause wrote:

Ehwmatt wrote:Sadly, at this point in Neal's career I don't think he could. He's gotten lazy, content, or maybe he's just too old (doubtful). Whatever the case may be, listening to these Beyond the Thunder songs really exposes how far Neal has let himself slip, both in the chops and creativity departments.

There are moments on "I on U" which remind me of "Beyond the Thunder." Some tracks like "Moondust" and "Father" and "Taken There" are as melodic as anything Neal's ever done. Other tracks are too much like his current playing - just sloppy aimless noodling. Gotta remember that Jonathan was instrumental in producing "Beyond the Thunder." We'll see how Neal's next two solo cds are.

Hm. I on U was 6 years ago if I remember right. I still think Neal was playing at a pretty solid level for the first half of this decade. For whatever else the 30 year tapegate tour was, it showed Neal playing great. Generations, as inconsistent as it was, also had some nice tasteful guitar moments (FitH, Place in Your Heart, Beyond the Clouds). It did, however, also hint at the shredding Neal was about to embark on full-tilt in songs like Never Too Late. For as great as that song is, his soloing is terrible.

I'm assuming you're not a fan of his playing on Revelation or Eclipse? I'm usually impressed by him in a live setting, but as already noted, the sound guy this tour fucking sucks. It's all mud and distortion.

I liked some moments on Revelation. The intro solo to Never Walk Away is classic. Turn Down The World Tonight has a solid solo. Other than that, I can't hum the melodies from too many of his solos or riffs on there. Same with Eclipse. AIP has two classic solos (don't like the outro noodling). Edge of the Moment is a GREAT riff stuck in a bad song. Tantra is epic guitar playing - huge fan of that. I like the tasteful repeating riff in Resonate that leads into the verses.

I guess my problem with modern Neal is two-fold. One, he doesn't seem to have a lot of variety, either tonally or lick-wise. I mean, can you believe the same guy played Big Moon, Send me An Angel, The Party's Over, and Don't Stop Believin? He used to explore a lot more different sounds and styles while retaining a signature sound. Two, he's just not consistently great like he used to be, either live or in writing. That's the bar he set for himself being a great guitarist for most of his career.

It's like watching an aging athlete who is not quite totally past his prime yet. Some games/matches, that old magic comes back. Other days, he looks old and tired.

Majestic wrote:At this stage, and now that he's done his rocking Journey album, I think he should slow down and play tastefully with lots of feel. That's what everybody loves Neal for. A lot of his best moments are when he plays softly but with a tension like Still They Ride, for example. That is a soft, sweet song and Neal has some crunchy, nasty chords he plays in that song, and it just works. I love it when Neal builds that sort of tension by threatening to rock, but then he never does. Instead, he launches into an emotional solo that sweeps and soars, and use speeds runs just to add intensity and angst but without losing the emotional plot. When Neal plays this way, he is second to no one, and the songs become epic. I think Neal is a great shredder too, as good as anyone I guess, but who cares?

The post above says it just about as perfectly as it can be said. Neal "can be" one of the greatest melodic players of all time, but he seems more concerned with shredding and/or has gotten lazy live and a bit on recent Journey albums as well. We know he can play fast, but that's not really what I want to hear from Neal Schon the guitarist. Like SP's vocals...we will always have Neal's solo recordings to go back to and enjoy. Still a great guitar player.... and in my top three all time favorites.

I posted this somewhere before, but listen up prior to Journey coming on stage. That's Neal's new sole and it really sounds good! Definitely sounds like the Neal we love on his solos!

RocknRoll wrote:I posted this somewhere before, but listen up prior to Journey coming on stage. That's Neal's new sole and it really sounds good! Definitely sounds like the Neal we love on his solos!

Have you heard a clip of it anywhere? I'd love to hear it! I'm definitely excited to pick up his new solo projects!

RocknRoll wrote:I posted this somewhere before, but listen up prior to Journey coming on stage. That's Neal's new sole and it really sounds good! Definitely sounds like the Neal we love on his solos!

Yea, I noticed that. Truthfully, they should be playing Eclipse while the crew sets up.

The_Noble_Cause wrote:

RocknRoll wrote:I posted this somewhere before, but listen up prior to Journey coming on stage. That's Neal's new sole and it really sounds good! Definitely sounds like the Neal we love on his solos!

Yea, I noticed that. Truthfully, they should be playing Eclipse while the crew sets up.

Care to share more thoughts on what you heard? Were you underwhelmed?

I'd love to hear a snip it of it.

i want Schon to quit being trying to being Malmsteen or Vai. That damn noodleing shit has got to go! he cannot make a solo without going nuts and playing 50 million notes.and his tone....Give me the Evolution tone! I miss that freaking old ass les paul and the afro.

Majestic wrote:Care to share more thoughts on what you heard? Were you underwhelmed?

I'd love to hear a snip it of it.

Sounded alot like I on U.....I'm more excited about the project he's doing w/ Deen on vox.

That level of productivity really makes me appreciate Neal's talent. It's as though he's capable of creating music infinitely.

WOW! In Austin on Thursday, I was also noticing the music prior to Journey coming on stage. It was VERY EASY to tell that it was Neal Schon, and it was music I had never heard from him before.
I never thought that it could possibly be his new work. It might be.

But I gotta say, one was full of fast shredding...
And the other.. Well to me.. The melody sounded EXACTLY like "A Prayer for Peace" (Funny how Smitty also played on that track)
I actually thought to myself that he had simply redone that track with more shredding involved.. it really sounded that similar.

But, from what I heard, it was quality nowhere near Beyond the Thunder or Electric Word. But who knows, I could be mistaken.

The_Noble_Cause wrote:

Majestic wrote:Care to share more thoughts on what you heard? Were you underwhelmed?

I'd love to hear a snip it of it.

Sounded alot like I on U.....I'm more excited about the project he's doing w/ Deen on vox.

I on U is great, in my opinion. Having Smith playing in it could only help too.

Which I on U track did feel most like?

While we're on the subject of Neal's solo work, does anyone know what Neal played to start off the 98 tour heard here? Was it a song or was he just jamming?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpnGt1dNtoY

Gideon wrote:That level of productivity really makes me appreciate Neal's talent. It's as though he's capable of creating music infinitely.

Neal Schon is an excellent guitar player, but the last decade hasn't been too kind to his talent. Meaning; he fucking sucks right now. Add Carlos Santana's excessive noodling, shitload of shredding, a gay trucker outfit and awful tone - and there's Neal Schon the 2011 version.

journey062393 wrote:While we're on the subject of Neal's solo work, does anyone know what Neal played to start off the 98 tour heard here? Was it a song or was he just jamming?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpnGt1dNtoY

It's nothing from any of his solo projects. Sounds great though!

parfait wrote:

Gideon wrote:That level of productivity really makes me appreciate Neal's talent. It's as though he's capable of creating music infinitely.

Neal Schon is an excellent guitar player, but the last decade hasn't been too kind to his talent. Meaning; he fucking sucks right now. Add Carlos Santana's excessive noodling, shitload of shredding, a gay trucker outfit and awful tone - and there's Neal Schon the 2011 version.

Yeah, the guy just sucks now. He has totally forgotten how to play. (Jeez people. Really?)

SF-Dano wrote:Yeah, the guy just sucks now. He has totally forgotten how to play. (Jeez people. Really?)

This sentiment is over his Facebook fan page.