It’s common for prog acts to suggest that listeners devour their song “like a e book” and/or “in a single sitting” – in mindful opposition, possibly, to the cherry-pick-your-favourite-tracks way the virtual generation has fostered.
However offered with the 2 140-minute-plus displays integrated right here, carried out by means of prog supergroup Transatlantic throughout two nights at vocalist Neal Morse’s Morsefest in 2022, a double-bill would possibly stretch even the most foresightful fan’s focus span.
Each displays had been centred round complete performances of 2 whole albums, 2020’s The Absolute Universe and 2009’s The Whirlwind. Regardless of the really extensive reserves of power and focus required – to not point out reminiscence in making an attempt to recall such structurally advanced musical items, apparently with out sheet song or autocues – the power ranges are cranked up significantly in comparison to the studio variations.
Even if listening with out the accompanying DVD photos, it’s transparent how totally those males (3 of them already of their 60s when this used to be recorded) are injecting those marathon units with an infectious pastime that might outdo performers a 3rd in their age.
After warming up with crowd-pleasers akin to a singalong rendition of We All Want Some Mild, a rifftastic studying of Procol Harum’s In Held ’Twas In I – each from the band’s 2000 debut – we’re into The Whirlwind as Wagnerian sturm und drang fills the air.
Later, Lay Down Your Existence is stuffed with dramatic, verging-on-camp tritones and a charismatic visitor vocal from Spock’s Beard frontman Ted Leonard, strutting throughout a continuously evolving syncopated rhythmic stomp.
Or even the ones of the ‘ungodly global’ Neal Morse sings of in Set Us Loose will in finding it onerous to not be swept up as Dancing With Everlasting Glory bursts into choral ecstasy attesting to the spirit – whether or not holy or imaginary – that imbues those performances.
Probably after spending an evening in an oxygen tent, they nonetheless had enough reserves of power to stir up the band’s most up-to-date (and supposedly ultimate) album, The Absolute Universe. They achieve this with an identical vim and vigour, which fizzes from this recording at the joyous synth-decorated romp of Achieving For The Sky, the muscular prog-metal textures of The International We Used To Know and a melodramatic Owl Howl.
This time the best hits come after the album set, with a soulful revisit of Bridge Throughout Without end from the 2001 album of the similar title, ahead of a medley springing forth from Duel With The Satan provides a 26-minute coda. As soon as once more, Morse manner extra.
Reside At Morsefest 2022: The Absolute Whirlwind is on sale now by means of InsideOut.
