Customer Reviews

Beyond the Thunder

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was never a big Journey fan. Perhaps it was before my time, or maybe I was musically illiterate for awhile, but Journey never really thrilled me much, "Open Arms" aside, and so the name Neal Schon was pretty much unknown to me for a long time. That was my loss. Now I know better. Now I understand what a great musician he is, and how much he has influenced music. Now I know that not only did he help form Journey, but he's also played with Santana and others. But for too long I was ignorant of him. Thankfully I have been saved.

For anyone who knows me, they know that guitar music is my passion, and great solo guitarists are my idols. People like Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, and John Williams sparkle like stars in the sky, lighting my way through life. And one day I was in the record store, looking for something new to listen to. As I perused the different sections I stumbled across a CD called "Beyond The Thunder." It had a guy playing guitar in the cover, and the layout was nice, so I thought, "What the heck." I took it to the listening counter and asked them to pop it in, and for the next hour or so I was entranced. Here was guitar music like I'd never heard before. It had elements of rock, blues, jazz, world beat, and so much passion. I was swept away but Schon's ability to play guitar, especially on tracks like Bandalero, Cool Breeze, and Send Me An Angel. Bandalero has to be one of the greatest songs I've ever heard, and I can't say enough about how it makes me feel. I swoon. Suffice it to say, I bought the CD right then, and have had to replace it twice since (once because someone never gave it back after I foolishly let them borrow it, and another time because I'd carried it around so long it became too scratched to play).

Get this CD. Now. Quickly. It is a treasure of a disk, and if you love guitar, it will NOT disappoint.

After decades of guitar workmanship which included gigs such being Carlos Santana's sideman and lead guitar for super group Journey, Neal Schon is finally producing music which focuses on his guitar talent rather than focusing on making money. This music will never be played on top 40 pop radio. It's far too good for that. It's powerful, moving, delicate and flawless. Schon conveys many moods here from whimsical and dreamy to dark and powerful. He still rocks out too. All without lyrics. If you've graduated beyond adolescent music and can appreciate great guitar talent or just play a guitar, you owe this one to yourself.

It is so hard to express with words the beauty in this CD. Notice how all the reviews are so short!

"Beyond The Thunder" is Neal's best piece of work by far. It truly deserves 10 stars! "If you don't like this, you'd better check your pulse!"(a quote by av on one of her favorite CD's.)

Neal expresses with his guitar the innermost thoughts and feelings of my heart: faith, hope, beauty, friendship, laughter, chemistry, longing, romance, passion and love. This music becomes a fantasy to me of my wonderful husband taking my hand and walking me along a private beach with high breakers at dusk; watching the sunset together, smiling, laughing, talking and feeling the deepest love and connection with each other imaginable.

Favorites are close to impossible to pick because this is likened to a romance novel; each chapter is important in building the story. You just have to buy this and hear it for yourself and you'll know what I mean. (I'll take a shot at it and say my top 6 favorites are "Bandelero", "Zanzibar", "Carribean Blue", "Someone's Watching Over Me/Iguassa Falls", "Deep Forest" and "Call Of The Wild." (I couldn't tell you the exact order by song after a million listenings!)

I wish the entire world had a copy! Played regularly, there is a good chance the world would be filled with happier, more compassionate people! I whole-heartedly recommend you buy this! It is life-changing music!

Thank you Neal!

I love all kinds of music, but this album is the one I reach for when I want to kick back and enjoy that evening sunset, a glass a wine and cool gulf breeze. This one is one of a kind, a must for all who like to ESCAPE!

I am biased because I grew up as a big Journey fan but I am also now a big fan of jazz and or instrumental guitar music. This is an album that I literally listen to evey night as I am winding down. I can't say that about any other album. You don't have to be a Journey fan to like this album. There are very little similarities except for the guitarist Neal Schon who is I think one of the most underrated guitarists in music history. Neal can play anything any style as he goes from his signature cool laid back Jazz/blues rifts to a bit of flamenco strumming. There is a tribute song dedicated to the late great Wes Montgomery which is incredible. It is an album that you can sleep to but that will not put you to sleep musically. He plays some smokin solos but like the great guitarists it doesn't sound like a big rock solo that you might have to be in a rockin mood to hear. I listen to everything from Strunz and Farah (flamenco), to Satriani to Steve Morse to Eric Johnson to Craig Chicaucio (however you spell his name) and this one album is probably my favorite album from beginning to end. It's a masterpiece that I dont' think will be duplicated for quite some time. I've worn my copy out and am about to buy another.

I am a huge Journey fan, so i stumbled upon this solo cd by Neal Schon. I now have all of his cds, but this one's my favorite. Of some 750 cds in my collection, this gets BY FAR the most rotation. The record is great all the way through. It's instrumental so you can work or read to it, but the guitar work is so complex and aggresive it won't put you to sleep. Still overall it sounds smooth and relaxing. The strange thing is I am not even afan of this genre (i like not so well known hip-hop like Atmosphere and Blackalicous). I hate playing the same record over and over, i like my music to stay fresh, but i can't stop putting Beyond the Thunder in my cd player - and neither will you should you decide to buy this record. You will not regret it.

I reviewed this CD over a year ago. I purchased it 4 years ago. 'Beyond The Thunder' remains my favorite all-time CD. Neil Schon's music is timeless. It actually gets better the more you listen to it. And it's GREAT the first time through ! Vocals would actually detract from his mastery here. And, THAT is the "litmus test" of a pure musician. Neil Schon was truly born to play the guitar.No one communicates via the guitar better. It's almost impossible to listen to this music and not be effected deep inside. It's music to reflect on as well as bringing light to tomorrow.If I could have but one CD, THIS would be it!

This recording shows the diversity of Neil Schon's talent - if you're expecting Journey, forget it. On this recording, Neil grows up, and shows just how talented he is at making a guitar sing. Each track builds in intensity, my favorites being "Bandalero", "Cool Breeze" and my ultimate favorite, the many faceted "Send me an angel". Check it out!

This Cd is an Instrumental piece that just sooths freyed nerves. It's beautifully constructed, and very relaxing music. Neil Schon Displayes his talents wonderfully in this CD. Did you know that amongst others, not only did he play for journey, but at age 19 he played guitar for Santana. I highly reccomend this Cd to anyone who appreciates guitar instrumentals.

I bought this CD shortly after it became available. It sounded alright but didn't really grab me. I taped about 2 or 3 songs off it, shelved it and that's where it stayed till just a month or two ago. I read other reviews about it and thought I'd give it another listen. These songs don't need vocals, Neal Schon's guitar does the singing. Many guitarists can't keep a listener's attention throughout a whole song, they need a vocalist to help them out. But these songs speak to you and become more pronounced as you grow accustomed to the melodies. I wish rock music had gone more in this direction.