Cover to Cover

Neal Morse | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 19, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Metal Blade
• ASIN: B000HLDESM
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #76,035 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Pleasant Valley Sunday

2. Badge

3. Maybe I'm Amazed

4. Where Do the Children Play

5. I'm the Man

6. Feeling Stronger Everyday

7. Rock and Roll Suicide

8. Where the Streets Have No Name

9. Day After Day

10. What Is Life?

11. I'm Free/Sparks

12. Tuesday Afternoon

13. Find My Way Back Home

Editorial Reviews

2006 album from the former vocalist for Spock's Beard. Features Neil tackling cover versions of songs by Paul McCartney ('Maybe I'm Amazed'), Cream ('Badge'), The Monkees ('Pleasant Valley Sunday'), U2 ('Where The Streets Have No Name'), The Moody Blues ('Tuesday Afternoon') and others. Inside Out. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Covers Collection from Neal Morse and friends., November 13, 2006

By 

Louie Bourland (Garden Grove CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cover to Cover (Audio CD)

Throughout the recording sessions for Neal Morse's last three concept albums, he and sidekicks Randy George and Mike Portnoy would drop their serious musical side to play cover versions of their favorite songs. The "Cover To Cover" disc is the end result of what they did during their spare time in the studio.
Compiled from the "?", "One" and "Testimony" sessions, "Cover To Cover" is an absolute blast to listen to from beginning to end. While the feel is loose and spontaneous, it's never sloppy or slack. If anything, we are given another prime example of just how well Neal, Mike and Randy play off each other in these songs. You can tell just how much fun they were having especially in the versions of The Monkees "Pleasant Valley Sunday" and Joe Jackson's "I'm The Man". The take on Chicago's "Feeling Stronger Every Day" kicks rear end with a guest horn section and an extended jam outro. Christian rock legend and guitar extraordinaire Phil Keaggy joins the action for George Harrison's "What is Life?" which sounds uncanningly like a duet between Lennon and McCartney - Neal sounding like John Lennon, Phil sounding much like Paul McCartney. Mike Portnoy shows off his Keith Moon influence in The Who's "I'm Free/Sparks" while Neal's trademark progressive side is heard in the closing medley of The Moody Blues "Tuesday Afternoon" and Blind Faith's "Find My Way Back Home".
Guaranteed, this is a fantastic CD and is great music for driving the vehicle with. For fans of Neal Morse and Mike Portnoy, this is definitely a must. For the casual listener, this is a must for you as well.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Album for Driving With the Windows Down, March 10, 2007

By 

Guy Dayen (Milwaukee, Wisconsin United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cover to Cover (Audio CD)

I wasn't familiar with these musicians, but I knew all of these songs, so I took a chance. I was happy I did - the artists do a great job at covering these (mostly) very-well known songs. Their versions of "Pleasant Valley Sunday", "Maybe I'm Amazed" and "Stronger Every Day" are terrific. The other songs are all really good. This is the perfect album to put on in the car when you go out driving along on a sunny Saturday afternoon with the windows down. Get it !!!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent musicianship, but still lacking something, September 22, 2006

By 

Keith M. Abolnik "Teacher/Pastor/Musician" (Apple Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cover to Cover (Audio CD)

Actually, I would rate this disc at 3.5 stars. Don't get the wrong idea, this is a "good" album, but not an "excellent" album. The musicianship is great as you would expect from these incredible players, but, there is still the "feel" or "emotional" impact that these songs have had in the past that don't seem to make it through on this particular recording, IMO.

I have been a fan of all three of these musicians on all their past projects together, and in their other respective bands, yet I find myself wanting something more when it comes to this project. If you are a Neal, Mike, or Randy fan, I recommend you buy this album, I just can't give it my highest recommendation.