THE PROG COLLECTIVE (Joe Lynn Turner, Geoff Tate, Graham Bonnet) – Worlds On Hold (2020)

Spearheaded by much heralded producer/musician Billy Sherwood super group THE PROG COLLECTIVE returns with a timely and marvellous new studio album, “Worlds On Hold“, featuring a star-studded cast with former Queensrÿche vocalist Geoff Tate, Todd Rundgren, Joe Lynn Turner, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Ayreon mastermind Arjen Anthony Lucassen, Derek Sherinian, Graham Bonnet, and so much more.
This is the first release under The Prog Collective moniker since 2013, split between new compositions and driving versions of familiar classics such as Alan Parson’s Project’s “Eye In The Sky”, Peter Gabriel’s “Solsbury Hill,” etc, only available on CD and limited edition vinyl.

Todd Rundgren opens up shop with the powerful and very relevant title track ‘World’s On Hold’ with violinist L. Shankar adding support whilst Geoff Tate fronts ‘Two Trajectories’ with Bumblefoot on guitar with a rocking approach.
With Sherwood at the controls you will not be surprised that this, and other songs, are very Yes sounding. This is reinforced by the inclusion of vocalist Jon Davison, Geoff Downes, Patrick Moraz, Alan White and Tony Kaye albeit on different tracks.
Elsewhere other contributors include Jan Akkerman, Steve Hillage and Sonja Kristina (an excellent ‘Brave New World’) whilst Steve Hackett gets a look-in on ‘Glory Days Ahead’ with Arjen Anthony Lucassen.

The “original” covers include ‘Solisbury Hill’ (with Roine Stolt), ‘A Whiter Shade Of Pale’ (Graham Bonnet & Derek Sherinian), ‘Eye In The Sky’ (with a melodic rock feel featuring Joe Lynn Turner and Tull acolyte Martin Barre) and ‘Nights In White Satin’ which resurrects the great David Clayton-Thomas with Geoff Downes.
The aforementioned pieces don’t sound like Yes, and are a nice balance to the album
Highly recommended disc.

01. Worlds on Hold (feat. Todd Rundgren)
02. Two Trajectories (feat. Geoff Tate & Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal)
03. Anything but Goodbye (feat. Jon Davison & Patrick Moraz)
04. Meant to Be (feat. Billy Sherwood & Jan Akkerman)
05. Brave New World (feat. Sonja Kristina & Steve Hillage)
06. Glory Days Ahead (feat. Arjen Anthony Lucassen & Steve Hackett)
07. Solsbury Hill (feat. Roine Stolt & Billy Sherwood)
08. A Whiter Shade of Pale (feat. Graham Bonnet & Derek Sherinian)
09. Eye in the Sky (feat. Joe Lynn Turner & Martin Barre)
10. Nights in White Satin (feat. David Clayton-Thomas & Geoff Downes)

Billy Sherwood: vocals / guitar / bass / keys / drums
Alan White: drums
Arjen Anthony Lucassen: vocals
David Clayton-thomas: vocals
David Johansen: vocals
Derek Sherinian: keys
Geoff Downes: keys
Geoff Tate: vocals
Graham Bonnet: vocals
Jan Akkerman: guitar
Joe Lynn Turner: vocals
John Wetton: vocals
Jon Davison: vocals
L. Shankar: violin
Martin Barre: guitar
Patrick Moraz: keys
Roine Stolt: vocals / guitar
Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal: guitar
Sonja Kristina: vocals
Steve Hackett: guitar
Steve Hillage: guitar
Todd Rundgren: guitar
Tony Kaye: keys

BUY IT
www.amazon.com/Worlds-Hold-Prog-Collective/dp/B08PJM9MLP