NEAL SCHON – Universe (2020)

Produced & co-written by famed Narada Michael Walden, “Universe” is the new solo album from JOURNEY’s guitarist NEAL SCHON. A mixture of melodic hard rock, blues, R&B, rock-fusion and even some classical, “Universe” delivers some killer soaring melodic and soulful playing guiding you through a journey of your senses and emotions in only the way his mastery of the instrument can, where each listen feels different and fresh every time.
“Universe” is a great way to experience the energy, beauty, and the musical healing nature of one of the most important artists of our generation.

“Universe” offers some beautiful original healing music for healing times. Schon been working on new songs with producer and current Journey drummer Narada Michael Walden for several years.
“It’s very melodic, powerful and majestic. There’s also some fusion on it,” Schon said.
“We did some cover tunes, but most of it is written by Narada. He produced it and played the hell out of it, on drums. We got his bass player, Buddha, playing on it. It sounds really solid and it’s probably one of the best-sounding records I ever made.”

”Universe” includes updates of songs by the Beatles (“Hey Jude,” which closes the record), Jimi Hendrix (“Third Stone From the Sun,” “Voodoo Child”), Prince (“Purple Rain”) and Stevie Wonder (“I Believe”).
Schon also returns to his own catalog, making a wonderful version of Journey’s “Lights” and the solo song “Caruso.”

The songs on this album are a wonderful mix of genres. I love this because it keeps things fresh. One minute I was listening to an epic slow-paced song where Neal’s guitar soars in the air like a tidal wave. The next I was being treated to a mid-tempo number where Narada’s drums kicked things into another gear, or a frenetic track like “Be Happy” that oozes intensity and emotion.

The opening three tracks — “Something in the Heart,” “The Eye of God,” and “The Universe” — are classic Neal Schon. If you’ve ever enjoyed his instrumental work — and how can you not? — then you’ll have a blast listening to these songs.
“Something in the Heart” is over seven minutes long, yet it breezes by because of how compelling it is. “The Eye of God” is only a little over two minutes, but it serves as an epic segue into “The Universe,” which is where Narada really starts to shine. It’s apparent how much fun these two guys had playing together and laying down these tracks. The energy is infectious and had me moving around in no time.

“Caruso” is the the same arrangement as the version on Neal’s Grammy award-nominated album Voice. However, this time around it features a drum track from Narada, which is very cool as this was one of the standout numbers from Voice. It’s pure soul.
Neal’s take on “Voodoo Child” by Jimi Hendrix is badass. He perfectly captures the nasty and raw edginess of that classic riff while also putting his stamp on this timeless rock song.

Another highlight for me on Universe is “Purple Rain”, by Prince. Like Neal, I am a big fan of his work. I couldn’t think of a better guitarist to cover “Purple Rain” than Neal Schon, and he doesn’t disappoint. Neal’s take on this classic anthem is beautiful and a fitting tribute to The Purple One.

Hearing Neal Schon’s instrumental version of “Lights” — a classic Journey song he wrote with Steve Perry as a tribute to San Francisco — is absolutely wonderful. I’ve been in the crowd many times when Neal asks the audience to light up the arena with their lighters and cell phones during this number and it’s a sight to behold.
Hearing this song made me long for those moments, and I know they’ll return. Until then, revel in the beauty and mastery that is the instrumental version of this Journey concert staple on ”Universe”.

The rest of the album is equally transcendent, and it ends on the highest of highs as “I Believe” is seamlessly woven together with the final song: “Hey Jude.” Like the finale at a concert you never want to end, Neal’s rip-roaring take on “Hey Jude” is perfectly suited for his style and tone.
It’s also the ultimate crowd pleaser and the perfect way to leave us all with hope heading into 2021, knowing that the healing process has begun.
A heavenly collection of music from rock’s greatest guitarists.
Highly Recommended

01 – Something in the Heart
02 – The Eye of God
03 – The Universe
04 – Caruso
05 – Voodoo Child
06 – Third Stone from the Sun
07 – Purple Rain
08 – She’s for Real
09 – What Has Become
10 – Lights
11 – Silent Voyage
12 – Chrome Shuffle
13 – Be Happy
14 – I Believe
15 – Hey Jude

Neal Schon – guitars, bass
Narada Michael Walden – drums, producer
Buddha – bass

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