The Whirlwind (Transatlantic) - Extended Play Lounge (Episode 7)
Added 2021-10-31 16:45:55 +0000 UTCVimeo link: https://vimeo.com/640851313/5415768b7c
The prog supergroup known as Transatlantic continues to impress me with their musicianship and unique musical synergy and style. I very much enjoyed my listen to their concept album The Whirlwind (studio version). Come along for the ride!
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Comments
Never heard of this band. Will definately buy this!
John Reed
2023-01-02 16:02:09 +0000 UTCVery much enjoyed the analysis of the music and the lyrics. I'm not sure Neal [or me] would fully agree with your opinion on the Christianity part, but it won't stop me from watching your EPLs.
Andrew Mellor
2022-04-14 16:22:13 +0000 UTCHave been catching up on the EPLs - I was at the Manchester gig too - also seen Flying Colors on their first [and so far] last gigs. Brilliant album...and bands.
Andrew Mellor
2022-04-14 08:49:52 +0000 UTCNeal's music is always top-notch, although his lyrics tend to be a bit Jesus-y for my personal taste. Still, this album still stands as my favorite Transatlantic release and I'm glad you took the opportunity to do a full listen of it.
Marshall Candelaria
2022-03-29 05:58:29 +0000 UTCProg disco.. that's an interesting concept!! Appreciate that you are quite balanced about christianity. Outside the USA looking in, it tends to look quite fundamental, almost extremist.
Artemisty
2022-02-24 19:53:45 +0000 UTCI know this was before you reacted to Shine On You Crazy Diamond, but there's a nice homage to it in the Rose Colored Glasses guitar solo.
Tamás Polyák
2022-02-01 21:55:22 +0000 UTCWe're at 10 minutes in. I'm really enjoying this album so far. But I recognize this bass groove! This is the same as "Yours Is No Disgrace" by Yes. Whey you get to that Yes song, you will recognize it. You know, this is reminding me of Todd Rundgren's Utopia. It's like the kind of thing they might have done. Ok, now it's changing. Now it sounds like Kansas, doing one of their songs inspired by the tribe that gave them their name; some young man of the Kansas people lamenting the loss of the the elders, the warriors, his fellow people and their way of life. In fact, the more they sing, the more like classic Kansas it sounds. "They were the people of the south wind, but the wind came and blew them away." This bit at 31 minutes reminds me of something. Something I've heard before. But I can't put my finger on what it is. Oh, I think I might know. I think it's reminding me of the song "Sylvia" by Focus. Yes, I'm pretty sure that's it. Do re me... se? What is se? I've heard of fi, and I've heard of le, but se? "Coming Out of the Night" kinda reminds me of "Forces" by Starcastle. And the finale now is making me think of "Think of Me with Kindness" by Gentle Giant. Also a song called "December Dream" by Klaatu. Well! So this is Transatlantic! Really good! I like your perspective on stories, too.
Ray Sincere
2021-12-19 01:29:44 +0000 UTCDoug. Listen to Pieces of Heaven. Its Gentle Giants counterpoint work.
Ken Slater
2021-11-12 15:57:09 +0000 UTCThe Making of the Whirlwind Documentary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaGoep2q43E
Ken Slater
2021-11-12 15:15:16 +0000 UTCWarwick Thumb Bass straight into the desk via Randy George's (Neal Morse Band) SansAmp Bass DI Driver. No amp. He told me this on Cruise to the Edge when he borrowed my Warwick Thumb Bass for a song at Late Night Live. There is a funny story here.
Ken Slater
2021-11-12 14:57:15 +0000 UTCGreat album Doug...looking forward to you listening to the Grand Experiment album by The Neal Morse Band...phenomenal piece of work...and you'll adore Flying Colors third album, Third Degree...such a mixture of styles and influences, including Steely Dan.
Paul Hoyle
2021-11-11 20:48:20 +0000 UTCDoug has really fallen down the prog rock/metal rabbit hole
Glenn Wo
2021-11-06 15:04:18 +0000 UTCThanks so much for Doug, been hoping for your take on this epic record. Mike's drums are perfectly mixed, as they are on all the Transatlantic and Neal's solo records. Pete Trewavas' bass leads this whole album, phenomenal player!
Anthony Taylor
2021-11-05 23:57:30 +0000 UTCExcellent! I am now a fan!
Rhesus Perplexus
2021-11-04 04:50:40 +0000 UTCLay Down Your Life is Neal singing!!!
Megamouth
2021-11-03 16:39:34 +0000 UTCI have been into this music (Prog) since 1969. Welcome to my all-time favourite album Doug.
Ken Slater
2021-11-03 12:08:14 +0000 UTCThanks so much for taking the time to tackle this monster of an album, Doug! A lot of what you said at the end resonated with me (and not just The Good Place recommendation, which I heartily second!). I too was raised Christian, but these days actually identify as a non-theistic pagan. There are lyrical moments in this piece that I find challenging, but the core remains intact to me - when Morse is singing his guts out about "the giver of life" I read that as the Earth itself. It's not hard to "dance with eternal glory", just get outside, amongst life in all its forms, breathe the air, watch the skies, listen to the world around you. Remember what a glorious, tiny speck you are in the grand scheme of time of and space, and what a gift you've been given just by existing - whether that be by design or sheer cosmic happenstance. We all get one go on this planet, so let's try to make the most of it together. Be kind to one another, and the home we share.
runciblemoon
2021-11-02 12:50:21 +0000 UTCFinally I have had enough time to watch this episode. Up front I would have to say The Whirlwind blew me away when I first heard it, it would have to be very near the top of my favourite prog albums of the 21st century. I haven't listened to it for a few years but this brings back many memories, I was lucky enough to see this performed in Manchester. To follow up on one of your comments, if you're looking for a piece with the same sort of broad musical palate but with real brass players (and strings) the answer is quite simple - East Coast Racer by Big Big Train.
Philip Briddon
2021-11-02 11:44:22 +0000 UTC3 of the 19 stars of heaven: constancy, gullibility, and sorrow.
David Marshall
2021-11-01 22:51:00 +0000 UTCp.s. how about some Laurie Anderson/Kronos Quartet? https://open.spotify.com/album/0wlfDUha7eayPeX23rK65v?si=_Uu97MHgSEKS3P0PcJ5cTg
David Marshall
2021-11-01 22:22:23 +0000 UTCDoug, as a still-recovering institutional(ized?) Christian who flipped to buddhism and is now an unapologetic animist nature boy, I really appreciate your ability to universalize and open up the type of message that is present in "Whirlwind." Abide with thee - and the chickadees. (Albeit, what I write down in my composition notebook is just all about the chord progressions etc. and the emotional effect that they have.)
David Marshall
2021-11-01 21:51:32 +0000 UTCDoug, are you into vinyl? This album is particularly well mastered for vinyl.
Paul t hebert
2021-11-01 20:49:19 +0000 UTCDoug, this is a great choice. I believe I mentioned trans Atlantic to you when I brought up Spock’s beard V in the context of Neal morses amazing compositional skills.
Paul t hebert
2021-11-01 20:45:38 +0000 UTCGreat album. It would be good, though, if the music was a little louder compared to your voice.
Clay Walnum
2021-11-01 17:15:32 +0000 UTC"I think Mike Portnoy is my new metal drummer hero, Y'All" To the dismay of all DT fans. Doug is going to love Mike's character in the Six Degrees Score video.
Arrow2theACL
2021-11-01 14:49:44 +0000 UTCI have very similar thoughts about the catholic church. It took me too long to realize that I don't have to stick to the practices of one church and moving to another parish does not mean you lack faith. It's just preferences on how I want to worship.
Arrow2theACL
2021-11-01 14:06:26 +0000 UTCHe's in Kino!
Arne Martin Aurlien
2021-11-01 10:26:23 +0000 UTCGreat, retro without becoming derivative. I have troubles finding the time to listen to such long epics these days in one sitting, but will go through this step by step.
Murdock Moriarty
2021-11-01 08:02:43 +0000 UTCRetro Prog at its best! All of their albums are very good. Currently, I’m obsessed with SMPTe. All of the Above is their masterpiece. Such a wild ride. And all the other songs ain’t bad either.
SIDECAR DOG & woody
2021-11-01 06:52:08 +0000 UTCI use this album to test my stereo equipment.
SIDECAR DOG & woody
2021-11-01 06:47:56 +0000 UTCThanks, Doug! Fascinating breakdown at the end. I think you'd be super interested in the video Toby referenced above on Neal's YouTube channel interviewing Mike. It's a perfect example of how the overt lyrics can still impact and be meaningful to those with other beliefs. Check out the 40 minute mark here: https://youtu.be/ymUP5AgL8F0 Last thing. Can. Not. Wait. for you to get into Flying Colors 😄
Nathan Buege
2021-11-01 04:35:06 +0000 UTCgreat piece of music glad you finally got to it. another good one for the extended play lounge would be emerson lake and palmer pictures at an exhibition
Len Bimeal
2021-11-01 01:31:32 +0000 UTCI kinda feel privileged having seen them on that tour performing the whole piece in its entirety. I'm still in awe, that was one helluva experience. It was sort of overwhelming - but in a good way. Thank you, what a pleasure to listen to this masterpiece through your ears for the first time - again.
Marcus Sigismund
2021-10-31 22:54:52 +0000 UTCI'll also say that I understand how easy it can be to fly off on some tangent, even if you're trying to do the right thing wrt the bible.
Garance A Drosehn
2021-10-31 21:34:45 +0000 UTCWrt religious beliefs, my family attended churches of several different protestant denominations before I was 10, but was disappointed in each of them (different reasons for different churches). We then went to a christian fundamentalist church from the time I was 10 until a year or two after I left for college, and my beliefs continue to match what was taught in that church. However, these days it's hard for me to find a church which I'm comfortable at. It'd take too long to go into details though, and would probably derail this discussion on music. I'll just say that I still believe the bible as written, but I think that most churches have their priorities wrong, and have lost sight of the original message.
Garance A Drosehn
2021-10-31 21:30:50 +0000 UTCThis has been a joy to watch, Doug! Thank you! I’m not a religious person, though I understand what Neal’s talking/singing about. Mike Portnoy said in interviews (there’s one with Neal on Neal’s Youtube channel) that he feels he is a better person when he’s around Neal. More humble, less swearing… :) After Transatlantic’s Whirlwind you gotta listen to Flying Color’s ‘The Storm’, such a great and hopeful song. Flying Colors is another (prog) supergroup, with Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Steve Morse, Dave LaRue and Casey McPherson.
Toby
2021-10-31 20:48:42 +0000 UTCI was thinking he was part of some other notable group too, but now I can't remember which one...
Garance A Drosehn
2021-10-31 20:26:12 +0000 UTCPete Trewavas is also part of Edison's Children.
Garance A Drosehn
2021-10-31 17:58:09 +0000 UTCYup, the live show was awesome!
Zsuzsanna Vázsonyi
2021-10-31 16:56:14 +0000 UTCI agree !!
Arpeggio Blues
2021-10-31 16:54:17 +0000 UTCThank you, Doug.. you d' man. HE is God.. you have to know Neal Morse.. (you have to see the full concert live of Whirlwind, was better, but it's a fantastic epic piece.. This is the mastery of Neal Morse.. Doug THIS IS WHY YOU NEED TO DO "SNOW" seriously.. '... do it.. heheh.. The core of this is 'climate change' and NO one is doing anything about it.. So the Whirlwind blew us all away.. and now we have to rely on god calling us home because there is no other way out.. this is Neal Morse.. Trust me, I've been following Prog music for 52 years..
Arpeggio Blues
2021-10-31 16:54:07 +0000 UTCThat's actually my favorite album of them. Thanks, Doug! I'm going to watch it when I get home from work.
Zsuzsanna Vázsonyi
2021-10-31 16:51:56 +0000 UTC
