Share the post "Album review: FLYING COLORS – Live In Europe"
Mascot
2CD+DVD+BluRay+vinyl ltd edition [Release date 14.10.13]
Flying Colors are (whisper it quietly) a supergroup consisting of Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Steve Morse, Dave LaRue (Dixie Dregs) and Casey McPherson (Endochine/Alpha Rev). They released a superbly enjoyable debut album last year and this live show was recorded at Tilburg in the Netherlands on the subsequent tour. Having seen their London show I knew I was in for a treat with this CD!
They cover many musical bases from the prog lovers’ delight that is ‘Infinite Fire’ through to the melodic pop bliss of ‘Love Is What I’m Waiting For’, with its Beatles approved harmonies. ‘Kayla’ for me is one of the best tunes I have heard in years, sheer melodic bliss the way the vocals rise and fall on the choruses.
Plus for the modern rock lover try ‘Forever In A Daze’ for size, fast and furious with another massive chorus. Even Mike Portnoy gets a turn taking lead vocal on ‘Fool In My Heart’, sung in a light hearted style it shows how well the band seem to gel and get on together on stage (listen out for the cheeky dedication to Neal Morse).
Vocalist Casey McPherson is a top notch singer be it on his own song ‘Can’t Find A Way’ or a truly spine tingling version of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’. Of the band’s own songs the ballad ‘Better Than Walking Away’ gives him chance to start in a reflective mode before belting it out as the song reaches its crescendo.
Of course being on their debut album tour the band need a few more songs to fill out their set which they do by adding a song from each of their respective musical pasts, although strangely no Deep Purple as I guess Steve Morse is covered by ‘Odyssey’ from the Dixie Dregs. Dream Theater fans will enjoy the band’s interpretation of ‘Repentance’ whilst ‘June’ by Spock’s Beard is spot on and highlights the band’s abundance of musical talent.
The DVD is the same set list as the double CD with an added 45 minute on the road/behind the scenes documentary ‘First Flight’.
The only thing that could stop this band’s continued rise is the various other musical commitments of the band members, certainly Mr Portnoy who has since recorded with a new band Winery Dogs. But they have a second album in the works and until then enjoy this live recording of one of the better musical groupings for many a year.
****1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 March 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 19 March 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 1 April 2024
NESTOR Victorious (Napalm)
CADET CARTER Strangers (SBAM Records)
ARENA What’s Your Damage (indie)
ONLAP Never Too Late (AFM Records)
BLACK SONIC PEARLS Black Butterfly (indie)
RENDEZVOUS POINT Don’t Look Up (Long Branch Records)
WILDSTREET Come Down (Golden Robot Records)
Featured Albums w/c 1 April 2024
09:00-12:00 CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Cherokee Moon (Escape Music)
12:00-13:00 MYRATH Karma (earMUSIC)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "Album review: FLYING COLORS – Live In Europe"
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
