Beyond the Thunder
Encyclopedia
Beyond the Thunder is the second solo album by American guitarist
Neal Schon
released in 1995.
and later reformed Journey
, he released this album mixing fusion, world music and acoustic rock influences. Schon collaborated with many old friends including Jonathan Cain and Steve Smith from Journey, and Santana
percussionists Chepito Areas and Michael Carabello.
In the liner notes Schon recalls the background on some of the songs including "Send Me an Angel" which is about his wife Dina. The unique wolf howl sound effects on "Call of the Wild" were created by Schon on guitar after listening to a tape Michael Carabello had recorded on a trip in Alaska
. "Big Moon" contains Journey-esque melodies, as Cain and Schon used the original guitar from the Journey song "I'll Be Alright Without You" for the track's sound.
The track "Deep Forest" originated as an acoustic instrumental Schon would perform live in concert with Hardline. As he described "I had all these bits and pieces that I had played over the years that I just love. And so "Deep Forest" is a composed version of what I used to do when I was improvising on stage.". The viola parts of this arrangement were played on keyboard by Schon and according to Cain the first take of the song was used for the album.
As a footnote, the album's liner notes contained a shout-out to Journey's former lead singer Steve Perry
when Schon commented "I think Steve Perry is going to like this record." The comment may have been a response to words in Perry's song "Anyway" from his 1994 album For the Love of Strange Medicine
, which recalled his time together with his "brothers" in Journey. Within one year, Schon and Perry would reunite Journey to release Trial by Fire
in 1996.
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Neal Schon
Neal Schon
Neal George Joseph Schon is an American rock guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist best known for his work with the band Journey. He is the only member to have recorded on all of Journey's albums...
released in 1995.
Background and writing
Between the time in the early-to-mid-90s that Neal Schon played in the band HardlineHardline (band)
Hardline is an American hard rock band. Originally formed in 1991 by brothers Johnny Gioeli and Joey Gioeli, the band consisted of 5 members, Johnny Gioeli, Joey Gioeli, Neal Schon, Todd Jensen and Deen Castronovo. The bands' most recent album release is the 2009 Leaving the End Open which featured...
and later reformed Journey
Journey (band)
Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between the 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded...
, he released this album mixing fusion, world music and acoustic rock influences. Schon collaborated with many old friends including Jonathan Cain and Steve Smith from Journey, and Santana
Santana (band)
Santana is a rock band based around guitarist Carlos Santana and founded in the late 1960s. It first came to public attention after their performing the song "Soul Sacrifice" at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, when their Latin rock provided a contrast to other acts on the bill...
percussionists Chepito Areas and Michael Carabello.
In the liner notes Schon recalls the background on some of the songs including "Send Me an Angel" which is about his wife Dina. The unique wolf howl sound effects on "Call of the Wild" were created by Schon on guitar after listening to a tape Michael Carabello had recorded on a trip in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. "Big Moon" contains Journey-esque melodies, as Cain and Schon used the original guitar from the Journey song "I'll Be Alright Without You" for the track's sound.
The track "Deep Forest" originated as an acoustic instrumental Schon would perform live in concert with Hardline. As he described "I had all these bits and pieces that I had played over the years that I just love. And so "Deep Forest" is a composed version of what I used to do when I was improvising on stage.". The viola parts of this arrangement were played on keyboard by Schon and according to Cain the first take of the song was used for the album.
As a footnote, the album's liner notes contained a shout-out to Journey's former lead singer Steve Perry
Steve Perry (musician)
Stephen Ray "Steve" Perry is an American singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Journey from 1977–1987 and 1995–1998. Perry had a successful solo career throughout the late 1980s and early '90s.Perry's voice has garnered acclaim from musical peers and music...
when Schon commented "I think Steve Perry is going to like this record." The comment may have been a response to words in Perry's song "Anyway" from his 1994 album For the Love of Strange Medicine
For the Love of Strange Medicine
For the Love of Strange Medicine is the second solo album by Steve Perry, released in 1994. After a lengthy 8-year hiatus following the breakup of Journey, and a shelved 1988 solo effort later titled Against the Wall, Perry returned to the spotlight with this album...
, which recalled his time together with his "brothers" in Journey. Within one year, Schon and Perry would reunite Journey to release Trial by Fire
Trial by Fire (Journey album)
-Personnel:*Neal Schon - lead guitar, vocals, producer*Steve Perry - lead vocals, head producer*Jonathan Cain - keyboards, rhythm guitar, vocals, producer*Steve Smith - drums and percussion, producer*Ross Valory - bass, vocals, producerwith...
in 1996.
Track listing
All songs written by Schon & Cain unless noted:- "Big Moon" – 4:54
- "Bandalero" – 4:47
- "Cool Breeze" – 4:55
- "Zanzibar" – 5:09
- "Send Me an Angel" – 5:06
- "Boulevard of Dreams" – 4:15
- "Espanique" – 4:28
- "Caribbean Blue" – 4:36
- "Someone's Watching Over Me / Iguassa FallsIguazu FallsIguazu Falls, Iguassu Falls, or Iguaçu Falls are waterfalls of the Iguazu River located on the border of the Brazilian State of Paraná and the Argentine Province of Misiones. The falls divide the river into the upper and lower Iguazu. The Iguazu River originates near the city of Curitiba. It flows...
" (Schon) – 5:10 - "Deep Forest" (Schon) – 2:52
- "Call of the Wild" – 5:27
Personnel
- Neal SchonNeal SchonNeal George Joseph Schon is an American rock guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist best known for his work with the band Journey. He is the only member to have recorded on all of Journey's albums...
- electric, acoustic and synth guitars, string arrangements - Jonathan CainJonathan CainJonathan Cain is an American musician, best known for his work with The Babys, Journey and Bad English.-Early life:...
- keyboards, string arrangements on "Deep Forest" - Billy Peterson - bass, string arrangements
- Tony Saunders - bass on "Big Moon", "Cool Breeze", "Boulevard of Dreams"
- Tommy Bradford - drums
- Steve SmithSteve Smith (musician)Steve Elliott Smith is an American drummer who has worked with hundreds of artists in his career, but is mostly known for being the drummer of the rock band Journey during their peak years of success. Modern Drummer magazine readers voted him the #1 All-Around Drummer five years in a row...
- drums on "Bandalero", "Zanzibar", "Send Me an Angel", "Espanique", "Call of the Wild" - Chepito Areas - percussion on "Espanique"
- Michael Carabello - percussion on "Bandalero", "Espanique"
- John Hernandez - percussion
Production
- Neal SchonNeal SchonNeal George Joseph Schon is an American rock guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist best known for his work with the band Journey. He is the only member to have recorded on all of Journey's albums...
- producer - Jonathan CainJonathan CainJonathan Cain is an American musician, best known for his work with The Babys, Journey and Bad English.-Early life:...
- producer, engineer, mixer - Matt Marshall & Dan Selene - executive producers
- Dale Everingham & Thomas Leukens - additional engineering