MORSEFEST 2022: THE ABSOLUTE WHIRLWIND

What we have here is a five-CD set lasting nearly 4½ hours, with complete renditions of the albums 'The Whirlwind' and 'The Absolute Universe', plus songs going all the way back to 2000's 'SMPTe'. The line-up is of course Neal Morse (keyboards, acoustic guitar, vocals), Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals), Roine Stolt (guitar, vocals) and Pete Trewavas (bass, vocals) and they have been joined on this occasion by Ted Leonard (guitar, keyboards, percussion, vocals). Transatlantic have always been known for their extensive live albums, and to have been present in the audience on those two nights must have been something quite special indeed.

For night one, the band performed 'The Whirlwind' in its entirety, the first time they had done so in 10 years. They also added "Into the Blue" and "Shine" from their fourth album 'Kaleidoscope' as well as the classic ballad "We All Need Some Light." As a surprise, they also played a song they had never previously performed live - their cover of the Procol Harum classic "In Held 'Twas In I" from the first Transatlantic album 'SMPTe.' The second night saw the full performance of 'The Absolute Universe', bringing together all the songs from the two different versions, and then closing with a medley from their first two albums including "All of the Above," "My New World," and "Stranger In Your Soul."

This is Transatlantic at their best, in the live environment where everyone has total trust and faith in each other. The band may have had an extensive break, but their history together goes back more than 20 years, and I still feel Pete must get a huge lift out of playing with these guys given it is so very different these days to his day job. This is a prog act who redefine what it is to be just that in the 2000's, looking back to the Seventies but lifting that into the modern context and producing music which is both essential and incredible. Symphonic, massively over the top, this is a joy from beginning to end and the addition of Leonard is just the icing on the cake as the band somehow manages to life to new heights. Simply remarkable.