Also see: NEARfest 2000 ~ Progfest 2000
From: Chad Hutchinson <>
Through the invaluable assistance of Radiant Records and Roundtable
Entertainment, NEARfest is proud to announce TRANSATLANTIC as the headliner for
Day Two of this year's event which is to be held on Saturday & Sunday, June 17 &
18, 2000. Transatlantic brings together members of four of today's most popular
progressive rock bands and features:
Roine Stolt of the Flower Kings (Guitars, vocals)
Neal Morse of Spock's Beard (Keyboards, vocals)
Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater (Drums, vocals)
Pete Trewavas of Marillion (Bass, vocals)
This exciting new project is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Throughout
their debut release, available in late March from Radiant Records/Metal Blade,
it is obvious that the four members very much enjoyed creating this music
together. Their individual virtuosities shine through track after track,
from the opening of the 31-minute suite "All of the Above" to the closing Procol
Harum cover "In Held (Twas) in I." In speaking with each member of the band,
Radiant/Roundtable assures us that Transatlantic is very happy and very
enthusiastic about being part of NEARfest 2000. Needless to say, we're
quite excited ourselves!
From: Peter Abusamra <>
Well I've the heard whole thing and it is a MASTERPIECE! On this special Roine
mix he leaves some studio chatter at the end of All Of The Above and In Held
Twas In I.Now on my 2nd spin!
From: Roy DeRousse <>
Transatlantic got a rave review in the latest issue of the online magazine,
Consumable. Check out:
http://www.westnet.com/consumable/2000/04.19 Here is an excerpt:
REVIEW: Transatlantic, _SMPTe_(Radiant/Metal Blade) - Scott Hudson When Neal
Morse (Spock's Beard) got a call from Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) about the
possiblity of doing a project together, not only were the wheels quickly set
into motion, Transatlantic was born. The addition of bassist Pete Trewavas (Marillion)
and guitarist Roine Stolt (Flower Kings) solidified this lineup of exceptionally
talented musicians from both sides of the Atlantic. Their debut release, _SMPTe_
is a prog/rock lovers dream...
From: RAM <>
"TransAtlantic" Portnoy kicks butt on this CD. They sound like Spock's Beard to
me a little too much, which is neither good nor bad, but I don't feel they are a
supergroup. They are truly super rock musicians and super album creators, but a
supergroup has to also have super material. In my opinion, this is very good
material, but it simply didn't hit me on the first spin. I have to listen to it
a lot more, so I might change my mind.
From: Martin Kornick <>
Jim Gualtieri wrote: >Can anyone tell me what is on the 2nd disc of the
special European Issue >of this and/or whether there is any good reason to buy
that as opposed >to the US version? Also is the mix the same?
The first CD of the European version will be the same as the Amercian single
CD version. The 2nd CD will feature alternative versions and different mixes. I
think the European version will also include a special booklet, that the
American version does not have, but I'm not sure on that point.
From: Greger R?nqvist
Email:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSATLANTIC - SMPTe (Stolt Morse Portnoy Trewavas) US/UK/Sweden 21st of March
2000 InsideOut IOMCD057 Time: 77:10 Rating: 8/10
This is one of the most talked about albums this year. It's a super- group that
has been planned since 1998 that we can hear on this newly released CD. The
original line-up consisted of Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Jim Matheos of Fates
Warning, Neal Morse of Spock's Beard and Pete Trewavas of Marillion. Roine Stolt
of the Flower Kings later replaced Jim Matheos. The final result is an
outstanding album by one of the most interesting progressive super-groups ever,
featuring four of the genre's most talented musicians.
Judging by the music you get the impression that Neal Morse and Roine Stolt have
had the biggest influence on the project. The music is very close to both
Spock's Beard and The Flower Kings. Of course there's a lot of reminiscences to
Dream Theater and Marillion too, but not that obvious. The music is very 70's
influenced and you often get to think about The Beatles/Paul McCartney, Electric
Light Orchestra, Peter Gabriel era Genesis, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, Pink
Floyd, Steely Dan and Yes.
Both Neal Morse and Roine Stolt have great characteristic voices. Neal has laid
a lot of beautiful Hammond organ throughout the whole album and it reminds you
of Spock's Beard. Some might say that Roine Stolt's guitar playing is very
reminiscent to Steve Howe of Yes, but I have always claimed that Roine is one of
Sweden's best guitarists with his own unique style and sound. You instantly know
that it's Roine when you hear his guitar and that is the case on this album too.
Most surprisingly is Mike Portnoy's drum playing on this album! It's far away
from what he's playing in Dream Theater and he's approaching the music in a more
melodic way.
The tracks range from 5:45 to 30:59 minutes. The highlights are the thirty-
minute epic masterpiece "All Of The Above" that is built up of six shorter parts
and "My New World". The closing track is a cover of the old Procul Harum track
"In Held ('Twas) In I" from their album "Shine On Brightly" (1968).
Although this is a very "retro" sounding album, Transatlantic will end up as one
of the best releases of 2000. Highly recommended, especially to lovers of The
Flower Kings, Genesis, Spock's Beard and Yes! If you don't already have the
album you have no excuse for not buying it. They've already plans for a second
album. I can't wait!
Musicians: Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings) - Electric and acoustic guitars,
Mellotrons, percussion, lead voice Neal Morse (Spock's Beard) - Lead voice,
keyboards, Hammond organ, Grand Piano, synthesisers, additional electric and
acoustic guitars Mike Portnoy (Dream Theatre) - Drums, voices Pete Trewavas (Marillion)
- Warwick bass, Taurus pedals, voices
Track listing: All of the Above (30:59) i. Full moon rising (7.12) ii. October
winds (5.53) iii. iii. Camoflagued in blue (5.22) iv. Half alive (2.02) v.
Undying love (3.57) vi. Full moon rising (reprise) (6.33) We All Need Some Light
(5.45) Mystery Train (6.52) My New World (16.16) In Held ('Twas) In I (17.21)
Reviewed by: Greger R?nqvist
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSATLANTIC - Live In America US / UK / Sweden March 2001
InsideOut IOMCD 074 SPV 089-41512 DCD Playing Time: 53:10 & 46:48 Rating: 7/10
With only one album in their back-catalogue,
Transatlantic is releasing a double-CD live album, which was recorded last year
in the USA. Four out of five tracks from the debut CD "SMPTe (Stolt Morse
Portnoy Trewavas)" (2000) can be found on this live album together with some
Beatles and Genesis songs. Have they run out of ideas or what? These guys (Neal
Morse / Spock's Beard, Roine Stolt / The Flower Kings, Mike Portnoy / Dream
Theater and Pete Trewavas / Marillion) are definitely not known for being lazy
when it comes to compose music. Well, don't worry! They are planning a new
studio album, which will be released later this year.
After listening to this CD a couple of times I'm however glad that they have
released it. The magic and energy that are shown is amazing. They are giving new
life to the songs from the "SMPTe" album, although the vocals aren't as good as
on the studio versions. What make it worth owning though are the Beatles and
Genesis covers that are purely magnificent. There's also a medley containing one
song from each of the main bands of the Transatlantic members, and it ends with
the Beatles song "She's So Heavy".
Although Spock's Beard, The Flower Kings, Marillion and Dream Theater are some
of my favorite bands I don't think that this is an essential live album, but the
high quality and all the surprises makes it however recommended.
Musicians: Neal Morse - Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar Roine Stolt - Guitars, Vocals
Mike Portnoy - Drums, Percussion, Vocals Pete Trewavas - Bass, Vocals
Track Listing: CD1: All Of The Above (30:47) Mystery Train Magical Mystery Tour
Strawberry Fields Forever (15:32) We All Need Some Light (6:51) CD2: Watcher Of
The Skies Firth Of Fifth (10:47) My New World (16:51) Medley: There Is More To
This World Go The Way You Go The Great Escape Finally Free She's So Heavy
(19:10)
Date: 2001-05-20 Reviewer: Greger R?nqvist
Contact & Info:
Home pages: Official Fan site: www.smpte.org.uk Band site:
www.transatlanticweb.com
InsideOut Music Kleiner Markt 10 47533 Kleve Germany E-Mail: info@insideout.de
Website: www.insideout.de Telephone/Fax: +49-(0) 2821-26237 +49-(0) 2821-26920
(fax)
InsideOut Music America 344 TB Oakville Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15220 USA E-Mail:
info@insideoutmusic.com Fax: +1 4129379283
Radiant Records: www.radiantrecords.com