Album Network
Neal Schon ? Jan Hammer
Untold Passion (Columbia)
Some things are so simple it's amazing
people don't think of them sooner. Over the years, some of the finest representatives
of jazz/rock fusion have had a difficult time attracting universal
album radio acceptance. Examples are Al DiMeola, Jean-luc Ponty, Larry
Carlton, Jeff Beck, and The Dregs, etc. As outstanding as these musicians
are with their instruments, the one missing ingredient was a commercial
vocal quality. Neal Schon ? Jan Hammer's Untold Passion has it, as well
as all the stories, rock and roll rumors and hippie myths you’ve ever heard
about Neal Schon's great guitar phrasing. Schon has been an exceptional
player since he was around 15 years old; that's when Eric Clapton put the
word out he was interested. Seconds later, Santana stole him away, and
Neal provides all the second guitar licks on some of the finest albums
from Santana's middle period. Developing with each passing day, Journey
is Schon's most current association with album radio, and here he gets
the chance to stretch out and uncork a high grade performance with Jan
Hammer, one of the most revered musicians in all of jazz and rock. From
side one The Album Network recommends "Wasting Time," and "I'm Down." On
side two try "It's Allright" and "On The Beach." If you liked Jeff Beck's
Wired and Blow By Blow, you'll certainly admire all of Untold Passion,
a multi-colored display of outstanding musicianship.
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