Journey guitarist Neal Schon will release a new solo album, “The Calling,” on October 23.
Produced by and featuring Schon on all guitars and bass, "The Calling" reunites Neal with former Journey bandmate Steve Smith, who handles drum duties on the new album.
Schon set up shop at Berkeley's Fantasy Studios during a break from Journey's busy touring schedule and recorded the album, completely from scratch, in just four days.
After overdubbing multiple guitar and bass parts, Schon recruited two keyboard masters to flesh out the music. Igor Len, an accomplished classical, jazz and film composer who had previously collaborated with Schon, is featured on acoustic piano throughout the album.
Special guest Jan Hammer (Jeff Beck, Mahavishnu Orchestra, "Miami Vice" soundtrack) recorded Moog synthesizer solos on two tracks — "Fifty Six" and "Tumbleweeds."
Recently, Schon teamed up with Dan Barnett ("Journey: Live In Manila") to produce the video for the first single and title track from "The Calling."
While celebrating the release of "The Calling," Schon will be back on the road with Journey as the band's 2012 tour kicked off July 21 in Southern California and is scheduled to run through December, with most dates featuring special guests Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo and Loverboy.
Fan can check out audio samples at www.schonmusic.com.
Neal Schon
"The Calling"
Release date: October 23
01. The Calling
02. Carnival Jazz
03. Six String Waltz
04. Irish Field
05. Back Smash
06. Fifty Six
07. True Emotion
08. Tumbleweeds
09. Primal Surge
10. Blue Rainbow Sky
11. Transonic Funk
12. Song Of The Wind II
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