Morse, Alan - Four O'Clock And Hysteria


Year of Release: 2007
Label: InsideOut
Catalog Number: SPV 79242/IOMCD 270
Format: CD
Total Time: 63:57:00

It's not because his brother Neal started releasing solo albums that Alan Morse urgently needed to make his mark as well. Alan took his time, which for a pure guitar driven all instrumental album probably is the best you can do. That way you can shine in various disciplines of guitar playing and demonstrate your versatility throughout a varied selection of compositions. The main thing is not to tackle the same tricks twice and keep the listener on his toes. Alan Morse has just done that by using not only all of his Spock's Beard colleagues but also brother Neal and some of Nashville's best session musicians (percussionist Eric Darken played for Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Trisha Yearwood, Richard Marx and Art Garfunkel but also for Megadeth, whilst bass player Gary Lunn performed with Billy Ray Cyrus, Peter Cetera and Dolly Parton, amongst others). However to have one of Alan's personal heroes Jerry Goodman on board must surely make him proud. Ever since Jerry's Mahavishnu days Morse has been a huge fan so of course the two combined create some exclusive fireworks.

Contrary to a lot of pure instrumental albums whose main concern is to show off the technical difficulty, Four O'clock And Hysteria is foremost an album containing twelve outstanding compositions that are all built around wonderful, ingenious melodies. Backed by subtle arrangements, each and every song is a feast for the ears. Although Alan also plays theremin, cello, bass, drums, musical saw, keyboards and bouzouki, he only focuses on the guitar here. Alan does not use a plectrum which is quite unusual for a rock guitarist. On this album, Alan delivers several styles whilst getting closest to fusion, as demonstrated during the opener "Cold Fusion." With a wink towards Return to Forever, "Return To Whatever" is more of a Spock's Beard outtake with the added bonus of Jerry Goodman's unique violin contribution. This finally results in kind of a battle between violin and guitar backed by great bass and drums.

With the slightly country-flavoured "Drive In Shuffle," Alan steps into the shoes of Steve Morse (no relative!) with something we might expect from the Dixie Dregs. Judging from the sound "R Bluz" is a very intimate recording which has you, the listener, sit in with the band during the actual recording of this bluesy song. Heavy chords and fast shredding is what "The Rite Of Left" is all about and I'm sure a lot of prog metal bands and/or projects will be asking Alan to guest on their forthcoming album(s) now they have heard this ace performance! The same goes for jazz aficionados with a love for everything funky once they have enjoyed listening to "Chroma."

Throughout this album I constantly had this image of Al Di Meola in my head, and with the rhythmic, Mediterranean "Spanish Steppes," the perfect song was delivered to combine the names Morse and Di Meola into one. This is exactly what golden fingers Al delivered as a solo guitarist after leaving the incredible Return to Forever. Here Alan illustrates his versatility whether it concerns the electric or acoustic guitar. With "Major Buzz" Alan delivers what gets close to TV-series material by the likes of Herbie Hancock. The album closes with the laidback and slightly folky "Home," which incorporates Neal's mandolin playing. It sounds like an alternative "Mull Of Kyntire" to me, so hopefully for Alan, sales will be as impressive!

Great album, great songs, great playing. What more can I say? I suggest you wear headphones in order to experience this Alan Morse trip to the fullest! Fingers crossed his Spock's friends will let him play one or two songs from this album during their forthcoming tour.


Tracklisting:
Cold Fusion (5:13) / Return To Whatever (5:48) / Drive In Shuffle (4:20) / R Bluz (6:54) / First Funk (5:31) / Dschungel Cruz (4:58) / The Rite Of Left (4:30) / Chroma (5:22) / Spanish Steppes (5:45) / Track 3 (4:23) / Major Buzz (6:07) / Home (4:59)

Musicians:
Alan Morse - guitars
Eric Darken - percussion
Nick D'Virgilio - drums
Jerry Goodman - violin
Gary Lunn - bass
Dave Meros - bass
Neal Morse - keyboard, acoustic guitar, mandolin
Ryo Okumoto - keyboards
Scott Williamson - drums

Discography:
Spock's Beard - The Light (1991)
Spock's Beard - Beware of Darkness (1995)
Spock's Beard - The Beard Is Out There Live (1995) (cd/vid)
Spock's Beard - Official Live Bootleg (1996)
Spock's Beard - The Kindness of Strangers (1997)
Spock's Beard - From The Vault - 1995-1998 (1998)
Spock's Beard - Day For Night (1999)
Spock's Beard - Live At The Whiskey and NEARfest (1999)
Spock's Beard - Don't Try This At Home (2000)
Spock's Beard - V (2000)
Spock's Beard - Snow (2002)
Spock's Beard - Feel Euphoria (2003)
Spock's Beard - The Light - The Artwork Collector?s Series (2004)
Spock's Beard - Octane (2005)
Spock's Beard - Gluttons For Punishment (2005)
Spock's Beard - Spock's Beard (2006)
Four O'Clock And Hysteria (2007)

Spock's Beard - Don't Try This At Home & The Making Of V (2002) (DVD)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: April 15th 2007
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website: www.alanmorse.com
Hits: 2942
Language: english

  

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