Interview
(Progressive Newsletter Nr.35 05/01)
excerpts from an interview with Neal Morse (Keyboards, Vocals)
It's all epics. Epics upon epics. Unbelievable.....I think it's like two 25 minute "songs" and one 12 minute suite of songs stuck together, and one piano vocal type ballad.
Any additional informations concerning the album title and the name of the tracks?
Here's what we think the song titles will be: 1. Stranger in your soul, 2. Duel with the devil, 3. Suite: Charlotte Pike, 4. Bridge across forever. No album title has been agreed upon. We thought about "Hovercraft" but now think it's too Spinal Tap.
What were the differences between the recording sessions of the two albums? Did this time the others have more space and freedom to come in with their ideas, for that "SMPTe" seem to be a little bit dominated by you?
No, I basically chained everybody up and beat them 'til they saw things my way! :) I think this album saw more of an exchange of ideas...more from Pete surely...although the first album was much more of a collaboration than people realize. I think it sounds so Neal Morse dominated because of the vocal factor. I did write a lot of the material but it was changed a lot by the guys.
How difficult was it for you all to make more compromises in the way the music was recorded or mixed in comparison to your own band's recordings?
It was easy this time! I trust them now, so, even if a song is going somewhere that I think is sucking, I know they'll come to their senses and realize it's not working as well. I know that they'll come up with something cool. So, I just sat back and enjoyed the process! It was fun! Making music is fun when you're not worried about it.
In which way does every single member influence the music of TransAtlantic?
Mike is the gleaner, meaning he listens to everyone's stuff and picks out the great parts and fits them in with whatever we're working on...He really leads the process...Roine brings in lots of great melodies and things but I would say what he brings to the table most impostantly is the left of center approach. He brings in the bizarre changes....Pete is the excited kid, he's got lots of good pop ideas and he's very excited about it when things are going well...and very funny when things aren't....so that's how it all fits together.
Due to the commitments of the band members both TransAtlantic albums were recorded in a short period of time. Do you think things would turn out different if you had more time or do you prefer a quick way of recording things, to keep the music fresher, not "over-arranged"?
I like the quick approach most of the time. Strike while the iron is hot as they say. If I'm left to think about stuff for to long I lose it.
Last year TransAtlantic sadly only toured only in the U.S. Are there any plans for touring this year also in Europe?
We're talking about it. Can't say any more than that or the internet will explode!
Lately the live CD "Live in America" was released. In which way does this album capture the real essence of the short tour? Is this truly a live album or did you make any overdubs or re-recording?
We touched things up very slightly. I fixed a few keyboard parts and Roine re-did some background vocals but other than that, it's the real thing. I think it fully captures the essence of that tour.
TransAtlantic and Spock's Beard entered the german sales charts, Spock's Beard even on position 37. Do you think that there's a kind of small revival for progressive music these days, getting now even more attention from the media?
Oh yes, very much so. No one would have suspected 5 years ago that Spock's and TransAtlantic would be selling so many records. I think the whole genre is growing....we just need to keep it up!
Kristian Selm © Progressive Newsletter 2001