Flying Colors - Flying Colors (2012) [Limited Edition]

It started with a simple idea: virtuoso musicians and a pop singer joining to make new-fashioned music the old fashioned way. A band followed, evolving into Flying Colors: Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals), Dave LaRue (bass), Neal Morse (keyboards, vocals), Casey McPherson (lead vocals), and Steve Morse (guitar). Together, they create a unique fusion of vintage craftsmanship, contemporary music and blistering live performances.

How does it sound when you lock up an alternative rock singer, a (progressive) metal drummer and a symphonic prog keyboardist in a room and then add two string wizards from the fusion and hard rock environment? Looking at the musical background of the instrumental group, one might legitimately fear that the debut of FLYING COLORS would result in an instrumental show-off with no soul. But bringing in singer Casey McPherson provided the wonderful counterpoint to the instrumental predominance of drummer Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater), keyboardist Neal Morse (ex-Spock's Beard, Transatlantic), guitarist Steve Morse (ex-Kansas, Deep Purple) and bassist Dave LaRue (Dixie Dregs, Planet X). With his radio-friendly and ordinary but still technically clean voice, McPherson holds it all together and nips too elaborate instrumental parts in the bud. Nevertheless, already with the seven-minute opener "Blue Ocean," the listener will have proof that these musicians are at the top of their game.

The musical identity of all musicians involved can be found immediately: Therefore, it's no wonder that prog icon Neal Morse is mainly responsible for the epic long track "Infinite Fire." A radio-friendly alternative rock song like "The Storm" could easily be credited to singer Casey McPherson, while the funk rock of "Forever In A Daze" was probably mainly written by bassist Dave LaRue and guitarist Steve Morse. What else is there? Driving, extroverted rock à la Muse in "Shoulda Woulda Coulda" and "All Falls Down;" ballads like "Better Than Walking Away" and of course more than one track that sounds very retro and reminiscent of The Beatles.

The eleven tracks on the album, with a playing time between three and twelve minutes, were refined and produced by none other than Peter Collins. A legendary producer who has worked with well-known acts such as Bon Jovi, Nik Kershaw, Rush, Queensryche and many more. The result is a beautiful, song-oriented and diverse rock album that will please almost every ear.







Track Listing

01. Blue Ocean (7:03)
02. Shoulda Coulda Woulda (4:29)
03. Kayla (5:11)
04. The Storm (4:43)
05. Forever in a Daze (3:51)
06. Love Is What I'm Waiting For (3:30)
07. Everything Changes (6:48)
08. Better Than Walking Away (4:53)
09. All Falls Down (3:20)
10. Fool in My Heart (3:47)
11. Infinite Fire (12:00)

Produced by Peter Collins & Bill Evans

The Band

• Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs, Kansas, Deep Purple, Living Loud, Angelfire) - lead and rhythm guitar
• Dave LaRue (Joe Satriani, Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band, Planet X, John Petrucci) - bass guitar
• Neal Morse (Spock's Beard, Transatlantic, Eric Burdon, Yellow Matter Custard) - keyboards, vocals
• Casey McPherson (Alpha Rev, Endochine, Johnny Goudie, Joseph King) - vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar
• Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Transatlantic, Liquid Tension Experiment, Neal Morse, OSI, Avenged Sevenfold, Adrenaline Mob, Stone Sour, Bigelf, The Winery Dogs) - drums, percussion, vocals

• Orla Murphy - Viola in "Love Is What I'm Waiting For"
• Brian Moritz - additional keyboards in "Everything Changes"





Many thanks to the original uploader: hexonut