With a lineup that includes former members of Dream Theater, Spock’s Beard, Ajalon and other prog-rock outfits, it’s no wonder this supergroup featuring keyboardist Neal Morse, drummer Mike Portnoy and bassist Randy George tackle classics by proggy predecessors like Yes, King Crimson and Jethro Tull on their latest covers set. But you might be a touch surprised to hear them tackling David Bowie’s Life On Mars, Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street, some Squeeze and even Lenny Kravitz. To their credit, they treat those easy-peasy cuts with the same reverence, sincerity and professionalism as the more challenging fare — except with they cut loose for the occasional envelope-pushing solo. Bottom line: They’ve got it covered.
THE PRESS RELEASE: “Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy & Randy George are returning to their Cover To Cover series of albums with Cov3r To Cov3r, the brand-new third instalment. It features their renditions of classic tracks by the likes of King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Gerry Rafferty, David Bowie & more — including their cover of No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed featuring vocals from Yes singer Jon Davison. Morse comments: “When I was young and they packed me off to school, someone played me the second side of the Aqualung album by Jethro Tull and I was immediately consumed by it. Hymn 43 being one of my favorite tracks I was thrilled when the guys wanted to record this one. We kicked it out in one or two takes and it was a gas!” As well as Cov3r to Cov3r, the Cover To Cover Anthology (Vol. 1-3) will be released on the same day, collecting all three instalments together over as many discs. The first two albums have also been newly re-sequenced and remastered. The albums have also been given brand new artwork, created by Thomas Ewerhard (Sons of Apollo, The Neal Morse Band, Avantasia).”
