Transatlantic - Morsefest 2022: The Absolute Whirlwind (5xCD Limited Edition, Art Book) (2024) CD-Rip

THE FIRST NIGHT
Like a slow moving dirigible, Transatlantic took its time to land in Nashville, Tennessee, eight full years after the inaugural Morsefest took place. Initially born from the inspiration to perform Neal’s "One” album in its entirety for the first time ever -and paired with "Testimony” - Morsefest was launched in 2014 to an enthusiastic crowd and has gained momentum ever since. Featuring albums from the Morse catalog played front to back, Morsefest has grown each year as its special guests have included the supergroup Flying Colors and an unforgettable Spock’s Beard reunion.
Transatlantic had been teased as a possibility a couple of times along the way but it wasn’t until 2022 that the stars aligned to make them a Morsefest reality. The band would be finishing up their tour of the States and were about to embark on their first Cruise to the Edge together. The time was right to fit a Morsefest right in between the tour and the Cruise. Finally Transatlantic would touch down for a 2-night concert weekend unlike any pther.
A core element of Morsefest is that it goes above and beyond what any other individual concert can offer. This often includes additional musicians, a choir of angelic voices, string quartets and horn sections, and special guests. In Transatlantic’s case, given that they were taking over the full weekend with concerts on both Friday and Saturday nights, this also meant more time on stage and the chance to expand their setlist beyond what the previous tour had offered. Virtually anything could happen and thus the fellowship of fans - another staple of the Morsefest experience - was abuzz regarding the possibilities. The only aspect known for certain was that the band was slated to play 2 of their 5 albums in their entirety: The Whirlwind and The Absolute Universe. The rest of the experience was yet to be revealed.
As Friday night’s show began in earnest, It became apparent that the band had been busy doing their homework, expanding their initial tour setlist which already ran nearly 3 hours. The majestic "Into The Blue” opened the evening, perhaps the band’s best latter-day epic, calling to mind the glorious launch of the Progressive Nation at Sea Cruise in 2014 when they famously gave a spirited rendition out on the Pool Deck Stage. As ambient swirls floated around the room, the opening melody was performed on cello before the five piece core band - including "5th Beatle” Ted Leonard - launched their attack, the beginning of an appropriately epic 25 minutes to start the weekend. The surprises kept coming with a live debut tracing back to their debut recording: a cover of the Procol Harum classic “In Held (Twas) In I", offering the band opportunity to add dashes of jazz fusion to their quiver.
Next up was a tribute to Paul Hanlon - a remarkable soul who was a Morsefest mainstay before his passing - via the song "Shine” which he inspired. Having lost one of our own, amongst others over the years, more than a few tears were shed, for which an acoustic duet between Stolt and Morse was a beautiful remedy. The reverie led into the anthemic "We All Need Some Light” which always proves to be a much needed balm to soothe the troubles of our times.
At this point in the evening the thought occurred, “Are they even going to play ‘The Whirlwind’ tonight? Or is it possible they’re going to play everything else tonight and actually play ‘The Whirlwind’ back to back with ‘The Absolute Universe’ tomorrow night? That would be insane.” Thankfully, sanity was maintained as the wisps of a coming storm whirled in through the sound system. While a half-hour edited version of “The Whirlwind” had been featured on their recent tour, the main Morsefest attraction was a full rendition of the entire album, not played live since the infamous 2010 tour.
As the beloved third Transatlantic album, “The Whirlwind” found the band moving away from epic songs and instead going towards an epic concept album. At the time in 2009, it was a momentous reunion after years of inactivity. The chance to bring back the full album in all its glory at Morsefest had long been a hope for many a Transatlantic fan and this performance more than lived up to the anticipation. Even as Trewavas disappeared into a bank of fog at one point - as if swallowed into the mists of Brigadoon - the sheer force of the performance simply blew us all away.
THE SECOND NIGHT
Leave it to Transatlantic to go where few - if any - bands have gone before. For their fifth (and perhaps final?) album, the band took a wholly unique approach by releasing two different versions of "The Absolute Universe”. What was originally a divisive issue within the band became an opportunity to take a truly progressive step, unlike anything they had done before. While over 90 minutes of music had been recorded, half of the band members felt it would be better to edit the material down to about an hour’s total running time. The others disagreed, wanting to keep the full recording intact. Eventually, Mike Portnoy came up with the novel idea of releasing both versions, letting the audience have it all, to enjoy both an abridged edition and an extended mix.
Stolt took ownership of crafting the longer "Forevermore” edition, while Morse shepherded the more compact "Breath of Life” version. At that point, efforts were made to distinguish the two albums as much as possible: additional songs were written, lyrics were re-written and titles altered, lead singer’s roles were swapped out, new instrumentation was added, and more. When the dust settled, two distinct albums had indeed been created, taking listeners in different directions depending on which they chose to listen to. Some songs appeared to be identical on both albums, only to shift later in their development. To take the gesture even further, the 5.1 mix offered a compilation of both editions, creating a third mix entirely, played over a visual feast designed by Christian Rios and Daniel Levy.
When it came time to perform "The Absolute Universe” in concert, the obvious choice was to include everything. By the time they got to Morsefest, Transatlantic was ready to perform it as an extended fourth version, going beyond everything prior. It was a perfect pairing with the full performance of "The Whirlwind” on the same weekend, as Portnoy had referred to "TAU” as a spiritual companion to "The Whirlwind”. The two epic albums share many similarities in their structure, composition, and lyrical substance, without one being a direct sequel to the other. Morsefest was ready to go on the farthest-reaching tour of "The Absolute Universe” yet.
And so it was that the second night opened with "The Absolute Universe” played in full, the string quartet adding a deeper dimension to the orchestration offered by the band, and a quartet of women’s voices chiming in at key moments. From Morse singing "Your heart is like a whirlwind”, to Stolt’s creepy delivery in “Owl Howl” to Portnoy belting it out on “Looking for the Light” to Trewavas’ reflective “Solitude”, the band sang their hearts out, with the important addition of Leonard providing his powerful tenor voice. It was a thrilling and exhaustive journey, the Ultimate TAU.
A collective breath was needed after the epic conclusion of TAU, so Morse pulled out a special treat with the ballad “Bridge Across Forever”, played for the first time since 2014. His piano touchingly accompanied by cello and the string quartet, along with a few Stolt licks, Morse was able to fully give himself to the emotion of the song, evoking a few tears in the crowd.
The strings beautifully brought the audience out of the Bridge reverie with the signature intro to “Duel With The Devil”, greeted by a roar of applause. The band then launched into their half-hour “Final Medley”, including key segments from “Duel”, “My New World”, “All Of The Above” and finally "Stranger In Your Soul”, perhaps the most beloved of all the Transatlantic epics. There really was no other way the band could bring a conclusion to the weekend, it was a brilliant and thoroughly rewarding climax.
As the final strains of the strings and the applause fell away, we all knew on some level that this was the end of an era. It would be the final Morsefest held at the New Life Church due to the sale of the building. It may also prove to be .the one and only appearance of the full Transatlantic band at a Morsefest, only time will tell. But what a way to go out. Musicians, crew and audience alike were united in their joy, their camaraderie and their love - this is Morsefest.
“And I can hear it now, every single word. And when I strain my voice I can now be heard. Outside the storm but in here the big break. That I might chance to dream that I might be awake, Awakening the stranger in your soul.”
Morsefest '22 was one of the most epic weekends I've ever been a part of. It was my very first time seeing Transatlantic live and they exceeded any expectations I had going into it. It was a weekend filled with musical virtuosity, spirituality, family, and tons of emotions. Each musician brought their very best and left everything on the stage. - Logan Brannigan
From the incredibly powerful open of “Into The Blue" to the final notes of “Love Made a Way" the next night, what we experienced at Morse fest 2022 was truly unforgettable, and among the most amazing live music performances I have ever seen. - Rob Hughes
Morsefest is no mere music festival. It’s a church within a church, where congregants meet and share a weekend of fantastic music, inspired performances and - in the event’s 2022 incarnation - a transcendent Transatlantic! From Texas we came, meeting prog fans from other states -and countries - while enjoying human interaction, something sorely missed during the pandemic. We rocked out and made memories that will last a lifetime. Suffice it to say, a weekend we’ll never forget. - Lee Graham
Friendship, fellowship, faith and... music, music, music! Any Morsefest is a special event, but 2022 created especially vivid memories for me. To witness one of the world’s greatest progressive rock acts performing two epic works, one of which may be the finest prog album ever produced, was beyond a privilege. What a spectacle, what great friends (the likes of which cannot be found anywhere else) and what a miracle weekend of fellowship. My heart is like a Whirlwind! - Nick Matzukis (Prog Nick)
Had only discovered Transatlantic just as "The Absolute Universe" was coming out. I learned of this from watching Mike Portnoy’s channel talking about his new vinyl collection. I was blown away by the music and wondered how in the world I missed such great music. When I hear of Morsefest featuring Transatlantic, I knew I had to go. I planned a trip from here in Texas via my motorcycle. Both nights were magic and I was brought to tears by the beauty of "The Whirlwind”live. Although I discovered the music late, well it’s never too late and have become a forever fan. - Robert Head