I am biased because I grew up as a big Journey fan but I am also now a big fan of jazz and or instrumental guitar music. This is an album that I literally listen to evey night as I am winding down. I can't say that about any other album. You don't have to be a Journey fan to like this album. There are very little similarities except for the guitarist Neal Schon who is I think one of the most underrated guitarists in music history. Neal can play anything any style as he goes from his signature cool laid back Jazz/blues rifts to a bit of flamenco strumming. There is a tribute song dedicated to the late great Wes Montgomery which is incredible. It is an album that you can sleep to but that will not put you to sleep musically. He plays some smokin solos but like the great guitarists it doesn't sound like a big rock solo that you might have to be in a rockin mood to hear. I listen to everything from Strunz and Farah (flamenco), to Satriani to Steve Morse to Eric Johnson to Craig Chicaucio (however you spell his name) and this one album is probably my favorite album from beginning to end. It's a masterpiece that I dont' think will be duplicated for quite some time. I've worn my copy out and am about to buy another.

Neal Schon's solo effort, Beyond the Thunder, is, simply put, great. His work is clean, nifty, passionate, exuberant, dynamic and elegant. The music on this CD fits perfectly into the light jazz section of your collection. Schon's solos on this all-instrumental album are controlled and expertly phrased. Each theme is developed and heightened. Most of the many skills of this terrific guitarist are highlighted. The music here is definitely more sophisticated than most of what we've heard from Schon's work at Journey, yet on more than one song a tidbit, a phrase, filters into the mix from some of his 1980's Journey riffs. The vast majority of the music is definitely Schon but is new to the ear. He plays with tremendous control and articulation. Jonathan Cain accompanies on keyboards. Standout songs after a couple of go rounds are Big Moon, Send Me An Angel, and Carribean Blue.

This work is towering punch . There is not a track disappointed . Schon made a glorious journey through the different moods of smooth jazz , working with Jonathan Cain .
Caribbean blue may be one of the best and sensual tracks , but Boulevard of dreams , Big moon or Zanzibar . No matter what you choose because there is no waste .
Excellent buy and relaxing and refreshing moments that will reward you so many times that you will make of this CD one of your favorites . It has such magnetism attraction and meticulous sense of the harmony that personally I consider it one of the best albums in the nineties decade .
A winner album .

This is without doubt the best guitar album I've ever had the good fortune of discovering. Neal's guitar work is simply stunning and exquisitely moody.

I bought this album in 1995 and to this day whenever I listen to it I have vivid memories of an overnight drive with a very good friend en route to a coastal holiday. The road was quiet and very dark. We didn't say a word for the entire trip, we were both totally absorbed in Neal's magic, without a care in the world. I cannot remember ever having felt so entirely free in every sense in all my life. Listening today, it's still like it was only yesterday.

If ever you're in need of a mood change, want to wind down or want to recapture some of your dreams, turn down the lights, turn up the volume, close your eyes and listen.

As another reviewer says, the world would be a better place if everyone had a copy of this album. It is life-changing, indeed.

I am a huge Journey fan, so i stumbled upon this solo cd by Neal Schon. I now have all of his cds, but this one's my favorite. Of some 750 cds in my collection, this gets BY FAR the most rotation. The record is great all the way through. It's instrumental so you can work or read to it, but the guitar work is so complex and aggresive it won't put you to sleep. Still overall it sounds smooth and relaxing. The strange thing is I am not even afan of this genre (i like not so well known hip-hop like Atmosphere and Blackalicous). I hate playing the same record over and over, i like my music to stay fresh, but i can't stop putting Beyond the Thunder in my cd player - and neither will you should you decide to buy this record. You will not regret it.