The New Neal Morse Appreciation Thread
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Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
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Topic: The New Neal Morse Appreciation Thread
Posted By: darkshade
Subject: The New Neal Morse Appreciation Thread
Date Posted: March 23 2011 at 15:41
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I saw the old one was locked Anyway, with the new album, Testimony 2, coming soon, as well as the MMPLM album, Im generally excited. Im listening to "One" right now, definitely one of his best. I have most of his material, but im missing some. Speaking of Testimony 2, there is an update from Neal Morse himself, and ***SPOILER ALERT**** he plays a couple of minutes of the new album Testimony 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni1P4gYuNgc" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni1P4gYuNgc here's my list of favorite NM albums that i own (but i love them all) 1. Bridge Across Forever (TA) 2. The Whirlwind (TA) 3. ? (solo) 4. V (SB) 5. Sola Scriptura (solo) 6. The Kindness of Strangers (SB) 7. SMPTe (TA) 8. One (solo) 9. The Light (SB) (the title track is one of his best compositions, but i wish the production was a wee bit better) 10. Testimony (solo) i still need to get Snow and the rest of the NM-Spock's Beard albums, as well as his solo album Lifeline, and then i have just about everything  . But I'm in no rush, i dont want to hit the wall again, as i have a couple of times already.------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm 
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Replies:
Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: March 23 2011 at 16:01
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I absolutely love One, ? and Sola Scriptura of his solo works, and Bridge Across Forever with Transatlantic. Masterpieces.
With SB I love The Kindness Of Strangers and Snow, and a bit less V and Day For Night, and in the same league I would put SMPTe and The Wirlwind.
In a bit lower level I would put Testimony (a lot of great stuff but hampered by some weaker parts, it could have been a single CD and not double) and SB's Beware of Darkness and The Light.
Lifeline was a bit of a dissapointment except for the wonderful title track.
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Posted By: martinprog77
Date Posted: March 23 2011 at 16:02
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the guy is a genius .the transatlantic stuff is really good and from his solo albums i like ? .
btw neal played in ayreon album the dream sequencer an also in ryo okumoto album ,in both cases is great ------------- Nothing can last there are no second chances. Never give a day away. Always live for today. |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: March 23 2011 at 21:35
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im looking at the Ayreon album page, does he only sing? does he play anything?
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: March 23 2011 at 22:24
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Great list!
I love the Morse catalogue
I have
1. Bridge Across Forever (TA)
2. The Whirlwind (TA) 3. ? (solo) 4. V (SB) 5. Sola Scriptura (solo) 6. Snow (SB)
7. SMPTe (TA) 8. One Demos (solo) 9. The Light (SB) 10. Testimony (solo)
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: March 23 2011 at 22:35
very similar list to mine. I see you have the One demos, but not the actual album itself? Ive been meaning to check out Snow, one of his and SB's more popular albums. But I also want to get Lifeline so i can complete my post-SB Neal Morse prog album collection. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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AtomicCrimsonRush wrote:Posted By: VanVanVan
Date Posted: March 23 2011 at 22:41
I believe he just sings on the one song, he does have a co-writing credit for that song though. ------------- "The meaning of life is to give life meaning."-Arjen Lucassen |
Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: March 23 2011 at 23:01
I love Snow, reviewed that one recently.
I think Lifeline would be great. I havce te debut solo too - forgot that one. Its not that good but it was very cheap in a bargain bin at a CD store.
I have the testimony Live DVD and it is incredible but not as good as Transatlantics DVD Whirld Tour -------------
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: March 23 2011 at 23:40
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i see mixed reviews for both albums on the site, though it seems Snow is better, based on reviews, but Lifeline also has strong material mixed with lesser material. But that's how i felt about Testimony, and i like it (though the least of everything I've heard by NM) ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: martinprog77
Date Posted: March 23 2011 at 23:51
The First Man On Earth
This song makes reference to the appearance of the first /wiki/Homo_sapiens" rel="nofollow - Homo sapiens on Earth, circa 50,000 BCE. Vocals on this song were provided by /wiki/Neal_Morse" rel="nofollow - Neal Morse (ex-frontman of /wiki/Spocks_Beard" rel="nofollow - Spock's Beard ) and backing vocals were provided by /w/index.php?title=Mark_McCrite&action=edit&redlink=1" rel="nofollow - Mark McCrite . Neal Morse, Erik Norlander and Arjen Anthony Lucassen are the composers of the song's lyrics This song is incredible. ------------- Nothing can last there are no second chances. Never give a day away. Always live for today. |
Posted By: martinprog77
Date Posted: March 24 2011 at 00:04
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...
------------- Nothing can last there are no second chances. Never give a day away. Always live for today. |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: March 24 2011 at 00:17
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i have to listen to that later. I was deep in Neal's ? album before, and i forgot to come back here and now im deep in Pat Metheny Group's s/t album
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: martinprog77
Date Posted: March 24 2011 at 00:32
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whata talent \
------------- Nothing can last there are no second chances. Never give a day away. Always live for today. |
Posted By: Harry Hood
Date Posted: March 24 2011 at 01:20
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oh man I really hope the new band isn't called MMPLM. How would you pronounce that? No vowels. How exactly would you cheer for them at a concert? Maybe the name Dregsatlantic is out of the question, but I hope they come up with something better than MMPLM.
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Posted By: Harry Hood
Date Posted: March 24 2011 at 01:33
| Thanks to the OP my avatar has regenerated! |
Posted By: Man Overboard
Date Posted: March 24 2011 at 01:35
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^ er, is that the Twelfth Doctor? ------------- https://soundcloud.com/erin-susan-jennings" rel="nofollow - Bedroom guitarist". Composer, Arranger, Producer. Perfection may not exist, but I may still choose to serve Perfection. Commissions considered. |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: March 24 2011 at 01:35
that's cool, your old avatar creeped me out ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Harry Hood
Date Posted: March 24 2011 at 01:36
David Tennant does that to people. -------------
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: March 24 2011 at 01:37
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i want to change my avatar to Neal Morse too, but I like my current one too much
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Harry Hood
Date Posted: March 24 2011 at 01:55
This one's on me. -------------
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: March 24 2011 at 02:50
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Love his solo music
Like his stuff with Spocks Beard
Not bothered about Transatlantic
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Posted By: natewait
Date Posted: March 24 2011 at 20:39
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I LOVE Neal Morse! My favorite musical artist of all time. I think he is just a complete genius. Here is my order of the albums he is involved in: 1. The Whirlwind (TA) 2. Bridge Across Forever (TA) 3. Sola Scriptura (NM) 4. One (NM) 5. Snow (SB) 6. Testimony (NM) 7. ? (NM) 8. V (SB) 9. The Kindness Of Strangers (SB) 10. SMPT:e (TA) 11. Beware Of Darkness (SB) 12. Lifeline (NM) 13. Day For Night (SB) 14. The Light (SB) I also love his two solo albums before he left Spock's Beard (self titled and It's Not Too Late) and have all his worship albums and enjoy them on occasion as well. Those 14 albums above show how incredibly strong Neal's work is. It is unbelievable! I can't wait for Testimony 2! I have a feeling it is going to be mind-blowing. I also am going to see it live when they tour here in LA. I can't wait! I'm also extremely curious about MMPLM. I wonder what it'll sound like... ------------- Please check out my Progressive Music Blog: http://leviathanprog.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - The Leviathan . |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: March 24 2011 at 21:12
i like your list, besides the albums i dont have. Yes i cannot wait til the new album comes out. Hopefully only a month and a half to go. I have no clue what the MMPLM album is going to sound like (or what they're calling themselves, MMPLM doesnt quite work IMO) ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Harry Hood
Date Posted: March 25 2011 at 02:31
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If you're interested to hear what Dredgsatlantic would hypothetically sound like, I recommend you give a listen to Kansas's album "Power". It merges the symphonic prog stylings of Kansas with Steve Morse's melodic hard rock and jazz influence in a way that hasn't really been done since. Just replace Kansas with Transatlantic. Imagine Cruise Control segueing into the Whirlwind chorus. But of course you also have to factor in this mysterious 5th member who's material I'm not familiar with at all. I'm incredibly hyped regardless.
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: March 25 2011 at 15:44
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That Kansas album is a late 80s album, is it good? i wound up getting Lifeline, since i dont feel like going through the double album of Snow just yet. I know it's not his best, but so far it isnt bad. That title track is awesome though, will need to give it a few more spins ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Harry Hood
Date Posted: March 25 2011 at 22:45
One of my favorites. The Steve Morse-era of Kansas is incredibly underrated. It's definitely a product of it's time, but if you can get past the 80's style production there's some really incredible music in there. -------------
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Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: March 26 2011 at 09:29
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Sounds great! ^^^
I think Snow is one of the more complex SB albums, the storyline is quite dense and there are a lot of amazing songs there. I can also say that Transatlantics DVDs Whirldwind tour is the best DVD featuring Morse. Testimony is a close riunner up of course. These DVDs are incredibly long concerts and Morse just pours his soul out in to his performances and he looks like he is enjoying himself, even when doing the cover of Genesis return of the Giant Hogweed.
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: March 26 2011 at 13:13
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The Whirld-Tour DVD is one of my favorite purchases ever. I throw it on every now and then, and I love that they do every long-epic they have, and that version of We All Need Some Light made me appreciate it much more (never was a big fan of the SMPTe version...) Neal does look like he's having a blast, but even more so Daniel, headbangin; and everything. Roine looking cool and confident, Pete jumping in place, and Portnoy being Portnoy. Such a fantastic DVD, not to mention they were ON that night. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: March 26 2011 at 13:58
My Neal Morse collection is weak  ......I only have Testimony and The Whirlwind. I listen to a lot of his stuff online I just have been on a vinyl kick the past 2 yrs and revisiting my past......I have plans to get more!! Especially when T2 comes out, I'm already siked for this one.
I do have tickets for his Seattle show on May 27th...my wife and I can't wait, this one should be really good!!!!!!! -------------   
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: March 26 2011 at 14:07
at least you have the first Testimony, which is probably all you need to be familiar with to enjoy T2 (due to apparent recurring themes from T1) If you're interested in getting more soon, I would say get Bridge Across Forever by Transatlantic, or if you want to get another solo album, i'd say get "?", that was my first NM solo album ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: March 26 2011 at 16:54
10-4.....I plan on getting them all, solo and Transatlantic stuff......I'm more of a completeist when it comes to artists I really enjoy. -------------
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Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: March 26 2011 at 22:32
| I take this occasion to praise his European band guitarist Paul Bielatowicz. |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: March 27 2011 at 01:54
Do you have any Morse-era Spock's Beard? If not, your collection is not complete without SB albums, he wrote almost all the music. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: March 27 2011 at 07:10
and doing a solo
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: March 27 2011 at 07:16
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and with Neal |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: March 27 2011 at 09:51
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^ is that from the Sola Scriptura DVD?
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Andy Webb
Date Posted: March 27 2011 at 09:53
It sounds like Neal played keys too, but that's just by his style. ------------- http://ow.ly/8ymqg" rel="nofollow">  
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Posted By: Andy Webb
Date Posted: March 27 2011 at 09:57
and yea it is ------------- http://ow.ly/8ymqg" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: March 27 2011 at 11:49
Nice. I'd love to get that. (there's waaay too many CDs and DVDs i want to get right now. My wallet can't handle it  ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: March 29 2011 at 12:59
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Mike Portnoy talks about the new Neal Morse album Testimony 2, as well as the upcoming MMPLM album; among other things... ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: March 30 2011 at 16:50
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: April 02 2011 at 12:34
I just want to say "The Conflict" is one of the best Neal Morse songs ever!!! Such a headbanger!
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: April 15 2011 at 15:47
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I see the Testimony 2 has been added to the site, didn't even know or see a thread about it. It already has 4 ratings of 5 stars (hmm...) It's just Neal Morse, Mike Pornoy and Randy George? No one else? No guitars? All of Neal's prog albums have had some guitar, and horns/strings. Either way I'm excited!!!  ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: April 15 2011 at 17:44
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Can anyone edit the new album's line-up Steve Morse Alan Morse Nick D'Virgilio Paul Bielatowicz Matthew Ward these guys are all on the album as guests, doing what, I dont know. I know that the Spock's Beard guys came in to do guest vocals on one or two songs, but I dont know if they play anything. I'm sure Steve Morse plays some guitar ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Harry Hood
Date Posted: April 16 2011 at 01:31
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The album art for Testimony 2 is interesting. Especially if you compare it to the first Testimony. Has the tree grown? Or is Neal simply closer to the tree than before? What does this mean? Trees seem to be a common theme in his album artwork. More of his album covers feature trees than those that don't. Has Neal ever had anything to say about this? What do the trees mean to Neal? I'm thinking there might be some kind of symbolism going on here. Like the growth and development of his faith or something. -------------
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: April 16 2011 at 21:39
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i didn't know trees could grow that fast
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: April 16 2011 at 22:00
Found some more info on Testimony 2
Source: http://www.spincds.com/product.asp?id=9027931" rel="nofollow - http://www.spincds.com/product.asp?id=9027931  ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: April 17 2011 at 12:29
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: April 17 2011 at 20:41
I think it will be 1000x better than Lifeline, and a lot better than Testimony 1 ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Outshined
Date Posted: April 18 2011 at 14:27
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Don't know if google trasnator is going to work, but here's a review of the album http://www.rocking.gr/reviews/album/Neal_Morse_-_Testimony_2/3490/ ------------- Do you know the difference between who and what you are? |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: April 19 2011 at 13:43
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^ I dont know about that review. I got it translated, but it was in terribly broken English, and the reviewer didn't seem to talk about the music too much
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Roland113
Date Posted: April 19 2011 at 13:50
[SNARK] I'll take things that aren't hard to do for a thousand Alex! [/SNARK] ------------- -------someone please tell him to delete this line, he looks like a noob------- I don't have an unnatural obsession with Disney Princesses, I have a fourteen year old daughter and coping mechanisms. |
Posted By: Steven Brodziak
Date Posted: April 28 2011 at 22:06
At one point Morse pushes Portnoy of the drums! He is very good! Then Mikey jumps into the crowd on his back!
Stoltz is just too cool. They all look like freaksreally lol.
I have EVERYTHING by the Beard and I have everything by Morse.
Songs from the highway a bit to Jesus for me but there is a very funny song on it.
Morse's Solo Scriptora and beyond dvd is also amazing.
I will make my mark upon the DOOR.
Correction. I have all studio albums. I also have Morse's cover album. I edit my prior comment because I do not have making of Testimony dvd.... ------------- Well, there it is. (Amadeus) |
Posted By: Garden of Dreams
Date Posted: April 29 2011 at 14:55
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I'm just starting to get into his solo work and so far I love it even though I consider myself faithless. To me that shows the power of his music. I even shunned his work initially because of his lyrics but I found that his music is too good to ignore. The Whirlwind and Sola Scriptura are my favorite works that he is involved with.
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Posted By: King Crimson776
Date Posted: April 29 2011 at 15:59
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Imo, Morse is the greatest modern composer. My list: 1. SMPT:e 2. Bridge Across Forever 3. V 4. Testimony 5. The Kindness of Strangers 6. One 7. Sola Scriptura 8. Beware of Darkness 9. The Whirlwind 10. The Light Love the beginning of Snow but it loses me pretty fast now.
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: April 29 2011 at 16:26
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been on a NM break, but I might go back soon, especially with the new album coming out. I still need to check out Snow, which is probably the most popular SB album, and I dont have it
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: May 01 2011 at 13:28
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I pre-ordered my copy of T2 Special Box set today which includes DVD Making of T2, also comes with mp3 download of disc 1 on May5th.....Actual box set should arrive around May24th......Can't wait!!!!!!
Plus I'll have before his show here in Seattle........Its gonna be a great May!
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Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: May 05 2011 at 09:38
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Listening to Disc 1 of Testimony 2.......so far so good!! -------------
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: May 05 2011 at 11:40
jealous! ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: May 05 2011 at 13:03
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^ I need to hear it again later......missed some of it due to work phome would not stop ringing!! But highlights are Overture No 4
Time Changer
The Truth Will Set You Free
I'll give a good listen tonight at home on the main system..... -------------
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Posted By: Lark the Starless
Date Posted: May 05 2011 at 13:09
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I only have "The Whirlwind" and "V". I'll definitely be on the lookout for more of his solo stuff/Transatlantic/Spock's Beard. ------------- 
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Posted By: Todd
Date Posted: May 05 2011 at 19:13
This is much better than the first one! Wow . . .
(And, by the way, I enjoyed the first one! When I bought that album, I had only heard one SB album--I heard Neal's story, and the concept of the album was intriguing. I was not disappointed! But hearing how his works have matured, the first album just doesn't quite match up to his better later albums.) ------------- "I have seen the broken sky turn blue." http://gnosis2000.net/ratertodd.shtml" rel="nofollow - My Gnosis Ratings |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: May 05 2011 at 23:26
Bridge Across Forever contains 2 of Neal's best songs, 1 of them being THE best ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: proginrev
Date Posted: May 06 2011 at 00:24
| Looking forward to seeing Neal at the High Voltage Festival, Anyone else attending that? With Spocks Beard there as well I think a collaboration should be on the cards. |
Posted By: michaelgb0608
Date Posted: May 06 2011 at 09:07
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It's just Neal Morse, Mike Pornoy and Randy George? No one else? No guitars? All of Neal's prog albums have had some guitar, and horns/strings. Either way I'm excited!!!  [/QUOTE] Neal plays guitar on all his albums |
Posted By: michaelgb0608
Date Posted: May 06 2011 at 09:16
On the cover of testimony it is Neal's son Will with the same tree, I believe in Neal's back yard |
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: May 06 2011 at 09:59
I totally agree, its excellent!! I listened again twice last night on the sofa and was enjoying very much. T1 was very good......I really get the sense of this one finishing the story/process of Neal finding his purpose in life.
Crossing Over/Mercy Street Revisited........is an excellent closer, very Transatlantic/TFK feel to it.
I am really siked for his show here in Seattle! The producer has told me the show is sold out....a few standing room balcony tickets left thats all.
Looking forward to seeing Mike Portnoy also... -------------
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: May 07 2011 at 03:21
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I much prefer Neal's music when he just has the 3 peice. Not a big fan of '?' when there were too many people involved. I would love to see him at High Voltage but he is the only artist of interest to me playing on the Saturday so I don't think I want to pay £56 tbh.
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: May 07 2011 at 23:13
Neal plays guitar on all his albums [/QUOTE] (from the other thread) PERSONNEL
Neal Morse: Lead vocals, keyboards, guitars
Mike Portnoy: Drums, vocals
Randy George: Bass
Matthew Ward: Vocals • Paul Bielatowicz: Guitar • Steve Morse: Guitar
Nick D’Virgilio, Alan Morse, Dave Meros: Spock’s Beard vocals
Eric Brenton: Violin • Mark Leniger: Saxophone ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Biff Tannen
Date Posted: May 09 2011 at 07:51
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The bonus tracks from the new album can be gotten at amazon right now for 99 cents each. I'd recommend any and all fans to go....no, run...and get the epic, "Seeds of Gold," immediately. Absolutely stellar. In fact, it is probably the best single song he has done since going solo (unless we are counting the Question Mark album as one song), and as added bonuses, he toned the lyrics way down for this song, and it features some stellar guitar work by Steve Morse. Great stuff. ------------- "What are you looking at, butthead?" |
Posted By: giselle
Date Posted: May 11 2011 at 06:09
| I'm sorry, I've listened and listened and he still sounds very average to me. Talented more as a player and singer than anything else, but not exceptionally so. Pretty middle of the road to my ears (IMO!). |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: May 11 2011 at 15:23
I don't want it to appear that I'm picking on you but this is the 'Neal Morse Appreciation Thread'.
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Posted By: giselle
Date Posted: May 11 2011 at 16:00
| True. I should have paid more attention - to the thread as well as Neal. Will go back to do my homework. |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: May 24 2011 at 00:23
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Picked up Testimony 2 tonight, and on first listen I freaked out at how enjoyable the first disc was. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I think this may be one of his best albums. I still have to listen to the second disc.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: May 24 2011 at 11:43
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Yup got my package in the mail yesterday.....Listening to Disc 2 again....Seeds of Gold is brilliant! Will watch the DVD "Making of T2" tonight. Friday night is gonna be awesome! I'll try and take pics and post a concert review.
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: May 25 2011 at 14:06
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I can't stop listening to Testimony 2, it's all I've been listening to for the last 2 days. It's so good, and I'm glad it's one of his best. here's my updated list of his albums 1. Bridge Across Forever (TA) 2. The Whirlwind (TA) 3. ? (solo) 4. Sola Scriptura (solo) 5. V (SB) 6. Testimony 2 (solo) (it might be that new-CD smell, but it really is so good) 7. The Kindness of Strangers (SB) 8. SMPTe (TA) 9. One (solo) 10. Testimony (solo) 11. The Light (SB) 12. Lifeline (solo) Ive enjoyed this album more than the last 4 albums I got of his, so i could see T2 moving into the top 5 ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: May 27 2011 at 14:06
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Just wrote up a review for Testimony 2 (I'm only the 3rd to review it??? Surprising). I gave disc 1 another listen today and it's glorious. The Truth Will Set You Free =  ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: rdtprog
Date Posted: May 27 2011 at 14:32
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Pretty good double cd, better than the 2 previous one. The one song that stand out for me from the whole thing is the epic " Seeds of Gold". |
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: May 28 2011 at 21:23
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Please see my Seattle show review, with some pictures my wife took. One word.......BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
X 100 = A Great Time http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78647" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78647
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Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: May 28 2011 at 22:00
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I don't like him very much. . . . I don't know, maybe it is the content of his lyric, meybe it is how he progress his songs. . . Anyway, not a big fan of the guy either solo or in SB. -------------   
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Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: May 28 2011 at 22:10
That's too bad........maybe one day you will give him another try.
Also someone will probably remind you that this is the Neal Morse Appreciation Thread...
  Have a great day! -------------
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: May 28 2011 at 22:11
Well, thank you for your time. We'll call you if we need you ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: May 28 2011 at 22:54
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I like him very much, I just don't like his music. -------------
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Posted By: Andy Webb
Date Posted: May 29 2011 at 09:04
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Caio we miss you at the shred. Even if you are a very cautious version of your former self. Just no pr0n please  ------------- http://ow.ly/8ymqg" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: May 29 2011 at 11:11
Are you saying there should be a Neal Morse thread in general discussions? ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: May 29 2011 at 11:47
I don't see why not, he's hot as hell. -------------
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: May 31 2011 at 13:48
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I have been on the craziest Neal Morse kick lately. Testimony 2 got me back in a giant NM mood and in the last week Ive listened to The Light, Testimony 2 (about 6-7 times), The Kindness of Strangers, Testimony 1 (2nd disc), One; now I'm on ? and I'm thinking of listening to more soon Probably V next. I'm also thinking of getting Snow today at my local record store. I have 12 other NM-related albums, but not that.  ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: May 31 2011 at 17:43
Caio....there was a guy at the show Friday night that travelled all the way from Brasil to Seattle just to attend the show.
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Posted By: Lofcaudio
Date Posted: June 02 2011 at 16:52
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I too am loving Testimony 2. I saw his show in Nashville and am still in awe. I'd rank his solo prog albums like this:
1. One
2. ?
3. Testimony 2
4. Sola Scriptura
5. Testimony
6. Lifeline
Transatlantic:
1. The Whirlwind
2. SMPT:e
3. Bridge Across Forever
Spock's Beard:
1. Snow
2. V
3. Beware of Darkness
4. The Kindness of Strangers
5. The Light
6. Day For Night
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Posted By: infandous
Date Posted: June 03 2011 at 10:55
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New to this thread. I have yet to hear the first Testimony, but have all his other post Spock's solo releases (never heard the two he did while still in Spock's) as well as all the Spock's albums which are pretty much Neal Morse albums anyway since he wrote 98% of the music on them (okay, to be fair, the other band members have distinctive playing styles and Neal's solo stuff doesn't sound exactly the same). Anyway, I'm wondering if I should just get them both? Amazon has them and I can get both for just over $30. Who am I kidding, I'll get both Anyway, question is, how does Testimony stack up to his the solo albums?My ranking of them, in order: Sola Scriptura (absolutely love this album) Question mark (again, absolutely love this album) One (not a great album, in my opinion, but some very good stuff on it) Lifeline (a couple of the shorter tracks do not work for me at all, and the epic just doesn't seem up to his usual standards........title track is fantastic though) Anyway, also love his work with Transatlantic. My favorite album of the Beard with him is V. So with that in mind how does Testimony stack up? Or Testimony 2 for that matter? |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: June 03 2011 at 11:27
I think you'll like Testimony 2 more than Testimony 1, since the composition style is more like his later solo albums, mixed with some old school Spock's Beard stuff. Thing is, a lot of stuff on T2 is reprised from T1, so you're going to want to get both anyway. I like T2 more than T1 also ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: June 03 2011 at 11:36
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^ I was gonna say the same thing......I think to appreciate T2 better, you should listen to Testimony. The song structure and overall feel of Testimony enhances T2.
I do think T2 is an easier listen than Testimony, the message is very clear.
Both are excellent but Testimony 2 is brilliant!
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Posted By: infandous
Date Posted: June 03 2011 at 12:11
| Thanks guys. As I said, I will get them both regardless, but I wanted to get some opinions on how they compare to his other solo stuff. I actually steered clear of Testimony originally because of the subject matter, but I've found that it really doesn't bother me at all on his other albums (for the most part.......I really do wish he'd find some other subject matter for lyrics though......I really don't see that being a Christian requires one to write only about God and Jesus and nothing else........Glass Hammer manage to write about other things, for instance). |
Posted By: Garion81
Date Posted: June 03 2011 at 18:39
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Just saw Neal last Saturday night in Whittier, Ca. This was my third time seeing Neal solo and also saw him last year with TA (never saw him in SB). My thoughts were this while this is the best solo show he has done but it was below the TA show and even the Spock's Beard show (without him) I saw last year. The biggest difference to me over the other solo shows was George and Portnoy. Mike was just on the music and Randy is tremendous bass player how wrote these bass lines or at the very least developed them from Neal's original bass lines. This was the fourth time I have seen Portnoy (none with DT) and it was the best. He absolutely blew this show into another level and I don't think it would have worked as well without him and Randy. Mike and Neal have a special chemistry together. As for the new album I like it but there are parts towards the end that fall short of earlier movements including the last piece. Actually live at the concert I thought the best material was the Sola Scriptora medley they did but overall it is still a great piece of music. Sometimes I wish these guys instead of throwing everything and the kitchen sink on these CDs would maybe take a few ideas and set them aside for another day and develop what is best on the CD. I think the reason why is that fans have come to expect that but still the album could be truly fantastic. Of course then we would all be complianing about how short it was. Oh one other album I didn't see mentioned that Neal sang on was Jordan Rudess The Road Home Neal sings Dance on a Volcano. You should also get his new book. .
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Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: June 03 2011 at 19:18
The God/Jesus issue is an easy thing to pick on, although both albums deal with Neal's pre Christian discovery (born again Christian). It actually deals more with his personal struggles of life on the road, away from his family and the common faults all musicians fall into which is usually drinking, and probably other stuff.
Its not so much that he is writing religious music, that just happens to be what brought him "back to life". And he feels compelled to tell his story within two albums.
T2 actually describes more the struggles of his decision to leave Spocks......All of this stuff does though center around him finding God and his new found purpose in life.
Being Catholic myself, I understand it but I will say it does not make me like the music any better (or worse).......Its the main topic, that's all.
What I enjoy is that the music, lyrics come from the heart, and maybe a deeper place than usual......and I just feel it shows...regardless of the reason.
And boy does it show on stage live.....powerful performance for sure last week in Seattle! Neal is passionate about his music.
That's what I like......
Enjoy it. -------------
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Posted By: Lofcaudio
Date Posted: June 03 2011 at 19:49
I love Testimony. It was the album that introduced me to Neal Morse, who is now my favorite musician. Testimony is probably the lightest (hardness-wise) of all of Neal's solo prog albums, and has a little of just about everything. Having said that, it's not in the class of One, ? and Testimony 2 (in my opinion). Musically, Testimony 2 is fantastic. While I've resisted doing so unitl now, I'll probably give it a 5-star rating once I finally get around to reviewing it. It's really that good.
I've only seen Neal in concert twice now, with this tour and last year on the TA Whirld Tour. Being a huge Pain of Salvation fan, it was so special seeing two of my favorite musicians on the stage together in Chicago and that TA show was probably the most rewarding concert experience I've ever enjoyed. Testimony 2 was a close second though and probably would have surpassed the TA show if there hadn't been as many sound issues at the Nashville venue.
Regardless, Neal is an incredible performer. If you ever have the chance to see him...do it. I can't imagine you regretting it. His Seeds of Gold guitar solo was one of the most moving guitar solos I've ever seen live. Just brilliant.
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Posted By: infandous
Date Posted: June 08 2011 at 09:09
Well, I'm not a Christian of any stripe, but I grew up going to church every Sunday so it's not completely alien to me. I think I've said elsewhere that I completely respect Neal for wanting to write about what moves him and I agree with you that it is obvious when listening to the music that he is passionate about it. I just would love to hear him change it up a bit, lyrics wise. Still, it doesn't detract from my enjoyment, and I appreciate the uplifting nature of most of the lyrics. I just find the repetition tiring after a while. It won't stop me from listening though, as the music is nearly always wonderful. |
Posted By: infandous
Date Posted: June 08 2011 at 09:14
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Okay, so I've ordered both Testimonies to complete my Neal discography (I probably won't ever bother with his first two solo albums, and certainly not the worship stuff, but when I get these I'll have all his other officially released studio stuff). My favorite is still Sola Scriptura by far, as that seems like the best mixture of Spock's, solo Neal, and Transatlantic type of music out of all he has done. I just find the melodies and instrumental sections to be unsurpassed in his catalog. Though, like most of his stuff, it isn't ground breaking or outside of his usual "formula", but man do I love that formula. |
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: June 08 2011 at 16:15
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^ That's cool! I totally agree, what keeps me focused is the Transatlantic, symphonic prog feel of his music, I love those instrumental passages also.
I am looking forward to what he does next.....I have a feeling it will be another Transatlantic project before a new solo project....and that is fine by me. -------------
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Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: June 08 2011 at 17:34
I'm sure of it. Since you guys won't come to Brasil, we'll come to you. There is at least one group of Brasilians in every big show out there. I believe that in DT's Score DVD there is a visible flag somewhere on the crowd.-------------
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