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SOLA SCRIPTURA AND BEYOND

Neal Morse

Symphonic Prog


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Neal Morse Sola Scriptura and Beyond album cover
4.37 | 102 ratings | 6 reviews | 62% 5 stars

Essential: a masterpiece of
progressive rock music

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DVD/Video, released in 2008

Songs / Tracks Listing

Disc One

1. The Creation
2. The Good Don't Last/Open Wide the Flood Gates
3. The Door
4. The Conflict/The Conclusion
5. Question Mark Medley:
- The Temple of the Living God
- Another World
- The Outsider
- 12
- Entrance
- Inside His Presence
- The Temple of the Living God [Reprise]
6. Testimedley:
- Overture No. 1
- California Nights
- Colder in the Sun
- Somber Days
- Sing It High
- Calm Before the Storm
- I Am Willing
- Oh, to Feel Him
- Rejoice
- God's Theme
7. We All Need Some Light
8. Wind at My Back

-------------------------------

Disc Two

- Behind the Scenes Footage of the Sola Scriptura tour

- Bridge Across Forever [Acoustic Version]

- Bonus Footage from Question Mark Live
1. Sweet Elation
2. In the Fire
3. Solid As the Sun
4. The Glory of the Lord
5. Outside Looking In
6. Help Me
7. King Jesus
8. Reunion
9. Encore Medley
- We All Need Some Light
- Open Wide the Flood Gates
- Open the Gates [Part 2]
- Solitary Soul
- Wind at My Back

Line-up / Musicians

- Neal Morse / lead vocals, keyboard, acoustic and electric guitar
- Collin Leijenaar / drums
- Paul Bielatowicz / lead electric guitar, backing vocals
- Henk Doest / keyboard
- Wilco van Esschoten / bass, backing vocals
- Jessica Koomen / vocals, percussion, keyboard

Thanks to tambermelon for the addition
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NEAL MORSE Sola Scriptura and Beyond ratings distribution


4.37
(102 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(62%)
62%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(29%)
29%
Good, but non-essential (6%)
6%
Collectors/fans only (2%)
2%
Poor. Only for completionists (1%)
1%

NEAL MORSE Sola Scriptura and Beyond reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Atkingani
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin
4 stars I noticed the expression 'Christian prog (rock)' just recently but this style wasn't new for me because during my teenage years, back in the 70s, I attended a cluster of gigs in churches and temples and those amateur bands that displayed then worked mainly in the prog-related lines, maybe due to the use of keyboards, flute, acoustic guitars and soft vocals those bands were driven into a more proggish approach. Some songs have a kind of heavenly tenderness and were the favorites to be covered, like ELP's 'Jerusalem' (I mean, their version), PFM's 'Appena un pò', O Terço's 'Tributo ao sorriso' (very uplifting lyrics, indeed), amidst some others. While some friends (both genders) preferred something more danceable, I must confess that having a prog-heart these covers delighted me and I didn't care too much about the intended holy message or the intrinsic proselytism - I liked the music and that was enough.

However, I find the expression 'Christian prog', a bit disturbing; are those doing music with this label the only ones who embrace the said religion? Are they the only ones that have faith? Are all other acts, not labeled so, doomed to the fires of inferno? To avoid confusion maybe a new tag should be thought for labeling those songs and musicians attached to the religious dominion. Well, at least for the progressive realm, they continue to trail those genres we all are used to identify: symphonic, neo, metal, and so on.

That said, it's time to review Neal Morse's DVD titled "Sola Scriptura & Beyond" which is primarily a symphonic-prog production based mainly upon his 2007 "Sola Scriptura" album but containing additional stuff from other albums and also from his Transatlantic & Spock's Beard time that are able to amuse musically the average hearer, being the latter, spiritually gifted or not. While lyrically Neal Morse runs in a particular lane marked by his personal experiences with the divine, musically he keeps a way close to that of Spock's Beard soft side, adding bits of gospel and pop-rock and significant doses of poignancy. Checking how this blend work in a live show is an interesting deal.

Neal appeared very enthusiastic, excited, emotive, energetic. and this posture soon wrapped up his entire staff, mainly the technical people and the supporting band. Considering that the core of this DVD was recorded in The Netherlands, it's not a surprise that the majority of Neal Morse's crew members are Dutch and consequently the audience too. The accompanying musicians are pretty young but showed a high level of professionalism and while a bit shy initially they soon joined Morse's liveliness.

The initial part of Disc 1 containing the "Sola Scriptura" tracks shows Morse & band very concerned for a few participative audience, which is explainable since the songs weren't too much known then - even so the result is beyond fair due to the musicians' skills. The 'Question Mark Medley' and 'Testimedley' sections open the gates for a more warm response from the audience that makes the overall atmosphere to grow intensely. The two final songs 'We all need some light' and 'Wind at my back' from Morse's Transatlantic and Spock's Beard years close the disc grabbing entirely the viewers (there or at home). A classical ender for this fine production.

The bonus material dubbed as Disc 2 brings some amusing and enjoyable musical parts especially those rooted on the "Question Mark" album and where we may catch all progressive influences over Neal Morse. Non-musical and behind the scene parts in this disc are pretty funny and sometimes interesting but add few to the general content.

Not being an expert on cinematography, I may tell that camera positioning (both discs) and movie cuts are impressive and well-crafted putting the hearer/viewer inside the action most of the times. I also heard this DVD as plain CD and while the recording is of the finest extraction it's clear that with a few exceptions the musical stuff is pretty average but the inclusion of images and movement donated a plus that makes this DVD an excellent addition to any progressive collection.

Review by erik neuteboom
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars

.... Henk Doest, Wilco van Esschoten, Jessica Koomen ... typical Dutch names to be found on the back cover of the new Neal Morse DVD because on his European tour Neal Morse has invited a lot of Dutch musicians. Talking about Dutch musicians, I have a small story for you. A few years ago I worked for the Dutch progrock magazine iO Pages, on our annual 'reviewers meeting' the chief-editor had arranged that one of the reviewer was going to give a 'drum clinic'. Well, he did and we were all very impressed, afterwards I had a talk with him and it turned out that we shared a huge appreciation for Neil Peart. Looking at the back cover I noticed the aforementioned typical Dutch names and ... the name of Collin Leijenaar, the iO Pages reviewer/drummer who gave that clinic: the one moment he wrote about Spock's Beard, the other moment he's the drummer of Neal Morse his band! And Collin is not only the drummer, he's also the driving force behind the Neal Morse band, wat an outstanding blend of skills and power, especially during the heavy symphonic rock and progmetal parts, very exciting.

On DVD-1 we can enjoy Neal his catchy enthousiasm, his funny stage antics and his great, very varied musical skills on several instruments: in the long and excellent composition The Creation (featuring wonderful choir-Mellotron) he easily switches from fat synthesizers runs on his keyboard to heavy guitar work on his electric guitar, showing a big smile, I love that 'playful musical megalomania '. I was also pleased with Neal his short vocal performance of the Seventies Top 10 hit Seasons In The Sun by Terry Jacks (it was my favorite ballad too) during the Spock's Beard tribute entitled The Good Don't Last/Open Wide The Flood Gates. The track The Door delivers heavy interplay with lots of scale-acrobatics, genuine progmetal with lush Hammond organ, not bad at all to use an understatement. Guitarplayer Paul Bielatowicz showcases his huge talents in this and the next song The Conflict/The Conclusion with hints from Steve Vai but he also plays warm blues with a bottleneck or more spacey with an E-bow, what a killer guitarplayer! In the long tracks Question Mark Medley and Testimedley again the band delivers excellent interplay and very exciting solos on guitar and keyboard (like a flashy solo on the synthesizer by Neal himself). The concert is concluded with the two ballad-like songs We All Need Some Light (in which Neal is grateful to the fans because "you show more understanding why I play for 3 hours than my wife ..") and the pleasant final one Wind At My Back.

DVD-2 contains a lot of 'bonus footage' like 'behind the scenes', an acoustic version of Bridge Across Forever and 9 bonustracks of the Question Mark tour, really interesting to watch.

In my opinion Neal Morse has succeeded to reach a wide audience with his tasteful and dynamic blend of ballads, symphonic rock and prog metal and how nice to notice so many Dutch musicans on stage. Highly recommended!

Review by rdtprog
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Heavy, RPI, Symph, JR/F Canterbury Teams
4 stars Neal Morse's music is one of a few solo artist that i enjoy. When a new cd comes out of him you know, it's going to be good. This artist believe in god and he's not afraid of showing it in his lyrics. He has the pretension of making big symphonic piece of music of more than 15 minutes in a regular base. His music seems to follow some repetitive patterns and lack of originality. Neil's music is a efficient machine of regularity with almost the same level of quality from one cd to another. While this is maybe close to the truth, it doesn't tell the whole story.

Neil Morse has beautiful voice and play keyboards at the same time. The songs are full of emotions and in a long piece of music, there is a full range of emotions. The use of 2 keyboards in the band give to the music his richness. With a guitarist that make the occasional guitar's solo, a solid rhythm section, you have all the ingredients to make great music. But the main ingredient to the success of any music is the songwriting, and Neal got it from the time he was with Spock's Beard. Nothing in his music is a new kind of progressive music, but it's good old school's progressive rock music done with his modern touch, that means with a nice production that showcase some crunchy guitar and bass parts.

This DVD contains a lot of material shot very professionally in a venue where you are close to the action with some great close ups of the band, and a nice editing that doesn't distract you from the music. The picture quality and sound are excellent.

The songs are taken from the Sola Scriptura's tour and Question Mark's tour, the latter in the second DVD. We have 2 big medleys of The Question Mark's cd and The Testimony's cd. Add to those songs, a behind the scenes documentary and a acoustic version of Bridge Across Forever, plenty of material for your money.

Latest members reviews

4 stars When I heard Neal had left Spock's Beard after "Snow", I was saddened. When I learned he left to pursue a more religious path in his music, I was devastated. Just what the world needs, more lame "Christian" music. I had seen reviews for his solo C. Rock records (not good) and listened to a few snipp ... (read more)

Report this review (#453582) | Posted by pagan97 | Sunday, May 29, 2011 | Review Permanlink

5 stars Watching Neal Morse on a nice flat screen tv is always great. This man always brings a smile. Sola Scriptura and Beyond Dvd is a masterpiece live concert experience. He is so much fun to watch. Morse really gets into the music. The setlist is to die for, hitting everything pre-Lifeline. The Cr ... (read more)

Report this review (#394060) | Posted by AlexDOM | Friday, February 4, 2011 | Review Permanlink

5 stars Full plate for the fans What can I say about this double dvd is that it is simply perfect. You can find forced the idea that "Sola Scriptura" is a symphonic prog album, but can not question the quality of this work. What can I highlight in this dvd is that first: it is double, and second: it ... (read more)

Report this review (#241940) | Posted by nandprogger | Monday, September 28, 2009 | Review Permanlink

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