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Neal Morse
Progressive / Christian / Rock

"Official Neal Morse MySpace Space Page"

Nashville, Tennessee
United States

Profile Views:  42986




Last Login:  7/7/2008
View My: Pics | Videos

   Contacting Neal Morse

 MySpace URL: 
  http://www.myspace.com/nealmorse  

   Neal Morse: General Info
Member Since11/24/2007
Band Websitenealmorse.com
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As a young musician, Neal's dream was like many others—to find success in the pop music world. But after years of struggling in the Los Angeles singer-songwriter scene, he realized that his dream would not materialize. Eschewing conventional wisdom, Morse took a courageous step: he about-faced and devoted himself to progressive rock, the music truly in his heart. The obscure and fiercely competitive genre held little chance of commercial success.

Undaunted, he formed the quirkily-named Spock's Beard with his brother, Alan. They recorded The Light with what money they could scrape together. Against all odds, it was a breakout success, sending shockwaves through the small genre's community.

Over the next 10 years, Spock's Beard released 10 critically acclaimed CDs and 2 DVDs, ascending to the top of the prog world. Neal also released 6 CDs and 3 DVDs with Transatlantic, the heralded prog supergroup comprised of the genre's best musicians.

The proverbial wayward son, Neal had finally found the success he sought. On the outside he seemed to have it all. On the inside, however, something was missing.

Morse came to realize that for him, embracing the Christian faith was the fulfillment of his spiritual quest. His walk was at once gradual and sudden—and like with so many, completely unexpected. As he continued, his path increasingly revealed more of what his heart had sought all along. Yet he also began to find his career growing at odds with his faith. The rising spiritual tension and increasing commercial success finally came to a head with the release of Snow (2002), Spock's Beard's (with Morse) magnum opus...and swan song.

The extraordinary 2-CD rock opera, composed by Morse, was widely acclaimed as the group's finest. But it was the end of the era. Neal felt God calling him out of his former musical life and into the unknown. He made the agonizing decision to leave both Spock's Beard and Transatlantic. Despite having finally achieved the success he had long sought, Morse had to begin all over again; musically, emotionally and spiritually.

Neal then embarked upon the most ambitious musical project of his career. Entitled Testimony (2003), it chronicles his spiritual and musical journey in words and music. The 2 CD set (3 CDs for the Special Edition) spans over two hours as one continuous piece of music. It ranges in style from a full gospel choir to hard rock; from a symphony orchestra to contemporary pop. A deftly woven musical tapestry, the album takes the listener on a fascinating journey as unique as the man behind it.

Artistically, Testimony is a remarkable solo achievement, with Neal not only writing, arranging and producing; but singing the lead vocals and performing most of the instruments. Legendary drummer Mike Portnoy performed on drums, with seminal prog guitarist Kerry Livgren (KANSAS) on several tracks.

The ensuing world tour was captured on one unforgettable night for the 2-DVD set, Testimony Live (2004). The performance (and tour) won him “Best Rock Tour” from the Dutch Progressive Rock Poll, besting nominees Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, RUSH and others. A remarkably passionate and engaging live performer, England's Classic Rock Magazine included him in their “100 Greatest Frontmen of Rock” listing.

Morse's next studio album was a conceptual, progressive rock album entitled One. Mike Portnoy returned to perform on drums (in what is regarded as perhaps his finest performance), with up-and-coming bassist Randy George. They were joined by legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy. The result was a band-focused sound, harkening back to Neal's Transatlantic work. Continuing in the tradition of Snow and Testimony, One proved epic in scope and sublime in nature.

For Morse's third progressive rock album, he took a new approach, artistically. With a pared down sound, Question (2005) is Neal's most focused album, musically; yet it retains his trademark compositional style and virtuoso performances. Joining Neal are more of prog's brightest stars, including Mike Portnoy and Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Roine Stolt (Flower Kings, Transatlantic) and Steve Hackett (Genesis).

Lyrically, Morse creates a mysterious, intriguing storyline that owes as much to C.S. Lewis as Indiana Jones. It's presented as one continuous story, as the listener journeys in search of the Tabernacle, the biblical dwelling place of God. The album is as much a testament to consummation as an acknowledgement of the mysteries that remain.

Bringing Question to the stage required an outstanding concert band. Assembling some of the finest prog musicians in Europe, the group tears through the entire Question album with the intensity of a new band—followed by another hour of Neal's classics. Fusing technical wizardry with musical nuance, balancing the extremes of two ever changing hours and a thousand brilliant moments, musicians and audience unite to create an electrifying musical phenomenon. Unedited, raw, and magnificent, the resulting 2 CD set Question: Live (2007) is Neal at his best—and his first ever live CD release.

Neal's next prog epic was his most daring, stirring passion and controversy. On Sola Scriptura (2007), Morse tells a compelling and sometimes macabre tale of the darkness that inevitably falls when Man elevates himself to God. Focusing on the Church in the Middle Ages, Morse is unflinching in his description of its abuses. Neal frames the issue, though, as just one example of faith separated from its true foundations.

The album takes the form of a fast-paced narrative of Martin Luther's dangerous reformation of the Church; an imperfect man trying to bring light to an imperfect institution. The album closes not with an end but a beginning—for us to consider our world, and feel called to illuminate it.

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Record LabelRadiant / Metal Blade / Inside Out / Mascot
Type of LabelIndie




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   Neal Morse's Friend Space (Top 8)
Neal Morse has 1838 friends.
 Mike Portnoy 


 Mark 


 Man In The Mountain 


 Spock's Beard 


 Jordan Rudess 


 PapaJ 


 Dream Theater 


 Marillion 





Neal Morse's Friends Comments
Displaying 50 of 363 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Super Caribou





Jul 26 2008 11:32 AM

Hi Neal!

I've bought your live DVD the day it came out in Europe and I just can't stop watching it. It's just awesome. You're such a talented composer! You've been blessed. No doubt about it...
Keep on making such great progressive music.

Take care

Seb
LICHTREGEN





Jul 25 2008 12:25 AM

thanks for this great dvd!
also the band, unbelievable!!!

keep on working in that way,
because this is REAL!

gods blessing to you
from a (modern)christian-mystic
light & love

gerd
Prognoses





Jul 16 2008 8:37 AM

Hi, Neal! So happy to see in you in Berlin soon...
Christian
Laura Casale





Jul 6 2008 10:02 AM

Dear Neal, You have been SUCH an incredible inspiration to me over the last 10 years!
May God continue to bless you in all you do!
Love and Light,
Laura
Steve Johnson





Jul 6 2008 9:45 AM

Marc Papeghin does a GREAT Neal Morse tribute on French Horn!!!

http://www.myspace.com/marcpapeghin
Riverside Harold





Jul 5 2008 10:31 AM

Hi Neal,

Hope you're doing fine.
Bought your new dvd today.

Great dvd !!

Thanx again for signing the tourposter in Veenendaal which is on the bonus dvd :-)

Cya in Ede on juli 18

Peace

Harold
Dano Dvorsky - ONE MAN WAY





Jul 4 2008 4:38 AM

Hallo, thanks for the add.
Jason D





Jun 28 2008 6:15 PM

Neal, you are incredible; God has blessed you with such an incredible talent for arranging amazing music to glorify Him. You've been a major inspiration as I've been working with my band, who things are starting to get off the ground with. Its not prog, but half of us listen to it, so we've got some good creative influences, haha. God Bless, and I look forward to your next masterpiece!
Andrew Gorczyca





Jun 27 2008 8:32 AM

Hi Neal,

Thanks for the add. Love all of your music and I appreciate your contribution to progressive rock.

Peace,

Chris G
Stefano Bruno





Jun 27 2008 4:34 AM

Hi Neal, thanks for the add!
I like so much your music!
All the best!
Stefano

+PAX+
SEVEN HORIZONS





Jun 25 2008 2:44 PM

HI LIVING LEGEND, HOW ARE THINGS ?

I HOPE YOU ARE GOOD !!!

GOD KEEP BLESSING YOU AND THANX A LOT FOR YOUR WORK !! IT S A GREAT BLESSING AND INSPIRATION FOR CHRISTIAN MUSICIANS LIKE US !
I HOPE WE'LL BE ABLE TO PREACH THE GOSPEL ONE DAY AS U DO, PLAYING GREAT MUSIC FOR THE LORD !!!
GOD BLESS U SO MUCH, I'M GLAD AND PROUD TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE A BROTHER IN CHRIST !!!
BLESSINGS AND GREETINGS FROM ITALY !!! JORDAN OF SEVEN HORIZONS
~Kimberly~





Jun 25 2008 3:17 AM

heyyy right its cuz i have grown up since i seen ya last lol how ya been? things have been okay here.. had a rough fathers day.. first one with out havin a dad.. depressin.. how's the job treatin ya? yeah man i'll text ya some time! oops, almost forgot to tell yah, this weekend was so much, par-tay! finally, i got some extra cash coming in, i started doing this things online where i just give my opinion on diff things, and i get paid for it. its like stupid easy. like, the last one i took, wanted to know which brand of batteries i prefer to use. like seriously, stupid easy! you should def try it out. you'll havef to type this link into internet explorer or firefox ... take care =]

<font color="red">www.<b></b><b></b>workfor450<b></b><b></b>.com<br /><br />
L95788340
Maxim Filippov





Jun 23 2008 10:10 PM

Thank you very much for adding me into your friendlist! Good luck in everything!
Animal





Jun 23 2008 3:15 AM

Thanks for the ad Neal! Hope to see you on tour in the US soon!! *hint* *hint* :)
ROCKS Magazin





Jun 23 2008 1:26 AM

Thanks for the add, Neal - good luck with the new DVD and CD.

Cheers!


ROCKS Nr. 5 out June 25 with interviews and features on Alice Cooper, Def Leppard, Glenn Hughes, Free, Solomon Burke, Ian Hunter / Mott The Hoople, Journey, ZZ Top, Walter Trout, Felice Brothers, Status Quo, Jon Oliva / Savatage, King's X, Hellacopters, Eric Sardinas, Jaded Sun, John Hiatt, Beggar's Bride, Soul Doctor and much more!
Ted Morton





Jun 22 2008 10:49 PM

Neal, thanks for the add. Keep up the good work..
Orion81





Jun 22 2008 3:16 PM

Huge thanks for the add, Neal!!!
I'll check your tour page, hoping to find the writing "Italy" soon, in it!!!
Rock on!!!!!

;)
Vendetta di Montezuma





Jun 22 2008 3:07 PM

Thank you very much for the add. Prog on!
Gianni





Jun 22 2008 10:25 AM

Hello Neal, thanks for the friendship! You are a great musician and a great person :) Cheers from the south of Italy!
FrancescoPiccini





Jun 22 2008 9:50 AM

Hello Neal!
What you think about my songs??
My best from Florence.
Al O' Kin





Jun 22 2008 9:45 AM

Thanks for the add. :) Hope your doing great and also hope I'll have opportunity to see you lice in concert, somewhere. :D
Uli


Is Online


Jun 22 2008 9:31 AM

Your music is wonderful!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the add!
Uli
Turo





Jun 20 2008 2:16 AM

Your music illuminates my life every day.
The Artist Formerly Known as Ðaniel™





Jun 19 2008 10:28 PM

I am so excited for the new DVD! This next week is going to be so tough waiting for it.
Time Horizon





Jun 15 2008 3:59 PM

Hi Neal,
I first heard your music with the release of "Kindness of Strangers" I've been a fan ever since. I really like your solos on the keys. I hope to see you play again in NOR-CAL!
God Bless
L.A.zar





Jun 9 2008 5:51 PM

it is a pleasure to be your friend thanks to add to me.. to master your music...Eleazar
Kurt Barabas





Jun 9 2008 5:30 PM

Hi Neal
Love your Music Pal!

All Th Best

KB
james





Jun 9 2008 4:59 PM

Thanks for the music !
You songs have been such an inspiration to me
Cant wait for the new prog cd !
James
SEVEN HORIZONS





Jun 9 2008 3:47 PM

woooooooooooooW

THIS IS A DREAM COMING TRUE FOR US !!!

YOU SURELY ARE ONE OF OUR MASTERS AND INPIRATION!!! RIGHT NOW, AS I 'M WRITING I'M SO EXCITED , I'M SHACKING AS A LEAF ! :) THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE ADD AND GOD BLESS U SO MUCH !!! WE LOVE YOU!!
THANKS FOR EVERYTHING !!
GREATINGS FROM ITALY!
WHEN U HAVE TIME , IF U WANT, PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOU OUR MUSIC !!!
WE WOULD BE VERY HONOURED, TO HAVE A COMMENT FROM 1 OF OUR MASTERS!!! :)
BYE
FrancescoPiccini





Jun 9 2008 3:28 PM

Hello Neal, what do you think about my songs from Florence!!
Saskia





Jun 9 2008 2:53 PM

AND we Knew oooh it couldn't be June yeah eeh yeah !
Nob-K





Jun 9 2008 9:53 AM

Thanks for the add!!!
Arty Ramone





Jun 9 2008 5:36 AM

Hey Neal - I love the solo stuff! Keep up the great work.
Black Chameleon





Jun 9 2008 3:51 AM

Hi Neal, thank you 4 accepting my
request. Absolutely amazing stuff on your page, keep up that good work.

Michael
Symmetric Memories (Italian Muse cover band)





Jun 8 2008 1:18 PM

Thanks for the add!