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Neal Morse June UK Dates Announced & Tickets
Tuesday, 22 February 2011 Written by Jon Stickler
Neal Morse June UK Dates Announced & Tickets

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 realised that this dream would not materialize. Rejecting 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 realise that for him, embracing the Christian faith was the fulfilment of his spiritual quest. His walk was at once gradual and sudden—and as 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), the group’s magnum opus...and swan song with Morse.

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. He made the agonizing decision to leave both Spock’s Beard and Transatlantic. 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 spans over two hours as one continuous piece of music. In genre, it ranges from a gospel choir to hard rock; from symphony orchestra to contemporary pop. 'Testimony' was also Neal’s first of many albums with drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater). A deftly woven musical tapestry, 'Testimony' takes the listener on a fascinating journey as unique as the man behind it.

The ensuing world tour was captured on one unforgettable night for the 2-DVD set, 'Testimony Live' (2004). Morse was recognized as a remarkably passionate and engaging performer by Britain’s Classic Rock Magazine, who included him in their “100 Greatest Frontmen of Rock” listing. The tour was awarded “Best Rock Tour” from the popular Dutch website, DPRP, besting nominees Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, RUSH and others.

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. On 'Question' (2005), Morse weaves a compelling storyline that owes as much to C.S. Lewis as Indiana Jones. His journey is a timeless quest—to find the biblical dwelling place of God. 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).

Bringing 'Question to the stage required an outstanding tour band. Fusing technical wizardry with musical nuance, a young band of unknowns proved themselves in the fire of Question’s musical roller-coaster. The audience responded with energy and passion, with the experience captured on CD. Unrestrained, raw, and magnificent, the resulting 2 CD set 'Question: Live' (2007) was fitting as Neal's first live album.

Neal's next prog epic was his most daring, stirring passions and controversy. On 'Sola Scriptura' (2007), Morse tells a compelling and sometimes macabre tale of the darkness that inevitably falls when humankind tries to elevate itself to God. 'Question' and 'Sola Scriptura' were received as Neal’s best to date, and the ensuing tours were captured on film. The ensuing release, 'Sola Scriptura & Beyond' (2008) was an extraordinary live concert 2-DVD set that brought both albums to life. Also included were generous selections from One and 'Testimony', a Transatlantic selection, five songs from Spock’s Beard, and an hour of behind-the-scenes tour footage.

Less than three months later, Neal completed 'Lifeline' (2008), his next studio album. Unlike his other releases, 'Lifeline' wasn’t a concept album. Free from this constraint, Neal stretched out in all directions. He revisited early Spock’s Beard, 'Snow', Transatlantic, his solo releases, and launched into new territory. Joining him once again were Mike Portnoy and Randy George.

A Transatlantic reunion had been the dream of many fans, and after ten years, a seemingly quixotic one. On April 16 of 2009, though, they were surprised to hear of a new album from the prog supergroup. The album began with Neal's work a 45 minute composition, 'The Whirlwind'. As he progressed, Neal, who felt it was taking on the attributes of a Transatlantic piece. He shared it with the band, and they agreed. Each band member brought material to the eight days of writing/recording sessions; by the end, they’d written a completely new album. Retaining Neal's original title, 'The Whirlwind' went on to be the group's highest charting album to date.

Meanwhile, Neal had been touring in North America and Europe. Several shows from the end of 2008 were recorded to multi track, and saved for future release. On November 16, 2010, the 3-CD set 'So Many Roads' was released, presenting an astonishing 3.5 hours of new live music. Featuring 29 tracks spanning Neal’s entire 20 year career, 'So Many Roads' is the definitive live Neal Morse release.

Later in 2010, Transatlantic embarked on their biggest tour yet, with dates in 11 nations across Europe and North America. The London, UK show was immortalized for the double-live DVD, 'Whirld Tour 2010: Live in London'.

Neal begins 2011 with completion of his forthcoming progressive rock studio release, 'Testimony II'. Mike Portnoy and Randy George returned to revisit the trio’s unique and powerful chemistry, and as usual, special guests and surprises await. Neal’s largest ever tour will follow, over the summer, with his international live band led by Collin Leijenaar. Meanwhile, Neal continues development on his unnamed rock opera and a new collaborative mainstream rock project. In 2011, Neal shines brighter than ever with the next remarkable chapter in his musical and spiritual journey.

To see Neal Morse live:

Thu 16 June 2011 - London KOKO (£22.50)
Fri 17 July 2011 - Manchester Academy 2 (£20.00)

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