| Neal Morse | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | August 2, 1960 Van Nuys, California, U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Progressive rock Neo-progressive rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Keyboards Guitar Drums Bass Guitar |
| Associated acts | Spock's Beard Transatlantic |
Neal Morse (born on August 2, 1960 in Van Nuys, California) is a prolific American multi-instrumentalist and progressive rock composer based in Nashville, Tennessee. Zoetermeer ( is a city in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Events 338 BC - A Macedonian army led by Philip II defeated the combined forces of Athens and Thebes in the Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Progressive rock (often shortened to " progressive " " prog " or " prog rock " is a form of Rock music that evolved Neo-progressive rock (or often shortened to neo-prog, not to be confused with the significantly more modern New prog) is a sub- Genre of A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making Music. A keyboard instrument is any musical instrument played using a Musical keyboard. The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles A drum kit (also drum set or trap set) is a collection of Drums Cymbals and sometimes other Percussion instruments such as cowbells The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the Spock's Beard is a Progressive rock band formed in 1992 in Los Angeles by brothers Neal and Alan Morse. Transatlantic was a Progressive rock supergroup formed in 1999 by vocalist /keyboardist Neal Morse of Spock's Beard and Drummer Events 338 BC - A Macedonian army led by Philip II defeated the combined forces of Athens and Thebes in the Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A multi-instrumentalist is a Musician who plays a number of different instruments The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument Progressive rock (often shortened to " progressive " " prog " or " prog rock " is a form of Rock music that evolved He is known for his musical versatility and his writing and recording output.
Contents |
Background
Morse grew up in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles as one of four kids. The San Fernando Valley or The Valley is an urbanized Valley located in the north-western section of the city of Los Angeles California, United States Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West His sister is now a teacher in the Walnut Creek School District . His father was a choral director. Morse started to play the piano at the age of five and started to learn to play the guitar soon after that. The piano is a Musical instrument played by means of a keyboard that produces sound by striking steel strings with Felt covered hammers The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles During his twenties he wrote two musicals (Hit Man and Homeland), did some session jobs, tried to get a deal as a singer/songwriter in Los Angeles, and recorded a few country and western demos with his brother Richard. Hit Man A Musical by Neal Morse was first started in the early 1990s A songwriter is someone who writes the Lyrics to songs the Musical composition (chords or Melody to songs or both Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains.
Musical directions
With Spock's Beard
After about ten years, Morse grew tired of the Los Angeles music scene and traveled through Europe for several years, busking and playing in small clubs. Busking is the practice of performing in Public places for Tips and Gratuities. On his return to the U.S. he formed the band Spock's Beard with his brother Alan. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Spock's Beard is a Progressive rock band formed in 1992 in Los Angeles by brothers Neal and Alan Morse. Alan Morse is a Guitarist for the Progressive rock band Spock's Beard. Their first album, The Light, was moderately successful. Spock's Beard would soon become one of the more successful progressive rock bands of the late nineties (along with Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, and The Flower Kings). Progressive rock (often shortened to " progressive " " prog " or " prog rock " is a form of Rock music that evolved Dream Theater is an American Progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name " Majesty " by John Myung, John Petrucci Porcupine Tree are a Progressive rock band formed by Steven Wilson in 1987 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. The Flower Kings are a Swedish Progressive rock band Formed in 1994 by veteran guitarist Roine Stolt as a touring band to support his solo album
With Transatlantic
While Morse was with Spock's Beard, he also released two solo albums which contain mostly straightforward rock music. In 2000, Neal joined Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy, Flower Kings' Roine Stolt and Marillion's Pete Trewavas to form the supergroup Transatlantic, with which he released two studio albums, SMPTe and Bridge Across Forever, and two live albums, Live in Europe and Live In America, helped live by the guest artist Daniel Gildenlöw, from Pain of Salvation
Going solo
Morse became a born again Christian in 2002. Dream Theater is an American Progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name " Majesty " by John Myung, John Petrucci Michael Stephen Portnoy (born April 20, 1967) American Drummer primarily known as the drummer and backing vocalist for the Progressive The Flower Kings are a Swedish Progressive rock band Formed in 1994 by veteran guitarist Roine Stolt as a touring band to support his solo album Roine Stolt (born on September 5, 1956 in Uppsala) is a Swedish Guitarist, Vocalist and Composer. Marillion are a British rock group Formed in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England in 1979 their recorded studio output comprises Pete Trewavas (born Peter Trewavas 15 January 1959, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England) is an English Musician Transatlantic was a Progressive rock supergroup formed in 1999 by vocalist /keyboardist Neal Morse of Spock's Beard and Drummer Daniel Gildenlöw (born June 5, 1973) is a Swedish Musician and Songwriter. Pain of Salvation is a Swedish Progressive metal band featuring Daniel Gildenlöw, who is the lyricist chief composer guitarist and lead vocalist He left both Spock's Beard and Transatlantic immediately following the release of the Spock's Beard album Snow. Snow is the sixth Studio album of the Progressive rock band Spock's Beard, and the final album with main songwriter and vocalist The period leading to this decision is described on the solo album Testimony (2003), an epic, introspective composition which features Kerry Livgren of Kansas and Mike Portnoy. Testimony is a Progressive rock Concept album by Neal Morse. Released in 2003 this double-album is in five sections detailing the composer's Kerry Livgren (born September 18, 1949) is an American Musician and Songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and Kansas is an American Progressive rock band which became a popular Arena rock group in the 1970s with hit singles such as " Carry On Wayward Michael Stephen Portnoy (born April 20, 1967) American Drummer primarily known as the drummer and backing vocalist for the Progressive One part of his conversion to Christianity, omitted from Testimony but described in full on Testimony Live, was that his daughter Jayda had been diagnosed as having a hole in her heart that required open-heart surgery. Neal says that after prayer, Jayda is now well and the heart is normal. This is confirmed by the doctors, and they said that it was a miracle.
On May 18, 2003, Morse also took part in Portnoy's Yellow Matter Custard, a Beatles cover band, which later released a double-CD and DVD. Events 1152 - Henry II of England marries Eleanor of Aquitaine. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Yellow Matter Custard is a Beatles cover band consisting of Mike Portnoy ( Dream Theater, Transatlantic, OSI, Liquid Tension Experiment The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960
In 2004, Morse wrote and recorded a new concept album featuring Portnoy and Randy George (on bass guitar). Randy George may refer to musician of the band Ajalon Randy George (basketball Guitar virtuoso Phil Keaggy made a guest appearance on guitar and vocals. Philip Tyler Keaggy (born March 23, 1951 in Youngstown, Ohio He was heavily involved in drugs at the time and that same day was badly hurt The album, titled One, is about man's relationship with God from his Christian perspective and was released on November 2, 2004. One is a Progressive rock album by Neal Morse. Released in 2004 this was released as both a single-CD album and a special edition double-CD with deleted A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth Events 1570 - A Tidal wave in the North Sea devastates the coast from Holland to Jutland, killing more than 1000 "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again "
In 2005, Morse released two non-prog Christian albums. In January, Morse recorded Lead Me Lord with the Christian Gospel Temple Choir, his children, and his friends. Lead Me Lord (Worship Sessions Volume 1 is a Christian worship album by Neal Morse. Morse wrote about half of the tracks. This was released in February and is available for a donation. In July, Morse released God Won't Give Up, which was written around the Snow period. God Won't Give Up is a Christian rock album by Neal Morse. Personnel Band Neal Morse - producer composer Snow is the sixth Studio album of the Progressive rock band Spock's Beard, and the final album with main songwriter and vocalist This is a pop album similar to It's Not Too Late, but with Christian lyrics. It's Not Too Late is the third offering from Neal Morse but his second proper solo release the other being an enjoyable Christmas offering
In the summer of 2005, a member of his church approached Morse to tell him that he should make an album based on the tabernacle and that he should keep it a secret. Morse mentioned that he was working on a secret project before he had written a note or was convinced that he should do the project, and mentioning it during a radio interview created enough buzz to convince him to make the album. There was a contest on his message board to guess the participants, theme, and meaning of the album based on a series of clues. The secret project was finally revealed to be ? (also known as The Question Mark album, rumoured to be influenced in title by The White Album) and is about the tabernacle in the wilderness and the tabernacle of the heart. ? (or sometimes Question or Question Mark) is a Progressive rock Concept album by Neal Morse. The main band is Neal, Mike Portnoy, and Randy George with guests Mark Leniger, Alan Morse, Roine Stolt, Steve Hackett, and Jordan Rudess. Alan Morse is a Guitarist for the Progressive rock band Spock's Beard. Roine Stolt (born on September 5, 1956 in Uppsala) is a Swedish Guitarist, Vocalist and Composer. Stephen Richard Hackett (born 12 February 1950 is a British Songwriter and Guitarist. Jordan Rudess (born Jordan Rudes on November 4, 1956) is a Progressive rock Keyboardist best known as a member of the Progressive
In early 2007 Morse released his latest Christian Progressive rock album entitled "Sola Scriptura" which is a concept album detailing the life and struggles of the German theologian Martin Luther. Sola Scriptura ( Latin for " by scripture alone " is a Progressive rock album by Neal Morse about the life of the German Martin Luther (November 10 1483 February 18 1546 was a German Monk, theologian, university professor Father of Protestantism, and church reformer Mike Portnoy and Randy George once again teamed up with Morse for this album, and were also joined by guest musician Paul Gilbert (of Racer-X and Mr. Big) who played guitar parts for a few of the songs from the album. Racer-X is the third EP by Chicago's Big Black. It was released by Homestead Records in 1984 and reissued by Touch & Go Records
Immediately following the release of "Sola Scriptura", Morse released an acoustic folk album entitled "Songs From The Highway".
According to a video clip on Morse's official website; He, Portnoy, and George have finished recording their latest album, due for release in 2008.
Guest appearances
In 2000, Morse provided vocals for the song "The First Man On Earth" on The Universal Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer, one of Arjen Anthony Lucassen's Ayreon albums. Universal Migrator Part 1 The Dream Sequencer is a Progressive metal album released in 2000 by Dutch multi-instrumentalist Arjen Lucassen, and Arjen Anthony Lucassen (born 3 April 1960, Hilversum) is a composer and musician from the Netherlands and is most widely known for his albums Ayreon ( is a project by Dutch composer and musician Arjen Anthony Lucassen. Neal Morse tracks have also appeared on the CPR Volume 1 (2004), CPR Volume 2, and The Tsunami Projekt anthologies. The Tsunami Projekt was a one-off music compilation CD which was created in early 2005 specifically to aid the people devastated by the Tsunami that struck Asia in Morse was also participated in recording the ProgAID single "All Around The World". The profits for both The Tsunami Projekt and the ProgAID single were donated for victims' relief from the 2004 Asian Tsunami. The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea Earthquake that occurred at 005853 UTC on December 26 2004 with an Epicentre off the west coast of Morse has been a guest musician on several 2005 albums, including Ajalon's Threshold Of Eternity, Roine Stolt's Wallstreet Voodoo, Salem Hill's Mimi's Magic Moment, and Mark Leniger's Walk on Water. Ajalon is a Christian Progressive rock trio from Seattle. Personnel Randy George - Various instruments Wil Henderson - Lead Roine Stolt (born on September 5, 1956 in Uppsala) is a Swedish Guitarist, Vocalist and Composer. Wallstreet Voodoo is a blues album made by Roine Stolt ( The Flower Kings, Transatlantic, The Tangent, Kaipa, Fantasia Salem Hill is an American Progressive rock band Members Michael Dearing vocals guitars keys Carl Groves vocals guitars Morse was one of several musical guests to appear on Dream Theater's 2007 album Systematic Chaos, on the song "Repentance". Dream Theater is an American Progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name " Majesty " by John Myung, John Petrucci Systematic Chaos is the ninth studio album by American Progressive metal band Dream Theater. " Repentance " is the fifth song on Dream Theater 's 2007 album Systematic Chaos. These guests were recorded apologizing to important people in their lives for wrongdoings committed in the past. Morse provided vocals for the first track on Jordan Rudess' tribute album The Road Home. Jordan Rudess (born Jordan Rudes on November 4, 1956) is a Progressive rock Keyboardist best known as a member of the Progressive A tribute album is a recorded collection of Cover versions of songs or instrumental compositions The Road Home is a covers album by Jordan Rudess. It was released on September 12, 2007.
Interviews
Discography
See also Spock's Beard (until 2002) and Transatlantic. Spock's Beard is a Progressive rock band formed in 1992 in Los Angeles by brothers Neal and Alan Morse. Transatlantic was a Progressive rock supergroup formed in 1999 by vocalist /keyboardist Neal Morse of Spock's Beard and Drummer
Progressive rock albums
- Testimony (September 2003)
- One (November 2004)
- ? (November 2005)
- Sola Scriptura (March 2007)
- ? Live (October 2007)
- Lifeline (2008 forthcoming)
Non-progressive rock albums
- Neal Morse (October 1999)
- Merry Christmas From The Morse Family (2000)
- It's Not Too Late (June 2001)
- God Won't Give Up (July 2005)
- Lead Me Lord (Worship Sessions Volume 1) (August 2005)
- Send the Fire (Worship Sessions Volume 2) (March 2006)
- Cover to Cover (September 2006)
- Songs From The Highway (March 2007)
- Secret Place (Worship Sessions Volume 3) (2008)
Demos
- The Transatlantic Demos (2003)
- The One Demos (2007)
Videography
- Testimony Live (DVD, July 2004)
- Sola Scriptura & Beyond (DVD, June 24th, 2008)
Inner Circle (fan club)
- Inner Circle CD #1 (May 2005)
- Inner Circle DVD #1 (July 2005)
- Inner Circle CD #3 - Live In Berlin (September 2005)
- Hit Man (November 2005)
- Whispers in the Wind - Acoustic Improvisations (January 2006)
- Neal Morse in the 80's! (March 2006)
- The Europe Winter 2006 Church Tour DVD (May 2006)
- Hodgepodge (July 2006)
- Question Mark & Beyond - Tour of Europe 2006 DVD (October 2006)
- Live at the Kings Center DVD (October 2006)
- Let's Polka (October 2006)
- With a Little Help from My Friends (January 2007)
- Homeland (March 2007)
- ? Live (May 2007)
- Encores and New Songs (July 2007)
- Making of Testimony DVD - Rough Edit (September 2007)
- Acoustic Sunrise (November 2007)
- From the Inner Circle (January 2008)
Collaborations and guest appearances
- Windows - Mr. Testimony is a Progressive rock Concept album by Neal Morse. Released in 2003 this double-album is in five sections detailing the composer's One is a Progressive rock album by Neal Morse. Released in 2004 this was released as both a single-CD album and a special edition double-CD with deleted ? (or sometimes Question or Question Mark) is a Progressive rock Concept album by Neal Morse. Sola Scriptura ( Latin for " by scripture alone " is a Progressive rock album by Neal Morse about the life of the German ? Live is an Double album by Neal Morse. It was recorded in the Summer of 2006 at the Columbia Club in Berlin, Germany. A lifeline is a line or Rope used to support a person who is in physical difficulty or to prevent someone from getting into physical difficulty Neal Morse is the first solo rock album by Neal Morse. Released in 1999 Merry Christmas From The Morse Family is a collection of tracks Neal Morse (of Spock's Beard and Transatlantic fame wrote and recorded It's Not Too Late is the third offering from Neal Morse but his second proper solo release the other being an enjoyable Christmas offering God Won't Give Up is a Christian rock album by Neal Morse. Personnel Band Neal Morse - producer composer Lead Me Lord (Worship Sessions Volume 1 is a Christian worship album by Neal Morse. The Transatlantic Demos is an album of demo tracks by Neal Morse. Testimony Live is a live version of Neal Morse 's Testimony. It was recorded live on stage in November 2003 Inner Circle CD #1 is a Christian rock album by Neal Morse, released in 2005 Inner Circle DVD #1 is a Christian rock DVD Video by Neal Morse, released in 2005 Inner Circle CD #3 - Live In Berlin is a Christian rock album by Neal Morse. Hit Man A Musical by Neal Morse was first started in the early 1990s Whispers in the Wind - Acoustic Improvisations was recorded in December 2005 for Neal Morse's Inner Circle fan club and is made up of guitar and piano improvisations Neal Morse in the 80's! – A collection of Neal's demos and other amusing things from 1980 to 1990 was recorded throughout the 1980s and released for Neal Morse's Inner The Europe Winter 2006 Church Tour DVD features on stage performances and behind the scenes footage of Neal Morse's February and March church tour Hodgepodge is a collection of Neal Morse's demos, live performances Jam sessions and other things Let's Polka is a collection of Neal Morse, Shmenge Morse and Richard Morse doing Polka along with some Christmas music and Sola Scriptura With a Little Help from My Friends is an album by Neal Morse. Homeland is an album by Neal Morse. It is a piece that was written for a Musical theater production in the early 1990s ? Live is an Double album by Neal Morse. It was recorded in the Summer of 2006 at the Columbia Club in Berlin, Germany. Encores and New Songs is an album by Neal Morse. It conatins the encores from the concert that was on the ? Live album Bongo (1988) (Background vocals)
- Stephen Longfellow Fiske - Stephen Longfellow Fiske (1991) (Acoustic & electric guitar, background vocals)
- Paul Voudouris - The Flame Within (Keyboards)
- Peter White - Excusez-moi (1991) (Vocals)
- Al Stewart - Famous last words (1993) (Backing vocals)
- Paul Voudouris - It Takes Two (1993) (Piano)
- Peter White - Promenade (1993) (Background vocals)
- Paul Voudouris - Nothing But the Truth (1997) (Piano)
- Eric Burdon's i Band - The Official Live Bootleg - Vol II (1998) (Keyboards, guitar)
- Ayreon - The Dream Sequencer (2000) (Vocals and co-wrote lyrics on "The First Man On Earth")
- Yellow Matter Custard - Live in NYC (album) (double Live album) (2003) (Lead vocals and co-producer)
- Debbie Bresee - Song of the Overcomer (Sep 2004) (Co-producer)
- ProgAID - All Around The World (EP) (Mar 2005) (Vocals)
- Yellow Matter Custard - Live in NYC (DVD) (May 2005) (Lead vocals and co-producer)
- Ajalon - On The Threshold Of Eternity (Aug 2005) (Vocals on title track)
- Roine Stolt - Wallstreet Voodoo (Nov 2005) (Lead vocals on "Head Above Water", "Everyone Wants To Rule The World", and "Remember"; background vocals on "The Observer" and "All About The Money"; and hammond organ)
- Salem Hill - Mimi's Magic Moment (Nov 2005) (Vocals on "The Joy Gem")
- Mark Leniger - Walk on Water (Nov 2005) (Producer, keyboards, guitar, and bass guitar)
- Al Stewart - Just Yesterday (2005) (Backing vocals)
- Wade Brown Trio (Wade Brown, Neal Morse, and Chris Griffith) - Wade Brown Trio (Sings, plays, and producer)
- Richard Morse - Rychyrd (Jan 2006) (Producer and solos)
- Alan Morse - 4 O'Clock & Hysteria (Apr 2007) (Co-producer, co-writer, keyboards)
- Randy George - Mirrors and Memories (2007, forthcoming)
- Dream Theater - Systematic Chaos (2007, spoken voice on Repentance)
- Jordan Rudess - The Road Home (2007)
- Noel Bailie - In the Garden (2007)
Anthologies
- Various Artists - CalProg 2004 The Authorized Bootleg (Includes 7 unaccompanied live tracks)
- Various Artists - CPR Volume 1 (Apr 2004) (Contributed single version of "I Am Willing" from Testimony)
- Various Artists - CPR Volume 2 (Jun 2005) (Contributed "Reunion" from One)
- Various Artists - The Tsunami Projekt (Mar 2005) (Contributed "Tell Me Annabelle" which was later included on Inner Circle CD #1)
- Various Artists - After The Storm (Jan 2006) (Contributed previously unreleased live version of "Sleeping Jesus" recorded at CalProg 2003)
External links
- Neal Morse official website
- Neal Morse at MySpace
- Radiant Records
- Spock's Beard official website
- Transatlantic official website
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