CD Review: Neal Morse - Testimony 2: Live in Los Angeles

Artist: Neal Morse
Title: Testimony 2: Live in Los Angeles
Genre: Progressive Rock
Release Date: 28th November 2011
Label: Insideout

Album Review

For his 51 years, NEAL MORSE has the great musical biography, two bands behind him, couple of musicals he composed, and lots, lots of songs he wrote. He has been making music since he was a child. He learned to play piano and guitar. First he tried to become famous as pop musician, but after several not really successful years, he went for progressive rock. His first band SPOCK’S BEARD became as popular as DREAM THEATRE and FLOWER KING. His next band TRANSATLANTIC was founded 1999 together with Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATRE) Roine Stolt (FLOWER KINGS) and Pete Trewavas (MARILLION). Although the both bands were quite successful, 2002 he left them and the next year releases his solo-album called ‘Testimony’. Even if it wasn’t his debut, to this time Morse already released two solo albums, ‘Testimony’ opens the new chapter in musician’s life and creativity.

2002 Neal Morse became a born again Christian. This refers to a “spiritual rebirth” of the human soul and spirit. Jesus Christ warned that no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again. The procedure seems to be simple enough. If you suddenly realized that Jesus is your Saviour and you actually became a believer, you need to pray and truly believe in God. The prayer is easy to find in the Internet. This event was the reason for Morse to leave the both bands, since the musician didn’t see the way to unite this music with his believing. What happened, he explains on his double album ‘Testimony’. Since then it wasn’t just progressive rock, but Christian progressive rock. For almost 10 years Morse released about a dozen of concept theological albums; one of them was for example about Luther. 2011 the ‘Testimony 2’ was released, which continues the story of his way to faith.

One of the main motifs of his artworks is the lonely man against the huge room. So his music is. You’re just lost in it. It is so huge and complicated, that actually there is no wish to run into it, but run away. And there is no saving rope, like on the cover to this album. Even if it is hard to imagine somebody enjoying over 10-minutes long songs about Jesus, on the live CD you can hear that there are people, who really do. I just can add, if you suffer from insomnia, this album might help you a lot.


Tracklist

Line-up

Neal Morse – Vocals and various instruments
Randy George – Bass
Mike Portnoy – Drums


Website

www.nealmorse.com/


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 3
Sound: 5
Total: 4 / 10