News Archive 2005

The wait is over—"?" is now available
! See the Radiant Records website for more details and ordering information.

Neal Morse was featured in last month's CCM Magazine. This was one of the publication's only articles on an independent artist under their current administration . If you missed the magazine, check it out right here.

Pre-orders of "?" begin October 1, 2005 at Radiant Records. All pre-orders from now until October 5 will be signed by Neal! See the Radiant Records website for more details.

Since his exodus from the two bands he led to great acclaim (Spock’s Beard and Transatlantic), Neal continues to push the envelope at the forefront of progressive rock. As he progresses on his artistic and spiritual journey, the doors he opens reveal as much about himself as the faith he embraces. Beginning with his Testimony, then seeking to become One; Neal’s new release is as much a testament to his consummation as an acknowledgement of the mysteries that remain.

"?" will be released worldwide on November 1, 2005.

An Evening of Worship with Neal Morse
Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm)
Hope United Methodist Church
2920 South M-37 Highway
Hastings, Michigan 49058-9364

This special evening has free admission, however an offering will be taken to help cover Neal's expenses. No tickets are being sold, and we will make every effort to accommodate all who show up. The venue seats approx 300, so come early if you want a good seat.

For more info, check http://www.hammsterwheel.com or specifically http://www.hammsterwheel.com/NealMorseConcert2005.htm

Sometimes, the brightest musical gems are not readily apparent. This week, Neal Morse's triumphant single, "I am Willing" (from last year's Testimony album) finally made it's radio premier. The single was added to Sunday rotation at WMBI 90.1 FM, the flagship station of the Moody Broadcasting Network. Comprising 31 leading Christian FM radio stations, the Moody Broadcast Network leads the world in Christian radio programming.

The full single, "I am Willing," can be downloaded for free here on Neal's website.

All the seats were filled, with standing room fully occupied, as Gibson Guitar presented Neal Morse, with Special Guest Phil Keaggy, at this year's GMA (Gospel Music Association) Week showcase. The crowd of artists, industry personnel, and music buyers were wowed by the show; giving Neal, Phil and their band a standing ovation. Neal and Phil were supported by band members Randy George, Carl Groves, Mark Leniger, and Rick Altizer.

See Gibson's coverage of the event here.

Cross Rhythms, the United Kingdom's premier Christian music magazine, awarded Neal's One 10 out of 10. (Neal's last release, Testimony, also received 10 out of 10 from Cross Rhythms.) The dazzling review of One, by Anthony Longville, appears in issue #84.

It's rock, it's symphonic. It's wonderful. This man must be kept secret no longer, there's only one rating for this, rock fans [10 out of 10].

Full review is here.

The March issue of Goldmine magazine features a review of Neal's double concert DVD, Testimony Live. The enthusiastic review by Conrad L. Stinnett joins the already large volume of acclaim laudeding Testimony Live as an extraordinary concert event.

Recorded in November 2003, Testimony Live unites Morse and longtime cohort drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) with other multi-instrumentalists to create an ensemble capable of meeting the challenges of playing Morse's opus in concert halls - as good as the studio album is, the live version is better - the production, like the music, is top notch and incorporates a variety of camera shots and angles, including swooping crane shots of the stage.

Full review is here.

Neal Morse's duet with Phil Keaggy, "Cradle to the Grave", entered Sunday morning rotation on one of Nashville's largest mainstream radio stations, MIX 92.9 FM. Radio personality Brian Mason of MIX 92.9 also interviewed Neal recently for his show.

The full single, "Cradle to the Grave" can be downloaded for free here on Neal's website.

Good News! The long awaited YELLOW MATTER CUSTARD DVD is now available! Limited quantities, so hurry!

INFO:

Yellow Matter Custard: One Night In New York City DVD

YELLOW MATTER CUSTARD (Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse, Paul Gilbert and Matt Bissonette) has been captured on DVD. Very cool. It's been Mike Portnoy's dream all his life to be in a Beatles cover band. (Who would've ever figured that?) Finally it came true one night in New York City. Recorded live at New York's BB Kings Blues club May 18, 2003, YELLOW MATTER CUSTARD (Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse, Paul Gilbert and Matt Bissonette) perform some well known Beatles songs such as 'Nowhere Man' and 'Revolution', as well as more obscure tunes like 'I Call Your Name', 'Think For Yourself' and even a hilarious rendition of the 'Let it Be' b-side 'You Know My Name'. With the amazingly Lennon-like sounds of Neal Morse's voice, the incredible skill of Paul Gilbert (guitar, vocals) and Matt Bissonette (Bass, vocals) this disc brings the fab-four alive in all its simplicity and complexity. Somehow they found samples of the actual orchestra tracks from Sgt. Peppers and I Am The Walrus bringing the psychedelic Beatle era to life in stunning reality. Highlights include Paul Gilbert's extended guitar solo in 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps', Morse's gut grinding vocals on 'Oh Darlin', Bissonette's perfect bass playing in 'I Want You' and Mike Portnoy's Ringo-esque drumming will surely surprise many.

The whole night has been brilliantly captured in a 2 camera shot edited DVD. The quality is pretty decent especially considering the circumstances. Relive this classic evening again and again in all its fun and excitement.

Special added Features:

Rehearsal Footage

Audio Commentary with Mike and Howard Portnoy

Track listing:

1. Intro
2. Magical Mystery Tour
3. Deer Prudence
4. Dig A Pony
5. She Said She Said
6. I Call Your Name
7. You Can't Do That
8. When I Get Home
9. Nowhere Man
10. Rain
11. Free As A Bird
12. Come Together
13. I Am The Walrus
14. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
15. Baby's In Black
16. I'll Be Back
17. No Reply
18. The Night Before
19. You're Gonna Lose That Girl
20. Ticket To Ride
21. Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except For Me And My Monkey
22. Oh Darling
23. Think For Yourself
24. Wait
25. Revolution
26. I Want You (She's So Heavy)
27. You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)
28. Lovely Rita
29. Good Morning Good Morning
30. Sgt. Pepper (Reprise)
31. A Day In The Life

Available soon from at radiantrecords.com

Neal joins more than 40 progressive rock artists for ProgAID, collectively recording the single, "All Around the World." (This effort is separate from the The Tsunami Project.) The song is scheduled for release in mid-February. All profits will go directly relief efforts.

More information on this project can be found at its website.

Progressive rock fans have responded to the tragedy in South Asia by putting together an album of progressive rock from some of prog's brightest stars. Neal Morse joins former band mate Nick D'Virgilio (Spock's Beard, Tears for Fears), Rick Wakeman (Yes) and others. Entitled The Tsunami Project, the release is set for a march release. All profits will go directly relief efforts.

More information on this project can be found at its website.

Neal will be playing a select number of dates in churches across Germany and the Netherlands, later this month and in early February. These will be solo acoustic performances. There are no tickets; offerings are accepted. For more information on these special events, see Peacedog, or contact Max (except where stated otherwise, below). All dates are free.

Date	Venue	Time
Fri, Jan 28	Christelijke Boekhandel De Bron Maandereind 13 NL 6711 AA Ede	19h00
Sat, Jan 29	Nederlandse Gereformeerde Kerk Veenderweg 193 NL 6713 AG Ede	20h30
Sun, Jan 30	Jeugdvereniging Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerk Maranatha Bergweg 42a 4461 LX Goes	19h00 (vol = vol)
Mon, Jan 31	The Burleigh Academy Burleigh Hall Llanthewy Road Newport NP20 4LD South Wales UK	19h15
Wed, Feb 02	Studentenvereniging Alpha Christelijke Hogeschool Ede Locatie Kerkgebouw De Akker Bovenbuurtweg 11 NL 6710 JS Ede	20h00
Thu, Feb 03	Boekhandel Sjofar Godebaldkwartier 9 NL 3511 DN Utrecht	19h00
Sat, Feb 05	Evangelische Freikirchliche Gemeinde Schillerstraße 27 D 42929 Wermelskirchen Info: gar.frowein@t-online.de	20h00
Sun, Feb 06	Jesus Freaks M?nster Bahnhofstra?e 44 D 48155 M?nster Service: 16h00 Sofa Sounds Show: 20h00	20h00
Wed, Feb 09	Kapel Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Blindekens Kreupelenstraat 6 8000 Brugge, Belgium info : 00 32 50 39 18 33 info : bobontherocks@hotmail.com	20h00
Thu, Feb 10	Christelijk Jongerencafe Seven Vlasakkerweg 16 NL 3811 MS Amersfoort	21h00
Fri, Feb 11	Pinkstergemeente De Morgenstond Gebouw De Gouden Aar Lage Gouwe 204 NL 2801 LM Gouda	20h00
Sat, Feb 12	Maria-Magdalena Kirche Achtern Born 127 D 22549 Hamburg Info: info@maria-magdalena-kirche.de or harald.h.pinkall@gsk.com	20h00
Sun, Feb 13	Christus-Gemeinde Berlin-Hohenschoenhausen Landsberger Allee 225 D 13055 Berlin Info: A.toussaint@freenet.de and info@christusgemeinde.de	19h00

One was judged one of the Albums of the Year by Radio Terra Nova. The popular commercial radio station, in Portugal, will feature a 2-hour special on One later this month, and an interview with Neal.

One was awarded 5 out of 5 by Progressive World, the well-known progressive rock website.
"One works on so many levels that it will demand attention from listeners across the music spectrum." - Progressive World

Phantom Tollbooth, the popular music, movie and literary review website, has selected One as one of it's "Hot Picks."

One is a multi-faceted album that works well on many levels: as a touching spiritual chronicle, a powerful vocal and instrumental showcase, and a flat-out fantastic rock CD. There is a rare musical, lyrical, and spiritual depth to One that takes the listener on a satisfying journey. I can’t name many albums that have touched the heart, mind, soul, AND gratify the rock ‘n’ roll fan in me. One does all of the above. - Phantom Tollbooth