...SIŁA I PIĘKNO MUZYKI TKWIĄ W JEJ RÓŻNORODNOŚCI


..::OPIS::..

I noticed the expression 'Christian prog (rock)' just recently but this style wasn't new for me because during my teenage years, back in the 70s, I attended a cluster of gigs in churches and temples and those amateur bands that displayed then worked mainly in the prog-related lines, maybe due to the use of keyboards, flute, acoustic guitars and soft vocals those bands were driven into a more proggish approach. Some songs have a kind of heavenly tenderness and were the favorites to be covered, like ELP's 'Jerusalem' (I mean, their version), PFM's 'Appena un pò', O Terço's 'Tributo ao sorriso' (very uplifting lyrics, indeed), amidst some others. While some friends (both genders) preferred something more danceable, I must confess that having a prog-heart these covers delighted me and I didn't care too much about the intended holy message or the intrinsic proselytism - I liked the music and that was enough.
However, I find the expression 'Christian prog', a bit disturbing; are those doing music with this label the only ones who embrace the said religion? Are they the only ones that have faith? Are all other acts, not labeled so, doomed to the fires of inferno? To avoid confusion maybe a new tag should be thought for labeling those songs and musicians attached to the religious dominion. Well, at least for the progressive realm, they continue to trail those genres we all are used to identify: symphonic, neo, metal, and so on.

That said, it's time to review Neal Morse's DVD titled "Sola Scriptura & Beyond" which is primarily a symphonic-prog production based mainly upon his 2007 "Sola Scriptura" album but containing additional stuff from other albums and also from his Transatlantic & Spock's Beard time that are able to amuse musically the average hearer, being the latter, spiritually gifted or not. While lyrically Neal Morse runs in a particular lane marked by his personal experiences with the divine, musically he keeps a way close to that of Spock's Beard soft side, adding bits of gospel and pop-rock and significant doses of poignancy. Checking how this blend work in a live show is an interesting deal.

Neal appeared very enthusiastic, excited, emotive, energetic. and this posture soon wrapped up his entire staff, mainly the technical people and the supporting band. Considering that the core of this DVD was recorded in The Netherlands, it's not a surprise that the majority of Neal Morse's crew members are Dutch and consequently the audience too. The accompanying musicians are pretty young but showed a high level of professionalism and while a bit shy initially they soon joined Morse's liveliness.

The initial part of Disc 1 containing the "Sola Scriptura" tracks shows Morse & band very concerned for a few participative audience, which is explainable since the songs weren't too much known then - even so the result is beyond fair due to the musicians' skills. The 'Question Mark Medley' and 'Testimedley' sections open the gates for a more warm response from the audience that makes the overall atmosphere to grow intensely. The two final songs 'We all need some light' and 'Wind at my back' from Morse's Transatlantic and Spock's Beard years close the disc grabbing entirely the viewers (there or at home). A classical ender for this fine production.

The bonus material dubbed as Disc 2 brings some amusing and enjoyable musical parts especially those rooted on the "Question Mark" album and where we may catch all progressive influences over Neal Morse. Non-musical and behind the scene parts in this disc are pretty funny and sometimes interesting but add few to the general content.

Not being an expert on cinematography, I may tell that camera positioning (both discs) and movie cuts are impressive and well-crafted putting the hearer/viewer inside the action most of the times. I also heard this DVD as plain CD and while the recording is of the finest extraction it's clear that with a few exceptions the musical stuff is pretty average but the inclusion of images and movement donated a plus that makes this DVD an excellent addition to any progressive collection.

Atkingani



.... Henk Doest, Wilco van Esschoten, Jessica Koomen ... typical Dutch names to be found on the back cover of the new Neal Morse DVD because on his European tour Neal Morse has invited a lot of Dutch musicians. Talking about Dutch musicians, I have a small story for you. A few years ago I worked for the Dutch progrock magazine iO Pages, on our annual 'reviewers meeting' the chief-editor had arranged that one of the reviewer was going to give a 'drum clinic'. Well, he did and we were all very impressed, afterwards I had a talk with him and it turned out that we shared a huge appreciation for Neil Peart. Looking at the back cover I noticed the aforementioned typical Dutch names and ... the name of Collin Leijenaar, the iO Pages reviewer/drummer who gave that clinic: the one moment he wrote about Spock's Beard, the other moment he's the drummer of Neal Morse his band! And Collin is not only the drummer, he's also the driving force behind the Neal Morse band, wat an outstanding blend of skills and power, especially during the heavy symphonic rock and progmetal parts, very exciting.

On DVD-1 we can enjoy Neal his catchy enthousiasm, his funny stage antics and his great, very varied musical skills on several instruments: in the long and excellent composition The Creation (featuring wonderful choir-Mellotron) he easily switches from fat synthesizers runs on his keyboard to heavy guitar work on his electric guitar, showing a big smile, I love that 'playful musical megalomania '. I was also pleased with Neal his short vocal performance of the Seventies Top 10 hit Seasons In The Sun by Terry Jacks (it was my favorite ballad too) during the Spock's Beard tribute entitled The Good Don't Last/Open Wide The Flood Gates. The track The Door delivers heavy interplay with lots of scale-acrobatics, genuine progmetal with lush Hammond organ, not bad at all to use an understatement. Guitarplayer Paul Bielatowicz showcases his huge talents in this and the next song The Conflict/The Conclusion with hints from Steve Vai but he also plays warm blues with a bottleneck or more spacey with an E-bow, what a killer guitarplayer! In the long tracks Question Mark Medley and Testimedley again the band delivers excellent interplay and very exciting solos on guitar and keyboard (like a flashy solo on the synthesizer by Neal himself). The concert is concluded with the two ballad-like songs We All Need Some Light (in which Neal is grateful to the fans because "you show more understanding why I play for 3 hours than my wife ..") and the pleasant final one Wind At My Back.

DVD-2 contains a lot of 'bonus footage' like 'behind the scenes', an acoustic version of Bridge Across Forever and 9 bonustracks of the Question Mark tour, really interesting to watch.

In my opinion Neal Morse has succeeded to reach a wide audience with his tasteful and dynamic blend of ballads, symphonic rock and prog metal and how nice to notice so many Dutch musicans on stage. Highly recommended!

erik neuteboom



..::TRACK-LIST::..

DVD 1 - Sola Scriptura & Beyond:
1. The Creation
2. The Good Don't Last / Open Wide The Flood Gates
3. The Door
4. The Conflict / The Conclusion
5. Question Mark Medley
- The Temple Of The Living God
- Another World
- The Outsider
- 12
- Entrance
- Inside His Presence
- The Temple Of The Living God
6. Testimedley
- Overture No.1
- California Nights
- Colder In The Sun
- Somber Days
- Sing It High
- The Storm Before The Calm
- I Am Willing
- Oh, To Feel Him
- Rejoice
- God's Theme
7. We All Need Some Light
8. Wind At My Back


DVD 2 - Bonus Material:
1. Behind The Scenes Look Of The Sola Scriptura Tour
2. Bridge Across Forever Acoustic Version

Plus Nine Live Bonus Tracks From The Question Mark Tour
3. Sweet Eliation
4. In The Fire
5. Solid As The Sun
6. The Glory Of The Lord
7. Outside Looking In
8. Help Me
9. King Jesus
10. Reunion
11. We All Need Some Lights / Open Wide The Flood Gates / Solitary Soul / Wind At My Back



..::OBSADA::..

Bass Guitar, Vocals - Wilco van Esschoten
Drums - Collin Leijenaar
Guitar, Vocals - Elisa Krijgsman (tracks: DVD2-3 to 11), Paul Bielatowicz
Keyboards - Henk Doest
Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar - Neal Morse
Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion - Jessica Koomen



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvOp5amPby4


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