Official Neal Morse Appreciation Thread

[KevShmev]

Good to hear that from Randy, but while it is true that he and Mike worked with Neal for nearly a decade before he left DT, that was on Neal's solo albums, and IIRC, the touring was a lot less frequent and Mike often did not even do the tours, versus NMB where he always does.  I am sure they will find a way to make it work when they are ready to do something, but thought that was worth noting.

[Kram]

I think if MP stops working with 800 bands and just sticks to DT as his full time gig, and NMB as his side gig, they can make it work.  Now NM going back to Spocks would certainly be interesting.  Would NDV also come back?

[Cocopjojo]

That would be the dream.

I don't see it happening though. If anything it seems like Neal is winding down. He's implied as much in his newsletters. Though maybe there's a world where he reunites with Spock's for one last album? Probably purely wishful thinking though.

[HOF]

Well, come to think of it, if MP is back in DT, it would only be fitting for Neal to get back with Spock’s for at least one more farewell album/tour.

[ReaperKK]

What was the reasoning for Neal leaving Spock's Beard? Just wanted to go solo?

[KevShmev]

What was the reasoning for Neal leaving Spock's Beard? Just wanted to go solo?

In short, he wanted to explore his faith in a more obvious way in his music, and didn't want to do it within the context of a band (which is why he left both Spock's and Transatlantic at the same time).

[HOF]

What was the reasoning for Neal leaving Spock's Beard? Just wanted to go solo?

Had to do with his becoming a Christian and wanting to focus on that type of music. Also put Transatlantic on hold at the same time.


Or what Kev said.

What was the reasoning for Neal leaving Spock's Beard? Just wanted to go solo?

In short, he wanted to explore his faith in a more obvious way in his music, and didn't want to do it within the context of a band (which is why he left both Spock's and Transatlantic at the same time).

[Learning2Live]

Got this email from Radiant a few minutes ago:
"Hey everyone
 
There’s a New Album Pre-Sale on Friday October 27th! And you’ll get to hear the first song - which comes with an incredible video - on Friday as well.
 
Of course the details are under wraps but get ready for pre-orders - and first 100 copies signed - from 8am Central/ 2pm UK/ 3pm Europe
 
It’s gonna be Cosmic!
 
Neal"

I didn't know he was even working on a new album. Anyone have any idea on what type of album this is? Who's playing on it?

[Metro]

Joseph Part Two?

[Cocopjojo]

He did say recently that Joseph Part 2 was done and had videos and stuff ready to be released. So that would make the most sense. But the header image in the email (Neal in front of a starry background) and the word “Cosmic” don’t tie into Joseph very well. Hm…

[Learning2Live]

That's what threw me off - the 'cosmic' vibe doesn't seem to fit in with the Joseph story. I knew he had Joseph Pt 2 waiting in the wings, but I just assumed this was something different based on the cosmic part. Guess we'll see. I was just more making sure that I didn't miss a previous announcement that he was working on something else besides Joseph Pt 2.

[The Letter M]

Has there been any news on the Morsefest Transatlantic shows? Those are fairly "cosmic", especially if referring to The Absolute Universe.

-Marc.

[Metro]

Oooh that’s possible. I recall him saying in an IC letter to expect it by the end of the year.

[faizoff]

The email title is
"Don't Miss Out: Neal Morse's New Album Is Almost Here"

Plus there's a picture of Neal and the background is all weird galaxies and stars

[axeman90210]

It's gotta be Joseph, I don't think they'd be describing it as "Neal's" album if it was a TA live release.

[Kram]

It's gotta be Joseph, I don't think they'd be describing it as "Neal's" album if it was a TA live release.

I agree with Axeman's assessment here.

Getting back to the discussion of Neal reuniting with SB - how about next years Dreamsonic with SB and DT.  That would be awesome!

[ronnibran]

Confirmed to be a song called “Cosmic Mess” from Joseph pt 2. Saw it on a Neal Morse fan group on Facebook, which apparently found the info on Amazon.

[MinistroRaven]

Got this email from Radiant a few minutes ago:
"Hey everyone
 
There’s a New Album Pre-Sale on Friday October 27th! And you’ll get to hear the first song - which comes with an incredible video - on Friday as well.
 
Of course the details are under wraps but get ready for pre-orders - and first 100 copies signed - from 8am Central/ 2pm UK/ 3pm Europe
 
It’s gonna be Cosmic!
 
Neal"

I didn't know he was even working on a new album. Anyone have any idea on what type of album this is? Who's playing on it?

.

[Cocopjojo]

Yep, the album is called "The Restoration - Joseph: Part Two" and the track tomorrow is "Cosmic Mess" like ronnibran said. Releases January 12, 2024.

[Cocopjojo]

Frontiers may have accidentally uploaded the video as public, and it got cached before they privated it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMbQMg1UrtE

[Metro]

Meh, I’d rather have Morsefest ‘22

[JustJen]

The email title is
"Don't Miss Out: Neal Morse's New Album Is Almost Here"

Plus there's a picture of Neal and the background is all weird galaxies and stars

He's been leaning heavily into the word Cosmic so I don't think it's Joseph, might be something altogether different. Definitely seems like a personal release ehough.

[KevShmev]

Meh, I’d rather have Morsefest ‘22

Me too, but it always takes forever for them to release the Morsefest live stuff.  No clue why. 

[MinistroRaven]

The Morsefest 22 is in the works. Joel (sonicperspectives) is working on the artwork of the whole thing.

[The Letter M]

https://youtu.be/ZMbQMg1UrtE?si=45v7_6H-68_d4YBL

"Cosmic Mess" from The Restoration - Joseph Part Two



-Marc.

[MinistroRaven]

Official video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm7zhi5NqCs

The video version is a slightly edited version - but if you want to hear the full version, check out the album on waterfall - www.waterfallstreaming.com.
 
So…. The Dreamer - Joseph: Part One' concluded with Joseph unjustly imprisoned. In 'The Restoration - Joseph: Part Two,' the biblical narrative unfolds, chronicling how Joseph's wisdom and intelligence led him to become the viceroy of Egypt and, to the eventual reunion with his family.
 
The second installment in the Joseph story shocked me! I wish you could hear the development… Where it started to where it ended up! Pretty crazy, how it all developed largely with the help of other artists. I won’t get into naming names because I would have to name all of them, but friends and brothers (literally!) really brought a lot to the table on this one and I am absolutely thrilled with the way 'The Restoration' turned out. I hope you guys love it as much as I loved making it!
 
So you’ll hear: Nick D’Virgilio (Big Big Train, Spock's Beard), Ted Leonard (Spock’s Beard, Pattern Seeking Animals), Matt Smith (Theocracy), Ross Jennings (Haken), Jake Livgren (Proto-Kaw, Kansas) and Alan Morse (Spock's Beard), plus members of NMB, Bill Hubauer and Eric Gillette, among others.
 
The Restoration - Joseph: Part Two Track List:
1. Cosmic Mess
2. My Dream
3. Dreamer in the Jailhouse
4. All Hail
5. The Argument
6. Make Like a Breeze
7. Overture Reprise
8. I Hate My Brothers
9. Guilty as Charged
10. Reckoning
11. Bring Ben
12. Freedom Road
13. The Brothers Repent / Joseph Revealed
14. The Restoration
15. Everlasting
16. Dawning of a New Day (God Uses Everything for Good)
 
Blessings,
Neal

[Metro]

I’ll check it out but I’m just as uninterested as I was in the first one.

I guess it’s a safe bet that the next Morsefest (after the upcoming UK one) will feature both Joseph albums.

[HOF]

Never checked out the first one, but I like this song pretty well. And it's got NDV and Ted Leonard on it (and Al Morse! Just get SB back together already!) so that might be enough to get me to check out part II.

Edit: just noticed that this version and the one in the "official video" are different. The video is an edit, and this one has an extended instrumental intro.

https://youtu.be/ZMbQMg1UrtE?si=45v7_6H-68_d4YBL

"Cosmic Mess" from The Restoration - Joseph Part Two



-Marc.

Anyway, I like the Spock's flavor of this one.

[gzarruk]

So you’ll hear: Nick D’Virgilio (Big Big Train, Spock's Beard), Ted Leonard (Spock’s Beard, Pattern Seeking Animals), Matt Smith (Theocracy), Ross Jennings (Haken), Jake Livgren (Proto-Kaw, Kansas) and Alan Morse (Spock's Beard), plus members of NMB, Bill Hubauer and Eric Gillette, among others.

This is interesting and exciting!

I really enjoyed the first part, though I haven't revisited it much since it was released.

[Kwyjibo]

I really liked the first part therefore I'm eagerly awaiting the second part.

[hefdaddy42]

It was an OK song.  However, I'm not interested whatsoever in this project.

[HOF]

From Neal's FB:

Neal‘s comments on Mike Portnoy returning to Dream Theater:
I just want to say personally that I’m really, really happy for my friend. I know that he and his family are thrilled for him to be back in dream theater, and I’m sure I speak for everybody in NMB, when I say we wish you all the very best!
I’m sure when the time is right, we will write/record together again, but in the meantime, of course, we have a MorseFest London and CTTE with Flying Colors to look forward to.
Every blessing to all,
Neal

[KevShmev]

It was an OK song.  However, I'm not interested whatsoever in this project.

I hear that.  I think most would think of me as a diehard Neal fan, yet I have still not checked out the first Joseph album that came out a few months back. 

[Metro]

I know I listened to in full once, and I could not tell you anything about it.

[Kram]

It was an OK song.  However, I'm not interested whatsoever in this project.

I hear that.  I think most would think of me as a diehard Neal fan, yet I have still not checked out the first Joseph album that came out a few months back.

Me too. I was saying I’d pick it up just to support Neal, but I haven’t yet and have ZERO interest in part 2. I have however already ordered the new DMJ album, and am really looking forward to that one!