Neal Morse is working on a prog album

[Wojtek]

On Neal Morse website you can read a diary, where is written that Morse with a couple of musicians (including Portnoy) are recording new album NOW.
What I don't understand is how to connect it with Morse statements about leaving music buisness. I accepted Testimony as a 'farewell album' but now it seems that mr Morse doesn't intend to say goodbye to progrock.
Do you know, if Morse said in interview that he had changed his mind or something like that. Do you know why he is still producing albums, despite his previous words?

[moses]

My understanding of that was that he wasn't leaving the music business, just Spock's Beard and Transatlantic. The word was, "Finish Snow, quit the band, and wait for further instructions."

You can read about it here:

http://www.spocksbeard.com/photos_press/neal.html

The initial impression may have been that he was no longer planning on making music, but I guess things turned out different, according to those "further instructions."

PERSONAL OPINION:
This is a really awesome situation for Neal. He heard from God, obeyed, and is now making some of the best music I've heard him make as a result. That's inspiring to me.

[Wojtek]

Hm... I agree and disagree with you, moses Indeed, after his conversion Morse recorded Snow, the best SB album (IMO). But I still find Testimony rather boring, it doesn't have the magic of Snow, I find it rather blend. But I still hope it will grow on me.

And if the 'further instructions' mean making prog albums then I am really happy. I was and still am rather careful in commenting Morse's dialogue with God, as there are many imaginative testimonies, which are false (and this is also variegated...angel's choir, etc.) Even Morse admitted it may have sounded bizarre and it really does. But I don't want to determine, perhaps he is one of the chosen.

[Rick and Roll]

Woj, athletes and musicians have this in common, they find it difficult to retire. There are many parallels. It is really sad to see atheletes hang on past their prime, and musicians can also do the same. Farewell statements should always be taken with a boulder of salt.

Rare is the breed that can go out on top, or even close to it. That being said, it is not for me to say when someone chooses to hang it up or move on. It is not my decision, and I do not begrudge anyone for it.

The only irritant I have is the ones who constantly retire and unretire. Boxers are notorious for that. Look at Kiss, they've been touring for the last time for 10 years now. So many other examples. The only band that I think will mean it, even though I don't like their music, is Phish.

To use a non-prog example, Scott Weiland from STP has formed a band with most of Guns & Roses. I'm a big fan of STP, but they'll move on. It's what they want to do. Why fight it? Just choose to deal with it or move on to a band you like.

Neal Morse is just in a changing situation. I actually envy him because it is very special that someone has the guts (and the means) to choose a different path. I know I don't have that in me. He may decide to play with the Beard later, but that's ok. It may be that he feels differently about it later. Half the time these guys get taken out of context or they say stupid stuff anyway. Morse is probably not sure what he wants to do.

Actually, I'm kind of glad he's doing this. I don't have Testimony, so I can't rate it. I've heard three songs, they're OK. I have Snow, but I'm not impressed. I thought Neal got stale with the second Transatlantic and the last tune on V (The Great Nothing), which I think is a real yawner. (I really like the rest of V, however). Snow is more of the same, with shorter tunes. There are some good tunes, but the majority of Snow to me is indicative of a band reaching their limit.

But there is hope for Beard fans - Livgren came back to Kansas to write the"Somewhere to Elsewhere" record, which I think is just superb. Maybe in 10 to 15 years Morse will do the same.

[Wojtek]

Originally posted by Rick and Roll
But there is hope for Beard fans - Livgren came back to Kansas to write the"Somewhere to Elsewhere" record, which I think is just superb. Maybe in 10 to 15 years Morse will do the same.

There's also Livgren with Kansas members in Proto-Kaw, music is quite different than Kansas played, but it is really wonderful stuff.

[Rick and Roll]

True, but that was before Kansas! Maybe there's "Stubble", tapes of Neal before Spock's Beard.

[Wojtek]

Originally posted by Rick and Roll
True, but that was before Kansas!

Not only . Proto-Kaw returned with Before Became After album in 2004 and this is CD I was talking about.

[Rick and Roll]

juxtaposed

[Bob Lentil]

Originally posted by Wojtek


Not only . Proto-Kaw returned with Before Became After album in 2004 and this is CD I was talking about.

That's a great album. I highly recommend it.