Album review: NEAL MORSE – Songs From November

Inside Out www.insideoutmusic.de [Released 18.08.14]

Neal Morse is back with a new solo album, however don’t go expecting something like his previous solo albums namely catchy melodic/progressive rock. This album has more in common with the albums from the likes of Jackson Browne, Graham Nash and classic 70’s West Coast music. The title refers to the month when he hit a creative purple patch and wrote these songs.

‘Whatever Days’ sums the album up nicely, having an upbeat lyric (interestingly I’d say lyrically this is Morse’s least Christian themed album), exemplary musicianship and a very tasty use of sax. Morse has always been good at the ballads and the gospel tinged ‘Heaven’s Smiling’ is simply divine.

‘Flowers In A Vase’ sounds like a classic 70’s West Coast/country song and the vocals of guest Eric Gillette blend nicely with Morse’s, creating a CSN vibe on the chorus. CSN come to mind again on the sad yet curiously positive ‘My Time Of Dying’. Many of the songs have a deeply personal lyrical content, although the listener can relate to them in their life always the sign of a good song.

‘Song For The Free’ (his son Wil adds his backing vocals to this song and a few others on the album) is the nearest to his recent solo work and it is a single if ever there was one. The song builds nicely into an uplifting crescendo of melodic bliss.

Without going into ‘fanboy’ mode Neal Morse rarely puts a musical foot wrong and this album is a joy from start to finish. I’d just add the caveat don’t go expecting anything like his recent solo output. ****1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 24 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 26 November 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)