Album review: NEAL MORSE – Live Momentum

Inside Out (2DVD/3CD & BluRay) [Release date: 18.02.13]

This is a real treat for fans of Neal Morse’s work and I am sure the inlay booklets/packaging will be suitably splendid as I only have promo copies of the two DVD discs.

The band consists of Neal Morse plus his long time musical companion’s bassist Randy George and former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy. Joining them are the three lucky musicals chosen by Neal through YouTube auditions, namely Adson Sodre (guitar/vocals), Eric Gillette (keys/guitar/percussion/vocals) and Bill Haubauer (keys/sax/violin/vocals).

The set list covers most of his musical past and present, with an undoubted highlight being the band ripping through the Spock’s Beard classic ‘The Distance To The Sun’. The vocal harmonies on this and throughout the set are truly a delight to listen to.

A couple of albums get a ‘meagmix’ treatment with the ‘Testimony Suite’ including ‘Sleeping Jesus’ and ‘Wasted Life’, whilst the ‘Question mark Suite’ includes ‘Another World’ and ‘Inside His Presence’.

Personal highlights include ‘Weathering Sky’ which sounds even better live and ‘the aforementioned ‘Testimony Suite’. The show is all about the music and musicians as there is no big stage lighting show and that is how it shoudl be as the music does the talking. They even through in a fun cover of the Osmonds classic ‘Crazy Horses’ with Mike Portnoy taking the mic and Neal Morse on drums.

The second DVD has a one hour bonus in the shape of a tour documentary that includes fan shot footage of the live shows.

This is a great idea and although the sound and picture quality can vary it does break down the fan and artist barriers nicely. In between this are backstage shots of the band warming up before a show and the band captured very early one morning at the airport. Only Neal Morse comes across as fresh and ready for the day ahead!

Definitely a ‘must have’ for fans and a decent introduction to Neal Morse’s for those yet to hear any of his wonderful music.

*****

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 1 December 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 3 December 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)