Inside Out [Release date 11.09.20]
Neal Morse hardly seems to be out of the studio, with a covers collection released in the summer under the Morse Portnoy George handle, and last year he released the ambitious double album ‘Jesus Christ: The Exorcist’. ‘Sola Gratia’ again takes a religious subject, dealing with the apostle Paul.
Specifically his transformation from being a persecutor of early Christians to experiencing his own vision of the ascended Jesus and his subsequent conversion. Some are put off by Neal Morse’s relgious lyrics, however I would say enjoy the music and story told through the songs. It is never preachy and with Morse’s uncanny knack for melodies always easy on the ears.
The music was recorded ‘virtually’ in April 2020 at the height of the Coronavirus lockdown, the first time Neal Morse has recorded a whole album remotely. It is credited as Neal Morse solo album, rather than being credited to The Neal Morse Band, as although band members Eric Gillette and Bill Hubauer appear, neither of them wrote or sang on the album. Long term musical companions Mike Portnoy (drums) and Randy George (bass) were also involved.
After a brief ‘Preface’, ‘Overture’ gets things moving along, a suitably grandiose instrumental piece that leads into the first show tune of the album, ‘In The Name Of The Lord’. I mean that with the greatest respect though as much of this album has the feel that it could easily be staged as a musical production. None more so than ‘Building A Wall’, a heavy beast of a tune with a chorus made for audience participation. A show stopper of a tune.
Nice little instrumentals pop up throughout the course of the album, with ‘Sola Intermezzo’ a chance for Neal Morse to show his keyboards skills, trading off against precise guitar solos.
‘Seemingly Sincere’ will please prog fans after an epic piece of music. Plenty going on both musically and lyrically on this one. ‘Now I Can See/The Great Commission’ rounds the album off in epic style. Again plenty of bombast, then quieter passages giving the song a theatrical feel.
Not quite up there with his previous works, however, still an enjoyable and interesting listen, in that it has the casual listener look further into the life story of Paul the Apostle. ***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.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
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 17 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 19 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 25 November 2024
KING KRAKEN Chainsaw Saviour (indie)
BEBORN BETON American Girls (Dependent Records)
SMASH INTO PIECES Maze Of Feels (indie)
WELSH WOLF When You Cry (indie)
DREAMING OF CITRA Bitter (indie)
OFF LIGHTS Love You Sober (indie)
THUNDERMOTHER Dead Or Alive (AFM Records)
SKAM Selfish Friend (indie)
SORRY X Bring Me To Life (SBG Records)
Featured Albums w/c 25 November 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
