Neal Morse - Sola Scriptura And Beyond Review
by Dan MacIntosh
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Neal Morse is best known for his role with the progressive rock band Spock's Beard. But this concert DVD presents Morse's more personal solo work – particularly those spiritual compositions from his decidedly spiritually-based albums. This show's three primary sections are derived from the Sola Scriptura release, the ? album, and the Testimony work. Morse also throws in a few Spock's Beard songs for good measure. The combined concert portions add up to 169 minutes of playing, and the extra DVD is 183 minutes long. So one could hardly ask for anything Mor(e)-se, if you get my little pun.
The Sola Scriptura songs are specifically focused on Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation, and find Morse playing the dramatic historical narrator. If you share Morse's Christian beliefs, these songs may feel like a rallying cry of the faith. But if you're Catholic, you might find Morse's one-sided approach a little offensive because he's clearly in Luther's camp when it comes to this pivotal theological debate.
The ? segment, which is spelled out as 'Question Mark Medley', contains six samples from that CD release, with one of its songs, "The Temple Of The Living God", performed once at the beginning and again at the end. These songs are also historical in nature, and reach all the way back to the Old Testament. Morse takes this occasion to lyrically compare and contrast the complicated way Jewish people were asked to approach God in the Old Testament – which involved a high priest and complex ceremony – with the simplified way New Testament Christianity explains it. Instead of a having a temple, where only the high priest was able to enter, Christians are told that their bodies are now the temples of God, instead. This simplifying evolution is cause for celebrations, especially during Morse's final take on "The Temple Of The Living God". [It should be noted that my explanation of Jewish and Christian theology is also an extreme simplification. For more information, please see The Bible.]
The last, and best show segment, is subtitled "Testimedley". This medley is broken into 10 highlights from Testimony, which is an album all about Morse's personal testimony. What makes this part of the program so satisfying is that it's the least 'progressive' section of the DVD. In other words, instead of piling on multi-note solo after multi-note solo, as progressive rockers are so apt to do, this chapter in the concert focuses, instead, on simpler songs that find Morse mainly accompanying himself on acoustic guitar and singing straight from his heart.
Morse is backed by relatively unknown band members throughout, although they're nevertheless quite skilled. The group's best known member is probably guitarist Paul Bielatowicz, who also plays with The Carl Palmer Band. Morse is also assisted by Jessica Koomen, his wife, on keyboards, percussion, and vocals.
This package's bonus disc includes a behinds the scenes feature, as well as extra concert performances from the Question Mark tour. But, as stated previously, its 183 minutes makes it even longer than the main portion.
If you love progressive rock music, this release includes all the musical elements you likely crave. But if you're like me, and you don't care for progressive rock, this release also showcases fine songwriting. So you might say it has a little something for everyone.
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Neal Morse - Sola Scriptura And Beyond
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