Filmed in Nashville, Tennessee over a very special 2 night celebration, Neal Morse, along with regular collaborators Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater, Winery Dogs, Transatlantic, Flying Colors, Adrenaline Mob), Randy George, Bill Hubauer, Eric Gillette, and a host of horn players, backing vocalists, a string orchestra as well as dancers, performed the Testimony and One albums in their entirety, along with a few special surprises, culminating in over 5 hours of music. Billed as 'Morsefest 2014', this 2 day festival took place in a very small & intimate setting, which no doubt made for a very emotional & personal experience for both the band and the fans. All of this is easily experienced by the viewer sitting at home watching this Blu-ray release as well.
Whether you fully comprehend and agree with the Christian faith or not, it's not hard to be fully moved by the very personal story of Testimony, and you can see just how moving and emotional singing 'his story' still is for Morse. Housed within a challenging progressive rock framework, this tale of a musicians life spiraling out of control and lacking focus, only to finally experience his 'calling' which would forever change his life, is spiritually uplifting, even if you don't practice the same religious beliefs as Morse does. Musically speaking, there are plenty of sizzling performances spread out around both nights here as the band plows through both albums, the most surprising is viewing just how good a guitar player Morse is, as he's mostly known for his keyboard skills. More often than not he's delivering searing lead guitar work on his Fender Stratocaster, at times dueling it out with fellow guitarist Gillette in ripping fashion. George in a monster on the bass, and of course, Mr. Portnoy impresses every step of the way, obviously having a blast and feeling very honored to be a part of the whole equation. If you love both the albums represented here, you are going to really enjoy these performances. On the second night, after the completion of the One album, Neal's brother and current Spock's Beard guitarist Alan Morse comes out and they blaze through the Spock's classic "The Light", as well as the lengthy Transatlantic epic "Stranger in Your Soul", complete with all the musicians revolving on their instruments, which is a blast to watch.
The video & audio quality throughout is stellar, as is the camera work, plus you get a fun documentary looking at the creation of Morsefest and how all involved made it all come together. While you are going to need a few hours of your time to get through all this, it will be well worth it, and warrant repeated views, making it a great package for the loyal fan.
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
BLU-RAY Disc 1
Morsefest 2014 Night 1
Testimony Live plus Encores
– Part One –
01. The Land of Beginning Again
02. Overture No. 1
03. California Nights
04. Colder in the Sun
05. Sleeping Jesus
06. Interlude
07. The Prince of the Power of the Air
08. The Promise
09. Wasted Life
– Part Two –
10. Overture No. 2
11. Break of Day
12. Power in the Air
13. Somber Days
14. Long Story
15. It's All I Can Do
– Part Three –
16. Transformation
17. Ready to Try
18. Sing it high
– Part Four –
19. Moving in my Heart
20. I Am Willing
21. In the Middle
22. The Storm Before the Calm
23. Oh, to Feel Him
24. God's Theme
– Part Five –
25. Overture No. 3
26. Rejoice
27. Oh Lord My God
28. God's Theme 2
29. The Land of Beginning Again
– Encores –
30. Jayda
31. Time Has Come
32. Jesus' Blood
BLU-RAY Disc 2
Morsefest 2014 Night 2
One Live plus Encores
01. The Creation
02. The Man's Gone
03. Nothing To Believe
04. Author Of Confusion
05. The Separated Man
06. Cradle to the Grave
07. Help Me/Spirit and the Flesh
08. King Jesus
09. Father Of Forgiveness
10. Reunion
– Encores –
11. It's For You
12. Wind At My Back
13. The Light
14. Stranger In Your Soul
Special Documentary - "The Morsefest Experience" created by Randy George
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