Artist : Neal Morse

Album : The Dreamer – Joseph, Pt. 1

Release Date : 11-08-2023

Added : 04-09-2023






Certainly, a few days after the very beautiful album 'The Liberty Project' by Edward Reekers', 'Neal Morse' releases the first part of his new rock opera 'The Dreamer: Joseph'. On all fronts for several years, he has multiplied projects (search for his name in the myprogmusic columns here) and, after 'Jesus Christ the Exorcist' in 2019 followed by its staging at 'Morsefeat 2018', I had skipped his last live with the 'Neal Morse Band', 'An Evening Of Innocence & Danger: Live in Hamburg' released in July 2023. Fervent believer, he continues his momentum by offering us stories taken from the Christian religion and, for this new American baby, he tackles the story of Joseph in two parts: The book of Genesis relates that Joseph is one of Jacob's twelve sons and the first of Rachel's two sons. He is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, but becomes the most powerful man in Egypt alongside Pharaoh. Musically, we find this progressive rock with the appearance of a large production bringing together numerous artists in which each singer plays a particular role.

On the menu of this opus, 16 tracks for a little over an hour of listening, and given the number of compositions, even if the whole remains an album telling a story, it is not progressive with long developments and the listener is not necessarily obliged to unwind the entire work in one go. Indeed, we can easily pick out a few titles here and there that do not exceed 7 minutes. I will not make this column heavier by going from title to title (if you are interested in this kind of column, you can read the one from 'Millstream Park' which is very complete), but I would simply like to mention that the whole thing is very accessible thanks in particular to the melodic lines catchy from the first listen, and highlights different styles and atmospheres which gives a remarkable diversity to this rock opera: first of all, the instrumental 'The Dreamer Overture' which begins the album shows all the talent as a composer of 'Neal Morse' which, in 7 minutes, offers us a panel of different atmospheres with rich and dense arrangements that whet your appetite to begin the rest. Then, throughout the album, different musical landscapes alternate: the muscular rock side is present with compositions like 'Liar, Liar' or 'Like A Wall' (see the video above), more pop songs sprinkled throughout. also the album with the semi-acoustic 'A Million Miles Away' followed by 'Burns Like A Wheel' and the blues side is highlighted by the very beautiful 'Ultraviolet Dreams', then, we are also spoiled by very atmospheric more peaceful with 'Before The World Was' or 'The Pit' or even 'Wait On You' but also classical with the magnificent 'Vanderbilt Blair Children's Chorus' which fits magnificently well into this religious story. To this I would add that the impressive cast features, first of all, musicians of great talent who sublimate the instrumental parts but also exceptional singers who highlight the rich vocal arrangements omnipresent, particularly in the compositions. bringing out the very expressive atmospheres of musicals like 'Gold Dust City', 'Slave Boy' or 'Out Of Sight, Out of Mind' without forgetting the masterful finale with 'Heaven In Charge Of Hell' (see the video here) and this poignant question from 'Joseph': "Why have you abandoned me?", the climax of this first part.

In summary, 'Neal Morse' continues to offer us magnificent progressive rock operas with all the ingredients that we want to find in this style of music and we are impatiently awaiting the second part of Joseph's story which will certainly be followed by a staging in a future 'Morsefeat' allowing us to add video to the music, bringing another essential dimension to this type of musical work...

Line Up / Musicians

Neal Morse (Guitar, Keybords, Vocal, Bass, Drums) + Guests : Eric Gillette (Guitar, Drums), Gabe Klein (Drums, Choirs), Sam Hunter (Guitar), Gideon Klein (Cello, Bass, Choirs), Steve Morse (Guitar), Andre Madatian (Guitar), Mark Leniger (Saxophone), Hannah Tyler (Violin), Carl Larson (Viola), Hunter Keeran (French horn), Josee Klein (Violin), Jim Hoke (Saxophone), Paul Farmer (Harmonica), Ted Leonard (Vocal – Judah), Matt Smith (Vocal – Reuben), Talon David (Vocal – Potiphar’s Wife), Jake Livgren (Vocal – Slave Driver), Wil Morse (Vocal – Simeon), Mark Pogue (Vocal – Jacob), Vanderbilt Blair Children's Chorus Chorale (Vocal), Matt Smith (Choirs), Mark Pogue (Choirs), Wil Morse (Choirs), Gabe Klein (Choirs), Chris Riley (Choirs), Amy Pippin (Choirs), April Zachary (Choirs), Debbie Bressee (Choirs), Devonne Fowlkes (Choirs), Harmonie Hall (Choirs), Julie Harrison (Choirs), Kim Mont (Choirs)