MORSE, NEAL -BAND- - GREAT ADVENTURE (2CD-2019 ALBUM IN A JEWELCASE)

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The prolific ex-SPOCK’S BEARD frontman and US wizard of Prog is here again with his ace band and another brand new epic concept studio production!

“Let the great adventure now begin…” - the closing lines of The Neal Morse Band’s last and widely acclaimed 2016 album: 'Similitude Of A Dream’, have proved to be strangely prophetic!

The band faced the enviable problem (like PINK FLOYD, The EAGLES and many other great bands before them) of having to follow up a hugely successful album, as drummer Mike Portnoy explains: “How do you follow an epic double concept album??? Well, create another epic double album!! I always knew topping ‘Similitude Of A Dream’ was going to be difficult, if not impossible, as I held it in such high regard... but I am absolutely blown away with what we have achieved here! We’ve created the ultimate companion to: 'Similitude Of A Dream’.”

The new 2019 album – appropriately entitled: ‘The Great Adventure’ – is exactly that - a perfect companion piece to ‘Similitude Of A Dream’s partial retelling of John Bunyan’s ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’.

Morse admits that the band’s original intentions on re-entering the studio were largely to produce something very different from what has resulted. However, as the writing and recording process unfolded, it gradually became clear to the band that the unerring direction in which the music was heading was to build upon the work already completed in: 'Similitude Of A Dream’, again using the space that the broader canvas of the double album format provides. Bassist Randy George explains: “I was sure that the follow up to ‘Similitude Of A Dream’ should be something quite different, but you have to follow your heart and go where the music wants to go.”

True to the album’s title, the creative process was indeed a ‘great adventure.’ Unlike many previous Morse albums, which have often been recorded in around a week, as many as 21 days of initial recording were laid down by these prolific and world-class musicians, producing an abundance of top quality material – enough for an album lasting well over two hours! This meant some ruthless decision-making: some already completed songs and characters had to go, and with studio time running out, new links and ideas were being composed and recorded up to the eleventh hour. “A lot of work and re-work has gone into this,” says Morse, “but I know that some of the most successful and far-reaching albums I’ve been involved with have been just like that – ‘Sola Scriptura’ and SPOCK’S BEARD’s ‘Snow’ album both come to mind.”

Another key question that had to be addressed was how to pull all the ideas together into a coherent whole. In the end, what unlocked this ‘adventure’ for Morse was the realisation that ‘Great Adventure’ needed a new voice and perspective. This time, it is that of the Pilgrim’s abandoned son, a younger, perhaps angrier voice than was heard on ‘Similitude Of A Dream’, as George explains: “’Great Adventure’ is nothing short of a miracle - it’s similar to ‘Similitude Of A Dream’ in concept and form, but it’s tougher and deeper in tone! It’s a very powerful work and I look forward to playing it live!”

‘Great Adventure’ has everything that fans would expect from a Neal Morse Band album, and more: Rock, Metal, Classical and Jazz elements appear in this Progressive Epic throughout, as well as some killer melodies, all played faultlessly by some of the greatest rock musicians on the planet.
Says Morse: “This band continues to amaze me! I have to say it was a little daunting to follow up ‘Similitude Of A Dream’, as it was such a special album and it delivered every night at our concerts. But ‘Great Adventure’ is everything that I hoped it would be! I listened through it yesterday and I was in tears at the end!”

‘The Great Adventure’ is also available as a Ltd Deluxe Double CD+DVD Digi-Pak – Stock # 2116948
‘The Great Adventure’ is also available as a Ltd Triple Aubergine Vinyl LP+2CD Set – Stock # 2122946
‘The Great Adventure’ is also available as a Ltd Triple Black Vinyl LP+2CD Set – Stock # 2116950
‘The Great Adventure’ is also available as a Ltd Triple Splater Vinyl LP+2CD Set – Stock # 2122945

‘The Great Adventure’ is released on 25th January 2019.

CD 1 [Act I]:
01. Chapter 1 (12:50)
i.) Overture
ii.) The Dream Isn’t Over
02. Chapter 2 (23:48)
i.) Welcome To The World
ii.) A Momentary Change
iii.) Dark Melody
iv.) I Got To Run
v.) To The River
03. Chapter 3 (17:59)
i.) The Great Adventure
ii.) Venture In Black
iii.) Hey Ho Let’s Go
iv.) Beyond The Borders

CD 2 [Act II]:
01. Chapter 4 (18:13)
i.) Overture - II
ii.) Long Ago
iii.) The Dream Continues
iv.) Fighting With Destiny
v.) Vanity Fair
02. Chapter 5 (30:57)
i.) Welcome To The World - II
ii.) The Element Of Fear
iii.) Child Of Wonder
iv.) The Great Despair
v.) Freedom Calling
vi.) A Love That Never Dies