Making Progress
Progressive rock, that is. Neal Morse, famous for his roles with bands like Spock's Beard and Transatlantic, is now enjoying his time as a solo Christian artist—and still making prog-rock.
by Andy Argyrakis | posted 2/07/2005
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Progressive rock is a big deal in Europe, but not so much in the U.S., not since the glory days of bands like Yes, Asia, King Crimson, and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. But prog-rock lovers certainly know the name Neal Morse, especially from his work with the groundbreaking group Spock's Beard and later in Transatlantic. The singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist is perhaps best known for Spock's Beard's double-disc rock opera Snow, which critics put on a par with Genesis' 2-CD The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. But at the peak of his career, Morse came to Christ, his priorities changed, and he went solo, shocking the prog-rock world. But many fans stuck by his side, even with more recent concept projects like 2003's Testimony and 2004's One. Morse shared with us his thoughts on his musical journey.
What types of emotions did you feel after stepping down from Spock's Beard?
Neal Morse It reminds me of when Paul speaks in 2 Corinthians about being exceedingly sorrowful yet still rejoicing. I was sad to part ways with my band mates and I was scared from a career position, but I was assured it was God's will. I prayed just before I went into the decision that if stepping down wasn't what he wanted that he would show me a sign, kind of like Abraham climbing the mountain to sacrifice Isaac. But the silence meant I had to make the move, and right after doing so I began a long process of grief, but also I knew not to worry.
How did the rest of the band respond to your choice, and were you able to discuss your faith with them at that point?
Morse I tried to at various points towards the end, but I didn't see an opening for it. When I quit I told them the Lord was speaking to me and that I needed to line my life up with the Word. Some of the guys were mostly confused, a few of them understood and one told me they related because they meditated and felt like they were led in certain directions. There were pretty varied reactions, some bitterness and then some pleading for me to come back, but now we can all look back and recognize this as a good thing for everyone.
Had you initially planned a solo career when you left the band?
Morse When I quit, I didn't know if I would continue in music or if the Lord was calling me out of progressive rock. Three months after I quit the group, I got ideas for what would become Testimony. I asked, "Lord, is this what you want?" I became convinced this was his will even though I realized I could've very well lost everything I had previously built up with the band.
How have fans responded to the spiritual content on Testimony?
Morse That was a mix too. Some people are thrilled about the direction, some people aren't thrilled about it, some say it's not that their cup of tea, and there's a small handful of people that might think it's a shame. But overall I've found a lot of support for that record. Here I was planning to lose it all yet I was happy to find sales were probably about half of what they were when I was in Spock's Beard.
You've got an amazingly talented band on the album, but other than an appearance by Phil Keaggy, they don't seem to be the typical Nashville players.
Morse When I was putting together the Testimony band, I prayed for something really exciting. Shortly before the recording I didn't have a keyboard player, and then three weeks before recording I didn't have a cellist. But I prayed about each guy and they came from all over. My keyboard tech became my keyboard player. Others flew in from Seattle, L.A., Rhode Island and some locals, all of which are exceptional.
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