The Neal Morse Band is back on the road traveling under the guise of The Road Called Home Tour. The group will journey through the States, ride and play at Cruise to the Edge before traveling to Europe. On Thursday, February 2, 2017 The Neal Morse Band will present in its entirety The Similitude Of A Dream album at the Highline Ballroom (431 W 16th Street) in New York City. Clocking in at over 100 minutes, this progressive pageantry runs the range from melodic to moody to mind blowing.
Morse explains that the album was inspired by John Bunyan's book "Pilgrim's Progress" telling the story of a man's spiritual journey from the City of Destruction to the Land of Deliverance. Morse along with drummer Mike Portnoy, bassist Randy George, keyboardist Bill Hubauer and guitarist Eric Gillett brings to life this complex concept album with songs that move from reflective to riveting. Portnoy (The Winery Dogs, Twisted Sister, ex-Dream Theater) states "I honestly think this is THE album of my career. Neal and I have now made 18 studio albums together, and I consider The Similitude Of A Dream the absolute creative pinnacle of our collaborations together."
"We weren't sure we had enough music to make a double CD, and yet it seemed as though the concept and the music wanted to go there," bassist Randy George continues. "Ultimately, we created so much great music in the sessions that it just had to be a double album! To cap that off, we worked with a pre-imminent classic album cover artist to create painted illustrations of our concept which will grace the booklet!"
The show has already been presented in a number of cities including Nashville. Long time New Jersey residents Rich and Laura Lynch of SoundPress.net fame now in Music City observed that the Nashville fans were just as enthusiastic about the new material as the band and following is their report from the first night of the The Road Called Home Tour that took place January 14, 2017 in Middle Tennessee.
Classical music was piped in prior to Neal appearing in the shadows draped in dark colors and a hood lamenting "Long Days" that flowed into the opulent "Overture" and "The Dream". Morse utilized a wireless mic so that he could at times act out the tale he was telling. As is Neal's custom he switched from keyboards to acoustic/electric guitars throughout the night. Visuals were also used to full effect to support the story and enhance the already electrifying music.
The dynamic "City of Destruction" launched the next stage of the voyage as Neal the narrator realizes that "We Have Got to Go" as things currently "Makes No Sense" and one has to "Draw the Line". This series of music ran the gamut from wistful to warp speed. The spiritual turbulence persisted with a potent "So Far Gone" before Morse appeared in a white hood as he sang hopefully of casting out all fear in the first set's closer "Breath of Angels". After a short intermission the clash of darkness and light continued into the expansive "Slave to Your Mind" connecting to "Shortcut to Salvation" that showcased multi-part singing by this talented crew.
"Good evening, welcome" greeted Neal who also declared that "we are so happy to be playing this album for you." He warned that the next tune was a heavy one. "The Man in the Iron Cage" certainly was heavy but also heavenly. The team lightened things up later with some humor as bassist Randy George played his instrument with a stuffed animal hanging from its neck during "Sloth". Drummer Mike Portnoy said a few words before taking his place at the front of the stage to shake a tambourine for the faith based "Freedom Song" the "acoustic" moment of the set. Yet the mission of salvation was still not complete as The Neal Morse Band still had to orbit "I'm Running", "The Mask", "The Confrontation" into a bold and fiery "The Battle" with a dragon before coming full circle for "Broken Sky/Long Day (Reprise)". With the album complete the quintet returned for a three song encore that included "Momentum", "Agenda", and "The Call".
The Similitude Of A Dream was an inspiring and intense experience with theatrical moments. The Neal Morse Band is well respected as top level artists apt at playing this type of compelling and complicated music which had the Rocketown faithful on their feet the whole night. The quintet tours worldwide (North America, Central America, Europe, Israel, Mexico and India) almost annually consistently growing in popularity. Their shows are packed with excited and extremely loyal fans, some which have regularly traveled very long distances to see them. The Neal Morse Band has an extensive catalog of live shows on Blu-Ray and DVD as well.
