I have been a fan of Neal Morse, since he went on his own, as a solo artist. He has returned this year with a new creation, the story of the Biblical Joseph; who was the first of the two sons of Jacob and Rachel. The album is titled, The Dreamer – Joseph: Part I, and it was release on Radiant Records, on August 11th of this year. I am coming to this album late, but I have had an interest in the life of the Biblical Joseph, since adolescence.
Neal’s last album was titled, Jesus Christ the Exorcist, and it was a massive rock opera. This album takes a slightly more deliberate tone, following the story of Joseph’s life fairly closely to the one I remember reading from the Bible; so many years ago. Morse uses some famous vocalists to help bring the story to life. They include: Ted Leonard, (Spock’s Beard and Pattern Seeking Animals), Matt Smith, (Theocracy), and Jake Livgren, (Proto-kaw and Kansas), to sing in the roles of Joseph’s brothers, as they grow dark with jealousy and throw him in the pit.
Morse also chose some fantastic musicians to help create this epic tale, set to symphonic progressive music. The soaring guitarwork of Steve Morse, (Deep Purple and the Dixie Dregs), and Eric Gillette, (Neal Morse Band). Morse also included a long list of dynamic musicians, listed below, to fill this album with volumes of sound and narration.
“I have to say I am extremely pleased with the way this album came out!” explains Neal Morse. “As with many creative endeavors, there are times along the way where you start to wonder where you’re at and if it will come together in the end. I am so happy to report that this one really has come together and exceeded my expectations! The guest vocalists are fantastic, and the string arrangements are extraordinary! Jerry Guidroz did an exceptional job on the mix, and I am so excited to share this album with all of you! Now on to part two…”
The album opens with what I believe is a bee, and then a swarm of bees, (following in the story of Joseph’s wife Aseneth). This mystifying beginning, then unfolds with the unleashing of one of the best overtures that I’ve heard all year. The strings take over, just before the electric guitars, bass, and keyboards join in. The sound mimics, at times, the opening insect invasion, before a real Kansas-like, Leftoverture explosion, takes place. It’s as if, the “Opus Insert” collided head – on with the “Magnum Opus”…complete with Hammond keys, …and yes harmonica. No stone is left unturned, with the amount of instrumental coordination and orchestral perfection. Beautiful piano keys cascade into your ears. A simply amazing and wonderful album opening. How do you top that?
The “Prologue/Before the World Was” segment, tells the opening of the story and Joseph’s love and respect for Jesus and the Lord; all set to soft percussion, keyboards, and orchestration. I believe this first segment is the interaction and communication between the Lord and Joseph, with Neal Morse playing both parts as vocalist. The electric guitar solos are amazing.
“A Million Miles Away”, opens with guitar and soft percussion. Morse sings, as Joseph; about a dream he had the night before. This should be the dream Joseph had, which he shared with the Pharoh, regarding the seven years of abundance, followed by seven years of famine; which helped him rise from slavery, to become an important part of the Egyptian hierarchy.
“Burns Like a Wheel”, is full of more excellent guitar solos and deft drum work. Neal begins to unravel the jealousy Joseph’s brothers feel over Joseph’s success. Neal sings Joseph’s line, “Your jealously burns like a wheel. I understand how you feel. But for me, it was a very good deal”.
“Liar, Liar”, has very cool Kansas-like sound and tempo to it. The keyboards are excellent. The root of the scheme to bring down Joseph, (who was younger, by the way), is outlined by his brothers.
“The Pit”, is where the brothers throw Joseph. A pit which he could not easily escape. Neal sings, “The dreamer must die”. Instead of killing Joseph, who was their brother, the brothers decide to sell Joseph back into slavery. Birdsong is heard, amidst keyboards; before the raging depth of the pit is imagined through vicious hard metal guitars and lyrics.
“Like a Wall”, takes the story forward, with Joseph trying to come to terms with the hatred and jealousy of his brothers and the lack of support from his other family members. Joseph feels the ‘wall’; like the one Pink Floyd imagined, only this time it is family in the way, not society.
“Gold Dust City”, sees Joseph’s arrival in the capital of sin, at the time, Thebes or Memphis; where, “The streets were gold, and people were bought and sold”. A song that has the feeling of a present day Las Vegas. The guitar solos and Jim Hoke’s sax solo are simply amazing.
“Slave Boy”, opens with an awesome electric guitar solo which will light up your headset. It is like something out of a blues song, out of the deep South, of the early 19th Century. Talon David, does an excellent job portraying Potiphar’s Wife.
Talon David reveals her lie to her husband, as Joseph’s honor and loyalty are challenged. She accuses him of making a move on her, the wife of Potiphar, in “Out of Sight, Out of Mind”.
“Wait on You”, opens with soft acoustic guitar chords and orchestrations. Neal sings for Joseph, and his conversation with the Lord, locked away in jail. He calls out to the Lord, to try to understand how he has been ‘selected’ for these roles and circumstances. Joseph, nonetheless, will wait patiently, for the Lord.
“I Will Wait on the Lord”, is the best song on the album. It is a full choir; the Vanderbilt Blair Children’s Chorus Chorale, to be exact. It is an amazing hymn to the Lord and the most rousing song on the album…by far. More of these types of songs would have made this album even more epic.
“The Dreamer Overture Reprise”, is a shortened version of the opening instrumental overture.
“Ultra-Violet Dreams”, is a bluesy rock song, full of heart and emotion from Neal. Neal describes the feeling of being alone, or feeling alone, with no one supporting you in your pain and grief. The feeling as Neal sings, “When there is no light. And darkness consumes. You feel like a victim in your own private tomb. When there is no truth. Just a lie by degrees. We all have been wounded and everyone bleeds”. But the believers, like Neal, can still see, or search for a light in this darkness. As he says, a “Crystal Vision”. That is the definition of belief and Neal does an excellent job of conveying the feeling completely. It is wonderful he is sharing this miraculous feeling with everyone. Another of the best songs on the album.
“Heaven in Charge of Hell, (Eat ‘Em And Smile)”, is another heart-warming song. It opens with Kansas-like stringed orchestration. Then, a Queen-like solo guitar celebration, before Neal continues the story. Great lyrics and thought, from Neal here. The Hammond organ sound is so warm and wonderful. Joseph is in charge of the jail, and the chorus goes, “Let’s put Heaven in charge of hell for a while, and we’ll eat ‘em and smile!”. We’ll relax in an elegant style”. The saxophone music is great.
“Why Have You Forsaken Me?”, is the lonely, sad ending to this first chapter of the story. It is all about Joseph calling out to the Lord for assistance and at the same time having doubts again about his commitment to believe. “Thirteen years, from the pit to the prison”, Neal sings as Joseph. They conclude with a gong.
This is a great representation of the highlights of Joseph’s life, up to this chapter’s conclusion. The music is full of emotion and care. Wonderful melodies, harmonies, and Neal’s wonderful lyrics which sum up the feeling of someone who is desperately trying to remain faithful, despite being delt so many blows. Part 1, does end on a sad note, tasking you, to return for the warm ending, coming on “Part 2”, which will follow in 2024. I’ll be back!
TRACK LIST:
- Overture
- Prologue/Before The World Was
- A Million Miles Away
- Burns Like A Wheel
- Liar, Liar
- The Pit
- Like A Wall
- Gold Dust City
- Slave Boy
- Out of Sight, Out of Mind
- Wait On You
- I Will Wait On The Lord
- The Dreamer Overture Reprise
- Ultra-Violet Dreams
- Heaven In Charge Of Hell (Eat ‘Em And Smile)
- Why Have You Forsaken Me?
Musicians: Eric Gillette, Gabe Klein, Neal Morse, Sam Hunter, Gideon Klein, Steve Morse, Andre Madatian, Mark Leniger, Jim Hoke.
Cast: Joseph – Neal Morse; Judah – Ted Leonard; Reuben – Matt Smith; Potiphar’s Wife – Talon David; Slave Driver – Jake Livgren; Simeon – Wil Morse; Jacob – Mark Pogue; Warden and Prison Guards – Matt Smith, Mark Pogue, Wil Morse, Gabe Klein, Chris Riley.
Arranged By [Strings] – Gideon Klein (2). Artwork, Graphic Design, Layout – Joel Barrios.
Backing vocals – Amy Pippin (tracks: 16), April Zachary (tracks: 16), Debbie Bressee (tracks: 16), Devonne Fowlkes (tracks: 2, 3, 6, 8 to 11, 14), Gabe Klein* (tracks: 7), Gideon Klein (2) (tracks: 7), Harmonie Hall (tracks: 2, 3, 6, 8 to 11, 14), Julie Harrison (2) (tracks: 16), Kim Mont (tracks: 2, 3, 6, 8 to 11, 14)
Bass – Neal Morse (tracks: 1, 2, 11, 13 to 16); Bass Guitar – Gideon Klein (2) (tracks: 3 to 7); Choir – Vanderbilt Blair Children’s Chorus Chorale (tracks: 12); Chorus Master – Mary Biddlecombe (tracks: 12)
Cover [Illustration] – Dave Hardy (8)
Drums – Eric Gillette (tracks: 1, 2, 13), Gabe Klein-Kuhn (tracks: 3 to 11, 15, 16), Neal Morse (tracks: 14)
French Horn – Hunter Keeran (tracks: 16)
Guitar – Sam Hunter (2) (tracks: 3 to 7)
Guitar [Solo] – Andre Madatian (tracks: 15), Eric Gillette (tracks: 11), Steve Morse (tracks: 2)
Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, Producer, Music By, Lyrics By, Recorded By, Sounds [Sounscapes], Lead Vocals – Neal Morse
Harmonica – Paul Farmer (tracks: 1)
Keyboards – Gabe Klein* (tracks: 4 to 7)
Lead Vocals – Jake Livgren, Mark Pogue, Matt Smith (36), Talon David, Ted Leonard, Wil Morse
Recorded By [Background Vocals] – Nathan Martin (4)
Recorded By [Strings] – Asa Wiggins
Recorded By, Mixed By – Jerry Guidroz
Saxophone – Jim Hoke (tracks: 8), Mark Leniger (tracks: 1, 15)
Sounds [Soundscapes], Vocals – Chris Riley (7)
Strings – Carl Larson (2) (tracks: 1, 2, 9 to 11, 15, 16), Gideon Klein (2) (tracks: 1, 2, 9 to 11, 15, 16), Hannah Tyler (tracks: 1, 2, 9 to 11, 15, 16), Josée Klein (tracks: 1, 2, 9 to 11, 15, 16)
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/nealmorse
https://www.instagram.com/neal_morse_official
https://www.youtube.com/user/NealMorseMusic/featured
https://www.facebook.com/nealmorse/
https://twitter.com/nealmorse?lang=en
https://www.instagram.com/neal_morse_official/?hl=en
YouTube and Music Video Links:
Just a note of interest the story of Joseph in the old testament is just that a story like many others in the old testament. For a more accurate history of the Hebrews one must look elsewhere.