Van-guard (văn’gärd), noun: “The foremost or leading position in a trend or movement.”

the journey forward... exploring the emerging church... navigating spiritual formation... seeking to transform the world... ...through Christ

Okay, here's where I indulge a little in my favorite genre of music.

What is Progressive Rock?

My Very Favorite Drummers
Strawberry Bricks' "Progressive Rock Timeline" features mini-reviews of all the most influential albums from 1967 to 1979

The History of Art Rock

Another Progressive Rock Timeline

REVIEW: Bob Robinson on Neal Morse's release "ONE"

updated March 2008! Bob's Top 25 Albums of All Time

What I'm currently playing in my CD player:

What I'm watching on DVD:

Porcupine Tree, Arriving Somewhere (live)

Spock's Beard, The Making of Snow

Dream Theater, Live at Budokan

Genesis, Live at Wembley Stadium

Phil Keaggy, Philly Live!

http://bobrobinson.muxtape.com/

Porcupine Tree - "Arriving Somewhere But Not Here" Neal Morse - The Separated Man Pt 3 - "The Man's Gone" Ayreon - "The Stranger from Within" Pink Floyd - "Learning to Fly" Genesis - "Firth of Fifth" The Flower Kings - "The Judas Kiss" Spock's Beard - "Long Time Suffering" Dream Theater - "The Root of All Evil" Peter Gabriel - "Mercy Street" Ayreon - "Day Three: Pain" Genesis - "Dance on a Volcano" A.C.T - "Manipulator"

Ayreon

Ayreon's new masterpiece: 01011001

Ayreon's Myspace Page

Porcupine Tree

Porcupine Tree's MySpace Site 

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

See videos of TSO's latest tour here.

Above: Mike Portnoy playing with Neal on the Testimony Tour

Portnoy is the drummer on the latest of Neal Morse's solo albums, including "Testimony", "One", "?" and "Sola Scriptura".

Neal Morse is the former leader of Spock's Beard and Transatlantic (two of the most critically-acclaimed contemporary prog-rock bands).

In 2003, Neal embarked upon the most ambitious project of his career: recording his personal testimony in words and music: spanning two hours, the two CD “Testimony” is one continuous piece of music. Stylistically, it ranges from a full gospel choir to hard rock; from a symphony orchestra to contemporary pop. Neal deftly weaves an epic musical tapestry, taking the listener on a fascinating journey as unique as the man behind it. Released in 2003, “Testimony” vividly recounts Neal’s personal struggle within and without the music business, through the wayward years that followed, to finding salvation. While Neal plays just about every instrument on the recording, there are many guest artists, including his old friend Mike Portnoy on drums and a guitar solo by former member of Kansas, Kerry Livgren.

In November 2004, Neal released an incredible concept album: “One.”  It tells the grand story of God’s creation of man, the separation of man from God, the longing within the man and God for re-unifying, and the restoration. Guests include Mike Portnoy again playing his superior drums and Phil Keaggy contributing an acoustic guitar solo and a vocal duet with Neal. 

REVIEW: Bob Robinson on Neal Morse's release, "ONE"

In November 2005, the album simply entitled "?" came out. The subject of the album is the Tabernacle, the biblical dwelling place of God. In this 56 minute musical journey, Morse pursues the legendary entity; physically, figuratively and spiritually. His lyrics create a compelling storyline that owes as much to C. S. Lewis as Indiana Jones.

In 2007, Neal offered the biographical story of Martin Luther, Sola Scriptura. It's the story of the personal battle of one man who has a burning desire to give God back to the people, replacing the worship-addicted hypocrites ruling people's life with God.

My favorite album by Neal Morse remains SNOW (2002) from his Spock's Beard days. It is a wonderful rock opera about a young man who finds that he has the power to feel people's pain and to heal them. This is Spock's Beard at its best!

Mike Portnoy is the drummer on Neal's last three solo albums.

Mike's list of Awards include 21 Modern Drummer Magazine Reader's Poll Awards including: 2004 Hall of Fame Inductee, Best Progressive Rock Drummer (10 years in a row), Best Clinician (twice), Best Educational Video/DVD for Liquid Drum Theater, and Best Recorded Performance of the Year (5 times) for Dream Theater's Awake, A Change of Seasons, Falling Into Infinity, Scenes From A Memory, and Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence.
Portnoy and Morse have worked together in the "prog supergroup" Transatlantic, as well as the all-star Beatles cover band Yellow Matter Custard.

Phil Keaggy is a guest artist on the album, "One." Phil is perhaps one of the most admired guitarists in music today. His fans range from those who aspire just to be able to play his mistakes, to professional musicians who have been strongly influenced by his style. Phil's long list of Awards include 5 CCM Readers Awards for #1 Favorite Guitar Player, 3-time winner of Guitar Player Magazine's Best Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitarists, 7-time Dove Award Winner, and 2-time Grammy nominations.

REVIEWS:

Bob Robinson on Neal Morse's release "ONE"

"...I think that this is possibly the best album to come out in a long time. It tells the STORY of Christianity, not just the PROPOSITIONS of Christianity. And in doing so, it is very effective in moving both heart and mind..."

Christianity Today's "Christian Music Today" give "?" 4-1/2 stars out of 5

"...Now comes the unconventionally titled ?—that's right, a simple question mark—exploring the mystery of God and his relationship with man as represented by the law and his temple. It confirms that Morse is progressive rock's answer to Michael Card, probing deep biblical topics and theology with intelligence and artistry..."

The Phantom Tollbooth says "?" is "jaw-droppingly good."

"...This one is a must have folks, and Neal Morse fans (whether Christian or not) will love it. ? features a message of celebration, acceptance, and reconciliation that resonates deeply, managing to touch mind, soul, and the heart..."

Revelationz Magazine gives "One" a rating of 10 out of 10

“Take Transatlantic, the orchestral beauty of Testimony and some clear nods to the prog greats of Asia, Genesis, and YES along with some lesser pop sounds like old Tears For Fears and Who derived moments and Neal's unescapable Beatles influence, Van Morrison styled horn sections in "Reunion" and you will have it all. Neal Morse’s “ONE” is great music, the story to end all stories! Where could he possibly go from here?!” 

The Phantom Tollbooth gives "One" its "highest recommendation" 

"_One_ is an album that I enjoyed enormously the first time I heard it.  And I haven’t taken it out of the player since. One receives my highest recommendation. Lovers of good music of quality and depth will want to add this to the collection immediately. One is unlike anything available in the Christian or mainstream market, and in these days of cookie-cutter music that is a very welcome thing."

The United Methodist Church's website featured Neal Morse in a story on "When Rock Music Intersects the Gospel"

The Phantom Tollbooth reviews Neal Morse's "Testimony Live DVD"

"...The CD of the year for 2003 is the concert DVD of the year for 2004.  Neal Morse's phenomenal Testimony Live DVD has arrived, and it is mighty..."

LINKS

The Dividing Line is an internet radio outlet, where you can listen to archived and live radio feeds featuring the best in progressive rock music--both from today and yesterday.

Genesis still is the best band of all time. And many of us still listen (over and over and over again...) to their old recordings, especially "A Trick of the Tail" and "Selling England by the Pound." Click the above icon for the "Genesis Museum."

TIME HAS COME -- Bob Robinson's timeline of Progressive Rock Eras from the 1960s to Today (work in progress!)

Ministry Transformation- The Emerging Church  Personal Transformation- Spiritual Formation  World Transformation- Social Action

Interact with Bob Robinson about the emerging church, spiritual formation, or social action by e-mailing vanguard church with your comments.