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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 |
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Okay, here's where I indulge a little in my favorite genre of music.
My Very Favorite Drummers 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
Ayreon's new masterpiece: 01011001
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).
REVIEW: Bob Robinson on Neal Morse's release, "ONE"
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.
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..."
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!)
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