? LIVE

On the tour supporting his epic ? album Neal Morse decided for the first time to build a European band for the gigs in Europe, mainly for practical and financial reasons. So, no Mike Portnoy, no Randy George, no any other member of his fine previous Testimony Live band, but a bunch of Dutch guys, obviously very eager and honored to be playing his music. They are all capable, especially the drummer Collin Leijenaar who plays Mike Portnoy's parts deliciously in his own hard hitting style and rarely makes any mistakes. The best moments of the cd occur when Neal and the band let a bit loose and let the music guide itself, like on the groove moments and a very surprising and funny beatbox solo on "In the Fire/Solid as the Sun". Most of the set is played very much like they are on the albums, and as I'm not that fond of live albums in general I'd much recommend checking the studios out instead.

The Question Mark album is my favourite out of Neal's and I think one of the best albums ever, so it is easy to say that musically speaking this is just stunning and beautiful stuff. Some nice selections from his second One include the massive epic "The Creation", "Help Me/Spirit and the Flesh" and "Cradle to the Grave" in which Neal lets his son Wil to sing the major part of, further adding to the subtle Father/Son relationship displayed on the song. The encore is a medley of We All Need Some Light and a few selections from Snow, an album that has a very special place in my heart. Having seen him once live it is obvious that what can be captured on a album like this is just a small glimpse of what was is actually going on as he sings, plays, seizes and prays through the majesties and little wonders of what his music is made of. If you ever get a chance to witness that, I highly suggest you take it whether you approach towards Christian music in general is positive or not.