Originating from a seed planted in his mind about writing a record based on the apostle Paul, Sola Gratia quickly came together at the beginning of 2020. See Neal working on the albumn with long-time collaborators Mike Portnoy, Randy George, Eric Gillette, Bill Hubauer, and Gideon Klein.
When The Neal Morse Band released their acclaimed The Similitude Of A Dream album - a progressive rock retelling of John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress) back in 2016, it began a journey of epic proportions, with the companion piece The Great Adventure arriving in 2019.The band embarked on a worldwide tour in early 2019 & it was in Brno, Czech Republic that the band chose to film THE GREAT ADVENTOUR 2019 - LIVE IN BRNO, the definitive record of the tour, as George explains: "This was our first time playing there and this venue had a different look and vibe: the audience also turned out to be very energetic. They loved it!"THE GREAT ADVENTOUR 2019 - LIVE IN BRNO shows The Neal Morse Band at the very height of their powers: extraordinary, passionate, intense and intricate rock music played to perfection by five masters of their craft, backed by dramatic video illustrations by Christian Rios.
The Neal Morse Band, the progressive rock collective comprised by singer/guitarist/keyboardist Neal Morse, drummer Mike Portnoy, bassist Randy George, keyboardist Bill Hubauer and guitarist Eric Gillette, released their critically admired double-disc concept album The Similitude of a Dream, almost two years ago on November 11th, 2016. It was the eighth studio album with the core of Morse, Portnoy and George, and the second as a true collaboration with this current lineup.
The Neal Morse Band's triumphant double-album, The Similitude of a Dream, is the most acclaimed release that Morse has helmed to date. The 2017 tour was their largest yet, including new continents for the band. At the O13 in Tilburg, Holland, the stars aligned for the most commanding performance of the run, captured for live release in stunning quality. "An epic night on an epic tour," proclaims Neal.
THE NEAL MORSE BAND, featuring MIKE PORTNOY, the 38 musicians on stage create a prog orchestra. Saturday night's performance of the Sola Scriptura album. Free from the constraints of studio recording deadlines, MORSE added any instrumentation he imagined, including live strings, a 5-piece horn section, and a 14-piece choir (in addition to background singers, and the vocals of the band). At the center is THE NEAL MORSE BAND: singer/guitarist/keyboardist Neal Morse, drummer Mike Portnoy, bassist Randy George, keyboardist Bill Hubauer and guitarist Eric Gillette.
When progressive rock icon Neal Morse was preparing to tour his highly acclaimed 2012 studio release, "Momentum," he turned to YouTube to audition touring players to support his faithful duo of Mike Portnoy (drums) and Randy George (bass). He had high hopes, but the final players selected from more than 70 applicants dramatically surpassed his expectations. They hit the road for an 8-stop North American tour. And now that band's epic New York performance is captured on the new "Live Momentum" 2DVD/3CD Box Set.