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Chris Carmichael / violin, viola & background
vocals
Michael Thurman / French horn -
Rachel Rigdon / violin -
Hannah Vanderpool cello -
Dave Jacques / string bass
-Jim Hoke / saxophone -
Neil Rosengarden / trumpet
Bill Huber / trombone -
Glenn Caruba / percussion
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Gene Miller / additional vocals
- Rick Altizer / additional vocals/ Aaron Marshall / background
vocals - Missy Hale / background vocals |
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4.)- The Separated Man (17:58)
I- I’m in a Cage
II- I am The Man
III-The Man’s Gone (Reprise)
IV- Something Within Me Remembers
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1.)-Back to the Garden (4:26)
2.)-Nothing to Believe (3:29)
3.)-Cradle to the Grave (Neal's Voc) (4:55)
4.)-King Jesus (4:48)
5.)-What Is Life? (4:28)
6.)-Where the Streets Have No Name (5:46)
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| The
Review |
After Neal Morse's shaky and somewhat
timid debut in the world of Christian Progressive with the
sprawling Testimony, I was somewhat concerned about the direction
One would take. But just a few dramatic bars into The Creation,
it is patently evident that this is going to be a different
kind of album. One is not only filled lyrically with a robust
and manly Christian passion, it is filled with the kind of
soul-stirring musical passion one rarely hears on any recording.
****
This two disc set can be broken
down into two distinct pieces, the first purely progressive
and the second a lot more rock-oriented. Fans who do not want
to hear covers of 70's rock songs which fill about half of
the second disc can avoid it by purchasing One without the
bonus CD, but I would say they are missing out. ****
Disc one is by far the longest,
clocking in with nearly eighty minutes of some of the most
gorgeous prog rock you are likely to hear. All the elements
of greatness are here. From the rousing entrance to the fading
finale, Morse and Company cover so much musical ground that
the listener can't help but be floored by the level of talent
exhibited. Need a point of reference? If you are a long time
prog listener, you will hear hints of Yes, Genesis, King Crimson,
Beatlesque harmonies, and when Phil Keaggy comes in on guitar,
you might even be reminded of Al Stewart circa the early 1970s.
But despite the hints, you are really just hearing Neal Morse
at his best. I like the entire side and the story it tells.
There really is not one spot where I can say that herein lie
the seeds of a masterpiece. Those seeds are scattered throughout.
In addition to the powerful opening, I best like the passionate
Where Are You, The Man's Gone, the driving keyboard introduction
to Author of Confusion, and the no-hold-barred I Am The Man.
****
Disc two is much shorter, but it
contains some musical gems that make it worth the extra few
dollars. The first half contains a couple of Morse originals,
then it segues into a run of surprisingly authentic covers
of songs by George Harrison, U2, Badfinger, and the Who. Don't
pass the bonus CD by. Covering old tunes is one of Morse's
hobbies and a strong point as well. When you hear these songs,
at times you will be hard put to tell them from the originals.
*****
If you are an old Spock's Beard/Transatlantic
fan, you should immediately take to this progressive masterpiece.
If you are new to Morse and are not sure what to think of
the Christian angle, don't let it drive you away. Morse has
a compelling story to tell and on One, he does it in such
a way that the quality of the music should far overshadow
any qualms you might have about the subject matter of the
lyrics. This is a CD which belongs in every prog lovers collection
and one that will grow on you with each listen. Grade: A
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