The renowned progressive rock musician Neal Morse returns with a new live set recorded at the annual Morsefest in 2018, where Morse and his band performed his then upcoming new album, ‘Jesus Christ The Exorcist’, in its entirety.
This unique live release presents the entire ‘Jesus Christ The Exorcist’ story set as a progressive rock musical, with Morse himself the musical director and not the main performer.
Participating musicians included regular Morse collaborators such as Bill Hubauer and Randy George, while Eric Gillette (usually a guitarist) played drums – showing off his incredible skills – with Paul Bielatowicz on lead guitar.
The orchestra included a horn section, a choir, backing singers and a string quartet. The staging and lighting was no less impressive, with visuals by Christian Rios and sound by Jerry Guidroz (Sons of Apollo, Neal Morse Band, Haken) taking things to the next level.
The lead role of Jesus was taken by Ted Leonard of Enchant and Spock’s Beard. Leonard’s voice is one of the best in rock and he sounded stellar throughout the night.
Joining him were other fantastic singers that included Nick D’Virgilio (Spock’s Beard, Big Big Train), Jake Livgren (Protokaw), Matt Smith (Theocracy), John Schlitt (Petra), Rick Florian (White Heart), Mark Pogue and Wil Morse. However, it was Nashville based Talon David who stole the show as Mary Magdalene.
Possessed with an incredible voice, she left many in tears during a duet with Leonard in the finale. Another highlight was ‘Madman of the Gadarenes’ in the first Act, where Morse introduced his Gentle Giant influenced vocal medley with multiple vocalists singing different lines in unison.
Whether the audience members and now listeners know or appreciate the subject matter of this musical might influence their opinion of it, but it is certainly impossible not to be impressed by the sheer spectacle of the performance.
What Morse was able to write and produce with limited time and rehearsals is nothing short of amazing, while the music itself is the definition of epic prog that will certainly delight any fan of his work.
JESUS CHRIST THE EXORCIST –
LIVE AT MORSEFEST 2018
TRACKLISTING
CD1
1 Introduction
2 Overture
3 Getaway
4 Gather The People
5 Jesus’ Baptism
6 Jesus’ Temptation
7 There Is A Highway
8 The Woman Of Seven Devils
9 Free At Last
10 The Madman Of The Gadarenes
11 Love Has Called My Name
12 Better Weather
13 The Keys To The Kingdom
14 Get Behind Me Satan
CD2
1 He Must Go To The Cross
2 Jerusalem
3 Hearts Full Of Holes
4 The Last Supper
5 Gethsemane
6 Jesus Before The Council And Peter’s Denial
7 Judas’ Death
8 Jesus Before Pilate And The Crucifixion
9 Mary At The Tomb
10 The Greatest Love Of All
11 Love Has Called My Name (Reprise)
12 Morsefest 2018 End Credits
DVD / Blu-ray
1 Introduction
2 Overture
3 Getaway
4 Gather The People
5 Jesus’ Baptism
6 Jesus’ Temptation
7 There Is A Highway
8 The Woman Of Seven Devils
9 Free At Last
10 The Madman Of The Gadarenes
11 Love Has Called My Name
12 Better Weather
13 The Keys To The Kingdom
14 Get Behind Me Satan
15 He Must Go To The Cross
16 Jerusalem
17 Hearts Full Of Holes
18 The Last Supper
19 Gethsemane
20 Jesus Before The Council And Peter’s Denial
21 Judas’ Death
22 Jesus Before Pilate And The Crucifixion
23 Mary At The Tomb
24 The Greatest Love Of All
25 Love Has Called My Name (Reprise)
26 Morsefest 2018 End Credits
Morsefest 2018: Behind the Curtain
pre-order link
orcd.co/nealmorselive
LINE-UP
MUSICIANS
Neal Morse – guitars, keyboards
Paul Bielatowicz – guitars
Bill Hubauer – keyboards
Eric Gillette – drums
Randy George – bass
CAST
Ted Leonard – Jesus
Talon David – Mary Magdalene
Nick D’Virgilio – Judas
Rick Florian – The Devil
Matt Smith – John The Baptist
Jake Livgren – Peter
John Schlitt – Caiaphas
Neal Morse – Pilate, Demon 1, Disciple 1
Mark Pogue – Israelite 1, The Madman of the Gadarenes, Pharisee 2
Wil Morse – Israelite 2, Demon 3, Pharisee 1
Gabe Klein – Demon 2, Pharisee 4
Gideon Klein – Demon 4
Julie Harrison – Servant Girl
ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS
Wil Morse – percussion, keyboards
Gabriel Klein – percussion
Laura Epling – violin I
Jake Tudor – violin II
Michael Lucarelli – viola
Maggie Chafee – cello
Gideon Klein – double bass
Holly Smith – horn
David Cooper – trombone
Dominique Caster – trumpet
Gabriel Collins – saxophone, flute
Choir
Bill Gilliam, Lisa Gilliam, David Klein, Laurie Klein, Jerry Klein, Rosie Klein,
Robin Hanloh, Martin Wilde, Joanie Howard, Kathy O’Keefe, Brant Pippin, Levi Pippin, Josh Turrentine, Trevor Larkin, Elizabeth Turrentine, Pamela George, Dominic D’Virgilio and Marie-Claire Toussaint
Choir director
Gideon Klein
Background vocals
Amy Pippin, April Zachary, Debbie Bresee, Julie Harrison
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