Album Info
Sola Gratia (Latin for "grace alone"[3]) is the eleventh studio album by American progressive rock vocalist, keyboardist and guitarist Neal Morse, released on September 11, 2020. It marks his return to InsideOut Music.
Recorded in April 2020, it is a concept album about Paul the Apostle, focusing on the period from his persecution of early Christians[5] to his conversion.
The album was released as a limited CD/DVD Digipak (with Making-of video footage), a Gatefold double LP and CD, a standard CD jewel case and on digital platforms. It was debuted live during his annual MorseFest event in September 2020.
Three singles were released from the album, each of them with an accompanying video: "In the Name of the Lord", "Seemingly Sincere" (dealing with the stoning of Saint Stephen; video directed by Christian Rios of Ray of Light Films) and "Building a Wall".
Morse started to write the album during some time off in New Zealand after touring in Australia, and the idea of writing something about Paul the Apostle had been suggested by several people in the past.[6]
According to Morse, the title of the album was inadvertently suggested by his wife. She said he should do a new "solo" album, but he heard "sola" album. Morse then saw some connections between this album and Sola Scriptura, due to both dealing with themes of persecution, and decided to name it Sola Gratia.[5]
Although all the Neal Morse Band members perform on the album, Morse chose to release it as a solo effort instead because he wrote and recorded most of the material alone, while albums released with the band are usually created in a more collaborative manner. Most instruments not played by Morse were recorded remotely, a first for him and his band, except for the strings and choirs, which were done in loco.
Eric Gillette (The Neal Morse Band) — Guitars
Randy George (Ajalon, Morse/Portnoy/George, The Neal Morse Band) — Bass
Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Morse/Portnoy/George, The Neal Morse Band) — Drums
Bill Hubauer — Piano
Gideon Klein — Cello/Viola/String Bass
Joose Weigand — Violin/Viola
Wil Morse — Background Vocals
Debbie Bresee — Background Vocals
April Zachary — Background Vocals
Julie Harrison — Background Vocals
Amy Pippin — Background Vocals
Recorded in April 2020, it is a concept album about Paul the Apostle, focusing on the period from his persecution of early Christians[5] to his conversion.
The album was released as a limited CD/DVD Digipak (with Making-of video footage), a Gatefold double LP and CD, a standard CD jewel case and on digital platforms. It was debuted live during his annual MorseFest event in September 2020.
Three singles were released from the album, each of them with an accompanying video: "In the Name of the Lord", "Seemingly Sincere" (dealing with the stoning of Saint Stephen; video directed by Christian Rios of Ray of Light Films) and "Building a Wall".
Morse started to write the album during some time off in New Zealand after touring in Australia, and the idea of writing something about Paul the Apostle had been suggested by several people in the past.[6]
According to Morse, the title of the album was inadvertently suggested by his wife. She said he should do a new "solo" album, but he heard "sola" album. Morse then saw some connections between this album and Sola Scriptura, due to both dealing with themes of persecution, and decided to name it Sola Gratia.[5]
Although all the Neal Morse Band members perform on the album, Morse chose to release it as a solo effort instead because he wrote and recorded most of the material alone, while albums released with the band are usually created in a more collaborative manner. Most instruments not played by Morse were recorded remotely, a first for him and his band, except for the strings and choirs, which were done in loco.
Lineup
Neal Morse (Spock's Beard, Morse/Portnoy/George, The Neal Morse Band) — Vocals/Keyboards/Guitars/Percussions/DrumsEric Gillette (The Neal Morse Band) — Guitars
Randy George (Ajalon, Morse/Portnoy/George, The Neal Morse Band) — Bass
Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Morse/Portnoy/George, The Neal Morse Band) — Drums
Bill Hubauer — Piano
Gideon Klein — Cello/Viola/String Bass
Joose Weigand — Violin/Viola
Wil Morse — Background Vocals
Debbie Bresee — Background Vocals
April Zachary — Background Vocals
Julie Harrison — Background Vocals
Amy Pippin — Background Vocals
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