Neal Morse Strikes Gold with Fresh Talent: “No Hill For A Climber” Drops November 2024
Progressive rock legend Neal Morse has a knack for creating musical magic, often alongside some of the world’s most revered prog musicians. This time, however, Morse has chosen to harness the talent of a more local team for his upcoming album No Hill For A Climber, set for release on November 8, 2024. Inspired by a line from Barbara Kingsolver’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Demon Copperhead, the album represents a new chapter in Morse’s collaborative journey, embracing homegrown talent while maintaining the intricate artistry for which he’s known.
The idea for this latest project sprouted in late 2023 when Morse found himself contemplating what his next musical venture would be. It was a suggestion from his wife that would spark the shift: work with the younger, highly talented local musicians who had impressed him during holiday concerts and other performances. Chris Riley, Andre Madatian, and Philip Martin—artists Morse describes as remarkably skilled—became the core of this new band, The Resonance. Adding seasoned pros Joe Ganzelli on drums and Johnny Bisaha, who lends his soaring vocals to many of the album’s tracks, the lineup struck an extraordinary balance.
“When I started writing No Hill For A Climber, I kept hearing higher range vocals in my head,” Morse recalls. Enter Johnny Bisaha. “Johnny listened to the music, and it was immediate—we both knew he was the one,” Morse adds. Bisaha’s vocals, rich and resonant, tie together Morse’s complex compositions, which promise to push the envelope in both sound and emotion.
Set against a backdrop of progressive instrumentation and thought-provoking lyrics, No Hill For A Climber explores the trials and triumphs of life’s journey. This project feels like a musical homecoming for Morse, melding his prog roots with new voices and perspectives. With a release date just around the corner, fans of Neal Morse’s vast body of work can expect an album that both honors his legacy and signals an exciting new direction.
Mark your calendars—this November, No Hill For A Climber is set to be a summit worth scaling.
