Scott's Song by Song #58: Alan Morse - So Many Words

Welcome to issue #58 of Scott’s Song By Song (#scottssongbysong).For more information about this series, click here: 

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Time for my first review of an album being released in 2026.  For many of you reading this, Alan Morse needs no introduction.  For anyone who doesn’t know, Alan Morse is best known as the lead guitarist of modern prog legends Spock’s Beard, and brother of co-founder Neal Morse.  I have covered Spock’s Beard on more than one occasion on this blog with a spotlight feature and reviews of the classic prog rock opera “Snow” and their most recent masterpiece “The Archaeoptimist” (which is, by far, the most viewed article on this blog).  Click on Spock’s Beard in the labels tab to see those articles. Today I am reviewing Alan Morse’s second solo album, titled “So Many Words” which is set to be released on January 22, 2026 (purchase link below).  His first was 2007’s “Four O’Clock and Hysteria”, which I have not heard yet (but is linked on YouTube, also below), but I plan to soon.

This album came to me via the wonderful Anne-Claire of Bad Dog Promotions.  As always, I call it like I hear it, and receive no additional compensation beyond the digital review copy of the album.

Alan has many special guests joining him, including many of his past & present Spock’s Beard bandmates and some other very notable players as below:

- Alan Morse / lead vocals, backing vocals, guitar, bass, cello, mandolin, bouzouki, tin whistle, electric sitar

- Simon Phillips / drums (1, 4)

- Jimmy Keegan / drums (2, 5, 11), background vocals (1, 2, 4, 11)

- Nick D'Virgilio / drums (6, 7, 8,)

- John Morse / drums (3, 10), rhythm guitar (10)

- Markus Riegler / backing vocals (1), keyboards and FX (2), guitars (4)

- Dave Meros / bass (1)

- Ted Leonard / lead vocals (2), background vocals (2)

- Ryo Okomuto / keyboards and FX (2)

- Tony Levin / bass (3)

- Neal Morse / guitar (3), lead vocals (3, 5), background vocals (3, 5), keyboards (3)

- Dominic Dean Breaux / saxophone (3, 8)

- Bob Gutzman / viola (4, 5)

- Jamie Wipf / tin whistle (4)

- Julia Morse / lead vocals (7)

- James Fogg / additional guitars (8)

- Ariana Giokaris / background vocals (10), choir (11), vocal riffing (11)

- Eva Preppas / choir (11)

Additionally, the album info sheet tells us this:

“Unless otherwise noted, Alan sang lead, played the guitars and basses.

All keys were played by Markus Riegler or Alan Morse except as noted. Everything was

recorded by Markus Riegler, Rich Mouser, Alan Morse or the respective performer, except for drums.”

I am really looking forward to this one!  (And with a little luck, there might be something very special on the horizon, but I can’t share the details yet, as it is not yet finalized, just in the early stages.)  Without further ado, let’s dive in!  (As usual, this is a cold listen.)

Track 1 - Everyday is Insane (6:19)

The song begins with a muted eighth note pattern in 7-8.  The drums join in for a round, then the rest of the band.   Whichever musician is playing keys here is doing a great job.  Simon Phillips and Dave Meros are locked in as a rhythm section with Alan’s guitars and we are off to a terrific start.  Alan begins singing at around 1:12, and the instrumentation drops down to some subtle guitar parts. On the second verse, the rhythm section kicks in.  His voice is half-spoken, providing a narrative.  After a chorus with vocal harmonies that include former SB and current Pattern Seeking Animals drummer Jimmy Keegan and the album’s co-producer, Markus Riegler, the 7-8 riff from earlier returns.  I love the vibe of this song.  Another verse follows with some rhythmic variation in the chorus.  After another chorus, there is a brief whispered line, then an instrumental break, with some tasty guitar licks from Alan.  Phillips gets a drum spotlight, next.  I like the harmonized guitar lead-in to the next chorus.  There are more variations on the chorus as we approach the end of this energetic opening cut.  I love it!  It's a great earworm of a song!

Track 2 - It’s Never Enough (4:54)

This begins with spacy sound effects and forlorn piano chords. However, just after 30 seconds, BAM!  The players kick in with an impressive riff. This is almost a SB track as Ryo Okumoto provides the keys and sound effects, and Jimmy Keegan plays drums and sings backing vocals, while Ted Leonard sings lead and backing vocals, the only SB member or alum missing to make a line-up is Dave Meros.  Co-producer Markus Riegler also provides keys and FX.  Alan Morse, of course, plays guitars and bass here.The jazzy electric piano chords provide a nice contrast to the rapid-fire riffing.  The verse keeps up the quick tempo.  There is a cool bridge with layered vocal harmonies around 2:30. That flows into a “dreamy” section, before the beat kicks back in for the fluid guitar solo.  This has a slightly fusion vibe, but the SB pedigree can’t be denied here. The last verse at 4:20 has heavy effects on the voice and a slightly chaotic vibe. Alan gives us a quick little whammy bar harmonic as the song is wrapping up.  Another super-cool track.. This album, so far, is bringing in the new year of prog with fine style!

Track 3 - I Don’t Want to Travel Time if it Takes Forever (4:05)

This fairly short track starts with Alan’s lead guitar lines and accents from the rest of the band, which on this track includes: another Morse brother, John, on drums, the legendary Tony Levin on bass, Neal Morse on guitar vocals and keys, and Dominic Dean Breaux on saxophone.  Wow, oughtta be cool!  This has an upbeat, almost new-wave feel at first, but the electric sitar in the licks between vocal phrases adds a different dimension to the soundscape  This is another high-energy track!  There is a half-time bridge at around 2:30, then the sax takes the spotlight. .  The lyrics have a lot of fun wordplay as well.  This is a fun track!  I wouldn’t have been mad if it were a bit longer.

Track 4 - This Is Who We Are (6:43) 

For this track, Simon Phillips returns on drums, Jimmy Keegan is back on backing vocals, Markus Reigler provides additional guitar parts,  Bob Gutzman plays viola, and Jamie Wipf plays tin whistle.  Looking at Alan Morse’s listing of instruments, I would suspect this is where he also plays tin whistle and the cello in addition to the guitars and vocals.  It begins with the tin whistles.  Mandolin and/or Bazouki also seem to be involved here.  This one has a folky feel to it.  Alan’s vocals, while not virtuosic, are warm and engaging and draw the listener in.  There is a lot of nice arranging here as the instrument parts intertwine nicely.  Power-chords join in with the acoustic instruments.  The middle instrumental break has some interesting meter shifts.  Morse takes a lead break on the second part of this section. Phillips, of course, has some tasty drum fills.  Morse’s vocals are very delicate coming out of the instrumental break.  A wonderful bit of folky-prog that gives us a nice change of pace.  Well done!

Track 5 - Shadow of the Sun (4:41)

For this one, Jimmy Keegan is back on drums, Neal Morse is back with vocals, and Bob Gutzman is back on viola, with Alan and Markus Reigler presumably doing everything else.  Acoustic 12-string guitar and piano start us off here. With the Morse Brothers and Jimmy Keegan together, I can’t help but get SB vibes.  This is a peaceful ballad with nice melodies and chord progressions. The lead break has some interesting tones; perhaps guitar, bass and viola in unison?  A very engaging ballad with wonderful vocal harmonies.

Track 6 - And It’s Time (5:52)

 Another former SB drummer is on board for this track, original SB skinsman (and also lead vocalist in phase 2 of SB), who is now Big Big Train’s drummer, Nick D’Virgilio (among many other highlights of his resume).  Once again Alan and Markus appear to have done the rest of the parts of this song.  This begins with what sounds like a vibraphone or similar instrument with modulation effects.  After a few seconds though, the “band” kicks in with a signature D’Virgilio drumbeat and cool guitar riffs.   So we are rockin’ again after a couple of relatively more mellow ones.   At around 50 seconds Alan begins singing in a low register.  The chorus kicks in with great vocal harmonies and power chords.  At times, Alan’s vocals remind me of Mark Knophler’s, but they aren't a carbon copy; he has his own vibe going on.   Just before the 3 minute point, D’Virgilio gives us a “tribal” type drum groove for Alan to build a guitar solo over.  I detect some Alan Holdsworth influence in his approach; lots of fluid tremolo bar phrases.  As this solo progresses, the backing tracks and his note-choices begin to take on a middle-eastern or Indian flavor.  The electric sitar has returned to the soundscape.  The next part of the extended guitar solo is more of a straight rock groove with some rapid-fire, flashy phrases.  The harmony vocals return as we approach the 5 minute mark.  A cool rhythm groove takes us to the close of the song.  A fantastic guitar oriented journey in just under 6 minutes.

Track 7 - Making up My Heart (7:42)

On the longest track, Nick D’Virgilio remains on drums, while Julia Morse (if Google is telling me the truth, she’s Alan’s daughter) provides vocals, with Alan and Markus apparently doing everything else. A mid tempo rock beat starts us off, and a Beatlesque guitar riff soon follows. After 30 seconds an organ part joins in that reminds me of the organ on the quiet part of “Roundabout” by Yes; just before the organ solo explodes on that track.  There is a cool series of ascending phrases around the 1 minute mark.  Julia sings in unison with her dad as the first verse begins.  Just before 2 minutes, several layers of vocal harmony take over during the chorus.  There is a short turnaround riff bringing us to the next verse, on which there is a bit where each of them sing solo.  Another chorus follows.  That series of ascending riffs returns, but heavier than before, leading to a melodic guitar solo.  At around 5 minutes, there is a mellow, dreamy section.  Then they begin to build up with a fierce snare drum sound keeping the pace.  Alan has a great sense of how to build and modify guitar parts.   There are several layers of guitars as the solo reaches a climax, then modulates keys.  Awesome drumming from D’Virgilio (duh!)  as the song reaches its close.  Terrific track!

Track 8 - So Many Words (5:45)

The title track sees D’Virgilio for the third and final time behind the kit.  Dominic Dean Breaux returns on sax, and James Fogg provides additional guitars.  By now, we know who does everything else.  The drums start off, but with effects.  Other instruments and vocals with effects soon join in and build a crescendo to the first verse.  That first verse explodes into life at the 30 second mark.  This is probably the heaviest riff on the album so far.  Alan’s vocal performance is strong here, recorded in octaves.  This track rocks hard with a slight bit of funkiness in the beat.  At around 3 minutes, it even becomes a bit of a rap.  The sax solo comes in after 4 minutes.  The backing tracks are never static or stagnant, they always provide twists and turns to keep it interesting.  I love the intertwining layers of guitar parts and controlled feedback as the song builds to its conclusion.  Cool, hard-rockin’ track.

Track 9 - Bass Solo (4:11)

No additional players are listed, so let's see if the track is indeed what it says it is in the title.  OK, we have some synth fiddles and a drum machine beat, but otherwise, yep, bass.  However, it isn’t exactly a solo, more of a bass ensemble by way of overdubs.  It has an engaging melody and some rhythm changes along the way.  I suspect Yes/Chris Squire’s “The Fish” influenced the approach to this track, if not the tune itself.  Pretty good track, maybe not quite as strong as the others have been, but still kind of fun.

Track 10 - Make Me Real Again (3:58)

John Morse returns on drums AND rhythm guitar (musical talent must be in the genes in the Morse family), and Ariana Giokaris provides backing vocals on the penultimate track.  A slightly distorted guitar riff starts the festivities here.  Alan’s vocals start a bit breathy here, before the “band” kicks in.  This is another hard rocker!  There are nice layered guitar parts in the turnaround between verses.  At around 2 minutes, the bass & drums drop out and more layered guitar parts create a beautiful cacophony of sound.  The drums and bass kick back in again.  Alan is a master of controlling feedback to his will, as demonstrated at around 2:50.  He rocks out hard on this one, with even some right-hand tapping in harmony at around 3:45, just before the track ends. 

Track 11 - Behind Me (5:37)

Let’s see what the grand finale has in store for us.  Jimmy Keegan returns for drums and backing vocals, along with Ariana Giokaris who is credited for both “choir” and “vocal riffing”; while Eva Preppas also gets a “choir” credit.  Intriguing.  Interesting keyboard tones provide a delicate rhythm, and guitar lines play over the top with a unique tone.  It could be synth, but whatever it is I like it.  The groove is mysterious.  A moderately slow drum beat leads the way into the verses, with a slow build in intensity.  Let’s call it dark & smoky.  At 4:00 the dynamic level suddenly increases with gloriously layered guitar parts. The choir starts after 4:30 along with the vocal riffing (a la “Great Gig in the Sky”) behind the main vocal parts.  This is a much better track than I could describe with any justice.  I hope it makes sense when you hear it!

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:

This has been a fantastic musical journey!  Lots of twists and turns and eclectic music.  Morse and his assembled cast of great musicians have turned out a great hour of music.  I truly enjoyed it!  I’ll give it a very strong 4.75 stars out of 5, or 95%.  I shaved just a little off for “Bass Solo” but it wasn’t bad, per se, just maybe not as strong as the rest of it!  Be sure to check out the links below for purchase and preview listening.

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Prog On!

Scott

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Links For Listening…and buying:

As the album isn’t going to be out for another week, there is not a lot out there yet, however there is an album teaser:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qkhFzLUy2M

And the Bandcamp page where you can hear “Everyday is Insane” and pre-order a digital copy for only $10.00 (No word at this time about physical formats).

https://alanmorse.bandcamp.com/album/so-many-words