Band : Neal Morse
Album title : So Many Roads - Live
Label : Inside Out Records - EMI
Distributor : Inside Out Records - EMI
Release Date : 15/03/2010
Release : CD

If you've been reading some of my previous reviews you'll know that I'm always a bit skeptical about live albums.  Even more so when I got a copy of this CD to review.  A triple live CD buy someone who's been famous in the prog rock genre for some years already, first with Spock's Beard, and after his departure from this band in 2002 as a solo artist.

I opted to listen to the 3 CD's chronologically.  The first disc I found personally a bit disappointing, lacking a real highlight.  But when I put on the second disc I was immediately washed away by the 31 minutes (yes you read it right, 31 minutes and then some) "Question Mark Medley".  Followed by "Help Me", in which I detect some jazzy elements.  This in turn is followed by "Testimedley" which puts just under 35 minutes on the clock.
I could not help but continue to listen, and I must admit that for a live album, even I liked it.  Unbelievable how these guys - the accompanying musicians are all Dutch - were able to play this with such bravado and craftsmanship. 
With a total playing time of 3 hours and a half, all fans of Neal Morse, be it in his early Spocks Beard years, or his following career after he  converted to Christianism should buy this album.

89/100

Erik Morren.