Nearly twenty years after the release of his superb first solo album (Four O’Clock And Hysteria), Spock’s Beard guitarist Alan Morse releases another fine record with So Many Words. Whereas the debut was largely jazz fusion, the new record opens up to explore other avenues. There are plenty of fusion moments mixed in with prog, rock and even pop, but with Morse’s vocals tying it all up in a nice, cohesive package. Not just a guitarist of note, Morse credibly acquits himself on a variety of instruments, including cello, sitar, mandolin, bass and keyboards.
From the opening notes of Everyday Is Insane, you know this is not Spock’s Beard redux. Cleverly using alternating bars of 7 and 8, this is somehow a pop-leaning song as evidenced by the vocals and anthemic chorus. The introductory mandolin and synth are a proud proclamation of this particular Morse’s own identity. Simon Phillips’ drums are restrained, allowing the song itself to be the star. He does the same later on with This Is Who We Are, beautifully accenting the acoustic proceedings as Morse uses mandolin, viola and tin whistle to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. A knack for catchy melodies and interesting musical and vocal arrangements is on display here and throughout the record.
When Morse’s Spock’s Beard bandmates show up, you know it’s going to be a treat, which is exactly what It’s Never Enough turns out to be. Ted Leonard takes the vocal lead on what could have been an outtake from your favorite 70’s fusion album. Jimmy Keegan goes all octopus on the kit as Dave Meros channels his inner jazz funk. Ryo Okumoto’s otherworldly keys are the icing on this delicious piece of cake.
Alan is not the only Morse to make an appearance on So Many Words. Brother Neal is co-writer, guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist on I Don’t Want To Travel Time If It Takes Forever and co-writer and vocalist on In The Shadow Of The Sun. On the former, bassist Tony Levin delivers another casually amazing performance. Sax and cello open up the sonic palette, but it’s a guitar show all the way. The latter tune brings down the decibels, using 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars to ground the tune as the vocal harmonies take centre stage. Cello and viola help to thicken the sound of Shadow and edge the song into a proggier place without overwhelming the arrangement. And because you can apparently never have too many Morses, drumming brother John appears on I Don’t Want To Travel Time… as well as on Make Me Real Again (where he also contributes rhythm guitar). Make Me Real Again is a ferocious rocker co-written with John that features sinister mellotron, screaming lead guitar and a breakdown that allows the guitars to stomp on everything in their path.
And It’s Time is the first of three songs to feature Nick D’Virgilio on drums. Time is a synthy, rocking good time that features another huge chorus that draws the listener in with multiple layers of harmony. The song lets loose when Morse takes a solo turn with D’Virgilio shining beneath, going through several mutations before landing softly back at the chorus. Acoustic lead guitar and rollicking keys introduce Making Up My Heart, a vocal duet with yet another Morse, daughter Julia. There is a bright pop sensibility to the tune, but listen to the very progressive keys bubbling under the surface. Even the guitar solo is decidedly not pop, going all weird as if another song crashed the party. But Morse’s talent is such that nothing feels out of place, allowing multiple moods to flourish during the extended guitar coda. The final song to feature D’Virgilio is the rocking title track, So Many Words, where the drumming just barely colours within the lines. Electric guitar is once again to the fore, abetted by several acoustic instruments. It falls to the sax to blow off the built-up steam before Morse’s guitar reins it all back in.
Bass Solo is a bit of a misnomer. While it does feature a beautifully melodic bass part, it’s the synth and drum machine parts that add interest. What sounds like it might be an exercise in self-indulgence instead transports you into a fun-house mirror of electronica and general weirdness. Behind Me is lyrically bleak, a sentiment reflected in the music. The vocal sounds tired and forlorn until the chorus manages to throw a lifeline of hope. The mass of harmonized guitars is prog heaven, and the layered choral vocals pull the song into another dimension.
Hot on the heels of one of the best Spock’s albums in ages, Alan Morse proves that there is plenty of gas still left in the tank. So Many Words does not just tread familiar ground; rather, it blazes its own path, unafraid to peek around corners for inspiration. If you are a fan of vocal-oriented prog that dabbles in pop songcraft, jazz fusion, and classic rock, there is plenty here to enjoy. Hopefully, there is a third solo album in the not-too-distant future.
TRACK LISTING
01. Everyday Is Insane (6:19)
02. It’s Never Enough (4:54)
03. I Don’t Want To Travel Time If It Takes Forever (4:05)
04. This Is Who We Are (6:43)
05. In The Shadow Of The Sun (4:41)
06. And It’s Time (5:52)
07. Making Up My Heart (7:41)
08. So Many Words (5:44)
09. Bass Solo (Instrumental) (4:11)
10. Make Me Real Again (3:57)
11. Behind Me (5:38)
Total Time – 59:45
MUSICIANS
Alan Morse – Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Mandolin, Bouzouki, Cello, Tin Whistle, Electric Sitar
Markus Riegler – Keyboards (2), Guitar (4), Backing Vocals (1)
Neal Morse – Guitars, Vocals, Keyboards (3 & 5)
John Morse – Drums (3 & 10), Rhythm Guitar (10)
Simon Phillips – Drums (1 & 4)
Nick D’Virgilio – Drums (6, 7 & 8)
Jimmy Keegan – Drums (2, 5 & 11), Backing Vocals (2, 4, 7 & 11)
Dave Meros – Bass (2)
Tony Levin – Bass (3)
Ted Leonard – Lead & Backing Vocals (2)
Ryo Okumoto – Keys & FX (2)
Dominic Dean Breaux – Saxophone (3 & 8)
Jamie Wipf – Tin Whistle (4)
Bob Gutzman – Viola (4 & 5)
Julia Morse – Vocals (7)
James Fogg – Guitar (8)
Ariana Giokaris – Backing Vocals (10 & 11)
Eva Prappas – Vocals (11)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: US
Date of Release: 22nd January 2026
LINKS
Alan Morse – Website (Spock’s Beard) | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube
