The Prog Report Neal Morse and Johnny Bisaha on the new Neal Morse & The Resonance album 'River of Light'
Oct 20, 2026
Neal Morse, progressive rock veteran of Spock’s Beard and Transatlantic, and Johnny Bisaha, singer, musician, and live production specialist, discuss River of Light. They explore collaborative songwriting, the album’s faith-inspired story of healing and perseverance, shaping a sprawling double-album concept into one journey, and the chemistry behind The Resonance. They also preview live plans and upcoming projects.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
River Of Light Was Built By The Whole Band
- Neal Morse sees River of Light as a collective achievement rather than a solo project.
- He credits the band’s contributions and describes inspiration as “taking dictation” when God is blessing the work.
A Fifteen Year Old Riff Became Timeless
- Andre’s 15-year-old guitar riff became the foundation for “Timeless” during a spontaneous writing session.
- The finished section reminded the hosts of Spock’s Beard’s “At the End of the Day,” including a dramatic key change.
How Timeless Found Its Emotional Center
- The band shaped “Timeless” together after deciding the album needed a compositional lift.
- Johnny Bisaha says Andre’s previously shared riff fit perfectly, inspiring the song’s title and emotional direction.