Steve Morse's "Coast To Coast"....

[SharonG]

Split Decision rocks, too - it's too hard to pick a favorite!

[John Czajkowski]

I love all Steve’s albums, but I will go out on a limb and say that I think the overall conception, composition and playing on these albums are at the very top of the list of instrumental rock guitar-based albums from this period, and all time. I can also say more certainly that I spent more time learning them cover to cover than any other instrumental rock albums other than perhaps “Ah Via Musicom” by EJ and “There and Back” by Jeff Beck. They ultimately push and shred the boundaries of what can be achieved in a power trio setting. Unlike nearly all other music out there in this vein, there is enormous attention paid to counterpoint in Steve’s writing as well. I really appreciate the well-crafted bass lines that truly make the trio sound twice as massive as situation where the bassist is just the guitarist’s slave (instead of the other word I usually use). These are albums that should be considered masterpieces for the great songwriting and the performance that the songs inspire.

The technical problems presented to the guitarist in Steve’s two albums here are extraordinary. You have everything from these fantastically arranged hyper-blue grass double stop and pseudo pedal-steel lyricism of “Runaway Train” to the southern violin inflections in tunes like “Simple Simon” to the sublime plucked harmonic melodies in tunes like Vista Grande and on and on. Just learning one or two of these tunes will convince anyone what a “total” or “consummate” guitarist Steve is – as well as seriously buffing up your technique and musicianship. I could go on, and on, and on…

[tommyindelaware]

same here . i've driven many folks crazy ranting & raving about steve since what if first came out.

[kbaim]

Great info Tommy, thanks for that.

I have to say that watching other guitarists tackle Steve's compositions (john, Tommy, Beej, and Norm come to mind) is one of my favorite things. Just inspiring and humbling.

[Adwex]

You guys are making me feel guilty for not listening to SMB in a while...I promise, Coast To Coast will be spinning this weekend. Like most of you, I regard Steve's music (SMB and Dregs) as some of the most brilliant and listenable instrumental compositions ever.

I haven't attempted learning any of Steve's stuff on guitar except maybe a couple of little slow parts, but I'm very interested in the gear he used, especially that Marshall Jubilee, and his Lexicon effects. Tommy, got any inside info, stories, or comments to share on it? I know Steve has a particular fondness for this amp (as do I).

Adam

[Butch Snyder]

Man, I'm glad I started this thread....

[NorM]

Just learning one or two of these tunes will convince anyone what a “total” or “consummate” guitarist Steve is – as well as seriously buffing up your technique and musicianship. I could go on, and on, and on…

You're preaching to the choir here but I really love this sermon. If you need a witness I will testify.

I was kinda thankful I was unemployed when I learned Vista Grande and Simple Simon cause it gave me the time I needed to do that. But after learning some of Steve's tunes it made everything else easy to do. Learning Morse pieces will make you a better guitar player. The End.

I love Steve's "Right Way" technique

[Butch Snyder]

I love Steve's "Right Way" technique

Hey NorM, you mind expanding on that a little?

[Charvelguy]

I haven't listened to C2C and my Dregs stuff for a long time. I have to dig that one out and put it to MP3 player.

[NorM]

Hey NorM, you mind expanding on that a little?

Not at all

1. Mode Theroy- It's only 7 scales. 3 notes per string. Learn it live it love it.
2. Alternate picking- For scales and one note per string. Sections of tumeni notes (played slower of course) are life long excercises.
3. Artifical harmonics with chords- ie Vista Grande

[John Czajkowski]

Great info Tommy, thanks for that.

I have to say that watching other guitarists tackle Steve's compositions (john, Tommy, Beej, and Norm come to mind) is one of my favorite things. Just inspiring and humbling.

Hey Keith! It's been a while...thanks, but I don't recall playing any Dregs at any of the shows you have seen. We only do Cruise Control these days. The guys kept joking that I would turn Hectic Watermelon into a SM/Dregs cover band if they let me run a-muck!

[John Czajkowski]

You're preaching to the choir here but I really love this sermon. If you need a witness I will testify.

I say, some-bahdy get me a witness!!!

[yesandno]

Unlike nearly all other music out there in this vein, there is enormous attention paid to counterpoint in Steve’s writing as well. I really appreciate the well-crafted bass lines that truly make the trio sound twice as massive as situation where the bassist is just the guitarist’s slave (instead of the other word I usually use). These are albums that should be considered masterpieces for the great songwriting and the performance that the songs inspire.

Absolutely. 'Collateral Damage' is arguably (with myself anyway) my favorite SMB tune.

The bass lines on that song just flip me out everytime I hear it......the way he's hammering out the underlying chord changes. Steves main melody themes are nothing short of brilliant.

While watching a Satriani concret dvd, I realized what it was that his music as well as other instrumentalists lacked for me.....the very simplistic bass. Like you say.....the guitarists slave. Thats why I can only go a few tunes with these guys before getting bored. But with SM, I can listen to a full 5 tray cd no problem. Melody, Harmony and Counterpoint...Steves one of the best at it.

I have Vai's 'Alien Love Secrets' vid. Very basic bass. I have to say thats an exception to my rule though.

[SharonG]

I find listening to Dave LaRue's lines o the SMB tracks both completely humbling and utterly inspiring at the same time. Can't decide whether to sell my gear or quit my day job and hit the woodshed.......

[NorM]

I find listening to Dave LaRue's lines o the SMB tracks both completely humbling and utterly inspiring at the same time. Can't decide whether to sell my gear or quit my day job and hit the woodshed.......

I know what you mean. I find Steve Morse's playing to make me feel one of 3 "I's"

Impressed
Inspired
Intimidated

It just took me a while to figure out that it was my choice.
I vote for putting food on the table and practicing you art.