Customer Reviews

Dregs of the Earth

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The name Dixie Dregs makes the unwary expect a sound like Charlie Daniels or Molly Hatchett, but in reality the Dregs were America's best answer to the progressive rock coming from Europe, a band that applied the virtuoso techniques of jazz fusion to playing instrumental rock. Each album encompassed a variety of styles (rockers, prog, funk, bluegrass, ballads, and even baroque), with catchy music and intricate arrangements. There were plenty of solos, but they were generally kept short, and the rest of the band was always doing something to hold the interest of those who don't care for solos. At some point during very album, you could expect to hear every possible combination of two instruments play in unison (the violin-bass verse on "Hereafter" is a highlight). Steve Morse is the best all-around guitarist in the world, and one of the best composers.

"Dregs of the Earth" is only a hair behind the Dregs' best albums. The shuffle-beat "Twiggs Approved" and ballad "Hereafter" are two of my favorite Dregs songs. Like "Night Meets Light" from the "What If" album, "Hereafter" has constant time signature changes that you don't notice until you try to count out the song. "Road Expense" is a great rocker. Morse's solo on "The Great Spectacular" is jaw-dropping -- he has the blazing pick speed of Al DiMeola or John McLaughlin, but is more melodic, even at top speed. "I'm Freaking Out", at nine minutes the longest Dregs studio track ever, is a fusion showpiece for new keyboardist T Lavitz, with a meandering keyboard intro and extended electric piano solo. There is also the bluegrass "Pride o' the Farm", funky "Broad Street Strut", and baroque classical guitar-violin duet "Old World".

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I have been a Steve Morse fanatic from the first time I heard the band. I have never heard a better guitar player in my life of 55 years. Jeff Beck, Allan Holdsworth, Al DiMeola, John Mclaughlin, and so many more brilliant guitarists never could catch a hold of me and hold me for the years that Steve Morse and what ever group of Genius players he performs with he is the Man!! One of my favorite songs of the Dixie Dregs will always be I'am freaking out, as that is how I feel every time I hear it. Thank you Steve and all the band members for the great memories.