Dregs of the Earth [Import]

Dixie Dregs | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 30, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Import [Generic]
• ASIN: B000006Y90
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #260,802 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Road Expense

2. Pride O' The Farm

3. Twiggs Approved

4. Hereafter

5. The Great Spectacular

6. Broad Street Strut

7. I'm Freaking Out

8. Old World

Editorial Reviews

1980 album on Arista. Contains eight tracks, including 'RoadExpense', 'Pride O' The Farm' and 'Twiggs Approved'.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another great Dixie Dregs album, May 17, 2003

By 

woburnmusicfan (Woburn, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dregs of the Earth (Audio CD)

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".

(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for any serious musician, June 12, 2000

By 

rich rodriguez (charleroi, pa USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dregs of the Earth (Audio CD)

Here are the Dregs at their awe inspiring best. Their unique brand of Jazz/Rock/Country/Classical/Blues fusion is a must hear for any aspiring musician. Track after track, the tightly interwoven melodies are a marvel. From the nearly pure country of "Pride O' The Farm", to the screamin' rock of "Road Expense" and the heavily classical influence of "Hereafter", there is something here for everyone. And once again, Steve Morse turns in a virtuoso performance, taking a relatively simple melody line and driving it, twisting it, transforming it into a masterpiece to be marveled at- and envied. He plays like most guitarist dream they could. If I could own only one CD, this would be it. This is what music ought to be.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fried Dregs, August 17, 2001

By 

MARK DELLARATTA (PALM HARBOR, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dregs of the Earth (Audio CD)

This is an absolutely incredible creation. from beginning to end it will amaze you with intricate and powerful arrangements. After 20 years, the collection of tunes still makes me want to want to strap on the air guitar and air violin.... A unique and inspiring collection of rock that any musician would put on a pedestal. This and "Unsung Heroes" are the best Dregs material,although other work is nothing short of outstanding....Truly Morse magic on Dregs of the Earth