Customer Reviews

Dregs of the Earth

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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)

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.

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

If I were ever sent away for Life... This would be my only request. No matter what my mood may be, sour or sweet, this CD makes me SMILE. I could be walking off to Death Row... and as long as I had these tunes rolling through my head it would be alright. This IS perfection! I have listened HARD to this disc since it was on vinyl and love it still more each time. AAA+++
5 stars is not enough! I would go 8.

I have loved this album for decades, and finally bought the CD version. I wound up with an import version instead of the original, which I thought would be fine. And it is, musically...it's better than the beat up cassette version I've been listening to forever. But the audio quality is FAR inferior to that of the Capricorn release of Free Fall, which is available elsewhere on Amazon and appears to have been remastered. This one sounds like they took a ho-hum turntable system and made a digital recording from that.

Be advised also that the import version is literally a miniature version of the LP! It is a scaled-down version of everything, from the cardboard LP sleeve to the plastic dust-jacket for the CD! The cardboard packaging does not fit in any of the racks I use for the rest of my CDs.

But would I part with this? Never! Not unless there is a remastered version available in the U.S. The music is too much a part of my DNA.

So the only reason I'm not giving this product 5 stars: the audio quality. Even the mini-LP thing is sorta cute and makes an interesting conversation piece. But this CD sounds like the tweeters in my speakers are in another room.

This and 'Unsung Heroes' are arguably the finest examples of 80's fusion. Morse's compositions and playing make him a genius. Oh yeah, Scofield's 'Blue Matter' is pretty hot as well.

I love this album.I was totally unaware of the Dregs until I
heard "Road Expense" on the radio.Every song is great!It contains
songs with amazing musical technique by
all the musicians involved.But alas..A lot of the problems I have
found with musical virtuosos is that all their albums sound the same.
I discovered this after purchasing a few Steve Morse Band albums.
However "Freefall"is pretty good! I think it predates "Dregs of the
Earth"