Industry Standard (Mlps) [Extra tracks, Import]

Andy West, Dixie Dregs | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 8, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import
• Label: Bmg Japan
• ASIN: B000EPFPS8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #318,569 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Assembly Line

2. Crank It Up

3. Chips Ahoy

4. Bloodsucking Leeches

5. Up in the Air

6. Ridin' High

7. Where's Dixie

8. Conversation Piece

9. Vitamin Q

Editorial Reviews

Japanese limited edition issue of the album classic in a deluxe, miniaturized LP sleeve replica of the original vinyl album artwork.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The cleanest rock/fusion riffs on the planet. No doubt., November 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Industry Standard (Audio CD)

The guitarist for Dregs is, very likely, the most versatile guitarist on two legs. There are other examples of individuals who have attained this elevated level of technique and talent in their field. Michael Jordan, Einstein, Bach... Steve Morse just happens to play the guitar. Listen to this recording and, if you enjoy or play the guitar, you'll understand.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Musical Document in the Domestic Market, at Last!..., June 27, 2007

By 

Jeff T. Jesmorh "Jeffrey" (Mexico City.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Industry Standard (Audio CD)

If there is an underrated Progressive Rock band, it will be the "Dixie" Dregs, that in an effort to to make their music more accesible to a popular market they invited Patrick Simmons (Doobie Brothers) and Alex Ligertwood (Santana) to sing a couple of songs. This recording not only close a chapter in the evolutive transformation of the Dregs' music (that began with DREGS OF THE EARTH (1980) and UNSUNG HEROES (1981)) but an important cicle in the catalogue of Progressive Rock music (1982), owed to its great instrumental arrangements and well crafted compositions that make use of well played diverse styles of Rock, Fusion, Country, Classical baroque and Funk mainly, without losing their Progressive forms.

The exposed material in this album results very interesting, particulary if you're a Dregs fan, because the change of musicians (keyboard and violin) and the refresh of musical guests give that comercial edge that they needed (?), or at least in two songs ( "Crank It Up" and "Ridin' High" ). Mark O'Connor, the new violinist and second guitarrist (see "Bloodsucking Leeches" video at the Montreux concert of 1978) played with an irreverent emotion, making the violin to spread out screaming melodies on every note he played (I have hear this only with the fantastic violinist Eddie Jobson from the band U.K. in 1978). Oustanding!... "Assembly Line" and "Where's Dixie" remembers the same musical atmosphere provided by "Cruise Control" and "I'll Just Pick" from the UNSUNG HEROES album; the special guest Steve Howe (YES) plays a finnesse arrangement in the track "Up In the Air" near guitarist Steve Morse.

"Chips Ahoy" and "Bloodsucking Leeches" are great songs that amaze by his powerfull chords and delicate instrumentation, but the track that definitively stole the show is the extended slow rock "Vitamin Q" that makes place to personal solos with Steve Morse, Mark O'Connor and T. Lavitz. This record is a must not only for the Dregs fan but for the lover of Progressive music, so go for it!... Good Luck!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Last of the Dregs- great songs, astonishing playing, January 3, 2007

By 

H. L. Daniels "former musician/engineer" (Tennessee Hills) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Industry Standard (Mlps) (Audio CD)

Terribly hard to find (a Japanese Import), this release was the final straw for the legendary band formerly known as the "Dixie" Dregs, as they were forced to drop "Dixie" from their name and use vocals to "get a hit". The usual Dixie Dregs/Steve Morse template is here - rockers, jazz/fusion, "chicken pickin'", baroque flavored acoustic, and "near" bluegrass- but the CD has 2 tracks with vocals as well. Alex Ligertwood (Santana) and Patrick Simmons (Doobies) contribute perfectly good performances to perfectly ggod songs but they have no fire and reflect the Label's forced contrivance.

However, there are some outstanding tracks too: "Blood Sucking Leeches" is 2nd only to their classic "Take It Off The Top" as a rock number, "Assembly Line" is as good as any of their fusion numbers, and the fiddle work by future Nashville session legend Mark O'Conner (on "Where's Dixie" and "Chips Ahoy") is the best compliment to Morse's astonishing guitar playing than any of their other releases. As always, the band shows off some monster chops (but tastefully) and Morse's song writing, arranging, and guitar work are amazing. The production and arrangements are more stripped down and direct- more rock & roll, less jazz/fusion- (which I like).

The song titles ("Industry Standard", "Blood Sucking Leeches", "Assembly Line", "Where's Dixie?") reflect their jaded (but accurate) view of the music biz and this would be their last "real" release. The Dixie Dregs periodically reunite and have 3 releases (mostly live and with slightly different line ups) since this CD. A great CD- not as good overall as "What If" perhaps, but their entire catalog is well worth the money!

As an aside: I saw them twice on their tour of this release and seeing O'Conner and Morse "battle it out" live are some of the most memorable performances I have ever seen.