Customer Reviews

Industry Standard (Mlps)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

If I didn't see this entry on Amazon, I wouldn't know this had ever been released on CD -- God knows I've looked for it over the years. This was the Dregs' last album as a full-time band (1982). They broke up after the tour, but have had occasional reunions for touring or recording. As a last-ditch concession to the record company, which always claimed it was unable to market a band that just played instrumentals, there are two songs with vocals: "Crank It Up", sung by Santana's Alex Ligertwood, and "Ridin' High", sung by the Doobie Brothers' Patrick Simmons. After Allen Sloan's departure, violin duties were handled by fiddler extraordinaire Mark O'Connor (also an fine guitarist, he played "Bloodsucking Leeches" on guitar on the tour). As always, Steve Morse remained the planet's best all-around guitarist.

This is a 3-1/2 star album, not in the same league with "Unsung Heroes", "What If", or "Dregs of the Earth", primarily because there is a big dropoff in the songwriting on the second half of the album. The first half is strong, beginning with the funky "Assembly Line" (anchored by Andy West's hyperactive bass line) and "Crank It Up." "Chips Ahoy" is one of the most underrated Dregs' songs; I've had the tune stuck in my head many times over the last 20 years. "Bloodsucking Leeches" is framed by a blazing boogie guitar theme. Instead of the usual classical guitar-violin duet, Morse dueted on classical with Yes' guitarist Steve Howe on "Up in the Air". The weak second half includes the shuffle-beat "Ridin' High", country tune "Where's Dixie?", ballad "Conversation Piece" (a lesser rehash of "Day 444", which was itself a lesser variation on "Hereafter"), and the medium-tempo "Vitamin Q".

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

I have been a fan of Steve Morse for years and have many of his albums however I always go back to Industry Standard as it is so replayable. What I really like about it is how many different styles of playing he demonstrates. Going from "Crank it up" - a great pop song and no I won't bag it like the other reviewers, to a chickin' pickin'style in "Where's Dixie" to classical guitar in "Up in the air". This style change is evident throughout the album an highlights Steve's incredible versatility. He's also (or was) an airline pilot. Nothing like having another job to fall back on, in case you don't make it as a guitarist!! This is my favourite Steve Morse album and the other band members are just as good.

This album is perhaps the best Dregs offering, featuring the line up from most of the Dregs albums, but with Mark O'Conner (the awesome violinist/fiddler), known throughout the Nashville and Country scene for his Studio work. Those of you who know O'Conner know he is much more than just a fiddler; he is an incredible instrumentalist. The rest of the Dregs line up give their usual amazing instrumental performances, with the normal broad variety of musical styles offered: Rock, Jazz/Fusion, Mellow, Country, Acoustic, and even two songs with vocals. Unfortunately, this disc has been "unobtainium;" I still have to spin my LP if I want to listen to it! But it sounds as though Amazon may be able to help me finally get the album on CD. Don't miss your chance to do the same!

I had this on vinyl years ago. A great album that I hadn't heard in quite awhile. Bloodsucking Leaches, Up in the Air, and Vitamin Q are my favorites.

Well probably I could add another star in the evaluation, regarding of a remarkable jazz/rock fusion album and for sure if I don't consider the present work like "a progressive rock album" (despite of the guest star S. Howe from Yes being here, playing within a track), this is one of their best performances; nevertheless as it's the last D.Drags album before their breakup dated 1982, it's an important document! Alex Ligertwood from the Santana group and above all Mark O'Connor at the violin (along with Steve Morse in his versatility) all together give an extraordinary contribution to the composition. Naturally it's not equal to "What if" for example or the most famous work entitled "Dregs of the earth", but especially the first half is very energic and creative as well!! It could complete your private collection of fusion rock, even though I prefer some other compositions such as those ones within a few immortal albums like "Romantic Warrior" by Return to Forever or the best contaminations between fusion and prog, where Echolyn meets Brand X...
Make your own choice!!

This is definitely the very best album by The Dregs. It really shows the capabillity of The Best Guitarist in the World - Steve Morse. All the tunes are just cracking good. Buy it! You will not be disappointed.

I've been waiting for some time to replace my vinyl to PC to CD copy so was happy to find this finally available. I love all the Dregs tunes, with What If my overall favorite release. Just wondering if anyone else had no title or track info on their disc or if mine is just defective. Otherwise no issues.